Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
Hell has announced plans to invest more than US$97m in a new lighting plant in Irapuato, in the Mexi...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
Ford has elected a former presidential candidate and US Ambassador to China to the company’s Board...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
BPL Global, Ltd (BPLG), a smart grid technology company, announced on 8 February that it had joined ...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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4-speed Automatic Transmission (AT)
5-speed Manual Transmission (MT) * Estimated values may differ under various conditions.
Revamped interiors. Integrated rear spoiler. ABS and airbags available as optional for the customers. With 50-50 rear split seats. Updated front seat head restraints. New alloy wheels. More powerful engine not available presently.
Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car-maker, has come up with its youngest brand A-star in a revamped form. Maruti New A-star is known for its contemporary styling, fantastic handling and ride quality, dynamic turning radius, power, flat torque and superior performance. In addition, the eco-friendly characteristic of the car adds to its popularity. It is designed to meet the "end of life vehicle" (ELV) specifications according to which the cars components are up to 85% recyclable.
An automatic variant of the New A-star has been introduced to strengthen its position and enhance its drivability. It accounts for almost 1/3 rd of A-Star sales. The scooped front seats back is introduced to enhance the leg room for rear passengers.
Rated as the "Most fuel efficient car" in the world by Global green challenge Australia, 2nd most environmental friendly car by VCD Germany, Maruti Suzuki A-star is one of the most awarded cars in MSIL's list of cars. It has also bagged the "Total Customer Satisfaction Award" in 2009-10, 2010-11, "Car of the year" felicitation from leading auto magazines, Topgear, Zigwheels and Autocar.
The Maruti Suzuki New A-star is available in the following variants- LXI, VXI, VXI AT, ZXI and ZXI (with ABS and Airbags). It is available in an array of seven colors which include Glistening grey, Caffeine Brown, Paradise Blue, Silky Silver, Arctic White, Bright Red and Midnight Black.
The Maruti Suzuki New A-star is equipped with the flamboyant 998 cc 3 cylinder K10B petrol engine which churns out 66 bhp @ 6200 rpm and a maximum torque of 90 Nm @ 3500 rpm. Maruti Suzuki A-star is the first car from Maruti Suzuki fitted with the latest invention in engine technology, the new generation KB Series engine.
The new Maruti Suzuki A-star is available with the option of 4-speed automatic transmission and 5-speed manual transmission.
The suspension device consist of MacPherson strut and coil spring in the front and Isolated trailing link and coil spring at the rear which imparts precise handling and ride comfort even on bumpy roads.
The new Maruti Suzuki A-star delivers impressive aesthetics. It gets new alloy wheels, body colored bumper, new integrated rear spoiler which imparts a sumptuous look. New integrated rear spoiler for sportiness has also been introduced.
The new Maruti Suzuki A-star sports completely revamped interiors. The interior is luxurious with 50-50 rear split seats which have enhanced user convenience and boot space usage, reworked front seat head restraints, handy cubby holes, bottle holders have been added for comfort and ease, cabin light, floor carpet, cup holders, assist grips (co driver and rear) and sunvisor with ticket holder. The dual "grey and beige" interiors impart a feeling of airiness and space.
The The new Maruti Suzuki A-star has been designed keeping the highest safety standards in mind. It is equipped with many safety features which include total effective control technology, child-proof rear door locks, high mounted stop lamp, front ventilated disc 13 inch, front wipers and washer with intermittent and immobiliser. The ABS and airbags are now available as optional for the customers.
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Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
Tesla Motors launched its new Model X electric SUV design prototype in a webinar on 9 February, and ...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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03 February, 2012 French auto major Renault on Thursday said it is planning to launch a passenger car in India at below Rs 4 lakh.
“Beyond Rs 4 lakh a car is our playing ground today (in India). We project to go below Rs 4 lakh,” Renault India Pvt Ltd country managing director Marc Nassif said here. He was speaking on the sidelines of a programme to launch Pulse, a hatchback in B segment.
According to Nassif, currently about 50 percent of Indian passenger cars cost between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 4 lakh. The company launched the diesel version of Pulse, priced between Rs 5.77 lakh and Rs 6.25 lakh, in January.
Nassif said the plan of rolling out cars below Rs 4 lakh was part of its global strategy.
On the sales target in India, he said: “We will aim to sell one lakh cars once we have our five cars on the roads and 100 outlets. It can be 2013 or 2014... that will depend on how the models are doing and the growth of the market.”
Among the company's five new cars, three are out in the market.
The car maker, which entered India in 2005, launched a luxury sedan, Fluence, in May 2010. In September, it came up with a compact SUV, Koleos.
In the second half of this year, it will launch Duster, a SUV. The company will come out with a sedan before 2012 ends. “Last year (2011) we sold about 1,500 cars (Koleos and Fluence),” Nassif said.
The company will open 100 outlets in the country by December 2012.
K9K 1.5 dCi diesel engine, 63 bhp @4000 rpm
* Estimated values may differ under various conditions.
Renault has used high end F1 technology to produce everyday cars. Four electrically adjustable windows. Plenty of headroom and leg room. Start/stop engine switch. Automatically folding mirrors when the car is locked. Climate control.
