Archive for February, 2010

Chevrolet Cruze Automatic Transmission variant launched at 13.45 lakh

The Cruze AT is a very powerful diesel automatic car with handful of useful features

Three days ago, General Motors launched the Automatic transmission variant of the diesel Cruze in Bangalore. Priced at 13.45 lakh rupees (ex-showroom Delhi) the Cruze diesel becomes easier to operate.

Features on the automatic transmission variant include PEPS, Push Button Start, Cruise Control, Smart Screen and Electric Sunroof. The Automatic variant comes in a special 3 coat paint called White Diamond in addition to the six colors already on offer.

click past the break to read the press release and view live shots

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Entry posted on February 26th, 2010 and filed under chevrolet cruze

BMW launch 320d and 330i in India at 23.95 and 33.40 lakh respectively

BMW 330i takes the 3 Series range to higher levels while the 320d corp is the new entry-level car

At their dealership here in Chennai, BMW today launched two new 3 Series variants to the ever expanding portfolio. The 3 Series now becomes slightly more affordable with the entry of the 320d Corporate edition while the 330i is the most expensive 3 Series in India.

BMW 320d’s four-cylinder diesel engine displaces 1995 cc with the maximum output reaching 130kW at 4000 RPM and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1750-3000 RPM.

The BMW 330i on other hand features a 2996cc six-cylinder engine with the maximum output of 190kW at 6600 RPM and maximum torque of 300Nm at 2500-4000 RPM.

For images and more information click through to read more

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Entry posted on February 25th, 2010 and filed under BMW

Spied – Ford testing next generation Endeavour*

*Ford testing next generation Endeavour in the form of the Ranger pickup truck

You might have come across the Ford Ranger while watching the Australian Domestic cricket league on Star Cricket. In truth, the Ranger is the pickup truck formed on the Endeavour’s platform sold in Australia.

The Ford Endeavour (Endy) just received a complete facelift last year. Ford’s also planning automatic and manual transmission variants for the Endy and has not hinted about a model change.

Car Advice Australia says the new Ranger enters their market in 2011 and will be a “global model.” No details have emerged on the powertrain front but it is safe to expect a CRDI engine with a turbocharger.

They claim the next Ranger will be slightly wider and longer than the current model. Does this mean the Endy will grow in size? Wouldn’t that make it longer than a goods train? :P

The spyshots were captured in Sweden and the new Endeavour could come to India in 2012. Or 2013.

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Entry posted on February 25th, 2010 and filed under Ford, Spy pictures

Now Hyundai recall the Sonata in US and Korea

YF Sonata – recalled in US and Korea

If there is one word, we are getting used to lately, it is “Recall”. Hyundai is the latest.

Yesterday, Hyundai have recalled 47300 Sonata’s in Korea and US. No problems in India as the model recalled is not sold here. Rather, the model “YF Sonata” has not been introduced in India yet. Just for the record, the YF Sonata also bagged the IIHS Top Safety Award for 2011 in US. The award is presented to the car that scores a good rating in front, side, rear and roll over crashes.

I must admit, this comes at a time, when Hyundai is actually doing well in the US. Considering Toyota’s problems, one of the biggest beneficiary in terms of sales in US is Hyundai. Of the 47300 vehicles recalled, only 1300 vehicles are from the US. That is a negligible number, but certainly one that the US market would not discount in the wake of recent trends.

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Entry posted on February 25th, 2010 and filed under Hyundai, Hyundai Sonata YF

A-Star recalled to arrest fuel leakage problem

Suzuki A-Star – fuel system forces recall

Joining the recall wagon is our own Maruti Suzuki and the problem is with the A-Star manufactured in India. IAB earlier carried a post in December 09 of the same problem in Netherlands (Suzuki A-Star facing lethal fuel systems).

