After continuously teasing the fans with teasers, Audi conveniently decided to release the images and video footage of the new A6 while we were far away from our computers.
And OMG! What a LOOKER!
We have always loved the A4 over its rivals –the 3 Series and C Class. We never really liked the design of the A8 because it tries to be Big and Sporty, something very few cars can carry through. But this is pitch-perfect!
We love the stylish new grill and the LED art work on it; we love the alloys, we love the appropriate dimensions, we love the dual exhaust. Oh and did I mention we LOVE the LED lights?
At launch, five different engines will be offered. The most efficient 2.0 TDI which produces 130 kW (177 PS) and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque. The new 3.0 TDI V6 produces 150 kW (204 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft).
For more power, the 3.0 TDI is tuned to churn out 180 kW (245 PS) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque.
In the land of petrols, there is a naturally-aspirated 2.8 FSI V6 produces 150 kW (204 PS) and lastly, the 3.0 TFSI V6 sends out 220 kW (300 PS) and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque.
Now, only if Audi gets the mechanical and pricing stuff right (which, being Germans, they most probably will), we may be looking at a new class leader.
What are your thoughts? The E Class? The 5 series? The Jag XF? The Volvo S60? OR this?
click through to read the press release and view the images
When we presented our previous article on how Tata Officials are running from pillar to post to counter the massive drop in sales, we have no freaking idea that they would push it this far.
Apparently, health workers is Bhopal can look forward to various prizes if they can promote the government’s family planning initiative to masses. And by ‘government’s family planning initiative’, we mean vasectomy.
These prizes are to motivate these workers as Bhopal has a target of 24,000 vasectomy for 2010-11, and so far, only 8,000 men have undergone the procedure.
There are many prizes on the table like TVs, washing machines, DVD players, cash rewards and the grand prize is a Tata Nano!
Don’t get us wrong, we also think Family planning is the challenge of the hour and such initiatives should be encouraged. But if you think from a brand perspective, the brand ‘Nano’ has already taken a beating in the Singur farmer land case and then the various fire hazards cases.
Associating with this controversial campaign (which no doubt is noble), would create a lot of unwanted publicity for the ambling Nano. But I guess, sometimes any publicity is good publicity.
The recent massive drop in sales of the Nano has sent TATA officials running from pillar to post to save the project; after all 1500-1700 crore are at stake. The sales of the Nano dropped to 509 in the month of November as compared to 3,065 units sold in the previous month – that’s a six fold decline in one month. And it gets worse when you compare it to the June numbers which were 9000+ units.
What is the Company doing?
• The company is making financing options much easier by working with nationalized banks and cooperative banks.
• It has also begun an exchange scheme wherein you can exchange your two-wheeler and get a discount on your Nano.
• The company is aggressively targeting rural areas by setting up information kiosks to drive the sales up.
• Currently Nano is being offered in only in 12 states of the country, so adding more states is certainly on the list.
What are the major challenges?
• The perception that Nano is still sold through a lottery process is hurting the company bad as people think that they have to wait for more than 6-7 months to get their car delivered.
• The rising costs are no relief for the company as the price of the car has shot up by more than 20% since it was launched. It’s not a ‘One Lakh Rupees Car’ anymore.
• The ‘Nano catching Fire’ fiasco has burnt more holes in the sales figures than actual cars.
A year back, a fantastic story hit the tabloids about BMW outselling Mercedes in India. The reason why this was HUGE is because the three pointed star (almost synonymous to a luxury car) has never seconded anyone ever in the Indian market.
However, it didn’t take long for Mercedes Benz to set things right. With a slew of launches right from the C Class to a SLS AMG, Mercedes literally muscled its way back to the top slot.
Today was a rather a ‘Pay Day’ for all that effort as the company rolled out its 30,000th car from the Chakan plant – A Black E350 CDI. On the occasion the company had several important announcements. Here is a gist of the press event:
* Mercedes recorded a YoY growth of 86% in Jan-Nov 2010
* Because of the overwhelming response from the market, the company will start a second shift which will be permanent
* They have also established a new paint shop with an annual capacity of 20000 units that can be extended to 40000 units if required. This new paint shop takes the total Chakan investment to 600 CR.
* The company plans to increase its portfolio of locally produced cars beyond S, E, C class by 2013.
We are currently doing market research on two SUVs from the Ssangyong stable, the latest Korando C and their most popular model, Rexton. If things go well, we expect to bring in these SUVs into the Indian market by the end of next year.
Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Mahindra & Mahindra tells Business Standard in a recent interview about the future of Ssangyong in India.
Renault is busy testing the stylish Fluence in Chennai. While returning from work last week, I spotted a white Fluence with taped badges atop the Guindy flyover. The vehicle must be heading back to Mahindra City or the Oragadam plant where it will be assembled next year.
Since I wasn’t able to click pictures in traffic, here’s a recent video of the Fluence from Renault Brazil. The car is expected in India with a 1.5-liter diesel engine and a 2.0-petrol next year for the price of a Corolla.
We haven’t driven the Toyota Etios, but we’re very eager to. Having experienced the comforts the car has to offer while it is stationary, we have somewhat formed a preliminary opinion. Many Indians are going to sit and feel the stationary car in showrooms and decide if they will drive it home. Many of them might have felt the same way about the car which we’re going to discuss here.
Here are some of the thoughts that crossed our minds when we spent an hour lazing in and around the Etios
Toyota is now getting hands-on in the Indian Market. After the announcement of the Etios and Liva, the company is now considering a mini MPV positioned between Etios and Innova.
Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Senior Vice President (Area Operations Division) Vonce S Socco told reporters -
There is a room for another model between Etios and Innova. We are seriously considering it and a study is going on for this. But if anything like that happens, it will be in 2012 or after that. Nothing has been finalised yet, but our inclination is towards a multi purpose vehicle.”
Unfortunately he offered no further details or possible specifications of the model. Looking at the options, Toyota could use the Etios platform to make this MPV. It also has the opportunity of going back to the IMV platform (that underpins Fortuner, Innova and Hilux pickup truck) to form the framework for this new people carrier. Or else, it could work on the Toyota Avanza, sold in many Asian countries with a petrol engine, and fix a compact diesel engine on it.
This comes as a no-shocker to us as GM, Hyundai and Ford are already charting up plans to bring their respective MPVs on the Indian roads. Of course, Toyota doesn’t want to miss this opportunity.
What this MPV will help Toyota do is re-enter the low-cost MPV segment which it exited after it laid the Qualis to rest.
