Ford launches new Fiesta

Facelift for the Go Fida car

Ford today launched the facelifted Fiesta in India. The new Fiesta boasts several significant design revisions with upgraded fabrics and leathers. The new uplifted Fiesta also comes more colours.The new Ford Fiesta model range includes three petrol variants – 1.6 EXI, 1.6 ZXI and 1.6 SXI – and three turbodiesel variants – 1.4 EXI, 1.4 ZXI and 1.4 SXI. The new Fiesta comes with a new front fascia, large trapezoidal lower opening and dramatic headlamps. Also new is the all new instrument cluster which features a honeycomb graphic theme and bezel highlights.

All Fiesta variants offer the following safety and security features:

* An advanced, computer-modeled body structure with front and rear crumple zones
* A soft-feel steering wheel and collapsible steering column
* Anti-submarine front and rear seat cushions
* Two-way, height-adjustable, padded front seat head restraints
* Childproof safety locks on rear doors
* PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) to protect against drive-away theft
* Steering column lock
* Remote opening fuel filler door
* High security lock sets
* Remote keyless entry (with the exception of the EXI model)

The top-end Fiesta SXI offers luxurious, beige leather seats, enhanced with soft leather and tailored stitching, and the new dark mahogany centre console surround. New Fiesta SXI series also features an advanced CD audio units with MP3 capability and a dedicated audio input jack for iPods and similar MP3 players. Advanced Anti-lock Braking System (ABS Plus) along with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) is offered in new Fiesta SXI. Morello and Thunder are new colour choices for the Fiesta range, joining Panther Black, Diamond White, Brush Steel, Paprika Red, Moondust Silver and Platinum. The new facelifted Ford Fiesta range is priced from Rs6,29,000 for petrol variants and from Rs7,10,000 for the turbodiesel models. Fiesta SXI is priced Rs.700,000 and Rs.814,000 for the petrol and the diesel variants, respectively, in Delhi.

Honda’s new Civic Executive

The new corolla is on its way and Honda is getting ready to face this. Honda has launched a new variant of civic called Civic Executive. The eighth generation Civic 1.8V launched in July 2006 is already available with manual and auto transmission. The 1.8V MT comes at Rs 11,96,000 and 1.8V AT comes at Rs12,66,000. As the new corolla is expected to be priced competetively, Honda has launched the executive variant at a cheaper price. Honda Civic 1.8E executive variant is priced Rs 10,80,000. The cheaper civic 1.8E is a trim down version of 1.8V and is barred of many features. Climate control, alloys wheel,Rear Reading Light, rear armrest audio controls but cupholders, automatic retractable rear view mirrors, aux input are absent in its features list. Also, there is no Side Protectors – Body Color with Chrome insert, no FR/RR Mud Guard – Body color,Urethane Wrapped Steering Wheel, no Chrome Door Trim. Compared to the 1.8V the new civic 1.8E executive only has 4 speakers rather than 6 and single cd changer instead of 6 cd changer..

Royal Enfield launches Thunderbird Twinspark

* The thunderbird twinspark produces 20bhp of maximum power

* New thunderbird twinspark pumps out 28Nm of maximum torque

* New Thunderbird Twinspark uses 150/280mm brakes to ensure instant stop.

* Fuel efficiency of new Thunderbird Twinspark is claimed between 45 and 50kmpl

Royal Enfield today launched the much expected Thunderbird Twinspark in Chennai.The new Thunderbird Twinspark fitted with a 350 cc UCE engine and features twin spark. According to Royal Enfield, Thunderbird UCE engine has less moving parts and is more fuel efficient. Thundrebird Twinspark comes with a price tag of Rs 103,000 (ex-showroom Chennai). The company is expecting to sell around 5,000 units of the new Thunderbird Twinspark. Since the launch of Thunderbird model in 2001, the bullet maker has sold 20,000 units.

