Mercedes-Benz To Produce 1.2 million units in 2010
Looks like the recession is over for most automakers. Mercedes India will produce 1.2 million vehicles 2010, beating its previous best of 1.19 million units assembled back in 2008. “Our production was running at high speed, especially in the second half,” said Wolfgang Bernhard, head of Mercedes-Benz operations, in a statement. For the 1st eleven months of 2010, Mercedes India sold 1.06 million units, while competitor BMW solf 1.11 million units and Audi 1,003,900 units.
Cars will soon be a domestic commodity
The increased financial stability and purchase power among the higher income group may invoke car industry. According to a statistics revealed by Crisil, nearly 117 million households, with an addition of 60-70million households, will soon get opportunity to own a car in another four or five years. This will make the increase in the auto industry to 17-19% procuring Rs4.20,000 crore by that time, adds Crisil’s Research Director. Still, the proportionate equity will be 17 per 1000 car owners compared against 604 in Europe and 440 in the US during 2009 he further said. The research says that during the interim period of two years, by 2012, there will be an investment of Rs35000 – 40000 crore in the industry manufacturers and Rs20000 – 25000 crores by the component suppliers. The investment by the makers will be for launching new models and expansion drives to face the competition among themselves. The suppliers will invest to make up the demand spree for the makers.
With the competition expected to increase and the price factor to play a crucial role in deciding the market share, the makers will have to shell out huge investment to retain their position. Due to this anticipated competition the makers will face dip in their profit and can survive on launching new models and neo technology. The fall in profit is also due to the hike in the raw materials cost and the price factor posed by the component suppliers. In addition there will be a royalty aspect for the global makers when more launches are made on global platforms. Above all technological edge will have the deciding factor among the competitors and for this the makers have to invest a lot. The Crisil report says that the auto industry will face a fall of profit to the tune of 150-330 basis points during this fiscal and the component suppliers will face the dip by 100-200 points basis. However, there will be an increase in the raw material index by 15-16% during the same period.
{Source: Vicky}
Indian GP race on Oct 30, 2011
The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council has released the provisional race calendar for the 2011 Formula 1 season. India has been given a slot for the race on 30th October 2011 which is still subject to the Homologation of of the Circuit. On the news of the Indian Grand Prix being a part of the 2011 Formula One World Championship calendar, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and Managing Director, Force India Formula One Team said that he is personally delighted that the Indian Grand Prix has been inscribed in the 2011 Formula 1 World Championship calendar. India's economic growth, young and aspirational demographic and the growing popularity of F1 in the Country make it one of the most attractive future destinations for a high technology driven and fantastically competitive sport like F1 where both man and machine are tested to the absolute limit.
The enlarged 20-race calendar - the longest in F1 history - features an earlier start and later finish than the 2010 season, with the championship-closing Brazilian Grand Prix on 27 November. Abu Dhabi moves to the penultimate slot, having taken the season finale position for 2009/10. The Circuit for Indian GP is under construction at the moment. It is located at Greater Noida near Delhi. It is being built by Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), Part of the Jaypee Group.
The Greater Noida circuit has been designed by Herman Tilke with direction from Bernie Ecclestone on the layout of the track. However, the JPSI involved several F1 drivers to give their feedback. The Indian circuit is one of the faster ones on the calnder with an estimate average lap speed of around 210kph and cars are expected to hit a top speed nudging 320kph down the main straight. The new Indian Grand Prix at Delhi comes towards the end of the season as part of a series of flyaway races.
{Source: Autocarindia}
Hero Honda Launches all New Super Splendor
- Redesigned alloy wheels
- Redesigned tail light
- Redesigned headlight
- Translucent bikini visor
- New meter console
- Broad exhaust muffler
- Black coating on the engine
- Chrome garnish on storage compartment
Hero Honda to launch all New Hunk
Hero Honda is all set to launch the New 2010 Hunk. It is expcted to be launched in few days. Hero Honda New Hunk appears to be a decent looking motorcycle with its small fairing and has tank shrouds.
Changes/Additional features of New 2010 Hero Honda Hunk:
- Rear Disc Brake
- Digital and Analog Speedometer with clear fonts
- All New visor
- All New front fender
- Tubeless tyres
- LED tail lamps
- Attractive graphics on the tank
- Bull Logo on tank shrouds
- Maintenance-free battery
The tank shrouds are big and New Hunk's tank has good knee recess. Similar to some popular international bikes, New Hunk's telescopic fork is golden in colour. This nicely gels with the 5 spoke black alloy wheels. The gas holder of the rear suspension is also golden. Hero Honda's New Hunk embraces the contemporary black theme - the handlebar weight, alloy wheels, silencer guard and the grab rail of the New Hunk are painted black. Suspension is through telescopic fork at the front and the rear suspension is a 5 step adjustable gas charged one.
New Hero Honda Hunk is expected to feature digital plus analogue instrument cluster which is the latest trend among premium bikes. New Hunk's battery is the same 12V-7Ah and the ignition is through AMI(Advanced Microprocessor Ignition). New Hunk's engine is same as the X-Treme's 4 stroke 150cc engine. It develops 14bhp at 8500rpm of power and 12.8Nm of Torque. Hunk's 150cc engine is mated with a conventional 5speed gearbox. Similar to the TVS CVTi engine the Hunk's 150cc engine produces tumble induction for efficient burning which means more efficiency.
Toyota India Launches Fortuner Anniversary Edition
Toyota has launched Fortuner Anniversary edition to mark its first anniversary. The Fortuner anniversary edition comes with:
- Front bumper spoiler
- Rear bumper spoiler
- Rear roof spoiler
- Chromer muffler cutter.
Toyota will sell only 250 units of Fortuner Anniversary edition. Toyota Fortuner Anniversary edition is priced Rs. 20,45,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).
Toyota India Launches Fortuner Anniversary Edition
Toyota has launched Fortuner Anniversary edition to mark its first anniversary. The Fortuner anniversary edition comes with:
- Front bumper spoiler
- Rear bumper spoiler
- Rear roof spoiler
- Chromer muffler cutter.
Toyota will sell only 250 units of Fortuner Anniversary edition. Toyota Fortuner Anniversary edition is priced Rs. 20,45,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).
Agostini rides on track again
The Assen circuit witnessed the 80th edition of the famous TT race and to celebrate the event in style fifteen time former World Champion Giacomo Agostini was back riding on track as part of the celebrations. Thousands of fans and spectators got a treat of their lifetime as the legendary rider rode a display lap on the YZR500 OW23 on which he won his last world title on in 1975. Much to the delight of his fans Agostini also took the 2010 YZR-M1, the current race bike of Team Fiat Yamaha, on a celebration ride.
[Via: BikeIndia]