Hot News Honda Civic Hybrid and Jazz

Honda which recenlty launched the new Accord has outlined its plans for the Indian market. Honda wish to be a larger player in the Indian market and has accelerated its pace as it gets into the mainstream segments. Yes, it plans multiple hatchbacks, a diesel car and a hybrid car for the Indian market. Honda which is investing Rs1000 crores in its new Rajasthan plans to roll out six models based on three platforms. Similar to Honda’s Suzuka plant, the Rajasthan plant will be capable of handling six models based on different platforms. The plant will also supply engine components and stamped body parts to the existing Greater Noida plant. The first car from Rajasthan plant will be made between the new Jazz platform or a completely new platform. The Jazz or the new premium Hatchback will be launched only in 2009. Contrary to our belief, the Jazz will be launched only by the end of 2009. This is mainly because Honda wants to ensure high localisation in Jazz in order to market it at a competitive price. “In all our cars, we are looking for a high level of localisation. That is the case with Jazz too. Our objective is 70-80 per cent localisation,” Mr Masahiro Takedagawa, President and CEO of Honda Siel India said. The other platform, which Honda will built to suit Indian needs, will be launched after four to five years.

Let’s move to higher segments where Honda already has a strong presence. Honda is studying the diesel 2.4-litre 100 bhp engine and the 3.5-litre V6 diesel for the indian market. Diesel engines may be strapped under the hood of CR-V and Accord. We already informed you about the Honda CR-V diesel which the company is secretly testing in India. As far as the green cars is concerned, Honda wants to gauge the market response for green cars with the Civic Hybrid. Civic Hybrid will be imported as CBU and the car will be available through all Honda dealership across the country. Civic Hybrid is expected to be priced around Rs20 lakh. Mr Takedagawa indicated that Honda has greater plans at the global level in the area of sustainable motoring solutions. He said that the company is keenly looking at the market response to Civic Hybrid to introduce ‘cleaner and greener’ cars to India. “Let’s see what the response to Civic Hybrid is. And then we will decide on other varieties. We will go step by step,” he said. If we buy more hybrid, Honda may introduce FCX in India.

Tata Motors to compete in multimillion dollar progressive Automotive X PRIZE

Taking the challenge

The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE — a competition designed to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles — today announced that Tata Motors Limited of the United Kingdom has signed an official Letter of Intent to compete. Tata Motors is now among more than 70 teams from 12 countries and 22 U.S. states who have signed a letter of intent to compete for a share of a $10 million prize purse. The independent and technology-neutral competition is open to teams from around the world that can design and build production-capable, 100 MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent) vehicles that people will want to buy and that meet market needs for price, size, capability, safety and performance in one of two classes: Mainstream and Alternative. Mainstream vehicles will be required to carry four or more passengers, have four or more wheels, and allow for a 200-mile range. Alternative Class vehicles will be required to carry two or more passengers, have no constraints on the number of wheels, and allow for a 100-mile range. Jonathan Etherington, Principal Engineer of Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC), will lead the Tata Motors team. Under Etherington’s direction, the team intends to enter a pure e-drive micro car into the Alternative Class and Dominant Electric Hybrid vehicle into the Mainstream Class. Other recent entrants to the Letter of Intent program include Motive Industries of Canada, Western Washington University, Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technologies, Inc. of Chicago, IL and TTW Turin Italy of Turin, Italy. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Neil Young also intends to enter his 1960 Lincoln Continental conversion into the competition, along with his partner Jonathan Goodwin.
The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is open to all — automakers large and small as well as innovators — who believe the goal of a 100 MPGe vehicle is not only possible but essential if we are to break our addiction to oil. “We are so pleased that such a diverse group of competitors intends to compete for the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE,” noted Don Foley, Executive Director of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. “With the first stage race only 17 months away and the price of crude oil now hovering around $120 a barrel, consumer interest in the need for such a competition and a long term solution to fuel prices is rapidly growing.” Beginning in September 2009, the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE will kick off a cross-country stage race in New York City, followed by nine other major markets throughout the U.S., in which competing vehicles will be tested and showcased in real world conditions. Organizers are now seeking cities to host the remaining stages of the competition. Winners will be the vehicles that exceed 100 MPG equivalent, fall under strict emissions caps and finish in the fastest time. The competition is scheduled to conclude in 2010.

ABOUT THE PROGRESSIVE AUTOMOTIVE X PRIZE

The goal of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. Ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage race for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 MPGe.

The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE will place a major focus on efficiency, safety, affordability, and the environment. It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers will want to buy, not science projects or concept cars. This progress is needed because today’s oil consumption is unsustainable and because automotive emissions significantly contribute to global warming and climate change.

