It feels like only last week I was interacting with the Ford India management at the 50,000th Figo celebration, and already the 100,000th celebration has concluded at the Chennai factory. Time flies. And so have Figos from dealerships outlets in India. The Figo has changed the way India sees Ford forever.
Before the launch of the Figo, Ford’ high point was with the Fiesta (Fiesta Classic now) which people loved for its driving dynamics. The old Ikon and Endeavour were not doing serious numbers. The Fusion, despite being a unique product and practical in many ways, bombed in our market. Some blamed it on the pricing. Some said it wasn’t marketed properly. The Mondeo, it has to be said, came way before its time to India and met with a premature end. Having suffered a few blows along the way, Ford was giving us the feeling that it was a sidelines manufacturer, content with just having a presence in India.
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Toyota Kirloskar Motor has put off the launch of new Corolla citing problems with components sourcing.
Mr Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor to Indian Autos Blog -
We are not launching the (new) Corolla next month due to non-availability of components. We will continue selling the existing model.
Mr Singh added that the situation will be a bit clear during the end of May and the company will take a call on the revised launch date then. He said the new Corolla will have upgraded transmission and changes mainly will be cosmetic.
The Cruze-Corolla-territory Fluence is gearing up to change Renault’ brand image in India, and here we have a spyshot of it undergoing final tests near the Oragadam plant sent in by our reader Muthu. The Logan’, now known as Mahindra Verito, does not carry the diamond anymore making Renault a non-existent entity in India.
Renault’ corporate communications team told us last week that Fluence launch date is fixed in June.
At launch we can expect Renault to announce the 1.5-liter diesel engine and the 2.0-liter petrol engine. An automatic transmission will also be offered.
The four-cylinder petrol engine makes 140bhp and while the four-pot oil burner from the Micra produces 105bhp. Renault India will hand out cars next month to gather feedback that can serve as inputs for last-minute adjustments.
Can the Fluence shake up the Cruze-Corolla territory with its compelling looks and fuel-efficient diesel engine?
As we reported a couple of hours ago, the launch of the Mahindra Maxximo Mini Van has drawn to a close. More details have been made available like features and tech specifications.
The 900cc twin-cylinder CRDI engine produces 25 HP taking the Maxximo Mini Van to a top speed of over 70 Kmph, while returning a fuel economy of 18 Kmpl. Butterfly windows and two rows of seats will make short-distance journeys comfortable for about eight people.
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Drawing heavily from the VisionD study from the Geneva Motor Show last month, the 2013 Laura (Octavia to Europeans) will be based on the MQB platform that underpins the next generation VW Golf.
Automobile Magazine reports the 2013 Laura gains features like automatic park assistant (possibly using the Passat’) and active cruise control.
Supplements will be added to existing strengths of the Laura such as space and comfort. Skoda will benchmark the new Laura against the Chevrolet Cruze, the report adds. Expect the new Laura to look very stylish.
Mahindra&Mahindra, as we reported yesterday, has taken the wraps of the Maxximo Mini Van. Essentially a Maxximo with a roof and additional seats, the Mini Van is priced at Rs 3.2 lakh BS III (ex-showroom Navi Mumbai).
Developed with an investment of Rs 200 crore, the Mini Van is priced at around Rs 1,500 more expensive than competition (Tata Ace Magic). It will lock horns with Force Motors’ Trump Trip and Maruti’ legendary Omni van which is the segment king.
Within six months of its launch, the Mini Van will be sold through 230 dealers and 600 outlets. Mahindra has captured about 23 percent share of the sub-one tonne LCV market.
The product has been successful in the application movement form with over 40,000 Maxximos sold since the launch.
The Mercedes M Class just doesn’t stop showing itself off to the public. After a spy pic last month and then a complete video of the test mule, the SUV has been caught testing again by Carscoop reader Gal Leibovici during a recent trip to Germany.
We expect Mercedes’s latest gasoline units including the 3.5-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8 along with the V6 diesel to be present under the hood of this 5 seat SUV. A hybrid will also make its way. Of course, the AMG one will have a 5.5-liter V8 engine.
Expect it to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The alleged leaked image is shown on the left, its authenticity can be verified only after official shots are published. Mercedes India has expressed its interest in assembling the M-Class and the operation could begin as soon as the new model bows in.
Mercedes Benz India has signaled IAB about a price hike throughout its range effective from May 1. Mr. Peter Honegg, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India – The rising input costs and challenging exchange rates as well as inflationary impacts are areas that have a bearing on the cost of the final product. We have absorbed these to a significant level but moving forward we will have to pass [ Read More ]
