Harley-Davidson India Announces Dealers
Harley Davidson India has announced the appointment of its first five dealers across India in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The dealers appointed will be the sole retailers for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, genuine parts and accessories, and Motorclothes apparel and will operate authorized service centers across the five cities in India. The Harley-Davidson dealerships are being designed to the company's global standards and will reflect the essence of the brand, offering customers the opportunity to experience what riders across the world have experienced for over a century. Harley-Davidson will offer 12 models from their 2010 line-up, with bookings beginning on April 20, 2010, in each city.
"Today, I'm delighted and proud to welcome on-board the first dealers in India to the Harley-Davidson family. Each owner brings distinct talents and a shared passion for delivering extraordinary customer experiences. Our aim is to create a strong network that will provide our customers a world-class Harley-Davidson ownership experience, and we are off to a great start," Anoop Prakash, MD, Harley-Davidson India, said.
The five new dealerships are as follows : -
- Tusker Harley-Davidson in Bengaluru, led by Srinivas Reddy
- Himalayan Harley-Davidson in Chandigarh, led by Siddharth Garg
- Banjara Harley-Davidson in Hyderabad, led by K Jairam
- Seven Islands Harley-Davidson in Mumbai, led by Arjun Bafna
- Capital Harley-Davidson in New Delhi, led by Atul Aggarwal
[Via: Motorbeam]
Volkswagen Introduces Passat TSI & Jetta 2.0L
Volkswagen India has launched the Passat 1.8 TSi and Jetta with common rail diesel engine in India. The Passat 1.8 liter TSI is priced at Rs. 19.20 lakhs, whereas the Jetta 2.0 TDi liter diesel Comfortline is priced at Rs. 15.92 lakhs (all prices, ex showroom New Delhi). The Passat 1.8L TSI MT comes with a 4-Cylinder TSI petrol engine with 118 kW (160 PS) @ 4500-6500 rpm and 250 Nm @ 1500-4500 rpm. Mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, this Passat gives a mileage of 12.69 kmpl. The Jetta 2.0L Diesel uses a 4-Cylinder Common Rail Diesel Engine with 81KW (110PS) @ 4200rpm and 250 Nm @1500-2500 rpm. The 5-speed manual gearbox helps this Jetta get a fuel efficiency of 19.53 kmpl.
"At Volkswagen we are always striving to provide our customers with superior driving experience while maintaining our responsibility towards the environment. The Passat TSI and the Jetta common rail diesel engines are so well refined that not only will they provide superior driving experience but also decrease fuel consumption and lower emissions," Mr. Neeraj Garg, Member of Board & Director, Volkswagen India, said.
[Via: Motorbeam]
New TVS Sport Launched
TVS India , has expanded its economy segment offering with the launch of a new motorcycle, TVS Sport - a stylish, compact and affordable 100 cc motorcycle, aimed at discerning urban motorcycle customers who are on the look-out for a sleek and compact style. TVS Sport has been built to deliver punchy four-stroke performance with excellent mileage and effortless maneuverability that will have customers tackle busy city traffic with ease.
TVS Sport is powered by a 99.7cc engine which generates maximum power of 7.5 Bhp @ 7500 rpm with maximum torque of 7.5 Nm @ 5000 rpm. The engine is mated to 4 speed gearbox. The suspension has the same looks as that of the Star City, but the rear one comes with 5 steps adjustable stroke that is just a little longer than the Star City.
Hero Honda To Set Up Plant In Karnataka
The Karnataka government is allocating 500 acres of land to Hero Honda for setting up their manufacturing plant which would employ 1000 skilled workers near the northern district headquarters town of Dharwad. This plant would help Hero Honda manufacture one lakh units as it forecasts increase in sales to 5.6 million units.
The company is also working on 12 new products to be launched in the next 18 months. Out of the upcoming products, there will be a few premium products including a 250cc bike and scooters for the mass market segment.
[Via: Motorbeam]
Volvo Cars sold to Geely, Ford to get US$1.8 billion
Ford Motor Company today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Volvo Car Corporation and related assets to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Ltd. The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. Ford will get US$1.8 billion for Volvo Cars and related assets. 'Volvo is a great brand with an excellent product lineup. This agreement provides a solid foundation for Volvo to continue to build its business under Geely's ownership,' said Alan Mulally, Ford's president and CEO. 'At the same time, the sale of Volvo will allow us to further sharpen our focus on building the Ford brand around the world and continue to deliver on our One Ford plan serving our customers with the very best cars and trucks in the world,' he added.
'Zhejiang Geely would like to pay tribute to Ford's stewardship of the Volvo brand, and we look forward to continued cooperation as Volvo embarks on the next stage of its evolution with Geely,' said Li Shufu, Chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Ltd. 'The Volvo management team fully endorses Ford's sale of Volvo Cars to Geely. We believe this is the right outcome for the business, and will provide Volvo Cars with the necessary resources, including the capital investment, to strengthen the business and to continue to move it forward in the future,' said Stephen Odell, CEO of Volvo Cars.
