In a bid to increase market share from as low as the current 2% in some parts to 10% in the coming years, Volkswagen has identified several new models for the Middle Eastern markets.
The first launch, the Russia-made Volkswagen Polo sedan (Vento is sold as Polo in Russia) is followed by the four-door Passat. This is the first instance of a car company exporting outside the Commonwealth of Independent States. Russia was the first manufacturing location for the Polo sedan followed by India last year.
Volkswagen’s presence in Middle Eastern markets is expected to rise with new launches. For example it plans to capture 10% of the auto market in Qatar by 2022, Qatar Tribune had reported.
Ever wondered how difficult it is to carry the badge of ‘The Best Selling Nameplate in the World’ on your shoulders? Or how about selling one every 40 seconds?
Yes, these are a few accolades that Toyota’s Corolla achieved in its 44 years of existence. Simply amazing!
Back home the story doesn’t change one bit. Launched in 2003, the Corolla has done more for brand Toyota than any other product that has come and gone. It is the segment leader and after after a few tense moments post launch of the Honda Civic, the Corolla is back to the top spot and is looking good to continue its dominance in 2012.
Currently the 10th generation or Corolla E140 carries the blood forward. But it has been about three years since the last design review and that was starting to show. Time for a facelift? Hell yeah!
Mahindra’s segment-redefining compact Xylo has been caught yet again testing in Pune by our friends at Anything-On-Wheels. The sub-4 meter hatchback is the first diesel small car to have two rows of MPV comfort. Features in IAB’s wishlist for the mini Xylo are auto climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth pairing, MP3/USB-compatible audio player, ABS, front airbags, responsive engine and 18+kmpl mileage.
It will not win Mahindra any beauty contests, but the value-for-money factor will compensate for any visual nuisances. There is a big market for the car in the taxicab circuit.
Mahindra has left out the compact Xylo from the Auto Expo show cars but sometime in 2012, the vehicle will be launched. The highlight of any Mahindra launch is the moment of price announcement. If Mahindra can start the mini Xylo at 4.5 lakh rupees, it can be the XUV500 equivalent of the B+ hatchback segment.
Entry posted on December 21, 2011 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Honda
It usually takes manufacturers 3-4 years to introduce a facelift from the time of launch. The facelift is developed around changing customer preference, availability of new technology, premiering of a new design direction or merely to improve the car to keep it on par with fresh arrivals.
However the Honda Civic facelift launching by late 2012 is not because of the aforementioned reasons. Since its launch in early 2011, there has been a stream of complaints on the car’s handling, brakes and material choices. The previous generation Civic raised the bar on many fronts, the interiors especially were mesmerizing at the time of launch.
Honda’s said to have taken a low-cost approach with the new Civic and that has kicked off a rage among disappointed Honda enthusiasts, especially in the American market. Honda is working on an update to rectify some of these so-called problems for a late 2012 launch. At this time it is not clear if cosmetic changes are part of the upgrades.
Honda is tight-lipped about the new Civic’s Indian chapter. At some point in 2012, we see Honda introducing the successor. Like many other car manufacturers have done recently, the Civic’s launch strategy could start with petrol variants followed by diesel models in 2013 when it is available.
Entry posted on December 21, 2011 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on BMW
BMW India will phase out the current 3 Series and replace it with the next generation model (code – F30). We already discussed possible variants in a previous blog post and today we show you an official video of the designers of the new 3er sharing their experience of creating a model that blends BMW heritage and the best of today’s design!
Mitsubishi in a press release sent out today said a new model of the Pajero will be launched in the first three months of year 2012. Initially planned for the 2012 Auto Expo, the launch the Pajero Sport model had to be rescheduled due to the ecological disaster in Thailand.
This is Mitsubishi’s first high-volumes launch in many years. The Pajero Sport is likely to lock horns with the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour and could be the Japanese company’s turn-around model as the lack of right products and diesel engines has made it a pedestrian participant in the Indian market.
The statement also dwells on a new HM passenger vehicle (we assume on the Winner platform, spied recently by ICB) waiting for approval from ARAI and commercial vehicle variants on the Ambassador platform.
Our friends at TheAutoMotiveIndia are back in action snagging an undisguised mule of the Mahindra Xylo refresh.
The sole shot of the rear exposes new clear lens tail lights. Blacked out pillars and plastic trim traveling along the wheel arch into the step plate are new additions. Mahindra is likely to reskin parts of the front and slip in features like steering-mounted controls. The new model could be shown either at Auto Expo next month, coinciding with the Xylo’s third anniversary, or in the months to follow.
A couple of weeks back, spyshots of the facelifted Hyundai i20 testing near the Korean company’s manufacturing plant near Chennai was posted on IndianAutosBlog.com to an awesome reception. We were the first ones to bring photographic evidence of the car testing in India. Many of you asked for clear spy pics and back then we did not guess that our longstanding follower Vikram Viswanathan would catch the same vehicle in the same location weeks later!
Thankfully Vikram was carrying a powerful camera and snapped the test mule at a closer proximity. Due to the thick camouflage one cannot make out much that has changed. The tail lamps may sport a subtle revision. The tailgate and bumper could be redesigned. At this point we’re still speculating but one can get a rough idea of the facelift by inferring to the changes Hyundai made to the i10 – chunky tail lamps, reflectors on the bumper and chrome garnish to the front.
