Carl-Peter Forster on JLR future
Autocar India catches up with new Tata Motors Group boss Carl-Peter Forster. He revealed several new models, as well as plans for expansion.
How many cars must Jaguar Land Rover build to be profitable?
There is no special number. It depends how well you play the component sharing game, and how good you are at price positioning. Our XJ will make good money at 15,000 to 18,000 units annually. We want to expand, of course, but not at the expense of profitability.
Where do you see the best expansion potential?
We must exploit the premium market better. Our segment and regional market shares are still small. We don't have a full line-up; you might see space between the Range Rover Sport and the smaller Range Rover that we'll launch next year. We don't yet have all the engines we need. We're also working on a Jaguar roadster, and thinking about another small Jaguar. There are many opportunities.
Are you deliberately moving the Range Rover and Land Rover brands further apart?
We believe these two share much DNA, but they have somewhat different characters. Range Rovers are luxurious and can command a premium; Land Rovers have a more practical toughness about them. They'll always be related, but the two brands can go in slightly different directions.
Why can't Land Rover quality match Jaguar's?
We don't believe there's as great a difference as some people say. Land Rover has made huge quality strides with recently. But there is an issue, and it's very high on our list of priorities to fix.
Are you trying to change the culture at Jaguar Land Rover?
You'll have to talk to others about that. We certainly think there's a difference between being run by a giant American company and an entrepreneurial Indian approach, and I like the difference. There's a rigour and an eagerness to get things done without delay.
Where will you buy four-cylinder engines in future?
We can keep buying from our current supplier [PSA] if necessary, but one idea for the medium term might be to set up a joint Tata/Jaguar/Land Rover initiative for modern four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines.
[Via: AutoCarIndia]
Petrol, Diesel prices goes up
Government of India has announced a sharp increase in prices of petrol,diesel,lpg and kersone. No one is barred from common man to auto manufacturers are set to suffer. With the hike, price petrol is increased by Rs 3.73/litre, Diesel goes up by Rs 2, LPG by Rs 35 and kerosene by Rs 3/litre. The increase in price comes into effect immediately.
Also the government has decided to freed the prices of petrol and diesel from its control (which means it market driven from now onwards). This move is good for the Oil companies on the long run. At the same time as the inflation already hovering around 10%, it is surely a bad news for consumers. The demand for automobile may take a hit following the hike.
[Via: Vicky]
Bajaj to Launch Discover 150 on 10th May
After the huge success of Discover 100, Pulsar 220 and recently launched Pulsar 135, Bajaj India is all set to launch another variant of Discover. This time it will be a 150cc variant which is expected to be launched on 10th May.
In terms of design and styling Discover 150 will carry all or some of the design cues we have seen in the Discover Sprint concept which was on display at the 2008 Auto Expo in New Delhi. Bajaj Discover 150 will be powered by a 150cc engine which is expected to generate maximum power of around 14 Bhp at 8500 rpm with maximum torque of around 12 Nm at 6500 rpm.Though there is no official confirmation about the launch and price of Discover 150. It is expected to be priced between 50,000 to 60,000 rupees.
[Via: Bikes India]
Two Wheelers Witness Increase In Sales
India's largest two wheeler manufacturer, Hero Honda has reported an increase in its sales for the month of April 2010 at 3,71,652 units as against 3,70,575 units during April 2009. This is the 16thtime in a row when the company has sold more than 3 lakh bikes in a month. The company achieved this feat despite an acute shortage of batteries for over 15 days which left around 50,000 fully built bikes stranded at the factory. It is known that earlier last month, there was an agitation at the Exide's Bawal facility. However, according to the company officials, the issue has been resolved. On the similar lines, second largest two wheeler giant, Bajaj Auto registered an 84 percent growth during the month at 2,76,095 units as compared to corresponding month of the previous fiscal. The company sold 1,49,733 units during April 2009. Following the same trend, the third largest two wheeler manufacturer, TVS Motors' sales for the month rose by 28 percent to 1,44,689 units as against 1,13,119 units from April 2009.
On the other hand, Yamaha Motors reported a growth of 42 percent in its monthly sales of 24,960 units against 17,576 units sold during April 2009. The newly launched entry level YBR 110 merged with the FZ series with refreshed shades are expected to boost the sales further for the company in the coming months. Yamaha targets attaining a share of 20 percent in the 150cc and above segment by the year end. Suzuki Motorcycle, too, reported a growth of 53.22 percent growth in the month's sales. The company sold 20,771 units during April 2010 as compared to 13,556 units during April 2009. Officials from Suzuki credit their GS150R and Access 125 for the increased growth in sales.
Further, Mahindra two wheelers reported a whopping growth of 460 percent to 9009 units during the month as against 1609 units during the corresponding month from the previous fiscal. Rodeo, Duro and Flyte are believed to be doing wonders for the company. However, the vertical growth for the month is a result of a low base of 1609 units from April 2009.
