Launches To Be Seen For Auto Expo 2012!!

Despite the economic slow don faced by the auto industry the carmakers have decided to shrug off the slowdown and launch over two dozen automobiles in 2012. Perhaps there's no other way. Growth in car sales dipped by 4% in the first eight months of this fiscal year as against a robust growth of 30% the year before.

If carmakers have to turn the tide, the only way to do that is to woo consumers with more. "New cars are the best bet to revive fortunes. Every new car generates excitement leading to incremental sales and better volumes, which is the need of the hour," says Abdul Majeed, partner for the automotive practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Manufacturers are also counting on interest rates coming off their highs and a re-alignment in the petrol-diesel price skew, which will spur demand for petrol models. Manufacturers such as Maruti, Toyota, Ford and Renault Nissan are investing in capacity expansions to cater to the next two to three years of growth.

Some of them are also engineering their models to suit local tastes and conditions. ET takes you through the most exciting launches lined up for 2012. Which one will you choose?

Ertiga, a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), will herald Maruti Suzuki's entry into the utility vehicle space. It will also be the first compact MPV on Indian roads. Based on the RIII concept that Maruti Suzuki showcased at the Auto Expo of 2010, the Ertiga multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is likely to be priced between Rs 6 and Rs 9 lakh. The car is likely to be available in both petrol and diesel options and will challenge the Toyota Innova.

Bajaj Auto's Small Car To Be Unveiled At The Auto Expo 2012

After a long wait, Bajaj Auto is finally ready with its small car, which will be unveiled in the upcoming auto show beginning January 4, 2012 .

"The car's model is already complete. However, the company has got the final nod from its other partners, Nissan and Renault, which have approved the design," an executive from Bajaj Auto confirmed. According to sources, the car has an 800 cc petrol engine compared to Tata's 624 cc engine. Also, it is slightly more spacious than Nano. The car will be priced higher than Tata Nano .

Bajaj Auto will announce the final price and other specifications of the car at the New Delhi auto show. The first prototype of the car was shown in 2008 at the Indian Auto Expo.

"Earlier the car was supposed to be cheaper than Nano. However, other partners (Renault-Nissan) said that there should be no compromise on quality even if it means pricing it higher," the executive added.

"Moreover the company had the advantage that it could rework on the mistakes of the predecessors in the segment. Only cheap car is not enough to attract customers as consumers want value for money in this segment," the executive added.

However, he refused to reveal any other finer details about the car. Though no clear details are available, the car is a five-seater, like Tata Nano, and boasts of 30 km per litre mileage. This compares to Nano's mileage of 23 km per litre. The car will be pitched against Tata Nano, Maruti Suzuki Alto and Hyundai Eon.

Three years ago, Bajaj Auto, Nissan Motors and Renault announced that they would work on a small car, which will be priced lower than Tata Nano.

According to the initial agreement, Bajaj Auto was to work on the model, while Nissan and Renault were to be responsible for sales and marketing. However, after Nissan and Renault launched their cars on the Indian roads, rumours were rife that Renault was not happy with the model and at one point of time it was also believed that the project has been shelved.

However, after a few disagreements the project was back on track. Bajaj was working on the model for one year.

The Countdown To Auto Expo 2012 Has Begun!!

With over 1500 participants from 24 countries, the 11th Auto Expo will be host to 50 new launches including Cars, Two-Wheelers and Commercial Vehicles and a special focus on Green Technologies which will reach Indian shores.

New entries like Peugeot, who have already started construction of their Sanand plant in Gujrat would showcase their current line-up. Since India is one of the fastest growing automobile sectors across the globe, international attention on the Indian automotive industry is on the centre of the cross-hair. With the current year having a bit of a slowdown, manufacturers have not slowed down and the industry on a whole has seen a decent progress. Present at the occasion were Rajive Kaul, Chairman, Steering Committee, Auto Expo 2012 with S.Sandilya, President SIAM and Vikram

Kirloskar of Toyota Kirloskar Motors, Vice-President SIAM. Accompanying them was Arvind Kapur, President, ACMA who pointed out, “Exhibitors from the auto component industry have a strong presence in Auto Expo 2012. Some of the major component manufacturers from Belarus, Canada, People’s Republic of China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and UAE  are participating in the 11th Auto Expo. Making it, a truly “India’s global Automotive show.”

Bigger contingents from Germany and China will also be present at the 11,500 square metre venue. This time around, emphasis the use of green mobility would also be given in lieu of the deteriorating state of the environment and ever increasing rate of traffic in India. Just as at the last Expo, the January 5 would be Goodwill day which would be open to the physically challenged.

Adding to the innovative additons to the show, the expo would gave its focused pavilions as well for accessories, audio, alternate fuels, gas technologies, design, IT diesel equipment and the ‘asli-naqli’ pavilion, which primarily focuses on the harm of using fake parts for your vehicle. “Like in the past the 11th Auto Expo will also showcase future vehicles that will be launched in Indian market during the coming months and years and it is hoped that the event will be a harbinger of revival of the industry in the new year,” concluded Vikram Kirloskar, VP, SIAM

Comprising of the Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII) in association with Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturer (SIAM) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the Auto Expo is the only auto show to be accredited by Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA). The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers was founded in Paris in 1919 and its membership comprises 41 national trade associations around the world, including all major automobile manufacturing countries.

Toyota Aqua – The Launch Of The Smallest Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Car Yet!

Toyota has launched its hybrid highly fuel-efficient small car model by the name “Aqua” in Japan during the Tokyo Motor Show. Aqua is named as “Prius C” in the United States where it is to be launched in early 2012 at the Detroit Auto Show. This car has a higher fuel efficiency of 35.4 kilometer per liter as compared to Prius that has an average of 32 kilometer per liter, the highest offered efficiency by a car of this kind till now.
Nissan Motor and General Motor are on their path to launch vehicles of this kind in the near future, but the price of these cars is supposed to be significantly high because of the high battery cost. Toyota aims to launch more than 10 models of these kind of gasoline cars by the year 2015, and this would make a great move for the “Green Revolution”, if the response is good. Toyota Motor Corp. aims that the sale of the car in Japan would reach a monthly high of 12,000 units. The price of the model starts at $21600.

