Video – Motion shots of India-bound Fiesta twins

Saying that Ford will bring the Euro Fiesta hatchback to India is a brave claim. Saying Ford will bring the Euro Fiesta-based sedan to India is common sense actually. The new Fiesta sedan is expected by the first half of 2011. The Euro Fiesta hatch has been spied testing more than once in the past in Chennai near Ford’s facility.

If you see the motion shots of the bold Fiesta twins, you’ll start saving money to book one when it’s out next year.

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Ford

Maruti Suzuki launches Swift ‘One Million Edition’

Swift One Million Edition

By Kaustubh Shinde

It seems that Maruti is celebrating anything and everything that comes its way. Few days ago they launched the Ritz Genus to commemorate the first anniversary of Ritz. Not even a week has gone by and they are at it again with the Swift ‘One Million Edition’.

Maruti-Suzuki achieved a landmark sales figure of one million vehicles back in late March. As the one millionth vehicle to roll of the production line was a Swift, the company decided to make the limited edition model of the Swift. Mind you, there is already a limited edition of Swift called ‘Swift Glam’ which was launched way back in 2009. The company said that this ‘One Million Edition’ will be restricted only to 1,000 units

So for an extra Rs 24,000 you get:

* A signature `Goldsmith Black` color (the pics are above so you be the judge)
* Alpine integrated stereo with USB and Kenwood speakers
* Unique (read weird) decals on the body
* Leather upholstery
* Foot-mats and cushions (I mean come onn!!)

Now look, when your selling features include foot-mats and cushions, it is about time you give your product and complete revamp. What’s next? A limited edition SX4 to celebrate the launch of the new Wagon R or EECO? :P

click through to see image gallery and press release

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Maruti Suzuki

Delivery of Maruti CNG Cars delayed in Mumbai

Maruti CNG vehicles

Maruti Suzuki which just last month launched 5 new CNG models has hit a road block with these vehicles. The delivery of the 5 CNG Models – Alto, WagonR, Estilo, Eeco & SX4 has been delayed in Mumbai.

The reason behind this is the incompatibility of the CNG filling nozzle installed in these cars to the dispenser nozzles at the filling stations. Maruti dealers in Mumbai have these CNG cars in stock but have delayed the delivery as per company orders.

As per reports the company has already ordered proper size of the nozzle for the CNG kit and they are on the way. These CNG equipped cars have no problem in Delhi & Gujrat as the filling stations there have the right size of the dispenser nozzle.

This was a good move by Maruti Suzuki as if the cars had reached customers in Mumbai, they would have had problems getting their cars refueled. Deliveries will be back to normal in Mumbai very soon.

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Maruti Suzuki

Video – Hyundai Santa Fe commercial

With the Hyundai Santa Fe ready for roll out, we can hardly wait to see the car in flesh and how it performs on the road. The diesel SUV is brought into India as a CBU and pricing will be around 20-22 lakh rupees.

The facelifted model which bears a front-end that seems very similar to the Verna Transform, will be the model on sale and here’s the car’s TV commercial from Korea when it was launched last year.

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Commercials, Hyundai

Quote of the Day

Ratan Tata

We hope to increase our market share in Russia, China and countries in Africa to widen the passenger car and the commercial vehicles range.

Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group said during an interaction with the press yesterday in Mumbai

Source – Economic Times

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Tata

Figo phenomenon takes bookings close to 40k

Ford Figo interiors

Ford continues to silence critics as booking for its small car Figo surpassed 34,000 bookings, 25 weeks after its introduction.

What has led to this number? We think it’s Ford’s tried and tested 1.4-liter diesel engine. The mill is powerful and fuel efficient at the same time. The Figo offers good boot space and the man piloting it isn’t put to sleep driving it.

More than anything else, Ford has stuck to its philosophy of offering driver-focused cars. Much like the Mondeo and Fiesta, the Figo’s a driver’s car and the driver’s seat is a place to be in. Many companies in India, in this segment and segments higher choose to believe the rear seats is where the attendance is called out of, but not Ford.

Ford India President and Managing Director Michael Boneham -

The Figo phenomenon continues, and in addition to strong sales in India, we are excited about the opportunity to export this success to other markets around the world

There’s only one thing that the Figo misses out – a high-revving 1.6 liter petrol engine with white racing stripes, alloy wheels, stiffened suspension and sports seats.

Ford, can you check that box next year?

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Ford

Nissan Micra launched in China as Dongfeng-Nissan March

Dongfeng Nissan March China

By Mahir Majid

After making its debut in the Indian market not too long ago the new Nissan Micra has made a noticeable entrance in the Chinese market as the Nissan March which is what it is called in most of the south-east Asian countries.

In China, March is made in collaboration with the local Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng with whom Nissan will launch the entire lineup for the Chinese market which include the Nissan Tiida range and the Nissan Quest (MPV) among which March is the cheapest.

Unlike the Indian market however the Nissan March will be offered with a more powerful 1.5 liter petrol engine which has done duty in the previous generation model. The March will be offered in a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic as well.

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under New Nissan Micra/March

Next generation Fiat Linea to be ready by end of 2012

Fiat_Concept

By Ragav Ramesh

Recently Fiat signed a joint venture with the Chinese car maker Guangzhou Auto to make Fiat cars locally in China, which would considerably reduce the price due to that fact that Fiat vehicles are currently being imported and proving to be very expensive.

Sources have confirmed that next generation Fiat Linea would be the first locally made Fiat car post the Fiat-Guangzhou Auto JV. We expect the new Linea to be in the production line in China by 2012. Looks like Fiat has wisely chosen Linea to launch first in China, considering the decent acceptance of Linea across other regions.

