Indian Autos blog

Just an artist’s version of the low cost Wuling mini-car that might be sold in India in 2010

We reported on the possible entry of SAIC into the Indian market last month and already reports in the Chinese media suggest the company has taken a controlling stake on GM’s Talegoan facility.

The reports say SAIC’s first product out of an Indian production line would be a mini car developed by Wuling. Besides the small car, as per Karl Slym, President and Managing Director of GM India, light commercial vehicles would also be manufactured under the JV for our country.

That begs the question – Does this finally mark the first major entry of a Chinese auto brand into India?

Shocker – A report in the media says the mini car jointly produced by GM India and Wuling would roll out of an Indian plant by January 2010!

Study – Thumbs down for the overpriced, underpowered Jazz

Yes, that is right. After all the drama and countless inquiries, sales of the Honda Jazz resembles the opening of a pepsi cola bottle. Experts believe that despite its costly platform, roomy interiors and Honda badge slapped inside and out, it is unable to give competition to other cheaper alternatives, ie- can’t hold a candle to Hyundai, Maruti, Tata etc.

According to officials, there were almost 50,000 inquiries for the Honda Jazz but only 4,000 of them were converted into sales. The Indian customer has intelligently moved to the City as it offers a boot, a more powerful engine and costs slightly more.

So was the Honda Jazz brought in to be a mere bait? If the ill-treated Jazz had feelings, it would cry.

The other important point to notice is the saloon vs the hatchback phenomena – people see more value in Honda City and don’t mind shelling out a few extra bucks for it.

The actual figures are like in June above 2,000 units were sold, 1,037 in July, 1,029 in August and just 504 units in September.

So 100 in October?

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The entry-level Suzuki motorcycle would be the third of its kind in the Indian market, at the affordable price bracket after the Zeus and Heat.

Apart from this development, Suzuki also has plans of launching another gearless scooter in 2011.

Atul Gupta, vice-president-sales and marketing -

Suzuki Motorcycle is also undergoing a feasibility study to launch its second gearless scooter in 2011. Our strategy is to have a ‘value for money’ bike in the Rs 40,000 segment, introduce at least one more motorcycle above 150cc and launch another superbike. Two of these three launches should happen next fiscal

Currently Suzuki motorcycles have five models in the market, a gearless scooter Access 125, two motorcycles Zeus 125cc and GS150R and two superbikes — 1300cc Hayabusa and the 1700cc Intruder.

This segment of ‘value for money’ motorcycle Mr.Gupta’s speaking about is dominated by Hero Honda. Suzuki attempts to steal some of their market share and that is never going to be easy unless they have a brilliant product priced aggressively that a certain uniqueness to it and boasts of useful features that the competition does not offer.

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The next generation Chevrolet Aveo was caught testing in China wearing none of that protective clothing. For our new readers, we have already posted a spy shot and artist rendering of the next generation Aveo before.

Product specifications have not leaked past the walls of GM China HQ. An assortment of petrol and diesel engines is a safe bet.

Who knows? After the tie-up between REVA and GM India, there could even be a electric version of this vehicle. It’s all a possibility.

No one from the Indian wing of GM have spoken of the next generation Aveo and going by the silence, this car is not coming to India in the near future. We’ve already begun our investigation, so expect something on the Aveo soon here on IAB.

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Tata Motors is partnering with Canada-based Alternative Fuel Systems (AFS) to develop a Tata Xenon that runs on CNG. A CNG variant named Xenon Super was already showcased at the Thai International Auto Show last year.

The twin cab XT which enjoys the company of a 2.2-liter DICOR engine in India, will be modified to run on CNG. The product development is taking place wholly in Canada under the guidance of AFS. The vehicle will be launched next year, and is meant for the pick-up truck loving Thai market.

Jim Perry, president and CEO, AFS -

The objective of our project is to refine the Xenon engine control system to provide optimal drivability and performance under a wide spectrum of operating conditions. It is very important to vehicle buyers that the pickup has a smooth and powerful feel in real world driving. The only way to properly assure this elevated level of performance is through testing on a production vehicle.

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Bajaj Auto and US-based MotoCzysz LLC will join hands and build a ‘next generation automobile.’

The details are sketchy, but according to the reports, a low cost electric car for the Indian masses is what they are setting out to accomplish. MotoCzysz revealed its E1pc electric superbike recently (pictured above; zero to 192km/h acceleration in around 7-8 seconds), and when they say next generation automobile, it has to be something affordable and unique. It certainly is not going to be a supercar.

Work on the first prototype of this ambitious project will begin this month in Portland, USA. What should we expect? Well, that’s a tough one, but expect a slippery design, innovative interiors and a very distinct overall identity. Since it involves two companies having backgrounds of building two wheelers, could the final product be a cross between a bike and a car?

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On my list of things to do this year, lazing on the backseat of a Rolls Royce Phantom is definitely left unchecked. But relaxing in the rear seat of the Manza? You got to be kidding me. Not really.

The teaser website of the Tata Indigo Manza is up and running. From the image, we understand there will be a MID on the dashboard that will inform the driver about the vehicle along with a host of other information, very similar to the Mahindra Xylo’s DDAS. This module is also expected on the Indicruz which is Tata’s next launch.

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The Tata Indigo Manza will be launched in Mumbai on the 14th of this month. The Manza to the naked eye, is an Indica Vista with a bulky boot.

Interiors of the Manza will largely be the same except for the dashboard. Driver side dials and meters will feature instead of the Indica Vista style centrally mounted cluster. Tata will also use Fiat’ Blue&Me bluetooth technology on this sedan.

Tata will offer one petrol and one diesel engine – the Safire petrol and Multijet diesel, both lifted from Fiat’s closet. The 1.4 petrol will develop 95PS, while the 1.3 liter multijet is listed at 90PS.