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Is Thailand edging out India?

India is fastly losing the race to become asian hub for manufacturing eco friendly cars, but, interestingly we are losing the battle not to china or russia but to Thailand. When world Majors like Toyota and Honda are requesting Indian Government to relax the duty structure(116% for any CBUs) for hybrid vehicles to promote eco-friendly technology in the country, Government of Thailand has offered tax breaks to companies that will produce hybrid vehicles. Suzuki plans to produce 138,000 environmentally friendly vehicles annually in Thailand with an investment of 9.5 billion baht ($282 million) while fellow Japanese automaker Nissan plans the annual production of 120,000 units after spending 5.5 billion baht($184million). Honda Motor Co. has already received tax incentives for its plan to build a 6.7 billion baht ($222 million) eco-car production facility. Toyota and Mitsubishi have also claimed investment incentives to produce green vehicles from the Thai Board of Investment. What makes the thing much worser for india is its homegrown Tata Motors has also decided to make Thailand a regional hub for eco-cars. Altogether, interest shown by at least seven foreign automobile manufacturers in producing eco-cars will enable Thailand to export not less than 700,000 eco-cars. If this investments are done Thailand will become one of the world’s top 10 car producers and exporters. The country now ranks 15th in the world auto market. Thailand is already the world’s second-largest pickup market after the United States and has become a major pickup truck hub for global automakers. Tata Motos intends to produce 35,000 pickups from 2008 in Thailand.

To qualify for the sops these manufacturers have to export at least 100,000 vehicles a year in addition the engine size of eco-cars must not exceed 1,300 cubic centimeters if they use gasoline and is limited to 1,400 cubic centimeters if they are diesel-powered. Also, they must not consume more than one 1 liter of fuel for every 20 kilometers and create no more than 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.

Not just the higher duty structure hampers the global makers to roll out hybrid vehicles in India but also lack of guidance. While Honda is serious in bringing the civic hybrid to India, Honda realised that there was no regulation in place to permit the model to run on Indian roads. Honda is currently working with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to create one. India which already lost the battle to china! should wake up this time atleast

Navigation made simple

We used to get the help of autowallas,taxiwallas or a bypassing pedestrian. But with the Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs) you won’t seek help. PNDs available in India now comes with a huge database of digitised maps covering 55,000 towns and villages, 150 landmarks and 18 cities as well as local places in 52 categories. This will help you to reach the destination easier. Delhi-based MapmyIndia — a sister concern of a leading player in the Geographical Information Systems (GIS), CE Info Systems — launched two new models of what are being called Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs). All you should do is buy one and mount it on your dashboard. This palm sized naviagtion gadget displays the distance and time to the destined place while on the move. MapmyIndia’s navigator can either be mounted on the windshield of the dashboard while driving or carried in hand while sitting in the backseat. The MapmyIndia Navigator is available for Rs 21,000 in Delhi and Rs 22,000 in other states. This is a one-time cost for the entire navigation-ready product, pre-loaded with complete all India maps and standard accessories such as car and wall charger, windshield and dashboard mount, manuals etc.

But you may think why should a pay a sum of Rs20000 for navigation in the age of google maps? With GPS enabled phones and blackberryies you can only plot a route between two locations but with the mapmyindia navigators turn-by-turn navigation is possible which cannot be done with the former. When lot of navigators are available in the market what makes the mapmyindia navigator unique is its larger database. More than easier navigation you can avoid quarrel inside the car espescially when you are going for a new place with your family.

Mapmynavigator covers

* Delhi NCR (New Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad)
* Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula
* Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane
* Pune (including Pimpri Chinchwad)
* Bangalore
* Chennai
* Hyderabad, Secunderabad
* Kolkata (including Bidhan Nagar)
Availability:

The MapmyIndia Navigator is currently available at 50 dealers across major cities- Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Chandigarh and will be available across 2000 retail outlets by the end of 2008.

Future map upgrades

MapmyIndia map future upgrades will be available twice a year for the entire country and will include updates to existing coverage in addition to new coverage. Users will have an option to purchase the upgrades at a reasonable price. In the next one year MapmyIndia plans to release over 1000 cities and 500,000 towns and villages along with 1 million points of interest with these upgrades.
However the gadget does not inform the traveler of any changes in the route in real-time or suggest alternative routes to the destination.

Maruti’s global car

While peripheral players are making big announcements, market leader can’t be mum for a long period of time. As India’s 1.4 million car market is getting hotter day-by-day the 50% market holder is pulling up the socks to defend its market share. If 20% market holder can make world premiere in India, then why not India’s largest carmaker don’t make any move. Is suzuki not taking its largest market serious? All these doubts will be dispelled when O Suzuki, chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) announces suzuki’s first “made in India car”. “We can’t let newcomers break our 50 percent share that easily. We’re going to do everything we can to keep that level for eternity,” Chief Executive Officer Osamu Suzuki said.

