Hyundai launches new Santro

As you read first at vicky.in few days back, Hyundai has launched the new santro with exactly the same features as we reported.  The new santro comes with the same 1.1L epsilon engine but gets lotsa new features

* New body coloured radiator grille

* Full wheel cover

* rear spoiler

* rear parcel tray

* Brown and beige interiors

The new Santro will be available in 8 colours – Crystal White, Black Diamond, Sleek Silver, Electric Red, Dark Grey, Silky Beige, Berry Red and Sparkle Blue. The new Santro will be available in 8 colours to choose from (Crystal White, Black Diamond, Sleek Silver, Electric Red, Dark Grey, Silky Beige, Berry Red and Sparkle Blue). Available in 5 variants the new santro is priced between Rs 263,999 and Rs 369,499 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Pictures Of  New Santro

hyundai_Santro_1

hyundai_Santro_2

hyundai_Santro_3

Honda to launch new Civic soon

Honda Siel Cars India is fuelling the lights for this festival with its sedan Civic by applying slight modifications in its outlook, especially the bumper,  from the earlier version. With the JV (Honda and Siel) the company is setting its foot to increase the capacity by 50% to meet the market demand in the times of festival. Honda Siel is badly in need of the increase in its market as the recent months proved to be nightmares for the company with the fall in its products- 45-44% in July.

The company could muster the sales of 3549 units in the same period last year as against the current period to 1598 units. The company is currently producing 5000 units per month with single shift.

Hot Scoops on Mahindra Scorpio, Xylo, Thar and W201

You read it first at vicky.in

Following our big bang scoop on GM India products, our spy team came up with unearthed few unheard information from the Nashik Manufacturer. Mahindra has been under scanner of our spy team (remember we reported you complete details on Xylo two days before the launch). Now here are the findings

* Mahindra is becoming safety conscious atleast now. The scorpio which is available with ABS will now get Airbags. Mahindra would equip the top end variants (VLX) with twin airbags. The launch will happen in December or at auto expo

* Following the Scorpio, Mahindra hot selling product Xylo would also get airbags

* The new world class monocoque SUV which Mahindra is developing under the codename W201 is destined to launch in October 2010

* Mahindra’s new SUV is being developed in a highly secretive manner and being tested in Chennai

* The W201 will come up with an advanced CRDe engine

* The W201  might be launched at the same time across globe (India, South Africa and in USA)

* Mahindra has shelved plan of putting of Renault’s petrol engine for W201

* Mahindra is working to develop a indigenous gasoline engine for W201

* The gasoline powered W201 is destined for USA market and Mahindra may consider this engine for Indian market as well

* Mahindra which displayed the thar concept at Bologna Motor Show is working to launch the vehicle as early as 2011. Mahindra Thar Concept is equipped with a modern 4 cylinders  2,500 cc turbodiesel with direct injection, common-rail and intercooler,
producing 107 CV (79 kW), designed by the Austrian company AVL in cooperation with the German Bosch and produced in India.

* For those who are crazy about the civilian version of Axe., we don’t have any good news.  There seems to be no breakthrough in the development of civilian axe.

* Mahindra Scorpio Hybrid which was unveiled at the 2008 Delhi Auto Expo is still in boardroom. The cost structure remains a big hurdle  and yet to be sorted out

TVS rolls out bikes from West Bengal

TVS Motor Company is in mood to deliver its two wheelers in a period of another two months from its Uluberia factory in Mahabharat Motors in West Bengal. The vehicles coming out of this will be on contract basis with just technical back-up for assembling these bikes. It is to be noted that TVS, the major two wheeler manufacturer in the country with major units in the southern region, has no units in the eastern region. The West Bengal unit will have the production of Star Sports motorbike in addition to other ranges in future. The initial target would be 1000 units a month and would be increased to 5000 units in later years thereby procuring an increase in the market share from 13% to 20%. TVS has framed plans for initiating LPG based three wheelers, TVS King, but with different brand, possibly Arjun, suggested by Mahabharat Motors.

The company has received a very good report for this three wheeler in West Bengal, with the government insisting on the auto-rickshaws to replace with LPG. Thus TVS has to strengthen its production base to deliver at least 15000 units against the required 35000 units. Mahabharat Motors is a JV between Indonesia’s Salim Group and Universal Success Enterprises Ltd, of Prasoon Mukherjee an NRI. The company has not made any production unit of its own nor any brand. The company has already invested Rs100 crore with an additional investment of Rs50 crore soon and the unit will have the manpower of 100 people. After finalizing the contract with TVS for assembling further investments would be implemented and the projected investment is Rs1200 crore for this Uluberia factory.