The Renault-Nissan alliance has launched Renault Pulse, their compact hatchback, customized for the Indian markets. The car, built to set the Indian customers’ pulse racing, has been built on the Nissan Micra platform. Renault currently sells two distinct models in India, the Fluence sedan and the Koleos. The Pulse hatchback is the third model to debut across India at the time of the Auto Expo and will be followed by the Dacia or Duster model. The French carmaker has chalked out a strategy to launch five distinctly different models in a time span of 15 months. Renault has cleverly linked its strong and successful F1 story to its regular cars, having the Pulse unveiled in India on Oct 29th 2011 in Noida by Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing along with other officials of the company.
The Renault Pulse has been targeted exclusively at the Indian market and has been designed at the Design Center of Renault India in Mumbai and produced at its plant in Chennai. The plant complies with the Alliance quality standards and the production management system which is based on mutual knowledge-sharing and best practices of both Renault and Nissan. The compact car is all set to storm the market with its bold and sporty design, fuel efficiency, dynamic driving experience and smart features along with the Renault Complete Car offer or warranty for a four-year time frame. Renault Pulse, has been launched on 6th January 2012, is available in six vibrant colours. The car almost resembles the Nissan Micra, be it exteriors or interiors.
The Renault Pulse features a fuel efficient 1.5 dCi diesel engine, internally designated as the k9k, which has been a major hit not just in India but in many countries across the world. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Renault has succeeded in transferring high end F1 technology of producing everyday cars with class and fuel efficiency. This is the very same engine doing duty in the Nissan Micra. The engine is manufactured at the plant of the company at Orangadam, near Chennai. The capacity of the plant is slated to be scaled up from 1,40,000 units per annum by 3,00,000 units. Renault also plans to launch a petrol variant with a 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder engine.
The K9k, designed on the same principles as the RS27 engine, has been developed by the Renault Sport F1 team to produce a maximum power of 63 bhp @4000 rpm. Maximum torque of 160 Nm is produced at 2000 rpm. The Renault Pulse returns with an amazing mileage. The mileage of the car works out to 23.08 kmpl overall, making it an ideal companion for daily driving needs.
Renault Pulse is best described as a sporty mid-sized hatchback which has been built on the Nissan Micra platform with a few distinctive changes. The exteriors of the car looks appealing enough to turn heads while the beige fabric interiors are comfortable enough to make one relax and want to spend a whole lot of time inside the car itself. The Pulse features a completely revised front and rear end style. Renault has introduced striking changes at the front end of the car giving it a totally butched appearance. You get a different grille with a black slat running across it, 15-inch alloy wheels, Bridgestone tyres and a honeycomb-mesh. The wedge shaped headlights seem to be adapted from the Fluence and the Koleos. The internal elements seem to be inspired by the Hyundai i10. The rear portion of the car has taillights similar to that of the Micra. If not for the Renault monogram on the boot lid, it would be very easy to confuse the car for the Micra. The Pulse has been designed with a smart look with the target customer being young and the fun loving people who go for drives without compromising on the fuel efficiency.
The interior of the hatchback is strikingly similar to those in the Micra, with the same curvaceous design, round audio system, bow-hook door handles, chrome internal door handles and diamond logo on the steering wheel. The Renault Pulse is loaded with many comfort features including plenty of headroom and leg room in the front and the back seats, power steering, keyless entry, rear cup holder, four electrically adjustable windows, start/stop engine switch and automatically folding mirrors when the car is locked. The comfort features of the car include a centrally placed music system and retro styled control knobs. The big O type display for the air conditioner with climate control does not fail to impress. The rear seats look similar to that in the recently tweaked Micra, with an extra thigh support. The high end model of the car, likely to be the RxV variant, will feature adjustable headrests too.
The Renault Pulse reflects the Renault DNA of safety, quality and innovation, combining the luxuries of a bigger sedan with the economy of a small compact car. Renault Pulse is big on safety. The safety features that the Pulse can boast of includes Driver and passenger airbags, anti-pinch safety function on driver side window, Child proof rear door locks, Front Fog lamps, Immobilizer, Head restraints-Front & Rear, High Mounted Stop Lamp and Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock amongst many other safety features.
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03 February, 2012 To reduce the transit time and increase delivery of vehicles, country’s largest auto-maker Maruti Suzuki would set up its stockyard facility in Nagpur, a top company official said today.
“We will be setting up one in Nagpur soon..”, Maruti Suzuki India Managing Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) Mayank Pareek told reporters here.
Asked whether the delivery of its latest sedan DZire would be increased with the setting up of stockyard, he said “We are only producing 8,000 units in our plant. We should be increasing the production.. This stockyard would help to reduce the transit time of other products..”, he said.
Currently, delivery of DZire takes upto three to four months.
He said stockyard would be established region-wise so that there would not be any delay in delivery of the vehicles.
“We just opened one in Bangalore.. (for southern region). We will be setting up one in Nagpur soon..”, he said.
Pareek and senior company officials were here to launch the new DZire at Tamil Nadu market.
The new DZire has at least 150 new features compared to the existing model.
