GM to compete with Tata Nano
Tata has shaken up the auto world with its world's cheapest car, Nano, offering and now auto makers are also waking up to the cheap car market. Iconic automaker GM is seriously contemplating coming out with a competitor for the Nano in India, but its model will be priced at $4,000.
Nick Reilly, GM's new executive vice president for international operations, said that the new ultra cheap car has a market in certain countries (like Latin America and Asia) and GM would be interested in exploiting that space. If made, the car may be manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling Automotive Co which incorporates the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.
[Via: globalmotors]
Toyota to end its joint venture with GM
Toyota was a partner at a plant in a joint venture with GM in California. However, stung by GM's bankruptcy, Toyota is contemplating pulling out of NUMMI by March 2010. Toyota would transfer production of the Tacoma pickup truck to its light trucks factory in San Antonio, Texas in June. It will move output of the Corolla sedan to its factory in Ontario, Canada and a factory in Japan.
While no official decision has been announced, Toyota has already informed its main suppliers about this. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has appealed to the automaker to save the jobs of the 4,500 workers at the plant but if reports are correct, then Toyota will pull out of its partnership. The plant is working only at half its capacity and so closing it down will be financially viable for Toyota.
[Via: globalmotors]
Tata Motors to launch Indica Vista Ignis
Tata Motors is all set to launch a top end variant of Indica Vista - Indica Vista Ignis, The changes in the new Indica Vista Ignis is not just cosmetic but skin deep. Yes, Indica Vista Ignis will get the advanced 1.4L SAFIRE engine. The 1.4L which already powers the Fiat Grand Punto develops 90PS of max power at 6000rpm and 115Nm of peak torque at 4500rpm.
Tata Motors will also equip the Indica Vista Ignis with lot of new features. When Tata Motors launched the Indica Vista, the company said it would soon come up with variants fitted with ABS and airbags. Trust Tata will use this opportunity to equip vista with those safety features.
[Via: Vicky]
Ford Launches Ikon ikool
Ford India has taken a step further with the launch of all new Ikon iKool. The iKool is a feature-rich variant with a blend of advanced hi-tech features, sophisticated design and unmatched drive performance that customers would love to flaunt.
The iKool comes loaded, the exterior features new iKool badging, chrome deck lid appliqué, Black BSPM and spoiler that define the exterior with crisp, sculpted lines and a confident stance for an overall stylish look.
The highlight of the interior is the iPod compatible Mp3 audio system which, along with the remote keyless entry anti-theft system and matching seat covers enhances the comfort and safety.
New Features Of Ford Ikon iKool:
1) iPod compatible Mp3 audio system
2) New iKool badging
3) Deck lid appliqué
4) Boot Spoiler
5) Remote keyless entry
6) Anti-theft system
7) Matching seat covers
Ford Ikon had recently proved to be the amongst the most reliable sedan on Indian roads with the recently concluded epic 52 day 'Ikon Cross Country Drive,' a drive covering over 20,000 kms passing through diverse terrains deriving an exceptional fuel economy of 28.54 kmpl (under real world conditions) and a low running cost of Rs.1.39 per km.
New Ikon iKool is available at Ford dealerships across India at an aggressive price of Rs. 4.82 lakhs (petrol) and Rs. 5.42 lakhs (diesel). These prices are ex-showroom New Delhi. Both the engines remain the same. Ford Ikon comes with a 2 year / 1, 00,000 kilometers warranty and an option to purchase 'Extended Warranty' that covers the car against all electrical and mechanical failures for an additional period.
HM-Mitsubishi may launch Evo X in India in 2010
According to some hard-to-believe reports in the media, HM-Mitsubishi is planning to launch the latest iteration of the legendary Evo - the Evo X - in the Indian market in 2010. The company is expected to display the Evo X at the Auto Expo in Delhi in January 2010 and launch the car in India subsequently.
Unlike the Mitsubishi products currently on sale in India (most of which are completely outdated and offer underwhelming performance at an overwhelming price!), the Evo X is the real deal. It's fitted with a 2.0-litre engine that produces around 280 horsepower, which allows the car to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in less than five seconds!
