The Hyundai Car launches new Santa Fe auto transmission variant at Rs.24,36,500

Hyundai Cars India Limited, the second largest car maker in the Indian auto market, on Monday launched a new variant of its luxury sports utility vehicle (SUV) – Hyundai Santa Fe – in the Indian auto market. The new variant of the Hyundai Santa Fe comes coupled with an automatic transmission system, and carries a price tag of Rs.24,36,500 (ex-showroom price Delhi).

Speaking to the reporters on the occasion, H.W. Park, Managing Director and Chief Executive at Hyundai Motors India, said, "The Santa Fe launched last year has been extremely well received; the new offering with automatic transmission further improves our value proposition."

Hyundai Santa Fe

The new Hyundai Santa Fe AT comes powered by a 2.2.L CRDi engine which is capable of delivering a peak power of 197 PS@ 4,000 rpm. The fuel economy of the SUV is considerably high at 11.72 km per litre.

The addition of new automatic transmission system to this popular four-wheel drive SUV will offer a smooth and stress-free driving, said the company. While further informing about the technological features of new Santa Fe, Mr. Park said, "The addition of features as push button start and smart key ensure convenience with one-touch operation. The new supervision cluster enhances clarity of the instrument panel."

The major rivals of Hyundai Santa Fe in the Indian auto market include Toyota Fortuner, Renault Koleos, Honda CR-V, Ford Endeavour, Chevrolet Captiva, BMW X1 etc.

Powered By : http://www.cartradeindia.com/car-bike-news/hyundai-launches-new-santa-fe-auto-transmission-variant-at-rs-24-36-500-114621.html

New Launched Tata Minicat car to run on compressed air

Tata Motors have added one more first to their line of innovative ideas and achievements.  This time round, they are looking at a car that will be powered by compressed air.  The company that has been responsible for their launch of the worlds cheapest car, Tata Nano has made headlines with the takeover of Land Rover and Jaguar, and are now looking forward to the new vehicle called Tata MiniCAT.

The idea could not have come at a better time when car owners are already reeling under burden of increased fuel prices.  The vehicle was developed by ex F1 engineer Guy Nigre.  It is said to work on compressed air and about 6000 such vehicles were expected to come to India at some point.

Nicknamed MiniCAT, the air car will cost about $8,177 and would give about 300 kms in a refill of $2.00.  MiniCAT according to Tata Cars Africa services Nigeria Limited will be a small and light vehicle ideal for city driving.  It would have a fiberglass body and microcontrollers will be used for all operations. MiniCAT can reach max speed of 105 kmpl. Change in oil would be required every 50,000 kms and 1 lt of vegetable oil would do the trick.

Powered By : http://www.rushlane.com/tata-minicat-car-to-run-on-compressed-air-1221095.html

New Honda Brio launched at a starting price of Rs 3.95 lakh

NEW DELHI: Honda Cars has entered the business end of India's car market with the aggressively-priced Brio, sending a message that it has the gumption for a fight in the world's second-fastest-growing car market. 

With a starting price of Rs 3.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), Brio is Honda's cheapest offering and is being launched in the middle of a trying period for the Japanese carmaker.

"Brio is our answer to the demand of mass car market. It's our most focused product," said Takashi Nagai, the president & chief executive of Honda's Indian unit. Honda Siel, the Indian arm is a joint venture with Siel, a Siddharth Shriram group company.

Honda has been struggling with falling sales, production stoppages caused by a devastating tsunami in Japan in March and the recall earlier this month of more than 70,000 City sedans to replace faulty power window switches.

Honda's forte has been the low-volume premium end of the Indian car market, where it sells the City, Civic and Accord sedans and the CR-V sports utility vehicle. The dominance of City, Honda's mainstay, has been undermined by rivals such as Volkswagen's Vento, forcing Honda to drop prices and raising questions about the company's ability to compete in India without being present in the compact car segment. Moreover, Honda does not sell diesel-powered cars. It is a vital missing element in India because of the large difference in price between petrol and the subsidised diesel.

Brio, powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, gives Honda entry into a segment that represents three-fourths of India's car market and presents an opportunity to turn around the company's sliding fortunes, said Rakesh Batra, partner and head of the automobile practice at Ernst & Young. "Brio is the most important milestone for Honda in India. The company has enjoyed customers' confidence for long, but never had the products to play around with volumes."
 
A little more than 2.5 million cars were sold in India in the 12 months to March 2011. Honda sold a little less than 60,000 cars.

With help from Brio, Honda expects to sell at least 10,000 cars every month, eventually helping it to utilise its idle manufacturing plant in Rajasthan. For the compact car, the aim is to sell 50,000 units annually.

Honda has been unable to fully use its Greater Noida plant which can make 1.2 lakh cars a year, leading to high overhead costs and inventories. Sales fell 13.4% to 19,433 units in the April-August period. But the recent price 66,000 for the City and 1.6 lakh for the Jazz premium compact-have provided a boost: sales rose to 6,900 units in August from 2,000 in April.

