Posts Tagged ‘India’

Toyota developing cheaper MPV for India

Toyota_AvanzaA refurbished Avanza suiting Indian conditions could be a likely option

Talking to reporters at the Tokyo Motor Show, the company’s higher officials said TKM (Toyota Kirloskar Motors) is working on a smaller MPV that will fit under the Innova. This vehicle will cost 6-8 lakh rupees.

Toyota is looking at introducing a five- or six-seater with a sub 2.0-litre diesel engine. This product will be marketed as a people mover. It is not known if Toyota would use an existing car, such as the low cost Avanza MPV, which it sells in other parts of Asia, as the backbone of this new project.

click through for Toyota Avanza Image Gallery

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Entry posted on October 24th, 2009 and filed under Toyota

VW to launch Polo sedan in India during second half of 2010

VW PoloThe VW Polo sedan will follow the hatchback in India next year

VW is gearing up to launch some exciting cars in India. On the sidelines of a new dealership inauguration in Mumbai, Volkswagen India has confirmed the introduction of the Polo hatchback in the first half of 2010, followed by the sedan version in the second half. The German car company has already started trial runs at its production plant in Pune, and many Polo test mules have been spotted testing in India.

The Polo hatchback will be available in both petrol and diesel models. It could be priced around 4.25 lakh rupees which could be brought down if the starting point localization of fifty percent is bumped up.

Member of the board and director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Neeraj Garg -

The Volkswagen Polo will be rolled-out early next year. The hatchback version of Polo will be launched in H1 2010 while the sedan version will be introduced in the second- half. The Volkswagen Polo, which is undergoing testing at the moment, would have both petrol and diesel versions.

Side by side, VW is also expanding its dealer base. Listen to what the company had to say about that.

Gearing up to the launch of our high volume model Polo, we are expanding our distribution network. By the end of this year the company will have 40 dealers, which will include cities like Nagpur, Nashik and Vijayawada.

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Entry posted on October 23rd, 2009 and filed under Volkswagen

Nissan could launch electric vehicles in India soon

Nissan Land GliderThe Land Glider is one of the three EVs Nissan’ displaying at Tokyo

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan revealed it could be launching electric vehicles in the Indian market in the next few years as part of its global plan to sell cars that were cleaner and used alternative sources of power.

On the sidelines of the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan Motor Corporation CEO Carlos Ghosn-

If there is a market, yes sure. There is absolutely no limitation for where the car will go.

Nissan is showcasing three electric vehicles at the show. Nissan is making a foray into the EV segment in the US, Japan and European markets next year. Nissan has already said the Leaf EV could arrive in India as CBU in the near future.

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Entry posted on October 23rd, 2009 and filed under Electric vehicles, Nissan

Toyota seriously considering Prius for India

2010 toyota prius indiaThe third generation Toyota Prius needs to be assembled in India if it has to find success

Business Standard is reporting that Toyota is presently conducting feasibility studies in India for its hybrid car Prius. It is understood that Toyota will not stop with just offering petrol and diesel powered variants in the country.

In March this year, to estimate the reaction of the general public, the Toyota Prius was put on display at the 18th International Engineering and Technology Fair (IETF )in Bangalore.

Toyota could take the CBU route but that will bump costs into head-spinning levels. The Indian government does not offer any duty slashes for imported hybrid vehicles. The Honda Civic Hybrid had no takers when its price tag was around 20-25 lakh rupees. When the price was brought down by 8 lakh rupees, the consignment was sold in just a matter of days.

That leaves us with just one feasible option – CKD kits.

Only if priced well, will the Prius find buyers in India. Maybe Toyota could run an introductory offer so that Indian customers get familiar with the technology and added benefits of a hybrid car. Later on, as the word spreads, it could hike prices according to the level of demand.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to how many hybrid vehicles Toyota wants to sell in India

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Entry posted on October 20th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Hybrid cars, Toyota

Random Thoughts – Hyundai to launch i30 in India next month?

