Saturday 31 December 2011

HND-7 : Showcase in Delhi Auto Expo

Hyundai will showcase its MPV, the HND-7 on  the opening day of the 11th Auto Expo starting January 5, 2012. This is in concept stage.


The other major attractions at the Auto Expo will be the 3-door Veloster, a utility coupe and the premium sedan Elantra. Showcased in the New Delhi Auto Expo 2008 as concept car the Veloster will be present as a premium crossover utility vehicle. The Veloster is now one of the most successful cars internationally.
The new Elantra for display at the Expo is a sedan with sporty looks, internationally it is available in two engine options in both manual and automatic transmissions.

“We are showcasing some very exciting cars from our international range at the Auto Expo. Hyundai’s international range compares with the best, we are extremely happy to bring these cars to the Expo,” Mr Arvind Saxena, Director, Marketing and Sales, HMIL.

Thursday 29 December 2011

India now 6th largest vehicle manufacturer


India has become the sixth largest manufacuturer of vehicles in the world overtaking Brazil.  This was stated by International Organisation of Motor vehicle Manufacturers on the basis of Jan 2011-June 2011 figures of vehicle manufuctured.  It has also predicted that by 2017, India will be the third largest in this area after China and US, overtaking Japan, Germany and Korea.



XUV 5OO price hiked

The super successful SUV from Mahindra XUV5OO, whose bookings are going to be reopened in January 2012, is going to be dearer by up to Rs. 55000 with effect from first of January 2012.  Details are given below (current prices of these versions, ex-showroom Delhi, are given in the bracket)-

W6 - Rs. 30000 (Rs. 1080000)
W8 (2WD) - Rs. 50000 (Rs. 1195000)
W8 (4WD) - Rs. 55000 (Rs. 1416000)

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Too much difference of opinion?

Various auto magzines express their opinions on various aspects of cars that they test drive.  While there may be some differences, if these are too wide then I think doubts are created how they do the test drive.  A scrutiny of their views regarding ride quality of Honda Brio revealed that how different was their opinion.  Following are views of various magzines given in their exact words-

1.  Auto Car India

What’s surprising is that it rides quite comfortably – the suspension is quite absorbent and silent at low speeds. The short wheelbase, however, does mean it tends to get a bit choppy over uneven surfaces and the ride isn’t as consistent or flat as that of some rivals.

2.  Zigwheels

Where this little Honda really, really impresses is in the ride and handling department. With its absolutely brilliantly damped suspension, driving over bumps, potholes and undulations is something you would barely notice.  So whether you are taking your family on a relaxing drive through the countryside, or enjoying that occasional B-road blast, the Brio does it all with the utmost of ease.

3.  Overdrive

Ride quality, I'd bet safely, is one of the best in the segment and that is something the typical consumer will appreciate highly.

4.  B S Motoring

The ride setup is rather soft, which is fine when you are generally puttering around town, but not so good once you are out on state highways.

So, while two of them saying it to be very good, the other two have termed it good only on good roads.  How is that?

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Car models waiting to be a part of the History

There are some cars which are not in demand in the Indian market but are still being manufactured for some strange reasons best known to their producers.  Following is a list of such cars showing sales much lower when compared to sale of other cars within the same price bracket.  The sales figures of these cars have been compared for the month of November 2010 and for November 2011 (monthly sales) -

1.  Aveo U-VA from Chevy

From 286 in November 2010, this has come down to 74 now for November 2011 inspite of all the discounts (the discounted ex-showroom price starts at Rs. 3.56 lakh)

2.  Ambassador from Hindustan Motors


Once upon a time there was a king and there was a king's car.  This car was called Ambassador (or Amby in short).  This car which used to be the favourite of the officialdom in India is now on the verge of death as now even government establishments are not buying it.  Down from 394 units to 107 units in one year.

3.  Lancer/Cedia from Mitsubishi

Then 29 units, now 29 units.  Nothing has changed for this car.  Condition stable with no chances of revival.

4.  Sonata from Hyundai

Down from 14 to 3.  This big, bulky car has trimmed down the Hyundai itself.

5.  Grand Vitara from Suzuki

4 units in Nov 2010 to 0 unit in Nov 2011.  What an SUV (Suzuki Useless Vehicle) from Suzuki.

6.  Teana from Nissan

19 to 18.  Just one down in a year.  Do something, Nissan.  Bring it to zero.

7.  Prius from Toyota

It was six in Nov 2010, now vanished as zero in Nov 2011.  Seems that people are not ready for this type of vehicles, just that.