To keep costs low, Honda has kept a high proportion of local content in the Brio-it is 80% now and should rise to 90% in the coming months. 

Powered By :  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/honda-brio-honda-brio-launched-at-a-starting-price-of-rs-3-95-lakh/articleshow/10148801.cms

Nissan Cars has launched Nissan Sunny now in India

Nissan Motor India Private Ltd (NMIPL) brought exuberance to the Indian buyers as it commercially launched its much awaited mid-size Sedan Sunny on 20th September, just before the upcoming festive season. What has added more zeal to the celebrations is its price. Nissan Sunny has offered the sedan at a very affordable price in the Indian market. The new mid-size sedan has been tagged with prices of Rs. 5.78 lacs for the base variant, Rs. 6.88 lacs for the mid-level variant and Rs. 7.68 lacs for the high-end variant. The three variants under Sunny's belt are XE, XL and XV. Nissan Sunny is believed to be the most completely car in the mid-size Sedan segment with luxury, class, elegance and comfort easily competing with that of premium sedans. It can surely be considered as a car that gives an all new definition to Sedan segment in the country. At the outset, the mid-size sedan is available only in the petrol variant.

Nissan SUNNY manufactured on the extremely skilled V-platform represents the car maker's abilities in a very pure form. The latest product of Nissan is available at 45 Nissan dealerships across the country. The sedan can be booked from September 21, 2011 and the delivery of the same would start from October 03, 2011. The Sunny is expected to earn laurels with an offering of a 16.95 kmpl of fuel economy, which is certified by ARAI. The car will be available to buyers across the country without an elongated waiting period before delivery.

Introducing the car to the media, Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd, said, “We are proud to present to you a true leader in the mid-size Sedan segment, a ‘made-in-India for India’ product, with attributes close to a top-end Sedan. We are sure that Indian families and young professionals alike will wholeheartedly welcome this Nissan product to their homes during the upcoming Diwali festival.”

The all-new Sunny has been designed in Japan with useful inputs hailing from India, where it is getting prepared to be sold at present. The sedan which has been manufactured at the Chennai-based plant is expected to lure youngsters and target drivers in India that give utmost preference to style and luxury. Sunny is believed to reach out to the buyers through a number of means namely sophisticated and elegant style, spacious interior and a big-size trunk which is ideal for families in India.

Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice President, Africa, Middle East & India, Nissan Motor Company said, “With unprecedented levels of sophistication and comfort, we are certain that the Nissan Sunny will redefine the dynamics of the Sedan segment in India. We have been able to aggressively position it thanks to localization in excess of 85 per cent, which also reiterates our commitment to India and the Indian customer.”

Sharing details regarding the price of three variants, G M Singh, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Hover Automotive India (HAI) said, “The Nissan Sunny is the first Sedan in the country to be a near perfect amalgam of performance and style available at a truly attractive price. We believe the long wait of the Indian families for the right Sedan at a right price has finally been met with the arrival of Sunny. We are sure the Indian customer is going to own this global Sedan with pride.”

Nissan Sunny made its public debut at the 2010 Guangzhou Motor Show in China, where it was awarded with the title of ‘Best World Premier’. Sunny, the mid-size sedan, is all set to be sold in 170 countries around the world. With the latest sedan, Nissan embeds the new global V-platform for the second time. The platform has enabled the car maker to make use of the advanced and innovative engineering techniques, to deliver a futuristic and creative lightweight body. In addition, it provides strength in its utmost form with a strong revised ride and energetic on-road behaviour.

Sunny has raised the bars of its active and passive safety furthermore, and modern features are designed and affixed to it in order to enhance both the driving and ownership experiences. The sedan will be available in Bronze Grey, Blade Silver, Storm White, Sapphire Blue, Onyx Black and Brick Red colours. All three variants of Sunny i.e. base XE, mid XL and high XV will be equipped with advanced safety features such as Anti-Lock Breaking System (ABS), Electronic Break-force Distribution (EBD), Break Assist (BA), Engine Immobilizer and airbags.

Setting different lines than the other car makers in the industry, Nissan has adopted a uniform pricing policy across the country to provide the customers with the most favourable and affordable price range. Therefore, the ex-showroom prices will be set with uniformity across India except for disparities in VAT, Entry Tax, Octroi and other local taxes levied by the states or cities.

Nissan Sunny is a perfect blend of performance and style as highlighted by G M Singh, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Hover Automotive India (HAI). The all new mid-size sedan is backed by the power of a modern 4-cylinder 1.5-litre double overhead camshaft petrol engine from Nissan’s respected HR engine family. It is capable of generating 98 bhp of peak power at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 134 Nm at 4000 rpm. With a smooth-shifting five speed manual transmission, the Sunny offers its buyers, a fuel efficiency of 16.95 kmpl.