The model is equipped with a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and has an electric motor. The model is very sleek and light weighed. It is estimated that the efficiency of Aqua is higher than that of Prius. Aqua has a length of 3.9 meters as compared to 4.48 meters Prius and costs around 22% less than the leading model till date-Prius. Apart from this, the model has awesome and comfortable interiors, elegant design, great speed and acceleration. Aqua has an Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EGR) system to cool down the engine and thus improve the efficiency. it is also equipped with a a battery powered power pump and a design that reduces friction. The battery is made up  of nickel metal hydride.

Toyota launched its hybrid fuel-efficient small car model “Aqua” in Japan in the Tokyo Motor Show. The same model will be termed as “Prius C” in the United States where it will be launched in early 2012 at the Detroit Auto Show. This car has a higher fuel efficiency of 35.4 kilometer per liter as compared to Prius that has an average of 32 kilometer per liter, the highest offered efficiency by a car of this kind till now.

Nissan Motor and General Motor are on their path to launch vehicles of this kind in the near future, but the price of these cars is supposed to be significantly high because of the high battery cost. Toyota aims to launch more than 10 models of these kind of gasoline cars by the year 2015, and this would make a great move for the “Green Revolution”, if the response is good. Toyota Motor Corp. aims that the sale of the car in Japan would reach a monthly high of 12,000 units. The price of the model starts at $21600.

The model is equipped with a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and has an electric motor. The model is very sleek and light weighed. It is estimated that the efficiency of Aqua is higher than that of Prius. Aqua has a length of 3.9 meters as compared to 4.48 meters Prius and costs around 22% less than the leading model till date-Prius. Apart from this, the model has awesome and comfortable interiors, elegant design, great speed and acceleration. Aqua has an Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EGR) system to cool down the engine and thus improve the efficiency. it is also equipped with a a battery powered power pump and a design that reduces friction. The battery is made up  of nickel metal hydride.

2011: The Year Of The Diesel Cars?

The car industry cruised into 2011 on top gear , growing about 25% yearon-year , but is exiting the year on a low note after shrinking for four consecutive months before registering a 7% sales rise in November.

Rising fuel prices , spiralling interest rates , component supply issues and labour troubles , and negative consumer sentiments have all slowed down passenger car sales , which has dipped 4% in the first eight months of the financial year.

Most carmakers cut prices and offered high discounts in spite of increasing costs to attract buyers in a cutthroat market . Experts say the tough ride to continue for some more months . "The auto industry will have to live with smaller margins . The kind of super-normal profits that car companies enjoyed , is on the verge of coming to an end ," says BVR Subbu , former head of Hyundai India , who is now on board of several Indian and global companies.

The year saw several launches . Some such as the new Swift , Skoda Rapid , XUV 500, Hyundai Verna and Audi A4 took the market by storm , while others such as Nissan Sunny , Maruti Kizashi , Honda Brio , Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Eon failed to capture the consumer's imagination.

Mercedes To Launch The E-Class Hybrid In January

Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter in its brand's core segment and at the same time setting new standards for luxury-class business vehicles: the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, available as a Saloon and Estate, impresses with new record values when it comes to efficiency. The 4-cylinder diesel engine of the E300 BlueTEC HYBRID has 204bhp and 500Nm. Combined with an electric motor producing 20 kW and 250 Nm, this results in a coherent overall concept. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is the most economical luxury-class vehicle in the world.

The V6-cylinder petrol engine in the E 400 HYBRID produces 306bhp and 370 Nm, and is also supplemented by a further 26bhp and 250 Nm from the electric motor.

Auto Expo 2012 Promises Some Very Interesting Niche Launches...

With more than 60 new models and upgrades lined up for debut, Auto Expo 2012 in Delhi will pack in a lot of launch excitement. But unlike earlier years, this time car companies are looking to expand their stable by creating niche products.

Across the price spectrum, from Maruti to Mercedes Benz, the idea is to try out something new, beyond bread and butter segments. Given the slowdown in demand, companies feel it's time to explore new segments which will be less price-sensitive and create a buzz. 

Known for its formidable footprint in the small car market, Maruti Suzuki is showcasing two new products this time round - the Ertiga MUV and a concept compact SUV. Neither falls in the small car category.

"This is our way of expanding our portfolio and branching out into newer segments," says Mayank Pareek, managing executive officer (marketing & sales), Maruti Suzuki. "Right now the Ertiga segment is virtually non-existent in India. So, we want to create this niche and ride the first mover advantage. That's the job of the market leader - identify niches and cater to them ahead of the pack."

MNC biggie Volkswagen, also known for its small car focus, will showcase its iconic Beetle, a premium hatch whose Rs 20 lakh-plus price tag means it will never be a volume spinner. But as brand builder it pulls a mean punch. The company isn't showing its UP small car, already showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show and has plans for an India launch.

"Our brand is still at a nascent stage of awareness so we wanted a brand building tool for the Auto Expo. The Beetle is our most iconic product and the best vehicle to create brand awareness," says Neeraj Garg, member board & director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India. The company says there's no decision on launching the Beetle in India just yet.

In the premium segment too the buzzword is niches with a difference. Both Mercedes Benz and BMW are showcasing products that are miles away from their core market of luxury saloons.

While BMW is launching the iconic Mini Cooper premium hatchback in India, arch rival Mercedes Benz will showcase its B-Class premium hatchback, which is due for debut in India by 2012 winter. The Mercedes roster will also include models like the SLS AMG Roadster, the SLS GT3 and the DTM car along with a range of performance cars from the AMG stable.

Like Maruti, Ford too is expected to showcase a compact SUV concept though company officials are tightlipped about the details. The company has only announced that it will showcase an "all new vehicle planned for introduction in India and other global markets in the near future".

M&M will highlight its Ssangyong range including Rexton and Korando E. "The idea is to create some excitement during the expo but not everything that we showcase will come to India immediately," says Pawan Goenka, president-auto and farm equipment division, M&M.

