GM Chevrolet to launch new spark variant

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GM Chevrolet plans to launch a new variant of its small car spark. Though the details on the new spark variant is yet to come out we can confirm to you the launch is going to happen very soon. Currently spark comes in 1.0L,PS,LS and LT variants. All the variants comes is powered by an 1.0L engine pumping out 63PS of Max power. We earlier reported you about Chevrolet mulling smaller 800cc engine for spark, whether the impending new model of spark is yet to be known. Anyway, Chevrolet is sure to add jazz and muzic to hot selling spark.

Book your Nano

Tata Nano has again started doing what it knows best- making headlines! Bookings for the Nano will begin by February end. You can pay Rs. 70,000 upfront and book a Nano. But its not enough to drive a Nano to your home. As Tata can produce only very small numbers of Nan, for the initial months only very few Nanos would be available in the showrooms of all dealers. Also as Tata Motors is expecting more bookings, it plans to go for a draw and award the Nano to the customer.

Tata Motors is expected to produce 3000 cars a month for the next few months. As reported earlier, Tata Motors has made arrangement with State Bank of India to accept bookings in its branches. Selected Tata dealers across the country will accept bookings in the next three weeks.

Maruti to launch new Omni 02

Maruti Suzuki is all set upgrade its popular van Omni and phase out the versa. The new omni O2 as we reported earlier will be built on the Versa platform as opposed to the current M800 platform. The new Omni O2 will be priced at a premium over the current omni. The new omni will hit the market sometime after March 2010. Maruti will soon phase out the versa owing to its poor sales. In December 2008, Maruti managed to sell just 28 units of Versa.

Reva to launch Reva L-ion and a Sedan

Reva India’s largest electric maker plans to launch two models in India before the end of 2009. The first one to hit the market will be the Reva L-ion which Reva recently launched in european countries. Reva L-ion is nothting but a RevaI with advanced li-ion battery. Reva claims the new car has a range of 120km in a single charge.

Reva sedan:

If you hate the boxy little two seater Revai, here is one you would love and also save the environment. Reva is planning to launch a three box sedan. Reva sedan will be a Revai but with a boot. Reva is developing the Reva sedan on the same platform of Reva. Reva sedan would hit the market by the end of 2009.

GM Chevrolet to launch Cruze and Beat in 2009

Cruze and Beat

GM Chevrolet is gearing up to launch two new models in 2009. While the Cruze sedan will hit the market in June the small car – production version of beat concept during diwali season.“GMI plans to launch of Chevrolet sedan Cruze by June this year and mini car by the end of 2009,” Mr Slym said.  “Both the Cruze and Minicar options were showcased at the Paris motor show and suitable models factoring Indian conditions would be rolled out. We are currently in the process of testing prototypes of the car variants,” Mr Slym added. GM is also working on developing diesel engines in the capacity of 1 litre to 1.5 litres which is meant not just for Beat but also in some of the existing models like U-VA.

Price hike:

General Motors India is going to hike prices of its Chevrolet portfolio currently offered in the country, including its small car Spark.The President and Managing Director of GMI, Mr Karl Slym, said the market conditions are tough and the input costs continue to go up forcing the company to consider hike in prices.However the price hike will be taken later this month for even Spark, which is now being offered at a big discount.

Yamaha to sell spare parts for RX100 and RD350

In its bid to regain customer confidence and regain its glory, Yamaha came out with a great announcement. RX100 and RD350 owners can jump to the skies, as Yamaha itself plans to sell spare parts for its older yet cult bikes like RX 100 and RD 350. “We are talking to the vendors for providing spare parts even for our older bikes, like RX 100 and RD 350, to win back the confidence of our customers,” India Yamaha Motor CEO and Managing Director Yukimine Tsuji said.

