Hyundai Miles & Smiles Rally for i10 Owners
A joy ride in your favourite car and an opportunity to win fabulous prizes at the same time - Hyundai Owners could not have asked for a more appropriate Sunday morning. The rally found humongous response amongst its i10 Kappa customers with as many as 75 Hyundai cars participating in the rally.
The 'Miles & Smiles Rally' was organized by Hyundai Motor India for its valued i10 Kappa customers - to give them a chance to gauge the mileage of their car, learn the techniques of fuel efficient driving and also win prizes in the process.
The rally was a unique way to forge a special bond between Hyundai and their precious clientele. The customers got an opportunity to have fun with their families while driving their favorite Hyundai car.
The concept of the rally was to promote fuel efficient driving habits among its i10 customers. Fossil fuel is becoming expensive and a sparse commodity, consequently judicious use of the fuel is a must, if we are to conserve this resource. In this, driving habits make a big difference. It not only contributes to savings on the part of the owners but also saves precious resources.
Before the start of the rally participants were briefed on the techniques of fuel efficient driving and driving styles which will improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicle considerably. The idea was simple, all participants tanked up at the nearby filling stations and their tanks were sealed which ensured that they could not refuel during the course of the rally.
Their trip meter was made Zero and the Odometer reading noted down by the organisers. To ensure absolute transparency the tank was filled up in the presence of the participants, sealed and entries were made in the log book. After this, they were flagged off on the rally. On return, the same procedure was followed. The amount of fuel consumed was measured and the participant who used the least amount of fuel was declared the winner. The rally covered an approximate distance of 110 Km.
All the customers assembled at Intercontinental The Lalit, Sahar Airport Road and the rally was flagged off by Mr J W Lee, Regional Manager, West Region at 9:30 am. The rally went via Mumbai - Pune Expressway upto Lonavala and culminated at The Dukes Retreat Resort. Drivers of i10 Kappa who got the best mileage out of their cars were given prizes.
The winner of the rally Mr. Allan Prakash with the mileage of 37.5 got a prize of Rs 15,000/-. The first runners up Dr. Nikita Patel with the mileage of 36.34 and second runners up with mileage of Mr. Amit Sohani with the mileage of 35.92 received prizes worth Rs. 10,000/- & Rs. 5,000/- each.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Honda India Continues with Production Cut Down
Honda had cut down its production in India few months back with its output coming down to 45 percent of its full production capacity. It intends to continue with its cut down for next six months as well.
The company has been experiencing extreme slow down amidst the global downturn and has shut down its production at several locations worldwide. In India, it had cut down its production to 200 cars per day in a single shift from earlier production of manufacturing 380 cars per day in two shifts.
"We have already adjusted our productions. Today our inventory level for India is quite appropriate - two weeks for our own hand and two weeks on dealers' side," Honda Siel Cars India President and CEO Masahiro Takedagawa said.
Honda has a joint venture in India with Siel Cars India Limited. It still plans to go ahead with its plans to launch Honda Jazz in India. It is also thinking of increasing the price of its cars in India due to rising input costs.
"After the market recovers and once we decide to increase production, it takes about two months to go back to full production again. Probably for the next six months, single shift operations will continue," said Takedagawa about the continued production cut down.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Skoda Auto India launches its first spare parts warehouse
Skoda India announced the opening of its first spare parts warehouse in India. Built on an area of 7600 square meters, the facility will commence operations on 1st March '09 and will serve as the spare parts centre for SkodaAuto's markets across India.
At the inauguration of its dealership Europa Auto in Pune, Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Board Member, Sales & Marketing, SkodaAuto India said, "We believe that aftermarket services constitute a critical component in the customer's ownership experience with their vehicles. With this step, we create conditions for stronger collaboration with partners and improved ability to deliver quality services to our customers."
The warehouse will make spare parts readily available in India and this will save time as the customer doesn't need to wait for the dealer to import required spares.
[Via: CW]
SBI Freezes Interest Rates on Car Loans
State Bank of India has frozen interest rates at 10 percent for new car loans of one year tenure. The new rates will be applicable to customers and farmers availing car loans from February 23 to May 31, 2009. Once the freeze-period is over the car loans will be again available as per the card rates available on the date of sanctioning.
"SBI calculates interest on loans on daily outstanding balance, which reduces the interest burden on the borrower as against the monthly outstanding balance basis or the flat rate basis as charged by few others," said the bank press release.
Tata Motors has hailed the move and commented that such a step will help to boost the car sales in the country. "We welcome the move. This should help the automobile industry to boost up sales. We hope other banks will also follow suit," a Tata Motors' spokesperson said.
SBI had earlier taken such measures for loans on homes and small and medium scale industries. SBI is the sole booking agent for Tata Nano that is ready to roll out from the Tata Motors' Pantnagar manufacturing unit in Uttrakhand.
[Via: cartradeindia]
New Tata Indigo CS Launched!!
Tata has given Indigo CS a cosmetic facelift both exterior and interiors. Pricing is almost the same with 8 variants available - 3 Petrol & 5 Diesel.
Following changes/additions have been made in the new Indigo CS:
- New Front Bumper.
- All New Front Headlamps.
- New Front Grille.
- New Round Front Fog Lamps.
- Waistline Moulding With Chrome Inserts.
- Chrome Inserts In Outside Rear View Mirrors.
- New Steering Wheel Like in Indigo DiCOR.
- New Seat Fabric/Combination.
- All New Biege Interiors
New Indigo CS is available in following 8 variants:
| Variant | Engine | Price(Rs.) |
| GLE | Petrol MPFi | 364300.00 |
| GLS | Petrol MPFi | 383400.00 |
| GLX | Petrol MPFi | 401300.00 |
| LE | Turbo Diesel | 407300.00 |
| LS | Turbo Diesel | 436000.00 |
| LX | Turbo Diesel | 481000.00 |
| LS | DiCOR Diesel | 459000.00 |
| LX | DiCOR Diesel | 499800.00 |
Tata Dealers Buzzing with Activity – gearing up for Nano
Tata Motors dealerships and dealers are buzzing with lots of activity these days. The first batch of Tata Nano is ready to hit the Indian roads and the dealers are preparing to make the bookings. Nano is expected to roll out before the end of current financial year.
The dealerships have been asked to strengthen their manpower and improve upon their customer service aspect. The first batch of Tata Nano will target urban and semi-urban customer segment in India.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Mahindra Odyssea unveils fibreglass power boats at Mumbai
Mahindra Odyssea, a part of the US $6.7 billion Mahindra Group, today unveiled its 22 foot and 33 foot fibreglass power boats at the Mumbai International Boat Show (MIBS), one of the city's premier maritime events.
Mahindra Odyssea marks the first ever foray of a major Indian industrial group into the leisure boating industry. The company will be establishing a presence in the high-potential fibreglass power-boat and catamaran manufacturing industry.
[Via: cartradeindia]