The petrol variant is priced at Rs 4.77 lakh to Rs 6.20 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) and the diesel variant from Rs 5.82 lakh to Rs 7.12 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
Maruti Suzuki reported a 5.18 per cent rise in sales in January at 1,15,433 units. The company had sold 1,09,743 units in the same month last year.
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06 February, 2012 The country’s largest car-maker Maruti Suzuki is yet to firm up the land requirement for its proposed new manufacturing plant in Gujarat.
“We do have plans to go to Gujarat and preliminary talks have been already held with the state government. But nothing has been decided on when and how much land will be acquired there,” Managing Executive Officer (Engineering) of Maruti Suzuki I V Rao told reporters here today.
He said that the idea behind the Gujarat plant was to serve export markets through the Mundra port.
"The matter has not been placed before the board for approval yet," Rao said at the launch of new Swift Dzire sedan here.
Rao said the Gujarat idea was floated in May, 2011, when the industry was growing at a healthy rate of 18 per cent.
But with the slowdown in car sales subsequently, no progress had been made in this regard, he said.
With SIAM predicting annual growth of 10 per cent in the automobile segment next few years, the Gurgaon and Manesar plants would suffice to meet the demand.
Post completion of the third plant at Manesar, Maruti’s annual production capacity would touch 1.75 million units.
He said that steps were also being taken to reduce the waiting period for diesel cars by increasing production.
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10 February, 2012 Faced with increasing demand, auto major Mahindra and Mahindra proposes to ramp up production of its latest Sports Utility Vehicle XUV-500 by next month, a senior official said on thursday.
“We will be ramping up of production to 3,000 units per month,” Mahinda and Mahindra Automotive division Senior Vice-President (Marketing) Vivek Nayer told reporters here.
The company’s proposal to increase production at its Nasik facility came in the backdrop of overwhelming bookings of more than 25,000 units in the second phase. During the first phase, over 8,000 units were booked.
Besides, increasing production of XUV500 is also to shorten the waiting period of three to five months.
On the upgraded version of Xylo launched on Wednesday, Nayer said the new variant is higher by upto Rs 15,000 and the company has developed it at a project cost of Rs 50 crore.
The top end model comes with Mahindra’s successful mHawk engine and the vehicle is available in five variants, he said.
“We have given a complete makeover for Xylo. There is lot of changes in interior, exterior and even in technology,” he said.
Across India Mahindra holds 27 per cent of market share in the multi-purpose vehicle segment. The base model of the new Xylo costs Rs 7.37 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) whiles the top end at Rs 10.28 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
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Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
Local media reports have speculated that Michelin North America is eyeing at least one new plant inv...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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3.0-litre D-4D DOHC diesel engine, 168.6 bhp The New Toyota Fortuner with its bold design and imposing presence gives a distinctively new experience. The all-new design gives the SUV a wider and more aggressive stance. It is loaded with new headlamps that are slightly stretched, a restyled and sculpted bonnet with a larger scoop for the air-intake, a re-profiled bumper and a wider redesigned chrome grille that makes it resemble the Land Cruiser. The ground clearance is 220 mm and wheelbase is 2750 mm.
The New Fortuner is a thrilling surprise when it comes to performance. It is equipped with 2982 cc D-4D 16 valve DOHC 4 cylinder Diesel engine with Intercooler Turbocharger. It can churn out a maximum power of 168.6 bhp @ 3600 rpm and maximum torque of 343 Nm @ 1400-3400 rpm.
The New Fortuner has excellent all terrain capabilities with its fulltime Four Wheel Drive (MT), 2WD (AT) and 2WD (MT).The full time 4WD with 5 speed manual transmission allows you to master that much needed power to maneuver all types of terrain while the 2WD with 5 speed manual transmission gives you a smoother driving experience in city conditions. The 2WD with 4 speed automatic transmission lets you cruise ahead conveniently even in congested city traffic while the 4WD gives the much needed power for all types of terrain.
The suspension system of the New Fortuner has been designed and developed for a fantastic driving comfort and precise handling on Indian roads both in plain and rough terrains. The front suspension is double wishbone with a high mount type upper arm which offers exceptional driving comfort whereas the rear suspension is 4-Link with Lateral Rod which provides good balance for your ride. The New fortuner has ventilated disc front brake and leading-trailing drum rear brake.
The H, HL and LL modes provides the Fortuner with maximum traction. “H” mode is mostly used while driving in normal conditions. “HL” mode helps in off-road conditions. “LL” mode possesses the maximum tractionwhich helps to handle extreme conditions. “N” is the transition point while shifting between different modes.
The New Toyota Fortuner has a perfect blend of style and substance with its bold design and stylish body graphics that beholds the traditional appeal of an SUV. It gets body color outside rear view mirrors with electrical adjust and retract and side turn indicators, chrome door handles, new HID headlamps that are slightly stretched, a restyled and sculpted bonnet with a larger scoop for the air-intake, a re-profiled bumper and a wider redesigned chrome grille. The car runs on 17inch alloy wheels.
On the inside, the New Toyota Fortuner gets MID (Multi Information Display), optitron combimeter with illumination control, black wood-like finish panels, rear console box with lid and cup holder, lockable glove box, front map lamp with overhead storage console, Door ajar warning, seat belt warning, tachometer, new seats, leather wrapped gear lever knob, Steering Wheel with Audio MID and Bluetooth control switches and printed antenna.