Nissan SUNNY possesses a consummate design, class, a modern sedan appeal with sleek looks, dynamic proportions and an unparalleled drag coefficient of just 0.318. The front portion is subjugated by Nissan’s signature grille, affixed by jewel-like bright headlights and fine use of chrome touches. Wide-opening doors ensure comfortable entry and exit from the car. It carries giant and bulky haunches, attractive contours and neat rear spoiler provides the car with a sporty look.

The cab-forward seating arrangement and the elongated sloping roof line add to the elegance quotient of the car. The trunk of the sedan is separated without the use of seam and is finely dissolved into the body. At 4425mm in length, Sunny shares commonness with others in the class, however, the aspect that stands out for the car is the class-leading 2600mm wheelbase. The wheel base ensures unmatched space of the interior. Rear knee room is the best in its class and compete with that of some luxury sedans, providing rear seat passengers with immense comfort and the scope to cross their legs. The big centre armrest with cup holders in the rear seat strengthens the comfort aspect of Sunny. The interior is featured by a 490 litres of space in its boot.

The Sunny also features an independent front end by MacPherson struts with coil springs that make every ride a smooth experience. While a small torsion beam rear axle has been affixed to minimise any interference with the luggage area. Both suspension systems carry sub frames on them to help reduce road noise, vibration and roughness with an anti-roll bar at either end.

The long stroke suspension travel enables Sunny to offer a smooth ride even during off-road and uneven conditions. The car's accessories offer agility and responsiveness which makes the riding experience all the more satisfactory. 

The present Nissan represents the Tenth generation of the brand and is successfully heading forward with grace and signature style. The name 'Sunny' is almost a 45 years old name. It was first used in 1966 on a compact sedan which was sold in Japan and was given its refreshing name by the Japanese people from more than 8 million entries in a special naming competition. Over the time period of four-and-a-half decades, nine generations of Sunny models have passed, registering total sales of more than 16 million units to 140 countries.

However, the new tenth generation Sunny Sedan is the first Sunny to roll-out on the Indian roads.

Powered By : http://www.cartradeindia.com/car-bike-news/nissan-sunny-blows-its-cover-in-india-114591.html

The Chevrolet Car adds Spark to city-car segment

The Chevrolet Spark is the third generation of the Daewoo Matiz, though it is the first to be marketed as a Chevrolet in various markets around the globe (including North America early in 2012).

A Spark pre-production model debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, with the production model introduced later that year at the Geneva Motor Show. It sits a rung lower on the sub-compact scale, slotting in below the upcoming Sonic (replacing Aveo) and taking on the likes of the Fiat 500 (which it outdoes in areas of interior room, seating and accessibility).

Four full doors open up on 1960 mm of overall legroom (1067/893 front/rear), while shoulder space of 1295mm front and 1255 rear should be plenty for four occupants (thought the car has belts for five). Luggage space of 170 litres expands to 568 when the rear seatback is down.

Outside, the Spark package is just 3640 long by 1597 wide (just slightly longer and narrower than the Fiat), meaning it should easily navigate city streets and find temporary stays in even the narrowest of grocery story parking lots. The expansive window space and high seating arrangement means good visibility out.
Spark is very much about styling and the exterior edgy cues are supported inside by a dash display that looks like a modern in-home sound system, with controls backlit in ice blue light. The sound system plays CDs and MP3s, and hooks up to portable media via USB or AUX jacks.

Power on the European Spark is provided by either a 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre dual overhead cam, 16-valve four-cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection.

Acceleration is leisurely, with Spark making the run to 100 km/h in a reported 12.7 seconds, passing from 80 to 120 km/h in 26.6 seconds, and a top speed of 164 km/h. But as you'd expect, the Spark onus is on fuel economy, with ratings on the Euro cycles of 6.6 litres per 100 km in the city and 4.1 on the highway and CO2 emissions of just 118 grams per km.

Spark rides on MacPherson struts up front and torsion beam at the rear, with braking handled by ventilated discs up front and drums in the rear (and aided by an antilock braking system).
It will, of course, come with a full complement of airbags and other occupant protection systems, as well as GM's famous OnStar system (which now also adds Bluetooth capability to hook up a personal phone).

"We developed Spark with the aim of giving buyers more mini for their money," said chief engineer Jack Keaton.

Powered By :  http://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3288394

New Honda Cars Lineup for 2012

CR-V: Due late in 2012, Honda’s fourth-gen CR-V will feature edgier styling that we expect to be very close to that of the concept vehicle shown above. Honda Car has hinted that we can expect the 2.4-liter four-cylinder/automatic transmission powertrain to continue with incremental upticks in engine output and fuel economy. We also expect extensive interior upgrades, including improved space utilization and cargo versatility.