Hyundai_i30_India - 1A 10 lakh Hyundai could well be a brand building exercise. We analyze why.

One of India’s leading auto portals Carazoo, is reporting that Hyundai will launch the i30 hatchback in India by the end of this year. While such an outright claim can’t be taken seriously, Carazoo has backed this case by describing engine options and even the price details in their story.

No test mules have been caught testing; no reports of the car reaching ARAI have been emerged; none of the Hyundai officials have ever spoken about it. Counting in these elements, the Hyundai i30 is certainly not on the cards.

The car, according to their report, will be the next i series vehicle in India. It will be launched in both petrol and diesel variants and priced around 9 to 12 lakh rupees.

Hyundai, they say, would offer the vehicle with steering mounted audio control, iPod connectivity, anti-lock braking system (ABS), airbags (6 airbags in total), electronic stability program (ESP), traction control (TC), electronic brake force distribution (EBD).

click through to read the rest

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Entry posted on October 19th, 2009 and filed under Hyundai

Mahindra targeting sales of 7,000 scooters this month

Mahindra_Rodeo_mainMahindra’s Rodeo is pitched at youngsters who are seeking a stylish buy

With the festive season on and two new products in its stores already, Mahindra Two Wheelers is aiming at selling 7,000 scooters this month.

Mahindra has launched these products keeping in mind more than one category of customers. The Rodeo has been designed for the youngsters whereas the Duro is said to be suitable for the families.

All these models have been manufactured by the same Taiwan-based scooter manufacturer SYM with a 125cc engine.

These three products give you a gas mileage within the range of 50 to 58 kmpl under standard conditions and therefore said to be value for money products by the company. As of now, the company has around 300 dealerships and 80 service centres and is targeting customers in urban and semi-urban areas.

click through to view the Rodeo and Duro Image Slideshow

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Entry posted on October 19th, 2009 and filed under Mahindra 2wheelers

BMW Z4 snapped in Mumbai with pre-launch disguise

BMW_Z4_Mumbai_spiedA BMW Z4 with the covers on sits in a trailer transporting it to the launch floor

Driving down the main roads of Mumbai at 7.30 PM, I notice a trailer carrying something with a weird shape. I moved closer and my initial thoughts were correct – it is a car.

I tell myself it must be a car that was involved in an accident, and is transported to workshop for repairs.

Wrong.

I happen to see the BMW logo on the wheel when the neatly covered car gets upset by the oncoming wind.

Well well.. I begin to think hard which BMW has such a low-slung stance, long wheelbase and is on the Indian radar — instantly the Z4 pops into my mind. Luckily I have my cam onboard — Click Click and I have a fully covered BMW Z4 in its memory.

The driver sees me and immediately stepped on the gas — he’s driving a truck for pete’s sake — how will that ever be faster than my 100+hp Verna?

click ‘Read More’ to read the rest and view the images

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Entry posted on October 10th, 2009 and filed under BMW, Spy pictures

Fortuner ringing in Fortunes for Toyota; We analyze Why

Toyota Fortuner India successMassive, both in size and accomplishment.

Or I could title it using any of the following alternatives

Creating Storm and making fortunes for the Company

7000 in 30 days, still queues lined up for more

Reaching the years target in just 30 days

Cheques flowing, people queuing up outside Toyota showrooms to have them parked in their car parks without even taking the test drives (Even if maniacs like us wish to lay their hands behind its steering, they come destitute handed as most dealers don’t even have demo or test drive cars), that’s how this new butch machine has been accepted in the country.