The new ‘world concept car’ would be the fifth global car from the Suzuki stable after the Swift, the Grand Vitara, the SX4 and finally the Splash that is yet to be launched in India. The ‘world car’ is being jointly developed by Maruti Suzuki India and Suzuki Motor Corporation. This is the Suzuki’s second visit to India in two months which underlines the increasing significance of Maruti Suzuki in Suzuki’s global operations. During the Osamu Suzuki’s earlier visit to India (in October 2007), he had announced an investment of 1.7 billion dollars on R&D and stepping up marketing activities. Suzuki will be the first international carmaker to make the global launch of its concept car at the New Delhi Auto Expo. Production version of Maruti Suzuki’s global car will hit the market in 2009. The car is likely to carry 1.2 litre to 1.6 litre engine and will be available in both petrol and diesel versions.Maruti Suzuki will also expand its dealer network to 1000 from 550 now. Tata Motors and Hyundai Motor currently have about 200 outlets each.

Mahindra Scorpio Vlx mHawk – Pictorial Review

1) Mahindra Scorpio Vlx mHawk: Following the tata’s safari, scorpio gets a new heart. We all know this engine as ‘Eagle’ but since the name is registered Mahindra uses ‘mHawk’ tag for this engine.

2) Mahindra Scorpio Vlx mHawk: The refinement is felt from the instant when you move to first gear. The use of VGT lessens the turbo lag significantly. The 4 cylinder, m-Hawk engine develops 120bhp of power and 290 Nm of torque in a wide range of 1600 – 2800rpm. The mhawk burns the fuel efficiently than the 2.6L CRDe engine and it returns a mileage of 12kmpl

3) Mahindra Scorpio Vlx mHawk exterior changes are limited to m_Hawk badge, graphics on body panels and a large front bonnet scoop

4) Mahindra Scorpio Vlx mHawk Mahindra has refreshed the interiors with new beige themes and new central bezel. Scorpio is more safe with ABS, tyre pressure & temperature monitoring sensors and anti pinch window which retreats when it senses any obstruction.

5) The reversing of this large SUV is made simple with the smart parking camera which animates the scene behind the scorpio in the parking mirror and alerts you with a beep when the obstacle is with in 100units.

6) Mahindra Scorpio Vlx mHawk: You can switch on cruise control mode when the speedo crosses 40kmph (from 2nd gear)and take the legs of the accelerator pedal. A press of the set button on the steering wheel can increase/ decrease speed by 0.5kmph. You can turn the cruiser control off by pressing the pedal.

7) Mahindra Scorpio Vlx mHawk: Even after several years being in the market, Scorpio sales is soaring hence Mahindra is no mood to replace atleast till 2010. Until that soarpoints like handling will continue with scorpio.

8) To be on the road Mahindra Scorpio Vlx mHawk demands Rs10,68,724 and are available in Fiery black, diamond white, mist silver, Turf green/soft gold with rocky beige/soft beige, java brown with soft beige. (Interiors and Exteriors)

P.S Our sincere thanks to MPL Motors,Nelson manickam road,Chennai-29(044-23746851).

Maruti’s Happy Customer Offer

Would you rather buy a cheaper car this month and risk a low resale value later or wait till January when prices are up? December is the time when carmakers pull out all stops to get rid of their stocks at dealerships. A car bought this month becomes a 2007 model while the one procured in january (after three weeks) is an ’08 one and, therefore, more attractive when it is sold 2-3 years later. If you don’t mind reselling, you can get better deals in December . Here is the details of yet another compelling offer announce by India’s leading car maker Maruti Suzuki.

In an advertisement published in a local daily, Under Maruti Suzuki’s “Happy customer offer” you can save a lot. here are the details on the offer

Name of the car	Savings
M800	Rs20000
Omni	Rs. 17,500
Alto	Rs. 10000
Zen Estilo	Rs.35000
WagonR Petrol	Rs. 35000
WagonR duo	Rs. 22500
Esteem	Rs. 50000
Versa	Rs. 20000

Bajaj’s new three wheeler RE GDi

Bajaj Auto which reported 18% drop in sales(Y-o-Y) in three wheeler segment in November launched a new autorickshaw today (December 08th). Christened as RE GDi, the new three wheeler incorporates the latest technology the gasoline direct injection engine to achieve substantially lower emissions than even the alternate ‘clean’ fuel CNG vehicles. Bajaj Auto claims the RE GDi would deliver 33 per cent better fuel-efficiency than the conventional RE autorickshaw. The Engine has been tuned for strong low-end torque to deliver 15% more torque and 25% more power for improved drivability in congested city traffic. The pilot group of customers to whom RE GDi have been sold are reporting additional income of Rs.80-100/- per day.

