Hyundai to hike price of i10 and other models

Hyundai Motor India plans to hike the prices of its passenger vehicles by around 2 per cent in the coming months.The price hike decision has come about following the steep rise in component prices like tyres and steels. The car maker sources 25 per cent of its steel from India and the rest from South Korea and Japan.

Hyundai latest model in India is the i10 Kappa and the company decides to hike the price of the i10.The company has been facing tough situation following the global melt down, it had to put nearly 25 per cent of its export orders on hold. Hyundai which had been hoping for a mega US foray with put off the lauch due to homologation issues.Export orders have been set aside following dealers in South Africa, Colombia and Iceland urging for a hold on shipments. However, it is now keen on markets such as Australia and New Zealand.

Ford launches new Ikon

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As you read, Ford is launching the new Ikon in a ceremony being held in Delhi. New Ford Ikon is the Ford’s attempt to reclaim the charm of josh machine and to pull away customers from Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, Mahindra Renault Logan and Tata Indigo. The new ikon is fitted with a ROCAM gasoline mill and Duratorq TDCi diesel engine which is sourced from Fiesta.The new Ikon diesel pumps out 68PS of max power and 160Nm of max torque. With the introduction of new heart, Ford has also added new changes to the exterior and interior styling. New Ikon gets a refreshed front with muscular bumper and new meatier hood gives a quirky road presence to the new Ikon.

Inside the new Ikon, a new european designed instrument cluster and a new CD player are notable additions. Ford has also given the new Ikon a host of new accessories that includes – side skirts, reversing parking sensor, remote boot release kit,sporty seat covers,neck rest and floor mats.


The petrol and diesel variant of new Ikon is priced at Rs 4.59 lakh and Rs 5.19 lakh (ex-showroom), Delhi, respectively. “The new Ford Ikon continues to be a leader in its segment and caters to customers with a combination of superior fuel efficiency and improved engine performance,” Ford India President Michael Boneham said. Ford has also added a punchy new colour to the exterior palette – Morello – to existing Diamond White, Panther Black, Moondust Silver, Paprika Red, Platinum and Brush Steel.

More details are expected

‘Baby seats’ mandatory for cars, from 2010

Finally Indian Government has decided to move towards safety and make Indian roads more child friendly. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to make “baby seats” compulsory for all passenger cars from 2010.

“This is a long pending step and will be introduced in Indian vehicles for the first time. The idea is to create a safe and designated space for children in cars. Across Europe and USA, besides other countries like Australia, ‘Child Restraint Systems’ (CRS) is mandatory in all vehicles. So the ministry has decided it’s time for such an initiative to be taken in India as well,” said a top official from the ministry. “The planned implentation schedule is two years for new car models and three years for existing models. This will also be introduced for commercial goods vehicles and passenger buses,” he added.

The Central Motor Vehicle Rules-Technical Standing Committee is formulating automotive industry standards to in order to make CRS compulsory. Good one is, the manufacturers have agreed on the need for CRS in passenger cars. There is, however, some debate over who should bear the cost — the automaker or the buyer. The CRS defined by the ministry as an “arrangement of components like combination of straps, buckles, adjustment devices, supplementary devices such as carry cots.

FAW – Ural to produce low cost car in India

Representatives of a Chinese automobile major met chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee seeking 600 acres to set up a small car factory in Bengal. While the government hopes the company would slip into the Nano site Singur vacated by Tata Motors, it will also showcase other locations at Kalyani, Kharagpur and Haldia.

China’s First Automobile Works (FAW), in collaboration with Ural India, an Indo-Russian joint venture, wants to set up a Rs 1,500-crore automobile manufacturing unit in Bengal. And, the first vehicle to roll out of the plant in 2010 will most likely be a small car priced at a cool Rs 1.6 lakh.

A tie-up between Ural India, in which the state government has 11%, and FAW will be formalized through an MoU in the first phase. J K Saraf, chairman of Ural India and Ren Diansheng, vice-director of FAWand other five member team called on Bhattacharjee. The company is expected to start manufacturing small cars and then go on to buses. “We plan to price the small car at Rs 1.6 lakh to keep it competitive,” Saraf said. However, Ural is yet to decide on the name of the car.

Toyota bullish on India

Even amidst the slow growth in auto sector, Toyota has decided to step up the planned investment for its second plant in Bangalore. According to an announcement made on Wednesday, Toyota has decided to invest about 68 billion yen (Rs 3,200 crore) in the second plant currently under construction. Earlier, a decision was made to invest about 35 billion yen (Rs 1,647 crore) for the buildings and basic equipment for this plant and an additional 33 billion yen (about Rs 1,553 crore) for both general-purpose and specialised equipment necessary for manufacturing a new ‘compact vehicle’ or a small car meant for BRIC markets.

