Dubai’s Ultimate Motors To Launch Supecars In India
MUMBAI: Three brands of Super Hyper Cars (SHCs), including the world's fastest car, Ultimate Aero, are all set to storm Indian roads by the end of this year. Dubai-based Ultimate Motors, one of the leading distibutors of exotic and luxury sports cars in the world, will be launching the three brands of commercial SHCs - Shelby, Zenvo and Arash, by December. The three will be SSC Utimate Aero , Arash AF-10 and Zenvo ST1 .
"The demand for luxury cars in India is increasing of late and people are now keen to have customised cars. We are in touch with four leading dealers in India and expect to launch the commercial SHCs by the end of this year," Ultimate Motors' President, Nasser Al-Hai, told PTI here on the sidelines of a luxury lifestyle event here. Expect price of all three cars in range of 4.5 to 7 crores.
New Low Cost Sedan from Skoda
Skoda is ready to bring a new low-cost budget sedan model in 2012 in the international market. The new sedan model will compete with Renault's Dacia which has recorded the strongest sales in past few months, especially in the sedan segment. Dacia received most of the benefit from the government scrappage scheme and now Volkswagen Group intends to bridge the gap between Renault Dacia and Skoda models which have a big price difference.
Skoda currently sells Octavia as a popular sedan internationally especially in the emerging markets including India and China. Skoda intends to replace the Octavia with new budget model which will be smaller than Octavia. The new budget model will directly replace Octavia in the developed markets.
Skoda CEO, Mr Reinhard Jung, said the new model would cost between 10,000 and 12,000 euros (Rs. 6.7 lakh - Rs. 8.04 lakh) and would launch in two to three years. Skoda has not revealed any more details about the car which will be placed between Fabia and Octavia in coming years.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Toyota Reaches 4 Lakh Mark
Toyota India has been successful in attaining 4 lakh Mark in India. There are now four lakh Toyota cars in India. The company has achieved this mark in the 11th year of its tenure in India. Toyota is the world's largest carmaker by sales. And it plans to increase the Toyota dealerships from 93 to 150 by 2011. By 2011, the company will launch a small car and for its launch the second production plant would be set up in Bangalore at an investment of Rs 3,200 crore.
Sandeep Singh, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Deputy Managing Director (Marketing), said in a statement that it is a big step for the auto market and the company. Toyota, which is present in India through a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group, currently sells Toyota Prado and Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Corolla Altis, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Innova. Toyota Prius is expected to be showcased in Auto Expo 2010.
[Via: Cars India
Royal Enfield Classic Launched In India
The Royal Enfield Bullet has for decades been the byword for rugged, refined cool and a bike handcrafted to perfection. The Bullet Classic was unveiled by Royal Enfield at Intermot exhibition in Germany. They have already launched this mouthwatering classic version of its legendary motorcycle abroad. Bullet Classic was first launched in Germany followed by European launch. But for India Royal Enfield has removed the "Bullet" tag from the name and it is going to be sold as "Royal Enfield Classic" for Indian Market.
The Classic 500 is powered by a 499cc, single cylinder engine which generates maximum power of 27.2 Bhp at 5250 rpm and peak torque of 41.3 Nm at 4000 rpm. And the Classic 350 is powered by a 346cc engine from Thunderbird Twinspark which generates 19.8 Bhp of maximum power at 5250 rpm with 28 Nm of maximum torque to price it competitively in a range of 85-90000 rupees. What is really new in the Royal Enfield Classic is a UCE (Unit Construction Engine). In the Royal Enfield Classic's engine, the clutch and gearbox are situated outside, they are both integrated into the crankcase. Royal Enfield claims that the UCE construction gives the Classic less moving parts, less transmission loss and less maintenance issues.
[Via: Bikes India]
New Honda CR-V Launched
Honda India has launched the all New 2009 model of CR-V in Indian market. The base model with 2.0 litre engine has been priced at Rs. 22,51,000 rupees (EX-Showrrom Mumbai), which is very high in comparison to its rivals - Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour & Chevrolet Captiva. New Honda CR-V is sold as a CBU import and will be available on confirmed order basis. It also comes with a 2+2 year warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance as standard.
New Honda CR-V comes with a refreshed look, sporting a new two-step front grille, a re-sculpted hood and front bumper design and oval shape fog lamps. The new CR-V is 45mm longer than its predecessor and measures 4575 mm in length while maintaining the same width, height, ground clearance and head clearance. A new 10-spoke alloy wheel design replaces the previous 7-spoke alloy wheel design.
- New Two-Step Front Grille & Re-Sculpted Hood
- New Front & Rear Bumper Design, New 10-Spoke Alloy Wheels
- Oval Shape Front Fog Lamps, Body Colored ORVMs With Side Turn Indicators
The top model of New Honda CR-V comes with three additional features which includes Cruise Control, Electric Sunroof & Option Of 5 Speed Automatic Transmission.
The New Honda CR-V is available in two new colours - Opal Sage Metallic and Premium Mystic Night Pearl along with the existing range of Polished Metal, Alabaster Silver, Crystal Black Pearl and Premium White.
New Honda CR-V is available in 2 engine options - same which were doing duty in the outgoing models - the 2.0 litre & 2.4 litre petrol engines. The 2.0 litre engine is a 1997cc i-VTEC which generates maximum power of 141 bhp at 6000 rpm with maxium torque of 192 Nm at 4200 rpm. The 2.4 litre engine is a 2354cc i-VTEC which generates maximum power of 159 bhp at 5800 rpm with maxium torque of 218 Nm at 4200 rpm.