Honda launches Civic Hybrid in India

Honda today launched first hybrid car in India, Civic Hybrid. An 1.3 litre petrol engine produces 95PS and an electric motor which produces 16bhp power the new civic hybrid. India is the 33rd country where Honda has launched its Civic Hybrid. “This is yet another step to strengthen Honda’s presence in India in line with our long term goal of bringing eco friendly vehicles,” Honda CL’s car India President and CEO Masahiro Takedawa said. Civic Hybrid is priced at Rs 21.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

For the Civic Hybrid’s specification and features list visit http://www.hondacarindia.com/civicHybrid/default.html

Santro, Swift and City adjudged most dependable cars

Hyundai Santro, Maruti Suzuki’s swift and Honda City bagged the number one position in their respective segment in the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) conducted by JD Power Asia Pacific 2008.The JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study conducted for the first time in India, ranks vehicles within eight market segments: compact cars, premium compact, entry mid-size, mid-size, premium mid-size, entry luxury, MUV/MPV and SUVs. JD power Vehicle Dependable Study measures problems experienced by original owners of 30- to 42-month-old vehicles (SX4,i10 and few other new cars were not taken into account for this study) by examining more than 150 problem symptoms across nine vehicle categories: vehicle exterior; driving experience, which includes performance of brakes, steering wheel and tires; features, controls and displays; audio and entertainment; seats; heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC); vehicle interior; engine; and transmission. The study is designed to allow manufacturers to track the quality performance of their models and vehicle parts over time to implement product improvements, and to provide consumers with insight into the reliability and dependability of brands and specific models after the warranty period. Overall dependability is based on the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100), with lower scores indicating a lower rate of problem incidences and higher long-term vehicle quality.

The 2008 India Vehicle Dependability Study is based on evaluations from nearly 4,700 owners who purchased a new vehicle between July 2004 and September 2005. The study includes 33 vehicle models covering 12 nameplates and was fielded from January to April 2008 in 20 cities across India.

The result of the study is as follows

* Problems in the vehicle exterior and driving experience categories account for nearly 50 percent of all problems reported by vehicle owners in India. Also, these two categories demonstrate the largest increases in problems reported from initial ownership, compared with other categories studied. Long-term quality of new vehicles in India averages 331 PP100 in 2008, with 67 percent of consumers reporting at least one problem with their vehicle during their 30- to 42-month ownership period.

*Some of the most common driving problems reported include poor vehicle acceleration, excessive or uneven tire wear and the vehicle pulling during normal driving

Chevrolet to launch CNG and LPG variants of spark,aveo U-VA and Aveo

* The cost of running a CNG car is about Rs1.5 per km.
* The cost of running an LPG car is about Rs3.5 per km.
* The cost of running a petrol car is about Rs5 per km.

Following Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors India’s fifth largest automaker – General Motors will soon CNG and LPG fuel variants of its entry level cars -spark,aveo U-VA and Aveo. The raising fuel prices has made the cars running on alterante fuels attractive. The price conscious commuters prefers LPG and CNG cars more than petrol driven cars. Since the price of LPG and CNG is low compared to petrol it is economical to run these cars. Also, the LPG and CNG filling station started proliferating availability has become a non issue to buyers. To ride this wave all the major manufacturers have launched LPG?CNG variants of popular cars. General Motors which offers CNG version of optra plans alternative fuel variants of all its models. Chevrolet will first launch the LPG variant of spark soon and other variants will be launched soon after that.

Maruti Suzuki plans Tata Nano’s rival

Ever since the announcement of Nano (Rs1 lakh car) hit the stands, speculations on Maruthi Suzuki nano’s rival have started. Earlier this year few newspapers reported that Maruti is secretly making a car to rival Nano under the codename “Under A”. The Under A is said to be powered by a 660cc engine. But on the day itself Maruti Suzuki denied the report saying. Maruti Suzuki said that the project “Under A” mentioned in those reports refers perhaps to the “A Under”, the earlier code name for the A-Star model. Maruti Suzuki also said that it has no plans to foray into the Nano’s segment.

But again rediff.com reports that Maruti plans a strip down version of its 800 model. The rediff report further says that the stripped-down car of 800 will cost Rs 1.2-1.5 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) making it about Rs 75,000 cheaper than the existing price tag. The report claims cites a banker as its source and the banker says that the report is authentic. “Even today the margin on the Maruti 800 is Rs 23,000-35,000. Cutting the price of a stripped-down version will not be a big challenge,” the banker justifies his claim.