Other user friendly features available on the RE GDi are:

* Electric starter to reduce driver fatigue

* Twin headlamp for improved visibility

* A new dashboard for car like feeling

*Swing arm with anti dive link front suspension
RE GDi will be launched in a phased manner throughout the country.

Micro car’s kyron to hit india

While Korean major Hyundai is planning to sell santa fe in 2008 in India, its local peer SsangYong(Korea’s fourth largest car maker) will debut into indian market with its flagship SUV kyron next year. SsangYong will sell its kyron through Srilanka’s Micro car. Micro Cars is a car company based in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1995, Micro Car produces the Micro 800 mini-car, the Micro MPV Junior van, and the Micro Trend hatchback. Since 2006, Micro car is locally assembling SUVs in Sri Lanka in collaboration with SsangYong motors Korea. India will receive the kyron assembled in Sri Lanka in 2008. “There is a demand for quality SUVs in India,” Micro Cars Managing Director Lawrence Perera told. Micro cars has already sent test vehicles to India and received “very good” response, he said, adding Micro Cars would export its locally assembled Kyron SUVs to India in 2008. SsangYong Kyron is powered by Mercedesebenz 3rd Generation common rail 2.0L engines and transmission is through 5-speed automatic tiptronic.

Visit http://www.ssangyong.lk/ to know more about kyron

Visit http://www.microcars.lk/ to know more about Micro Car

update:Skoda fabia bookings

Skoda which has already said it will launch the Fabia in delhi auto expo on january 12th 2008, has started receiving bookings for the hatchback.Booking fee ranges from Rs50000 to Rs1lakh. Delivery of Fabia is likely to be in the 2nd week of january 2008. Specifications and pamphlets of Indian Fabia will reach the showrooms by december end. Special preference is given to skoda owners.

Bavina’s new electric car

Chinese vehicle manufacturers have already started making ripples in India’s passenger vehicle market . Last year china’s guangzhou and india’s xenitis made a venture called global auto which is now well known for its Rock 100cc(Rs20,000). Soon this chinese presence will be felt in the 1.4million car industry. In alliance with Chennai based Bavina’s industries chinese manufacturers will debut into indian car market but in a unconventional way. Bavina will roll out an electric car in 2008 which would run 130km in a single charge and would come at price tag of around Rs2lakhs. The electric car is likely to be christened as ‘Bavina’

Bavina

The ‘power pack’ of bavina consists of six lead-acid batteries (12V/200AH each) which can be recharged 500 times. It could give a maximum speed of 55 kmph. The fully-charged bavina would run for 110 km with AC switched on and another 20 km without AC. Every charge that takes ten hours. According to S Rajasekhar,Managing Director of Bavina Industries the six lead-acid batteries in the car would last up to 65,000 km or a minimum of one-and-a-half years. The replacement cost could be around Rs 21,000. This would come down to Rs 12,000 when the company introduces a three-battery version within two years. Bavina will also host of sophiscated features like Air Conditioning, power window and centralised locking.

Initially bavina will import the electric car from china and by january 2009 it will start production of the car in chennai where bavina is setting up a plant. The four-seater steel-bodied hatch-back resembling Hyundai Santro and Daewoo Matiz would zip through Indian roads from April 14. Bavina hopes to sell 5,000 cars per year.

Bavina taxi

Bavina would also launch an ‘eco-fridendly taxi’ first in Delhi and Chennai on August 15,2008. By the end of 2009, these taxis could be seen in all the major cities such as Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Hyderabad.

Rajasekar pitches his ‘Bavina’ as “ eco-friendly, a gentle road-user (max. speed 55kph), a four-door sedan and low maintenance”.

source: photo from the Hindu

Loss of face for Tata Motors

Tata Motors which is being criticized for poor quality in its products in domestic market faced a major upset when JD Power and Associates quality study adjudged Tata Motors as the worst performer among the 23 passenger cars in South Africa. The vehicles were compared on the basis of initial quality feedback given by customers. German auto giant BMW topped the list as the best quality brand in the passenger vehicles segment. BMW cars reported only 142 problems per 100 vehicles, the lowest in the segment. Tata cars reported as many as 567 problems per 100 vehicles — the highest for the segment. The score of Tata vehicles was more than double the average passenger vehicle score of 245. Tata Motors sells its hatchback Indica and sedan Indigo in South Africa. Tata’s other offerings TL pick-up and Safari SUV were not ranked because of small sample sizes. Tata has been rated low in Customer Satisfaction, Quality Index by various studies in recent years. Tata Motors is currently working to acquire european luxury marquees Land Rover and Jaguar where customers demand on quality is quiet high. Tata Motors please pay attention!

JD Power Initial Quality Study said its annual study was a customer-driven measure of problems experienced in the first three to seven months of ownership. It examined 228 problem symptoms across nine factors, including exterior and interior, entertainment, driving experience, controls and displays, features, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, engine and other problems.