Tata Motors is going through a really bad phase with its Nano car. It’s sales is dwindling despite being the least expensive on the market.
But here is some relief for the officials, as Theodore Huang, the Chairman of Teco Group is very keen to work with Tata Motors to introduce this little car in Taiwan
At an event organized by Tata Motors in Taiwan, Huang said,
It is such an economical and good car. Teco is studying the feasibility of bringing the Nano to Taiwan — either through a traditional dealership model or via local production. We are very interested in working with Tata Motors. It could mean [Teco] would manufacture some auto parts, re-engineer the car in Taiwan or serve as the dealer selling the Nano here. This is a vehicle that Taiwanese automakers can mirror the success of.
Theodore Huang was so impressed with this car that he came out of 20 year driving retirement to get behind the wheel of the Tata Nano for almost a whole day in Delhi, back in March this year.
The reason why Huang is so excited is because right now the cheapest car on the Taiwanese market is the Tobe M’Car which retails at NT$400,000. Even if the Nano is imported from Sanand to Taiwan, Huang said it would fall in the price range of between NT$150,000 (US$5,000) and NT$200,000 making it the cheapest car in Taiwan.
The only two hurdles right now are the pollution and the collision norms. Taiwan follows Euro V norms and the Nano does not meet that standard. But a Tata official commented that it is very easy to make the Nano comply with these new norms.
Image – Citroen C5, a possible model for India
French car manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroen has been eying an India return since ages. But in recent times, certain major decisions have been made they are shifting gears to find a place for their plant in India. The official announcement, sources inform, is bound to happen next year.
The senior officials at PSA have surveyed two sites in Andra Pradesh; One near Sri City in Chittoor district and another near Sitarampet in Ranga Reddy district. The company is now supposed to submit an official plan to the Government for approval. The plan will propose an investment of Rs 10,000 crore, including Rs 1,500 crore in the first phase, on the facility.
In return the Andra Pradesh government is expected to provide 900 acres land, a Rs 600-crore interest-free loan, 100 per cent value added tax (VAT) reimbursement for 21 years and physical infrastructure like roads, power and water among others.
So Andra Pradesh, are you ready to welcome your new guest?
Nissan’s new sedan based on the V platform – The Sunny has been of keen interest to IAB. We have been following its progress since the time the first sketches were rolled out. We have brought you everything, right from prototype testing, patent scans to brochure leaks. Now it is time for the official reveal.
**Drumrolls** The New Nissan Sunny will debut at this month’s the Guangzhou Auto Show starting on December 21. This car, more popularly known as the Micra Sedan (although Nissan says it’s a new car altogether and advised all of us from using it) will be Nissan’s first foray into the affordable sedan market in India.
The Sunny will get a 1.5 liter diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual or CVT gearbox. In India, it will go against –Honda City, VW Vento and Hyundai Verna. There are also talks of a 1.6-liter gasoline engine for India next year, but nothing is official.
From the image, one is able to make out the similarities to the hatch. Parts from the center console, the gear lever, steering wheel and door components are the same.
The Sunny will be launched in the second half of 2011 and will be completely made in India in Nissan’s Chennai plant. In order for the launch to be a successful one, the company plans to increase its dealerships to around 100 by 2013. The Chennai plant capacity will also be increased (if necessary) to take care of growing demand.
We, at Kia Motors, are only in the initial feasibility study stage in terms of deciding if we will eventually enter the Indian market. Hence, it is too early at this point to comment on any specific question
Michael Choo from Kia’s public relations team told Economic Times when they asked him about Kia’s foray into India. Kia’s Soul, Cerato and Sorento are some of the popular Kia models overseas.
Piaggio is all set to change its image in India from a crude diesel engine commercial vehicle maker to of clean and fuel efficient vehicle manufacturer. The company plans to introduce BS 4 (Bharat Stage 4) complaint engines in its vehicles that have been designed and developed by Ricardo.
For the European markets, a 1.2 liter turbocharged diesel engine is being developed that will be equipped with diesel particulates filter (DPF). For India a naturally aspirated version of this engine will be made available to keep the costs down. The DPF will make sure that the engine is clean and fuel efficient and this engine will power Piaggio’s entire range of LCV’S.
