Mahindra has obsessively tested this vehicle. Systems on the new SUV have been on test for an exceedingly long period. Mahindra wishes to get everything right in the first go and we don’t see why they can’t.
Tata Motors shot us a press release containing details and images of the India’s first CNG-Electric hybrid public transport bus. It can accommodate 32 people, uses a parallel hybrid system and has a top speed of 72 kph.
Tata says it has a team of 500 engineers who are readily available to service these buses. The vehicles will be in operation during the Commonwealth games that is about a fortnight away.
Read the press release after the break to learn more.
Despite capacity constraints, Maruti shows who is the boss out here in India. The Alto is the country’s most trusted brand since the time it was introduced. The Alto K-10 was launched last month, it has the critically acclaimed K-Series engine and cosmetic upgrades.
Since the time of its launch, Maruti has managed to sell 20,000 Altos. That’s 500 Alto K-10s a day! Maruti also plans to export the K-10 to Algeria.
During the launch, Maruti hinted the Alto’s sales could increase by almost 50 percent with the introduction of this variant. The K-Series engine has delivered more than what it promised. We could see the Alto touching 40,000 units a month if this dream run continues and Maruti is able to take care of the capacity constraints which it faces at the moment.
click through for a special Alto K-10 Image Gallery
Entry posted on September 17, 2010 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Fiat
The Linea T jetalmost found a home in Fiat India’s pipeline. It was shown at the Auto Expo earlier this year and the concept of a turbocharged petrol engine in an affordable car is music to the enthusiast’s ear.
But now, it’s ready to come out!
Fiat India’s spokesman to Indian Autos Blog -
Yes, Fiat will launch the Linea T-Jet in Mumbai on 8th October. Bookings will be taken in a phased manner. It begins in Mumbai and Pune, followed by Delhi, Chennai, etc. Production has begun as we have to send the cars to our dealers in time for its launch.
The Linea T-Jet will have a turbocharged 1.4-liter petrol engine producing 120-odd bhp (we’re guessing). It should also have features that aren’t found presently on the Linea like leather seats, rain-sensing wipers, bigger alloy wheels and so on.
Our in-house photoshop man Shoeb R Kalania used leaked drawings and pictures of the concept car to cook up an image of the Proton EMAS when it rolls out of a production line here in India and abroad.
The EMAS should be a sub 4-meter hatch. It will have 5 doors and possibly a 1.2-liter engine making around 75bhp. Proton held talks with a few companies here in India and should take a call on its Indian partner in the near future.
Proton will eye the 4-5 lakh rupee price bracket with this hatchback when it comes here by 2012. They have also designed other powertrains for this vehicle, but the sensible option in India will be diesel and petrol.
Will Proton do a Maruti/Tata/Volkswagen by a slapping a boot on it?
Entry posted on September 17, 2010 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Ford
Ford India is riding high on the success of its mini car the Figo. After literally wasting time for almost a decade on the sidelines of the Indian Automotive Industry, it is finally taken the centre stage and is showing all the signs of a very interested and focused player.
Ford has invested close to a billion dollars in India so far, it expanded its plant capacity 2 years back, built a flexi engine plant and launched the Figo at a terrific price tag.
We told you earlier and we tell you again that Ford has confirmed that it will launch 8 new models in the country by 2015. It also said that it will be making India as the export hub for its cars. The Figo is being exported to South Africa currently where it has received a phenomenal response and the company plans to now export cars to 50 more markets including African countries and also to Mexico from India.
Another interesting point that Michael Boneham (MD, Ford India) made at the launch of the Endeavour 4 x 2 Automatic was that the 15- 20 lakh segment is also crucial for them. He said that they are working out plans to be a serious player in that segment too.
Boneham also said that Ford India will be hiring more work force in the near future.
Entry posted on September 16, 2010 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Tata
Looks like Tata Motors is leaving no stone unturned for the launch of their new first luxury cross-over – Tata Aria.
Showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010, the Aria was a very impressive product that garnered a lot of attention. But it seems that Tata Motors is not content with that and want to add more luxury to the Aria.
A supplier of Tata has confirmed that the Aria was shipped to JLR in Britain to make sure that the interior fit and finish was just perfect. Tata certainly wants to get the product perfected to the minutest detail and who would be more ideal that their fellow partners. This is also a sign of the things to come in the future with Tata-JLR.
During the 65th AGM, Ratan N. Tata, chairman Tata Sons -
Both the companies will look at greater synergies in several areas in the forthcoming years.
And boy does he mean it!
We wonder if they could put a Jag V8 under Aria’s bonnet – just a thought, nothing more.
Updates on Indian Autos Blog will resume today afternoon. A slew of interesting posts are waiting to be dispatched. Proton EMAS rendering, another spyshot of the Mahindra World SUV, Maruti Suzuki’s plans for the year-end, interior spyshot of the Tata Venture, etc will be posted starting this afternoon.
