Indian Autos blog

The video above shows details the Toyota Etios concepts with the aid of computer graphics. This is the full version of the demo released as a teaser before the car was showcased at the Auto Expo last month.

Could the revamped, adapted Logan be produced in Renault’s Chennai facility?

Could we see a repeat of the Ford – M&M JV? Possibly.

In my opinion, M&M should be on its own. They are doing the right thing by concentrating on the necessary aspects of business (R&D and new vehicle development) in passenger and commercial vehicle segments. Their Renault JV today is a small bit of their business and was never a cash cow.

Renault has announced plans to produce two new cars at its Chennai plant. It is expected that these two cars are the Fluence and Koleos which were showcased at the Auto Expo 2010 in Delhi. The larger plan is to launch five cars (including the Fluence and Koleos) over the next 4 years. That is good news for the Indian market.

Sudhir Rao, Renault India’s Chief Operating Officer had this to say to Times of India -

India is a tough market, but a growing market. It is an opportunity for us to start again, Renault plans to set up a new distribution network, which should grow to about 150 dealerships by 2014.

Renault will be doing this all by itself and will not involve M&M. IAB earlier reported that the JV with M&M is under the scanner with countless theories doing the rounds. We still do not have any clarity on the status of the JV as the announcement from Renault pertains to the new car models. Nonetheless, this is a big indicator on the JV. Why should Renault invest in a production facility and also continue a JV with M&M?

Ford Figos manufactured in India, would reach South African shores this year

Ford halted sales of the “Ka” in South Africa 18 months ago and since then the entry-level passenger car segment hasn’t seen a contestant from them. In the third quarter of this year, that sentence will not make sense as Ford is preparing to take on the budget car market segment once again with the introduction of the Indian-made Figo.

Ford sells the Bantam in SA which is the pickup truck based on the Ikon. The Indian connection hence is already present.

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) president and CEO Jeffery Nemeth -

Having a new entry in the segment that is expected to recover the fastest will definitely provide us with some advantages.

The Figo uses the B-Platform and is manufactured with a localization content of 85% in Ford’s Chennai facility which can produce up to 200,000 cars a year. Both petrol and diesel variants could be marked for exports, but no official word from Ford has reached us.

The rear-end of the new Suzuki Swift looks familiar despite modified tail gate, lamps

The Motor Report has posted a drawing of the rear-end of the next generation Suzuki Swift relying on the spy shots of a camouflaged vehicle. The design and possibly size of the tail lamp cluster will be different and the tail gate will be of a different shape.

The upper part of the rear resembles that of the SX4. The new Suzuki Swift based on a completely new platform, will come with added luggage space and rear leg room. Hybrid powertrains and CVTs are also being talked about. No official information is expected until the Paris Motor Show kicks off in later part of 2010.

The new Toyota Prius was Japan’s best selling vehicle and one of our favorites

The update is that Toyota will not be making a loss on the Prius in India. This is not exactly a “breaking news”, but rather a no brainer. After all, every car maker wants to introduce models that make good money for them.

Strategically speaking, the question is important as the Prius is coming to India under an limited order of 200 vehicles. The pricing is above Rs. 25 lakh and Toyota already have orders for 54 vehicles. That is a good order booked in a short time for this car.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motors had this to say in an interview for Forbes India -

Priced at over Rs. 25 lakh, isn’t the car very expensive?
We always knew that we are going to be very expensive and that’s primarily because of the custom duty levied on the car. We did approach Toyota Motor Corporation for subsidies but we were advised to speak to the Government of India. That’s how it works in most other countries where we have launched the Prius. Most governments have a subsidy or concession plan in place. So for the last six months we have been talking to the government, but we realised that it will take time to get any special concessions. The question was whether we should wait to work with the government, or go ahead and launch it. So, we decided to be selfish and launched the Prius which has all the features of any luxury car and I think it will connect with a limited, select group of people.

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The new Volvo S60′s roofline is almost a hatchback’s

Engine range from start of production:

Engines added during first year of production:

Volvo has published an exhaustive press release and some quality images of the new S60, which will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Volvo will bring the S60 to India in the first quarter of 2011. The all-new S60 is built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium.

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The shake-up could lead to good or bad news. The decision is just weeks away

The Indian wing of French carmaker Renault will restructure the JV it signed four years ago with Mahindra. The first and only offering of this partnership, the Renault Logan, which got off to a flying start has simmered down to a level of 500 units a month raising difficult questions. The Logan has received no cosmetic makeovers in its lifetime here in India. It also has not received new engines, transmissions or any mechanical upgrades.

One possible outcome of the restructuring could be a sub-4 metre Logan with a 1.2-liter petrol engine which makes it a small car. Renault could tinker its body, install new grilles and headlamps and sell it with a smaller diesel engine. But that is easier said than done.

Chief operating office Sudhir Rao, Renault India -

We are exploring all options. A final decision on this will be taken in 30 to 45 days

There have been countless theories on what Renault plans to do in India. One story claims they would end the joint venture, while the other claims they would use the Logan’s platform to produce a hatchback and other variants as part of the venture. Guess the end to all this is near its own end.

The Nissan Micra test mule spotted was close to the one shown above

Our friends and fellow petrolheads have all seen a new Nissan Micra hatchback being tested in Chennai with taping and heavy black camouflage. The new Micra is going to be produced at the company’s plant in Oragadam, on the outskirts of Chennai.

The Nissan Micra is initially said to come with a 1.2-liter petrol engine that will be a 3-cylinder in-line with 74hp output and 104Nm of torque.

If you have photographs of thi vehicle or any other test mule for that matter, get in touch with me at editor(at)indianautosblog.com