Yamaha gives offers on FZ-16 and FZ-S

The two-wheeler maker, Yamaha has introduced new offers on its FZ-16 and FZ-s to keep going the sales momentum of the bikes.

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Yamaha FZ-16

Reports say that poor monsoon may affect the two-wheler market. In order to maintain the steady sales growth during monsoon, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. has announced a couple of offers for FZ-16 and FZ-S buyers.

The first scheme is like a referral scheme. A Yamaha owner has to refer his friend(s) to buy the FZ-16 or FZ-S can get a reward of Rs. 500 on every purchase. The friend can save upto Rs. 2500 on the purchase.

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Yamaha FZ-S
The second offer is for students only. Students can fill a form and avail a cash reward of Rs 3000 on purchase of a new Yamaha FZ-16 or FZ-S.
The offers will be closed on August 31 2009.

The ‘limited edition cars’ mania

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It has been a trend among Indian car makers to introduce a ‘face-lifted’ version of their cars to attract customers. The manufacturers use the age old idea of  ‘limited edition’  cars  and deliver their models with freshly enhanced interiors, exteriors and styling features. Check out the recently launched limited-edition cars in India.

Visit http://www.vicky.in/slideshow

Hyundai to launch i10 diesel

i10 diesel

Media reports claims that Hyundai would launch diesel variant of i10 in India soon. The i10 diesel variant will hit the market within next 8-12 months.  Hyundai already sells i10 diesel in european countries and if launched in India it will help Hyundai to take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki’s swift diesel and Tata Indica Vista.

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Following Ford, Hyundai may also set up a diesel plant in India. The company is said to be looking around for land to set up a diesel engine plant. If Hyundai starts manufacturing diesel engines in India, it would significantly reduce the cost of i20 diesel.Hyundai recently introduced the i20 diesel in India following the increased interest from Indian buyers for diesel hatchbacks. But the diesel engine is being imported and it resulted in higher price tag for i20.

HM to launch JAMES BOND-like car

C K Birla Group company Hindustan Motors(HM), the makers of the Ambassador, is all set to launch a niche car from the Mitsubishi Motors stable soon in the premium segment.

The new car will be a James Bond-like automobile and it could be launched this year as well if everything goes well. The company is gearing up for the launch of the niche vehicle, hopefully, within this year, for which it is awaiting requisite homologation from ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India). HM says that the new car will fire up Mitsubishi Motors’ portfolio in India

HM is investing Rs 75 crore in its Uttarpara factory for the expansion of its castings and forgings business and to set up an assembly line for the newly launched mini truck ‘Winner’. On Friday, the company reported a higher net loss of Rs 21 crore in the first quarter of 2009-10.

Car makers race in the Indian hatchback market

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It is Maruti in India that had a great succes for decades with its first hatchback, M-800. The company then came with a series of hatchback models in India. Later other car makers realised that they should not miss the great Indian small car market. As a result, the market has grown to a greater extent. Just have a look at the hatchback cars launched in India in 2009. Visit http://www.vicky.in/slideshow

Ferrari cars to be sold in India

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Italian auto maker Fiat and India’s Tata Motors are in talks for a joint marketing project to bring some new luxury brands to the Indian market.

The companies have plans to sell Ferraris and Maseratis in India, sources say. Fiat is planning to bring both its Ferrari and Maserati brands to India. Tata Motors entered the luxury car business by acquiring the Jaguar and Land Rover and has just launched the brands in India.

The companies  have various projects, to share platforms for new cars, projects for (Fiat lorry unit) Iveco and marketing Ferraris and Maseratis. The two companies already have an existing joint-venture to produce engines in India. Fiat and Tata Motors are building cars, engines and gearboxes together in India. Tata Motors is Fiat’s distributor in India. The two companies could expand their partnership and import the Ferrari and Maserati cars for sale in the Indian market.

Fiat is also in talks with Tata to take the Nano small car to Latin America together. Tata Motors has plans to launch its Nano in the international markets in the coming years.

Production of Land Rover LRX to be shifted to India?

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Land Rover could make a plan to shift the production of its new fuel efficient LRX to India from UK.

It is said that the company’s owner, Tata would like to switch the production to India.Currrently, the LRX is being made at the company’s Halewood factory in Merseyside which also manufactures the Freelander based on the same platform. So it was widely expected that the chances to shift the production of the new vehicle are very few.

Tata Motors has yet to accept £27 million in Government grants and loans that are dependent on the LRX. The decision on where to build the LRX will be made later this year, probably in September. But the company officials said, Tata did say last month that it had no plans to move production out of the UK.

Earlier this week, another blow to Halewood came when the company confirmed that the Jaguar X-type model will no longer be manufactured at the Merseyside factory. The LRX is expected to be one of the greenest SUVs on the market.

Monsoon can damage the auto industry!

Two-wheeler manufacturers of India feel that a poor monsoon can cause a decrease in the number of units that can be sold in this season.

A majority of the two-wheeler market depends on the rural and semi-urban market.  Poor rains could hit the income and sentiments in thesr regions most of which depends on agriculture income. But it is early to say anything concrete.

A weak monsoon is a matter of concern as the industry looks a lot to rural markets for growth. India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero Honda, which holds over a 50% share of the domestic two-wheeler market, makes 40% of its sales through rural and semi-urban markets.

Bajaj Auto Limited feels that it would not be impacted much, because its portfolio comprises of high-end bikes that are not big sellers in rural areas. And, officials at Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India believe that one season of bad monsoon does not make a very big difference, and in any case, farmers would have already taken this into consideration and made alternative arrangements for irrigation.

A poor monsoon could impact demand in four-wheelers as well.