Price Of New Honda CR-V (Ex-Showroom Mumbai)
- New Honda CR-V 2.0 MT - Rs. 22,51,000.00
- New Honda CR-V 2.4 MT - Rs. 24,00.000.00
- New Honda CR-V 2.4 AT - Rs. 24,78,000.00
[Via: Cars India ]
Bajaj XCD 125 Has Been Discontinued
It is farewell time for the Bajaj XCD 125 , the executive commuter bike that was launched way back in September 2007. This is the second bike that the Pune-based manufacturer has phased out in the last three months, the first being the Pulsar 200 DTS-i.
The reason behind this move was to make way for the slightly bigger and more powerful XCD 135 which was launched way back in February this year. Bajaj decided to pull the plug on the smaller model when its sales dipped below 20000 units a month as compared to the 50000 units expected of it by the company. In contrast, the XCD 135 sold 10,000 units in the first two weeks after its launch.
Commenting on this move, a Mumbai-based analyst stated "Bajaj had launched too many models in the market without many differentiating factors between the bikes. The company always had the option to lower or even completely stop the production of one bike and increase the other, depending on the demand". The company is now planning to concentrate only on the Discover and Pulsar brand in the entry to premium segment while containing the Platina and Avenger within these core groups.
[Via: BIKE Magazine]
Tata Nano May Be Sold Under Different Brand Name
According to the latest statement in London from Tata Motors MD, Ravi Kant, the company may allow Tata Nano to be assembled and sold under a different brand name by other manufacturers. Ravi Kant was spaaking at an award function in London where he indicated that Tata Motors will allow micro-assembly units that can produce 10,000 units a year.
"Tata Motors was always toying with the idea of outsourcing a small batch of Nano to third-part automakers. However, it is just in its embryonic stages and the company will take a final call in due course," well-informed sourced from the industry were quoted saying about Tata Motors.
It is presumed that Nano under different brand name will be sold in the Indian market only as it has yet not made its foray into the overseas market. So far Tata Motors has delivered 7506 units from its Uttrakhand plant in Pantnagar. Tata Motors also has a joint venture with Fiat Auto India Limited and Fiat will be looking after the overseas marketing of Tata Nano. It is quite speculative that Fiat may assemble additional units of Tata Nano under a different brand name.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Fiat to Launch Linea T-Jet With Powerful Engine
Fiat India is getting ready to launch Linea T-Jet model in India. It will showcase the new model at the upcoming Delhi Auto expo in 2010. The new T-jet model will be powered by 1.4L petrol engine which will be a turbo-charged version. It delivered 120 ps @ 5000 rpm and torque of 206 nm right from 1750 rpm onwards. It reached top speed of 200 kmph and reach from 0-100 kmph in 9.2 seconds. The new Linea T-jet will be the only model in its segment that will have turbo-charged petrol engine once it is launched.
The new Linea T-jet will also have additional features like rain sensing wipers, reverse parking sensors, automatic headlamps, and Hill Holder function which means that it will stop the car from rolling backwards when you are on an incline and take your foot off the accelerator.
Fiat Linea was launched earlier this year and the model has been quite successful even since its launch. Fiat intends to regain its brand image in the Indian market and has launched premium models like Fiat 500. Fiat has also decided to increase its headcount at its R&D center to up to 200 to strengthen its research and development function.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Skoda India achieves record sales growth of 98% in October 2009
Skoda India , a fully owned subsidiary of SkodaAuto a.s., Czech Republic, today announced a record of 98% growth in sales for the month of October 2009 over October 2008. SkodaAuto India's total sales for October, 2009 stood at 1753 units as against 887 units in October, 2008.
Speaking on the increase in sales figures for the month of October, Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Board Member, Sales and Marketing, SkodaAuto India said "We have witnessed a high double-digit jump of 58% in sales in the last 3 months (August - October) over the same period last year.
The Skoda Superb has surpassed the sales number of 336 cars in October '09, the highest ever since the launch of superb in India. The sales figures for Skoda since the launch of the all new Skoda Superb and the New Laura this year have surpassed our expectations. We are expecting the momentum will continue to see a much stronger response to our products and services and help drive growth in our sales in the coming months."
Mr. Thomas Kuehl further added "Online shopping in India has been gaining importance day by day. Due to dearth of time and tedious ways of traditional shopping, customers are increasingly seeking the convenience of shopping from their home. Keeping in mind the customer profile we have launched "Fabia online sales project" to make car buying a hassle free and a haggle free experience by providing complete and transparent information while also streamlining the buying process with the combination of online and offline activities. We believe that the Fabia online sales project has been a part of success for Fabia and in the past 2 months we have doubled our sales figures over last year in the same period."
Since the Launch of the New Superb in March 2009, the superb has strengthened its position and is outperforming in the premium D segment. In the month of October 2009, the all New Superb has reached the sales figures of 336 units - the highest monthly figures since its Launch. The Skoda Superb had 22.8% Segment share in period January - September 2009 as against 5.4% Segment share in January - September 2008, registering a growth of over 332% in this segment.
Adding on the performance Mr. Ashutosh Dixit, Sr. General Manager, Sales & Marketing, SkodaAuto India said "We are pleased to see such robust growth for all our products and services, which reflects the customer's growing confidence in Skoda day by day."
[Via: cartradeindia]
TVS To Launch New Star Sport CL 115
After the huge success of recently launched Apache RTR 180 & Flame SR125, TVS India is all set to tap the market of clutchless bikes with the launch of TVS Jaive .
Though no official announcement has been about the price and launch date of Jaive but it is being speculated that TVS is going to launch it in last week of November. TVS Jaive will feature an automatic clutch and four gears. TVS has good experiance in manufacturing bikes with automatic clutch as they are selling TVS Neo in Indonesia and it is selling in good numbers.
[Via: Bikes India ]