The Gran Tourismo will be sold in limited numbers, and we sense to known customers
India may well be pegged to lead the next automobile revolution – playing host to innovations – and of course, becoming the small car hub. But ask BMW why it has no plans of bringing its 1 series into the Indian market and they’ll say India is not ready yet and thus we have no plans! Does that mean we are yet be a mature market for luxury cars? Yes.
That however, has not stopped BMW from planning out an expansion. For, BMW today (3 FEB, 2010) launched its limited edition Gran Turismo, priced at Rs 63 lakh and also revealed it’s plans of bringing the X1 series here by the year-end through the CKD route.
The limited edition Gran Turismo car, equipped with a 3.01 litre diesel engine will be brought as a completely built-up unit (CBU) from the firm’s plant overseas.
This is not it! With 41% market share in the luxury car market in the country, BMW also plans to increase its dealerships to 22 from the current 12. These are besides the company’s plans to venture into the pre-owned cars business – for which it is planning an exclusive store in the Delhi-Gurgaon region.
Q&A with Peter Kronschanbl, President BMW India
1. Cars sold last year? : 3,196 units
2. Market share? : 41 per cent
3. Growth projections? : double digit for the coming year
4. Other expansions? : creating a standalone financial services entity, expanding capacity at the Chennai plant from the existing 3,000 units per annum, expanding dealership network to 22 from 12.
5. On bringing the 1 Series to India : We have no plans yet as we don’t see the market for that particular in the country as of now.
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Ford Figo rolls out of the Chennai plant. Deputy Chief Minister MK Stalin looks on
For those who are eagerly awaiting the launch of the Ford Figo, here’s good news. Ford rolled out the first Figo from its Chennai plant today. It was a blue color car and by the look on it, without the fog lamps, it is the base model.
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi inaugurated the production of Figo. Ford had signed a MoU with the Tamil Nadu government in September 2009, under which it would invest an additional Rs 1,500 crore to expand the facility. The expansion would lead to creation of 1,000 job opportunities.
While prices or variants have not been revealed, we expect prices to begin at 3.75 lakh rupees for the base petrol and go up to 5.5 lakh for the diesel with all the bells and whistles.
Paul di Voijs poses with the new Volvo S80 diesel in Mumbai’s World Trade Center
“No I want to talk to you, No I want to talk to you” insists Paul when I ask him to gather some lunch in a plate as we sit down for a chat. He smiles like a child, but I know he’s a very hungry man. He hasn’t taken lunch, and when we start chatting its already 4:15 PM.
As I make myself comfortable, I remind myself I’m dealing with a man who is in his 25th year with Volvo brand. Paul de Voijs, Managing Director of Volvo India is working in his sixth destination and has seen a good part of America on a Harley Davidson which he rented with no previous riding experience. He is an adventure-seeking man who arrived in India knowing there was no office, table or chair for him. Paul reads the look in my eye as I start talking.
I start by telling Paul I’m not going to ask him questions on production volumes, projected sales or engine capacity. Instead I would ask him about the future, a place where I want to be in today to see Volvo in India. Right now Volvo sells just two models – the S80 sedan and the XC90 SUV. I hence don’t consider Mercedes Benz, BMW or Audi to be its competitors in any of my questions.
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Toyota Motor Philippines introduced a tougher (looking) version of their best selling and one of our country’s best-selling MPV – the Toyota Innova dubbed Sport Runner.
The Toyota Innova SR, based on the refreshed Innova launched in 2009, features side skirts, rear spoiler, front fog lamp design similar to the G variant, 15″ alloy wheels in a wider 225 / 55 R15 tires and Sport Runner badge.
The Toyota Innova SR variant will be available in 2.5-liter diesel manual and automatic transmissions at Php 999,000 (9.98 lakh rupees) and Php 1,064,000 (10.6 lakh rupees) respectively.
During the launch of the refreshed Toyota Camry last year, Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Toyota Kirloskar Motors told IAB there will be a number of special editions of the existing models launched, and there would be no major launches till the Etios arrives in Dec 2010. Could the Innova Sport Runner be in that list
The Chevrolet Beat’s manifesto shown during the launch held last month
Epic!
The attractive Chevrolet Beat, as our friends in Wheelosphere put it, is beating all competition. In just 24 days after bookings commenced, the Chevrolet Beat has registered 10,000 bookings in India.
General Motors has priced the Beat very aggressively. The company admits cannibalization will definitely happen given the Beat’s prices were very close to the entry-level model Chevrolet Spark. A company official said GM wants the Beat to take the lead soon and become their best selling model with 5,000 units a month.
P Balendran, Vice-President, GM India -
The response to our latest offerings from the 300 series, the Cruze and the Beat, has been overwhelming and we are certain that these will further provide an impetus to Chevrolet’s growth in the Indian market.
Unlike other small cars in the market today, the Chevrolet Beat’s personality is very unique. Features like motorcycle inspired gauge, C-pillar mounted door handle, good quality plastics, high level of fit and finish, a steering wheel that offers good grip and a gear box that works well with the engine are the reasons we think are behind the Beat emerging to this level.
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The new Volvo S80 D5 comes with free maintenance for up to 2 years/60,000 kms
The new and improved Volvo S80 diesel was launched today in a function held at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai. The new diesel S80 has a diesel particulate filter which its rivals don’t. This ensures far less soot and carbon dioxide emissions to an extent that it is one of the most eco-friendly cars in its group.
The new S80 comes with a five cylinder 2.4-liter diesel engine offering 205 horsepower, 420Nm of torque and an ARAI certified fuel economy figure of 13.09kmpl.
There is no major differentiators externally, if you ask me. The S80 retains its stubby looks with hints of aggression and a dash of fun, especially at the rear. Addition of chrome to certain parts of the car makes it look more elegant in low light conditions.
Notable features on the new S80 are the cabin air filter, which is keeps in-cabin air dust and gas proof and suitable for patients suffering from asthma and the Dolby Pro Logic surround sound system delivers the best level of audio quality.
click through to view images, more information and press release
Indian Autos Blog is packing its bags and heading to India’s financial capital to cover the launch of new Volvo S80 variant. We will also be interacting with Volvo’s management and ask them all the right questions.
Posting might not be fluent, but we will try hard to keep the blog updated to our best ability.
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The next generation Renault Clio will be built on Nissan V-Platform. More importantly, according to Autocar UK, it will be built in Renault-Nissan’s factory in Oragadam, near Chennai in the next few years.
When IAB interacted with Marc Nassif, Country General Manager for Renault at the Auto Expo, he said the existing Clio and Megane were too expensive for the Indian market. He said the safety features offered on the Clio and Megane would bump up costs indirectly meaning the next generation Renaults destined for India could come fully loaded with safety equipment and still be affordable.
The next generation Renault Clio could be the fourth Renault in India after the Logan, Fluence and Koleos.
