Toyota Etios could be launched in December 2010

The Toyota Etios sedan comes three months ahead of the hatchback

After unveiling the Etios concepts at the Auto Expo in January, Toyota is conducting the ‘Q’ World programme, a two day event where it will display the Etios concepts and the other vehicles it sells in India in 10 cities across India.

Toyota wants to ensure maximum visibility to its products and the new Etios concepts, which it is banking on for multiplying its production volume. According to Autocar India, Etios sedan will come in two variants and will be launched in December 2009 or January 2011. The hatchback model will come three months later.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, deputy MD, Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor -

It could be launched in December 2010 or by early 2011

Toyota will make the Etios in its second plant in Bidadi. The construction of the facility is half way through and initially it will be able to churn out 70,000 cars a year. Production can be ramped up to 200,000 units a month, which Toyota aims to do in the coming years.

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Entry posted on February 8th, 2010 and filed under Toyota

Rendering – Honda New Small Concept (Exclusive)

Honda’s small car could take on the Suzuki Swift with a smaller 1.1-liter petrol engine

After an extended period of absence, photoshop freak SRK is back in action. The first of his drawings is this – production model of the recently showcased Honda New Small Concept.

SRK has not taken the trouble to crystallize a new design. He’s given the concept realistic door handles, pasted a new bumper with fog lamps, toned down the lines around the car and colored it using new paint.

What Honda should do, unlike Suzuki did with the A-Star, is borrow as many things possible from the concept. If their small car looks identical to the concept, then Honda will once again have the upper hand in terms of design over Toyota Etios hatchback. Honda should not produce a vehicle that doesn’t share a common vein with vehicles like the Civic and City just because it costs considerably lower.

We’re told Honda could use a 1.1-liter petrol engine on the 2CV (codename). Atypical a Honda, diesel engines could be saved for another day. Honda could target the Suzuki Swift with its sub-5 lakh price tag and the Swift Dzire with a sub 6 lakh price tag.

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Entry posted on February 8th, 2010 and filed under Honda, Renderings

Does the Polo-Fabia relationship really decide pricing?

VW PoloThe VW Polo shares underpinnings with Fabia. Will it play havoc in pricing?

VW rolled out the 11,111,111th Polo from its Chakan plant in Pune. The milestone car was launched in the presence of the German President Horst Kohler. Set up in March 2009, the Chakan plant rolled out its first Polo in December 2009.

The Economic Times reported that VW may export the Polo in CKD / CBU versions to East Asian, Gulf and African markets. It would be interesting to learn the differences in the domestic and the export versions should this strategy be adopted.

Also on offer would be accessory kits/sport packages at the dealer level. VW Chief General Manager (Marketing and PR) Lutz Kothe (at the 10th Auto Expo. in Delhi) -

We will be offering cosmetics like safety features, entertainment systems and sports packages in our Polo cars. These features will be available at the dealers end during bookings,

We are eagerly awaiting to understand the definitive pricing for the Polo. There has not been an official statement from VW yet, but going by street talk, we can consider a pricing similar to the Skoda Fabia (if not, a bit more aggressive and a step up over the Swift).

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Entry posted on February 5th, 2010 and filed under Volkswagen

Mahindra Scorpio Automatic transmission launched in Egypt

The refreshed Scorpio with an automatic transmission is now in Egypt

Mahindra Scorpio Automatic variant has been launched in Egypt. The Scorpio Automatic utilizes a 6-speed fully automatic gear box and a 2.2 litre mHawk engine.

Mahindra launched Scorpio petrol and diesel versions in Egypt in partnership with the Bavarian Auto Group back in 2008. The Bavarian Auto Group also assembles and distributes other automotive brands in Egypt.

Farid El Tobgui, chairman, Bavarian Auto Group -

With its unique combination of ruggedness, utility and style, the Mahindra Scorpio has acquired a large fan following in Egypt and the Scorpio Automatic will only further enhance the brand equity of this iconic SUV. We are also pleased to extend our association with Mahindra in Egypt where it is a well respected brand name

The Egyptian Mahindra Scorpio will have airbags, ABS, child locks among other safety features. The transmission is permanently sealed and doesn’t require oil top-ups or servicing that can put it in a potentially harmful position.

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Entry posted on February 5th, 2010 and filed under Mahindra

Random Thoughts – How can Tata sell EVs?

Tata’s Indica Vista EV (Electric Vehicle) will be available to customers in India in 2011, reports Rediff. Brands like GM and REVA have plans to boost production and market EVs aggressively.

