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.
Renault’s low cost vehicle division Dacia known for its affordable and reliable engineering is developing a mini car called “Citadine” according to AutoBild Germany. As the name suggests the car will be an urban A-B type. The Renault group is aiming at sales volume of the VW group’s Up! with this sub-Sandero product.
Dacia is known for sharing the same platform right from Sandero hatchback to Duster SUV. The “Citadine” is also expected to share the same platform (B-Platform) to make it a cost effective exercise. The report is not discussing powertrains but we’re guessing the Micra’s three-pot petrol engine can suit the Citadine.
Like Nissan, Renault is also said to be working out options to occupy the segments below the Pulse (Micra clone). We’ve heard that their small car division begins work on a ULC on January 1, 2012. This is most likely to take on cars like the Tata Nano, Maruti Alto and Hyundai Eon.
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Increasing rate of interest, sky high fuel prices and dwindling stock market & economy are creating tough days for Automobile Industry. Foreseeing the tough and competitive times Mercedes has introduced the Self lease program, dubbed Star Lease. This is the first time such kind of program has been introduced in India.
There have been few companies who have entered the lease business but have been operating under corporate lease programs. Mercedes is the first one to have jumped on the opportunity of self lease.
Mercedes reasons its introduction of Lease in India as
- Negative sentiments in market
- Increasing rate of interest
- Sky high fuel prices
- Lack of capital or cash for down payment
- India is market of opportunities
Benefits of Self Lease:
- In some cases there’s no down payment, vehicle is handed over depending on your credibility & plan
- No need to expose your capital for initial down payment
- Hassle free ownership as Mercedes Benz India maintains the vehicle for you
- Tax benefits as the leased car doesn’t come under your asset but as an expense
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At the launch of the new Mercedes Benz C-Class here in Delhi, the top management discussed not just about the facelift but many other issues pertaining to Mercedes Benz cars for India and the roadmap in 2012. With the inaugural Indian GP now just weeks away, Mercedes is eagerly looking for ways to piggyback on the F1 team’s participation to reshape the brand and transform the way India looks and thinks about a Mercedes Benz.
Mercedes Benz sees the F1 race as an opportunity as the other two German rivals do not participate at the highest level of motorsport.
Here are some of the information IndianAutosBlog.com was able to gather from the press conference
- Mercedes’s key attributes are Luxury and Sports performance, but in India Merc is known for its luxury more than its sports pedigree. The association with F1 in India and Buddh circuit in Noida will play important roles in the coming months as it repositions itself as luxury & sports brand. A new lease of marketing activities have been planned to this effect.
- Merc wants to tap every ounce of the demand during the festive season and will do so by launching two vehicles in the next four weeks (CLS and variants of existing cars?)
- It achieved 40% growth in first seven months of the year compared to the corresponding period last year
- Merc in India is present from 1997 and has over 35,000 cars running on our roads
- With 55 Service stations nationwide followed by a few more in the coming months Merc has the largest A.S.S network amongst the luxury car manufacturers.
- Two additional service stations coming up in Delhi very soon to reduce the burden of increasing vehicles on current service infrastructure
- Merc Portfolio Sales ratio in India: 2/3 Diesel cars and 1/3 Petrol Cars – so it isn’t only the Swifts and Figos that are finding petrol unfavorable.
- C-Class portfolio Ratio: 45% Petrol cars and 55% Diesel Cars, Petrol cars ratio increased because of availability of all new CGI technology – Marketing speak or legitimate claim? – you decide.
- Merc currently sells 200-250 units a month, Targets 300-350 units (overall) with new C Class.
- The new C Class has been launched in India in a period of 5 months off from its global launch. RHD conversion took time.
- No Plans for SMART cars in India, Merc doesn’t see a market for such products.
- Total of 600 CR Investment in Chakan Plant with lots of available space to boost capacity as and when required.
- More CBU-route cars expected to come through CKD route, Merc hinted that a couple of SUV’s expect it to be assembled in India next year. If you have been reading IndianAutosBlog, you’d know they are referring to the new M & GL Class.
What are your thoughts on Mercedes Benz India’s roadmap?
On two previous occasions we speculated on variants of cars weeks before their launch and got them right. We’re talking about the Hyundai Verna (part one and part two) and Toyota Etios Liva (part one and part two), if you are new here.
Today we’re attempting to get three on three with details on the new VW Jetta expected in India in August. With a few weeks to go for the launch, Volkswagen can change its mind on the equipment. So we’re going to classify this information as speculation.
The quality on the new Jetta is expected to inch closer to Audi levels and one can sense by just looking solid improvement of finish and material usage compared to the current model. The new Jetta like most other Volkswagens will be offered in three trims – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Three options are provided on the Highline variant’s interiors with base color as Black – Beige, Black or Plum.
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When launched, the Tata Nano was an engineering marvel and the finest example of a low-cost vehicle for crowded and badly laid roads. The world hadn’t seen a better compact, inexpensive yet efficient & spacious automobile. It has been anything but a smooth ride for what some of us call the 21st century Ford Model T.
A political fallout in Bengal that forced Tata Motors to relocate their production site to Sanand was just the start of all woes. An unconventional booking strategy, production constraints at the makeshift Uttarakhand facility, delay in deliveries, limited vehicle availability and the daddy of all botch-ups – the fire mishaps that catapulted the Nano to make headline news on international newspapers, the Nano project gave equal amount of grief after the world lauded Tata’ logic-bending creation in 2008.
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I am the first Bug to bite the entire world I am the car that changed the motor car I am known as people’s car After all these decades, I am still cute I am not just looks, just look into the history books I am the most manufactured automobile of a single design platform anywhere in the world I am your VW Beetle!! I am being unveiled in an [ Read More ]
BMW has taken off the covers from its uber-stylish BMW 650i convertible. The event happened in city of palaces Udaipur. The gorgeous roadster has been priced at hefty Rs 95 Lakh rupees (ex-showroom price). The 6 series comes as CBU being directly imported as per order from Germany. The 650i comes with monster of an engine being propelled by a twin turbo V8 motor producing road smashing 407hp with 600 [ Read More ]
