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Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Hyundai Santro Xing gets two new variants
Hyundai’s Santro Xing model line-up gets two new variants GL and GLS. Though all technical specifications remain the same as the previous trims, the new Santro variants come standard with day and night mirror, three front seat belts, and tinted windows. The more upgraded version, Santro Xing GLS gets a host of standard features including a child-locking system, internally adjustable overview mirrors and front power windows. Both variants come standard with a hydraulic power steering wheel that responds to the slightest touch. The Santro cars adorn an active intelligent eRLX engine that allows the engine to adjust various driving dynamics based on driving conditions. The GL and GLS are designed to suit pot-holed Indian roads. The front McPherson strut suspension with a stabilizer bar is complemented by a torsion beam axle with 3-link offset coil springs and hydraulic dampers at the rear. Apart from this, the wide tyres give the vehicle more grip and sturdiness. The GL solid and GL metallic come with a price tag of Rs. 34,1692 and Rs. 34,5429 respectively. The GLS solid and GLS metallic adorn a label of Rs. 36,1780 and Rs. 36,5519 correspondingly. Labels: cars, Hyundai, Indian car market, launch in India, New variants
Monday, 1 October 2007
Mitsubishi wants to make an ‘India Car’ too
Since Mitsubishi’s collaboration with Hindustan Motors (HM) about a decade ago, it has released an array of popular Sedans and SUVs, but not a single vehicle in the most popular Hatchback segment. With the announcement of an official launch date for the ‘1-lakh car’ by Tata Motors, other auto manufacturers are keen to compete. Mitsubishi is considering introducing its new model ‘i’ to India. The ‘i concept’ car debuted at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. The egg-shaped vehicle carried a 999 cc engine that boasted of a very impressive mileage of 33 kms per litre. It also carried a Mitsubishi Smart Idling (MSI) system which turns off the engine automatically when the vehicle is stationary and can restart it within 0.2 seconds. The ‘i’ that launched in January 2006, comes with an ultra-efficient lightweight turbocharged 660 cc petrol engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. It sports a wide door, sufficient room for 4 passengers, split-folding rear seats, and alloy wheels. The engine emissions are environment friendly. It is priced a little too high in the European market. With the co-operation of Hindustan Motors (HM), Mitsubishi could introduce a small car, based on the i-car platform, in India. Vehicle cost could be reduced by sourcing parts locally and by stripping out some of the expensive on-board equipment. Labels: car manufacturers, cars, competition, Hatchbacks, Indian car market, Mitsubishi, Sedans, SUVs, Tata
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Mahindra Ingenio likely to launch by 2008
Mahindra & Mahindra is looking to launch its semi-hybrid and full-hybrid versions of its Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) - Scorpio by next year. The primary focus of Ingenio would be on diesel engines. The first prototype of Ingenio will be running on Indian roads by January next year. Mahindra & Mahindra is believed to be working on a combination of diesel and battery-operated hybrid engine for Ingenio. It will combine both the common rail diesel technology and the fuel-saving technology of an electric motor. This will provide the vehicle a better fuel economy and a lower transmission, while giving the benefit of a full hybrid performance. Ingenio will build on a new platform and M&M has discarded the idea of utilizing the ageing platform of the Bolero. The Ingenio is likely to have a monocoque platform rather than a conbody-on-frame chassis. Labels: car manufacturers, cars, Indian car market, launch in India, Mahindra
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Mercedes flags off 'India Trail'
A unique plan to delve deep into the hearts of Indians, the Mercedes Benz pioneers of the luxury segment started on the India Trail today. A series of 7 cars will be participating in this Journey that starts from Pune. This drive will go through almost all parts of southern, western, and northern India. Covering over 40,000 kms between today and Oct 10, Mercedes is trying to strengthen its solid bond between India and the Mercedes-Benz brand. Showcasing the rich and diverse culture, heritage and natural beauty of India, the India Trail mainly focuses on the process of driving available Mercedes-Benz cars in the country. India Trial features the entire portfolio of diesel cars from Mercedes-Benz in India — S-Class, C-Class, E-Class, M-Class, the Bio-Diesel C-Class, and the Viano. Labels: car manufacturers, cars, India, India Trail, Indian car market, Mercedes-Benz
Monday, 24 September 2007
Chevy Aveo to go through a small makeover
The Chevrolet Aveo was mainly a disappointment when it was launched about a year back. In order to make it more stylish and draw in more buyers, the manufacturer has decided to give the existing Aveo a slight touch-up. The new overhauled Aveo will make driving an easy task with enhanced gearshift and improved throttle response for a recovered acceleration. The cabin will undergo better insulation tactics to prevent external and engine noise and vibrations from affecting the occupants. The revamped Aveo will also get an additional exterior color - Ice Blue. Maybe the Aveo will come into the light after all. Labels: cars, Chevrolet, India, Indian car market
Friday, 21 September 2007
AXE: A desi Hummer for the Indian army
Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) is all set to roll out its first high mobility multipurpose-wheeled vehicle or the Humvee in India and Israel. Axe comes with amazing off-road capabilities and inspired military design cues borrowed from the popular Hummer model in the U.S. M&M has made Axe as per the Indian army specifications. Axe will soon be tested by the Indian defence team. Mahindra’s Indian Axe is a diesel version that is well suited for Special Forces. The engines of the Axe will initially be imported and then later built in a plant in India. The diesel version of the Axe is mounted with a 2.7-litre CRDi engine. The highlight of the Axe model is its high-tech all-wheel independent suspension system. Finally the time has come when the Indian Army’s Mahindra Jeeps will see replacement in the form of the new sporty Axe – a definite necessity for a country which has its automobile industry growing everyday by leaps and bounds! Labels: Army, cars, Indian car market, Mahindra
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Tata’s ‘1 Lakh Car’- It’s Real!
