Few weeks back Mahindra has confirmed it plans four new platforms before the end of this decade. Te Ingenio MPV will be launched in 2008 followed by a mass-market platform in 2009, the new SUV in 2010 and the trucks in 2009. The high-end SUV will be in the range of Rs 15-18 lakh. The first truck to be rolled out through the joint venture with Mahindra and International Trucks will sport a new 200-300 horsepower engine. Already we have written much about the Ingenio MPV and the new scorpio Automatic. Now, more information has come out the new mass market platform. The utility vehicle (UV) on mass market platform will be the dearer to everyone. Yes, mahindra wish to make this Utility vehicle (UV) in the price range of Rs4 lakhs. “Our forte is utility vehicles… We have to look at the mass market,” said Arun Jaura, senior vice-president (R&D and global product development), Mahindra and Mahindra. The utility vehicle (UV) will be powered by a engine with a cubic capacity between 800cc to 1,200cc. Mahindra’s new utility vahicle (UV) will be compact with a seating capacity of five.“Indian families these days are typically two plus two, or two plus three. A five-seater makes sense,” added Jaura. This entry level utility vehicle (UV) segment has been dominated by Maruti Suzuki’s Gypsy. Gypsy was first introduced in 1986 and it now sells at Rs5lakh.
Vahan Show: Interview with Product Managers of Tata Motors
This is going to be most happening year for Tata Motors. Starting with the Nano and Ford’s JLR buyout it created headlines across the world. But what about the Tata Motors commercial vehicle division? There is silent revolution. In 2008, Tata will start rolling out Xenon pick-up from its Thailand plant, it will also sell the Xenon in Argentina in alliance with Fiat. World truck – a top end heavy commercial vehicle built by the Tata Daewoo will hit the road this year.
For the domestic market , Tata Motors has lined-up some stunning vehicles which includes Cargo Panel Van, Xenon Singe Cab pick-up, Ace 1-tonne & CNG Ace mini-trucks, and the Winger Executive – an Office-on-Wheels concept vehicle in addition to the 28-seater bus and the air conditioned low-entry bus from the joint venture with Marcopolo of Brazil, Tata LPT 3118 TC 8×2 BS II Multi Axle Truck, LPS 4923 TC 6X4 Tractor, LPT 909 EX2 Refrigerated Container Truck at the Auto Expo. We interviewed product managers of Ace 1T, Ace CNG,Winger cargo and Winger executive concept and they tell us about the Ace’s and Winger’s new Avtar. Watch the interview
Interview with Product Managers of Tata Motors
Maruti Suzuki plans new omni
Omni – one of the India’s most successful car (micro van) may be replaced with a new car. Maruti is developing a new, stripped-down version of the Versa which may eventually become a replacement to the Omni van. According to DNA, suppliers confirmed that Maruti is reworking the Versa into an Omni. Th new omni will be on versa platform in opposite to the existing omni which is built on M800 platform. The new omni is developed under the code name ‘O2’. Maruti launched the versa in 2001 but the numbers were not satisfying. From december 2007 Maruti has begun customising the Versa for customers wanting to use this car as a radio taxi or a luxury taxi and some minor modifications (such as partitioning the driver and passenger compartments) have been made in an attempt to generate sales.
Ford’s small car will be cheaper than Ikon
Ford Motor which recently announced its decision to invest Rs 2,000 crore ($500 million) in its Indian operations today said that it would launch a small car in India by 2010. Ford also said the Indian small car will not be a all new small car but a car built on its existing platform. “I can safely say we will be using the old shared technology concept. You cannot go from standing start to delivery in two years,” says Mr Arvind Mathew, Managing Director & President, Ford India Pvt Ltd. It seems that Ford will follow the same strategy that it adopted for developing and launching the Fiesta in India. unlike we expected Ford’s small car is not going to compete with Honda’s Jazz or Skoda’s Fabia. Ford small car will slot in the B segment in which Maruti Suzuki’s Swift rules. “The new small car would be priced lower than the Ikon, Ford India’s entry-level mid-size sedan which is selling around 5 lakhs,” Arivnd Mathew added.
Tata Indica Dicor Pictorial Review
The much expected Indica Dicor is here but not with the expected 1.3L MultJet Diesel. The ageing Indica ultimately needs a new heart to compete with the superior Swift and Fabia. We test drive the Indica Dicor and find whether the new heart actually serves the purpose.
1) Tata Indica Dicor: is powered by a 1.4L DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) which pumps out 70PS at 4000rpm of maximum power. This is the engine which is already doing the service in Indica’s bigger cousin Indigo. Though the engine is not as refined as Swift’s DDIS but is responsive enough. The strong mid range makes cruising easy between two traffic signals.