Auto Expo To See The Launch Of Mahindra & Mahindra Ssangyong's SUVs Rexton, Korando

Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra is to showcase its Korean subsidiary Ssangyong's vehicles for the first time in India during the upcoming Auto Expo next month, following the acquisition of the firm over a year ago.
The company will showcase its sports utility vehicles Rexton and Korando, which will be launched in India soon, at the auto show to be held in the National Capital.

"Post the acquisition of Ssangyong Motors, there has been a lot of interest within Indian consumers to see for themselves some of these world-class products. Keeping in mind this aspiration, Mahindra will showcase among other vehicles, both the Rexton and Korando E which are slated to be launched in India shortly," the company said in a statement.

In November, 2010, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) had signed a definitive agreement with Ssangyong Motor Company (SYMC) to acquire 70 per cent stake in the ailing South Korean auto maker at a total cost of USD 463 million (about Rs 2,105 crore).

Besides, the company will also showcase an electric variant of its sedan Verito during the Auto Expo. Electric vehicle Mahindra Reva NXR will also be displayed.

Now Renault All Set To Launch The Diesel Versions Of Every 2012 Models!!

With diesel variants now accounting for over a fourth of India's passenger car sales, French major Renault has decided to roll out this fuel's versions in three of its new launches next year with more locally-sourced parts to cut costs.

"Every model which we launch next year will have a diesel version," said Len Curran, Renault India vice president for sales and marketing. "Our focus is on diesel cars," Curran told IANS in an interview over phone from Chennai. 

Last year, diesel cars accounted for 27 percent of the 2.52 million passenger cars sold in India and the Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers ( SIAM), the apex lobby for the auto industry, expects this share to go up to 33 percent by the end of this fiscal.

Renault has made this strategic move at a time when the auto industry is facing a rough patch, following falling passenger car sales due to high fuel cost and soaring interest rates. Petrol prices were hiked five times this year, while diesel remained stable.

Renault has plans to launch Pulse, a hatchback in B segment, at the New Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012. In the second half of the next year, it will launch Duster, an SUV. In the fourth quarter of the year, it will roll out a sedan.

Renault launched a luxury sedan, Fluence, in May, that runs on petrol and diesel. In September, it came up with a compact SUV, Koleos, that operates only on diesel. The company also has big plans for its K90 diesel engine in the Indian market.

Curran, who expects India to be the second fastest growing market after China, said his company aims to cover a minimum of 35 Indian cities through its distribution network before August 2012.

He said local sourcing was a strong strategy to cope with currency fluctuations. "The two vehicles launched in May and September have a very low level of localisation. But Pulse and Duster will have over 60 percent of localised parts."

Asked whether the company would raise prices of its models if the rupee plunges further, the Renault executive said the company will follow the strategies of other auto firms. "Our benchmark is the strategies of competitors. We will be following the market."

On Wednesday, the company said it will raise the price of Koleos from Rs.22.99 lakh to Rs.23.99 lakh from Jan 1, 2012, due to rupee depreciation and rising input costs.

Honda India Launches The New City & Cuts Prices Of Sedan

Desperate times call for desperate measures. After losing out to Volkswagen's Vento, Japanese carmaker Honda is striking back by slashing prices and improving features of its flagship City sedan.

The carmaker has cut prices of City for the second time in six months and launched a new version priced at Rs6.99 lakh (exshowroom, Delhi).

This will pit the sedan, which had been a market leader for many years, in direct competition with Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento that are also priced at Rs 6.99 lakh.

"We are adding features and cutting prices to make our cars more realistic to the prevailing competition in the market," Seki Inaba, who took over as director (marketing) at Honda's India subsidiary in March this year, told ET.

BMW Mini To Be Launched On 5th Jan!

My dear Indians, you will soon be introduced to a new brand of cars that have never been seen before in the country. Well, there may be a few exceptions to this, I agree. But for now, let’s consider no one has seen a Mini roaming around on our streets before. Having said that, BMW, who now own the British iconic car brand- Mini will be launching the cars in India soon. If Volkswagen Beetle is for Germany and Fiat 500 is for Italy then, Mini would be the brand loved by one and all from Britain. Unlike the other two Minis have even raced around the globe.

Small and agile Mini Coopers have raced in the World Rally Championship. They’ve even featured in touring car races. So that’s about the macho image of the Mini. Even the ladies have had a special bonding with these cars. They are favorite among girls for their looks and practicality. Dr. Andreas Schaaf, who heads BMW’s India operations has been big fan of the brand and had always wished to see the cars coming to India during his tenure as the President of BMW India. His efforts seem to have thus paid off and he has finally managed to convince the top bosses at BMW to launch the Mini brand in India.


That said, like the Beetle and Fiat 500, Mini is a lifestyle product and as history suggests, such products haven’t especially done well in India. We too had our doubts when BMW chose to go for the Mini instead of the 1-Series. But times have changed since Volkswagen launched the Beetle and there could be a surprise in store for us. If the Mini does catch the imagination of the Indian buyer and BMW manages to sell a decent number, it will be a true triumph given the price of the car which is expected to be over Rs 18 lak depending upon the model.

We think, BMW might offer the complete range of Mini cars including the four-wheel drive crossovers, but that is just a hunch and we will have to wait till BMW makes the final announcement 23 days from now. So, the Mini will be launched at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo and IndianCarsBikes.in will be there covering every other launch in detail. We hope to catch up with you during the Auto Expo. We will keep you updated with all the happenings from the show. Until then you can checkout Mini’s official India website.

Nissan Launches The New Diesel Version Of Sunny

Japanese auto major Nissan today launched a diesel version of its mid-size sedan Sunny. 

The 1.5-litre diesel version is priced at Rs 7.98 lakh for the base model and Rs 8.78 lakh for the top-end model (ex-showrooms, Delhi), the company said in a statement. 

"We are delighted to introduce the diesel variant of the Sunny. At a time when the market is witnessing an increase in demand for diesel cars, Sunny diesel, with high fuel economy will be the right choice for our valued customers," Nissan Motor India managing director and chief executive Kiminobu Tokuyama said.

Targeted at the youth, the Sunny diesel mirrors the petrol variant's sophisticated style and roomy interiors.

