MLR Motors promoted by Hyundai Motor India’s former president B V R Subbu has said that it’s on its way to showcase a prototype of its small car at the 2010 New Delhi auto show. MLR Motors acquired the defunct Daewoo facility in Andhra Pradhesh and said it would to launch two compact diesel cars of 850-900 cc and 1,500 cc in 2009. But the economic slowdown and the infrastructure problem is delaying the project. “We are in discussions with banks and financial institutions and private equity players to close funding for the first phase of the car project, which entails investment of about Rs 1,250 crore,” Mr Rao said. “Typically, development of a car takes five-six years and MLR has made significant progress since we announced our intention to set up a car manufacturing base” Managing Director of MLR Motors Ltd, Mr M. Lokeswara Rao, said . “The designs have been firmed up after restyling; work on the engines is underway in Europe and a prototype will be ready soon,” he added. MLR motors plans to launch petrol and diesel variants of hatchback.
Jaguar and LandRover eyes India
Struggling automakers Jaguar and LandRover plans to bring their models into India at the earliest. “We’re still finalising plans, but the likelihood is within a few months. I can’t be more precise simply because the exact timing will be dependent on how the planning goes,” a JLR spokesperson said. The spokesperson added Tata Motors would be the distributor of these brands in India. Though auto enthusiast may give heartning welcome to these legendary models, the acceptability of the customers is under question. Since both the brands plans to import the models as a CBU (Completely Built Unit) which means it will attract a heavy import duty of 110% and it will double the cost. When BMW,Mercedes and Audi are being assembled in India, JLR models would the cost advantage to the locally assembled models. “Because our volume will initially be fairly low, it will be a case of seeing how things develop. Who knows what could happen in the future if there is a strong demand? For the foreseeable future, though, we will be concentrating on establishing the brands properly in India,” said the JLR spokesperson.
Hyundai looks for new base to produce i20
How should i call this?? inaction or complacency..When governments across globe are running behind companies to make fresh investements and create new jobs. The voice of Hyundai has not reached Government of India. Hyundai has decided to have one more production base for its i20 cars outside India. Hyundai earlier said that India will be the sole production base for i20. But Hyundai has been making request to Government to support exporters. Voltaility of rupee is making life tougher for exporters. Also the electricity which has become a big problem in Tamilnadu is hurting industries, Hyundai is no exception. The combination of various factors – voltaility of the rupee, poor power availability, inadequate export incentive and labour problem might have forced to Hyundai to look for new base. Will the Goverment of India wake up??
Toyota gears up for small car launch
Toyota is firing on all cylinders to make its upcoming small car a grand success. Toyota has said that its small car would be in the premium hatchback segment and it would compete with the likes of Volkswagen Polo, Fiat Grande Punto and Honda Jazz. “The compact car will be priced in the B+ category,” said Sandeep Singh, Deputy MD,Toyota Kirloskar Motor said. Toyota’s small car is expected to be priced in the range of Rs5 to Rs7 lakhs. Toyota hopes to sell 6000 units of this small car every month. The small car would will have a localisation of 65% when the car hits the showroom which will gradually increased to 90% by 2011. The compact car will have a localisation of 65% to start with, and will gradually be taken to 90% by 2011, said Shekar Viswanathan, deputy MD (Commercial) said. “With the compact car, we want to be in semi-rural and rural towns,” he added.With the launch of small car, Toyota will also expand the dealer network from the current 82 to 150. Seems like Japanese auto giant is cooking big things for Indian market.
Mahindra Renault to launch two new models
Renault which has indefinetely put on hold introducing its cars in the Indian market from its upcoming plant today said that it would introduce two new models. Mahindra – Renault’s nashik plant has a production capacity of 50000 units but Mahindra – Renault sales barely produced 14000 units which makes the plant highly unutilised. For better utilisation of capacity, Mahindra Renault will intorduce two new models from this plant. “Our Nashik facility (capacity) is under-utilised. We are actively looking at introducing one or two new models from the plant in this year in order to have better utilisation of the capacity,” a Renault India spokesperson said. But he refused to divulge the details on the models. We already reported you Mahindra Renault is seriously mulling to bring Sandero hatchback to India.
SIAM releases official mileage figures
No longer you have to harass your friend by asking mileage. Society of Indian Auto Manufacturers has released official mileage figures of all car models, these figures are achieved in standard test conditions.
But atleast you can use this mileage figures for reference and check your car’s performance.
