If you have been hiding under a rock since this morning, you would have missed seeing the images of a family Maruti MPV posted on team-bhp.com doing the rounds on the internet. There’ no doubt in our minds of this car’ identity – it is the R3 which we reported on few days ago. The production model will not be branded R3, but until the commercial name surfaces, we’ll term it R3.
Left – Interior shot of the new Suzuki Swift; Right – Interior spy shot of Maruti R3
Studying the leaked image, we conclude that Maruti R3 has two-tone interiors and features like steering-mounted audio controls, CD player and power windows. The gear lever and door locks are picked up from the SX4 parts bin, but almost every other component visible in this photograph is lifted from the new Swift. The steering wheel, dashboard, plastic trim on the door, arm rest, rear view mirror, hand brake and possibly the seats come from the new Swift that debuts in India in the next eight weeks or so.
Nissan Motor India Private Ltd (NMIPL) didn’t have a groundbreaking month but registered better numbers compared to April with 1,588 vehicles in May 2011. It is not fair to compare sales YoY as the company did not have the services of Micra and operated purely with two CBUs and hence only 56 units were delivered.
The locally-manufactured Micra hatch has accelerated Nissan sales. The diesel variant launched in December has boosted sales considerably, but to penetrate the market deeper, Nissan needs a car under the Micra. The X-Trail, Teana and 370Z sports car put together clocked 22 units last month.
Additional numbers will come for Nissan through two channels – launch of two new products (V-Platform sedan and NV200 MPV) over the next 6-12 months and increase in footfalls at dealerships that provides more visibility to the slow-selling CBUs. Sooner or later Nissan will assemble the CBUs at Oragadam and this should bring down prices, making them an alternative to a Honda, Skoda or a VW vehicle.
Nissan began exports of the Micra last year. South Africa is the latest to join the list last month. Nissan has delivered 14,711 Micras in India since the launch in July 2010.
Volkswagen continues to stay among the numbers as it sold 6,185 vehicles last month, a growth of 244 percent over 1,796 vehicles sold in May 2010. Back in May 2010, the company was surprised with the emotions and reactions of India to the Polo, the first affordable German car. The Vento wasn’t born then, and older Passat was a forgotten car playing second fiddle in the VW Group to Skoda’ elegant Superb.
The Polo and the Vento have been the backbone for the brand’ consistent growth in the last one year with a total of 5,889 units sold in May 2011. Based on the spyshots aired by Motorbeam, we concluded that the Polo’s receiving feature upgrade, and the 1.4-liter Polo sedan sold in South Africa can also be expected in India.
If these two variants join the local lineup, chances are that more numbers will be recorded. The cheaper Vento is almost certain to draw more inquiries. VW also manages to sell 184 units of the Passat BlueMotion which was a regular feature during the IPL cricket games, doing a world of good to its popularity.
With the introduction of models like the new Touareg and new Jetta, the numbers are surely heading north for VW in 2011.
CarsSpyPhotos.com has scooped up a video of the 2012 BMW 3 Series being tested on the roads of Germany. The current generation 3 series (known as E90 and E92) is expected to say sayonara sometime this October. Replacing it will be the bigger next generation 3 Series codenamed F30.
The new 3 Series will share the more conservative design language that BMW has adopted. It will have a much slimmer look, and sharp lines with squat proportions and short rear overhangs. This will not be a complete revolutionary model but more of an evolutionary change.
A range of turbocharged four and six cylinder mills are expected to do their duty under the bonnet. BMW claims that the new 3 Series will combine superb driving pleasure with an added touch of fuel efficiency. The performance version of the 3 Series – M3 is expected to ditch V8 power in favor of a twin-turbo inline-six sporting about 450 horsepower.
International debut of the new 3 Series is expected in spring 2012. In that case assembly of the F30 at the Chennai facility should commence in the first quarter of 2012.
Honda’s much awaited small hatchback is all set to bow out in the Festive season of Dushera or Diwali. Originally expected to debut in on or before September, the Honda Brio was delayed because of the natural calamity that rocked Japan. But supply chain difficulties have now been ironed out and Honda is all set to make foray in the affordable segment of the market come October.
The Telegraph is reporting that Honda plans to export the Brio to neighboring countries such as Burma, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Takashi Nagai, president and CEO of Honda Siel Cars India Ltd -
While the Brio is specifically designed for India, we are also targeting the neighboring export market
Honda Siel India has also started to increase their presence in India to support the Brio. The company plans to expand to 125 sales outlets covering 77 cities. Honda has started the mini car in India a while back.
Only time will tell whether Honda is able to synergize its efforts and claw back in to the top position.
