Chevrolet plans to unveils to the all new optra in the upcoming paris auto show. General Motors sells the optra through various brands in various countries. The sedan is being sold by Holden in Australia under the name viva, Buick Excelle in China, Suzuki reno in US and optra in india. The next generation to be unveiled at paris auto show might be called as Nubira in all countries. The styling of the new Nubira is inspired from the chevy’s epica. Sweeping curves all over the car and elegant body lines are very attractive and makes the car more stylish.The new Nubira might come to India in 2009.
Royal Enfield to launch two new Motorcycles
Royal Enfield plans to revamp its entire product range being offered for the export markets like USA,UK,France and few other european countries. Royal Enfield currently offers Classic and Electra models in overseas market. While the Electra will be replaced by a new model the classic will be given a facelift. The new bike is designed on the likes of a ‘leisure cruiser’. Royal Enfield jointly developed the new design with an independent design studio in UK. The facelifted will be also be launched in 2009 and it will suit the new generation of classic design and styling.
Royal Enfield will showcase the new models at the upcoming Birmingham motorcycle show and start selling them in 2009. In 2007 Royal Enfield showcased its new 500CC Fuel Injection engine. The new engine unit is called UCE (Unit Construction Engine) as engine,clutch and gearbox is built in a single compartment. The top end models which is being sold in UK comes at Rs3lakh and the bullet maker plans to price the new models at a premium over the existing bikes.
Hyundai launches Accent CNG
Hyundai Motor India today launched the CNG variant of ‘Accent’. The new Accent would be available in dual fuel mode – petrol and CNG. The dual fuel Accent will use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternate fuel. The Accent comes with a 1.5 litre petrol engine which without any modification is compatible with CNG.CEV would supply the CNG kit to Hyundai for the new Accent CNG. “The kit is not only safe but with an advanced Lambda control system ensures that it meets the Euro III emission norms,” it said. The new CNG accent will be costlier by Rs 56,500 than the existing version and is price Rs5,55,500 ex-showroom, Delhi. Hyundai plans to offer santro and getz in LPG variants soon. In 2007 Hyundai introduced CNG variant of Santro.
Tata and Mahindra eyes Hummer
Hummer is for sale:
After chasing british luxury marques Jaguar and Land Rover, it seems that Tata and Mahindra is now eyeing American cult brand Hummer. The gas guzzling Hummer is seen as the face of american automotive industry. But as fuel price sky rockets to $4 per gallon buyers turned down fuel thirsty suvs and preferred small car. For the first time since 1991, Ford’s F150 pick-up has lost its top position to a sedan in a month. In the month of May, Hummer brand sales fell by 67 per cent from 4636 units to just 1843. Hence General Motors has decided to either to redesign or to sell part the brand. A GM spokeswoman was quoted as saying that GM was probably not making the maximum use of “a great brand” and that it might be better exploited by another company.
Mahindra and Mahindra and Tata which is in desperate situation in need of superior technologies to fulfill their global aspiration might be interested in acquiring this cult brand. M&m lost the JLR to Tata’s and Hummer is the only SUV brand left for Mahindra. Hummer could be the best fit for Mahindra’s as Mahindra and Mahindra wants to be next Land Rover.
Jaguar and Land Rover eyes Indian market
Jaguar and Land Rover’s new owner Tata Motors is exploring the possibility of two marque brands in India. Soon the Jaguar and Land Rover will be conducting a study on the demand for the models of Jaguar and Land Rover. Indian luxury market is growing at 28% and is attracting luxury makers. Already Mercedes, BMW,Audi,Volvo and Porsche is having a significant presence in India. Ferrari is already mulling its entry into indian market.
Mahindra Renault to launch Logan limited edition
As we reported earlier Mahindra – Renault will soon launch limited or special edition logan to mark the first anniversary of the car in India. Logan was launched in early 2007 and Mahindra Renault has been selling around 2000 units every month. The limited or special edition would come with high end features such as integrated stereo system,uplifted interiors. The limited edition will be available from next month. Also Mahindra Renault plans to equip the Logan sedan with anti-lock braking or ABS. ABS will be available as an option in the top-end petrol 1.6 or GLS and the diesel DLS. In 2009 Mahindra Renault plans to launch CNG and LPG variant of Logan.
Maruthi launches M800 Duo
Maruti Suzuki has launched a new LPG variant of its M800 priced between Rs 2.05 lakh and Rs 2.26 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Dual fuel vehicles have always formed a prominent part of our overall product strategy. Besides, the car is economical to drive and being factory fitted, it is completely safe,” Maruti Suzuki India Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Mayank Pareek said. Maruti 800 Duo is manufactured at the company’s Gurgaon plant and is available in a range of five colours. For more details visit
http://www.maruti800.com/maruti800duo/Specifications.asp
Believe us,share with us!