Ford to launch new Ikon

New Ford Ikon will be out in few hours. But before that let’s preview the car, as expected Ford has given the new ikon diesel very minimal exterior changes. New ikon gets grille less front with a meatier bumper for the mean look. Kinked headlmaps and semi transparent tail lamps are the visual differentiator over the current one.  Come inside the new Ikon you will first notice the redesigned instrument cluster with clear dials. New CD player with in-built MP3 player is sure to add attractive quotient of the new Ikon.

In addition to the ROCAM engine, new Ikon gets a duratorq (TDCi) diesel. The 1.4L diesel engine churns out 68PS of peak power at 4000rpm and 160Nm of max torque at 2000rpm. The engine is very frugal while thirsting your adrenaline. You read it right, Ford says that it has also reworked the suspension setup, steering geometry and NVH in the new Ikon diesel for sporty driving. Dimensionally the new ikon diesel is 1mm taller than the gasoline powered new Ikon. ‘Diesel’ Badging in the place of ikon flair is another exclusive for new Ikon diesel.  New ikon will be available in seven colours. Ford is offering side skirts, reversing parking sensor, remote boot release kit,sporty seat covers,neck rest and floor mats as accessories for the new Ikon.

Toyota will make its Indian small car

Denaying media reports, Toyota today said that it will produce the proposed small car on its own not from the  Daihatsu stable.”No. This (the small car) is very much Toyota’s…,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Managing Director Hiroshi Nakagawa said. He denied reports that the small car was proposed to be launched in association with Daihatsu, in which Toyota holds 51 per cent stake.

Hero Honda Passion Plus Pro – Pictorial Review

When others are busy launching their new products and showcasing their technological prowess, market leader Hero Honda is sharepening its marketing strategy and finetuning its proven products. Really, Hero Honda is silently marching ahead reaching new heights if sales number and financial results are to be believed. Recently Hero Honda has come out with new variants of its proven products – pleasure,passion plus,splendor NXG and CBZ Xtreme. Here is the pictorial review of new passion plus pro.

Pictures of Hero Honda passion plus pro

1) Hero Honda new Passion Plus pro: This might be nth incarnation of Passion Plus but still it look afresh. Thanks to constant updradation from Hero Honda. But this facelift is not just cosmetic, but there are few minute upgrades which we will list in the following pictures.

2) Hero Honda new Passion Plus pro: The new front visor at the front gives a modern look to the passion plus.

3) Hero Honda new Passion Plus pro:  Once again Passion plus gets new stickers. Graphics on body panels and on tank has also changed. 

4) Hero Honda new Passion Plus pro: 

Red coloured sporty shock absorbers at the rear and full silencer guard are other new things in passion plus pro.

5) Hero Honda new Passion Plus pro: gets a new black kick start lever. Roller mechanism of the engine is further tuned for reducing friction and vibrations. An integrated electric motor helps you to start the passion plus with a push of button. Electric start / self start is standard in new passion plus pro.

6) Hero Honda new Passion Plus pro: dials are tweaked for better readability.

7) Hero Honda passion plus pro:  Handlebar clamp and pillion grab handle are redesigned based on the customer feedback.The price is increased by Rs2000 (approximately). 


Bajaj to launch XCD sprint in December

Finally your wait is over, Bajaj has officially announced that it will launch the XCD sprint in December. Expectation on the XCD sprint is running high ever since the bike was unveiled at the January auto expo. Espscially when Honda came up with the sporty stunner everyone was expecting the XCD sprint but Bajaj remained mute. Bajaj today officially said it will launch a new sport motorcycle in December, the third of four products off the XCD platform. Recently Bajaj launched the 125cc platina and last year it launched the XCD. XCD sprint is powered by a 4 valve, DTSi engine developing 12.5PS of peak power and 10.3Nm of peak torque at 6500rpm. 5 speed tranmission transmits power to the rear wheel. Gas charged suspension at the rear, LED tail lamps and LCD console are other distinct features of XCD sprint. Bajaj XCD sprint is expected to be priced around Rs50,000 and will compete with TVS Flame and Honda CBF stunner.

Pictures of Bajaj XCD sprint

Tata Motors to launch Indica Vista,Sumo Grande and Bakkie in South Africa

Tata Motors showcased its latest models Indica Vista and Sumo Grande at the ongoing Johannesburg Auto Show. Manny De Canha, chief executive of Associated Motor Holdings, said the Tata brand had received an enthusiastic response from the South African motorist.  “This is reflected in the 67 full-fledged dealerships already operational across South Africa. We are confident that Tata will continue to be a huge success in South Africa through new models being introduced,” De Canha said.  Tata Motors said the new models – Indica vista and Sumo Grande will hit the South African showrooms early 2009.  Beisdes the Indica Vista and Sumo grande, Tata also showcased the new ace pick-up locally known as bakkie.