More than one Indian Autos Blog reader has reported sighting of a beige Euro Ford Fiesta sedan with automatic transmission, testing near Ford’s Maraimalainagar facility on the outskirts of Chennai city.
Ford has been testing the Euro Fiesta hatch in and around Chennai for about a year now and has not bothered with camouflage to conceal its identity. As one other IAB reader points out, Ford tests the hatch variant of any sedan that it intends to launch in India. More than 10 years ago, Ford tested the Ikon in the hatch form.
It is unclear whether Ford is trialling Ecoboost engines which it intends to employ on many future models for India. Ford has said the technology is very interesting and has high suitability for Indian models.
Ford is also working on a smaller SUV and one other report clearly states their interest in bringing the Focus to India. Ford’s Indian division will eagerly await completion of the next generation Endeavour, which is taking shape in its Australian engineering facility.
Exciting products and exciting ways to showcase such products have been our constant endeavor. Our strong sales performance continued throughout 2010 are a result of such customer focused initiatives
Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO Dr Wilfried Aulbur walks on air, and talks about Mercedes’ record-breaking sales in 2010.
The C segment stalwart will be soon face-lifted and put on steroids in the south-Asian markets. Toyota’s Malaysian website is reporting details of the updated Corolla Altis which will be launched on 23rd of September.
It will have a brand new, range topping 2.0L dual VVT-i ZR series engine mated to a CVT gearbox with 7 virtual ratios. It will also be available in 1.6L and 1.8L form. Power would range from 121bhp for the 1.6-liter to 147 bhp for the 2-liter engine.
The Corolla also gets many a feature like VSC stability control, start-stop button, paddle shifters and dual airbags. The prices would start from RM 10,5990 (around Rs. 15 lakhs) right up to RM 13,1990 (around Rs. 19 lakhs) for the fully loaded one.
Back home, the Altis is in a good position after the introduction of the diesel variant to touch 1,500 cars or more a month. Given it is in a strong position, will Toyota think of bringing this powerful Corolla to India?
Looks like Toyota is now completely focusing of emerging markets. Etios, the star of the Delhi Auto Expo 2010, will find its way on the streets of China as well. Toyota has filed for a patent for Etios in China and here are the pictures. The Chinese market will get both the sedan and the hatchback version.
The Etios is developed by Toyota especially for rapidly growing Asian Markets. Keeping in mind the family users in India, the product’s main USPs are spacious interiors, smooth driving, high fuel efficiency and affordable price. You didn’t read style or looks, and you can see why if you glance at the images above. The hatchback version is powered by a 1.2L petrol engine, whereas the sedan version is powered by 1.5L petrol engine.
Toyota has expressed in the recent past that it will study the option of introducing a diesel engine on the Etios based on the response it received from Indian customers to the concept cars shown at the Auto Expo and subsequently at all other important cities in India.
Considering the Chinese market, the hatchback is expected to be launched 50.000 yuan (3.5 – 4 lakhs) where it will compete against the Chevrolet Sail and other Chinese products. In India, we expect the Etios’ price to begin at 4-4.5 lakh rupees. The sedan shouldn’t set you back by more than 6-6.5 lakh rupees.
Other websites have already shown you images of the 9th Gen Honda Civic & now many of the test mules are out on the streets. Caught in the United States with a highly disguised front and rear, the new Civic does not look revolutionary.
The car gets hints of the new City at some places and it isn’t as low slung as the present gen, which should be good for the Indian market, considering the fact that the present Civic has a poor ground clearance. The length of the car seems pretty much the same and the major changes will be seen at the front & the rear.
We can expect slight differences in the front and rear profile of the American & Asian version. Another point highlighted by the spy pics is that the rear does not seem to be very spacious. The flat floor should be carried over, so there shouldn’t be problems with leg room.
This could also be a bad thing as one of the reasons why its direct competitor the Toyota Corolla Altis sells because of its phenomenal back seat space. Interior shots are not clear, but of what we can see, they remain similar to the current Civic. The 2-tier dashboard is present on the new Civic too.
Honestly, the new Civic is not quite an evolution that we were expecting. Although it is too early to comment on the looks, we get the feeling Honda could have done better. Anyhow, the part that concerns us are the engines. Honda desperately requires a diesel engine in this Civic. Sales have been going down month after month and the competition is not sitting numb.
The new Civic is expected to have a global debut in late 2011 & that is when we expect it to see it in India too. Watch this space for more.
Can the JazzX bring back the sensation of swinging under the backyard tree or traveling through the supermarket on a trolley? Can the JazzX bring back the feel-good sensation for Honda and the Jazz in India?
As we told you earlier Proton showcased the EMAS concept (short for Eco Mobility Advance Solution) at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Now it has been official that Lotus (which is owned by Proton) will use this platform as the basis of their new Global Small Car.
This car will be sold as a 5 door Proton in the Malaysian market while a 3 door hotter version of the car will be badged as a Lotus in Europe. This car will compete with the Mini & boy it looks nice. It has been designed by Italdesign Giugaro. A massive front grille with triangular vents & LED lights add character to this little Proton.
The car has a sporty feel to it with aggressive looking headlamps & flanked wheel arches.
The prototype of this car is expected at the Paris Motor Show this year. Now Proton is already selling cars in Pakistan & China and has been, for a while considering to the enter the Indian market. Its talks with the Hero group fell apart but it is supposedly in talks with Mahindra to launch its cars in India. It could also get its cars through Hindustan Motors, another report claims.