Honda city sells at the expense of Jazz

Honda Siel Cars has the munch of spirited news with splashing sale of City. The car, with its fascination, is ideally reserved as an initiator for the forthcoming market potential for Honda Siel. City is in direct confrontation with Jazz, and is priced @Rs8.8lakh-Rs9.5 lakh(ex-showroom Mumbai) as Jazz is Rs7.4lakh – Rs7.8lakh. Honda’s explorations in the small car segment will resemble Suzuki Swift and will be priced @Rs5lakh approximate. Many of the potential customers have the final say about the City sidelining Jazz and the company has been receiving some pleasing news about the sale of City. The comparative sales figures of Jazz are 2000 units in June which saw a dip in the subsequent months (1000 cars) whereas City could muster the sale three times than Jazz. The month of August seems to be a recovery period for Jazz in spite of the major drawback – its price. The reason is justifiable yet – the car Jazz possesses whole new features in a small car segment along with premium feel quite differing from the run-of-the-mill small cars. Jazz is in exact proportion to the definition of a small car – four meters with a1.2 lit petrol engine (for diesel it is 1.5lit). The company was willing to feel satisfied if the car would fetch at least half the sale of City, as both share 60% features as common and the benefit too is equitable for both the cars. Jazz is primarily targeted at the younger age group –preferably at 40+ years and other age group are also at the list and on the whole, the car scintillates everyone. The cost, as mentioned earlier, is not suited for the youth and on this aspect that City has got the edge. Thus, Honda is slowly capitalizing the market strategy for the next three years.  Jazz is, on the other side, intended to the women sector with 22% in contrast to City’s 16 percent.  Wondering aspect is that nearly 45% of Jazz owners are the ex-customers of Honda City, Civic, Accord, and CR-V. The net promotion of the brands bring some cheer to the company in its bid to the new small cars. The production of Jazz is shifted from the Rajasthan to Greater Noida in UP on global hit of the market. The company is focussing on localization and economic aspects. The Rajasthan unit will become the hub for global small cars.

Honda Siel Cars has the munch of spirited news with splashing sale of City. The car, with its fascination, is ideally reserved as an initiator for the forthcoming market potential for Honda Siel. City is in direct confrontation with Jazz, and is priced @Rs8.8lakh-Rs9.5 lakh(ex-showroom Mumbai) as Jazz is Rs7.4lakh – Rs7.8lakh. Honda’s explorations in the small car segment will resemble Suzuki Swift and will be priced @Rs5lakh approximate.

Many of the potential customers have the final say about the City sidelining Jazz and the company has been receiving some pleasing news about the sale of City. The comparative sales figures of Jazz are 2000 units in June which saw a dip in the subsequent months (1000 cars) whereas City could muster the sale three times than Jazz. The month of August seems to be a recovery period for Jazz in spite of the major drawback – its price. The reason is justifiable yet – the car Jazz possesses whole new features in a small car segment along with premium feel quite differing from the run-of-the-mill small cars. Jazz is in exact proportion to the definition of a small car – four meters with a1.2 lit petrol engine (for diesel it is 1.5lit). The company was willing to feel satisfied if the car would fetch at least half the sale of City, as both share 60% features as common and the benefit too is equitable for both the cars. Jazz is primarily targeted at the younger age group –preferably at 40+ years and other age group are also at the list and on the whole, the car scintillates everyone. The cost, as mentioned earlier, is not suited for the youth and on this aspect that City has got the edge. Thus, Honda is slowly capitalizing the market strategy for the next three years.  Jazz is, on the other side, intended to the women sector with 22% in contrast to City’s 16 percent.

Wondering aspect is that nearly 45% of Jazz owners are the ex-customers of Honda City, Civic, Accord, and CR-V. The net promotion of the brands bring some cheer to the company in its bid to the new small cars. The production of Jazz is shifted from the Rajasthan to Greater Noida in UP on global hit of the market. The company is focusing on localization and economic aspects. The Rajasthan unit will become the hub for global small cars.

