Festive seasons are considered an auspicious time for vehicle purchases and Hero Honda knows the importance of the festive season. After the recent launch of the new Karizma ZMR they have announced two new variants of their existing models - the Hunk and the Splendor+ which by the way has sold over one crore unit!
The Hunk that is targeted at the youngsters with its muscular looks now in its new avatar features special Macho Ebony Grey colour treatment which is carried over to the rear grab handles, side cover, foot rest & handle bar, and has body-coloured rear view mirrors along with contemporary stickering on the fuel tank and the raging bull insignia on the tank shrouds it now also features red coloured rear shock absorber springs.
The Splendor has been Hero Honda's highest and oldest selling bike which now boasts of new-look graphics, gold colour treatment for Splendor+ emblem on side cover and Hero Honda logo on fuel tank, visor and console. The Special Edition Splendor+ features the all black engine, alloy wheels, and front fork among many other changes. But true to its tradition of assigning designers more work than their 'busy' R&D lads the world's largest two wheeler manufacturer has yet again made no mechanical upgrades to these bikes whatsoever.
Tata Motors and Fiat joint venture is apprehended to launch Jeep Cherokee in India soon. This partnership will be launching a number of Chrysler models in India. The iconic Jeep Cherokee will be produced at the Ranjangaon facility near Pune. The Tata-Fiat alliance will initially start retailing the Cherokee and follow up with other products.
Italian car major Fiat acquired a 20% stake in Chrysler after the Michigan-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year. Fiat's 20%, stake in Chrysler could eventually go up to 51%. Chrysler will get access to Fiat's small car technology while Fiat gets a footprint into the US market. With financing from the Federal Government, the `new Chrysler' is supposed to change its product portfolio towards fuel-efficient vehicles. The Tata-Fiat alliance has been expanding production at its Ranjangaon facility.
Recently, Fiat India Automobiles (FIAPL), the Tata Motors-Fiat JV raised $510 million through a multi-tranche syndicated loan, which includes a $200 million term loan for working capital requirements. FIAPL is a 50:50 joint venture between Fiat Group and Tata Motors and manufactures Fiat and Tata cars and produces transmissions and engines.
Chevrolet India has shaked the D-Segment with the launch of its flagship sedan - The Cruze. It is expected that Cruze is going to beat the likes Skoda Laura, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Corolla Altis, Hyundai Sonata Transform & Honda Accord. Chevrolet has chosed the best time for the launch of Cruze which is around Diwali and wants to cash in this festive season.
For time being Chevrolet India has launched Cruze with diesel engine and manual transmission only, which is a 1991cc 4 Cylinder VCDi diesel engine. This engine generates maximum power of 148 Bhp at 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 327 Nm @ 2600 rpm.
Chevrolet Cruze is available in 2 variants:
- Chevrolet Cruze LT
- Chevrolet Cruze LTZ.
Chevrolet Cruze LTZ comes with some extra features like 5 spoke 17" alloy wheels, electric sunroof, chrome garnish, In-dash 6 CD changer, rear parking assist, rain sensing wipers, power foldable and heated outside rear view mirrors, leather upholstery and cruise control.
Chevrolet India has launched Cruze in six shades in India.
- Atlantis Blue
- Light Gold
- Velvet Red
- Olympic White
- Mystic Lake
- Caviar Black
12th October is turning out to be a hot date to launch cars with 3 cars scheduled to break cover including the Chevrolet Cruze, the new Maruti SX4 and also the BMW Z4 Roadster.
BMW India will unveil its rear wheel drive sports car in Mumbai which is expected to cost around Rs. 60 lakhs and would be imported as a CBU from Germany. BMW India is hopeful of selling 40 units of the Z4 in the first year.
Finally, Here are some official news about sedan based on Indica Vista platform. According to a report by India's leading automotive magazine - Autocar India - New Tata Indigo will be unveiled in Mumbai on October 14th by Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Motors. The launch is exactly six days before Diwali and Tata Motors don't want to loose any customers and wants to cash in this festive season.
The New Indigo will be christened "Manza", which is another name which ends with "a" alphabet. Presently we have Indica "Xeta", Indica "Vista" and Indigo "Marina". The Manza will feature a huge boot and promises best in class interior space. Typical of Tata cars, the Manza promises to offer good value for money as it is expected to be packed with equipment.
Tata Manza teaser website is up and you can enter the "Guess The Manza" contest in which you have guess the vehicle type and estimated price of Manza. I have also entered the contest - Manza is a Sedan which is based on Indica Vista hatchback and estimated price of Manza should be starting from five lakhs for the base model and will go up to seven lakhs for top of the line variant which is expected to feature ABS, EBD, Dual SRS Airbags, Alloy Wheels, Dash Integrated Music System etc.
The new Tata Indigo will be unveiled in Mumbai on October 14th by Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Motors. The new Indigo will be christened ' Manza' and is essentially the saloon version of the Indica Vista. The Manza comes with a huge boot and promises best in class interior space. Typical of Tata cars, the Manza promises to offer good value for money as it is expected to be packed with equipment. Some of the features that can be expected are projector headlamps and steering mounted audio controls. The dashboard design is similar to the Vista's but will embellish with superior trim.
The Manza is expected with two engine options, the same that powers the Fiat Linea. The mainstay is expected to be the 1.3 litre, 90 bhp diesel while the 1.4 litre 95 bhp petrol will be the entry level model. Prices are not yet announced but we estimate the base version of the Manza petrol to cost Rs 5.8 lakh while the top-end diesel should be in the region of Rs 7.4 lakh (on road, Mumbai).
After being successful in its appeals before the Madras High Court, today TVS was again vindicated in its stance before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court in a judgment pronounced today, in Special Leave Petitions filed by Bajaj Auto Limited against the Madras High Court order, held that TVS is entitled to sell its product "Flame" containing three valves and two spark plugs.
The Madras High Court had in its order passed in May in TVS' appeals allowed TVS' application for an interim injunction restraining Bajaj from in any way interfering with the manufacture and marketing of TVS' products using internal combustion engines with three valves and two spark plugs pending disposal of TVS' suit against Bajaj for unjustified threats of infringement.
The Supreme Court has directed TVS to maintain and file accounts of sales which shall be verified by a receiver to be appointed by the Madras High Court. Further the Court has directed that the suit before the Madras High Court be heard on a day to day basis on commencement after Dussehra vacations and that the hearing be concluded by 30 th November 2009.
In the patent dispute between Bajaj Auto Limited v. TVS Motor Company Limited, the Supreme Court of India has allowed TVS to sell the twin spark plug TVS-Flame by its order dated 16th September 2009.
The Company will take steps to obtain all necessary certifications required under law such as under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, before commencing sales of twin spark plug TVS-Flame.
The India based Munjals group Hero has launched the country's first ever high-speed electric bikes. Priced at Rs37,400/ the initial launch is in UP followed by other cities in the country. E-Spirit, christened as the bikes rides out, the vehicle will meet the norms of environment protection and the budget of the buyers.
With the single charge, the vehicle will run upto 65km at a maximum speed of 45km/hour. The company seeks VAT exemption from the UP government on the grounds of environment pollution safety. 11 governments have offered VAT exemption for this vehicle in the country.
Ford Figo Promotional Video. Ford has unveiled its new small car Figo today in New Delhi with Alan Roger Mulally, Ford's president and chief executive, making a lightening visit to the country for the unveiling.