It’s been in the news for a long time now and if all the propaganda wasn’t enough to satisfy the skeptics, here’s one more that is probably more convincing. Tata Motors has officially announced a launch date for its 21st century miracle – June 2008. By the end of 2008, you’d probably see these moon buggies scooting around in every part of the country. Due to the insurmountable task of this creation and the unstoppable inflation, fears were that the ‘1 lakh car’ would end up being pricier say a ‘3 lakh car’. With the launch just a few months away, these fears are safely put to rest. The number is still close to 1, 00,000. This means $2275 for the dollar Indian and £1250 for the British desi. Enough said. In India, owning a car has always been a dream ever since PAL produced the first one in 1946. In spite of the entry of several foreign auto makers with their bags full of flashy wheels, a car still remains a not-so-easily-affordable luxury and thus a decent status symbol, especially for those less affected by the economic boom or strong IT influences. BMW-driving farmers in or around Delhi don’t make the set. Where there’s innovation, there’s competition! The other way around holds true as well. There’s never a dearth of thinkers in this world - Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Copernicus, Newton, Einstein, and now can we say Tata. Everyone knows the importance of the mini car. An extra wheel on Bajaj’s auto-rickshaw would probably make a decent car and also beat the competition by miles. But that’s not what Tata is looking to make. "It will look like a car and have proper seating. Stretched canvas seats would not, for example, be acceptable. It would be all right for it to be a bit noisier than an ordinary car, but it has to be both simple and safe." says Ratan Tata, chief honcho at Tata Motors. Power windows, heated seats, ABS, cruise control, a DVD entertainment system, and an MP3-capable audio system are probably NOT the features that will be standard. However, a 4-door spacious car with rack and pinion steering, a rear engine, 5-passenger capacity, and a gearbox is definitely good enough! It is easy to assume the car would be run by belts attached to guinea pigs on rollers. However, Tata will offer a 30 bhp 600cc petrol engine and a choice of either a manual transmission or a CVT automatic. A diesel engine option will also be available. Will Tata’s ‘1 lakh car’ push the two-wheelers out of business? It would probably affect sales of high-end motorcycles selling a little below the 1 lakh mark. Tata’s dream project could take away a quarter of the market from the motorcycle makers. But low running costs and fuel efficiency will always play a major role in the Indian auto segment. Hence, the presence of two-wheelers cannot be ignored. Labels: Bajaj, BMW, cars, competition, Indian car market, Indian low budget cars, One-Lakh Rupee Car, Tata
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Hyundai experiences huge success
It has been success after success for the Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) after it set-up its business in India. It has achieved many significant milestones in its nine-year career in India. To add to the laurels, HMIL recently rolled-out its 1,500,000th unit in the month of September, 2007. Hyundai’s first car in India was rolled out in the month of September, 9-years ago. The stir of HMIL’s first launch in India, the Santro, led to them launching the Accent, Elantra, Sonata, and Getz models that went on to continue ruling the market. Uncompromising quality and great service made it one of the most popular and well-liked brand in India. The Hyundai Getz pocketed the prestigious accolade of best-selling car in the year 2004. With the increasing popularity and demand, the nation’s major automaker is planning to expand its dealership across the country in order to meet the rising demand. Labels: cars, Elantra, Getz Prime, Hyundai, India, Santro Xing, Sonata
Isuzu Motors to start a commercial business in India
Japanese auto major Isuzu Motors Ltd. is planning to tie-up with Swaraj Mazda Limited and Sumitomo Corporation to build midsize buses in India, by the end of this month. The manufacturing plant might raise its head next to the existing plant of Sumitomo and Swaraj Mazda in Northern Delhi. The buses will be priced at 20% more than the buses made by the local manufacturers. The buses are estimated to cost around $132,000. Though, initially the business will start with the midsize buses, the company is planning to manufacture trucks that cater to the Indian market by 2010. Isuzu Motors is well versed in manufacturing diesel engines. The company’s new plant in northern Delhi is said to be capable of producing 40 to 50 thousand units per year, which might also rise with the company’s expansion. Apart from India, the company is also eyeing China and Russia. The buses produced by Isuzu motors, though slightly high on price compared to local manufacturers, are economically efficient when compared to other overseas manufacturers in India. Isuzu also produces cars in the U.S and manufacturing buses or trucks may just be the entry point they are looking for to enter the Indian market. They can then later expand their industry in India by joining the Indian car manufacturing sector. Labels: buses, car manufacturers, cars, Indian car market, Isuzu, Mazda, trucks
