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.

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.