Civic: On sale since April, the Civic’s gen-seven makeover emphasizes fuel economy and comfort across an expanded range of models and body styles. The Civic hybrid continues to be the fuel-economy standard-bearer, with EPA ratings of 44 mpg city and highway. Honda also offers a thrifty conventional version, the HF, with a 140-hp, 1.8-liter four and low-rolling-resistance tires; it’s capable of 29 mpg city and 41 highway. A natural-gas model will be available later this year. The sporty Civic Si returns with a modest horsepower gain from a new 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. Honda took no chances with the styling.
Crosstour: Updated features include a rearview camera, Bluetooth capability, a USB interface, and automatic on/off headlights, but the bigger news is its name: The Accord prefix is gone.
Insight: Honda has freshened the front and rear fascias, updated the interior, and upgraded the audio and nav systems. The company predicts better fuel economy through improved aero, low-rolling-resistance tires, and reduced friction in the 1.3-liter engine. It’s due in showrooms by November.
Pilot: For 2012, the Pilot goes with the contemporary crossover flow, featuring smoother contours and a more urbane appearance. The interior has upgraded feature content, a new instrument panel, improved materials, reduced control-button count in the center stack, and updates to the audio and nav systems. Honda cites improved fuel economy, but specifics will have to wait for the Pilot’s September on-sale date.
Ridgeline: Once thought to be on the discard list, Honda’s unique pickup survives, with new front styling and the addition of a Sport trim package. Honda also forecasts improved highway mileage.

Powered By :http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q3/new_cars_for_2012_honda_full_lineup_info-car_news

The Tata Motors launches New Vista variant at Rs 3.88 lakh

The country's largest auto-maker Tata Cars has launched a new version of its Vista model at a starting price of Rs 3.88 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The new model, which comes in both petrol and diesel engine versions, is now available in the market, the company said in a statement issued here.

The new Vista is available in six colours -- 'summer sparkle', white, silver, red, blue and grey, it added.
The latest avatar of the hatchback would be available for Rs 3.88 lakh for the base Safire petrol and Rs 4.79 lakh for the QuadraJet diesel model (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

The new Vista is powered by a 1.3-litre common rail direct injection Quadrajet diesel engine and a 1.4-litre MPFi Safire petrol engine.

The new Tata Vista diesel model delivers a mileage of 22.3 km per litre, while the petrol variant offers 16.7 km per litre.

The car comes with a new front chrome grill,complemented with a new triple-barrelled head lamp to ensure better visibility in low-light conditions.

The new Vista also comes with added safety and security features like ABS with EBD, dual airbags, crumple zones and side intrusion beams, an engine immobiliser and remote keyless entry.

Powered By:  http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-11/news/30142325_1_litre-quadrajet-diesel-variant

Tata Cars Launched Tata Gold Nano car worth Rs 22 Crore

Mumbai, Sept 20 (TruthDive): The “world’s cheapest car” may now well be the world’s most expensive. The Tata Group on Monday unveiled a Nano car – made with gold and silver, and studded with precious stones – worth over Rs 22 crore in Mumbai. The golden Tata Nano has been built to commemorate the 5000th year of jewellery designing in India.

A Tata Nano, which sells in showrooms for about $3,000, was covered in gold and jewellery. Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata, whose company also controls Jaguar and Land Rover, was a hand at the Tata Theatre in Mumbai to help launch the publicity stunt.

Covered in 80kg of 22 carat gold and 15kg of silver, and inlaid with 10,000 semi-precious stones and gems, the ‘bling’ version of the Nano is a one-off showpiece that will tour Tata-owned jewellery stores across the country. The car incorporates beautiful designs, made with the semi-precious stones of different colors, set on the gold and silver body of the car.

“As many as 14 techniques of jewellery making have gone behind the effort — from the intricate filigree work to the delicate and colorful meenakari work, the stunning kundan to the traditional naqashi, marking the convergence of diverse and culturally distinct jewellery making techniques from around India,” the official told.
The original Nano, which launched with a 100,000-customer waiting list in 2008 and was aimed at an emerging middle class, has seen sales plummet. In August the Mumbai-based group shipped just 1,202 units, down 88 per cent from April’s 10,012 units.

Analysts blame the fall on safety issues, poor marketing and a misunderstanding of the Indian consumer. Analysts blame the Nano’s poor safety record for the decline in sales. Several incidents of the cars spontaneously erupting into flames were widely reported, pushing Tata Cars to offer its existing 70,000 Nano customers a safety upgrade.

However, a more fundamental issue, according to Mr. Rathore is that the car has been marketed in the wrong way from the beginning. Indians, he said, generally do not want to be known as buyers of the world’s cheapest car.

The golden Nano will not be on sale and will be retained by the Tata Group. This car might be used as a marketing tool to prop up the sagging sales of the Nano. After its glittering launch in Mumbai Monday evening, the Goldplus Nano Car will travel to all the Goldplus showrooms at 29 locations around the country.

