Indian Autos blog

The Indian Automotive Industry is growing at a frenetic pace over the past few years. Sure, there have been slow downs and growth spurts in the course of time. But overall, we are pretty much at a higher pace than most other countries. There are several research reports that are published by various organizations that mention that India will be huge small car hub come 2015.

This frenetic pace has caught the eye of various foreign manufacturers (both luxury and utilitarian) and almost everyone wants to set up a shop in India. But, more importantly, various countries are also interested in partnering with the Indian Automotive Industry to reap the benefits. We have had talks with Korea, Taiwan and even France. Now, the land down under wants to develop strong ties with Indian manufacturers for a brighter future.

Australian government believes that strong ties between Indian and Australian manufacturers will create new export opportunities and also secure the ongoing strength of the multi-billion dollar auto industry over there. Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr is on a visit to India and is discussing various possibilities of partnerships with Indian firms.

He had meetings with Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra to build closer links between Australian innovative automotive companies and the Indian market. He also believes that with the help of the new R&D Tax Credit Legislation in Australia, Indian automotive industry can develop more vehicle design, manufacturing processes and low emission technologies in Australia which will benefit both the countries.

The Toyota SAI is based on the Lexus HS250h. It is meant only for Japan.

167bhp engine for Fiat Punto

For a minute you must have related the 167bhp to the higher spec Punto which Fiat is developing for India. Sadly, I’m not talking about the Indian Punto or customer. This totally pertains to the Abarth version of the Punto Evo which was shown at the Frankfurt show last month. The Abarth version of the Punto Evo will receive a 167bhp version of the Multiair engine, which is only applicable to the petrol unit. Abarth is the tuning arm of Fiat, for those in the dark.

Toyota Sai

Toyota has unveiled a new hybrid sedan christened “Sai” for the Japanese market. Toyota intends to sell 3,000 Sais monthly. It uses a 2.4-liter petrol engine producing just below 150 horsepower and 187 Nm of torque. Mated to an electric motor, powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery, an additional 140 hp and up to 270 Nm of torque is available to the wheels.

AuSTARlia – A-Star going to Africa, i20 to Australia

With the curtains coming down on the scrappage scheme in European countries, production levels in Indian manufacturing plants are not where they were before. To keep the plants operating in full swing, Suzuki is looking at exporting the A-Star to Africa, while Hyundai is looking to push the i20 down under. The companies hope both these markets will create enough demand and the production levels will be maintained higher.

A house full Geneva Motor Show 2010

Authorities charges with managing next year’s Geneva Motor Show have issued a statement that all auto manufacturers will take part in the 2010 edition of the show. This year’s shows saw a lot of absentees, and even the Japanese Motor Show that’s happening as you read this, has only two foreign brands participating. Let’s not forget Geneva is where Nissan will show the all-important next generation Micra.

Skoda’s 178bhp Fabia vRS is coming early next year

In early 2010, Skoda could introduce a 178bhp Skoda Fabia in UK. Wearing the vRS badge, this Skoda will boast of a maximum speed of 140mph. It will go from a standstill to 60mph in less than 7 seconds! Powered by a 1.4-liter ‘Twincharger’ unit, this Skoda will take its position as one of the insane variants, second only to the rally-bred Fabia S2000.

The Australians adore their Monteros (Pajero, as they call it) and they are going to love it even more with the launch of the special upgraded model.

Reverse camera and front fog lamps are the additions on the safety front on the Pajero Platinum. They will help inexperienced drivers find their way through congestion and ill lit areas. Other safety features adopted from the top of the line model include ABS, EBD, airbags etc.

The style quotient of the new model is nothing short of A class. With body colored door mirrors, integrated side steps with front mudguards, rear deflector, and Platinum Edition signature badging and carpet mats, this is what one calls a “fully loaded Pajero/Montero.”

The special edition Pajero Platinum has useful devices like Mitsubishi’s Multi Communication System (MMCS) incorporating satellite navigation, and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity facility.