* Tata Nano – – 23.6kmpl
* Fiat 500 — 22kmpl
* A-star –19.6kmpl
* Maruti 800 –16.1kmpl
* Maruti Alto–18.1kmpl
* Maruti Omni — 16.9kmpl
* Hyundai verna diesel -21.9kmpl
* Maruti Swift Dzire –15.9kmpl
* Chevrolet Tavera petrol – 13.3kmpl
* Honda Civic -15.5kmpl
* Honda CRV –13.2kmpl
* Skoda Octavia diesel -21.39kmpl
* Hyundai Sonata –13.54kmpl
* Skoda Superb –13.54kmpl
* Toyota Camry –13.54kmpl
* Hyundai tucson -14kmpl
* Mercedes C-class diesel C220 CDI — 13.9kmpl
* BMW 3 series diesel –15.9kmpl
* Mercedes S350 L petrol -9.9kmpl
* BMW X3 – 14kmpl
* Tata Ace Magic diesel – 21.5kmpl
Honda set to launch Jazz
The much expected small car from Honda is all set to hit the roads. Honda today officially announced it will launch the Jazz by June. Jazz will come with a new 1.2 litre engine developed exclusively for the Indian market.
“Jazz will have all the features found in a premium large car. Our survey shows that 80% hatchback customers feel that these cars lack legroom and headroom space which we have addressed in Jazz,” Honda Siel Cars India managing director & CEO Masahiro Takedagawa said. “We have designed a special engine for India to optimise fuel efficiency and power, which delayed the launch by one year. Jazz also comes strapped with a toughened suspension to meet stiff roads conditions in India,” he added. Jazz with 1.2L engine and under 4m length would be eligible for small car excise duty. As typical of any other Honda car, jazz will come at a premium price. We expect the jazz to be priced around Rs5.5lakhs. A navigation system, in-car entertainment and sporty tyres would be offered as an optional accessory
Bajaj’s new pulsar 180cc
Once again it seems that Bajaj has reworked the strategy, Bajaj has come up with an upgraded pulsar 180cc. Earlier we informed you about Bajaj’s plan of upgrading pulsar family of motorcycles and refurbished pulsar 200cc and pulsar 220cc was expected. The apache RTR 180cc seems to be the cause for Bajaj’s change in strategy. The new pulsar 180cc gets tank scoops borrowed from the successful pulsar 200cc. Other changes includes
* New pulsar 180cc gets the stouter 37mm fork assembly at the front
* The contemporary all black theme is carried forward in the new pulsar 180cc . From the forks to engine to rear suspension everything gets matte black finish
* Split seat and split grab rail for the new pulsar 180cc like its sibline pulsar 200cc
* New pulsar 180cc borrows the box section swingarm from its elder sibling pulsar 220cc. Larger forks at the front and box section swingarm at the rear means more fun for hardcore bikers
* The DTS-i engine (no fuel injection) now generates slightly more power. The power output of new pulsar 180cc is 17.02PS at 8500rpm compared to the earlier 16.5bhp at 8000rpm
* New pulsar 180cc has a wheelbase of 145mm which means 25mm longer than the current one.
* Kick lever is thrown out and ignition is only through battery in the new pulsar 180cc
* New pulsar 180cc also gets a new rear sprocket and the O-ring chain
* Clip-on handlebar in the new pulsar 180cc to take on the likes of apache RTR
* New pulsar 180cc gets larger 120 section tyre at the rear which is sure to help your wheelie.
The new pulsar 180cc is expected to hit the showrooms by the end of April.
Pictures of new Bajaj pulsar 180cc
Thanks to bike india
TVS Apache RTR 180
We know TVS is developing a 180cc version of TVS Apache RTR, we have informed you before. After a long time, here’s a news from TVS on apache RTR 180. TVS has unleashed promotional video of apache RTR 180. As expected there is no change in styling front but the real difference is under the tank. TVS has worked on the 160cc RTR engine for this apache RTR 180 menace. Catch the Apache RTR 180 here!!!!
ICML to launch inspire by 2010
ICML the maker of Rhino today said that it will launch its concept car ‘Inspire’ in India by 2010. However it said the much hyped world car platform on which ICML would planned to produce luxury sedans and SUV is put on hold. ICML cites the slump in global auto sales for this decision. “The automobile industry is going through a very difficult and challenging time. We therefore had to change our plan as the World Car project focused on both export and domestic markets,” said Raman Mittal, executive director, ICML. ICML had planned to develop the world car platform jointly with Pininfarina an Italian design firm and invest about Rs 700 crore for this project.