The New Toyota Fortuner is equipped with many safety features which include ABS with EBD and BA (Brake Assist), SRS airbags (driver and passenger), seatbelts, immobilizer, VSC and shift lock system.
By: David Isaiah, Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
The automotive industry in Turkey contracted year-on-year in January 2012. A total of 31,196 vehicle...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
Geely Automobile Holdings Limited has announced that group sales in January 2012 totalled 38,100 uni...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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19.1 kmpl(Overall)(Petrol)
17.4 kmpl(Overall)(Petrol AT)
23.4 kmpl(Overall)(Diesel)
K-Series Petrol engine with VVT, 86 bhp.
DDiS Diesel Engine, 74 bhp.
5-Speed Manual Transmission (MT)
4-Speed Automatic Transmission (AT) * Estimated values may differ under various conditions.
150 new features added. Is less than 4 m thus qualifies the excise duty benefits. Good suspension. Body colored bumper imparts sumptuous looks. Luxurious interiors with front door trim pocket. ABS with BA and EDC present. The boot space is little reduced.
Maruti Suzuki, India's number one automobile manufacturer, has come up with the new Swift Dzire.
The DZire is the sedan version of the swift hatchback. It was launched in 2008 and 3.2 lakhs units are sold till date. This model did not enjoy the excise benefit as it was not less than 4 m in length. The New Swift DZire is loaded with many features, striking looks, luxurious interiors and many safety features.
The compact Swift Dzire sedan is less than 4 m in length that helps it qualify for the excise duty benefits offered by the government of India to the manufacturers whose cars measure less than 4 meters in length. The New Swift DZire is available in the following variants- LDI, VDI, ZDI in Diesel and LXI, VXI, ZXI, VXI AT in Petrol.
The New Swift DZire provides a choice of two engines. The 1197 cc 4-cylinder K-Series Petrol engine with VVT churns out a power of 86 bhp @ 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 114 Nm @ 4000 rpm. The 1248 cc 4-cylinder DDiS engine delivers 74 bhp @ 4000 rpm and a maximum torque of 190 Nm @ 2000 rpm. It comes with an option of 4-speed automatic transmission and the 5-speed manual transmission.
The suspension system of the New Swift DZire consist of MacPherson strut with coil spring in the front and Torsion-beam with coil spring in the rear which imparts higher mounting rigidity and confident stability. The New Swift DZire has ventilated disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear.
The New Swift DZire has a perfect blend of style and substance with its bold design and magnificent body graphics. It has a body colored bumper, mud guard, high mounted stop lamp, front fog lamp, rear fog lamp, front 2 speed+fixed intermittent wipers, green tinted glass that imparts a sumptous look.
The interior of the New Swift DZire is luxurious with front door trim pocket, glove box, folding assistant grip, sun visor, ticket holder, remote back door opener, audio antenna, front head restraint, accessory socket, low fuel warning lamp, cup-holder and remote fuel lid opener. The instrument panel and the console includes speedometer, seat belt reminder, light-on reminder buzzer, Key-on reminder buzzer, door closure warning lamp and a multi functional display depicting the fuel consumption, trip/odometer and digital clock. The boot space has been reduced to 316 litres.
The New Swift DZire has been designed keeping the highest safety standards in mind. It is equipped with many safety features which include ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with BA (Brake Assist) and EDC (Engine Drag Control) that prevents skidding and helps in ensuring a minimum stopping distance on slippery surface. The rigid body of the car provides superior handling and a comfortable ride.
14.95 km/l (Overall), mDI CRDe
13.0 km/l (Overall), mEagle
14.02 km/l (Overall), mHawk
2489 cc mDI CRDe Diesel engine, 95 bhp
2498 cc mEagle Diesel engine, 112 bhp
2179 cc mHawk Diesel engine, 120 bhp
* Estimated values may differ under various conditions.
Stylish looks. Premium interiors. Advanced technology and features. Luxurious space and comfort. Comes loaded with 50 styling changes and new features. Top end E9 variant sports the mHawk engine.
Automobile major, Mahindra & Mahindra has launched its first MpV, the Xylo in January 2009. Since then 90,000 Xylo cars have been sold. Having served the market for 3 years, the company has given this MPV a major facelift for the first time in order to meet the present tough competition in MPV segment. Now the new Xylo is here to sizzle its way through the Indian roads. The new Xylo has undergone a makeover with host of new features and technologies which includes stylish looks, premium interiors, advanced technology and features and luxurious space and comfort.
This MPV from Mahindra & Mahindra is available in an array of six attractive colors- Diamond white, Fiery black, Toreador red, Java brown, Mist silver and Rocky beige.
The new Xylo MPV is much more appealing to prospective luxury MPV customers. It is available in 5 variants (D2, D4, E4, E8 and E9) and three diesel engine options. It retains the active and responsive 2.5 litre MDi diesel engine which churns out a power of 95 bhp @ 3600 rpm and a maximum torque of 220 Nm @ 1400-2600 rpm in the D2 and D4 variant and the 2.5 litre mEagle diesel engine which churns out a power of 112 bhp @ 3800 rpm and a maximum torque of 260 Nm @ 1800-2200 rpm in the E4 and the E8 variants. The new engine added is the lighter, 2.1 litre mHawk engine which also empowers the Scorpio and churns out a power of 120 bhp @ 4000 rpm and a maximum torque of 280 Nm @ 2400-2800 rpm in the E9 variant. All these engines are mated to a reworked five speed MT 320 transmission along with a power-assisted rack and pinion steering for easy and comfortable drive.