It is the second model after the Micra hatchback to use Nissan's pre-eminent 'V' platform that carries advanced engineering to deliver a modern, light weight structure that provides integral strength, robust ride refinement and dynamic on-road behavior, it said.

The Sunny is manufactured at the Chennai facility, which the company jointly owns with French maker Renault, its international alliance partner.

Tata Aria For The Indian Roads?!

Tata Aria is creating news more than often these days. Now, a left hand drive version of the Tata Aria is spotted while doing the test runs. Quite obviously, the Tata Aria LHD version means an export vehicle, definitely not meant for India. Country’s leading car manufacturer had mentioned about an automatic gearbox earlier. But, the spotted Aria LHD version does not carry an automatic gearbox. So, we will have to wait and see when is it that Tata India will introduce a Tata Aria AT in the country. The slow sales of the Tata Aria SUV have bugged the auto major right from the beginning. There is nothing actually wrong with the car as such.

It’s another case of wrong pricing from an auto major as sensible as Tata India to place the Tata Aria price in a tad too expensive range. The SUV might have attracted enough consumers on its own, but the cost has driven them away for other contemporaries in the segment. Then earlier this year, the auto major finally made a smart move.

That is by introducing the 4x2 variant of the Tata Aria with some price cut. Though initially, things started to look bright, but the sales slowly fell back to the usual. The November month had been particularly nasty with just 140 units sold. Now, however, the discount offer of Rs 2 lakh seems to be more tempting for any consumer to withstand, the straight Rs 1.60 lakh cash discount is definitely mouth-watering.

It’s after the discount that the Tata Aria 4x2 sells at Rs 9.9 lakh, which should have been the real Tata Aria 4x2 price to begin with. The price discount on one side which is likely to continue for some time, the consumers on the other hand are eagerly waiting for an automatic variant of the Tata Aria. Will the company go for an engine replacement to override the existing 140 Bhp 2.2 L DICOR engine producing 320 Nm torque or continue with the same is yet to be seen. But, one thing is for sure, the discounts now can benefit to a certain extent while placing the Tata Aria AT price more smartly this time. Stay tuned for more updates on this.

Luxgen5 Sedan: The First Car With Android Launched!

Luxgen Motors, a Taiwan based automaker, has unveiled a first of its kind car with an infotainment system based on Android operating system. The car, named Luxgen5 Sedan, is a premium sports sedan.

Luxgen Motors has partnered with HTC, the famous Taiwan based smartphone maker and together they developed THINK+ system. When an HTC mobile phone is connected to the THINK+ Touch system, all of the mobile phone calls will then be controlled directly through the 9 inch smart touch screen on the central console. Users can also access Facebook, send and receive e-mails or look up local sights through the touch screen.

The Luxgen think+ Touch system's five key functions include Multimedia, Phone, Safety, Information and hTC mode. Apart from using the touch screen itself, shortcut buttons are provided below the screen.
Another feature allows GPS navigation function using the HTC mode. Users can check the map and set routes in the car. The hands-free Bluetooth system means users can also make calls using the car's convenient hands-free interface.

You also have a very convenient phone dock in the car adjacent to the central control. Although no details have been provided, from the pictures available it is evident that the dock will charge your phone apart from keeping it safe.

The Android interface will also tell you better about the cars' state of health, though no details have again been offered. You will no longer need to decipher codes (that is what you get in other cars) to know the problem with the car, you will get clear words stating that to you.

While this is the first car to have this system but the company promises that even other cars and SUVs in its lineup will get it too. And we promise you, similar systems will start appearing in other cars from other manufacturers soon enough.

Happy Days For Automobile Industry As Car Sales Go Up By 7%

Domestic passenger car sales increased by 7 per cent to 1,71,131 units in November, 2011, from 1,59,939 units in the same month last year.

According to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) today, motorcycle sales in the country grew by 22.67 per cent to 8,69,070 units during the month from 7,08,476 units in the corresponding month last year.

Total two-wheeler sales grew by 25.27 per cent to 11,63,294 units last month from 9,28,660 units in November, 2010, as per the data.

Sales of commercial vehicles grew by 34.99 per cent to 66,264 units in the month under review from 49,087 units in the year-ago period, SIAM said.

Total sales of vehicles across categories registered a jump of 22.22 per cent to 14,89,714 units in November from 12,18,885 units in the same month last year, it added.

The New Ford EcoSport SUV To Be Introduced In 2012!

 

Ford Ecosport, the all new compact SUV from Ford India will be introduced at the 2012 Auto Expo in January. What makes it so special is that the mini SUV will be built sharing the same platform of Ford Fiesta. The mini Ford Ecosport could house an all new 1.2 L petrol ecoboost engine. Ecoboost engines are considered to be one of the most fuel efficient ones that can ultimately turn out to be the key selling point for the car.
The thoughtfulness of offering a diesel engine will not go wasted amidst the increasing demand for diesel cars catching up of late. The diesel powertrain could be the same from Ford Fiesta with 1.5 L capacity to churn out the peak power output of 90 Bhp and a peak torque output of 204 Nm.   This again is likely to break some records where the fuel efficiency is concerned. On the other hand, Ford Fiesta AT launch is also anticipated at the 2012 Auto Expo.Moreover the Ford Ecosport price is expected to fall in the range of Rs 7 lakh-9 lakh.
                                                       
Ford Fiesta sedan has never been known for its spacious interiors and the same can be expected of the new mini SUV from Ford. However, the SUV will be large enough to accommodate 5 passengers comfortably. The exteriors of the car will more or less fall under 4 m in length to capitalize on the Government’s policy to benefit on the sub four meter length cars.

The drive on the mini SUV will make it all the more exciting with the compact structure that scores points with its great off-road capabilities. The high ground clearance only enhances its performance on the most difficult terrains. The 15 inch wide tyres offer good grip during the adventurous rides.  The spare wheel on the rear end of the car amplifies its rugged image. The auto giant might bring in the two-wheel drive variant of the SUV as of now, without any information pointing out to a possibility of a four-wheel drive variant on the cards.