The company has recalled about 100,000 cars manufactured between November 2008 and August 2009. It has identified a fault in the fuel pump gasket and O lining. These faults potentially cause a fuel leakage in case the fuel tank is filled to the brim beyond the auto cut off position. Yes, the sure shot way to avoid this problem is to never fill up your fuel tank to the brim, but now with the recall issued, we suggest you get the fault corrected should you get a notice from Maruti Suzuki.

The company has already sent out letters to customers who might face this problem and about 50,000 cars have been corrected since November 2009. This includes cars from India and overseas markets. That’s being very proactive and customer oriented. Kudos to Maruti Suzuki and team.

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Entry posted on February 24th, 2010 and filed under Maruti Suzuki

GM takes IAB on a trip through its Bangalore powertrain facility [update]

Many of GM’s future engines and gearboxes are developed at the Bangalore powertrain center

Today in Bangalore, GM India launched the automatic transmission of the Cruze diesel sedan at 13.45 lakh rupees (ex-showroom Delhi). Before the commencement of the event, GM sent us on a tour of their powertrain facility where it developed engines and gearboxes for some of the world’s popular Chevrolets like Malibu, Escalade hybrid, Volt and Captiva.

The technology centre is currently working on engines of 0.8-6.6 liter engine size range, both in petrol and diesel forms. The engineers are also at work on hybrids (mild, full and plug-in) and fuel cells. GM’s ultimate destination, it claims, is fuel cell technology which offers the perfect deal, both in performance and emissions.

In their presentation, one of the slides suggested GM was working on a 1.3-liter diesel engine. This locally manufactured engine could be transplanted into the T300 (Aveo replacement overseas) which arrives in India in 2011.

Automatic transmissions have gained rapid acceptance in US and in China, it is in high demand. India could be the next to follow says GM which explains how automatic transmissions have the ability to deliver a consistent mileage figure over time compared to the manual transmission which needs more driver effort and delivers inconsistent mileage. The latter is cheaper, but the former is the future, it believes.

For obvious reasons, GM did not take us on a complete tour of the building and did not permit photography or entry at certain points. We spent just about the correct time to learn what they wanted us to, while not being able to extract anything extra from the employees explaining to us about the technologies and hardware. The powertrain facility employs about 700 engineers and has a million display monitors!

We could not get any idea on what currently GM is developing for future vehicles, except for the fact that next generation powertrains were being worked on in that building. The powerpoint presentation, in the beginning of the visit and the manner in which the engineers spoke to us pointed to EVs and hybrids. The facility looks capable of designing new and advanced powertrains, and that is what they were secretly doing on minimized windows while we twisted, turned, ducked and peeked into the work stations of the fully-aware CAD engineers, who giggled amongst themselves at our failed attempts!

images to follow in the next few hours

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Entry posted on February 23rd, 2010 and filed under General motors

VW Polo launched at 4.34-6.70 lakh rupees in petrol, diesel

Polo’s pricing is no pigeon out of the hat. Still will it find many buyers in India?

Volkswagen has launched the locally manufactured New Polo hatchback in Mumbai, in both petrol and diesel forms. The entry point is the 1.2L petrol variant which is priced at Rs 4.34 lakhs, ex showroom New Delhi while the base 1.2L diesel variant comes at Rs. 5.32 lakhs ex showroom New Delhi.

Engine/ Trimline – Price (INR in Lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)

1.2L 75 HP Petrol Trendline – 4,34,000

1.2L 75 HP Petrol Comfortline – 4,83,800

1.2L 75 HP Petrol Highline – 5,72,000

1.2 L 75 HP TDI Trendline – 5,32,000

1.2L 75 HP TDI Comfortline – 5,81,800

1.2L 75 HP TDI Highline – 6,70,000

click through for press release

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Entry posted on February 23rd, 2010 and filed under Volkswagen

IAB is in Mumbai tomorrow to drive the VW Polo

Over the last few days, our updates have not been all that frequent. What you should know is we have some awesome stuff lined up over the next few days. This post will give you a sneak peek.

