Maruti Ships Nissan Pixo To Europe
Maruti Suzuki has already shipped 2,000 Nissan Pixo cars from its dedicated car export port at Mundra in Gujarat to Europe. The 5-door hatchback car, which has been contract-manufactured by Suzuki Motor Corporation's Indian arm for Nissan's left-hand drive markets in Europe, is essentially a rebadged and restyled version of Maruti Suzuki A-Star.
The car is fitted with a 1.0 litre petrol engine and has 5+1 gear box and will initially grace the roads of Netherlands and Denmark. Maruti has bagged the order from Nissan to make and export 30,000 Pixos in the current financial year and a special vessel, Euro Spirit, will ferry the consignment. Just like the A-Star, Nissan Pixo is being solely manufactured at Maruti's state-of-the-art facility at Manesar near Gurgaon in Haryana.
[Via: Motorbeam]
Morgan celebrates its 100th year with Aero SuperSports
In 1909 Morgan Motor Company was created and to celebrate one hundred years of continuous manufacturing of cars, they are introducing a very special model called Aero Supe rSports. This special model shows design characteristics what Morgan is known about. It is also one of the few independent companies that is still owned by the family which started it all.
The Aero Super Sports is a lightweight aluminum sports car with a good touch of luxury. Power comes from a 4.8-liter BMW V8 that is mated to either a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission. Pricing in the UK is expected to be around £127,000 ($185,483), production will start in early 2010.
[Via: globalmotors]
Nissan announces pricing for 2010 Armada
It has been a while since we heard anything about Nissan's Armada. It has been on the market for a while and considering how low the full-size SUV sales are, we are surprised to see that Nissan is still selling pretty much the same Armada in 2009. Sure it has some changes, but overall design is just old and does not impress anymore.
2010 Armada will go on sale in May and will feature three trim levels: Armada SE, Armada Titanium Edition and Armada Platinum Edition. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) start at $37,210 for the 2010 Armada 4×2 SE and $42,810 for the Armada 4×4 SE.
[Via: globalmotors]
Toyota is planning a hybrid version of the RAV4
On Wednesday at an industry conference in Shanghai, Toyota's managing officer Mr. Koei Saga said that Toyota is planning to produce a hybrid version of the RAV4 SUV. No exact dates were given, but as Toyota plans to introduce 10 new hybrids globally by 2012 we expect RAV4 Hybrid to hit U.S. dealerships by 2011. Mr. Saga also added: "I believe Toyota needs to accelerate the 2020 goal to hybridize all the Toyota models."
RAV4 Hybrid would use Toyota's third-generation hybrid system. Toyota RAV4 SUV/Crossover was introduced first in 1996 and during 1997-2003 it was also produced as an electric vehicle. Around 1,5000 RAV4 EVs were produced. It had a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 80 mph.
For some strange reason most of the cars were destroyed, but 328 examples made it to customers. At the time they were priced from $42,000. Today they are very rare and cost more than $70,000 if you can find one.
[Via: Globalmotors]
GM to kill Pontiac brand next week?
Inside Line reports that next week on Monday General Motors will announce a new reorganization plan, which will very likely mean the end for the Pontiac brand. We are not surprised at all. Current Pontiac line-up is just too weak and there is no reason for GM to burn money with it.
Of course PR man for GM did not confirm any of it and said: "There's nothing I can share with you at this time. Keep your eyes on our media site. Officially, nothing has changed with Pontiac's niche-brand status, until you hear differently."
Surely Pontiac is a legendary brand with such classic as Firebird and GTO, but today it is just a small niche brand with very little sales and no bright future ahead. Other brand that we think does not have a bright future ahead is the GMC. We will be bringing you more details on Monday.
Audi R8 voted “The Classic Car of the Future” for 2009
All Audi R8 owners have more reasons to feel elated. This time its because the R8 was named "Classics of the Future 2009," by Motor Klassik magazine.
With over 16,000 readers participating in the poll, the Audi R8 was the ultimate choice for one and all.
- "Classics of the Future" awarded every 2 years
- Audi A6 named "Full-Size car of the modern age"
[Via: indianautisblog]
Next Generation Renault Clio
Leaked Clay Model Picture of Next Generation Renault Clio
[Via: Autoincar]
Maruti Suzuki: Net income up 14%
Maruti Suzuki India has announced its financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2009 and for the full year 2008-09. The company's total income for the financial year 2008-09 stood at Rs 21,453.8 crore, the highest ever in the company's history, marking a growth of 14.28% over FY 2007-08.
The growth in Maruti's total income included higher realisations, largely contributed by the Swift hatchback and Swift Dzire sedan. Net profit during the year stood at Rs 1,218.7 crore, down 29.6% over FY 2007-08.
The company's EBDITA for the year stood at Rs 2,433.4 crore, a decline of about 22% over the previous year. According to Maruti, this was due to high commodity prices and forex fluctuations.
Maruti's board of directors recommended a dividend of 70% 2008-09, as compared to 100% in 2007-08. Maruti Suzuki sold a total of 792,167 vehicles during FY 2008-09, which is the highest ever in the company's 25 year history.
[Via: indiaautomotive]