Indian Autos blog

The Aveo sedan, GM’s only entry in the C sedan market, has turned more customers away that it has turned the sales fortunes. Despite of heavy celebrity marketing, the Aveo never really caught the Indian customer’s eye.

Obviously, both Aveo twins are due for an upgrade in 2011-12. But would GM only keep one car in that segment. And if it tries to hedge that risk, would it hedge it with this: The Baojun 630.

The SAIC-GM-Wuling has finally brought out its first product for the domestic Chinese market from its manufacturing plant in Liuzhou, Guangxi. And we must say, unlike other Chinese cars, this can get a second look from us.

The car is based on a Buick Excelle (or a more familiar Chevy Optra) and is powered by a Roewe-sourced 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 105 hp (78 kW / 106 PS) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) of torque. And here is the clincher; it is expected to be priced at USD 7000 – That’s it!

To put it into perspective that is just around 4 lakh rupees. For that money, you do get a decent looking car coupled with basic, no nonsense and not-bad-for-the-money interior and an entry level sedan to take care of your daily office commutes.

So if GM tries to bring this car to the Indian market, it has to pit it against the Tata Manza, Swift Dzire and the soon to be launched Etios sedan. And because any additional information is scarce, we only have to look at its aesthetics and in that department it has certainly won us over.

General Motors is already toying with the idea of the Aveo twins for India and positioning them above the Sails is the best thing to do. The Baojun 630 could coexist with the current sedans, or with powerful engines, could occupy the Optra’s segment.

Just one request: If you bring it in, give it a more pronounceable name

A closer analysis showed that two-wheeler owners who want to buy Nano are wary of visiting automotive dealerships. Most of them do not have even driving licence and need special assistance and guidance. Therefore, we have decided to set up about 800 Nano outlets in the country by March next.

Mr R. Ramakrishnan, Vice-President – Commercial, Passenger Car Business Unit, Tata Motors says to Hindu Business Line. Better equipped and more powerful Nanos with multiple fuel options is certainly the way ahead for the world’s cheapest car.

Our friend Eber Carmo, editor of Brazil’s largest car blog Noticias Automotivas ran a very interesting story on the future of Suzuki. He listed out the important models and variants we’ll get to see in Suzuki showrooms over the next five years.

Given India is Suzuki’s biggest car market, we’re naturally interested in carrying this on IAB too.

In 2011, the Suzuki Swift will get two variants – DDIS and Sport. The DDIS is the diesel variant having the 1.3-liter Multi-jet engine. The Sport will use Suzuki’s 1.6-liter VVT petrol engine, Electronic Stability Control, 16 inch wheels, and a slightly stiffer suspension setup. The high-power Sport is unlikely for the India trip.

In the same year, the SX4 and Alto (A-Star for India) are also set to get additional variants. The nature of changes are not described, but diesel certainly is on the cards for India. The restyled SX4 will be launched in India and Eber claims the Alto (A-Star for India) will also go under the surgeon’s knife.

Come 2013 and the new Swift will be refreshed and a new crossover will be born (could this be the SX4 Crossover and thereby a new SX4 sedan?). By 2014, the next generation A-Star and Splash (Ritz for India) will see daylight followed by a brand new SUV in 2015.

What we’re not sure about is the next generation Splash reported to enter in 2014. We feel it will come well before the specified year. Eber has also missed the next generation Wagon R, Swift Dzire based on the new Swift, and the Made in India R3 MPV expected in 2012.

Click HERE to read more on the all new 2011 Suzuki Wagon R
Click HERE to read more on the all new 2011 Suzuki Wagon R
Click HERE to read more on the all new 2011 Suzuki Wagon R
Click HERE to read more on the all new 2011 Suzuki Wagon R

In April 2011, Skoda will achieve a milestone by completing 20 successful years of its lifetime with VW since the German came into the picture as a joint venture partner. And as a birthday gift, the bosses at Skoda have decided to give the company a brand new logo. The old logo (a.k.a The Winged Arrow) will make way for a new logo as presented below:

Let’s get it straight out – it does look like a replica of the old logo made by a kindergarten-going kid using modeling dough. The blue perimeter is to convey the strong VW connection. The arrow is more aerodynamic and slippery indicating the modern, poised and ready-for-anything attitude.

But do not fear, as we believe that this is just a prototype and the actually one will be far more refined.

And if we are wrong -

Then you should rejoice because no thief will bother stealing your Fabia’s logo anymore

Indian Autos Blog has learnt if all goes well, Volvo will launch the ravishing S60 in India by the end of February next year. Volvo is keen on extending its model line-up in India, as at the end of the day, there’s no better publicity than a new product.

Volvo is also working to increase its footprint in India with more dealers. By the end of 2010, there will be 9 dealers and at the end of 2011, there will be 14. The focus for the company is sedans and SUVs as they make up about 90% of the volume for its competition.

Volvo will introduce the S60 with perhaps two engines to start with – the 205hp 2.4 twin-turbo diesel and the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder T6 petrol capable of 300hp. From there on, we could see more affordable variants including the introduction of a 2.0-liter engine.

The S60 will be positioned in the league having the front-running C-Class and 3 Series.

Speaking exclusively to bloggers at the launch of the XC60, Volvo India’s Managing Director Paul De Voijs said Volvo has ruled out both the XC70 and S40 for India.

The S40 is the smaller of the two sedans Volvo sells globally, while the XC70 is a rugged station wagon with off-road capabilities.

De Voijs said S40 lacked adequate leg space at the rear, a crucial requirement for the rear-seat loving Indian luxury car buyer. There was no specific reason cited for the axing of the XC70, but he insisted there was no market for the station wagon in India.

Carwale speculates Ferrari will join the bandwagon of luxury and supercar manufacturers in India in 2011.

Since the time Fiat joined hands with Tata Motors, the entry of the prancing horse has been constantly speculated. There are a large number of Ferrari owners in India who used private agents to procure the models. Ratan Tata himself drives a red Ferrari California in Mumbai.

Bugatti introduced the Gran Sport in India for a whopping 16-crore rupees last month and Aston Martin is also gripped by the rich Indian’s spending spree. Porsche, Bentley and Rolls Royce have already moved into India and operate with their CBUs, while Spyker, Bufori and Koenigsegg will sell here next year.

If Ferrari opens shop in India, it will be the 58th nation having its operations. According to an earlier report, South Mumbai and New Delhi are the shortlisted locations Tata will help Ferrari build showrooms in.

Likely list of models -

> 599 GTB Fiorano
> 599 GTO
> 612 Scaglietti
> 458 Italia
> California

So which are the models you’d like Ferrari to bring to India?