Maruti Suzuki To Start Exporting Select Models CKD kits

India's leading carmaker Maruti Suzuki plans to start exporting select models as completely knocked down (CKD) kits, beginning with its new multi-passenger vehicle Ertiga, which it plans to launch at the Auto Expo in Delhi next month.

"There is a great potential to export vehicles as CKD in many markets in Asia," Maruti Suzuki India MD S Nakanish said. "Maruti will act as the biggest supplier of cars to the parent SMC and to start with we will dispatch Ertiga MPV and other new models from next year," he added.

Ertiga, a seven-seater MPV which will be available in 1.4 litre petrol and 1.3 litre multijet diesel engine options, will be initially shipped to Indonesia and later to Thailand. The CKD kits will include critical parts, such as engine and transmission, fuel tank, wheel rim, brakes, partsstrengthenof suspension and steering that will be sealed and dispatched from the company's Manesar plant.

The move is aimed at strengthen ing Suzuki Motor Corp in the highly competitive South East Asian markets. Maruti Suzuki, which is ramping up its production facilities in India to target annual production of 20 lakh units by 2015, will eventually export more cars under the Suzuki badge.

TopGear Awards Announced!! Audi RS5

Last night BBC TopGear India awarded some of the best cars and bikes of the year in a sizzling ceremony held in Mumbai. Maruti Suzuki's most sought after small car, Swift, won the Small car of the Year. "We are pleased to receive an award from TopGear which is not a magazine but an institution in itself and it endorses the iconic status of the Swift," said Mayank Pareek,managing executive officer, sales & marketing, Maruti Suzuki "Every award is a validation to the fact that the direction we are heading is right and the product innovation strategy that we have put in place is correct.

Whilst the all important award of Car of the Year 2011 was given to the fierce Audi RS5.  The Bike of the Year went to Honda CBR 250RR and the Superbike of the Year award went to BMW 1200 GS. Mahindra & Mahindra's hot selling SUV XUV 5OO received two awards for Best Value for Money Car of the year and Reader's Choice Car of the year. TopGear Man of the Year award went to Sameer Gaur, MD & CEO, Jaypee Sports International for successfully staging the first F1 race in India. 


"It's not a conventional choice, but Top-Gear is never about conventions," said Girish Karkera, editor, TopGear magazine India

Maruti Suzuki To Launch SUV & MUV's For The Indian Roads

 Maruti Suzuki India has announced the launch of new vehicles in the sports utility and multi utility segment in their bid to regain 50% market share by 2015 according to the company MD, Shinzo Nakanishi.

Maruti, which is a 54.2% owned subsidiary of Japanese carmaker Suzuki Motor Corp, would develop these vehicles with the parent company and target their launch in the upcoming Auto Expo 2012 and beyond.

"There is a vast chunk of market, almost 18% of the passenger vehicles sold in India where we don't have any presence. So, as we aim to regain our market share and take it to beyond 50%, we will introduce vehicles in the new segment that are not in our current portfolio," Maruti MD S Nakanishi said.

Maruti sells 15 models in the Indian market and almost a dozen of these are in the compact vehicle segment. It has lost almost 5

India To See The Launch Of Porsche Sports Car Marqueein In 2012

Volkswagen AG, Europe's largest carmaker, will launch the iconic Porsche sports car marquee in India next year and appoint a new team to steer its sales in the overcrowded Indian automobile market. 





Two people close to the development said Volkswagen will import the Porsche models 911, Cayman, Boxter, Panamera and Cayenne SUV for the Indian market and look at local assembly at one of its facilities in Maharashtra when volumes pick up.  The cars, to be distributed and sold under the Volkswagen banner in India from next year, carry price tags ranging from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 3 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Top Picks For Under 5 Lakhs Cars!!

With a boom in the small car segment in the Indian automobile marker, for the first-time buyers are literally spoilt for choice.

Her's our pick of what's installed for you if your budget is just under 5 Lakhs:

The most affordable and most fuel efficient car in India, the Tata Nano currently runs a 624cc two-cylinder petrol motor. It is going to be available in an all-new diesel avatar.  In addition to that, Tata, in a tie up with Bosch Diesel Systems has developed a 800cc two-cylinder diesel engine. This diesel Nano, is to be launched early next year and is speculated to cost Rs 2 lakh ex-showroom.

Tata showed the world that it could build the cheapest car yet, but it was Maruti that put India on wheels with the 800 back in the day. And it is all set to revive the iconic car that is expected to be powered by a more refined 800cc engine. 

The new car will be based on the Alto platform and as a result will offer more room inside. The price is expected to be higher than the Tata Nano petrol at Rs 2.25 lakh ex-showroom.

Chevrolet is all set to get into the ultra compact segment as well with an all-new 800cc Spark. Expect stingy fuel consumption and very practical interior packaging as in the Daewoo Matiz. The 800cc Spark should come in the right price range as well.

The Mahindra Verito compact sedan will be a sub four-metre car with the same engines in its petrol and diesel avatars, and the same features as the Mahindra Verito sedan aka the Renault Logan. 

The price is expected to be lower. The Verito compact sedan is an effort to make a sub 4-metre car which would not have higher taxes or a higher price tag.

Tata pulled off a brilliant move with the launch of the Indigo CS. It plans to do something similar with the Manza and launch a compact sedan version below the four-metre mark for lower taxes. The Manza CS is expected to get the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel mills as in the Tata Vista.

Toyota Unveils Fun Vii A Concept Car; A Smartphone On Wheels

Toyota has announced the launch of it's concept car Fun-Vii prior to its official debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The concept, dubbed as a “smartphone on wheels” by Toyota President Akio Toyoda, will let the drivers customize the skin of the car which will to display anything they wish for, ranging from stock quotes to advertising to pictures downloaded from their phones.

Seating three individuals, the Fun-Vii’s ultimate goal is to add a fourth dimension to the driving experience. That is, interconnectivity will join driving, turning and stopping. Toyota of course has no realistic release date for such a concept (if it even goes into production in any form), but has envisioned it to have other features such as auto-pilot and an onboard 3D hologram avatar for a year 20XX release. That’s right, 20XX – Toyota is pretty confident something like this will be manufactured in this century.