Proton plans Savvy,Saga and Persona for India

As we earlier reported http://www.vicky.in/blog/proton-to-sell-saga-and-persona-in-india/

Malayasia’s auto major is all set to drive into India. Proton has selected the Savvy hatch, entry-level sedan Saga and a mid-size car Persona for the Indian market. Saga,Persona and Savvy are currently undergoing field trials and technical evaluation at various locations in India. Recently, Proton concluded its two-day technical clinic on these cars at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Proton will start launching these model from 2009. Proton bets on its multi fuel compatible cars and it believes this will lure Indian customers. Proton already features CNG compatible cars like saga engine in its line-up. Proton is now looking for a possible joint venture with other Indian automobile companies, particularly with a strong focus on marketing to sell saga’s,savvy’s and persona’s in India. Mahindra and Mahindra has already declined the offer citing its non-interest in car market. After the not too successful run of Logan, Mahindra and Mahindra has decided to keep away from the car market. Last year Mahindra declined an offer from Renault for building an ultra low cost car.

Proton’s Savvy:

Savvy is a supermini hatchback introduced by Proton in 2005 The Savvy is known for its fuel efficieny in malaysia. Savvy is listed in the Malaysian Book of Records as the most fuel-efficient car in Malaysia. The Savvy is currently powered by a 1.2 L D-Type SOHC 16-valve engine sourced from Renault, similar to the one used in the Renault Twingo and Clio.Proton exports savvy to United Kingdom.

Proton’s Saga:

Saga is the first car produced by Malaysian auto manufacturer Proton. Saga is based on Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore and is being built by Proton. Proton has been selling the Saga for almost 20 years since its debut 1985. On 18th January 2008, Proton unveiled the successor to the original car. The new designed in-house by Proton replaced the orginal saga in June 2008. The new saga is powered by the Campro IAFM engine which produces 98 bhp at 6,500 rpm. The new saga is designed to accommodate a CNG tank without considerably restricting boot space. Saga is popular among Malaysian taxi drivers and operators because of the cheap price and good fuel economy. The new saga is priced between RM31,500 and RM39,800. (Rs3,91,582 to Rs4,94,761). Proton dubs the new Saga as “The People’s Car”.

Proton’s persona:

Proton Persona is an entry-level sedan and it is the successor to the Proton Wira. Persona is based on the Gen-2 hatchback (proton’s popular hatchback) and competes with Honda city and Toyota Vios in Malaysia. Persona’s powerful 1.6L camparo engine produces 110bhp of max power and 148Nm of max torque. Persona is priced in the range of RM44,999 (Rs5,55,987) and RM55,800 (Rs6,91,920).

Bharat IV emission norms by 2010

Government of India today said that it will implement Bharat Stage-III emission norms for cars across India from April 2010, while rules in 11 major cities – Delhi/NCR, Mumbai,Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra will be made even tougher. Cars running in those 11 cities have to comply more stricter Euro IV emission norms from 2010. Transport Minister T.R. Baalu told a lawmakers’ panel that Bharat Stage-IV norms, the Indian version of Euro-IV norms, would be extended to 11 major cities from April 2010. The Department of Road Transport and Highways is in the process of notifying the rules very soon. Government also plans to introduce Bharat Stage III (Euro 3) emission standards before 2010 for two and three wheeler.

Honda says no to second factory

The raising interest rates and spiking inflation has begin to show its impact on auto industry. Interest rates which is at six-year high and inflation which is at its 13 year best has left little money in the hands of buyers. Adding to this is the surge in fuel prices which results in less demand for two wheelers According to Shinji Aoyama, president and CEO of Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India(HMSI) “Total production exceeds demand”. The total production capacity of Indian two wheeler manufacturers is around 1.25crores units but the demand for two wheelers in the domestic market is around 70lakh units only. Other than Bajaj and TVS none of the other players export bikes to other markets in a major way. “We should expect some single-digit growth now.” Honda has sold around 9 lkah units last year and currently has a capacity of building one million units per annum. In the month of March 2008, Honda piped TVS to clinch the third position and its recent offering Aviator is received well by the consumers. Honda plans to introduce a new 125cc bike called CBF stunner in next two months. Honda has been considering a second factory in anticipation of demand but the sales were not impreesive to build a second factory and has put it on the back burner saying it could hike capacity at its current factory if the demand arises. It is important to recall that few months back Hero Honda made a similar announcement but finally started building the factory soon after that.