Volkswagen India plans to double distribution network

Volkswagen India is in full swing to mark its presence by doubling the distribution network and more brand promotion especially in small cars. This will coincide with the official launch of Polo next year, the company disclosed. Current dealerships will be expanded to 40 by this year from the 22, and based on the feedback of the customers more such dealers would be added to the fold. The sedan versions and hatchback models of Polo will run on the roads by next year with the company already allocating Rs3800 crore for the Pune plant.

The company foresees the rapidity in B segment to reach 300000 units this year with new players orchestrating . VW has the handicap of being unfamiliar across the country and is badly in need of vigorous propaganda for its brand. Among the proposal is to introduce its Beetle to India in a completely woven shape. The company’s instant target is sale of 3000 units of Jetta and Passat (from 1566 units in 2008) out of which 1900 have been sold during the last 8 months this year. As such there is no intention to go in for localization of components for these premium cars and only 80% local menu for its Polo.

GM India expects 50% growth in 2010

General Motors sets the next year’s target as 50%.Despite the bankruptcy announcement paralysing the sales, the US car manufacturer General Motors is setting its own target of 50% growth in the ensuing year. The growth is anticipated from the mini car segment- Spark 800cc engine- to be launched this year end, said the company’s Indian subsidiary President and MD. The sale in last year was 65702 units which is expected to increase by 10% this year, possibly 75000 units with already 42000 being sold.

This June the US apex company underwent the bankruptcy for which the US government extended a rescue arm and this affected the sales in India. In India some 20 lakh units are to be sold this year which may double in next two years, out of which small cars will constitute 80%. GM, with its to models Spark and Aveo U-VA in small car range, is still far behind Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors.

TVS awaits Clearance to light up its Flame

With a sigh of relief, out of the Supreme court’s interim order, TVS has gained some momentum to produce the twin spark plug motorcycles. The company is expecting to get proper recertification in this regard. It is to be remembered that the company had a bone of legal contention against Bajaj Auto over the patent of twin spark plug motorcycles. The Madras High Court, in its earlier judgment, had instructed TVS to refrain from manufacturing or selling the said 125cc mobikes. But Bajaj approached the apex court with a special leave petition, which has been negated. The Supreme Court, with its two member panel, had cleared the decks in favour of TVS, on the pretext of daily hearing by the Madras High Court and the company to maintain the sale record which will be monitored by the court receiver. Final judgment is expected to be delivered by November 30 2009. Hence TVS is getting ready to get necessary papers in this connection.

Ford announces expansion plan

By investing some Rs1500 crore, Ford India is all set to expand its production of engine thereby increasing the car numbers to two lakh from the current one lakh units. To meet this task, the company has entered into an agreement with the Government of Tamilnadu represented by the Industries Secretary (for Ford its MD Michael Boneham) under which employment would be provided to nearly 1000 persons.

The estimated production of engine will be 2.5 lakh per year. The agreement was inked in the presence of the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Mr.M.Karunanidhi and the US Ambassador Tim Roemer along with other officials.

An electrifying deal between General Motors and Reva

The US car manufacturer General Motors has entered into a business deal with the country’s top most electric car manufacturer Reva of Bangalore. The deal will mean the company’s involvement in moving along with the government’s motive for reduced fuel efficiency. Further, financial benefits will be offered to the consumers who opt for this fossil fuel vehicles.

The electric cars are termed as a growth in the global automotive industry and the tie-up with Reva will yield enormous benefits to GM; the company has been exploring various energy alternatives and advanced technology to appreciate the growth in sales. There will be a long term personal transportation due to electric vehicles operating on battery and hydrogen fuel cell battery. Reva has been in electric vehicle field since 2001 and both the companies will come out with the deal soon.

Maruti to launch SX4 Automatic

To counter the Honda’s city and Fiat Linea, Maruti is betting on automatic transmission for its mid-size sedan SX4. Maruti which halted production of SX4 for now will soon launch the facelifted version of SX4. The facelift inlcudes a cosmetic surgery, Bharat IV compliant engine and an automatic transmission. The new SX4 would be first automatic sedan for automatic. In the mid-size segment Honda City and Hyundai Verna diesel are the two sedans available with automatic transmission, the SX4 will join this bandwagon. There has been sharp rise in automatic cars across the segment in India. Maruti wants to cash in on with the SX4 automatic.  The SX4 AT will hit the showrooms before diwali and will be expensive than the top end ZXI variant.

Ford says no to automatic variant of Figo

Few highlights from vicky.in exclusive interview with Mr.Michael Boneham, President & Managing Director of Ford India. Complete video interview will be posted soon

* Ford to launch new car every 12 or 18 months from now

* Ford has no plans to introduce automatic transmission of Figo

* Ford will launch new variants of Figo

* One of the variant of Figo will be called “Figo Titanium”

* He denied to comment on chance of producing notchback variant (compact sedan) of Figo

* Figo will get 1.4L diesel engine from ikon and an 1.2L engine which will also offer superior fuel efficiency

* Ford plans to make Figo a benchmark for lower cost of ownership

* Ford has no plans to introduce LPG or CNG variant of Figo

* Ford Figo comes with 85% localisation which enables Ford to price the car very competitively

* Ford looks at bringing more SUV’s to india.  He refused to comment on bringing “Kuga” to India

* Ford has no plans to set-up  R&D plant in India. However Indian engineers will work with Ford global set-up to develop the best cars for India

Bajaj to launch Kawasaki Ninja on October 5

FInally another most anticipated bike is going to hit your nearby showrooms. Bajaj will officially launch the Kawasaki Ninja on October 5th. Upping its ante against the mighty R15 and newly launched Hero Honda Karizma ZMR, the Ninja is powered by 250cc engine and churns out 30PS of max power and an impressive peak torque of 21Nm.

Ninja is expected to be priced between Rs1.5 to Rs.2 lakhs. The good news is that deliveries of Ninja will begin before Diwali. “The bookings would start just ahead of Diwali and the deliveries would happen immediately,” Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj said.

Ford unveils Figo

You read it first at vicky.in

Ford small car named Figo launched…Ford small car Figo first time on any media…

Ford  has unveiled its much expected new small car, Figo in the Indian market today. Figo, which is an italian slang for “Cool”, will be completely produced in Ford’s Plant in Chennai, India. Ford Figo will be sold in India and exported to international markets.
Pricing information of the new car is not available at the moment however company sources said it will be priced competitively to win the much crowded small car segment.
Ford Motor company has reserved other details for the commercial launch which will happen in early 2010.
Ford is betting big of Figo to capture a notable marketshare in the Indian small car segment, which acccounts for 70% of Indian new car Market

Ford  has unveiled its much expected new small car, Figo in the Indian market today. Figo, which is an italian slang for “Cool”, will be completely produced in Ford’s Plant in Chennai, India. Ford Figo will be sold in Indian market and also will be exported to international markets. Pricing information of the new car is not available at the moment however company sources said it will be priced competitively to win the much crowded small car segment. Ford  has reserved other details for the commercial launch which will happen in early 2010.

Ford is betting big on Figo, to capture a notable marketshare in the Indian small car segment, which acccounts for 70% of Indian new car Market.

Pictures of Ford Figo

Ford_figo_3

Ford_figo_2

Ford_figo_4

Ford_figo_5

Ford_figo_6