Powered By : http://truthdive.com/2011/09/20/tata-gold-nano-car-worth-rs-22-crore.html

The Ford Fiesta Cars claims Australia 1-2

MANILA, Philippines — The Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team claimed a dominant one-two finish in Rally Australia last Sunday with Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen winning the 10th round of the FIA World Rally Championship by 14.7sec in a Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car, ahead of fellow Finns Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila in a similar car. Peter Solberg claimed third place aboard the Citroen DS3.

It was the team’s first double success since May 2009 in Italy and the result promoted Hirvonen to second in the drivers’ standings, just 15 points from the lead with three rounds remaining.

Overnight leader Latvala, whose own hopes of championship success vanished earlier in the season, was happy to support his teammate’s title bid.  He went into the penultimate speed test with a 13.4-second advantage over 31-year-old Hirvonen, but slowed near the finish to allow him to move ahead.

Hirvonen was quick to pay tribute to his colleague. “At the start of the season we agreed to help each other, and Jari-Matti showed today what a team player he is.  He had a great opportunity to win this rally but he gave it up to help me in my fight for the championship and I appreciate that.  Two years ago I lost the world title by a single point, so every point counts,” he said.

Ford held the upper hand since midway through Friday’s treacherously slippery rain-soaked opening leg near the east coast rally base of Coffs Harbour, midway between Sydney and Brisbane.  Hirvonen headed Latvala after the first day, before Latvala took advantage of more favorable conditions on the rapidly drying gravel roads to move ahead.

The 26-year-old started today with a 22.7-second advantage and with no pressure from behind, the pairing were able to control their pace to the finish after 26 special stages and 368.96-km of predominantly dirt-road competition.  Latvala claimed two bonus points after setting second fastest time on the final live TV Power Stage.

Ford paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks by carrying memorial stickers on its Fiesta RS WRCs to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragic events in Washington and New York.
The championship returns to asphalt when Rallye de France takes place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2. The rally is based in the Northeastern city of Strasbourg, close to the German border.

Powered By :  http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/334506/ford-fiesta-claims-australia-12

Nissan India is ready to launch Sunny sedan on September 20th

Nissan will launch the much awaited Sunny sedan on September 20th. The Nissan Sunny is expected to be priced in the bracket of Rs 7-9 lakh and will stake its claim in the already over crowded mid-sized sedan category. The Sunny will rival the likes of the Hyundai Verna Fluidic, Ford Fiesta, Fiat Linea, Honda City and the Maruti Suzuki SX4. As we all know, the Nissan sedan is based on the V-platform (V- for Versatile) which first debuted in India as part of the Micra hatchback. The Nissan Sunny will be built at Nissan’s Oragadam unit near Chennai.

The exterior of the car gets design details which do remind us of the Micra hatch. The interior to is quite reminiscent of the Micra. The interior is finished in beige plastics. Some have criticised the interior for being to bland but Nissan claim a best-in-class legroom and overall space. The boot too is amply large and can swallow your weekend’s luggage without a hitch. The front end of the Sunny with the trapezoidal grille with chrome accents and the clear-lense headlights looks imposing. The Sunny might not be a head-turner but, it ain’t a bad looking mid-sizer either.
Nissan Sunny Sedan

Under the hood will be a petrol engine. Surprisingly, Nissan will not offer the Sunny with a diesel engine. The 1.5 litre petrol engine producing 99 bhp and 134 Nm of torque. Now, we have seen a sudden spike in the sales of diesel cars since the government of India hiked prices of petrol. Nissan is expected to introduce a diesel version of the Sunny later in the year. We can expect the diesel version a bit earlier than planned due to customer demand.

The Sunny is a tried and tested product since the car was first launched in markets like China and the United States. The Nissan Sunny is priced a notch below it competitors even in the overseas markets and hence we expect the Sunny to undercut the price of the Verna and the Fiesta in India. However, both the Ford and the Hyundai will have the advantage when it comes to a diesel engine. Also, ARAI has rated the Sunny’s 1.5 litre engine to return a descent mileage of 16.95 kmpl.
Nissan Sunny Sedan

So, the Nissan Sunny offers all that an average mid-sized car buyer needs. The rear seat is big and comfy with A/c vents for the rear passengers as well. The Sunny will be available in three trims – XE, XL, XV. Airbags will be standard even on the base variant. Apart from this, the car will come with push button start like that on the Micra. The USP of the car though, will be the rear A/c vents which is a premium feature that Nissan will offer on the mid-sizer.

Ample legroom at the rear with A/c vents is what Nissan dealers will highlight the next time you walk into a dealership. The car maker will announce the pricing for the car tomorrow at the launch event. Team ICB will keep you posted with all the developments from the event. Stay tuned to IndianCarsBikes.in

Powered By : http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/nissan-india-launch-sunny-sedan-september-20th-49000/

New Hyundai i10 Vs Tata Indica Vista

In the recent developments in the Hyundai and Tata's camp, the Korean and Indian giants respectively have taken a step forward and unveiled the new variants of their popular faces. For Hyundai company, i10 has proved mettlesome during all the challenges faced and thus deserve to be modified for further grace and perfection. As a result, i10's latest version called the Hyundai i10 Magna Kappa 2 has been rolled-out in the auto market.The Indian leader in automobiles ,the Tata company has retaliated with the very fresh launch of Tata Indica Terra Vista 1.4 TDI.