The Pajero Platinum comes with a choice of a 3.8L petrol engine with manual or automatic transmission, or a 3.2L diesel with manual or automatic transmission.

click past the break to read the press release

‘Made for the hardest places on earth’

That is the tag line given to the Mahindra Pik-up (Scorpio Getaway) in Australia. Synchromesh Marketing with clients like BMW and Volkswagen, is the one behind this ad.

The Mahindra Pik-Up was launched in Australia in 2007 and what you see here is the first advertisement of the vehicle which went on air in TV channels of Australia. It depicts the refreshed Pik-up‘s unshakable in any adverse conditions and serves its purpose without a jerk.

Claire Tynan, CEO of Mahindra Automotive Australia -

TV is the easiest way to achieve wider reach and to catch the attention of the masses

Mahindra is excited about the campaign and expects boost in sales, IAB will keep an eye on that as well.

The upcoming Chevrolet Cruze’s Delta 2 platform already underpins the Chevrolet Volt and the new Vauxhall/Opel Astra. GM is not putting it to rest anytime soon as the number of vehicles on the field with the Cruze’s architecture is about to increase.

Australian car maker Holden’s partner Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), is embarking on a truly exciting journey. They are going to develop a performance car using the Cruze’s platform. The specifications have not been frozen and design also is in the early stages.

To tap the most out of the structure, HSV’s engineers are currently studying every aspect of the Cruze car to estimate how much of punishment it can handle, a critical stage in a performance car’s life .

Only after the study will the design of the car be determined – whether the end result will be a sedan or a hatchback.

HSV Managing director Phil Harding -

We’re looking at it from a business case, don’t ask me when or what engine, but I know what it can look like because our styling department is working on it

Mahindra is on a role in the Indian market, its Xylo is finding buyers at a pace equal to Renault losing them.

The Xylo’s feature-rich cabin is fascinating Verna, Fiesta or even the Honda City buyer. During our test, we found the car comfortable, the interior space was enough to serve as a makeshift home during the floods.

Over to Australia and things are not so smooth for Mahindra

Mahindra is hoping to grow “slowly but steadily” in Australia. The company which increased its dealer count from ten to twenty in two years, is finding it hard to reach targets. To give itself more hope, a revamped Pik-Up, designed for better safety, was launched a few days back.

The original Pik-Up scored a “poor” two-star crash safety rating by the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The pickup earned just 16.49 points out of a possible 37. The outcome of this crash test was nothing less than a catastrophe. In the test, “the driver’s head hit the hub of the steering wheel,” and that the “steering column and dash components were a potential source of injury”.

Mahindra has not announced its sales figures. It says only the media is interested in the figures. Brand building is its top priority now.

Mahindra says it will launch the Xylo and the Scorpio in Australia in about twelve month’s time.

click through to read the U.S story

Going through Ford’s history, nothing like what they are going to do has been done before. The American auto maker plans to launch an assualt in the sub-compact hatchback segment of developing markets, not by creating something from scratch, but by using a phased-out base.

Ford’s new small car, developed in 19 months, is codenamed B 517 and the automaker’s first ever hatchback in India. Not only will it be manufactured and sold here, it will be shipped to Europe, South Africa and Australia. Its highlight – usage of a phased out Ford Fiesta platform.

click through to read the rest

The “muscular” Scorpio looks does not pertain only to the Scorpio anymore. Mahindra has launched the 2009 edition of the Pik-Up (Scorpio Getaway) in Australia with the saw tooth and essential safety features.

The cosmetic changes see a new front bumper design, headlight and foglamp housings, bonnet scoop and pull-type door handles from the new Scorpio.

In the cabin, better suited seats, longer seatbelts, new electrically-adjustable rear-view mirrors and stereo which is MP3-compatible with USB and SD card inputs debut. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls are now a standard feature on the Pik-Up.