1) We ask Karl Slym, President and Managing Director of GM India all kinds of questions including his EV plans and an all-new SUV on the T300 platform

2) We drive the new VW Polo and publish all we can about it

3) We post never before seen spyshots of the new Mitsubishi Lancer testing in India and a Tata 207. Except that this one has a DICOR engine on-board!

4) We take the Tata Nano out for a spin and see if it can handle the expressways

5) SRK’s renderings of the Mahindra Maxximo passenger version, Skoda’s small car that sits under Fabia and the 2012 Fiat small car will be aired.

Let me tell you – the next few days are going to be very explosive. Stay tuned to IAB using RSS Feeds or Email updates

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Entry posted on February 23rd, 2010 and filed under Announcements

Toyota focused on customer service in US

Toyota Camry – causing more problems for Toyota in US

Toyota is completely focused on customer service in the US. That is definitely good. Providing the best customer service is key to growth and loyalty.

Bob Carter, Vice President, Toyota Group remarked -

We have a singular focus today – taking care of the customers on an individual basis. That’s everything that we are doing. Quite frankly, nothing else is important.

I read through Mr.Carter’s remark twice before making any logical conclusions. Focusing on customer service is fine and he could have stopped with that.

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Entry posted on February 21st, 2010 and filed under Toyota

Honda studying small diesel engine for India

Honda City – Deserve a diesel heart

Some good news for Indians who have been waiting for a diesel car from Honda. The company is conducting studies to develop a diesel engine for Indian market. Let us be more specific and set the expectation straight. The development is at initial stages and at best indicative. Honda wants to flourish in emerging markets and realizes that a small diesel engine is required to sell more cars.

No time lines are available on the launch and specifications of the engine. We are very much awaiting the diesel City or even a diesel Jazz. The diesel option on these cars could be a very attractive package and provided the pricing is sensible, these cars could be game changers for Honda.

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Entry posted on February 19th, 2010 and filed under Honda, honda jazz

BMW recalls 2010 X5 and X6 in US

BMW X6 – 2010 models recalled in US

It appears that Toyota and Honda are not alone in the recall game. Joining the bandwagon is the premium car maker BMW. The company has intimated the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in US of a fault in X5 and X6 models manufactured between December 14, 2009 and December 16, 2009.

There have been no reports or complaints filed with NHTSA by customers. This is a notification by the company to the administrator of a safety defect in case of a rollover crash.

We do not know the number of vehicles under the recall, but this could be merely in hundreds. What is of more significance is the nature of the notice and the probable safety issue being reported.

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Entry posted on February 19th, 2010 and filed under BMW

GM talks strategy and new cars (incl Chevy SUV by 2010 end)

Chevy Cruze – 300 Series Platform fueling growth for GM India

If we talk of growing trends, here is one that certainly happening. Car makers appear to be targeting tier II and tier III markets. We saw it in the case of Ford, which has just opened 13 dealerships in these markets. Now GM India is pursuing a strategy to improve sales in rural markets.

The Chinese will also be entering the Indian commercial and passenger vehicle markets by 2011. Recently, Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC) took a 50% stake in GM India and will enter the Indian market in 2011.

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Entry posted on February 18th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet, General motors

New CEO for Tata Motors – wants 100 days

Carl-Peter Forster – Group CEO, Tata Motors

Tata Motors has appointed Mr. Carl-Peter Forster as new CEO of the group. Mr. Forster will be in charge of overall Tata Motors operations including Jaguar and Land Rover. Mr. Forster was the former head of GM Europe operations. On behalf of IAB, we would like to congratulate Mr. Forster on his appointment.

A tough job lay ahead for Mr. Forster, but he could not have come at a better time. The economy is recovering, money is back in the market, Tata Motors domestic sales in January was great considering competition and prior months. Well it could be the January effect (new year sales etc), but certainly a good month for Tata Motors.

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Entry posted on February 18th, 2010 and filed under Announcements, Jaguar, Tata, land rover
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