Tata Nano To Get A Makeover!!

According to the latest news Tata Motors has signed a deal with the rather premier design school NID to have its Nano redesigned. So let’s see what Nano comes out to be and what NID has in its creative mind to bless the people’s car with.

In order to boost the dipping sales figure the country and the automaker has crafted the car with all-new features and distinctive attributes at same cost price to attract customers. As per facts, Nano sales figures slashed down this year plus company production plant at Sanand is manufacturing half of its annual capacity of 2.50 lakh units.

The director of premium NID institute, Prof Pradyumna Vyas stated that NID, which is a world-class design institute, approached the homegrown auto major Tata Motors for redesigning Nano. NID institute has foremost academic courses at the post-graduate level and is regarded for its advance transportation facilities and automobile designing. Also, Tata Nano will experience a lot in terms textile designing, product designing and lifestyle accessories.

Now BMW Enters The Preowned Market In India!!

BMW India has announced the launch of its pre-owned car business, BMW Premium Selection, which will offer ‘carefully selected' and ‘comprehensively examined' luxury Beemers  starting at Rs.16 lakh. “The pre-owned car business will play an important role in the success of the company in India...we expect the used car business to be about 10 per cent of new car sales,” BMW India President Andreas Schaaf told journalists here. “Till October, we have sold 8,042 cars in India, accounting for 40 per cent of the luxury car market.

With the BMW Premium Selection, we are looking to enhance our position…a decisive factor in the development of pre-owned car business will be through establishment of exclusive and luxurious ‘BMW Premium Selection' showrooms of international standards at important commercial centres across the country,” Mr. Schaaf said.

Initially, BMW's pre-owned cars will be available at seven locations — Gurgaon, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad — and soon extended to other cities.

Mr. Schaaf said all cars selected under BMW Premium Selection are less than five years old and would have clocked under 1.2-lakh km. The pre-owned BMW vehicles come with up to two year/2-lakh km warranty (whichever is earlier), while the owners also have the option of taking round-the-clock roadside assistance. To push sales, BMW is offering 13 per cent finance rate on purchase of its pre-owned cars through its financial services arm — BMW Financial Services.

Commenting on the luxury car market condition, Mr. Schaaf said this segment was growing well till October, but since then the condition was getting difficult to push sales. “We had set a target of selling 10,000 units this year, which is becoming difficult now,” he added.

Skoda launches Yeti 4x2 for Rs 13.35 lakh

Skoda's much awaited SUV Yeti 4X2 is finally launched for Rs 13.35 lakh (ex-showroom Maharashtra). This new model is powered by the 2.0-litre TDI engine taken from the Skoda Laura, which has the capacity of producing 110PS and 250Nm of torque.

This all new version of the Yeti is available with the same engine but has the ability to delivering 140PS power output. The 4x2’s engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox (a six-speed manual on the 4x4) and is 100kg lighter than the 4x4 model. It also has safety features like  airbags, ABS, EBD and traction control. However, features like hill descent control and electronic differential lock have disappeared with the AWD. The Yeti 4x2 is available in two variants – Ambient and Active but not in the range-topping Elegance variant.

The Skoda Yeti is a brilliant five-seat all rounder; it has a lot of space, it easily negotiates bumpy roads thanks to the good ground clearance and it handles much better than most SUVs in the price bracket. With the reduced price, this car can be an interesting option for people waiting for the Mahindra XUV500.

Hyundai Launches The New LPG Variant Of Its Hatchback i10

Hyundai Motors on Tuesday announced the launch of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) powered variant of its hatchback i10. The car is priced between Rs.416,144 and Rs.430,659 (ex-showroom Delhi).

"The LPG version of our next-gen i10 is a viable alternative for customers looking at low running cost," said H.W. Park, managing director and chief executive, Hyundai Motor India Ltd.

This new variant is to be powered by a 1.1 litre iRDE2 engine which has the ability to run on both LPG and petrol. The car has a factory-fitted LPG kit.

"With separate petrol (35 litre) and LPG (34 litre) tanks, the customers have an option to choose from LPG and petrol modes," the company said in a statement.

The car sports a special LPG tank which offers larger boot space than other LPG-fitted cars.

"The LPG kit in i10 blue drive is impact resistant and is approved by the department of explosives," the statement said.

The car has been fitted with an alternator management system which controls delivery of power to the battery, which extends the battery life and improves mileage.

Now Get More At The Same Price With The New Tata Nano!

Yesterday team Tata Nano announced the "introduction of a bouquet of features -- of new colours, new interiors, a more powerful gasoline engine and even greater fuel efficiency of 25.4 kmpl, further improving on its record as India's most fuel efficient petrol car. The car is already available at dealerships, at the same price as before."

In their bid to improve the sales figures, Tata Motors is giving its small car Nano a makeover, with a more powerful engine and new features, while keeping the prices same.

"Making the Tata Nano even more desirable, the car's 624cc engine has been made more powerful, delivering an impressive 38 PS of power (earlier 35 PS) and 51 Nm of torque (earlier 48 Nm)," the company said in a statement.

The new Nano will give you a mileage of 25.4 km per litre of petrol as certified by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) compared to 23.6 km a litre earlier, Tata Motors claimed. In addition to that the company also claims the new Nano to be highly fuel efficient "with a low kerb weight of 600 kg, ensures that the Tata Nano at 92.7 gram per kilometre has the lowest CO2 (carbon dioxide) emission among cars in India". The earlier Nano had an emission record of 101 gram in every km.

The All New Range Rover Evoque Unveiled By Nargis Fakhri...

Last night Bollywood newbie Nargis Fakhri revealed the all new Range Rover Evoque at the DLF Emporio in Vasant Kunj in Delhi. Evoque was first launched in India on the 4th November under the banner of 'Evoque Experience' which let the customers to get up close to the car whereby with the help of interactive displays, provided an insight into the oh so sophisticated design and the functional and technological qualities of the car.


At the launch Rohit Suri, Head of the Premier Car Division, Jaguar Land Rover India said: "We are extremely excited about the arrival of the Range Rover Evoque in New Delhi, as this car has made a huge impact on potential customers in this city as it has done across the world".

