Toyota Camry Facelift Launched!
Toyota has launched the facelifted Camry in the Indian market. The new Camry comes in 4 variants, W1, W2, W3 and W4 and features subtle changes to the interiors and exteriors both.
The Camry still remains a CBU which means that its still costly compared to the competition. The prices start from Rs 21.26 Lakhs going all the way upto Rs 23.43 Lakhs for the top end automatic. Everything remains the same mechanically which means that it still has the same suspension aggregates and the same 2.4 Litre 4 Cylinder VVTi engine.
Interiors:
* New Instrument Panel
* Optitron Meters With Multi Information Display Ala Corolla Altis
* 60/40 Split Rear Seats
* iPod Connectivity With AUX In ports.
* 6 CD/MP3 Changer
* Cruise Control (Only With Automatic Transmission)
* 8 Way Power Driver Sea
* 4-Way Power Passenger Seat
* Dual Zone Plasmacluster A/C
* Rear A/C Vents
* Auto Anti-Glare Mirror
* Auto headlmaps and Rains Sensing Wipers
Exteriors:
* New Chrome Grille
* Reprofiled Front Bumper
* Chrome Ringed Foglamps
* Multi-Reflector HID Headlamps With Retractable Washers
* LED Turn Blinkers Mounted On The Side Rear View Mirrors
* Moon Roof
* 10 Spoke 16″ Alloy Wheels
* Printed Antenna On The Rear Glass
* Aero Wiper Blades
With the facelift Toyota has also introduced some new colors for the Camry - Super White II, Silver Metallic, Black, Beige Mica Metallic, Dark Green Mica Metallic
[Via: CC]
Suzuki Kizashi unveiled in the US
Just three months away from its 100th birthday, Suzuki has unveiled the new Kizashi 'sport sedan' in the US. This is a major step for Suzuki, which, as a brand, is associated with smaller cars and motorcycles.
Built at Suzuki's brand-new manufacturing facility in Sagara, Japan, the 2010 Kizashi is equipped with a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine. This was to be expected since the bestselling Toyota Camry and Honda Accord - the Kizashi's main competitors - are also equipped with 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engines. Suzuki claims its engine is more powerful and fuel-efficient than the competition's offerings, though specific figures have not been quoted at this time. Also, Suzuki has announced that a hybrid version of the Kizashi will be launched soon.
The Kizashi comes with a choice of six-speed manual and CVT transmissions. Also, the car features Suzuki's i-AWD all-wheel-drive system, rather than front-wheel-drive which is the norm in this segment. The driver can choose to activate AWD while on the move and this will, according to Suzuki, provide improved roadholding and sure-footed handling, especially in tricky weather and on slippery roads. Suzuki claims the Kizashi has been engineered for the driving enthusiast and the chassis/suspension have been optimised for crisp, nimble handling combined with excellent stability.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
4th Environment Friendly Vehicles Conference 2009 in India
India is ready to host the 4th Environment Friendly Vehicles Conference 2009 in New Delhi. The conference will be held on November 23-24th 2009. The main aim of the conference is to promote fuel efficient and eco-friendly cars to sustain efficient road transport. Some of the main objectives of the conference are to take measures to prevent release of harmful substances in environment, reduction of greenhouse gases, improve the quality of air that we breathe in and reduction in traffic noise.
The Environment Friendly Vehicles Conference is quite a prestigious event and is taking place for the first time in India. The conference offers a unique platform for various government officials, industry leaders, key decision makers and academicians to come together to develop and promote environment friendly measures for public transport.
This conference is organized bi-annually and this time in India it is being hosted jointly by Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and other stakeholders viz. Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as well as Industry associations i.e. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Auto Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA).
[Via: cartradeindia]
Cash for clunkers brings in the customers
According to a report in MSNBC, the government's scheme of giving cash for clunkers or old cars is bearing fruit in that people are exchanging their beaten down and old vehicles thanks to the discounted price offered by dealers. The fact that new cars come with warranties and even extended warranties in some cases, new car owners are getting good deals.
This will not only spur vehicle sales and help revive the economy but also help in cleaning up the air and reducing gas consumption as newer cars are more fuel efficient. While people are picking up all kinds of cars, the maximum discount they are getting is from Hyundai who is matching the government's offer in a bid to boost sales.
[Via: globalmotors]
Schumacher back in F1
In a turn of events that is set to eclipse every thing else that has occurred in F1 2009 , the recent BMW pull out news included, seven-times Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is to make a shock return to the sport at the European GP in Valencia.
The German will stand in for Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who is recovering in hospital after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a freak accident during qualifying for last weekend's Hungarian GP.
Schumacher had been linked with the return since it became Massa would not be able to return in time for the race, which takes place after F1's summer break, on 23 August. But as recently as yesterday, Schumacher's manager Willi Weber was denying that a comeback was being considered.
However, this afternoon, in a prepared statement, Schumacher said, "It is true that the Formula 1 chapter has long been closed for me. The most important thing first: thank God, all news concerning Felipe is positive, and I wish him all the best again.
"This afternoon I met with team principal Stefano Domenicali and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe. As the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."
The carefully worded statement does not make specific reference to the number of races that Schumacher will contest, so it is conceivable that he will complete the remainder of the season in Massa's car, allowing the Brazilian to make a full recovery before deciding whether or not to return to the sport himself. Michael has implied that the final decision to race is dependent on the fitness tests and routine that he will carry out over the coming days.
Schumacher's return could be the former champion's greatest challenge yet; he has not tested this year's Ferrari F1 car and has not driven an F1 car at all since April last year. F1 fans across the world will be planning to head for the remaining grand prixs to make the most of the opportunity to see the master in action, one last time.