ABOUT THE X PRIZE FOUNDATION

The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. In 2004, the Foundation captured world headlines when Burt Rutan, backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, built and flew the world’s first private vehicle to space to win the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE. The Foundation has since launched the $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE, and the $10 million Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. The Foundation is creating prizes in five areas: Exploration (Space and Underwater), Life Sciences, Energy & Environment, Education and Global Development. The Foundation is widely recognized as the leading model for fostering innovation through competition. For more information, please visit www.xprize.org

For more information about the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org

RMP launches Rahee e-bikes in Kerala

RMP has launched its Rahee E-bikes in Kerala. This unique electronic Bike is manufactured by VLRA – A division of RMP and marketed by RMP Infotec Private Limited. Rahee will weigh around 80 Kilograms and the maximum speed will be 30 kms per hour. With a full charge battery, the bike will run approximately for 40 Kilometers. The vehicle cost is around Rs. 26,000. According to RMP the key features of Rahee e-bikes are:

1. Battery operated
2. No RTO Registration required
3. No License required to drive
4. Pollution Free
5. No Noise

Parsoli Motors to sell Beamers in Ahmedabad

BMW India today announced opening of Parsoli Motors, its dealership in Ahmedabad. Parsoli Motors brings to Ahmedabad the BMW standards of sales and service and the same international experience as any BMW dealership worldwide. The showroom is located near Thaltej Circle on S.G road and a fully equipped workshop is located at Sanathal on Sarkhej Sanand Highway. The showroom and workshop is headed by Mr. Talha Sareshwala, CEO & Managing Director, Parsoli Motors.Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Peter Kronschnabl, President, BMW India said, “Our partnership with Parsoli Motors is reflective of BMW’s endeavor to reach out to its consumers and provide high quality services that are at par with international standards. We are confident that this new partnership in Ahmedabad a very important market and one of India’s most historic and vibrant cities will help fuel BMW’s growth plans in India.” Uto Baader, Chairman, Parsoli Motors and Mr. Zafar Sareshwala, Director, Parsoli Motors were also present on the occasion. The showroom covers 6000 sq ft of space and offers the customers a unique retail environment. The showroom is evolved on the signature-BMW concept of street display and the pavement flanking alongside as the customer area. All operations related to sales are efficiently covered from the space, which ensures comfort to the customer at the point of sales. The approximate area of the workshop of Parsoli Motors is 17000 sq ft respectively. The workshop has four service bays and can service 8 to 10 vehicles a day.

BMW 3 Series

320i 27, 34, 444

325i 33, 42, 667

320d 30, 10, 444

320d highline 31, 12, 667

BMW 5 Series

523i 37, 46, 444

525i 41, 40, 000

530i 45, 93, 333

525d 42, 93, 333

BMW 6 Series

650i Coupé 80, 70, 444

650i Convertible 89, 03, 556

BMW 7 Series

740Li 81, 01, 111

750Li 88, 42, 222

760Li 1, 26, 55, 111

730Ld 74, 92, 889

BMW X Series

X3 2.5si 42, 42, 222

X5 3.0d 63, 68, 444

X5 4.8i 79, 98, 889

BMW M Series

M3 Coupé 75, 84, 889

M3 Convertible 77, 89, 333

M5 Sedan 1, 02, 73, 333

M6 Coupé 1, 26, 44, 889

M6 Convertible 1, 33, 50, 222

Ford’s new engine plant

Ford India has launched production of diesel engines at its new, state-of the-art engine assembly plant at Maramalai Nagar, Chennai, for use in the popular midsize Ford Fiesta and Ford Fusion product lines. The new US$26 million assembly plant officially went online in late April, and has an annual capacity of 60,000 units. The 10,000sqm assembly plant includes a cylinder block machining line capable of producing 50,000 diesel and 10,000 petrol engine blocks. The first engines being produced are the 1.4-litre turbodiesel Duratorq engines. The new engine assembly plant created an additional 200 technical and engineering positions, increasing overall employment at Ford India to 2300. Ford India also added 25 new local suppliers to its supply network to support the new diesel engine assembly operations, which help to contribute nearly 50 percent local content to the diesel engines. ”This world-class facility will help position Ford India as a strategic manufacturing hub for low displacement powertrain engines within our Asia Pacific and Africa region,” explained Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India. “These diesel engines will initially supply vehicle production for the domestic market. During the next phase of expansion, this assembly operation will be seamlessly integrated into a highly-flexible engine manufacturing facility.”  “The domestic assembly of these engines will facilitate quicker time-to-market response, and greatly enhance the efficiencies of our operations,” concluded Boneham.

Suzuki’s new Heat and Zeus

To catch up to the growing competition in the 125cc segment, Suzuki has facelifted both the Heat and Zeus 125cc. For better margin manufacturers are showing more interest in the 125cc segment. Bajaj launched the new XCD, TVS launched the new Flame and Yamaha uplifted its Gladiator 125cc recently. Suzuki’s offering in the 125cc segment has never made a impact on the buyer’s decision. But Suzuki hopes the sales will soar by offering value packed products. Hence Suzuki has packed Zeus and Heat with sporty and trendy features.

Additions in the Zeus 125cc

* The new Zeus comes with new body graphics

* Suzuki’s new Zeus also gets a new front cowl and color balancer (silver to black)

* The new zeus also features an additional mud guard on the swing arm

* New Zeus comes with a stainless throttle cable

Changes in the Heat 125cc

* Similar to the Zeus, the new Heat comes with new body graphics, color balancer (silver to black),

* New Heat also gets additional mud guard on the swing arm and stainless steel throttle

* Suzuki has added additional cushions under the seat to give the Heat riders a comfortable ride.

