The new Tata Indigo will be unveiled in Mumbai on October 14th by Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Motors. The new Indigo will be christened ' Manza' and is essentially the saloon version of the Indica Vista. The Manza comes with a huge boot and promises best in class interior space. Typical of Tata cars, the Manza promises to offer good value for money as it is expected to be packed with equipment. Some of the features that can be expected are projector headlamps and steering mounted audio controls. The dashboard design is similar to the Vista's but will embellish with superior trim.
The Manza is expected with two engine options, the same that powers the Fiat Linea. The mainstay is expected to be the 1.3 litre, 90 bhp diesel while the 1.4 litre 95 bhp petrol will be the entry level model. Prices are not yet announced but we estimate the base version of the Manza petrol to cost Rs 5.8 lakh while the top-end diesel should be in the region of Rs 7.4 lakh (on road, Mumbai).
By the year 2012, Nissan would run as many as 9 models in India, said the company. Of these five will be local assembled by which the company plans to capitalize 5% share of the market. The company has already made a tie-up with the French car maker Renault by which an investment of Rs. 4500 crore has been made to increase the production from the current 700 to 3000 by 2012. The company is running its show in India with just two models - X-Trail and Teana and is on the verge of making three more models in 2009. Nissan has sensed the market potential of India- a possible 3 million units by 2014.
Nissan's aim is to grab the same 5% share which it possesses in the global market. For this the dealership too will be increased to 55 by 2012. Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between Renault and Nissan for the production in Chennai unit. The JV is to enhance the employee power to 3000 by 2012, of which the first 1500 will assemble in May 2010, when the production starts. With this expansion the Chennai unit will be able to deliver 4 lakh units per year with the full operation of the unit. The major feature of this production will be 85% of localized components.
Mahindra Renault is targeting to sell 1200 units of the Logan in northern region in the current fiscal. The company is also aiming to improve its market share in midsize segment in the region from 8% to 11% by the end of the financial year. To push up sales during the festival season, the company is offering various special schemes that include low interest finance.
"We are targeting to sell 1,200 units of Logan in 2009-10 compared with 1150 units sold in last fiscal in north comprising Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh," Company's Deputy General Manager, Indrajeet Ghoshal said. "We are targeting to sell 2,000 units of Logan across the country during this festival season," said Company's Senior Manager, Jasjit Singh Bawa.
After being successful in its appeals before the Madras High Court, today TVS was again vindicated in its stance before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court in a judgment pronounced today, in Special Leave Petitions filed by Bajaj Auto Limited against the Madras High Court order, held that TVS is entitled to sell its product "Flame" containing three valves and two spark plugs.
The Madras High Court had in its order passed in May in TVS' appeals allowed TVS' application for an interim injunction restraining Bajaj from in any way interfering with the manufacture and marketing of TVS' products using internal combustion engines with three valves and two spark plugs pending disposal of TVS' suit against Bajaj for unjustified threats of infringement.
The Supreme Court has directed TVS to maintain and file accounts of sales which shall be verified by a receiver to be appointed by the Madras High Court. Further the Court has directed that the suit before the Madras High Court be heard on a day to day basis on commencement after Dussehra vacations and that the hearing be concluded by 30 th November 2009.
In the patent dispute between Bajaj Auto Limited v. TVS Motor Company Limited, the Supreme Court of India has allowed TVS to sell the twin spark plug TVS-Flame by its order dated 16th September 2009.
The Company will take steps to obtain all necessary certifications required under law such as under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, before commencing sales of twin spark plug TVS-Flame.
The India based Munjals group Hero has launched the country's first ever high-speed electric bikes. Priced at Rs37,400/ the initial launch is in UP followed by other cities in the country. E-Spirit, christened as the bikes rides out, the vehicle will meet the norms of environment protection and the budget of the buyers.
With the single charge, the vehicle will run upto 65km at a maximum speed of 45km/hour. The company seeks VAT exemption from the UP government on the grounds of environment pollution safety. 11 governments have offered VAT exemption for this vehicle in the country.
Ultra Motor Company has launched two new electric scooters in the Indian market. The Scooters Ultra Fun and Ultra Shakti are low speed models, which do not require any licence to run and are fitted with 250W motors and are priced between Rs 28,300 and Rs 31,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
While Ultra Shakti is designed for hilly terrains, Ultra Fun is easy to ride because of its height, size and weight and targetted at women among others. UMC has a retail network of over 175 exclusive dealerships across 17 states and in over 130 cities in the country.
Maruti Suzuki India has temporarily stopped production of the SX4 in order to change the engine, which would be Bharat IV compliant. The current Maruti SX4 doesn't comply with the new norms which go in effect from April, 2011 in 11 cities in India.
The new engine will be a 1.6 VVT powerplant producing 106bhp (9 Bhp more than current). Maruti will also give some cosmetic design upgrades to the exterior to keep things afresh.
Ford Figo Promotional Video. Ford has unveiled its new small car Figo today in New Delhi with Alan Roger Mulally, Ford's president and chief executive, making a lightening visit to the country for the unveiling.
Bajaj India has announced the launch date for much awaited Kawasaki Ninja250R, it is going to be launched on 5th October and deliveries will start before diwali. But it is not going to compete with R15 and Karizma ZMR because of its price which will be around 1.60 -1.90 lakhs.
Kawasaki has marketed the Ninja 250R since 1986 as an entry-level sport motorcycle intended for use on paved roads. The bike is marketed in the US as the Ninja 250R, as the ZX250 in the UK, and as the GPX250 elsewhere.
It is an entry level sports motorcycle with a fairing made further as if an actual off-road sports bike. Bajaj along with Kawasaki will be marketing it in India and is soon expected to be seen in the market in Bajaj Pro biking showrooms.
