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Audi Q5 to be assembled in India

The Volkswagen’s new version Audi Q5 will be assembled in the Indian factory, to be the third such car. The plant is a shared one with Skoda Auto, which is located in Aurangabad. The company is still in the assembling segment with its A4 and A6 that the new SUV will also be assembled there. The company is committed not to hike the price of the vehicle either CBU or CKD. The company has already witnessed the sales of 1128 cars in the first 8 months in 2009(62% rise than the previous year) and this sales made the company to think over new models. The result is that the company will, in all, have 7 models till next year. In the ensuing Delhi Auto Show, VW has got plans to let loose its concept car, probably Audi R8 super car and will be on display at Frankfurt Motor show too. Another electric car from Audi will be on display at both shows.

The company has seen the sale of 350 units of Audi Q7 last year and has targeted 450 units for this year out of which 300 units have already been sold , as the Indian market is in need of SUVs. The upgraded Q7 SUV is priced Rs53.4 lakh and Rs1crore. The Pune dealer is gifted to sell around 14 Audis every month of which Q7 shares 40% of the sales, proving the potential of the North Indian market.

GM to ignite the Spark from Reva

The American car giant General Motors is in the process of making a collaboration with the Indian electric car manufacturer Reva Electric car company. GM is aiming to feed this electric car segment for its Chevrolet Spark small car in the Indian market as well as abroad. The move is one of GM’s search for alternative fuel – biodiesel, iatropha arrangement with CSMCRI(Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute), electric, fuel cell, hydrogen – with respective producers. The company will come out with a detailed report once the process is finalized and materializes, said the company’s Vice-President of corporate affairs.The proposed JV will have the equal share(50:50) if the consent of the company’s Detroit headquarters. The deal would relieve the company from the so called Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The deal would also bring to light the significance of the Indian technology to the world through a reputed company.

The move will be in addition to GM’s proposal of Volt electric vehicle to be available in India(imported). GM will be the real beneficiary if the deal becomes fruitful, since the company is aiming for a technology meant for the future marketing. GM would join the elite group – Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan and Honda. Reva, for its part, is in the process of launching two new models- Reva NXR(next revolution) a sporty two-seater and the Reva NXG (next generation).

Indian cabins to get the Italian style- from Lamborghini

The Italian sensation of defiant lifestyle has entered the Indian market in the wake of the boom in digital and cyber accessories. The company is eyeing on the sale of accessories followed by a thumping response to the computers, laptops, i-phones, Blackberry and satellite phones, i-pods in the Indian market. Lamborghini will sell computer backpacks, i-phone, Blackberry, notebook and camera cases through the mega retail stores across the country.

The materials will be made of nylon and leather. The target customers are youth and young executive who are prone to laptop and are potential enough to spend for such accessories, said the company official from MCC Group, the official liaison firm in India for Lamborghini. The price will be within the reach of the affordable customers – Rs1500 – Rs7000 and the company has initiated a tie-up with Reliance, Shopper’s Stop, eZone, Hotspot and Croma.

The company is full of confidence that the sale of computer and i-pods has prompted to enter this retail accessories. The Italian company is almost 63 years old and is in the field of sports cars, tractors, solar panels, wines, golf carts and engineering equipments for domestic purpose. The salient product of this company is Miura Sports car ran during the 60s and 70s. the company was founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini and in 1981 his son Tonino took charge of the company by launching luxury watches. The company is a synonym for luxury accessories.

Yamaha to launch limited edition FZ-16 and Fazer on September 16

Yamaha India is set to launch special / limited edition models of its flagship products – FZ-16 and Fazer on September 16. Both the limited edition FZ-16 and Fazer is coming in striking blue and white paint and graphics to match Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP bike. We learnt that the bikes have already reached the major Yamaha showrooms.

However, Yamaha will officially launch the limited edition FZ-16 and Fazer on Sepetember 16. Along with the launch of these bikes, sources said, Yamaha will also launch one of the world’s most powerful bikes.

Stay tuned for more updates.

New Breeds from Mercedes Benz in India

Feeling prospective with the overwhelming sales of its cars (3625 cars, 240 units of trucks and 15 units of MB buses in 2008), Mercedes Benz is now planning to introduce new variants in the Indian roads, said the company’s Director, Sales and Marketing. The company is in full spirit with the backup of sales, from a temporary downfall before six months.

The existing E-class passenger cars are to be wiped out and will be replaced with new E-class cars, he said, and the launch will be soon.For this purpose, the company is on the verge of increasing the expertise with 500-1000 engineers (from the current 250). In the meantime the company has introduced a “Special Edition C-Class” and some 60 units of this type of vehicle are expected. Launched in Bangalore, the car would cost Rs30.10 lakhs (ex-Bangalore showroom price).

Reva to launch Reva NXG and Reva NXR

The cow boys may feel jealous as the big boys would do away with the ensuing electric cars from Reva- Reva NXR and Reva NXG. Designed by Dilip Chhabria, the electric cars will swing away with the existing boxy and toy-like small cars. The cars will possess more powerful engines, lithium ion batteries with longer charge time and patented technologies to get rid of the fear with electric components.