India as a hub:

Yamaha also plans to use India as it production hub for engines and bikes. Yamaha plans to export the bikes and engines to US and Japan. Yamaha will be investing around Rs 240 crore in 2010-11 on developing more than two new India specific models. “India can be an export hub for our two legendary models – FZ16 and R15. Also we export bike engines in substantial amount to our other global operations,” Tsuji said. “Japan and the US has been asking for our bikes and are interested in importing from India,” he added. Currently India Yamaha export engines and bikes to various global operations of Yamaha, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Latin American countries and is the second biggest exporter after China.

No to 100cc segment

Yamaha once again reiterated its stand not to compete in the entry level 100cc segment which accounts for more than half of total Indian two wheeler sales. “We will build customer confidence through our existing models in the 150 cc and above category. Once we have established our basic business through higher volumes in the premium category and sales network, we will then be prepared to challenge this market (entry level),”Tsuji said.

Mahindra and Mahindra claims record Xylo sales

Mahindra and Mahindra today said that it has sold 1788 units of XYLO in two weeks. Moreover, bookings for the XYLO have crossed the 4,000 mark since launch.

“Prior to the launch of the XYLO, a lot of excitement was generated amongst potential customers which is reflected in the sales and booking numbers. This demand has led us to ramp up production which was possible at short notice as both the Scorpio and the XYLO are manufactured on the same line,” said Mr. Rajesh Jejurikar, Chief of Operations, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Renault – Nissan eyes third partner for Chennai plant

The Nissan-Renault alliance wants to land a third partner into its Rs 4,500 crore Chennai factory project, which is scheduled to manufacture cars and SUVs by 2010. Earlier Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) pulled out early last year from the three-way joint venture (JV) citing the lack of synergy.

After that Nissan-Renault officials invited the Hinduja group company to move its light commercial vehicle (LCV) joint venture project with Nissan to Chennai to better use the plant’s 400,000 unit-a-year capacity. But Ashok Leyland turned down the offer. Nissan has a $500-million joint venture with Ashok Leyland for light commercial vehicles which signed a memorandum of understanding with the local government for a 380-acre new factory in Pillaipakkam, also near Chennai, with 100,000-unit-a-year capacity. It is this project that Nissan-Renault want Ashok Leyland to shift to its Chennai plant.

Anyway Nissan India spokesperson said ,“Nissan is going ahead with its small car plans, while Renault has put its plans on hold due to financial problems. I have no confirmation of anything beyond this,”.

Renault is going slow on plans to manufacture its new cars at the Chennai factory, Nissan’s India strategy is still on track. At the Chennai plant, Nissan will produce a family of models based on its new A-platform, including the next generation small car, Micra.Also Nissan plans to introduce nine products in India, ranging from the ULC car, a compact car and LCV to higher-end SUVs and sedans, including five locally-built products by 2012.

Tata motors to finalise Jaguar and Land Rover for India

Tata Motors is all set to finalising its India plans for retailing top brands from the Jaguar-Land Rover portfolio, its recent acquisition in the UK.Plans are underway to launch company-owned showrooms, and a large number of Jaguar cars have been imported for initial use in its Taj Mahal Hotels across the country.

Among the Jaguar portfolio, Tatas will bring the Jaguar XF, which competes with the Mercedes E-class and BMW 5 series.The Jaguar XF, if brought in as a CBU will sport a price-tag of around Rs 40 lakh and will have two engine options 2.7 litre diesel and 3.6 litre petrol. Among the Land Rover models, the Freelander will be priced at £20,935.

For the retails plans,one of the first showrooms is expected to be set up in South Mumbai. The group is exploring similar options in other major cities across the world and is expected to start retailing the JLR brands in India by April this year.The company may shortlist one of its existing dealers in every city, who would have to set up separate showrooms for the brands.

Land Rover currently is already being distributed through an independent Mumbai-based dealer Navnit Motors.Already they are retailing Discovery and Range Rover Sport under Land Rover portfolio, they are looking to bring in the Freelander at a price tag of around Rs 35-40 lakh. “We will continue to retail the Land Rover models and we yet have to discuss with the Tatas,” Navnit Motors MD Sharad Kachalia said.