Yamaha G5 gets electric start

Yamaha has launched a new G5 fitted with electric start. The new G5 comes in 2 colours – Deep Red Metallic K and Yamaha Black and is priced at Rs 39,380 (ex-showroom-all India). With the electric start G5 becomes the third motorcycle in the commuter bike segment after TVS star city and recently launched Yamaha Alba. “We plan to continue gearing up our existing product line and marketing initiatives…We are paying attention at the customer who always looks for more. The new G5 is equipped with electric start as a convenient feature. With this launch, we are ready to extend our products and services,” Yamaha Motor Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Takahiro Maeda said. On the launch 150cc YZF R15 and FZ “We will launch two products in the Indian market to boost our sales. R15 will be launched pretty soon while FZ 150 would be introduced around Diwali” he replied.
With the new bikes and new variants of existing bikes Yamaha hopes to sell 2-3 lakh bikes in the 2008. Yamaha will also open eight company owned showrooms this year.

Honda launches new Accord

Honda today announced the launch of its 8th Generation Honda Accord in India. Honda’s new Accord comes in three variants – Accord 2.4, Accord 2.4 Elegance and Accord 2.4 Inspire. The price of the new Accord starts from Rs 16.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and goes up to Rs 18.14 lakh. Watch this space for more details.

International Engine of the Year 2008

BMW again proved it excellence in making best engines. The munich maker has won as many as six category awards and the prestigious International engine of the year in 2008. The International Engine of the Year Awards is organised by UK based Engine Technology International, published by UKIP Media & Events and it is Judged by a panel of 65 renowned motoring journalists from 32 countries as disparate as the USA, Japan, China, Russia, New Zealand, India, Korea, Germany, France, Romania, South Africa, Mexico and the UK. Hormazd Sorabjee of Autocar India is one among the 65 judges. The competition was started in 1999 and has become a prestigious award. Here are the 2008 results

International Engine of the Year:
BMW 3-LITRE TWIN TURBO (135, 335, X6)

*BMW X6 will hit the Indian shores with this award winning engine next year.

Best New Engine of the Year:
BMW 2-LITRE DIESEL TWIN TURBO (123D)

Green Engine of the Year:
TOYOTA 1.5-LITRE HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE (PRIUS)

Best Performance Engine:
PORSCHE 3.6-LITRE TURBO (911 TURBO, 911 GT2)

Sub 1-litre:
TOYOTA 1-LITRE

* Variant of this engine may power the Toyota’s indian small car.

1-litre to 1.4-litre:
VOLKSWAGEN 1.4-LITRE TSI TWINCHARGER

* might feature in soon to be launched VW jetta

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre:
BMW-PSA 1.6-LITRE TURBO

1.8-litre to 2-litre:
VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI 2-LITRE TURBO FSI

2-litre to 2.5-litre:
SUBARU 2.5-LITRE TURBO (FORESTER, IMPREZA, LEGACY, OUTBACK)

2.5-litre to 3-litre:
BMW 3-LITRE TWIN TURBO (135, 335, X6)

3-litre to 4-litre:
BMW 4-LITRE V8 (M3)

Above 4-litre:
BMW 5-LITRE V10 (M5, M6)

To view the complete list of nominees and analysis on the engines visit http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyear/categories.html

Bajaj, Renault & Nissan to make small car

Bajaj, Renault and Nissan idea of building a Nano rival is finally taking shape. Bajaj Auto and the Renault-Nissan alliance today announced that they will form a joint-venture company to develop, produce and market the car, code-named ULC (ultra-low cost)with wholesale price ranging from Rs1 lakh.Bajaj Auto will own 50% in the small car JV and Renault and Nissan will hold 25% each. Codenamed ULC, the car will be made at a new plant to be constructed in Chakan and the initial planned capacity will be 4,00,000 units per year. The project cost would be about Rs 1,000 crore. Sales will start in early 2011 in India and eventually be exported to other markets as well. Bajaj will be the lead player in India and Srilanka. But Renault-Nissan are likely to hold the IPR for the car’s technical design and mechanicals. Another interesting thing is the engine of the small car will be made only by Renault and Bajaj through a separate JV. Since the same engine will also be used in Bajaj’s LCV and small trucks. Nissan has already tied up with Ashok Leyland for its Indian LCV partner and hence Nissan will not be involved in the small car engine.

The good news, Bajaj has heeded to voice of Carlos Ghoshn. Bajaj retracted from producing a smart car with higher fuel efficiency. Unlike the earlier announced, the car will be ultra low cost and will be priced around Rs 1lakh. “Tremendous technical support is coming in from the partners and a lot of interesting work is underway. Suppliers will be selected by us as part of the joint venture and we are confident of meeting Carlos Ghosn’s expectations of frugal engineering,” Bajaj said.