Maini Reva has been renamed as the Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Company after Mahindra’s takeover of the Bangalore based electric car maker.
Reva unveiled two electric car concepts, the NXR and NXG at the 2010 Auto Expo New Delhi. Mahindra Reva announced that these cars would be launched by the last quarter of 2011. The Reva NXR and NXG would be exported to international markets too.
Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Co. -
A lot of work is going on at the moment and the launch of the new Reva NXR and NXG should be by Q4 of 2011.
The big question is what badge would the new NXR and NXG carry? Would Mahindra realize the value of Maini’s Reva’s efforts in developing the car or would it vainly stamp its badge on the electric cars just because it owns the company?
The byword for VW’s Polo has been quality and a new commercial plays on this and its other unmistakable traits, which has carried the Polo into the hearts of a million people around the world for the last 35 years.
Entry posted on July 14, 2010 by
Naveen;
Read More on Ferrari
Ferrari, the world’s most favorite sports car brand is reportedly planning to enter India soon. The Italian exotic supercar manufacturer would be banking on Tata’s support in India.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Chairman, Ferrari has reportedly told BBC News that Ferrai would be entering India by the end of this year. Ferrari, with Tata Motors’ help would be opening its showrooms in South Mumbai and New Delhi.
Ferrari range –
> 599 GTB Fiorano
> 599 GTO
> 612 Scaglietti
> 458 Italia
> California
To be imported as a completely built unit from Affalterbach, Germany, the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG will be priced at over two crore rupees. But the interesting twist to this story is Mercedes Benz India has found a bunch of customers who are willing, or already have signed on the dotted line to receive the keys to this lust-on-wheels supercar which stole the limelight at the Auto Expo 2010.
Mercedes Benz India spokesperson -
Yes, we are looking to launch the model on 15th of this month in New Delhi. To be imported as a CBU, it will attract more than 100 per cent import duty and will be sold for above Rs. 2 crore. The price will vary among our prospective customers depending on the customisation sought.
The Mercedes Benz SLS AMG‘s structure is made of aluminium alloy which aeronautical engineers use while constructing an Airbus. It has gullwing doors which in open condition reminds you of a combat aircraft out of Top gun. It’s AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine develops 571 hp and 650 Nm of torque, so in terms of ground speed you’re still in the aircraft territory.
If you floor the accelerator like Micheal Schumacher did in that nerve-racking stunt, you’ll reach 100kph in just 3.8 seconds. You’ll accelerate till you reach a top speed of 317kph.
Who knows, if you release the doors, you might even take off!
Entry posted on July 13, 2010 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on BMW
The BMW Plant in Chennai rolled out the first sixth generation BMW 5 Series model today. The latest generation BMW 5 Series was launched in India during April in India. Bookings of the car are open and deliveries of vehicles will commence by the end of this month.
Mr. Juergen Eder, Managing Director, BMW Plant Chennai -
The BMW 5 Series is the core product in our model range and has significantly contributed to the image and success of BMW in India. The team at BMW Plant Chennai is proud to roll out the new 5 Series with highest standards of quality, distinguished workmanship and uncompromising engineering. We are confident that the new BMW 5 Series produced in Chennai will further increase our momentum in the Indian luxury car segment.
The new BMW 5 Series is available in two petrol – 535i and 523i and two diesel variants – 530d and 525d. Except the 535i, all others are CKDs.
Over 3,700 5 Series models have been sold in India since BMW opened shop in India, accounting to over 50% of the German marque’s sales in India.
Entry posted on July 13, 2010 by
Naveen;
Read More on Skoda
Skoda was betting big on its Fabia hatchback, the first premium hatchback in India. Though the Skoda Fabia did well in the initial few months, the Hyundai i20′s launch pushed the Fabia to the sidelines.
Thomas Kuehl, Director (Sales and Marketing), Skoda India -
We were the first to introduce the concept of super hatch (in India) but as is the case always, the product which followed the Fabia (Hyundai i20) received a much better response. We are quite confident that the new Fabia will clock monthly sales of over 1,000 units.
The Octavia was shelved because of the BS4 norms and Skoda is bearing the brunt of it. But not for long. Skoda India is planning an aggressive comeback and hoping to regaining its lost glory that it had during the days of the Octavia.
Skoda would begin assembling the Yeti compact SUV in India by October 2010 and launch it simultaneously. Then the revamped Skoda Fabia would be launched. The revamped Fabia is also expected to come with revised competitive pricing.
Skoda is also developing a small car that would be priced between 3.5 to 4 lakhs. The new car would be built at the Chakan plant in Pune. Then the Skoda Felicia which would fill in the Octavia’s position would be launched. The Felicia would be based on the Skoda Fabia’s platform.
Skoda future models -
> Yeti compact SUV – 2010 October
> New revamped Fabia – 2010 October
> Skoda small car – 2011 end
> Felicia (Octavia’s replacement) – 2011 end
> Bigfoot 7-seater SUV – mid 2012
Entry posted on July 13, 2010 by
Naveen;
Read More on Audi
Audi had a very successful run in India last year with the German luxury car maker managing to overshoot its sales targets for India. Audi would be strengthening its commitment to the Indian market and the company even began assembling its Q5 compact SUV at its Aurangabad facility in India.
Audi would be launching the Q3 mini-SUV internationally in 2011 and also has plans to assemble the Q3 in India to compete head-on with the BMW X1 in mid-2011. The Audi Q3 is expected to priced between 23 to 28 lakh Rupees.
The biggest launch for Audi internationally would be its small premium hatchback, the A1. The Audi A1 is a stylish looking 3-door hatchback that would compete with the Mini and Alfa Romeo Mito internationally. The Audi A1 is arguably the best looking hatchback in the world.
How would the Audi A1 fare in India? The Audi A1 has a very good prospects in India but it can’t sell in huge volumes to make BMW realize it has been foolish for not bringing the Mini to India. It can sell in reasonable numbers if Audi brings the high powered Audi Sport and S-Line versions.
The A1 shares its platform with the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia and falls under 4 meters of length. And if Audi can plonk in its 1.2 liter TSI producing 104 hp and 175 Nm of torque with the 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch transmission, Audi could be able to price the A1 between 16 to 20 lakh Rupees which sounds exciting.
When Volkswagen offers its Beetle and Fiat its 500, why can’t Audi bring in the A1?
Maruti Suzuki India has teamed up with ibibo.com to produce an online serial. The team of directors, actors and technicians would be selected through an online voting system by ibibo.com members.
Aspiring writers, directors and actors would have to post their work/credentials on the website and netizens would pick the best talent to work for Maruti-ibibo’s online serial. A total of 8 actors, 2 directors and 2 scriptwriters would be selected through this exercise.
Why has Maruti suddenly jumped into producing online B-serials (B for budget!)? Is Maruti Suzuki becoming tired of increasing threats from its competition and planning for an alternative business or is this just a “novel” idea to increase the popularity of the already popular brand.