Let’s call it as vicky’s effect
Your trust is finally getting paid. Few days before we started a column to share your problem with us under the heading “Share with us”. Vicky.in reader Mr.Ramachadran wanted to buy grey colour Aviator scooter. J.S.P.Automotive, Anna Nagar, Chennai Honda’s dealer accepted the booking money and said he would get the scooter in next 15 days. But after 15 days they said they have only RED and Black and since there is no production of grey for some time and hence he might get it only by first week of June. That too they can not promise. They said they have one with drum break and if I wish I pay extra. Mr.Ramachandran worried about this third degree business trade and mailed us. We posted the mail in our “share with us” column on May 29th.
But there was no reply from either the manufacturer or the dealer. Mr.Ramachandran against posted a comment in vicky.in expressing his desperation. The comment says “Even after mailing my problem in these columns, neither the dealer or manufacturers bothered to contact me. What it shows? Is the company in trouble for finding a grey paint? or there is no supply of grey paint from the paint manufacturing companies? a short supply? I wonder if the company value their customers”.
Now on 05th June Mr.Ramachandran thanked us and Honda for the sincere effort.
“After posting my graveness in these columns I received a call from Honda Company and they made arrangements so that I take delivery at the earliest of the same monsoon grey colour. After this I recived a call from the dealer that they will deliver the scooter on Monday the 2nd June 2008. But due to various reasons I took delivery of the scooter to day the 5th June 2008. I presented a discount coupon of Rs 500/+ from Honda Launches Premium ‘Aviator’ which the dealer honored.Now I thank one and all. But due to this delay I had to shed extra few thousands for taxes which came with effect from 1st June and heavy price hike from the manufacturer themselves, which was told that due to the weakening of the U.S.dollar I thank the officials behind this.”
He got his issue fixed exactly after 8 days since we posted his first mail at vicky.in. We thank Honda for their immediate action and making the customer happy. Believe us,share with us!
Ford to launch new Fiesta
The advent of SX4 and Logan surely upsetted the sales of City and verna. But the most hit among the lot is the Ford’s flagship product Fiesta. Ford which is of devoid of any small car in its portfolio betted heavily on the success of Fiesta. Ford launched the fiesta in 2005 and the product customized specifically to suit the Indian taste lured many mileage conscious buyers. But the celebration did not exist too long. With the introduction of SX4 and Logan, Fiesta sales took a beat. While the Logan attracted buyers with class leading fuel efficiency, the SX4 from Maruti Suzuki offered better features. To revive the glory of Fiesta and to keep the momentum till Ford’s first small car is rolled out from its Chennai plant. Ford would soon come out with refurbished/facelifted Fiesta and a sports model of the same.
The new facelifted Fiesta will shed the bland look and pick a more aggressive stance. New headlamps and a new grille will replace the familiar honeycomb grille. In addition the sport variant of new Fiesta would come with a spoiler, chrome tipped exahust, 15inch alloys to justify its sports tag. The sports variant of new Fiesta is equipped with low profile 195/55 R15 tyres (other Fiesta’s would continue with 175/55 R 14 tyres). Also interesting in the new Fiesta is its new interiors. The new facelifted Fiesta will feature an all new instrument cluster and a refurbished central console. Leather seat may be offered in top end variants of new Fiesta. Similar to Honda City and Suzuki’s SX4, Ford’s new Fiesta would come with a host of safety features. Top of the line SXI variant comes with Dual airbags, ABS and EBD. Other models EXI and ZXI might get few of these safety featues. Along with the facelift, Ford will also drop the 1.4L DuraTec petrol from Fiesta’s engine line-up. However the much expected 1.6L DuraTorq diesel may not power the Indian Fiesta. The new facelifted Fiesta might be priced Rs20000 over the existing one.
Petrol up by Rs5 and diesel becomes dearer by Rs3
In an unprecedented move, Government Of India raised the fuel prices drastically. Petrol price is raised by Rs5 and diesel is up by Rs3. Surpisingly the common man’s gas LPG is not exempted. LPG price is raised by Rs50. Also the Government has introduced a quota system for LPG cylinder.According to the new system people who have LPG connections would get only eight cylinders per year at the current rate, no matter the size of the household. If extra cylinders are required, one would have to pay double the rate. However ,there is no hike in the price of kerosene.The hike in prices of LPG,diesel and petrol will come into effect from midnight tonight (Wednesday). This hike in prices is set to trigger another wave of raise in Wholesale Price Index in turn the inflation. Inflation is likely to be 10-12%. Following the announcement, Auto stocks have started dipping. Maruti has lost 3.5% and Tata Motors is down by 2.9%.
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Petrol/litre Diesel/litre
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Delhi Rs 50.56 Rs 34.80
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Mumbai Rs 55.54 Rs 39.12
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Chennai Rs 54.64 Rs 37.44
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Chandigarh Rs 51.19 Rs 34.69
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Bangalore RS 52.89 RS 34.69
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Kolkata RS 48.98 RS 33.96
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Lucknow Rs 53.52 Rs.37.50
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