Indeed, the Mitsubishi Evo is one of those rare four-door saloons that offer near-supercar levels of handling and performance and that can't possibly come cheap. Which is why Mitsubishi, during 2010, will aim for sales of 100 units or less for the Evo X. The car could be priced at Rs 30 lakh or more, which would certainly make it a very niche product - strictly for the wealthy enthusiast only.
[Via: indiautomotive]
VW Targetting Rs 4 Lakh Starting Price For The Polo
VW is targetting a base price of Rs 4 Lakhs for the Polo when it gets launched in India either late this year or early next year. Worried by the lukewarm response to the Skoda Fabia the company is working hard to meet its cost target for the base Polo which will come with a naturally aspirated 1.2 Litre Petrol engine. The company hopes to sell 25,000 units of the Polo every year in the Indian market.
The next up is the Polo based sedan which will compete in the midsize segment with the likes of Honda City, Fiat Linea and Hyundai Verna. The sedan will sport state of the art petrol and diesel engines for optimum performance and economy. The Jetta too will get a new range of engines by April 2010 to meet the stricter Bharat IV norms. The timid 1.6 Litre Petrol engine will be replaced by a TSi motor while diesel will shift from VW's own Pump Duse technology to more conventional common rail technology.
The new Passat will be launched at the Geneva Motor show next year and is expected to come in India towards the end of 2010. VW's iconic Beetle will also be launched in September this year as but more as a brand building excercize than volumes. The sales are expected to be in double digits only due to higher price.
VW is bullish on the Indian market and is putting all its might behind as it thinks that Indian market has the most potential after the Chinese market in the Asian subcontinent.
[Via: CC]
BMW going all out at the Frankfurt Motor Show
BMW is going to show case its premier cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show on a special circuit track. The BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce will get a good showing. Other cars on display will be the ActiveHybrid 7, the ActiveHybrid X6, and world premieres of the 5 Series Gran Turismo and the BMW X1 as well as "further additional product surprises."
As BMW is also marking the 50th anniversary of the MINI, it is going to show two birthday editions of the car, the MINI 50 Camden and the MINI 50 Mayfair. BMW will also highlight its green credentials with some measure to optimize fuel consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Also BMW will be using modular reusable exhibition system which will result in less waste of precious resources.
[Via: globalmotors]
Tata Motors Posts Profits In The First Quarter
Tata Motors posted a 58 per cent rise in its fiscal first-quarter unconsolidated net profit at 5.14 billion rupees ($106.8 million), compared with 3.26 billion rupees a year earlier. The Indian carmaker reported revenues (net of excise) of Rs. 6404.63 crores on a stand-alone basis for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, of the financial year 2009-10, a decline of 7.6% compared to Rs. 6928.44 crores in the corresponding quarter previous year.
Tata Motors's continued focus on cost efficiencies, coupled with reduction of raw material prices, inventory reduction and improvement in sales realisation, yielded considerable benefits resulting in the operating margin to 11.4% (from 7.1% in the previous year), with operating profits at Rs. 728.00 crores, an increase of 47.9% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
Improvement in liquidity, increased reach across the country and introduction of new products and variants improved the company's sales, except in the case of the heavy truck segment.
The company's domestic sales volume at 122,120 vehicles recorded a marginal decrease of 1.4% over the corresponding quarter of the previous year, whilst the exports at 5220 vehicles continued to be severely impacted (negative 43%) in the wake of continuing tumultuous global environment resulting in total sales volume at 127,340 vehicles, a decline of 4.3% as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
Tata passenger vehicles declined by 10% in the domestic market to 45,846 units but have been growing sequentially every month of the quarter breaking into positive growth in June. The market share for Tata passenger vehicles has sequentially improved from April to June 2009 with the June exit market share at 12.5%, and for the period being at 11.3%. Along with Fiat, the company has a joint market share of 12.3% in the industry.
[Via: carazoo]
HM Plan Niche Vehicle From Mitsubishi Stable
Hindustan Motors (HM) is planning to launch a niche vehicle from Mitsubishi Motors stable soon. The new car is likely to be along the lines of a James Bond like automobile and is expected to fire up Mitsubishi Motors' portfolio in India.
"We are gearing up for the launch of a niche vehicle, hopefully, within this year, for which we are awaiting requisite homologation from ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)," HM's managing director R Santhanam said.
[Via: motorbeam]