Indian Car Blog – Carazoo.com

Cedia Select 2012 – Something Near Sci-Fi

It is difficult to pick a favourite from the host of new features of the all-new Cedia Select 2012. It has a near sci-fi communication-on-move system, a powerful engine, additional safety features and reliability tags.

Communication-on-move system is what every Cedia Select driver can boast of, can enjoy and put to great utility value. HM have built an android-based 7-inch Mapmyindia carpad via 3G; now make calls, check Emails, video-chat, surf the information highway, or do the age-old thing – watch the TV,( all this while you are travelling and not driving the Cedia yourself, of course.)
The tablet is portable and you can shift it for the benefit of the passengers at the rear, place it on the windscreen or even take it outside the vehicle.Take the three colours, every all-new Cedia Select 2012 looks smart whether it is white speed, black flash or the blazing rally red.

Going forward, apart from the looks, the Cedia Select has a lot going in its favour on the performance side and the even more important passenger-comfort and safety. The car’s 2.0 L engine (it has shown what it can do, on the INRC and several other rallies,) puts 115 PS@5250 rpm power at your disposal and torque at 175 Nm@ 4250 rpm. The hydraulic power-assisted steering lets you handle the car with minimum effort, a factor for long drives. All these should satisfy most of the demanding drivers.

A few words about the pedigree should be in order here. The Cedia Select 2012 is rolling out from the makers of the very dependable and proven masterpiece – the Ambassador. On the durability and reliability fronts, Hindustan Motors have had an edge all along. The Cedia Select has the added advantage of the Mitsubishi engineering and technology working for it.
When you take a peek, the first thing that strikes, is the elegance of the two-tone beige interiors. If the oyster leather seats and the overall ambience invite you in and hold the 3-spoke black leather wrapped steering wheel, don’t resist; get in to feel the plush and spacious feeling (2012 Cedia seats five persons comfortably.)

At about Rs. 8.90 Lakh, the all-new Cedia Select 2012 gives you more than value for the money.

posted by somdatta.basu @ Friday, July 13th, 2012 Comments Off links to this post

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March 30, 2012

HM introduces All New 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander

Hindustan Motors Limited, the flagship venture of the multi-billion dollar CK Birla Group, has introduced an upgraded Mitsubishi Outlander 2012.

Hindustan Motors Limited was established at Port Okha in Gujarat during the pre-independence era. In 1948, it was shifted to Uttarpara in Hoogly district, West Bengal, where it started the production of the iconic Ambassador which has created waves in the Indian automotive industry. The company is equipped with integrated facilities like press shop, forge shop, foundry, machine shop and aggregate assembly units for engines, axles etc. Presently the company manufactures Ambassador in the passenger car segment, light commercial vehicle 1-tonne payload mini-truck Winner 1.5 XD PLUS (diesel) and Winner 1.8 XD PLUS (CNG), small commercial vehicle VEER and auto components at its Uttarpara plant. The company also runs operations at Pithampur near Indore in Madhya Pradesh where it produces both variants of Winner.

The Mitsubishi Outlander has a perfect blend of style and substance with its bold design and stylish body graphics that beholds the traditional appeal of a SUV. It was first launched earlier in 2010. Having served the market for a couple of years, the company has given this SUV a major facelift to compete in the present SUV segment.
The New 2012 Outlander is a thrilling surprise when it comes to performance. It is equipped with a flamboyant 2.4 litre engine that churns out 167 bhp power and 226 Nm torque making it apt for easy maneuvering both in plain and rough terrains.