The Indica Vista EV will also be exported to European countries where there is adequate facilities for charging. India’s yet to install a proper facility and we have heard many times in the past that companies are working with the government to make it happen.

India’s not yet seen a proper electric car. The REVA can only seat two adults comfortably and is cramped for tall people. It doesn’t have decent luggage space or features found on petroleum powered automobiles. The Tata Indica Vista or Chevrolet Spark EV with electric powertrain can offer the comfort and convenience that they otherwise offer, and still cost less to run.

The Indica Vista EV was showcased at the Delhi Auto expo last month and will be available at dealer showrooms in 2011. The Tata Indica Vista Electric could cost between Rs 600,000-700,000 bracket, not bad for a large hatchback that costs a fraction to run, is silent but comes with extra torque.

Tata could try handing out a hundred EVs to its Indica Vista diesel/petrol customers on a trial basis. Their feedback could be very valuable as they can point out where exactly the cars lags behind in real world conditions. The company can use this information to make changes to the product or understand where the improvements can be carried out. This is a better process than selling them, receiving feedback, and then making changes.

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Entry posted on February 5th, 2010 and filed under Electric vehicles, Tata

BMW launches Gran Turismo in Bangalore at 63 lakh

The Gran Tourismo will be sold in limited numbers, and we sense to known customers

India may well be pegged to lead the next automobile revolution – playing host to innovations – and of course, becoming the small car hub. But ask BMW why it has no plans of bringing its 1 series into the Indian market and they’ll say India is not ready yet and thus we have no plans! Does that mean we are yet be a mature market for luxury cars? Yes.

That however, has not stopped BMW from planning out an expansion. For, BMW today (3 FEB, 2010) launched its limited edition Gran Turismo, priced at Rs 63 lakh and also revealed it’s plans of bringing the X1 series here by the year-end through the CKD route.

The limited edition Gran Turismo car, equipped with a 3.01 litre diesel engine will be brought as a completely built-up unit (CBU) from the firm’s plant overseas.

This is not it! With 41% market share in the luxury car market in the country, BMW also plans to increase its dealerships to 22 from the current 12. These are besides the company’s plans to venture into the pre-owned cars business – for which it is planning an exclusive store in the Delhi-Gurgaon region.

Q&A with Peter Kronschanbl, President BMW India

1. Cars sold last year? : 3,196 units
2. Market share? : 41 per cent
3. Growth projections? : double digit for the coming year
4. Other expansions? : creating a standalone financial services entity, expanding capacity at the Chennai plant from the existing 3,000 units per annum, expanding dealership network to 22 from 12.
5. On bringing the 1 Series to India : We have no plans yet as we don’t see the market for that particular in the country as of now.

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Entry posted on February 5th, 2010 and filed under BMW

Ford rolls out first Figo from its Chennai plant

Ford Figo rolls out of the Chennai plant. Deputy Chief Minister MK Stalin looks on

For those who are eagerly awaiting the launch of the Ford Figo, here’s good news. Ford rolled out the first Figo from its Chennai plant today. It was a blue color car and by the look on it, without the fog lamps, it is the base model.

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi inaugurated the production of Figo. Ford had signed a MoU with the Tamil Nadu government in September 2009, under which it would invest an additional Rs 1,500 crore to expand the facility. The expansion would lead to creation of 1,000 job opportunities.

While prices or variants have not been revealed, we expect prices to begin at 3.75 lakh rupees for the base petrol and go up to 5.5 lakh for the diesel with all the bells and whistles.

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Entry posted on February 5th, 2010 and filed under Ford

In conversation with Paul de Voijs, MD Volvo Cars India

Paul di Voijs poses with the new Volvo S80 diesel in Mumbai’s World Trade Center

“No I want to talk to you, No I want to talk to you” insists Paul when I ask him to gather some lunch in a plate as we sit down for a chat. He smiles like a child, but I know he’s a very hungry man. He hasn’t taken lunch, and when we start chatting its already 4:15 PM.

As I make myself comfortable, I remind myself I’m dealing with a man who is in his 25th year with Volvo brand. Paul de Voijs, Managing Director of Volvo India is working in his sixth destination and has seen a good part of America on a Harley Davidson which he rented with no previous riding experience. He is an adventure-seeking man who arrived in India knowing there was no office, table or chair for him. Paul reads the look in my eye as I start talking.

I start by telling Paul I’m not going to ask him questions on production volumes, projected sales or engine capacity. Instead I would ask him about the future, a place where I want to be in today to see Volvo in India. Right now Volvo sells just two models – the S80 sedan and the XC90 SUV. I hence don’t consider Mercedes Benz, BMW or Audi to be its competitors in any of my questions.