8.  Fiat (should I name a particular model)
This company is trying to be there in India.  It has just two models, Punto and Linea as per its site.  Where are 500 and Palio.  Do something urgently, Mr. Fiat.  If your diesel engines can do everything for other companies which have outsourced them, then why not you.
 

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Fiat Caffe now in India

Fiat has opened two caffe in India -  New Delhi (at Janpath near Connaught Place) and Pune (Koregaon Park).  Here you can treat yourself the beauti of fiat cars while taking Lavazza coffee.



Third showroom of Rolls Royce in India

The Rolls Royce has appointed its third dealership in India at Hyderabad after Mumbai and Delhi.  The full fledged showroom is likely to by functional by the middle of 2012, thus expanding the Rolls Royce into south-eastern part of the country after its entry in India in 2005.

Ford Ecosport to be launched at the Auto Expo 2012

Ford is all set to showcase its small SUV Ecosport during Auto Expo at New Delhi to be held from 7th Jan to 11th Jan. 2012

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Facelifted version of Honda City launched in India

Honda has launched revised version of its sedan City in India today at a price starting from Rs. 6.99 lakh.



This facelifted version has now increased ground clearance of 165 mm besides cruise control, new bumpers, sunroof and turn indicators on OVRMs.  Two more colours pearl red and sparkling brown metallic have been added.  The automatic version starts from Rs. 9.42 lakh.

Monday 12 December 2011

Overdrive Awards - 2012

Following are the winners of prestigeous Overdrive Awards 2012 hosted by CNBC-TV18 -

Micro/Mini Car Of The Year:          Hyundai Eon


Car of the Year (also Compact Car of The Year):                 Maruti Suzuki Swift
Mid Size car of the Year:                   Hyundai Verna

Executive Car of the Year:                 Volkswagen Jetta

Premium Car of the year                   Audi A6


Bike of the Year (also Compact Bike of the Year):                 Honda CBR250R 

Import Car of the year                       Audi A8 



Import SUV of the year                      Range Rover Evoque


SUV/UV of the year (also Viewer’s Choice Award (4-wheelers))  Mahindra XUV500

Friday 9 December 2011

New Honda City coming to India on 14th December

The latest version of Honda city is coming to India on 14th December, being launched in New Delhi.  Its specifications are the same as those of its Thai version.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Leaf from Nissan – the rising star


Leaf, a 100 per cent electric car, is the latest Japanese Car of the Year.  Interesting thing is that it is the only electric car in 32 year old history of this award to have won it.  In addition to this award, it has also won European Car of the Year (2011) and World Car of the Year Awards.  In European Award, it beat Alfa Romeo, although very marginally.







Following are technical specifications for this car-

Body: 5-door hatchback
Size:   4450 (length) 1770 (width) 1550 (height) mm. Wheelbase: 2690 mm.
Transmission: Front wheel drive. Automatic clutch. Single gear.
Tyres/wheels: 205/55-16 (6.5 X 16)
Engine: Electric AC syncronous motor.
Power - torque: 80 kW (109 hp) at 2,730-9,800 rpm – 280 Nm at 0-2,730 rpm
Maximum speed – 145 km/h       
0-100 km/h acceleration: – 11.9 s.

Sunday 4 December 2011

Top Ten Cars in India

For the month of November 2011, following are top 10 cars sold in India (all the figures have been rounded off to the nearest 100)-
1.       Alto (both 800cc and 1000cc)        Maruti         24400
2.       Swift (Petrol & Diesel)                   Maruti         17300
3.       Wagon R                                        Maruti         12100
4.       Indica (including Vista)                 Tata             10900
5.       Dezire (Petrol & Diesel)                Maruti          10400
6.       I10                                                  Hyundai       10200
7.       Bolero                                            Mahindra      8000
8.       Eon                                                 Hyundai        7400
9.       I20                                                  Hyundai        7100
10.   Nano                                              Tata               6400

Maruti is still the king of Indian Car industry with 4 positions out of the top 5 being its products.

XUV5OO Bookings likely to be opened next month


According to various sources, the super successful SUV from Mahindra XUV 5OO is all set to be ready for booking in January 2012.  This SUV was launched in September 2011 and within 10 days of its launch, the bookings were enough to keep Mahindra production facility up for the next four months.  So, Mahindra decided to close further bookings. The present waiting list for approx. 8000 bookings is likely to be cleared by next month.

CB 300R patented in India

It seems the 300 - 400 cc segment in India is getting hotter and attractive. Just after news of Kawasaki developing a naked version of Nin...