Indian Autos blog

Saying that Ford will bring the Euro Fiesta hatchback to India is a brave claim. Saying Ford will bring the Euro Fiesta-based sedan to India is common sense actually. The new Fiesta sedan is expected by the first half of 2011. The Euro Fiesta hatch has been spied testing more than once in the past in Chennai near Ford’s facility.

If you see the motion shots of the bold Fiesta twins, you’ll start saving money to book one when it’s out next year.

By Kaustubh Shinde

It seems that Maruti is celebrating anything and everything that comes its way. Few days ago they launched the Ritz Genus to commemorate the first anniversary of Ritz. Not even a week has gone by and they are at it again with the Swift ‘One Million Edition’.

Maruti-Suzuki achieved a landmark sales figure of one million vehicles back in late March. As the one millionth vehicle to roll of the production line was a Swift, the company decided to make the limited edition model of the Swift. Mind you, there is already a limited edition of Swift called ‘Swift Glam’ which was launched way back in 2009. The company said that this ‘One Million Edition’ will be restricted only to 1,000 units

So for an extra Rs 24,000 you get:

* A signature `Goldsmith Black` color (the pics are above so you be the judge)
* Alpine integrated stereo with USB and Kenwood speakers
* Unique (read weird) decals on the body
* Leather upholstery
* Foot-mats and cushions (I mean come onn!!)

Now look, when your selling features include foot-mats and cushions, it is about time you give your product and complete revamp. What’s next? A limited edition SX4 to celebrate the launch of the new Wagon R or EECO?

click through to see image gallery and press release

Maruti Suzuki which just last month launched 5 new CNG models has hit a road block with these vehicles. The delivery of the 5 CNG Models – Alto, WagonR, Estilo, Eeco & SX4 has been delayed in Mumbai.

The reason behind this is the incompatibility of the CNG filling nozzle installed in these cars to the dispenser nozzles at the filling stations. Maruti dealers in Mumbai have these CNG cars in stock but have delayed the delivery as per company orders.

As per reports the company has already ordered proper size of the nozzle for the CNG kit and they are on the way. These CNG equipped cars have no problem in Delhi & Gujrat as the filling stations there have the right size of the dispenser nozzle.

This was a good move by Maruti Suzuki as if the cars had reached customers in Mumbai, they would have had problems getting their cars refueled. Deliveries will be back to normal in Mumbai very soon.

With the Hyundai Santa Fe ready for roll out, we can hardly wait to see the car in flesh and how it performs on the road. The diesel SUV is brought into India as a CBU and pricing will be around 20-22 lakh rupees.

The facelifted model which bears a front-end that seems very similar to the Verna Transform, will be the model on sale and here’s the car’s TV commercial from Korea when it was launched last year.

We hope to increase our market share in Russia, China and countries in Africa to widen the passenger car and the commercial vehicles range.

Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group said during an interaction with the press yesterday in Mumbai

Source – Economic Times

Ford continues to silence critics as booking for its small car Figo surpassed 34,000 bookings, 25 weeks after its introduction.

What has led to this number? We think it’s Ford’s tried and tested 1.4-liter diesel engine. The mill is powerful and fuel efficient at the same time. The Figo offers good boot space and the man piloting it isn’t put to sleep driving it.

More than anything else, Ford has stuck to its philosophy of offering driver-focused cars. Much like the Mondeo and Fiesta, the Figo’s a driver’s car and the driver’s seat is a place to be in. Many companies in India, in this segment and segments higher choose to believe the rear seats is where the attendance is called out of, but not Ford.

Ford India President and Managing Director Michael Boneham -

The Figo phenomenon continues, and in addition to strong sales in India, we are excited about the opportunity to export this success to other markets around the world

There’s only one thing that the Figo misses out – a high-revving 1.6 liter petrol engine with white racing stripes, alloy wheels, stiffened suspension and sports seats.

Ford, can you check that box next year?

By Mahir Majid

After making its debut in the Indian market not too long ago the new Nissan Micra has made a noticeable entrance in the Chinese market as the Nissan March which is what it is called in most of the south-east Asian countries.

In China, March is made in collaboration with the local Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng with whom Nissan will launch the entire lineup for the Chinese market which include the Nissan Tiida range and the Nissan Quest (MPV) among which March is the cheapest.

Unlike the Indian market however the Nissan March will be offered with a more powerful 1.5 liter petrol engine which has done duty in the previous generation model. The March will be offered in a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic as well.

By Ragav Ramesh

Recently Fiat signed a joint venture with the Chinese car maker Guangzhou Auto to make Fiat cars locally in China, which would considerably reduce the price due to that fact that Fiat vehicles are currently being imported and proving to be very expensive.

Sources have confirmed that next generation Fiat Linea would be the first locally made Fiat car post the Fiat-Guangzhou Auto JV. We expect the new Linea to be in the production line in China by 2012. Looks like Fiat has wisely chosen Linea to launch first in China, considering the decent acceptance of Linea across other regions.

If Fiat takes an extra initiative to overcome the odds in its present generation Linea, we are very sure that this would definitely be among the best sedans in its segment.