Mahindra has just done the inevitable. After witnessing customers form tribes and idolize the XUV500, it announces a price hike across the range effective from Jan 1, 2012.
Mahindra had expressed during the launch that a price hike was being planned 2-3 months from release. Top executives discussed petrol engine and automatic transmission models but with the interest it has kicked up, variant or technology additions are not expected in the immediate future.
Mahindra XUV500 price increase by variant (ex-showroom Delhi)
W6 variant – By Rs 30,000/-
W8-FWD variant – By Rs 50,000/-
W8-AWD variant – By Rs 55,000/-
Customers who have booked a car and await delivery after January 1 will have to pay 50% of the hike. Bookings will reopen in January and 1000′s of deposits are expected to be made at dealers on the first day. The XUV500 reopen day buzz is set to mimic an Apple iPhone release.
Entry posted on December 28, 2011 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Tata
In a bid to pull the Aria out of a sales black hole, Tata Motors has pressed into action a group of trained individuals to fast-track complaints on the car. The team addresses customer problems at the dealership and service center.
The NDTV report adds that testing of the Aria is on in South Africa where the Mahindra XUV500 was launched the following day of the Indian launch ceremony. Along with appointing a task force, Tata Motors slashed its price to a starting price of 9.99 lakh rupees. Undercutting the XUV500, Tata Motors hopes to attract waiting list customers and potential buyers to dealerships.
Since the launch in late 2010, the Aria, although loaded with technology and gadgets, has not impressed many people. Sales have sagged to two-digits on more than one occasion and for a Tata product to reach that stage in the first year of launch is unexpected.
Entry posted on December 28, 2011 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Bajaj
A report on India Today has provided some important details on production version of the Bajaj Lite/ULC, a passenger vehicle that will be unveiled before the Auto Expo. In media interviews, Bajaj officials have stated that their vehicle is not a car though the flexible platform allow it to be dressed as a car.
Development of the four-wheeler is complete. It is powered by a 800cc petrol engine (Nano is powered by a 624cc two-cylinder mill) capable of returning close to 30kpl. The report states it will be more spacious than the Nano.
The Tata Magic Iris and the Piaggio NT3 concept are good examples of low-cost four-wheelers
The ULC is similar to the Volkswagen Up! – its a platform to spawn a family of vehicles. The ULC’s foundation can be used to roll out a set of commercial vehicles. Even the next generation Bajaj RE Auto Rickshaw three-wheeler could be bodied on the flexible ULC platform.
Renault and Nissan have shied away from questions on the future of the Bajaj-Nissan-Renault partnership. The ULC does not feature on the Renault’s list of five cars by late 2012. The initial agreement was that Bajaj will handle the design and manufacturing, and Renault/Nissan would market it.
BMW officially introduces the MINI brand in India on the 5th of January at Delhi Auto Expo 2012. The three models that are going to be launched MINI, MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman will be on view at the ‘MINI pavilion.’
At the BMW stand models continue to tumble with the launch of the M5, unveiling of the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept study the presentation of the limited-edition BMW Individual 7 Series Composition inspired by piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons.
The newly launched 6 Series Coupe and full model range will be in attendance.
If you thought that an Indian consumer is strapped for choices when it comes to budget SUVs, well you are correct (as of now). However, the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo will rectify the imbalance as one will be inundated with SUV launches that will perfectly fit your budget.
One of the significant vehicles is definitely the 2012 Ford Ecosport SUV. It is even more significant when you know that this little SUV is a global product being showcased in India for the very first time.
But don’t get your expectations high because the model is still months away from the market. In fact, Ford is still testing the platform to make sure that it has the right ingredients in the underpinnings. Our friends at Noticias Automotivas, caught a test mule in the Fiesta’s attire. Considering, the Ecosport will also make it to other BRIC nations, Ford Brazil has been entrusted the responsibility of developing the SUV.
As the countdown to Auto Expo starts ticking days away, juicy test mules get snapped doing their final testing round. Thanks to our pals at MotorBeam.com, we finally get to see the first images of Duster undergoing tests rounds in Chennai, India. The Duster is a hotly anticipated SUV for the Indian market but was rarely caught on camera.
Renault India is betting big on the success of the Duster because its first two products Fluence and Koleos did not manage to bring significant numbers. The Duster, on the other hand, was an SUV developed for the developing Eastern European countries making it is a perfect product for similarly characterized Indian market.
The Renault Duster will be available with the 1.5-liter dCI motor in India capable of delivering a magnificent ARAI fuel economy of 20+ kmpl as it does on the Micra and Sunny. It is expected to deliver a healthy 85bhp of power.
However, don’t think that the Duster will have the entire market to its own. Ford is also prepping up the EcoSport SUV to battle it out against the Duster. Just yesterday, Maruti Suzuki gave us a glimpse of their future SUV plan. A range of MUVs and MPVs from various auto companies will also compete for a share of the same pie.
What pricing strategy should Renault India follow for the Duster?
If you want to make an average Indian two-lane road look quite insufficient, you need to get yourself a Land Cruiser. This thing MASSIVE to drive and to be in. Driving a Land Cruiser almost feels like your invading the by-streets in an army tank. Anyways, Toyota has given a small facelift to the 2012 Land Cruiser and here are the updates:
IndianAutosBlog readers have seen this one coming as we uploaded brochure scans very recently.
Exteriors changes on 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser:
A boxier front bumper with new fog lamps
Redesigned headlamps with integrated LED strips (LEDs are the norms these days)
A revamped front grille with chrome slats.
OVRMs with turn signals
Redesigned tail lamps
New alloy wheel design in 18 and 20 inch size options
We couldn’t find a more fitting title for this video!
Watch how Polish driver Paul Dytko is preparing to tackle the next European Hill-Climb Champion season. Dytko’s special Polo makes 400hp and for maximum traction, it is equipped with 4WD and can reach 100kph from a standstill in four seconds!
If you thought the Polo 1.6 was scary around the bends, this video is a must-watch.
Mahindra has just done the inevitable. After witnessing customers form tribes and idolize the XUV500, it announces a price hike across the range effective from Jan 1, 2012.
