Indian Autos blog

Thanks to our eagle eyed reader Prashant, we’re able to bring you spy pictures of the Mahindra Xylo 4WD from the streets of Pune. Mahindra is currently developing the 4WD Xylo and a Xylo micro hybrid. Both these vehicles are being tested at the moment.

The Mahindra Xylo’s part time 4wd system uses an advanced version of the Borg & Warner system found on select Scorpio models. It could be a real-time all-wheel drive system like the one found on the Honda CR-V, where the system finds ways to provide maximum road grip and stability rather than off-roading traits.

The Xylo 4×4 would be India’s first MPV with 4×4 technology. With improved road manners, the 4×4 Xylo will be one of the best MPVs for under 10 lakh rupees.

Ford India hopes to clear the supply backlog of its ultra-successful Figo hatchback by this month end. The company has started a second shift at its Maraimalai Nagar plant from the beginning of this month in order to clear the supply backlog and to increase its production capacity.

Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director, Ford India -

Presently, we have a backlog of about 6,000-7,000 units of Figo. We hope to deliver these by end-July.

The Figo has set Ford India’s sales chart on fire, with the company having received around 25,000 bookings since having launched the car way back in March. The commencement of the second shift at its manufacturing facility should help it clear off the backlog and put a smile on the faces of anxious owners waiting for the keys of their cars.

Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director, Ford India -

The Figo’s success has exceeded expectation in terms of sales and target markets. Our debut compact car offering is being very well received by a wide-range of customers in India. The Figo will help us to increase our marketshare in the coming days.

The second shift has also enabled Ford to expand its manufacturing capacity from 1 lakh units per annum to 1.4 lakh units per annum.

Mr. Boneham Added -

We have increased our Chennai facility’s production capacity from one lakh units to 1.40 lakh units per annum with the addition of the second shift. We are confident of catering to the demand for the Figo. The Chennai facility can manufacture up to two lakh units in three shifts per annum.

The company is now grappling with the problem of rising input costs for producing its cars and is under increasing pressure to raise the prices of its cars. However, the company will continue to maintain the current prices for its cars, until it feels that it is unable to absorb the rising costs and that some of it has to be passed on to the customer.

Tata has put on the road “hundreds of prototypes” of its latest product Range Evoque in an attempt to carry out one of the most rigorous pre-launch testings across the globe.

As part of Land Rover’s 40th anniversary celebrations, the company will put the Evoque on the market in 2011. Over 1,000 jobs will be generated when production begins at Halewood, Britain. The vehicle will be launched officially in the Paris Motor Show, which is 72 days away. Over 10,000 people have expressed interest since the company released images of the vehicle on its website a few weeks ago.

Groups of engineers will take Evoques to 20 countries ranging from the ice-cold Arctic to the scorching deserts. The Evoque will be put through the grind in Tokyo city traffic and try reaching its top speed at the German Autobahn.

Land Rover Director (Programmes) Murray Dietsch -

The development stage is crucial in the year leading up to launching the car… No stone is left unturned, we have a team of experienced and skilled engineers who will work to a tight schedule to ensure (that) we have a top quality vehicle to offer our customers.

The Evoque will be the smallest and most fuel efficient Land Rover model in its range. The vehicle will be sold in 160 countries and India will certainly be among them.

Fiat India is planning to re-launch its premium compact hatchback, the Fiat 500 (Cinquecento in Italian) over the coming months. The company plans to position the car more aggressively vis-a-vis its main rival the Volkswagen Beetle.

Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, CEO, Fiat India -

Retro cars with distinctive looks are a big hit and that’s what we would capture in our new campaign to be rolled out in a few months

The move of the company to re-launch the car comes on the back of the Volkswagen Beetle having done exceedingly well in the market, leaving the Fiat 500 biting the dust. Volkswagen has sold 300 units of the Beetle since its launch last November while on the other hand Fiat has only managed to sell a meager 68 units of its 500 ever since the car was launched way back in July 2008.

The company is now looking to claw its way back into the premium segment of the hatchback market by re-launching the car at a more attractive price point along with an extensive list of customization options.

Mr. Kapoor Added -

We have a clear price advantage and will play it to our customers with various options for the product

The Fiat 500 when launched in July 2008 was the first of a couple of imports which Fiat had planned to launch in the Indian car market to resurrect the Fiat brand in the country. But, the car did not meet sales expectations, mainly due to its astronomical price tag and that forced Fiat to go on the backfoot and cancel the launch of its other import, the Bravo hatchback.

Fiat will now now be looking to revive the Fiat 500 brand in the country and take the fight to the Volkswagen Beetle with its new price and marketing strategy for the car.

Just over a year old, this TV commercial on the VW Passat was aired in Britain when recession was on a roll. Recession or no recession, positive thinking always helps in lifting spirits. The ad is choreographed well and a flock of sheep on its way to the butcher dancing to the tune is the best manner to finish this commercial. Enjoy!

We have been aggressively ramping up dealership network across the country. Opening up of these five new dealerships is in line with our constant endeavour to increase our footprint and to provide total customer satisfaction

Nissan Motor India Managing Director and CEO Kiminobu Tokuyama said at the launch of the Micra last week.

As I shake hands and greet Kurt Rippholz, I sense he isn’t going to be a run-of-the-mill automotive industry spokesperson. He isn’t going to reply “no comment” or “we will come out with an announcement shortly” for my inquisitive questions.

We sit down in a conference room at the VW India’s Chakan plant, and we’re joined by Alexander who is enjoying his third day in India. Soon, Alex will take over as VW India head spokesman with Kurt deciding to hang up his boots later this year and spend his remaining years with family and friends back in Germany.

Kurt can hardly hide his emotions when he states he’s slipping into retirement. Volkswagen and India served him with such strong and memorable moments.

- I start proceedings by asking Kurt about the Vento (Polo sedan). For those in the dark, the booted Polo is exclusive to India and Russia. So are there any regional differences so to speak?

Kurt tells me the seats and interiors are going to have slight differences. The Indian model will have extra space. The seats are more comfortable and the horns are designed to last longer. 500,000 cycles to be precise! That’s more than 5 times the life of the Russian horn!

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General Motors has begun development of an all-new compact electric car for worldwide markets. The car will be launched Internationally sometime next year and could hit Indian shores in 2012-2013. The car could be based on the Electric Networked Vehicle (EN-V) concept electric car which GM showcased in China earlier this year.

General Motors was set to launch the electric version of the Spark showcased at the Auto Expo, in collaboration with the Reva Electric Car Company (RECC) during the festive season this year, but after Mahindra announced an acquisition of 55.2 % of RECC, GM announced that it was pulling the plug on the electric Spark project and that it will go solo on its electric car plans for the Indian market.

Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, GM India to Autocar India -

The mini electric car will suit the congested traffic conditions of Indian cities, and the introduction could be within a couple of years.

Regarding the possibility of the Chevrolet Volt being launched in India, Mr. Slym said that the company was unsure whether the market for such a car existed in India and the number of customers who want to own such a car. The Volt is to be launched abroad in November this year.

GM India has lined up new variants of its existing car lineup for launch over the coming months and will start off with the launch of the LPG version of the Beat during the festive season, followed by the diesel version of the Beat in early 2011. In between these launches, the company will also introduce the upgraded Bharat Stage IV compliant Tavera. The company will also launch the Cruze Petrol and the facelifted Captiva over the next one year.