2) Tata Indica Dicor: There is not much improvement in ride and handling characteristics. It remains average. Steering is responsive and gains weight as you opens the throttle. Suspension at the front is through Mcpherson strut and at the rear it is through semi trailing arm with coil spring.
3) Tata Indica Dicor: Indica has grown in size. Yes, believe me Tata has further increased the length and height of the indica by 15mm. I’m sure that you cannot get such a spacious hatchback in the market.
4) Tata Indica Dicor: Tata seems to be concentrating on quality. Fit and Finish has improved and hence panel gaps are minimal. Paint quality is good and body coloured bumpers, body coloured door handles and full wheel cover adds attraction. Door trim is nice especially the fabric lining gives a rich look to the car.
5) Tata Indica Dicor: Similar to the Indigo CS cubbyholes are absent, even there are no map pockets. Tata has shared most components between Indigo CS and Indica Dicor. Except for the four spoke steering wheel dashboard resembles the one in indigo CS. Cup holders inside the glove compartment not a good idea though.
6) Tata Indica Dicor: To pave way for the all new Indica Dicor (with 1.3L Multi jet engine), Tata has kept a check on price. Hence ABS and Airbags which featured in the recently launched Indica V2 turbo DLX does not find any place in new Indica Dicor. Seat belts, side intrusion beam and collapsible steering column are the safety features. Indica dicor notifies you through audio warning when a door is opened. Indica Dicor also comes equipped with front and rear fog lamps. What if a product doesn’t come with chrome lining. Chrome strip is plated on the hood and the front grille.
7) Tata Indica Dicor: Control for power windows are mounted in the central console and that too only for front passengers. But the other controls such as HVAC are accessible.Rear wiper is absent though rear demister is an useful addition.
8) Tata Indica Dicor: is available in six attractive colours – scarlet red, salsa red, carbon black, mint white, arctic silver and cavern grey. The DLG variant by which Tata calls the Indica Dicor is priced Rs4,71,194 (on- road, chennai). Summing up the spacious hatchback now gets some necessary grunt. Tata could have added more features to make this car an attractive option.
Tata Indigo CS Pictorial Review – Interiors
1) Tata Indigo CS: You can no longer insert your finger between the panel gaps. Tata has improved the quality of Fit and finish seems a lot. Paint quality has improved and door trim looks nice. But yet there is a room for further improvement.
2) Tata Indigo CS: Once getting inside the car, new ‘T’ shaped stylish steering wheel will draw your attention. But i want to know why the horn knob is mounted so loosely. Also, there is lot of space inside the car yet we don’t find any effective usage. Absence of cubbyholes and bottle holders are evident.
3) Tata Indigo CS: Seems like yet another no frills car in the market. Features like power windows, electrically adjustable ORVM (mirrors), rear wiper and defogger are absent in the top end LS model.Also it seems like Tata has shared a lot of components with new Indica Dicor. Though power windows and other features are absent there are provisions which remind us their absence.
4) Tata Indigo CS: If you choose diesel you get charcoal black colour scheme(shown in the picture). You get contemporary beige interiors in petrol variant. Fabric lining in seats and door blends well with the black interiors and gives a luxury feel. Gear shift knob is leather wrapped in to p end variant
5) Tata Indigo CS: Seating 5 inside the car is tight especially over the tunnel. But seats are comfy and offers good support. Rear passengers also gets good visibility with wide glass area.
6) Tata Indigo CS: Safety features are minimal – seat belts, anti – submarine seats and child safety lock.Black white instrumentation is simple and numbers are easily readable. A digital clock is mounted on the centre of the dashboard.
7) Tata Indigo CS: Overall if you put space and fuel efficiency ahead of performance and styling test drive Indigo CS right now. Even you are not convinced enough, do have a look at the price. It comes at Rs 4,97,184 (on-road ,chennai for Indigo CS Diesel LS)
Tata Indigo CS Pictorial Review – Exteriors
A sub 4-meter car is taxed 8% less than a car which length is over 4 meters. This regulation caught the attention of designers and Tata’s has launched world’s first sub four-metre sedan. Tata Motors has build a sedan without a distinct boot and christened it as Indigo CS (Compact Saloon). Tata Motors wish to blur the lines between the hatches and sedans with the new Indigo CS.
Let’s check out whether Tata Motors is successful in its attempt to provide best of both the world – hatchback and the sedan.
1) Tata Indigo CS: Before going deep let’s understand a new term which you have to know. Building a sedan without a definite boot is called as bustle back. Bustle back is elegant ,it’s aerodynamic, it reduces the length and it provides the massive storage space. More than all these bustle back design reduces the price. Soon Tata’s peer Maruti Suzuki will come out with a similar kind of sub 4-metre sedan called ‘Dezire’.
2) Tata Indigo CS: comes in four variants – LE,LS, GLE and GLS and in two engine options – MPFI petrol and TDI diesel. MPFI petrol engine cranks out 65PS at 5200rpm of maximum power and 105Nm at 2600 rpm of maximum torque.