If Fiat takes an extra initiative to overcome the odds in its present generation Linea, we are very sure that this would definitely be among the best sedans in its segment.

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Fiat

Official – Honda entering Diesel market in India

Honda Jazz diesel

By Ragav Ramesh

The long wait is over and Honda Siel Cars India, have confirmed that by 2012, diesel engines below 2 litre capacity would be introduced to the Indian market. Currently HSCI sells only petrol cars in India. Globally Honda has only one diesel option, which is a 2.2 litre diesel engine used in Accord and CR-V.

During the SIAM annual conference last week, one of HSCI senior officials said -

The small diesel engine will be ready for European models by 2012. We’re thinking of bringing this to India after that, though with modifications. It is likely to be used in cars below the Accord and CR-V, like the City, Jazz and the new small car.

On the sidelines of Toyota recently launching their Corolla Altis diesel and dominant Fortuner diesel, Honda is under huge pressure to bring in their diesel variants for Civic, CR-V and even City to survive in the Indian market. We are just hoping that it happens soon, before it’s too late!

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Honda

Rendering – 2011 VW Passat

2011 VW Passat

By Ragav Ramesh

These images suggest that the old dull looking headlamp cluster of the facelifted Passat, is changed to telescopic lights which seem to be borrowed from its cousin brother, the Audi A4. We see a lot of chrome in the front and for the first time Passat is going to get LED daytime running lights.

Overall the car is going to look (not become) much bigger and muscular and definitely will seek better attention compared to the current model. Anyhow these comments are based on the photoshopped images that many say is close to the real deal. We will have to wait and find out when the final product is on display at the 2010 Paris Motor Show later this month.

In India we expect the 2011 Passat to get launched immediately after its European launch due to lack of attraction of the present Passat over Skoda Superb and Honda Accord.

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Entry posted on September 2nd, 2010 and filed under Renderings, Volkswagen

Suzuki delays the Swift for US until 2011

2011 Suzuki Swift white

By Kaustubh Shinde

Looks like The States has to wait for more than a decade to get their hands on the new Swift. The last time they got a new Swift was way back in 2001. Reports have confirmed that the on again-off again plans of Suzuki to launch the new Swift in the US markets have finally been put to a halt and the new Swift is not reaching the US shore until 2011.

Part of the reason for the delay is the rising cost of yen. At the current dollar-yen relationship, Suzuki would have to jack up the price of the swift to make any profit. The auto giant refuses to do so as they have already slashed their marketing budget considerably.

Another part of the reason is the VW-Suzuki alliance. The German and the Japanese auto giants are competing more or less the same target market. As the result, both of them are trying to find synergies in their products which could be leveraged to bring down the cost.

Steve Younan, head of product development and business development at American Suzuki -

Once the product strategies are aligned, we could give a green light to the launch

Back home as well, the two auto giants are leveraging on their alliance with rumors circulating that Maruti-Suzuki may manufacture cars for VW. While Suzuki is understood to be an expert in small cars, Volkswagen has more experience in larger cars and diesel engines. So could we expect the 1.2 TDI in our Swift as well?

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Entry posted on September 1st, 2010 and filed under Suzuki, Volkswagen

Honda SIEL’s strategy: 1 NEW dealer every month

Honda 2CV

By Kaustubh Shinde

The fanaticism for Honda in this country is immense. Every new model that they launch has been a hit. You can measure the fan-boyishness with 2 simple facts:

* In a FE sensitive market, a petrol guzzling SUV like CRV was a hit.
* In a cost sensitive market, the over priced Jazz found its buyers.

Honda knows how to bend the market the rules and where to find its buyers

BUT

Recently, with stiff competition from other auto majors like Chevrolet, Skoda, Hyundai and Toyota, their sales have been flagging. To combat the downturn, the company has adopted a new strategy of expanding its dealer base.

Jnaneswar Sen, vice president, marketing, Honda SIEL India Ltd -

By having more dealers, we want to get closer to the customer

The company currently boasts 117 dealerships across 71 cities. It plans to increase it to 150 dealerships across 90 cities by the end of 2012. This expanded dealer network will come in handy as the Auto giant gears up for the launch of its first low priced hatch. The hatch will be priced below 5 lacs to attack the market which is currently reigned by the biggest auto-manufacturer in India, Maruti-Suzuki.

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Entry posted on September 1st, 2010 and filed under Honda

Force Motors’ Mercedes-powered SUV coming by 2010 end

Force Motors SUV

By Kaustubh Shinde

After bringing you spy pics of the ambitious project undertaken by Pune-based Force motors, we have some more good news for you. Prasan Firodia, the managing director of Force Motors, has stated that the planned SUV will be launched by this year’s end.

Prasan Firodia, the managing director of Force Motors -

A substantial part of the vehicle has been developed in-house using indigenous expertise. We are targeting the final months of this (calendar) year or the early months of next year

Force motors (formerly known as Bajaj tempo), has been eying the rural SUV market for quite sometime. Currently, this market is ruled by the Tata Sumo and Mahindra Bolero.

The Force SUV is expected to be powered by a Daimler OM646 engine. It is a 2,148 cc engine which produces near to 148 bhp (also used in Mercedes Sprinter LCV). Moreover, in order to keep the cost down, the company has sourced certain parts from China and Taiwan. This SUV will be manufactured in their Pithampur plant in Madhya Pradesh sporting a price tag between 10-15L.

Looking at Force’s current portfolio which includes Trax, Judo, Gama and the limo Force Cruiser, we expect the new SUV to be a through rugged off roader which will be a good fit even in concrete jungles.

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Entry posted on September 1st, 2010 and filed under Force Motors
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