Monday, 17 September 2007
Honda City on a verge to regain the top rank in India
The revamped version of the Honda City ZX is finally launched in India in-order to reclaim the topmost position in the mid-size car section. The refurbished version of the City is upgraded in comfort and safety fronts. This overhauled Honda City is sure to pose a strong competition to the other competitors in the market. Though Honda Siel Cars India (HSIC) is on the verge of replacing the model next year, it still wanted to smarten-up the existing model to regain its old status of top mid-sized car. This new version is priced between Rupees 6.80 lakh and Rupees 8.65 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), which is less than the price of the City ZX VTEC. Honda City ZX VTEC Plus now comes standard with leather upholstered seats, an anti-lock braking system, dual-stage SRS airbags, and a new steering wheel. This is the tenth anniversary gift from HSIC to the Indian customers. Since its launch in 1998, the Honda City is sold over 1,90,000 units in the Indian market. Since the entry of Maruti Suzuki’s SX4 and Mahindra-Renault’s Logan, the Honda City was pushed back to the third position with a sale figure reduced to 2,465 units a year. According to the company release, HSIC is also planning to roll-out hybrid cars in the Indian market. Labels: cars, competition, Honda, India, Mahindra, Maruti
Friday, 14 September 2007
Nissan plans to compete with Tata’s people car
Though none of the auto makers believed that Tata’s 1, 00,000 car would take feathers, now most of them are seriously thinking of manufacturing ultra-cheap cars to cater to the Indian market. Nissan Motor Co. is seriously thinking about manufacturing a cheap car that can pose a tough competition to the Tata’s One-Lakh People Car. If Nissan’s plans come alive, there will be a $3,000 (approx. Rs. 1, 20,000) car running on Indian roads in a couple of years. To make the dream come true, Nissan is looking for an Indian partner - Bajaj Auto Ltd. Bajaj has been looking for an opportunity to enter the Indian compact car market frenzy. Therefore, a successful deal will serve both parties to their advantage. Apart from this Nissan is also planning to build a mid-size car that would pose a nose-to-nose competition with the Mahindra-Renault Logan. Though the company is serious about these plans, they are yet to take the initiation. If decided, the plans will start taking feathers by next year this time. Time will decide whether any car will emerge to compete against Tata’s people car. Labels: cars, competition, Nissan, One-Lakh Rupee Car, Tata
DaimlerChrysler’s first step of expansion in the Indian market
DaimlerChrysler is associated with the production of the very popular luxury car – the Mercedes-Benz. With its growing business and popularity, DaimlerChrysler is prepared to open a new plant in Pune. The money invested is 50 million euros. The company has acquired 100 acres of land in Pune that will resume the work by 2009. This new plant, which is built to manufacture 5,000 cars annually, will manufacture 1,000 units more compared to the leased plant in Pune. According to company sources, the process from the rented plant will be shifted to the new plant. The new plant is constructed keeping in mind the demand for the cars manufactured by DaimlerChrysler in the Indian market. The new plant is deemed to take-up multiple roles as a manufacturing plant and an assembling plant. Assembling of heavy trucks will start by the end of the year and manufacturing of luxury buses will start from next year at the same plant. Labels: car manufacturers, cars, India, Indian car market, Mercedes-Benz
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
DaimlerChrysler to set-up a plant in Maharashtra
DaimlerChrysler India has recently signed an agreement with the Maharashtra government to open a new facility in Chakan, Pune. Out of the 100 acres of land that the company is going to acquire, one-third of the area will be dedicated to the first-phase production plant. This plant, which will start functioning from January 2009, will have the capability to produce over 4,500 units annually. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, C-Class, and S-Class models will be assembled at this unit helping to drastically cut down manufacturing/production costs and also decreasing vehicle market prices. Although, the company remains tight-lipped regarding the amount involved in the deal, it is estimated that the company has invested approximately 250 Crores, to set the deal right. There are also strong chances of DaimlerChrysler India introducing hordes of other models to the Indian market in 2008 and 2009. Labels: car manufacturers, cars, Indian car market, Mercedes-Benz
BMW X5 on Indian roads in November 2007
