Archive for September, 2010
Our geography isn’t very good and as a result we’re unable to determine many of the places the Nissan Micra scoots through in this video. The Micra’s chirpy looks and smiley-like curves make it stand apart in crowd of small cars people drive everyday in Europe.
Looking at the potential of the Chinese Market, almost every manufacturer in the world wants to have a piece of China. The recent one in the fray is, our very own, Tata owned Land Rover.
Land Rover sales have increased more than 135% in China in the recent years. Astonished by the growth rate, Landy now wants to have a manufacturing base to bring the costs down. To accomplish this, it is scouting for a JV partner who knows the local know-how. Rumors are that company is in talks with Chery Auto and Tianjin Tian Qi Group.
Earlier this year, Chery Auto had mentioned that it is not interested in any JV with a foreign company as it wants to pursue its own development plan. But we are sure that a JV with Land Rover is sure to soften their stance. Tian Qi Auto, on the other hand, is a small MPV manufacturer located in the Tianjin. This company is witnessing a decrease in sales and a JV with Land Rover is certain to lift their spirits up!
Land rover plans to make 40,000 cars in the first year and later it wants to introduce Jaguar as well.
The term “average kya hai” (what’s your vehicle’s average fuel economy) is as old as the hills in India. Maruti’s latest television advertisement shows you how seriously we take fuel economy in India.
We brought you the first spyshots of the Nissan Micra Sedan undergoing testing in China earlier this year and now we have some more news for you. If rumors are to be believed this sedan will the hit the Indian market same time next year.
The Micra sedan is based on the same V-Platform as the Micra is much more than just a Micra with a boot, Nissan tell us. This car referred as the ‘Affordable Sedan’ is going to be a threat to the Honda City and Volkswagen Vento.
A lot of bits will be shared with the Micra & since the platform is also same, Nissan will have huge cost benefits that could translate to a competitive price tag. The car will be powered by a 1.5 liter diesel engine (same as the Logan, to be plonked in the Micra too) & a 1.6 liter petrol is also on the cards. Nissan could also offer a CVT transmission on it at a later stage.
The car is expected to have a spacious cabin, with a robust built & seeing the gadgets being offered on the Micra, you could very well expect this car too to be fully loaded.
Another interesting bit to note is that this car will also be competing with the Toyota Etios sedan that will also be launched in India in the beginning of next year. The Japanese giants sure will have some fierce battle!
After Volkswagen bought out a 20% stake in Suzuki everyone in the Industry was of the opinion that that the Suzuki-Nissan deal for the small car Pixo will fall apart. The Nissan Pixo is a rebadged Suzuki A-Star that is built by Suzuki in India for Nissan. This small car is popular in the European markets for its size and fuel economy.
VW also wants to make small cars with Suzuki’s help amid other things. But the rumors of Suzuki will no longer make the Pixo for Nissan are all false. The deal is secure and the Nissan COO recently said that nothing changes between Suzuki & Nissan as of now.
The Pixo is going strong & Nissan will continue to source this small car from Suzuki & the VW-Suzuki alliance will also continue with its decided plans.
Audi is focused on strengthening its national footprint to 18 locations by end of 2011 to cater to the fast growing demand for luxury automobiles in India. We are confident that our performance this year will mark the beginning of a new era for Audi in India.
Andre Konsbruck, Executive Director Region Overseas, AUDI AG said at an inauguration of a dealership in Mumbai recently.