The number of bookings have gone so far, that Toyota management has taken the control of it themselves and no more bookings are accepted in showrooms.

click through to learn our reasons why the Fortuner is a massive hit

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Entry posted on October 6th, 2009 and filed under toyota fortuner

Exclusive – Porsche Panamera Interior Image Gallery

Can’t see the slideshow above? View all the images directly at the Porsche Panamera Interior Image Gallery

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Entry posted on October 1st, 2009 and filed under Porsche

Exclusive – Porsche Panamera Unveiling and presentation

Direct Link - Porsche Panamera Unveiling and Presentation Image Gallery

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Entry posted on October 1st, 2009 and filed under Porsche

Exclusive – Porsche unveils Panamera for India

Porsche_Panamera_India_launch_main

Porsche today unveiled the luxury saloon Panamera here at its Mumbai dealer showroom this morning. The event was attended by a few selected auto journalists handpicked by Porsche and IAB was proudly a part of that lot.

Mr Rod Wallace, MD of Precision Cars India (PCI) the Indian wing of Porsche, Mr Allan Marriage Technical Head of PCI explained to the press the development of the Panamera through a audio-visual presentation. Following that, the car was unveiled sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Later IAB managed to have a one to one with Mr Allen Marriage who said that India is turning into a hot spot for performance vehicles and he was looking forward to more sports car makers foraying into the country.

IAB also managed to chit chat with Mr Rod Wallace who stated that already 13 Panameras have been booked before the launch and they expected to surpass the target of 50 cars for this year easily. Three new dealers with fully equipped service stations will soon begin operating in Chennai, Ludhiana and Bangalore.

Mr Wallace said the Panamera is a “Super Luxury car” which also happens to have all the traits of a sports car. He claimed the genes of the 911 were buried deep in it and was responsible for the 4.3 second 0-100 run!

Porsche Panamera prices in India ex-showroom inclusive of VAT and duties

Panamera S:

Ex Delhi : Rs. 1,41,74,000
Rest of India: Rs. 1,44,36,000

Panamera 4S:

Ex Delhi: Rs. 1,47,11,000
Rest of India: Rs. 1,49,83,000

Panamera Turbo:

Ex Delhi: Rs. 2,01,84,000
Rest of India: Rs. 2,05,58,000

click through to read the detailed press release

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Entry posted on October 1st, 2009 and filed under Porsche

Report – Skoda Fabia bookings in India only via internet

skoda-fabia-booking-online

A move that in first of its kind, the Czech auto maker Skoda has initiated to sell Fabia entirely online. Come next week and you can buy your Fabia online.

The Car will be available through dealers only it’s just the paper work and buying experience made easy. The visit to the dealership will just be limited to test drives and delivery and even if a buyer goes to a dealership to book the car, the actual booking process will be paperless.

The move is done to lure customers for the festive season and make buying easy. To work on this embryonic ploy Skoda Auto India has partnered with a popular online portal.

We think this is the great move to gratify the buying experience by the Skoda Auto India who doesn’t have a big reputation in customer satisfaction, may be this could prove a shot in right direction and give them extra brownie points.

See what Thomas Kuehl, Director of Sales and Marketing – Skoda Auto India has to share on this:-

You will get the car through the dealership, but it will be available (for booking) only online. We are working on something completely new for the first time for the Fabia.

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Entry posted on September 30th, 2009 and filed under Skoda

VW Beetle arrives in India in the following months

vw-beetle_india

VW’s iconic Beetle will be sold in India by the end of this year. The company will deploy the Beetle as a premium hatchback that rivals the Fiat 500. Though prices will only be announced during the launch, it is estimated to be around the 15 lakh mark.

VW is not expecting the Beetle to sell in large numbers. The company knows this vehicle is more of a brand building tool which should help the Polo, that debuts at the Auto Expo 2010, in its initial stages.

The VW Beetle was shown to the visitors at the Mumbai International Motor Show in January this year. The market study had begun at that point and so has the wait.

The Beetle is manufactured in Mexico and it will be brought into India as a CBU. With the 1.9-liter TDI engine and a 5-speed transmission, the Beetle makes a style statement than anything else for VW and its buyers.

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Entry posted on September 29th, 2009 and filed under Volkswagen
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