The The New 2012 Outlander has an array of features which includes keyless operating systems, highly capable Rockford Fosgate premium 710 watt music system with 6 CD changer and USB port, row seating with tumble function, split tail gate, paddle shifters and cruise control. The interior is sophisticated and luxurious with high contrast meter combination, leather upholstery and 3-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. The exterior gets a jet fighter type front grill which complements the suave and stylish look of the vehicle besides HID headlamps with AFS. The safety features include ABS and EBD along with RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body and dual frontal airbags. It is priced at Rs. 20.55 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi.

posted by somdatta.basu @ Friday, March 30th, 2012 Comments Off links to this post

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October 1, 2010

Hindustan Motors to Launch New Cars after 26 Long Years

The original wheels of India began their drive on the Indian roads in 1958 and around 800 units of the car are sold every month even now. Yes, we are speaking about the Hindustan Motors Ambassador. However, after the launch of the Ambassador, it seemed like the car maker was driven into a long sleep. The Contessa, of course, was launched sometime in between in 1984. It failed to impress the finicky Indian though.

The Contessa was a status symbol back then, but just for a while. Sadly, the car was phased out. For the last few quarters, HM has been suffering losses of around Rs 20 Crore a quarter. Now, after 26 long years, one of Asia’s oldest passenger car makers has finally opened its eyes to the changes around.

We hear the buzz too. Hindustan Motors is thinking of launching a third passenger car brand after more or less 26 years. The car maker is finally working out a strategy to revive the brand. Hindustan Motors’ net worth was Rs 164 crore as on June 30, 2010, while accumulated loss was around Rs 152 crore, representing an erosion of around 92.5 per cent. Following that, the brand was set to refer to Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction.

The over 70-year-old Hindustan Motors had also been subjected to financial restructuring very recently that resulted in infusion of Rs 40 Crore in the company. Hindustan Motors MD Manoj Jha said that the company would launch 6-7 variants in next 15-20 months. That will be quite a good comeback. Surprisingly, HM also states that all the variants will carry completely different looks.

Manoj Jha indicated that 4 variants would be introduced under the umbrella brand of Ambassador while the car maker is planning to introduce a new brand for two variants. “We may introduce a new brand as well. We will use Ambassador brand for other variants,” he said. Manoj Jha indicated that the new brand may be launched in 12-15 months.

The CK Birla company said that it would consider launching variants of the Ambassador while exploring options to use idle capacity for contract manufacturing. A new variant of the Ambassador will be launched in India by end of this year, and the engine will be supplied by a global leader in engine technology.

Jha said HM would increase the number of dealers to 200 from 75 as well as the number of service centres. “We want more people to use the Ambassador for personal use rather than for commercial purposes (taxi),” he said.

Manoj Jha said the string of measures would make the company operationally profitable by the end of this fiscal. It hasn’t won a lottery. When a company’s net worth is fully eroded, it is referred to the BIFR, and to prevent itself from slipping into the charges of the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), Hindustan Motors (HM) had raised Rs 40 Crore.

Ambassador

It had sold a property in Chennai and shares of auto component maker Avtec to other CK Birla group companies. This money will hopefully assist the car maker tide itself over the crisis till December. The promoters are also expected to chip in with funds.

Jha said he expected HM’s all three plants, Uttarpara in Bengal, Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Indore in Madhya Pradesh to become self sufficient by the last quarter. “We have reached the inflexion point.” HM is indeed seeing a revival. The Uttarpara plant and the Ambassador which were of late being treated as a liability will no longer be looked at in that manner. Way to go Hindustan Motors!

posted by carazooblog @ Friday, October 1st, 2010 Comments Off links to this post

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June 30, 2010

Fiat India Small Car to Take on Alto

fiat-logo Ask any Indian to name a car that has proved to be just perfect for India. With a smile, you may get answers like the Maruti 800 and the Ambassador. Iconic cars like these are slowly vanishing. Not to worry, we have new cars coming in. It’s time for a change and many car makers are now bringing in made-for-India cars. Interestingly, even Fiat India is gearing up to make a splash of its own in the country’s promising small car market by launching an India-specific car. Hyundai did it two years ago with the i10, and Ford followed by introducing the Figo exclusively for India, and now, Fiat will follow.

Fiat’s new car will make an entry in 2012. If you’re thinking the car is going to look like the Uno, let’s clarify that the new small car will not bear any resemblance to the company’s Uno model. Fiat India says that it will be an all-new car, nothing to do with any of its other models. It will be an entry-level model, priced aggressively, much below Fiat’s premium hatchback, Punto.

