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Tuesday, 3 November 2009
If you have thought that having a voice-activated navigation system is cool enough, you are wrong! In fact, you have not seen anything 'cool'.
Volkswagen and the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) are coming together to bring in "a dashboard-mounted robotic device that uses numerous sources of information to help you plan travel routes, dodge traffic jams, find heretofore unrealized entertainment opportunities and avoid running out of fuel."
What about this? This can be defined as cool, uber cool, right?
Christened as the AIDA (Affective Intelligent Driving Agent), the system will help you drive effectively, But AIDA will not drive for you, instead it will monitor features and systems such as the gas and brake pedals, windshield wipers, seat position and fuel gauge and tyre pressure to 'study' how you drive.
This aiding AIDA can also analyse the traffic conditions, weather and the status of the car to make advice that go beyond simple turn-by-turn directions. To illustrate, if you have an appointment at 7 pm, but traffic jam threatens you be late, then AIDA will step in and direct you around the traffic using the quickest possible route. On the way home, it might recommend that you stop for fuel refill based on the fuel gauge. AIDA can also suggest you to grab a bite on the way as it knows you've been tired because of the appointment and might be hungry.
For some, AIDA could come across as overbearing, but its developers hope it won't. According to its creators, AIDA will feel more like passengers than gadgets. Moreover, in early prototypes, AIDA is reminiscent of Wall-E as it appears like a small robotic head with glowing blue eyes sticking out of the car's dashboard above the center air vents.
And, Volkswagen isn't the only company working on the idea, Nissan is also working on similar systems.
Next’s what? Labels: AIDA, Automatic-Navigation, car-gadgets, GPS-Navigation-System, Volkswagen-cars
Friday, 26 June 2009
This is where the East meets West. German car manufacturer Volkswagen is looking for partnership with Suzuki Motors Corporation (SMC). The reason is Volkswagen wants access to Suzuki’s small car technology which is abundantly used in emerging markets like India. Asian cars are in huge demand across the world nowadays. And who better than Japan can deliver small cars. Right? According to news circulated by Reuters, Volkswagen is considering on securing a deal with Suzuki Motor Corporation and gain access to small car technology used in Suzuki cars. This initiative is in pursuance of Volkswagen’s global plans to beat Toyota and fight to the top Numero Uno position. Interestingly, Volkswagen already has small cars in its portfolio like Beetle, Rabbit, GTI, Polo and Up. But the German company feels that Suzuki truly knows how to make small cars. They are, inexpensive and less powerful than Volkswagen cars, but are very user friendly. It also has a 660 cc vehicle in Japan. Suzuki is the second largest car manufacturer in Japan, just behind Toyota, the world’s largest car manufacturer. It is also the majority partner in the Maruti Suzuki India. It is the builder of Maruti Suzuki Alto and A-star, which are hugely popular in European markets. But nobody is sure if the deal will get through this year. In the past too, Volkswagen has sent a similar request to Suzuki, but the deal never materialized. A lot of its future plans are at stake in this latest deal for Volkswagen. Suzuki will need to play its cards carefully before accepting the deal. Labels: small-cars-India, Suzuki-Motor-Corporation, Volkswagen-cars
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Volkswagen has started the trial production for its upcoming small car ‘Polo’. It will be the first locally made car from the company’s stable in India which is set to be unveiled at the New Delhi Auto Expo 2010. The commercial production of Polo is likely to start soon after its display at the Auto Show. The car is based on the Skoda Fabia platform. Polo is likely to help Volkswagen make inroads into the huge small car market in India that is primarily dominated by Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors. The Chakan plant where the Trial production of the Polo was recently flagged off has a capacity to manufacture 110,000 cars per annum. The Chakan plant will follow company’s two-shift theory unlike other German plants which work 3-shifts. The company has provision for only 35 percent of automation as against the 98 percent of automation it has in Germany. The company has made the highest investment worth 580 million euro in India. Well, Volkswagen seems to be serious about the Indian car market. And will definitely succeed in taking over its rivals if its continue expanding its network as well as product portfolio in the country. Labels: Polo, Small-Car, Volkswagen-cars
Friday, 17 April 2009
The Volkswagen MK VI Golf has received the prestigious ‘World Car of the Year’ award at the New York Auto Show. All the countries around the world have their nation specific or continent specific awards that acclaim a car based on its performance and response received by car buyers of that specific region. But the World Car of the Year award is something different from all. The award covers and nominates all the cars that are on sale in atleast 2 continents around the world. The jury who ranks the car comprises automotive journalists from 22 different countries. This year the jury selected the new iteration of the Volkswagen Golf to bestow the award. The car outshines models like the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota iQ. Winning spree of the VW Golf is an age old history that holds rich and cherished memories for Volkswagen. Amazingly, the car has lived an illustrious 35 years in the industry. It has undergone many generations and the Golf that won the prestigious award is the sixth generation Golf. Par excellence the Volkswagen MK VI Golf has created a new benchmark in the industry with its excellence in safety, designing skills, and technological creativity. Labels: Auto-Shows, Volkswagen-cars, Volkswagen-Golf