Ford will continue to cooperate with Volvo Cars in several areas after the sale has been completed in order to ensure a smooth transition, but will not retain any ownership in the Volvo Cars business. Following completion of the sale, Ford will continue to supply Volvo Cars with powertrains, stampings and other vehicle components for a limited period of time. As part of the sale, Ford also has committed to provide engineering support, information technology, access to tooling for common components, and other selected services for a transition period to ensure a smooth separation process.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Maruti to Launch New WagonR on 15th April
Maruti Suzuki India is planning to launch the New WagonR on 15th April, 2010 in India. The new model will feature a big smile shaped front grille with all new clear lens head lamps and new round shaped fog lamps. The makeover will be almost same like we have seen recently in the New Estilo. New WagonR will also get new tail lamps, new front/rear bumpers and new design for alloys/wheel covers.
New Maruti Suzuki WagonR will be powered by Bharat Stage IV compliant 998cc KB series engine which develops maximum power of 65 Bhp at 6200 rpm with maximum torque of 90Nm at 3500 rpm. The new KB series is exactly the same engine which powers the Maruti Suzuki A-star. Along with the launch, Maruti will also roll out a CNG variant of the New WagonR.
Following changes are expected in the New WagonR:
- All New 1000cc K-series engine to meet the emission norms
- All New Front Grille With Chrome Inserts.
- New Bigger & Stylish Headlamps.
- New Tail Lamps.
- New Front & Rear Bumpers.
- New Alloys/Wheel Covers Design.
- New Interiors including new door trims and new upholstery.
- All New Centre Console With Dash Integrated Music System.
Skoda Not To Upgrade Octavia
Skoda India has taken a stand to not upgrade the decade old Octavia to meet the stricter BS IV emission standards. The 1.9 TDI Pumpe Duse diesel engine which it currently works on will not be upgraded on the Octavia either. VW is also phasing this engine out on the Jetta, which will get a new 2.0-liter CRDI engine. Skoda Octavia will thus be available only in Bharat III cities.
Honda CB Unicorn Launched
Honda entered the Indian motorcycle market with Honda Unicorn gifted with strong engine, rugged looks and pleasing performance. Unicorn offers superior mileage and pick up and has all the features and facilities one could wish for. Unicorn was the first bike in India with mono suspension feature. Now, Honda India has moved ahead with the launch of Honda CB Unicorn . Features of Honda CB Unicorn includes a puncture resistant Tuff-up tube, storage space under the seat and sturdy lights for better visibility.
B Unicorn is powered with Honda 4-stroke, 150cc engine and incorporates many cutting-edge technologies developed by Honda's global R&D team. It sets new benchmark in the uppper majority motorcycle segment in India with its swift acceleration, superior mileage, international styling, riding comfort and convenience. CB Unicorn is engineered and styled for the taste of the younger generation. With the 4-stroke, 150cc engine delivering a whooping 13.3 bhp, CB Unicorn is the fastest motorcycle in India racing from 0 to 60 kms per hour in a mere 5 seconds. It has a distinctive sporty and macho design with a racy front face, masculine fuel tank with knee grip and a sleek rear cowl.
CB Unicorn offers perfect balance of pickup and mileage, delivering 60 kmpl through its famed 4-stroke Honda engine, cutting edge technologies like Multi-Mapping CDI, Tumble Flow Combustion Chamber, Roller Rocker arm, and a Classy Aerodynamic Body. This engineering masterpiece with international design appeal, guarantees to quench your thirst for motorcycle frenzy with all its stunning features.
JLR Announces New Dealership In New Delhi
Tata Motors Premier Car Division announced the appointment of AMP Motors as the new Jaguar Land Rover dealership in New Delhi, only the second outlet in the country beyond the first flagship store in Mumbai. The entire product range including the Jaguar XJ, XF, XK and the Land Rover Freelander 2, Discovery 4, Range Rover Sport and the Range Rover will now be available in New Delhi through AMP Motors.
AMP Motors has set up two facilities in New Delhi - a centrally located boutique showroom at the premium Janpath area across Hotel Le Meridien and an integrated 3S - Sales, Service and Spares - facility at Mathura Road, the automobile high street of Delhi. Both facilities have been designed and constructed as per the latest Corporate and Dealer Identity Guidelines of Jaguar and Land Rover.
"The NCR region is a key market for premium cars and SUVs and we are happy to establish a footprint for the two iconic brands through a new dealership in the capital city of India," Mr. Rajiv Dube, President, Passenger Car Business Unit, Tata Motors, said. "Based on the encouraging response received so far on Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in India, we are pursuing plans to expand our reach to other cities in the country," he added.
[Via: Motorbeam]
Bajaj Targets 4 Million Vehicles Next Fiscal
Bajaj India expects to close FY 2010 with sales of almost 2.9 million vehicles, the highest ever in its history. This includes exports of 900,000 vehicles, which is also the highest ever. In its Board meeting held on 24th March, 2010, Bajaj set itself a sales target of 4 million vehicles for FY 2011, representing a growth of almost 40%. This would include exports over 1 million vehicles.
For FY 2011, motorcycle sales are targetted at over 3.6 million vehicles, while commercial vehicles sales are targeted at about 400,000 vehicles. The Board also approved the expansion of total capacity to 5 million vehicles / year in anticipation of continued growth in the domestic and international markets in FY 2012. Staying with its brand centered strategy that is focussed on the Boxer, Discover, Pulsar, and RE brands, Bajaj is hopeful of achieving this sales growth while maintaining its industry leading EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) margins.
[Via: Motorbeam]