3) Tata Indigo CS: We test drive the LS model i.e basic diesel model. The turbocharged diesel engine produces 70PS at 4500 rpm of maximum power and finds it adequate to drive in city. The improved performance is partly due to lesser weight. Compared to the previous Indigo, the new Indigo CS weighs 90 kg lesser. Yet the lack of refinement and need for frequent gear shift remains.
4) Tata Indigo CS: To give a refreshed appeal, new headlamps and new front grille are added. But there is not much difference in styling except at the rear. The new styling at the rear gives a composed look because of the smaller length. Indigo CS lengths 3988mm i.e 150mm lesser than the Indigo. Though according to the spec the turning radius remains the same, we feel confident while taking tight corners and closer parking. Steering is responsive and makes maneuvering easier
5) Tata Indigo CS: Shorter length does not come without a compromise the Indigo CS lacks the visual appeal. But open the boot you find 380litres of luggage space which is enormous when when compared to your favorite hatchback. For example Swift offers only 368 litre of luggage space even after folding the rear seats.
6) Tata Indigo CS: Suspension is through Independent McPherson at the front and the rear. Transfers little vibration and hence traveling inside the indigo CS is a pleasant one even over the poor roads. Suspension Intrusion in the boot is larger which means it cannot hold larger objects.
7) Tata Indigo CS: Wide opening doors and tall stance makes the ingress and egress easy.But accessing the boot is not that easy theres is no distinct boot lid. Tata? where’s ur chrome strip
8) Tata Indigo CS: is available in seven attractive colours – scarlet red, sparkling gold, mica grey, carbon black,cosmic blue,mint white and arctic silver.
Hyundai opens new plant
Hyundai Motor India Ltd today commissioned operations at its second manufacturing plant at Sriperumbudur.With the commissioning of this new plant Hyundai Motor India is capable of producing 600,000 units per year doubling its present capacity of 300,000 units per annum. Hyundai Motor India’s export destinations are expected to increase from 73 to 90 countries by the end of 2008. Hyundai has committed a total investment of US $1 billion for the next phase. The new plant is located within the same 525 acre plot in Sriperumbudur adjacent to the first plant. The new plant will be dedicated largely to the production of Hyundai’s latest offering – the i10. To support the domestic growth, Hyundai has already strengthened its dealer network from 183 to 230 in 2007; by the end of 2008, it expects to expand this to a 300-strong network.
Speaking on the occasion, Hyundai Motor Company Chairman & CEO Mong-Koo Chung said: “We have recorded huge successes in India in the last 10 years, since we started operations in this country in 1996. Our new plant will be the platform for future growth. I’m sure Hyundai Motor India will play its role perfectly as a global manufacturing hub for all of Hyundai’s small car models As we have got from India, so we seek to give not only in boosting the country’s industry and business, but in terms of being a responsible corporate citizen of India.”
Reva builds new plant
Electric car maker Reva has built a new 33,000 capacity plant in Bommasandra, Bangalore, to meet the increased demand in foreign markets and gain a foothold in the Maharashtra market. ”Most of the electric cars produced will be exported abroad where they have a good market. 80 per cent of our cars are sold in 21 markets abroad including the UK and Japan where there is more awareness about the environment and our electric cars are more acceptable”, Indian Operations President Mr Girish M Rakhe said. He said talks were on with the Maharashtra government for subsidies and tax breaks to enable Reva to enter the state market. ”We are starting to get subsidies and tax breaks from the Central government for our environment-friendly electric car, which should bring down the price from the current Rs 4.5- 5.5 lakh range and make it more attractive for the domestic market,” Mr Rakhe said.
Vahan Show: Interview with Mr Sanjiv Sahajwala Head Marketing, DaimlerChrysler India
Daimler’s previous generation c-class was a huge success and sold more than 5000 units of previous generation c-class in India since its launch in 2001. Daimler wants to replicate the same with the new c-class. But as Indian luxury car segment posts double digit growth every year the competition has intensified and customers has more choice than before. Mercedes – the early entrant doesn’t want to give away anything to the competitors . Daimler today launched its power-packed, more spacious new C-class in India in two variants – classic and elegance. Mercedes has introduced many advanced features like Agility control which ensures superb handling characteristics. But don’t worry Mercedes has not compromised comfy ride for the sake of handling. We spoke with Mr Sahajwala Head Marketing of DaimlerChrysler India. He explains how Mercedes combines the best of both world in new c-class. He also talks about new COMAND system in C-class. Very importantly he told us if needed, Mercedes is ready to sell Avantgarde (sporty) version of new C-class in India as a CBU. Watch the Interview
Interview with Mr Sanjiv Sahajwala Head Marketing, DaimlerChrysler India