The obvious aftermath, i.e the comparison of the cars reveals the pros and cons of going for any of these cars.In terms of fuel economy ,which is the basic requirement of the Indian market, i10 sets a niche' for itself by offering an overall mileage of 15.3 kmpl against the 12.8 kmpl of  the new Vista. If one talks about the basic features both cars are side by side but certain areas favor the new Hyundai i10. It possesses a folding rear seat for comfort and space increment and central locking for ease and safety, while Tata Vista has lack of these features.

Hyundai i10

Looking at the other components like control Hyundai i10 confirms the lead by providing steering adjustment facility but seeing at the steering type Vista stands out. It has rack and pinion type steering which is also hydraulic in nature. Also, i10 consists of front power windows and power steering in addition. Thus, handling and control have been taken care of actually by both the introductions and seem to attain equilibrium on this ground with i10 having the upper hand.

The dimensions and weights of both the cars have a lot of noticeable differences. If the kerb weight is taken into consideration it is crystal clear that Vista with a kerb weight of 1135 kgs it outnumbers the 860kgs of Hyundai i10. It is a surprising fact that Indica having a fuel tank capacity of 37litres, two litres more than that of i10, it provides a lower mileage.If the engine is scrutinised more, it conveys that there is a lot of gap in the figure of displacement between the two car engines. Tata Vista is the clear leader with a displacement figure of 1405cc in comparison to the 1197cc of i10. i10 possesses an iRDE2 engine which makes the car a lot advanced and energetic.

Tata Indica vista

Safety, an important determinant of a car's sales figure, cannot be ignored. i10 Magna Kappa2 earns more scores with not only the central locking facility but also the presence of an immobiliser. Hyundai i10's new model is only available in petrol while on the other hand, the TataIndica Terra Vista 1.4 comes only in diesel. The new Hyundai i10 kappa2 is available at a price starting from 4.23 lac and Tata Indica Terra Vista 1.4 starts with a price of 3.87lac.

Thus, Tata motors basically rely on their technology to produce masterpieces while if the Hyundai  automobile company is concerned it believes in keeping the old values intact even when latest techniques are applied in manufacturing.     

Powered By : http://www.cartradeindia.com/car-bike-news/hyundai-i10vs-tata-indica-vista-114315.html

New Mahindra Genio makes debut globally

Mahindra has announced the global range of pick-up trucks. The Mahindra Genio pick-up in both double and single cab configuration is all set to enter international markets. Mahindra & Mahindra has its presence in growing markets of Africa and Asia. Mahindra also plans to expand to countries in Latin America. The company will also launch the Genio in Australia, shortly. The Mahindra Genio is targeted at small and medium businesses and will cater to their ever evolving needs.

The Mahindra Genio with its mHawk engine is product that offers excellent utility as well as efficiency along with a well built and kitted out cabin. The Genio also offers business class comfort and safety. The pick-up also packs features similar to those found on passenger cars. The 2.2 litre mHawk diesel engine puts out 120 bhp@ 4000 rpm and 290 Nm @ 1600-2800 rpm. Mahindra will also offer the Genio with cruise control. The pick-up also gets DDAS (Digital Drive Assist System) which displays vital stats like current mileage and fuel level. It also has a class leading payload capacity of 1.25 tons and four-wheel drive.

Powered By :  http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/mahindra-genio-global-debut-48569/

Chevrolet Beat Diesel is Chevrolet's latest diesel car

The new Chevrolet Beat TCDi could just be what the market wants, given the rising petrol prices, but let’s see if General Motors has really set the market.

GM’s SDE Smartech motor is related to the famous four-cylinder multijet diesel, which was jointly developed by GM and Fiat. For the

Beat, one cylinder was knocked off paring down the engine from 1,248cc to 936cc to make it the smallest diesel engine in any car today. Once fired up, the oil burner settles down being remarkably smooth and quiet when idling. Out on the roads, it feels at home in slow-moving traffic. The small engine ambles around in a higher gear with the rev counter needle hovering above 1,000rpm. The powerband spreads up to 3,500rpm and the short gear ratios, especially first and second, amplify the 15.29kgm of torque to make driving in the city remarkably easy.

In the powerband, the Beat diesel responds to throttle inputs with an assertive manner. But don’t expect it to be exciting. In our run from 20-80kph in third gear, the Beat diesel took 14.1 seconds — quicker than the Beat petrol (15.9sec) but is over a second slower than the three-cylinder 1.2-litre Polo diesel. The punchy mid-range can be gauged by the 40-100kph sprint in fourth gear which takes a respectable 16.48 seconds.

