Moments ago, Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has confirmed the revival of the Datsun brand, providing new details on the list of markets and nature of the product. The Datsun brand will be used expand the group’s presence in India, Russia and Indonesia with low cost models.
He was addressing the media in Indonesia where $400 million is being injected for plant expansion to double output by 2014. Ghosn said the capacity expansion was to meet demand locally and exports from the Indonesian region was a slim possibility.
click through for the whole story including comments by Carlos Ghosn
The iconic ‘bow tie’ is now celebrating its 100th years existence. Started a long back in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and GM founder Billy Duran, the Chevrolet (or Chevy as it is fondly known) brand is almost operation in all countries across the world. Known to be an average American’s average car, the Chevy has indeed come a long way from where it started off. From Corvettes and Camaros to [ Read More ]
A 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
The 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.
The 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.
The 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
A 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).
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Mahindra’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