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Volkswagen is ready to reveal its green and fuel efficient Polo BlueMotion concept at the Geneva Motor Show 2009. The car is expected to make its debut in the U.S. market by 2010. Excitingly, the Polo concept is going to enthrall the audiences with its outstanding appeal, green character, and unmatched performance. The presence of the car will compliment this year’s ‘green’ theme of the Geneva Motor Show. The car is powered by a new three-cylinder direct-injection 1.2-liter TDI engine that produces 74 bhp and emits 87 g/km of CO2. The small size of the engine ensures fuel consumption of just 3.3L/100km making the car one of the most economical models in the world. Besides keeping minimum engine size, the company has also equipped the car with latest fuel saving technologies. It also features an advanced engine start/stop system and a regenerative braking system which help to reduce alternator related engine loads. The company has stressed on every minor detail to make it fuel efficient like 10mm reduction in ride height, a modified front end, an aerodynamically optimized underbody, aerodynamic exterior, and 15-inch alloy wheels. Looks like the car is going to break all records in term of mileage and emission and these two characteristics will prop the car to flourish in the market when it will actually witness the commercial launch. Labels: Concept-Car, Fuel-efficient-Car, Volkswagen-cars
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Car manufacturers have tied high hopes with the approaching festive season of New Year and Christmas to recover from the grief of plunging car sales. They are trying to ignite a fire of thrill and excitement in the gloomy car market by announcing heavy discounts, schemes, exchange benefits, and vouchers to tempt customers for car purchase.  While others are offering price discounts, Skoda presents free periodic maintenance for 3 years or 50,000 km on the purchase of new Skoda cars. This offer is valid until the date when the year 2008 moves to 2009. Yes, you can avail this offer till 31st December. All Skoda cars including the Skoda Octavia, Skoda Superb, Skoda Laura and Skoda Fabia fall under this year-end scheme. Similar offer is also declared by Skoda’s parent company, Volkswagen. You can buy the Volkswagen Jetta with a free maintenance of 3 years or 45,000 km whichever is earlier. Skoda promises zero worries with the purchase of Skoda cars making your ride more pleasurable. Skoda calls it the ‘zero worries scheme’ and encourages the car buyers to seriously consider buying their cars. Labels: Car-Manufacturers, Skoda-Cars, Volkswagen-cars
Friday, 17 October 2008
Every day we hear of new car launches in India. The growing numbers is purely because global manufacturers have a strong belief that India is a highly potential market for cars with higher growth prospective.  As the numbers of new cars are zipping on Indian roads, Volkswagen also plans to launch its popular car model Caddy in India. The launch of the car is aimed at delivering low-cost taxi for urban use. The desire to launch the car as taxi-cab is based on growing tourism industry in the country. Apart from that, many people today prefer commuting by taxis rather than driving their own cars. These commuters feel that the cost of oil required for travelling to a desired destination would be nearly equal to the fare of the taxis. So, this obviously calls for more need of better taxis in India. Labels: India, New-Car-Launch, Volkswagen-cars
Friday, 22 August 2008
The German auto giant Volkswagen has decided to split its sales and service networks for all cars. The company wants to create unique identities and plans to maintain separate outlets and marketing teams for all the three brands. However, group synergies would be attached for the backend operations like logistics, finance and procurement would be shared amongst the group companies. Currently the group also shares the manufacturing units. But once the Chakan plant becomes ready, some of the models will be shifted to the new plant for production. Volkswagen models in India are very popular and with the recent launch of Jetta, the company has added another feather to their cap. This stunning sedan is known for its sporty and powerful design coupled with luxurious features. Well, this strategy will surely help the company to retain elite brand identities for all the three brands. Labels: New-Car-Plant, Volkswagen-cars
Friday, 4 July 2008
General Motors is the first one to reduce the car prices after the rising inflation and high loan interest. Many car manufacturers are following the line. Volkswagen being one of them is planning to roll out cheaper variants of Passat and Passat CC. 
Volkswagen is planning to come out with a cheap variant of Passat that would be powered by a common rail engine and a manual gearbox. Another reason of Volkswagen reducing the car price of Passat is willingness to compete the car sales of Honda Accord. New variant of Passat CC is inspired by the car model Mercedes CLS. The car is designed on the basis of standard sedan’s signs and is expected to be more upmarket. Will Volkswagen be successful in fulfilling the desire behind producing cheaper variants of Passat and Passat CC? Labels: Car-Price, Volkswagen-cars
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
Get Set Go! Just wait on the end line, Jetta is ready to reach you. Volkswagen is all set to launch its new sedan VW Jetta in the month of August. Many are waiting for the launch of this car. For selling the car, the company is signing more contracts with car dealers and distributors. The car is likely to cost between Rs 13-16 lakh, this makes the Jetta much affordable than others in its class. Though the car display the Germanic looks, the styling is overall common. So many cars are rolling out that it is becoming even tougher and tedious to select the best car. Considering the growth of the Indian market, various car manufacturers including Volkswagen are racing to get the maximum share percent in the industry. Who is going to win the race? Will Jetta bring some shares to VW? A big question mark to what’s ahead. Labels: New-launch, Volkswagen-cars
Friday, 30 May 2008
Volkswagen does not like wasting when it comes to business. The company is asking its vendors to set up their facilities on its own land in Chakan in Pune. It will assist vendors to set up their establishments. The company will be saving transportation costs and time while it can concentrate on production target of 1,10,000 units per year.
It will provide as much as one third of the 575 acres land to the vendors for setting up their plants. The company has lined up more than 6-7 models of car including its subsidiary Skoda and Audi’s cars. Volkswagen will have one of the busiest facilities in Indian once the Pune plant is open. Labels: Expansion-in-business, Volkswagen-cars
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