The suspension system consist of an independent coil spring in the front and Multi-link coil spring at the rear which provides fantastic riding comfort both in plain and rough terrains. The front disc brakes and rear drum brakes decrease stoppage time during sudden braking.
The new Xylo has a perfect blend of style and substance with its bold design and stylish body graphics that beholds the traditional appeal of an MUV. Xylo’s new avatar packs over 50 styling changes and new features which includes spirited new front grille, sleek chrome accent, contoured bumpers, sporty air dams, curved bonnet, styled headlights, sophisticated body decals, pronounced wheel arches, sporty roof rails, blackened pillars, attractive rear spoiler, new footstep with mud flaps, chrome-tipped body moulding and clear lens two-tone tail lamps.
The interior gets spacious and luxurious with new two-tone dashboard, stylish new door trims, genuine Italian leather interiors, glossy wood finish console, individual AC vents, foldable snack trays, laptop and mobile charging point, best-in-class legroom and convenient storage spaces. The Xylo's spacious cabin can accomodate seven to eight passengers comfortably. The comfort features include power adjustable steering, seats which can be transformed into a flat bed and height adjustable driver's seat.
The new Xylo is packed with many safety features which include ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and dual airbags. The tubeless tyres, engine immobilizer, and intelligent reverse assist enhance the safety of car passengers. The Intelligent Reverse Assist system comprises of a camera to the rear of the car, a computer, and a steering sensor. The camera records a live image of the parking area that is displayed on the navigation screen which helps the driver in parking the car safely.
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02 February, 2012 Following encouraging customer response for its compact SUV ‘RiO’ at the last month’s 11th Auto Expo and new dealership applications, Premier Ltd is ramping up its after sale service network all over India.
The Pune-based automobile manufacturer will set up ‘Premier authorised service stations’ under the brand ‘PASS’. It plans to have 200 such centres for RiO nationwide by June. A dedicated team has been formed to implement this initiative in a time-bound manner, a company release said here today.
The company is also adding another 30 dealers to its existing network of 50, taking its overall network to 80 dealerships by June. Premier is targeting 100 dealerships and 300 service stations by December 2012 for easy service and repair in all major markets, it said.
Premier plans to offer RiO spare parts at reasonable prices.
“We look at spare parts purely as customer service and not as a profit centre. Consequently, our spare parts cost much less than comparable vehicles. RiO customers will not face any problem with sales, parts or service,” Premier VP (Automotive) Rakesh Mehta said.
Premier has a tie-up with ‘India Assistance’ to provide 24x7 breakdown service, the release said.
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10 February, 2012 The country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday said it has crossed the one crore units milestone of cumulative sales in the domestic market since it started selling cars 29 years back.
“The 10 millionth vehicle, a Red Swift Vxi, was dispatched to Coimbatore on Thursday morning from the company’s Manesar plant,” the company said in a statement.
Maruti Suzuki India had rolled out its first car -- an M800 -- in December 1983 and attained five million domestic sales in February 2006.
“The next five million domestic sales have been achieved in six years,” the company said.
Commenting on crossing the milestone, MSI Managing Director and CEO Shinzo Nakanishi said: “Maruti Suzuki’s success story is closely linked with the success story of India in the last two decades. Even as India has grown and transformed, Maruti Suzuki has evolved to meet changing demands.”
The company that started off as a joint venture between the government of India and Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp, had transformed personal transportation in India with its M800 model, which till date continues to find many buyers across the country.
While Maruti 800 and Omni powered sales for almost two decades, the Alto has been India’s best-selling car for the last over seven years, the company said.
In recent years, the success of WagonR and Swift, among others, has accelerated the company’s progress towards the one crore mark, it added.
“We will continue to drive the growth and evolution of India’s car market,” Nakanishi said.
Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
Besides the first showing of the production-ready Yaris Hybrid, Toyota will show a FT-Bh concept, sh...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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06 February, 2012 The country’s largest car-maker Maruti Suzuki will launch more diesel models to maintain its market share, which has been under pressure for months now, a top company executive has said.
“Our market share has slipped to 40 per cent in 2011. This was due to slowdown in the industry and lower sales of petrol models compared to diesel car production,” Maruti Suzuki Managing Director and Chief Executive Shinzo Nakanishi said here.
The company will now focus on producing more diesel models. The company will be able to produce 300,000 diesel engines a year through Suzuki Powertrain, a joint venture between Maruti and Suzuki Motor’s Gurgaon unit.
Maruti will also buy up to 100,000 diesel engines annually for three years from Fiat India under a pact between the Italian car-maker and Maruti’s parent Suzuki Motor Corp. This is expected to help the company produce more diesel cars, Nakanishi said.