The Range Rover Evoque is the most perfect culmination of bold and sophisticated design with clever technology that is relevant and intuitive to use. The Evoque is designed to endure all surfaces and weathers as a result of using its legendary Land Rover all-terrain technologies.

In India, the Evoque will be available in both 5 door and Coupe body styles. The Coupe is available in a petrol variant and the 5 door version in diesel. The Range Rover Evoque (5 door) is available in three distinct derivatives - Pure, Prestige and Dynamic and the Coupe is available in the Dynamic form. Tata has once again outdone itself. This is one luxury car you will not want to miss out on, thats for sure...

Skoda Announces The Price Of Rapid

A few days back we gave you a sneak peek into the Skoda Rapid's Worldwide First Drive. After luring you towards this 'Thoughtful Car' for the 'Thoughtful Person' it is only fare that the car is made available at a rather 'Thoughtful Price' for you.


Well take a look at this masterpiece's video and know it for yourself....

This all new Skoda is full of promises and is likely to give the Maruti Suzuki SX4 and Volkswagen Vento a run for it's money. We reckon it is going to be a huge success so why not book for your own sets of Rapid wheels now and flash your new ride!! 

The All New Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 2013 Model To Boost 650hp

The 2013 Mustang line being unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show is more exciting as it packs a staggering 650 hp for the 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500. This makes it the most powerful Mustang to yet hit the road, and it will almost certainly be the least expensive 650-hp new car money can buy.

Here's what the beast on the road looks like:

The 2013 Mustang GT gets LED fog lights and a bump from 412 hp to 420 hp, thanks to internal friction reductions in the engine. The six-speed Select Shift automatic will allow full manual control, with no default upshift at the redline. Recaro seats will be available all the way down to the V6, in cloth or leather.

There will be new performance packages, upgraded audio systems and a new option called Track Apps, with an on-board accelerometer. Track Apps can save and display lap times, quarter-mile times and g-loads on the new 4.2-inch LCD in the center stack, not to mention a range of engine telemetry options, right down to cylinder-head temperatures. 

Maruti Diesel Car Prices To Be Hiked By Rs 10,000

 It's trouble in the Maruti Suzuki, India land again as they have announced the increased the prices of its diesel cars by up to Rs 10,000. Which means that starting this week the Swift, Dzire and SX4 will cost you an extra Rs 10,000, the price of the Ritz hatchback has been raised by 2,000.

"There has been a critical upswing in the inputs cost and an adverse appreciation in the Japanese currency yen that had made imports costlier and forced this hike," a company spokesperson said. 

Following the persisting strike of 59 days since June at the Manesar plant the carmaker is in the process of revival by normalising production after it saw a 55% decline in October to a mere 50,487 units. Subsequently, the waiting time for some of Maruti's diesel model has gone up to nine months. 

According to some reliable industry sources other carmakers, including Hyundai Motor and Toyota, are also looking at price revisions. 

With the new diesel car prices hike we highly recommend opting for a preowned car which can often be made available from as good as new. 

BMW Reveals Carbon Fiber Frame, Glass Exterior Concept Cars...

Earlier this week BMW unveiled a pair of concept cars, a hybrid and an electric car each manufactured of light-weight carbon fiber and a see-through glass exterior.

These set of hot wheels are expected to see the day of light within the next two to three years. The carbon fiber in the i3 city car and i8 sports car significantly reduces the weight of the vehicle and the size of its frame, giving designers more flexibility and creating more interior space for passengers, said Richard Kim, the man who designed the exteriors of both vehicles.

For the German automaker, it allowed for more glass where there is traditionally metal, Kim said. The doors of both vehicles are mostly made of glass, along with much of their roofs and tail ends.

BMW said the car offers “superb safety in the event of a collision. You may not see as much glass, but you will be able to see the light coming through,” Kim said at a sneak peak event on Wednesday in New York. The cars officially debut next week at the Los Angeles auto show.

The all-wheel drive car has a battery and a gas engine that work together, with the battery powering the front wheels and a gas engine powering the rear wheels. Without the gas engine, the car has a range of about 20 miles, but fully charges in less than two hours.

Whilst these cars are bound to be expensive, hold on tight as they too will soon from it release be available in the used car market like all great one's do...

Suzuki Motors Sales Figures See 5.3% Rise Despite Indian Strike!!

Japanese Suzuki Motor giant has reported a 5.26% hike in their net income for the six-month period ended September 30, despite the persisting operational strike in India during the same period. This makes it one of the other success story of the year.

During the period of April-September, the company's net income has reported an increase to 32.01 billion yen (about Rs 2,010 crore) from 30.41 billion yen (about Rs 1,910 crore) in the same period last year, Suzuki Motor said in a statement.

The net sales during the period, however, declined by 6.82% to 1.23 trillion yen (about Rs 76,907 crore) from 1.32 trillion yen (about Rs 82,715 crore), it added.

"The domestic economy is somewhat recovering from the stagnation following the Great East Japan Earthquake, but it is exposed to a downward pressure from various factors including the flood in Thailand and a further appreciation of the yen," the company said. It also said the decreased sales in India had an impact on its net sales. "...sales amount (in Asia) decreased by 36.1 billion yen to 427.6 billion yen year-on-year due to decreased sales of Maruti Suzuki India and the exchange rate factor following the Yen appreciation," it added.

Whilst it is interesting to note that the Maruti Suzuki India had posted 59.81% fall in its net profit at Rs 240.44 crore for the quarter ended September 30, in the global spectrum Suzuki still manages to be a leading brand.

Hyundai Launches Eon Hatchback, Its Cheapest Vehicle Yet!!

The Hyundai Motor Company has now began selling the new Eon hatchback. This new version of Eon is priced even lower than the Santro, company’s cheapest vehicle to date, selling for around a mere Rs. 280,897. This is sure to give Maruti a run for their money as it has previously held the record for India’s best-selling car, with Alto, which sells from Rs. 235,413. 
Eon hatchback is sure to cause some major issues for the Maruti Suzuki clan, especially since it is still trying to resolve the labor issues at its production plant. Hyundai is expected to reveal the new vehicle for the first time this week at a press conference which is by invitation only. 