The Fiat small car will be pitted against the Alto and will come strapped with a one-litre engine. It will be an India-specific car, made in India, made for India, keeping in mind India’s unique terrain and temperatures. Fiat India’s R&D team has been working extremely hard to carve a car that will meet consumer needs in the best manner.

The new car will hopefully increase Fiat India’s market share from the current 1.5 per cent. The company hopes to roll out 40,000 cars in India this year. The car maker is aware of the tough competition and knows that the small car market in India is blazing. It is this competition that has led car makers to Indianize their offerings. As for Fiat, it currently offers the 500, Grande Punto, Linea and Palio Stile in India. But right now, India’s entry level car space is what excites the car maker the most.

The new car launch will certainly help the auto maker increase sales. However, auto experts feel it’s time for Fiat India to expand its service network too. Fiat will have to make sure that low-cost spares are readily available anywhere in the nation. The company has already sorted out the distribution problem with the tie up with Tata Motors, but will have to spread its authorized workshops to enhance efficient after sales service, a critical aspect in India. Experts also feel that the company will have to localize the product better than its competition.

The gossip about Fiat re-launching its Uno model sometime later this year was in the air some time back. However, due to declining sales, Fiat will have to put the car’s production on hold. Fiat also feels that the Uno brand has become rather generic in nature and the car maker is figuring out a new brand name for the car.

posted by carazooblog @ Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 Comments Off links to this post

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May 10, 2010

The Fate of India’s Ambassador

Hindusthan Ambassador
Have you ever seen an Ambassador car? That would be a dim-witted question, right? But may be few years down the line we may not see the car on our roads. The car is regarded as India’s traditional official vehicle. But, these days we hardly see our ministers using the Ambassadors. Thankfully, to boost the company’s spirits, the Ambassador has been chosen as the official car to ferry athletes around at the October Commonwealth Games.

Not long ago did we hear that losses at Hindustan Motors, maker of the Ambassador car, were swelling. These losses are certainly raising questions about the company’s survival. What do you think will be the fate of Hindustan Motors?

The pug-nosed Ambassador was once upon a time the king on India’s potholed roads. But in the last fiscal year, Hindustan Motors is reported to have suffered losses of around Rs. 42.9 Crore from Rs. 37.8 Crore the previous year. To add to the misfortune, India’s oldest automaker said its net worth has dropped by more than 50 per cent. The car maker must now report to the state-run Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction which is part of India’s socialist-style bureaucracy that oversees revival of sick or financially troubled companies.

However, we are happy to see the company stay so positive. It insists that the future appears brighter, helped by an improving viewpoint for sales which had seen a financial decline recently. The company has not reached the state of bankruptcy. But with Hindustan Motors’ shares tumbling, analysts don’t have long-term hopes for the company. While car makers like Maruti Suzuki are doubling their profits in the fast-growing auto industry, it is sad to see Hindustan Motors suffer the losses.

Hindustan Motors, flagship company of the CK Birla Group, joined forces with Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors in the 1990s to manufacture Lancer sedans and the Pajero. The company could still never make it like the olden times of the 1970s when the Amby held a market stranglehold of around 70 per cent. The Ambassador started losing its name fame when sleek new cars entered India making the Ambassador’s chubby contours look old-fashioned.

The Ambassador may see a rebound in demand, with sales expected to double to 1,000 units a month in the coming year, but this represents just a fraction of India’s total annual car market of 1.53 million units. For years the Ambassador was the only car driven by senior government officials and people always knew when something significant was happening in the national capital because of the fleet of Ambassadors outside.

But now, most of the civil servants have abandoned the Ambassador in favour of more muscular sedans or SUVs. They are usually ferried around in armoured BMW cars. Even taxi drivers were loyal buyers of the Ambassador. But now, even their tastes have changed and they prefer the more fuel-efficient compact cars. They feel the hatchbacks are cheaper to run, more reliable and easier to drive.