[Via: Autocar]
Honda Sells Super Bikes At Premium
Honda Motors Company has sold 21 super bikes in India so far at a price of Rs. 12.5 lakh and Rs. 9.5 lakh within three months of the launch of the company. "We have been able to sell 21 of our super speed bikes within three months of their launch into the country," said HMSI Head Sales Y S Guleria. We have seen the potential of these bikes in big cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Pune and we aim to sell 100 units of these bikes in this fiscal," he added.
The company had launched two super-bikes CBR1000RR and CB1000R, which are geared towards the high-end customers interested in super-bikes. Further, Guleria also stated that the company now intends to enter the 100cc segment to cater to the popular segment demands and to generate volumes for the company. He did not divulge the price bracket for the new upcoming 100cc bikes coming from the Honda stable.
Audi’s Largest Luxury Showroom in India
Audi has opened India's largest luxury car showroom in Gurgaon. This is the second dealership located in the NCR region. Audi Gurgaon is its seventh dealership in India. With a floor space of over 13,684 sq.ft, Audi Gurgaon offers a completely new experience for the customers which can display 14 Audi cars. Audi showroom will employ over 65 people.
"The opening of the new dealership Audi Gurgaon is the commitment to a great future for the brand in India. We will expand to ten exclusive and luxurious Audi dealerships in India by the end of 2008 and give customers the possibility to experience our models, the Audi world and premium service." said Benoit Tiers, Managing Director of Audi India. The Gurgaon showroom is ornamented with products from all over the world, which includes furniture from Germany, Japanese lighting, and Austrian flooring and Italian tiling.
Audi considers India as a very important luxury car market and believes that India would help the company achieving its sales target of 1.5 million global units annually. "A sporty premium brand like Audi simply cannot afford to be missing from a market of the future such as India," says Ralph Weyler, Director of Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG. And, by the end of the year three more Audi showrooms will be opened in the country.
Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A6, Audi A4, and Audi TT are luxury cars from Audi in India. Audi presently has seven dealership in the country in Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Gurgaon.
[Via: carazoo]
Ratan Tata Asks for Cost Cutting for Jaguar Land Rover
Tata Motors is planning to build all its cars including Jaguar and Land Rover with light weight aluminum bodies to cut costs. The company is also developing hybrid engines to be used in future models. It has also made considerable progress in identifying sources from India for its two premium models.
However, "Tata Motors on the other hand has recognised the high level of technology and skills embedded in JLR which could be of great value to both companies," Ratan Tata added in a statement in 2008-2009 Company's Annual Report. He also stated that the sales of the Jaguar have fallen by 20 percent and that of Land Rover by 51 percent from October 2008-March 2009 as compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
He also said that one of the most important things for the two brands is to sustain through these difficult times. However, it is expected that the company shall sail through with its new products and aggressive marketing campaigns.
In 2008-09, Tata Motors reported a consolidated loss of Rs 2,505 crore on an income of Rs 70,939 crore against a profit of Rs 2,167 crore on an income of Rs 35,660 crore the previous year. The consolidated operations were significantly driven by JLR.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Indian cars acceptable in America, says AutoPacific research report
AutoPacific, a US-based automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm, has just released the results of its latest study, which finds that Indian cars are actually acceptable to North American buyers. Well, almost acceptable, since just 11% of the respondents in the study said they would be open to the idea of buying an Indian car. On the other hand, as many as 15% of the respondents in the same study said they would consider buying a Chinese car.
While 11% and 15% might seem quite low, only 16% of the respondents in the same study said they would consider buying a Korean car and Korean have been present in the US market for more than two decades. 'As Hyundai and Kia have been on the American scene for decades now, it's surprising that consideration for Chinese and Indian brands, sight unseen, would be about as strong as it is for the Korean brands,' says George Peterson, president, AutoPacific.
'However, with so many premium and high-tech non-automotive products already being made in China and purchased by Americans, why not automobiles too? It appears that buyers in America are willing to give Chinese and Indian vehicles a chance right out of the box. Understanding these consumers will be critically important to the success of any newcomer,' he adds.
The study, titled 'Opportunity for Chinese and Indian Brands in the USA,' is based on a survey of more than 30,000 new car and truck buyers. And according to Peterson, who was in overall charge of conducting the study, those who are prepared to consider buying Indian cars or Chinese cars tend to be young, well-educated and affluent for their age. Most of these people also hold good jobs in administrative, health care and middle management positions, and most are current owners of Japanese or Korean cars.
Given the results of this study, it does seem that M&M and Tata Motors should - and probably will - start exploring the US car market at some point in the future. Of course, M&M is already looking at launching its Scorpio-based pick-up trucks in the US, perhaps by the end of this year. And with its new crossover and luxury sedan waiting in the wings, we suppose Tata Motors can't be too far behind either!
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Mahindra posts Rs 401 crore net profit
Mahindra & Mahindra has reported a net profit of Rs 400.9 crore for the April-June quarter this year, which is a 151.67% increase over last year's figure. The company's total income during April-June 2009 stood at Rs 4,266 crore, as against Rs 3,332 crore in the year-ago period.
It must be noted here that April-June 2009 figures are not directly comparable with April-June 2008 figures because two of M&M's subsidiaries (Mahindra Holdings & Finance Ltd., and Punjab Tractors Ltd.) were merged with M&M during Q4, FY 2008-09, and their profits are included in M&M's figures for Q1, FY 2009-10.
M&M did, however, improve its sales performance this year, selling 48,720 utility vehicles during April-June this year, as compared with 37,919 units in the year-ago period.
[Via: indiaautomotive]