Piaggio’s current model portfolio consists of 7 vehicles with engine capacities ranging from 395cc to 482cc. Plonking a 1.2-liter engine on these microscopic trucks and trikes is not a wise move. Piaggio could have derivatives of the 1.2-liter engine as well as larger load carrier and passenger vehicle suitable for such a high displacement motor without modifications.
Ian Penny, director – engine engineering, Ricardo said -
The new two-cylinder diesel is both a world first in offering Euro5 compliance in an engine of this type, as well as providing a cost-optimized architecture for naturally aspirated products in India.
Piaggio had also recently reveled plans of launching a small 3 seat city car, based on the Ape to battle it out with the likes of the Nano & Hyundai’s upcoming 800 cc car. This car could be powered a 200-300cc motorcycle engine and might hit our market by 2013 with a fuel efficiency figure of over 30kpl.
By Shoeb R Kalania
Image – Mr. Anuj Mehta, the first customer of the Micra diesel, is handed the keys to his car by Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, MD & CEO Nissan India.
The Nissan Micra diesel was launched today at Nissan’s Ichiban showroom in Mumbai. Equipped with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder 8 valve engine, the Micra manages to produce 64PS power and 160Nm torque.
Prices (ex-showroom Mumbai):
XV: 5,85,617/-
XV Premium: 6,33,849/-
Some points discussed by Nissan at the event:
* Nissan Micra Diesel will only be made in and for India. No plans exist for exports as of now.
* Top-end variant of the Micra is in high demand (almost 65% bookings are for this version)
* Exports of Nissan Micra petrol to Europe and other countries is progressing smoothly.
* A target of 1.1 lakh units per year is set and almost 15,000 units have been shipped to Europe.
* Currently 21 dealerships are in place, plan is to increase it to around 100 by 2013
* Chennai Plant capacity will be increased if necessary to take care of growing demand.
* More launches planed for 2012.
* 9 new models to be launched in India by 2012.
click through to read the full report
Since the time REVA began selling EVs, it only has managed to dispatch 3,000-odd units globally. Come 2011, with the help of a new facility in Bangalore capable of producing 30,000 units/annum, and Mahindra’s dealership network, it is looking to sell about 1,300 cars in India alone bringing the grand total to 2,500, reports Business Standard.
The new Bangalore facility will be operational by April 2011 and the first of the new variants to roll out will be the 2-door REVA NXR hatchback showcased at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 2009. Mahindra REVA is expected to get a free run as there are no rivals in the electric car segment here in India. The only company capable of spoiling the party is General Motors, whose electric vehicle prototype is scheduled for only display in April.
On its official website, REVA notes the NXR will be available in 2012 and the NXG in 2013. Does the company intend to sell 1,300 units of the REVAi in India next year?
Mitsubishi is doing a Nissan Micra/Honda Brio. The company’s ambitious eco car plan in Thailand is shaping up and the first official sketches have been revealed. The compact hatchback, to be manufactured in Thailand, will be fitted with a 1.0-1.2-liter petrol engine.
Mitsubishi plans to manufacture 150,000 cars a year in the Thai plant which will generate 3,000 jobs. Mitsubishi intends to price the entry-level small car at 400,000 Thai Baht which roughly converts to 6 lakh rupees.
Thai minister Chaiwut Bannawat -
It’s my great pleasure that Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s factory becomes a part of our Eco-car Project. This Mitsubishi factory will bring to Thailand many technologies for automobile production and lead to improve labor skills for auto industry as well as related industries
Mitsubishi hasn’t had the best times in India. Its cars have lost market share over the years. It took Mitsubishi months to just sort out BS4 compliant engines on its existing portfolio. The Evo X has landed after years of waiting and anguish. There’s no second thought in saying Mitsubishi is on the backfoot in India.
Everyone wants to enter India with a billion dollars and announce a small car project, Within the next one year, we’ll see Toyota, Honda and perhaps Proton on the market. Kia and Peugeot-Citroen have also shown interest in setting up operations in India. Nissan, Ford and Volkswagen joined the bandwagon this year and not mentioning the tens of hundreds of variants, securing a decent share in the compact car pie is going to be tougher than ever before.
Mitsubishi has clearly struggled selling some of its internationally acclaimed models in less populated segments. They have made some hasty decisions in the past and if they don’t think this one through, their comeback strategy will meet another setback.
