Tata Nano to be launched in October
Stating that Tata Motors was fully committed to the Singur project, Kant said if everything went well as planned, then the Nano car would be rolled out from the plant during Durga Puja."We hope to start trial production during July or August" he said. Asked whether there was a possibility of Nano being rolled out from any other plant of Tata Motors, Kant said, "Nano will be produced out of West Bengal". Tata Nano will be out in the market from Tata Motors Singur facility in West Bengal by October this year in spite of the project facing cost overrun. Tata Motors ambitious Nano project has been facing cost overrun but the company is still trying to maintain the Rs one lakh car tag.
Volkswagen Polo Classic Sedan
Volkswagen actually has a sedan variant of the Polo called the Volkswagen Polo Classic, and it has been in existence ever since the first generation Polo which had its sedan counterpart called the Volkswagen Derby. Production bases of the current Polo Classic are located in Brazil, South Africa and China. Australia receives the Polo Classic from the base in China, and the model is the first right hand drive Chinese-manufactured car to be exported to a "developed country".
Cars such as the Polo Classic sedan are important for car manufacturers as with rising global fuel prices, more and more customers are downsizing their vehicle choices in terms of size, and for sedan-centric markets this means sedan vehicles have to be developed for vehicle segments that have been traditionally filled with hatchbacks. When a sedan model is planned as part of the model line-up from the beginning the vehicle can end up looking very good, like the Mazda 2 sedan.
Honda CBF Stunner Debut On 30th June!!
Honda is all set to launch its new 150cc bike CBF Stunner. With a strategic move by Honda (HMSI) to augment the 12% market share it holds in this segment, the company is like to introduce an all new motorcycle in125cc segment in addition of its existing 125cc Shine. The CBF stunner could be the Honda's attempt to attract young customers who love performance and style. In a similar bid, Bajaj had earlier announced it would launch sporty version of XCD 125cc.
Honda showcased the CBF stunner concept at the Auto Expo and since then the enthusiasm of bike lovers have raised anticapting its launch. With the CBF stunner, Honda wishes to lure the young customers who look for exclusivity and unconventional styling. Honda CBF models are a series of sport oriented motorcycles with traditional styling. The series includes CBF250, CBF500,CBF600N, CBF600S and CBF1000. Honda's CBF stunner would produce a peak power of in the range of 10-12bhp.
Ford to produce Focus in two plants in 2010
With sales up 35-percent year over year, the current Focus is on fire. Even after Ford added a third shift that bumped annual production at its Wayne assembly plant to 280,000 units per year, the Blue Oval is still selling every compact it an make. To give Americans more of what they want, the Dearborn, MI automaker plans to produce the next generation Focus in two plants.
Industry insiders say Ford will convert its Louisville plant from Explorer production to a mix of small vehicles, including the Focus. There is no word at this time if the plant will also build other smaller models as well, but it's a good bet that Ford will make the plant more flexible so it can adapt to consumer demand.
Honda boosting Fit production
When the Fit debuted in the U.S. two years ago, it proved more popular than expected then and allotments were increased for the upcoming redesigned 2009 models. However, the spike in fuel prices has caused a corresponding increase in demand for small fuel efficient cars like the Fit. Sales of the old Fit from January to May of this year jumped 64 percent compared to 2007. Honda has now decided to bump production from 60,000 to 80,000 cars for the 2009 model year.
GM launches zero-percent financing sale
During a dealer teleconference today, General Motors announced it would be launching a zero-percent financing sale beginning tomorrow, while simultaneously raising the prices of its 2009 vehicles. The "72-hour sale" will run from June 24th through the 30th, and will offer customers 0-percent interest rates for 72 months on most Chevys, Buicks, Pontiacs and GMC vehicles. So far, there's no word on whether the offer will extend to Cadillac and Saturn. GM will also offer $500 in "bonus cash" to buyers who opt to purchase GM products outright rather than leasing them. At the same time, the General is going to be raising the prices of 2009 models by an average of 3.5-percent "across the board," something that was bound to happen, according to Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of vehicles sales, service and marketing.
Hyundai Santro & i10 scheme to boost sales in Hyundai
In a bid to boost the sales of its compact hatchbacks, Hyundai Motor India is now offering fuel voucher worth Rs. 2700 with every Santro or i10 bought between june 20 to june 30th. According to Hyundai Motor India, Senior Vice-President Arvind Saxena "This is our way of helping customers cope with increased fuel costs and to demonstrate that the hike translates into just Rs 2,700 additional fuel bills for a period of 6 months, given the fuel efficiency of a Santro or an i10″. The company said the free fuel offer corresponds to the amount a customer would have to pay for in the first six months because of the fuel price. The calcualtions are based on a daily travel of 50 km, the company added.
Volvo C30 2.4i coming to Malaysia!
Volvo Car Malaysia will be launching the new Volvo C30 hatchback this Monday the 23rd. Initially only the 2.4i model will be offered, which features a 2.4 liter inline-5 engine producing 170 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed Geartronic transmission. It will retail for RM215,500 - without insurance, fully imported.
Features of New Ford Fiesta Duratec S
Main Features of New Ford Fiesta S Exterior:
1) Huge trapezoidal air dams.
2) Twin-pod headlamps.
3) New round fog lamps.
4) New Grille.
5) Spoiler.
6) Side Skirts.
7) 15" Alloy Wheels.
Interiors:
1) 2 Din MP3 CD Player.
2) Brushed Aluminium Pedals.
3) Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel.
4) Full Leather Upholstry.
5) Wood Finish Centre Console.
6) New Intrument Cluster.
Safety:
1) ABS & EBD
2) Twin Airbags.
3) Programmable Keyless Entry with Auto Relock.
4) Dual Rear Fog Lamps.
All New Ford Fiesta is here!!
Ford has launched the New fiesta range in India with some visual and interior changes. The front fascia of new fiesta is completely changed now. The new grille is placed lower and is shorter along with huge trapezoidal air dams and black inserts which give the front a very aggressive look. The new twin-pod headlamps with a circular arc kink just like the Palio looks great and changes the front end character from the earlier boring looks. The new round fog lamps are placed high up in the bumper, right below the headlights further enhance the frontal look.
The New Fiesta comes with the choice between Ford India's Duratec and Duratorq engines.The range includes three petrol variants - 1.6 EXI, 1.6 ZXI and 1.6 SXI - and three turbodiesel variants - 1.4 EXI, 1.4 ZXI and 1.4 SXI. Ford has also launched a sporty model named Duratec S with side skirts, 15" 5 spoke alloys, 2 Din CD Player, spoiler, wood finish centre console & brushed aluminium pedals. The New fiesta range has been launched with a starting price tag of Rs. 6.20 lakhs to 8.14 lakhs & the Duratec S model is available for Rs. 7.15 lakhs (ex-showroom New Delhi).