Customer preference here is fast shifting to diesel cars as the fuel is cheaper than petrol. The shift has prompted auto-makers to introduce new diesel variants and increase production of existing variants. Players like Ford have also announced plans to invest on diesel engines.
Maruti’s Swift, Ritz, Swift DZire and SX4 models are sold with 1.3-litre diesel engines.
Meanwhile, Maruti has witnessed a turnaround in monthly sales after seven consecutive months of decline with a 5.18 per cent spike in sales to 1,15,433 units in January. It sold 1,09,743 units in the same month last year. Last December, its sales had declined by 7.1 per cent to 92,161 units.
"Following the turnaround in the auto industry, our first target will be to quickly cover growth of 10-11 per cent as we have had a negative growth of 17 per cent during the April-December, 2011, period," Nakanishi said.
Commenting on the Gujarat plant, Nakanishi said, "We have entered into an agreement for land at Mehsana, in Gujarat. The Gujarat plant will commence production only after we reach full capacity at our Manesar plant (1.8 million).
15.2 km/l (Overall), 1.2L FIRE Petrol
14.6 km/l (Overall), 1.4L FIRE Petrol
20.3 km/l (Overall), 1.3L MULTIJET Diesel
1.2L FIRE Petrol
1.4L FIRE Petrol
1.3L MULTIJET Diesel
5-Speed Manual Transmission (MT) * Estimated values may differ under various conditions.
Powerful and Torquey Engine. New Brighter Dual Tone Interior. Electrically Adjustable Outside Rearview Mirror. Powerful Air Conditioning. Powerful engine. Best-in-Class Ground Clearance. Stylish and Luxurious Interiors. Intergrated Audio System across Range.
Fiat Grande Punto is a beautifully crafted car with a host of practical features to ensure high levels of comfort and safety. The car is designed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign who creatively designed the car to offer best of two worlds to car enthusiasts.
The car gets a facelift for the model year 2012. The hot hatch now features Chiselled lines, Muscular contours, Stylish interiors and a powerful drive. There is no doubt, that the new Fiat Punto 2012 is indeed a product of intense passion. This hatchback takes great pleasure in springing pleasant surprises on you, like the My Car feature which lets you customise your car's settings, Blue and Me or automatic climate control. The car for 2012 shines bright with a new colour added to it. We are speaking of the New Oceanic Blue Shade.
Fiat Grande Punto 2012 is available in both petrol and diesel variants with revolutionary engines. Available in both diesel and petrol fuel types, the Punto is features Active, Emotion and Dynamic as variants. Powered by some of the most advanced engines in the world, the new Fiat Punto 2012 certainly has Got Heart!
It is the biggest car in its class that imparts a sensational feeling with its elegance, sturdiness, and a wide range of customization options. Even the interior of the car has class-leading space and is well appointed with ergonomically designed features and controls.
Fiat Grande Punto 2012 is available in three variants: Active, Emotion, and Dynamic with a choice of petrol and diesel engine. The new Grande Punto 2012 now comes with an option of 1.2L FIRE Petrol, 1.4L FIRE Petrol and 1.3L MULTIJET Diesel engines.
The 1.2L FIRE Petrol engine delivers a max power of 67 bhp @ 6000 and a max torque of 96 NM@ 2500 and the 1.4L FIRE Petrol engine delivers a max power of 88.7 bhp and a max torque of 115 @ 4500. The 1.3L MULTIJET Diesel engine pumps out 74.9 bhp of Max power and 197 NM @ 1750. The range of petrol engine delivers thrilling driving experience without any compromise on performance and mileage. The petrol and diesel versions is available in three variants- Active, Dynamic, and Emotion. All these three engines channelizes power through a 5-speed manual transmission.
The suspension setup comprising of front MacPherson and rear torsion axle is finely tuned to improve handing and stability.
Fiat New Punto 2012 is an attractive and spacious car designed with sleek cues, aggressive styling, sporty side, dynamic front, and sturdy imposing wheel arches. The Sky Dome sunroof is one of the most significant features of the Grande Punto 2012. The New Punto 2012 now features a new brighter dual tone interior with an incredibly lavish range of features comprising comfortable seats of fine quality fabric, stylish dashboard, impressive instrument panel, powerful dual-zone automatic climate, parking sensors, a powerful 6-speaker Interscope Sound System, central locking, and Blue and Me. Apart from these features, the new Grande Punto 2012 now gets an Intergrated Audio System across Range.
The Blue and Me technology revolutionizes the concepts of car communications and in-car entertainment. With this innovation, the driver can use his or her mobile with ease and safety without taking hands off the steering wheel. The system can also read messages and has the ability to connect to five Bluetooth enabled mobile phones. Listening to music on the move also becomes exciting with this innovation.
Standard features in the Actual are electric door mirrors, power windows, remote door opening/locking, in-cab electrical tailgate, "follow me home" headlamp, sliding front seats with memory functions, adjustable electric dual drive power steering, and advanced car audio system. The Active variant comprises height adjustable driver's seat, and height adjustable head restrains in addition to the features available in the Actual. The ride height is now increased to 195 mm and in the process, the Punto 2012 can now boast of a best-in-class ground clearance.
