The Suzuki R3 will be India’s smallest MPV and developed wholly by Maruti engineers
Speaking to the Economic Times recently, Shinzo Nakanishi MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki has divulged information regarding the Japanese major’s future plans for the Indian market.
Nakanishi says the Jimny SUV is an option they are considering since the Gypsy has worn out. The small volumes discouraged Maruti from assembling the Vitara in India.
The R3 MPV showcased during the Auto Expo will be the smallest MUV in India and wholly developed by Maruti. It will be positioned in a new segment, and new segments will help Maruti retain market share in India.
The company is also working closely with its suppliers to make the entry level Alto cheaper. We expect the new Alto to be launched in the next two months with a 1.0-liter K-Series engine.
Nakanishi has been pursuing engineers in Maruti to develop a suitable diesel engine for the SX4. Apart from this, Suzuki has also been developing diesel engines in Japan.
Nakanishi saan could also look at smaller engines in VW TDI lineup for the SX4 in the future now that the partnership is on.
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The masculine Toyota Fortuner has scripted success in India
The sea of bookings and the impressive level of attention the Toyota Fortuner it found in India even before the official launch, is hard to understand. TKM (Toyota Kirloskar Motors) believes the looks of the Fortuner was one of the main reasons for such a response.
Toyota now assembles 950 Fortuners a month. It will gradually take this figure past a 1,000 and ensure those who have booked are handed their vehicles by July or August. There are almost 6,500 of them in the queue.
The CKD of the Fortuner are sourced from its parent company’s Samut Prakan plant in Thailand. They are assembled in Bidadi, Karnataka and sold with an ex-showroom price of 18.9 lakh rupees.
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The new Suzuki Swift with a 1.2-liter K-Series engine offers better torque and fuel efficiency
In the wake of stringent emission norms that come into effect from April 2010, Maruti Suzuki, Autocar reports has unleashed the 1.2-liter Swift. This is the same engine that powers the Maruti Suzuki Ritz.
The new engine outputs 84bhp and 11.5kgm of max torque and is coupled to an improved gearbox. The outgoing 1.3-liter powerplant produced 87bhp and 11.3kgm torque.
The K-Series engine is better refined and the company claims it has a fuel efficiency of 17.9kpl, a 2kpl improvement over the previous model. As this claim belongs to Suzuki, it needs verification.
Maruti Suzuki will not hike the price of the Swift. It however will marginally increase prices of some other models.
The N300 Series van could be in the first lot of CVs from SAIC manufactured in India
General Motors India will foray into the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment in India next year with three LCV models and the following year launch a compact car as part of the joint venture with SAIC. GM will begin production at its powertrain facility in Talegaon later this year where it will make both petrol and diesel engines.
GM will sell CVs under a new brand in India. The vehicles have dedicated dealerships and nothing to do with the existing passenger car and Utility vehicle network.
GM has not revealed the vehicles or their specifications, but we’ve done a story on SAIC’s commercial vehicles before.
GM will launch its compact car in 2012. We don’t know if this is going to tackle the Nano’s firing or serve as the Chevrolet Spark replacement. We could also speculate about a possible electric heart for the new small car supplied by REVA.
Talking of electric cars, Chevrolet will launch the e-Spark in the Indian market by the end of this year. They plan to sell 5,000 of them in the first year and hope the government will help with incentives and bonuses.
The Nissan 370Z will be a CBU. That necessarily doesn’t matter to the rich buyer!
Nissan is all set to launch the sporty 370Z in India on the 20th of January. The Nissan 370Z will be most expensive Nissan in India, and will retain that tag for a very long time to come.
We believe Nissan would not have numbers in their mind for the 370Z. The primary motive is brand building, and that the 370Z with its humongous engine and razor sharp looks will certainly do.
The 370Z uses a 3,696 cc V6 engine that outputs 336 PS@7000rpm and 365 N·m@5200. That’s more torque than many of the SUVs in India can manage.
Known as the Fairlady Z in the Japanese market, the 370Z filters power via a 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters or 6-speed manual transmission. Despite aluminum door panels, hood and hatch, the 370Z weighs well over 3000lbs, so forget the word fuel economy altogether.
IAB will be present at the unveiling ceremony to bring you all possible images and information of Nissan’s first sports car in India.
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The Renault Yeni could be the concept car the compact results out of
French auto major Renault is looking to deploy its small car into the Indian market by using its Japanese partner Nissan’ V-Platform.
Renault has ruled out cars like the Sandero, Clio and Twingo for India. The company claims these cars cannot be priced competitively if brought to India.
Renault Asia Africa Management Committee Executive Vice-President Katsumi Nakamura -
We have a partnership with Nissan and Nissan has a platform for such type of car (compact car) and we can use that platform. We have some discussion over this.
The first Renault car to come out of the Chennai plant would be Fluence sedan next year. Following that, Renault will launch the Koleos SUV.
Spy photographers in Australia have caught a new Nissan Micra desperately trying to hide itself from prying eyes during Ad filming. The photographs somewhat provide an idea about the design features on the new small car which debuts in India this year.
Sitting on Nissan’s new V-platform, the Micra is lighter and more efficient than its predecessors. Using a similar design approach, the Micra’s trademark cuteness is retained. The curves, large grille, small brake light cluster and side profile of the car have been preserved.
A 3-cylinder 1.2-liter engine with 74hp output and 104Nm of torque is rumored, while a diesel engine is said to follow six months from the time of launch.
The Micra will make its International Debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Production of the car begins on the third week of May in Oragadam, Chennai.
Bajaj’s compact car will share components with 2, 3-wheelers.
According to officials in Renault, the small car developed by Bajaj Auto featuring DTSi technology that will be marketed by Renault-Nissan alliance in India will be smaller than Maruti Suzuki’s Alto.
Scheduled for 2012 release, the Bajaj low cost car would be cheaper than any other small car in India. The design, engineering and manufacturing will be Bajaj’s tasks while marketing and selling the vehicle would be Renault’s job.
Renault Asia Africa Management Committee Executive Vice- President Katsumi Nakamura -
The car that we are discussing with Bajaj is smaller than the small car. A small car like Maruti Suzuki’s Alto or a 1.2 litre car is not on the table for discussion of Renault Bajaj. We are discussing a smaller car than the small car
Bajaj said earlier the new small car and its existing line of products consisting of 2 and 3-wheelers, will have 70-80% parts in common.
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