Maruti Suzuki had around 43 percent of all the sales of passenger vehicles for the past six months, while Hyundai has only around 20 percent. The head of sales for Maruti Suzuki refused to comment on the new Eon hatchback until he has had a chance to see it. He commented that everyone has always known that India is a good market for small vehicles, and now everybody ts to be a part of it. 

The deliveries of vehicles are expected to grow slowly due to the fact that the India Reserve Bank has recently raised its interest rates 12 different times, since last year in March. This was done in an attempt to slow down the inflation, and it hugely brought down the demand for vehicles because in India around 80 percent of all vehicles purchased are funded by loans. 

Chevrolet Celebrating It's 100 Years Of Excellence...

Chevrolet celebrates it's 100 years this week. So,m as a tribute to Louise Chevrolet, the great man who started it all we'll take you down the memory lane to show you where & how it all started...Check out this video to embark on the Chevrolet journey...

Since it's advent 100 years ago, Chevy has come a long way ahead. Wherein as a brand Chevy has made a mark globally as a result of the strong emphasis it places on fuel efficiency and fuel alternatives. The new Chevy models for 2012 include the much awaited 2012 Cruze Eco and the 2012 Chevy Sonic.

As for what can we expect from Chevy in the next 100 years? Only time will tell if there will ever be an actual transforming Bumblebee Camaro on the market one day.

Lamborghini Launches Aventador LP 700-4; Priced At Rs 3.69 cr

To lure the growing billionaire club of Asia's second-fastest growing economy, Italian luxury sports car maker Automobili Lamborghini SpA has rolled out the envious and rather dominating Aventador LP 700-4 model for the Indian roads which is priced at Rs 3.69 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi) on Thursday.

Aventador was first saw the day of light at the Geneva Motor show earlier in March this year and since then had more than 20 Indian customers demanding it. The company claims to have received over 1,500 bookings globally.


This beast is powered by a 12-cylinder and 6.5-litre engine making it one of the fastest street-legal cars in the world as it has the ability to touch a top speed of up to 350 km per hour. Crafted from composite carbon materials that are used in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Lamborghini the Scissors Doors, Aventador accelerates to 0-100 km/hour in just 2.9 seconds.

Don't believe us? Check out this video:

Lamborghini is reported to open its second facility in Mumbai by next year. "India is one of the fastest emerging markets for sports car for us. Aventador is a consistent continuation of Lamborghini's brand values something that now has a huge potential after the success of the recent Formula 1 race. Taking the brand further, we plan to extend our reach in the Indian market by starting the next showroom in Mumbai in early 2012," said James Page, Marketing Manager for SE Asia and Pacific, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

SKODA Rapid's 'Worldwide First Drive'...

Skoda has announced the launch of it’s new sedan called Skoda Rapid 2011 in India this year in India. It is based on Vento’s platform and has already created a lot of buzz since it was debuted earlier last month.

Rapid features a new front profile that is emphasized by a wider front grill and the complimented bold lines. The sedan is powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine which is estimated to deliver a decent 105 bhp. Skoda Rapid is placed underneath Vento in the hierarchy and is designed to compete directly with Maruti SX4.

Rapid is Skoda's 6th attempt at wooing the Indian drivers. It is all set to hit the Indian roads soon. So we decided to give you a taste of what it would look like if you were to drive it. 

Check out this latest video from Skoda...

Let us know what you think about the car? Comment below....

FYI: October Auto Sales Figures

Volkswagen has reported a souring 67.30% increase in its India sales to 7,266 units in October as opposed to the 4,343 units in the corresponding period last year according to a statement given by Volkswagen. Compact car Polo and sedan Vento continue to be the flag bearers for the brand, with a total of 6,814 units sold in October, 2011, the company said. "Our action model strategy has once again proved to be very successful, with the Polo and the Vento Breeze being a huge attraction for customers during the festive season," Volkswagen Group Sales India Member of Board and Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Neeraj Garg said.

Toyota Kirloskar sales have also seen a whooping jump of 63% in October. Despite the Tsunami effect and the resulting delays in the delivery the company's sales stats makes Toyota one of the major players in the industry.

Also, according to the latest figures, Honda Siel Cars sales jump 5% in October as a result of selling 1,220 units of its new compact car Brio, 463 units of hatchback Jazz, 3,376 units of its flagship sedan City, 281 units of premium sedan Civic, 172 units of luxury sedan Accord and 14 units of its sports utility vehicle CR-V.

Other figures reveal:

• Hyundai Motor India sales down 7%
• GM India Oct sales rise marginally
• Tata Motors sales rise 5% in October

Research Reveals Top Wheels For India...

One of the most common question posed to the Mr.Car team is which is the best car according to you? One of the reason's why it puts us in a fix is because there is no one definitive answer to it as there are numerous factors involved; best car as per budget, car types etc. And so we decided to carry out an extensive research and below is our list of the best cars in the country across various segments.

• India's Top Premium Hatchback
  Ford Figo: Fords sensational entry into the most competitive segment in India. All thanks to the smart repackaging of the last-gen international Fiesta platform the American carmaker has been able to position the Figo at a phenomenal price point.

• India's Top Compact Hatchback
  Maruti Suzuki WagonR: Maruti's tall boy's success story continues and it is definitely in its best avatar yet.

• India's Top Entry Level Compact Sedan
  Maruti Suzuki D'zire: The Swift D'zire came as a replacement for the popular Esteem, and has proved to be even more popular than its predecessor.

• India's Top Entry Level MPV
  Maruti Suzuki Eeco: Introduced to replace its long time predecessor the Maruti Omni, this MPV segement new comer speaks of great volumes, thus making it an ideal long distance carrier vehicle.

• India's Top Premium Luxury Sedan
  Mercedes-Benz E-Class: The E-Class sedan is one of the best examples of the new age sedan equipped with great performance and just the right amount of styling.

• India's Top Prestige Sedan
  BMW 7 Series: This chauffeur driven beauty has its backbenchers sinking into the comfort of its plush interiors, while enjoying a comfortable smooth ride.