The standard features in the Dynamic variant includes all the features of the Active along with a host of other features including the body-coloured electric door mirrors, 40/60 split rear seat, leather steering wheel and gear knob, window airbag, and front side airbag.
Emotion in addition to the features available on the Dynamic comprises mirror with demisting function, illuminated mirrors in sunvisors, driver seat with electrical lumbar support, manual climate control with pollen filter, and Blue and Me technology.
The top-end sporty variant of the car has even more lavish range of car technologies and comfort features in addition to all those available in the Emotion variant. It comprises the rear spoiler, side skirts, sport instrument graphics, leather hand brake lever, multi-purpose display, and driver side power window with automatic function.
Grande Punto is brought on roads after hundreds of tests on components and crash tests. The standard safety features in the car anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control device, and two dual-stage front airbags, side bags, and window bags. An energy-absorbing bodyshell, anti-whiplash front seats, and safety belts with pre-tensioners further enhance safety on the wheels of Grande Punto.
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By: David Isaiah, Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
Light vehicle registrations in Slovakia rose to 5,106 units in January 2012, up from 4,772 units rec...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
ARPA-E (The US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy) has released a...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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08 February, 2012 Following its tie-up with Maruti Suzuki to supply engines, Fiat India Automobiles Ltd (FIAL), a JV between Fiat and Tata Motors, today said it will achieve 100 per cent capacity utilisation at its manufacturing facility at Ranjangaon, near Pune.
The plant is utilising 70 per cent of the capacity, said Piyush Lall, Assistant GM, Fiat Brands - Tata Motors.
It manufactures Fiat’s 1.3 litre MultiJet diesel engines and 1.2 and 1.4 litre FIRE gasoline engines.
The facility has capacity to produce 1,00,000 cars and 3,50,000 engines, besides 3,00,000 parts and accessories. Some Tata passenger car variants too are made there.
"The recent agreement with Maruti would definitely take plant capacity forward and Tata motors also plans to produce more cars from here. This calendar year the capacity is fully utilised," Lall told reporters at the launch of Linea and Punto 2012 versions in Andhra Pradesh market.
According to the MoU with Suzuki, FIAL will supply up to one lakh 1.3 litre MultiJet 75hp SDE engines a year to Maruti Suzuki, starting January, 2012, for three years.
The engine will be installed on Suzuki-branded vehicles produced in India for the local market. Lall said FIAL sold 18,000 units last year. This year it expects to sell 20,000 units.
While Punto is priced in the range of 4.89 lakh to Rs 6.92 lakh (ex-showroom, Hyderabad), the Linea range is priced between Rs 6.92 lakh and Rs 9.32 lakh.
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08 February, 2012 Automobile major, Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the face-lifted version of Xylo MPV in India today. The 2012 Xylo MPV is interesting and exciting as the makeover makes it more appealing to prospective luxury MPV customers. The base variant of the 2012 Xylo has been launched at a price of INR 7.37 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi.
The Mahindra Xylo, which was launched in January 2009, was Mahindra’s first MPV project and since then 90,000 Xylo cars have been sold. Having served the market for 3 years, the company has given this MPV a major facelift for the first time in order to meet the present intense competition in MPV segment.
The face-lifted Xylo is loaded with many new features which includes new front end, new headlamps, a new bonnet, a new grille and a new bumper design. The interiors get new cruise control, naive voice recognition feature, steering mounted audio and phone controls, twin airbags, ABS, Dual air conditioning in the top end E9 variant.
The 2012 Mahindra Xylo will be available with three diesel engine options, two of them carried over from the previous variant. The 2.5 Liter MDi diesel engine churns out 95 bhp of peak power and maximum torque of 220 Nm while the 2.5 Liter mEagle CRDe diesel engine delivers 112 bhp of power and a maximum torque of 260 Nm.
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07 February, 2012 Mahindra & Mahindra plans to launch the face lifted version of Xylo, its popular MUV, on 8th February, 2012. The Xylo, which was launched in January 2009, was Mahindra’s first MPV project. Having served the market for 3 years it is now undergoing a facelift.
The refreshed Xylo gets newly styled headlamps and a narrower and more subtle looking all-new grille. The bonnet now folds down above the grille. It has been redesigned for a cleaner look. The new bumper features a larger front air dam. These changes depict that M&M is trying to impart the MUV a family look by injecting some styling that is inspired from the flagship XUV500.
The interior of the facelifted Xylo is expected to get a lighter shade and will be more equipped.
The present Mahindra Xylo is equipped with 2 turbodiesel engines, a 2.5 Liter mEagle common rail unit and a 2.5 liter mDi direct injection unit, but it is not yet sure whether it remains the same for the New Xylo or not. It is all ready to be launched on Wednesday, 8th Feb.
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Friday, February 10, 2012, AutomotiveWorld.com
Continental has appointed Jürgen Braunstetter to be in charge of its newly created central functio...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Alain Visser, the Opel Board Member in charge of Sales, Marketing & Aftersales, is transferring ...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Nissan’s Infiniti brand has officially launched its flagship sales and service facility in Singapo...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Eleven years after it first coined the term “crossover”, Mitsubishi will unveil its third embodi...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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20.4 km/l (Overall), 1.3L Multi Jet Diesel
14.6 km/l (Overall), 1.4L FIRE Petrol
1.4L FIRE Petrol
1.3L Advanced Multi-Jet Diesel
5-Speed Manual Transmission (MT) * Estimated values may differ under various conditions.