[Via: BIKE INDIA]
Jaguar Land Rover Delivers Robust Sales Figures
Jaguar and Land Rover sales have leaped up, boosting Tata Motors' performance in Q3. "Jaguar Land Rover has made a substantial profit of Rs 416.96-crore supported by better market environment and sustained cost reduction efforts," said Ravi Kant, Tata Motors' Vice-Chairman. Europe and the US market are already showing rise in demand and things have begun to look brighter already.
Jaguar sales for the month were 3,292, up by 55 per cent, while Land Rover sales were 13,905, up by 62 per cent. The total sales is still down by 16 percent where Jaguar is down by 26 percent y-o-y and Land Rover is down by 11 percent. Reuters report that Jaguar sales are slowly ready to leap back to pre-crisis sales figures once the global meltdown is over. "In the past, Jaguar built more than 100,000 vehicles per year. We can return to such levels once the crisis is over," David Smith told German weekly WirtschaftsWoche in an interview.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Ford Figo Launched
Ford unveiled its new small car Figo in September, 2009 in New Delhi with Alan Roger Mulally, Ford's president and chief executive, making a lightening visit to the country for the unveiling. And now Figo has been launched and will compete with the likes of Maruti Ritz, Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz & Skoda Fabia. The Ford Figo, a new nameplate and a fresh face on the Indian market, signals Ford's intention to compete in India's largest and most important small car market segment. Ford Figo is the result of a significant Ford investment commitment to expand its plant near Chennai for volume production as a small-car centre of excellence regionally.
Variants of Ford Figo
Ford Figo is available in 8 variants, 4 of petrol and 4 of diesel:
- Ford Figo LXi
- Ford Figo EXi
- Ford Figo ZXi
- Ford Figo Titanium
- Ford Figo Diesel LXi
- Ford Figo Diesel EXi
- Ford Figo Diesel ZXi
- Ford Figo Diesel Titanium
The Top of the line "Titanium" variant of Ford Figo comes with:
- Body Coloured Bumpers
- Full Wheel Covers
- Body Coloured Outside Rear View Mirrors
- Chrome Finish Radiator Grille
- Air Conditioning
- Power Steering
- Power Windows
- Remote Central Locking
- Remote Boot Opener
- Remote Fuel Lid Opener
- Driver Seat Height Adjustment
- Removable Parcel Tray
- MP3 Player with 4 Speakers
- Bluetooth Phone Interface
- Rear Washer and Wiper
- Rear Defogger
- ABS with EBD
- Dual SRS Airbags
Engine Options In Ford Figo
Ford Figo has been launched with 2 engine options:
- 1196cc DuraTec Petrol - 70 Bhp
- 1399cc DuraTorq Diesel - 68 Bhp
[Via: CarsIndia ]
List of Cars Launched At Auto Expo 2010
The 10th Auto Expo has been organized jointly by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Auto Expo is India's and Asia's largest automotive show which will be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from 5th January to 11th January, 2010.
Click here for photos of Auto Expo 2010
Here is a list of cars which have been launched at the Auto Expo 2010:
Skoda Yeti Launched
Compact, attractively styled and full of surprises: This is Skoda Yeti . Very similar to the original Yeti concept, seen at Geneva in 2005, the production version adds five doors and a simpler front end, with a traditional Skoda grille and spotlights. Skoda also showcased Yeti Concept at the 2008 Auto Expo in India.
Skoda has finally launched the Yeti at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi. This 4.2 metre long, five-door vehicle bears the well-known features of the brand. An impressive front end with a ribbed grille and friendly looking headlamps confidently demonstrate.
Toyota Etios Hatch & Etios Sedan Unvieled
Toyota India has unvieled the Etios - All new small car and sedan concept at the Auto Expo 2010. In addition to India, the Toyota Etios (the name means 'the origin of') hatchback will also be sold in Russia, South America and perhaps other emerging markets. With Honda also set to unveil its new small hatchback for the Indian market during the Expo, the two Japanese biggies will be facing off in a big way and for the first time, the two will be up against each other in the small car market.
Toyota has squeezed out costs of manufacturing Etios wherever possible to make it price-competitive in India and has made it stand at par with Maruti Swift. Etios will be come with two engine options - a 1.4-liter diesel that powers the Yaris and a 1.2- or 1.3-liter gasoline unit. Toyota also has 1.3L petrol engine (K3 series) but has not made it clear whether it will be downsized to 1.2L to meet the small car regulation norms to save on excise duty.
Maruti Eeco is Coming – Versa Replacement
Maruti Suzuki Versa had never been liking of Indian customers who want affordable, good loooking and comfortable MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle), as it was not a true value for money people mover. And now Maruti Suzuki India is all set to change all this with the launch of all new MPV - Maruti Eeco . They are planning to launch this new utility vehicle at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi.
It is expected to be powered by a 1200cc G12 petrol engine. Though there are no official news available about the launch date, price and specification of Eeco but we will provide all this once it is officially announced. The new engine of Eeco will be Bharat Stage IV compliant to meet the strict emission norms which will be in effect from April, 2011 in 11 cities in India. It is also expected that Eeco is going to replace the slow selling, almost extinct Maruti Versa. It is being speculated that base model of Eceo will be priced around 4 lakh rupees and top of the line fully loaded variant will be priced around 5 lakh rupees.