Once you head out onto the open road, the SDE Smartech’s lack of displacement becomes apparent. The run from 0-100kph takes a relaxed 18.5sec and overtaking manoeuvres are quite laborious.

 In our fuel runs, the Beat delivered 19.1kpl out on the highway and an astounding 16kpl in the city. The frugal nature of the Beat diesel is clearly its trump card. GM India has also improved the ride further by switching to new gas-charged shock absorbers and wider 165/65-R14 Goodyear tyres, making the ride quality superb for such a small car.

GM has also replaced the Beat’s hydraulic steering system with a sophisticated electrically-powered steering which provides variable assistance. The top-end variant comes with powered windows and automatic air-conditioning. ABS and airbags are also on offer. Fuel: Diesel

Installation: Front, transverse
Layout: 3-cyls in-line, 936cc
Bore/stroke: 69.7/82mm
Compression ratio: 16.5:1
Valve gear  DOHC, 4 valves per cyl
Power: 58.5bhp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 15.29kgm at 1,750rpm
Transmission: Front-wheel drive
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Construction: Five-door hatchback, monocoque
Weight: 1,027kg
Tyres: 165/65-R14, tubeless
Turning circle: 8.9m
Brakes: (f/r) Ventilated discs, drums

Verdict
With a young hip feel to it, the Chevrolet Beat diesel is easy to drive in the city and offers a comfortable ride. It may be a bit too small for a family car and the lack of a punchy engine shows on the highway. However, its USP is definitely the incredible fuel efficiency. The base PS version starts at Rs 4.29 lakh, and the next variant, LS, is priced at Rs 4.59 lakh. The LT is priced at Rs 4.99 lakh and the top-end LT with option pack is priced at Rs 5.45 lakh.

Powered By : http://www.hindustantimes.com/Can-t-Beat-Chevrolet-s-latest-diesel/Article1-739278.aspx

Ford takes rivals Maruti, Tata and Toyota on a 'swap drive' through advertisement campaigns

NEW DELHI: Finally, Ford has stepped on the gas to exhibit the ruthless aggression that American gas-guzzlers have been known for in its marketing initiatives and advertisement campaigns.

In its latest 'Swap Your Drive' campaign, Ford India has used user testimonials of people driving rival brands such as Maruti Swift, Tata Indigo and Toyota Fortuner after they swapped their vehicles for a Ford car for a week.

It's the first time a vehicle maker in the country has directly named rival brands in its advertisements-something that FMCG and cola brands have been doing-to drive home its claims of superior fuel economy, drive experience and advanced technology.

Ford says the idea is not to take on its rivals but highlight how the consumers react to a Ford vehicle after they have experienced it for a week. 



"Every manufacturer has its product strengths and it communicates those using creative media. We have chosen the path of using real people and real experiences in our communication, which makes it more authentic and credible," says Ford India Vice-President (Marketing) Anurag Mehrotra.

Maruti Suzuki and Toyota declined to comment.

Interestingly, all the three rival cars featured in the advertisement-Toyota Fortuner, Maruti Swift and Tata Indigo-far outsell Ford competition in their segments, namely, Endeavour, Figo and Fiesta, respectively.

Industry experts call the aggressive campaign a sign of the times in a market that is slowing down.

"Carmakers are doing whatever possible to boost sales. They are either resorting to aggressive discounts and offers or aggressive advertisements," says Rakesh Batra, partner and head of automobile practice at Ernst & Young.

The world's second-fastest growing car market has of late been hit by high interest rates, rising fuel price and negative consumer sentiments.

After growing a breakneck 30% last fiscal, the Indian car market lost steam this year. Sales dropped for two consecutive months-15.7% in July and 5.7% in August.

Auto magazine ZigWheels Editor Adil Jal Darukhanawala says the Ford campaign merely exhibits a trend that has been played out umpteen times abroad. "Comparative advertisements are sign of the times. What's happening in India is in line with how automobile industry has progressed around the world," he says.

Such advertisements, adds Darukhanawala, can amuse, delight or infuriate. "It's a welcome thing if done tastefully, but is quite disgusting if it is done in a devious manner."

AGGRESSIVE STREAK
Hunto! While Ford is the first carmaker to name its rivals in a campaign, Indian vehicle makers have become much more aggressive than before in their campaigns.

Bajaj Auto set the pace in May when it came out with Pulsar's Hunto advertisement, in which it proclaimed that "Pulsar sells five times more than any Japanese sports bike in India."

It was perhaps the first time that any Indian automaker had taken on Japanese brands head on, but definitely not the last.

A few months later, it was the turn of Tata Motors to tease Japanese carmakers with its advertisement for Manza. It shows a few engineers of a Japanese carmaker being flown to a secret chamber where an executive, standing next to a Manza Elan, shoots some tough questions at his team members, who have no answers. 