Extra Powerful Engine. Automatic Headlamps. Internally Adjustable Outside Rear View Mirrors. Rain sensing wipers. Power Windows with Delay Feature. Integrated CD, MP3 & FM Player with 4 Speakers.
The Fiat Linea made its global debut in March 26, 2007 as a world car for developing countries. The Fiat Linea is based on the current Fiat Grande Punto platform, and was designed by Fiat Style Centre and co-developed by Fiat do Brasil and Tofas from Turkey. The sedan for the model year 2012 comes fitted with attractive gadgetry to suit the need of everyone. The Fiat Linea 2012 has been completely crafted with keen attention to exceptional quality. The car boasts of exteriors chiselled by the fine hand of Italian design, and interiors that will pamper the aesthete. With exceptional poise and deft handling, driving is sheer pleasure. Complemented by features and technology unmatched in its class, and powered by some of the most advanced engines in the world, the new Fiat Linea 2012 is certainly here to stay.
The 2012 Fiat Linea is now available with 1.4 L "FIRE" Petrol Engine and 1.3 L Multijet Diesel Engine in the Indian market.
The new Linea 2012 will compete with mid-sized sedans like the Honda City, Ford Fiesta, Maruti Suzuki SX4, and Hyundai Verna.
The 2012 Fiat Linea leads the way when it comes to automotive technology. Fiat has been on top of the game when it comes to engines. The new car comes powered with a perfectly tuned, adrenalin inducing Euro V 1.4-litre 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC FIRE petrol engine which is apparently the first ever turbo engine in its segment in India and a frugal 1.3L Advanced Multijet diesel engine. The Fiat Linea 2012 is mated with a super-smooth slush box delivers exceptional performance that would make shy all others in the segment. The engine is coupled with a 5-speed manual, fully synchronized gear box with over drive on 4th and 5th.
To add to the Linea’s style statement comes the 2012 Linea makes an incredible power statement too. The petrol engine pumps out a heart pounding 88.7 bhp at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 115 Nm at 2200 rpm, while the diesel counterpart produces 91.7 bhp @ 4000 rpm and a max torque of 209 NM @ 2000 rpm. The new car can sprint from 0-100 kmph in just 15.14 seconds and the claimed top speed is an impressive 200 kmph. The claimed mileage for the petrol version happens to be a remarkable 14.6 kmpl and the diesel with a jaw dropping 20.4 KMPL.
The Fiat Linea 2012 has been given a facelift for the model year 2012. The Linea 2012 is ardently designed with passion and enthusiasm to create a technological marvel. The impressive silhouette, flawless design, and impeccable lines exude style, dynamism, and attitude. The contemporary Italian design is accentuated with dual parabola automatic headlamp, aggressive front grille, curvaceous rear, chrome inserts, front and rear fog lamps, and a choice of 15-inch alloy wheels and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Fiat Linea 2012 also boasts of best-in-class ground clearance.
A step into the car interior will offer an inspiring melange that displays elegance, style, versatility, and luxury. An ergonomically and aesthetically designed interior is complemented with dual tone black and ivory interiors, premium leather upholstery, leather finished steering wheel, impressive instrument panels, glove boxes, powered mirrors, and a 12V power socket. With a boot capacity of 500 litres, the new Linea scores the maximum, challenging its biggest competitor, the Honda City.
Apart from these features, the Fiat Linea 2012 ups the ante against the competition with Automatic climate control, Electrically adjustable outside rear view mirror, Front and rear armrest with glove box, three rear headrests, Collapsible rear sun protection curtain, Rear AC vents at knee and foot level and Power windows with auto down and delay feature.
Adding to the functionality and charm of the car interior are two revolutionary technologies, Blue and Me and ‘My Car’. Blue and Me is an impressive technology jointly developed with Microsoft. This innovative car technology is a perfect solution for mobile communication and musical entertainment. It uses an exclusive universal voice-recognition technology that helps make and receive calls based on voice commands. Excitingly, any call can be made by simply dictating the number or by saying the name of the person whose number is fed in the mobile phonebook. This new technology also reads out messages and changes a music track on voice command. ‘My Car’ is a smart technology that allows customization with a variety of solutions including digital odometer, digital real time mileage, service schedule reminder, buzzer setting for speed limit, distance to empty indicator, and radio display.
Representing a blend of style and performance, this new car is also reassuringly safe with a pack of advanced car safety technologies. Some of the most significant safety features in the car include dual front airbags, fire prevention system, anti-theft engine immobilizer, double crank prevention system, and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution.
All three variants, Active, Emotion, and Dynamic, have much in common in terms of car technologies, interior features, and safety technologies. However, there are certain attributes that are either optional or absent in the Active and Dynamic, which are made standard or optional on the top-end variant Emotion. Equipped with thoughtfully designed car technologies and adornments, the new Fiat Linea promises to be one of the best and safest on Indian roads. The Fiat Linea 2012 now comes with an attractive colour option such as new Oceanic Blue shade.
