Car and Driver reported yesterday that Ford has announced an investment of 800 million Brazilian Real (US$ 446 million) for designing and manufacturing a new global small car. Initially the model will be produced at the Sao Bernardo do Campo situated in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Ford has not given out the branding or specifications of the B-Segment car. C&D speculates this could be the next generation KA, inspired by the Start Concept shown in Beijing 2010, sporting the 1-liter Fox EcoBoost engine. The new B-Car could be positioned below the Fiesta hatch in developing and developed markets.
At present Ford sells the contract-manufactured KA from Fiat Poland in some European countries, a cosmetically-overhauled older generation KA in South American countries and the Figo in other developing countries to fill this void. The new B-Car could serve as a replacement for all three aging cars and help Ford reach into the sub-Fiesta space in developed markets like USA.
Ford’s Start concept could transform into the next generation KA to fit the role of a global low-price car
Since the announcement of the One Ford global strategy, any plans for a B-Segment car anywhere in the world is relevant to the Indian market.
Car and Driver says the next generation KA sits on a shortened B-Platform that underpins the Fiesta and the upcoming EcoSport. Ford has invested a billion dollars in Gujarat on a new manufacturing facility that could roll out this model in early 2014.
For every one Mercedes GL-Class, ten Audi Q7′s are sold in America, according to Automobile-Magazine. Mercedes is taking steps to change that appalling statistic with the next generation model currently testing in Europe.
The elder sibling of the ML-Class is serving American families since early 2006. A 7-seater with proper third-row seating, the GL-Class comes along with an off-roading pack. Mercedes specifically developed the GL-Class for the US market and later took it to European countries.
Like this rendering, the 2013 GL-Class is not expected to have a drastic styling redo
The replacement will again not duck under five meter length. The side profile is similar to the outgoing vehicle while the front and rear fascia mimic the new ML-Class. The tail lamps are designed by the same man who styled the E-Class’s rear.
Interiors have reportedly received an overhaul, the spies have seen air vents turning from circle to square shape. The navigation system assists drivers through a larger screen. As any latest generation Mercedes will have, the 2013 GL-Class gets packed with gadgets such as night vision, blind spot monitoring, brake assist, reverse camera and start-stop motor.
Mercedes Benz is likely to assemble this model in India in 2013.
We have received a tip off on the important specifications of the Nissan Sunny diesel. The diesel variant is unlikely to be launched in 2011 and we’re surprised to hear that the launch may not happen even during the Auto Expo. Nissan could introduce the vehicle in late January or February 2012 at a premium of 75-80k rupees over the petrol variants. The Sunny uses the Micra’s engine and transmission tuned differently.
The Sunny has driven up volumes for Nissan, it registered a growth of 149% in last month compared to November last year. The Sunny’s rear leg room, features, boot space, thoughtful marketing campaign and attractive starting price have intrigued customers. The diesel model with fuel economy close to 20kpl can build on this encouraging start.
After reading my first impressions about the Laura vRS, I am sure you are tempted to find out what’s in store for you on the inside. So shall we get started?
If you think that the Skoda Laura vRS does not deliver the ‘sportiness’ that you expected on the outside, well rest assured; inside of the Laura vRS delivers oodles of it. Open the driver door and you are greeted with a dual tone, part Alcantara part leather interiors which oozes sportiness.
The normal Laura gets beige and brown interiors which are a bit dull if you compare it to let’s say the Civic. The Laura vRS interiors are classy and sporty at the same time
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Since posting began back in July 2008 we have kept the topics and headlines strictly related to the auto industry. But this development is as exciting as say a set of unseen spyshots for curious followers of IndianAutosBlog.com who write in frequently asking us to share background information, details of authors, our traffic statistics, reach, and what follows when we put out an exclusive or scoop.
An unsuspecting IndianAutosBlog.com team uploaded two screen captures of the men-at-work Ford EcoSport micro site on Sunday night. We received the screen grabs and the momentarily working link from our reader Mallik Kslikiri who in his note said he was searching for information on Ford products when he accidentally stumbled on what would become an international sensation.
The site did not reveal any vital information besides the EcoBoost technology and the two images of the unreleased car were tightly cropped.
Brazil’s most happening auto magazine Quatro Rodas picked up IAB’s story.
About 48 hours later hundreds of websites from all corners of the web have used our text and photographs. This isn’t the first time our story is making an international splash. When Renault projected two images of the Koleos facelift for the first time at the Fluence key-handover ceremony and presentation in New Delhi late June this year, little did they know that they would find no use in holding back the rest of the images 24 hours later.
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Most international automotive brands in the market have a performance oriented sub-brand associated with them. Examples include ‘M’ for BMW, ‘AMG’ for Mercedes, ‘Nismo’ for Nissan.
Whereas the parent brand focuses on customers, the performance sub-brand focuses on enthusiasts among those customers.
The performance brand is responsible to convert the humdrum grape juice to exotic wine that will light up the party.
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IndianAutosBlog.com readers have been told about Mercedes India’s interest in assembling the next generation M-Class next year followed by the larger GL-Class in 2013 at their Pune plant. For them, it comes as no surprise that a model has been spotted in Mumbai’ Air Cargo Complex. Currently the GL- and M-Class models are imported from Europe.
This image was snapped by Team-BHP member DocTorque using his Blackberry.
See images of the new Mercedes M-Class
The new ML is powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 producing 240 horsepower paired to a 7 speed automatic transmission. On-board is a list of fuel saving technologies such as smart oil and water pump, and AC compressor. The fuel economy stands at an acceptable 9.78 Kmpl for the European model, the ARAI figures are expected to be slightly better.
If a news report on Adelaide Now is on the money, Ford takes the wraps off the Endeavour replacement bodied on the Ranger light pickup platform next year in April. It is rumored that Ford SUV specialist Todd Hoevener, flown in from America, played an important hand in its development.
Hoevener is known for his work on the current generation of the iconic Explorer series and reportedly told GoAuto.com.au prior to joining the project that “this is going to be fun.”
Shoeb R Kalania’s impression of the next-gen Endeavour based on the Ranger’s design language
The news report adds the EcoSport and Endeavour projects earned a cool $150 million for the Australian operations. Ford is not making changes to the production plans retaining Thailand as the main production point for the Endeavour.
The next-gen Endeavour could be showcased at the Bangkok Motor Show in April. From that point, its only a matter of time before it hits the Indian market. The report also mentions about the EcoSport’s global premiere at the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012.
With the Fiesta, EcoSport and new Endeavour slashed, do the Focus, 7-seat B-Max, a second B-Segment car and Focus make up other launches in the 7-product business plan by mid-decade?