Increasing sales target has made BMW India plan its next launch. This German company has a plant in India located at Chennai. Encouraged by the good response from the Indian car market, the German auto major has planned to unveil the next model, BMW X5, in the month of November 2007. Rising demand for BMW vehicles has made the authorities think seriously about expanding the dealership in the country. According to the company’s spokesperson, at-least four more dealerships will be added by end of the year. Though, presently business is confined to Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Mumbai there is a good chance of the BMW dealerships to make way into Ahmedabad, Pune, Kochi, and Kolkata. Labels: BMW, cars, Imported cars, India
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
A looksie at Tata’s one-lakh people car in India
With the Tata-initiated One-Lakh Rupee Car picture released, it almost looks like any other existing compact car. To build a car for such a small amount is no joke. The tires should have been a bit bigger for a symmetrical look, however it is just one compromise in the car’s built. This Tata car looks like a mixed version of the Chevrolet Spark and the Maruti Suzuki Zen Estilo. However, it can accommodate four grown people comfortably. With the blunt nose and diamond-shaped headlamps the much awaited Tata car is sure to lure the two-wheelers into upgrading their bikes for a car just by paying a few thousand extra. The wide front window guarantees clear and uninterrupted view. The front window shield gently slopes to the small bonnet that is excessively cut. No doubt that this car will mainly focus on performance in the city and there is talk that the people will have an option to choose between a diesel and a petrol engine. The fuel economy will definitely be between the regions of 24 km/l to 28 km/l. For the time being, the people await the name and specification details of this Tata car. Labels: cars, India, One-Lakh Rupee Car, Tata
Revamped Honda City in India in next few weeks
From next month it will be the refurbished version of the Honda City available in the market. Facing a lot of competition from the Maruti SX4 and the Mahindra-Renault Logan, Honda Siel Cars India is in a hurry to update its City sedan with the latest technologies. According to the company’s release, its revamped City comes equipped with loads of safety features including airbags and an anti-lock braking system. Also, the prices might step-down. This revamp is said to be the final one for the City, until it gets replaced by a new model next year. With many manufacturers in India planning to launch their vehicles very shortly, this is a very important decision taken by Honda Siel Cars India. By smartening up the existing City model, there is no doubt about it posing a tough competition to the other makers. Labels: cars, competition, Honda, India, Indian car market
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
DaimlerChrysler - from Mercedes to public transport in India
Germany’s luxury car manufacturer DaimlerChrysler is planning to get into the public commuting sector in India. DaimlerChrysler builds cars that allure the rich class of the urban Indian society. It recently launched the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class in India that costs close to one Crore. As this manufacturer witnesses a massive growth in its passenger vehicle ( Mercedes-Benz) production and consumption, it now wants to target the public transport sector in India. A successful truck trade in India has led this manufacturer to believe in the idea of manufacturing buses to gratify the Indian public. Though the final decision is yet to be taken, DaimlerChrysler seem keen to enter India in this segment. The positive growth in India’s auto parts market that caters to the auto part requirements of different parts of the world and the noticeable increase in the sales of luxury cars in India has made DaimlerChrysler look at India with optimistic eyes. Labels: cars, India, Mercedes-Benz, public transport
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
The Juicy Jaguar and Land Rover Bid
Many companies have shown interest in buying the Jaguar and Land Rover brands from the Ford Motor Company. Private Equity firms in the US, such as Cerberus, which recently acquired Chrysler from Daimler, is one of the bidders in this race. One Equity and Ripplewood Holdings are other such private firms showing interest. The surprise in this fray, for India, has been the interest shown by two of its top automobile companies – Tata and Mahindra&Mahindra. Tata Motors recently acquired an Anglo-Dutch steel company and is definitely one of the strong bidders for these Ford offerings. The proverbial Ford shortlist seems to have included both these firms as possible future owners of the Jaguar and Land Rover brand. Every party concerned is being very tight-lipped about their various interactions and roles in the proceedings. One thing is for sure – the next time someone wants to buy a Jaguar or Land Rover, it could be from an Indian car manufacturer. What a leap for the Indian automobile sector! Labels: automobiles, cars
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