The company has the knack of displaying REVive remote energy charge to act as an invisible reserve fuel tank. Though electric cars constitute a paltry 0.5% share in the industry it is hoped that the demand will rise in the wake of fuel cost increase globally. The US President Barack Obama’s gesture of subsidy for the electric cars may also see the positive impact and even General Motors too has joined the fray of electric car manufacturing. s

Reva NXR(ready for the first quarter of 2010) has 2 doors and more space than the previous models to hit the mass target. With the top speed of 104 km/h, the car has the fuel efficiency of 160km per charge. NXG(ready for first quarter of 2011) poses style and sporty look to reveal the domestic outlook. NXG will have the speed range of 130km /h and the fuel efficiency will be 200 km per charge. The company intends to design this Reva as a woman’s car or the second car of the family for short drives and both models will be on display at the Frankfurt motor Show this month. The customers can wait till then for noting down the price of the vehicle. The launch will be on soft pedaling with no lofty campaigns.

Vying for the Crown- Toyota and Ford

The much hyped success of Ford’s Endeavour could not last long as Toyota has kindled a new sensation with its Fortuner. While many car industries are squeezing their minds to sell of their products, Toyota has a different kind of crisis- to meet the demands of the booking for this car. Initially the company has planned to manufacture some 2000 cars at launch, but with the given demand, the company is setting its production target to 2500 units.

The irony is that the company has received bookings for 5038 units and bookings have been suspended at the dealer network. In the meantime the company is exploring all possibilities to increase the production to 3000 units by this December, according to the company’s Deputy Managing Director.

The company is bothered about the waiting time (six months) and has decided to clear off the bookings. Till date, the company has completed and delivered 550 vehicles from its Bangalore factory. But the situation in Ford circles is different- 250 units/month(30%share) and is contemplating to compensate with a new version carrying automatic transmission (not found in Fortuner). Ford has in reserve some more models for the future including an SUV next year.

Ford is quite magnanimous to say that Fortuner is capable of expanding the market and the industry as well. However, Endeavour has its own merits to claim and Ford believes that the market potential will be bigger with the necessity for more vehicles. The trend in the SUV segment is devoid of any prospects (10-15% decline) during April-July period. The segment includes Chevrolet Captiva, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Palero and Outlander.

Maruti to expand Manesar factory capacity by 40% in two years

Maruti Suzuki is on an expansion bid of the passenger vehicle production at its Manesar factory with targeted 200000 units in the next two years. This factory, company’s second, is in current production of Swift, A-Star, and the Ritz, is able to produce 300000 units. With the shift now doubled, the company can proudce 500000 units as Rs.1500 crore is the cost for installing a unit with this production capacity.

The intensification of this Manesar factory is in the wake of closure of its Plant-1 at Gurgaon factory, which has an annual production capacity of 160000 vehicle units. Among the three plants located in this factory, Maruti 800, Wagon r, Omni and the Versa, K-series engines are produced. The net amount of vehciles produced at this factory will be 700000 units.

The factory, 40 years old, at this unit posssess utilities of obsolete and the space will be occupied for engine assembling, machning and other works. With the current production capacity of one million cars anually, the company is looking for the increased capacity of 1.2 million cars.

DZire reaches a new milestone

Within 18 months of its launch, Maruti’s DZire has crossed 1 lakh figure taking the cumulative total on performance. Pricedat Rs4.49lakhs(petrol version) and Rs6.70 lakh (diesel version), both were launched in March 2008, with an increase from initial 4000 units to 7000 in July. Another feature that the car has the waiting period of four months, despite the economic downfall. The car is bracketed with other entry level sedans – Tata’s Indigo, Ford’s Fusion, Hyundai’s Accent and GM’s Aveo. This made MSI, to fetch a cumulative car sale of 80 lakh including all its brands, and one lakh units of KB-series engines along with 100000th unit of flagship export model A-star. The company has a market share of 38.6% in the A-3 segment till April-August period during this fiscal which was 27.2% in the corresponding period of last year.

Mahindra launches Duro and Rodeo

As you read it first at vicky.in few days back, Mahindra today launched two new scooters – Duro and Rodeo. Both the scooter are powered by the same 125cc mill that powers the flyte. Both Rodeo and Duro generates 8bhp of max power and 9.1Nm of max torque at 5500rpm. “This launch is a validation of the commitment we made last year to establish a robust, end-to-end global two wheeler business with a presence across segments. With their international appeal and powerful performance, the Rodeo and the Duro are world class scooters and will extend the Mahindra DNA of ‘tough & rugged’ style to a whole new consumer segment,” said Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group.

Mahindra Duro and Rodeo is available in seven attractive shades – Fiery Black, Forest Green, Cappuccino Brown, Blazing Red, Golden Beige, Majestic Maroon and Deep Ocean Blue.

Mahindra Rodeo is available in seven attractive shades – Fiery Black, Forest Green, Cappuccino Brown, Blazing Red, Golden Beige, Majestic Maroon and Deep Ocean Blue. Rodeo is priced Rs. 41,299 (ex-showroom Pune). The new Duro is available in six attractive colours – Fiery Black, Pearl White, Cappuccino Brown, Mystique Grey, Majestic Maroon and Golden Beige. Mahindra Rodeo is priced at Rs. 41,299 (ex-showroom Pune) and the Mahindra Duro is priced at Rs. 38,299 (ex-showroom Pune).

Picture of Mahindra Duro And Rodeo

Catch our scoop story and complete details of Mahindra Rodeo at http://www.vicky.in/blog/mahindra-to-launch-rodeo/

Catch our scoop story and complete details of Mahindra Duro at http://www.vicky.in/blog/mahindra-to-launch-duro/