Powered By : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/ford-takes-rivals-maruti-tata-and-toyota-on-a-swap-drive-through-advertisement-campaigns/articleshow/9950606.cms

Nissan celebrate it's 25th anniversary

COMPANIES in South Tyneside are today celebrating the 25th anniversary of the launch of production at Nissan in Sunderland.

The borough has strong commercial and personal ties with the giant Japanese car firm – in some cases stretching back to 1986.

Hundreds of South Tynesiders have been employed at the plant and the borough maintains strong commercial links with Nissan, including Boldon parts supplier Hashimoto.

The plant is today marking the 25th anniversary of its opening by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, on September 8, 1986.

Vic Young Nissan, of Newcastle Road, South Shields, is a franchised Nissan dealer.
Managing director Vic Young, who sold Nissan cars before the plant’s launch, has been connected to the firm since the early 1980s.

Even before the launch of the Wearside plant – which benefited from a ready supply of local skilled labour, the proximity of Port of Tyne and the area’s excellent road network – Mr Young built up a strong relationship with Nissan staff and managers, advising them on buying homes and even helping set up local educational facilities for Japanese children.

On a commercial level, the Nissan links have proved lucrative and long-lasting.
Mr Young adding: “There was a feeling of despair until Nissan moved to the area. There was no motor manufacturing around here and Nissan arrived with no preconceived ideas. But the relationship has worked out well for everyone concerned.”

Northern Truck Bodies, based at the South Shields site, also supplies Nissan’s commercial vehicles, while the borough car showroom sees 89 per cent of customers returning to buy vehicles made at the plant, with the Qashqai currently being the most popular model locally.

Geoff Ford, chairman of South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum, said: “The North East is the only net exporter in the UK and I believe a lot of that is down to Nissan.

“I have recently been involved with the talent retention scheme, which provides a portal for employers looking for people with the right skills, and the scheme is sponsored by Nissan.

“Nissan has been a useful employer for hundreds of South Tynesiders since 1986 and is of major economic significance to the region.”

The Sunderland plant has rewritten the records for UK car production, with volumes increasing from 5,139 cars in 1986 to 423,262 cars in 2010 – the first time a UK car plant had made more than 400,000 vehicles in one year.

To mark the milestone, a ceremony was held today, with a time capsule covering the past 25 years buried on the site, recreating celebrations held when the plant’s construction began.

As well as celebrating a record year for production, staff produced their six millionth car in January, shortly before the first shipment of the electric Nissan Leaf arrived in February.

In June, Nissan’s chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, visited the UK to announce that the next generation Qashqai would be manufactured in the UK, just as the model became the fastest UK-made car to reach a million units.
Staff are gearing up for production at the company’s new Battery Plant in the New Year, ahead of Nissan Leaf production beginning at Sunderland in 2013. Together with production of the new Qashqai, Nissan’s total investment in the plant now stands at £3.3bn.

As the company with the biggest turnover in the North East, the plant plays a fundamental role in the region and the UK, with every job at there generating four more elsewhere.

Powered By :  http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/business/latest-news/firms_celebrate_nissan_s_25th_anniversary_1_3752543

Hyundai announced most improved car manufacturer of decade

Hyundai Motor Company is the car manufacturer that has improved the most over the last decade, topping Auto Express magazine's "10 years of Driver Power" survey.
"No brand has taken such a massive leap over the past decade as Hyundai," says Acting Editor for UK based Auto Express, Graham Hope. "Its range now is unrecognizable from 2002, and our readers regularly tell us that they are both pleased and proud to own a Hyundai Cars, which is reflected in its meteoric rise up our Driver Power ratings."

From over 300,000 surveys received over the last 10 years of the annual Driver Power survey, Hyundai has gone from being one of the poorest performing manufacturers for customer satisfaction to one of the five best brands. It has also risen from 28th place in the best manufacturer chart in 2002 to fourth place in 2011


Hyundai New Zealand's Chief Operating Officer, Tom Ruddenklau, says the result echoes what the company has been seeing in New Zealand in terms of customer satisfaction. "Kiwis are proud to have a Hyundai in their driveway and happy to share their experiences," he says. "We recently launched Hyundai Neighborhood, an online community on our website, where people can evaluate vehicles and service before buying and talk first-hand to current owners. It's a great forum to access honest reviews, get impartial advice and ask questions. "


The quality and reliability of the Hyundai product line up has attracted numerous awards both locally and internationally in recent years. The i30 is rated fourth in the Top 50 cars of the decade, and sent shockwaves through the industry when it was named the most satisfying car in Britain in the 2010 Driver Power survey. In New Zealand the i30 won the 2009 AA Supreme Winner award.


Meanwhile the recently launched Elantra has been named AutoPacific's Ideal Compact Vehicle, while the i45 is the 2011 International Car of the Year.


Powered By :  http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/hyundai-most-improved-car-manufacturer-decade/5/100801