Hyundai to introduce Santa Fe next year, 800cc car by 2011

The Hyundai Motor has chalked out its  plan to launch Santa Fe- the SUV on Indian roads in 2010 in addition to an 800 cc small car in 2011. The price tags are yet to be designed as the company is tight lipped about it. The largest exporter in India, is planning to converge a lot on overseas market. In 2008 the company exported 2.45 lakh units spreading 100 countries with the current target being 2.7 lakh units; the company is aiming at domestic sale to 2.8 lakh units from the 2.45 lakh units sin 2008.

Another major revamp in the company is the shifting of its hatchback i20 to Europe in order to save logistics expenses and import duty prevalent in the European market.

Maruti looks at producing 1lakh cars more

Maruti Suzuki India is on the road to lead its production stint of 1 lakh with the sale projection of 9.5 lakh for this fiscal year. The vehicles will be designed and shaped in both the units at Gurgaon and Manesar. the proposed target of 5% sales growth was revised by Maruti keeping an eye of another 5% on domestic purpose. The export figures are also increased to 1.3 lakh units -1.5 lakhs from 1.2 lakh units. Maruti has a waiting period of almost all its premium models like Swift, Dzire, Ritz and Swift diesel. The company is in round the clock activity producing 86000 vehicles which may be increased to 1 lakh in another two months. All final decisions regarding the increase in production will be taken at the chairman’s visit to India for the annual general meeting. Necessary investment will be made for this production increase of 1-1.2 lakhs. Manesar unit has the production capacity of 3 lakh units and one can calculate the amount of investment as 1 lakh production unit requires Rs1500 crore. However, major models of Maruti – 800, Alto, WagonR, Estilo, Ritz, Versa and Gypsy – are the offshoots from the Gurgaon unit. Whereas the Manesar unit will roll out the new models of Swift, Swift Dzire, A-Star and SX4. In addition, there will be cost down Alto a new MPV on the lines of Versa and the combination of present models. All these face lifting are expected to be complete by another 12 months.

Maruti Suzuki India is on the road to lead its production stint of 1 lakh with the sale projection of 9.5 lakh for this fiscal year. The vehicles will be designed and shaped in both the units at Gurgaon and Manesar. the proposed target of 5% sales growth was revised by Maruti keeping an eye of another 5% on domestic purpose. The export figures are also increased to 1.3 lakh units -1.5 lakhs from 1.2 lakh units.

Maruti has a waiting period of almost all its premium models like Swift, Dzire, Ritz and Swift diesel. The company is in round the clock activity producing 86000 vehicles which may be increased to 1 lakh in another two months. All final decisions regarding the increase in production will be taken at the chairman’s visit to India for the annual general meeting. Necessary investment will be made for this production increase of 1-1.2 lakhs. Manesar unit has the production capacity of 3 lakh units and one can calculate the amount of investment as 1 lakh production unit requires Rs1500 crore. However, major models of Maruti – 800, Alto, WagonR, Estilo, Ritz, Versa and Gypsy – are the offshoots from the Gurgaon unit. Whereas the Manesar unit will roll out the new models of Swift, Swift Dzire, A-Star and SX4. In addition, there will be cost down Alto a new MPV on the lines of Versa and the combination of present models. All these face lifting are expected to be complete by another 12 months.

Big horns from SIAM for small cars

A clarion call has aired from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers against the government’s rejection for uniform excise duty for vehicles. The SIAM has accepted the 8% uniform duty, in principle, but is seeking a kind of incentivisation of small cars and multi utility vehicles. The tax tariff in practice is 20% flat excise and Rs15000 additional levy for cars in the size of more than 4 meters and engine displacement of 1200cc petrol and 1500cc diesel engines. SIAM demands for the waiving of this tariff and claims for uniform excise duty as an alternative to 20% flat excise duty.

The Association President put forth his claims that the automobile industry is poised to increase its turnover to three times more than the current one in the next seven yeas. Further, employment opportunities are aplenty for low cost cars industry so that the market would widen to the world at a reasonable rate. The association is in the verge of implementing two varied programmes for alternate fuel and energy. The National Hybrid Propulsion Programmed provides an ideal  platform for the people involved. The other one depends on hydrogen for fuel purpose with the mixture of CNG to operate all kinds of vehicles under advanced stage of implementation.

The European norms seek this sort of fuels and the Indian equivalent to this Bharat Stage V is just a few months away with the BS IV to get outdated. Similarly, the Anti-Lock Breaking System too would become a must by 2012 for all vehicles but SIAM pleas for the norm only for CVs in the coming year.