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Entry posted on February 5th, 2010 and filed under Volvo

Toyota launches Innova Sport Runner in Philippines

Toyota Motor Philippines introduced a tougher (looking) version of their best selling and one of our country’s best-selling MPV – the Toyota Innova dubbed Sport Runner.

The Toyota Innova SR, based on the refreshed Innova launched in 2009, features side skirts, rear spoiler, front fog lamp design similar to the G variant, 15″ alloy wheels in a wider 225 / 55 R15 tires and Sport Runner badge.

The Toyota Innova SR variant will be available in 2.5-liter diesel manual and automatic transmissions at Php 999,000 (9.98 lakh rupees) and Php 1,064,000 (10.6 lakh rupees) respectively.

During the launch of the refreshed Toyota Camry last year, Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Toyota Kirloskar Motors told IAB there will be a number of special editions of the existing models launched, and there would be no major launches till the Etios arrives in Dec 2010. Could the Innova Sport Runner be in that list

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Entry posted on February 4th, 2010 and filed under Toyota

Chevrolet Beat clocks 10,000 bookings in 24 days

The Chevrolet Beat’s manifesto shown during the launch held last month

Epic!

The attractive Chevrolet Beat, as our friends in Wheelosphere put it, is beating all competition. In just 24 days after bookings commenced, the Chevrolet Beat has registered 10,000 bookings in India.

General Motors has priced the Beat very aggressively. The company admits cannibalization will definitely happen given the Beat’s prices were very close to the entry-level model Chevrolet Spark. A company official said GM wants the Beat to take the lead soon and become their best selling model with 5,000 units a month.

P Balendran, Vice-President, GM India -

The response to our latest offerings from the 300 series, the Cruze and the Beat, has been overwhelming and we are certain that these will further provide an impetus to Chevrolet’s growth in the Indian market.

Unlike other small cars in the market today, the Chevrolet Beat’s personality is very unique. Features like motorcycle inspired gauge, C-pillar mounted door handle, good quality plastics, high level of fit and finish, a steering wheel that offers good grip and a gear box that works well with the engine are the reasons we think are behind the Beat emerging to this level.

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Entry posted on February 4th, 2010 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

Volvo introduces twin-turbo S80 D5 diesel in India at 37 lakh

The new Volvo S80 D5 comes with free maintenance for up to 2 years/60,000 kms

The new and improved Volvo S80 diesel was launched today in a function held at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai. The new diesel S80 has a diesel particulate filter which its rivals don’t. This ensures far less soot and carbon dioxide emissions to an extent that it is one of the most eco-friendly cars in its group.

The new S80 comes with a five cylinder 2.4-liter diesel engine offering 205 horsepower, 420Nm of torque and an ARAI certified fuel economy figure of 13.09kmpl.

There is no major differentiators externally, if you ask me. The S80 retains its stubby looks with hints of aggression and a dash of fun, especially at the rear. Addition of chrome to certain parts of the car makes it look more elegant in low light conditions.

Notable features on the new S80 are the cabin air filter, which is keeps in-cabin air dust and gas proof and suitable for patients suffering from asthma and the Dolby Pro Logic surround sound system delivers the best level of audio quality.

click through to view images, more information and press release

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Entry posted on February 3rd, 2010 and filed under Volvo

IAB is heading to Mumbai to cover the Volvo S80 launch

Indian Autos Blog is packing its bags and heading to India’s financial capital to cover the launch of new Volvo S80 variant. We will also be interacting with Volvo’s management and ask them all the right questions.

Posting might not be fluent, but we will try hard to keep the blog updated to our best ability.

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Entry posted on February 2nd, 2010 and filed under Announcements

Rendering – India bound next generation Renault Clio

The next generation Renault Clio will be built on Nissan V-Platform. More importantly, according to Autocar UK, it will be built in Renault-Nissan’s factory in Oragadam, near Chennai in the next few years.

When IAB interacted with Marc Nassif, Country General Manager for Renault at the Auto Expo, he said the existing Clio and Megane were too expensive for the Indian market. He said the safety features offered on the Clio and Megane would bump up costs indirectly meaning the next generation Renaults destined for India could come fully loaded with safety equipment and still be affordable.

The next generation Renault Clio could be the fourth Renault in India after the Logan, Fluence and Koleos.

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Entry posted on February 2nd, 2010 and filed under Renault, Renderings
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