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03 November, 2011 French carmaker Renault is planning to follow the footsteps of rivals like Hyundai, Toyota, Suzuki and Honda to develop an all new car platform solely for India as the company tries to push sales in one of the world’s high-potential market.
Carlos Tavares, the global chief operating officer of Renault, said the company was working out “all options” to give a push to its India plans. “India is one of the key markets for us along with Brazil and Russia,” Tavares said after unveiling the company’s first small car, Pulse, which shares platform with Japanese partner Nissan’s V-platform.
Nissan already sells its Micra small car based on the same platform. “It could happen that we develop a new platform for this market. All possibilities are open.”
A car built for India and its specific requirements is seen as crucial to break into the market. Models specifically developed for the Indian market include Toyota’s Etios sedan and Liva hatchback, Honda’s Brio and Hyundai’s Eon. Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary Maruti is also developing a new car “from scratch” that is expected to hit the roads next year.
Renault has been trying to give a thrust to its India plans ever since its partnership with Mahindra & Mahindra ended in a divorce after their joint product Logan failed to take off. The company currently sells the Fluence sedan and Koleos sport-utility vehicle in India and plans to introduce another SUV, Duster, by mid-2012.
The Pulse will be the third car from the company and will be launched around January next year. However,its commonality with the Nissan Micra raises doubt over any blockbuster success, considering that Micra has not been able to make any major impact.

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27 September, 2011

The company, which is present in India through a joint venture with the Siel group, Honda Siel Cars India, said it is also targeting revenues of Rs 112 crore this fiscal from the export of auto components from India.
“With Brio, we will be entering a new segment for the first time in India. It has been designed and developed specially to meet the needs of customers here,” HSCI President and CEO Takashi Nagai told reporters in New Delhi.
He said the company had promised to price it less than Rs 5 lakh and has been able to do this through cost-efficiency measures and high localisation of components. However, the top-end variant of the vehicle will cost Rs 5.1 lakh.
“The Brio is at present about 80 per cent localised and over the next few months, it will reach 90 per cent,” he said, adding, “This has been key to the pricing strategy of the Brio.” The Brio will compete with the likes of the Hyundai i10, Maruti WagonR and General Motors Chevrolet Beat, which are priced in a similar range.
The Brio will be available in four variants. Nagai said the company expects a large chunk of the customers for the Brio to come from smaller cities, whereas demand in bigger cities is likely to be for existing models such as the City, Civic and Accord.
“The compact car segment will soon become the second pillar of business for Honda in India,” Nagai said. Commenting on the development of the car, which is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, he said HSCI’s engineers have been involved in the project right from the drawing stage.
On exports of components, Nagai said HSCI has already started shipping components of the Brio to Thailand from its facility at Rajasthan. “We will have export turnover of Rs 112 crore this fiscal,” he said. The company also exports components for the City and Jazz to Malaysia and Indonesia.

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Friday, June 24, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com

General Motors has shelved plans for a low-cost small car in India to challenge Tata Motors' Nano. T...

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Small is the new BIG.

Recently we got you a story of how Mitsubishi is planning to get aggressive in India and what needs to be done. One of the interesting points was to get a small car for the Indian market. Well our words have been heard instantaneously.

Mitsubishi has released renderings of a global small car that is expected to debut at Geneva in March 2011. The car is expected to have 1.0 to 1.2L engine mated to a CVT gearbox and will make it to the showroom floors by 2012. The global small car is also expected to have some fuel saving wizardry and regenerative breaking.

The front of the car for some odd reason looks like a re-skinned Nissan Micra. Doesn’t that speak volumes about Mitsubishi’s expansion plans?

Mitsubishi Motors Lineup at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show

Tokyo, January 18, 2011 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will give the global premiere of the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small (show model), a concept car based on the features of “compact”, “affordability”, and “high fuel efficiency” at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show which runs from March 1 through March 13 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex (opening to the general public on March 3).

MMC will display a total of 12 vehicles (6 during public days), including vehicles already on sale in Europe, in addition to the 100% electric i-MiEV, of which about 2,500 units have already been shipped to Europe within three months since its start of production and shipment in October 2010.

The MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small is the concept model of the compact passenger vehicle that is planned for production in March of 2012 at the MMC’s new third factory in Thailand.

The features of the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small include good maneuverability and easy operation, an inherent of a compact car, accomplished in to a highly efficient package that can comfortably seat five adults. In addition, the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small achieves top-of-class fuel efficiency, with CO2 emissions in the mid-90g/km range due to:
• Usage of an idling stop mechanism
• A 1.0 – 1.2L class compact engine equipped with a regenerative braking system
• Weight trimming to the most complex parts
• Reduced running resistance in the engine, new-generation CVT, brakes, and tires
• A body shape that greatly reduces aerodynamic resistance.

Tagged as: Mitsubishi global small car, Mitsubishi small car

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20 January, 2011 Just before its premier at the upcoming 81st Geneva International Motor Show, Mitsubishi Motors has revealed its ‘MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small’ (show model). The car is scheduled to roll-off the company‘s assembly plant in Thailand in March 2012. The Japanese carmaker claims that the car is capable of carrying five people while achieving high fuel efficiency along with low CO2 emissions in the mid-90g/m range.
Other details that the company has revealed are a start/stop mechanism and 1.0 and 1.2 litre engine that powers the car. Another attractive feature is regenerative braking system. In order to enhance the fuel efficiency of the car, and minimize CO2 emissions of the car, the company will use light-weight parts and an aerodynamic exterior.
The car is expected to reach the Indian market too, since it is going to be manufactured in Thailand. In fact, if that happens, Mitsubishi can attempt to regain its lost market share since most of its vehicles appeal to a high-profile enthusiast category where numbers are hard to generate. The small car segment on the other hand is one of the fastest growing in the world and the growth trend is expected to continue for a good time.

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10 January, 2011 Japanese carmaker Honda is planning to expand its dealership network in small towns and cities, as well as tie up with regional banks to ensure good sales of its upcoming small car Brio. The Brio is expected to be launched in September with a price tag of less than Rs 5 lakh.
“We are not exactly focusing on the major metros with Brio. It will cater to urban nucleus families, but will meet specific needs of larger family units in small towns,” Honda Siel Cars vice-president Jnaneshwar Sen said.
Honda, which sells the City, Civic, Accord, Jazz and CR-V in the Indian market, has mostly been able to attract the metro crowd even as other carmakers have penetrated the country roads and enhanced their sales volume. Now, Honda also wants to tap the huge potential of small cities to ensure that the Brio stands in line with Maruti Swift, Ford Figo and Hyundai i20.
Honda has also initiated talks with government owned as well as regional banks to offer attractive finance options for the Brio. Honda does not want the Brio to take the same route as the Jazz.
“As we moved to small cities and settlements, we have enrolled these financial institutions including cooperative banks, who have the ability to cater to profiles of potential customers for Brio,” Sen said.
Honda, after five years of comprehensive research, has developed the Brio for the Indian market. The small car can accommodate five adults but falls in Indian government’s small car category that is taxed 10% compared to 22% for bigger vehicles. Brio would be the first high-volume Honda car to hit the Indian market.

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By Kaustubh Shinde

These days everyone wants to make a small car. If you don’t have a small car under your portfolio, you are nobody in the auto market.

A similar ambition has been undertaken by Fiat as the top boss Mr. Rajeev Kapoor earlier announced about an Alto competitor in works for 2012. In his speech he said -

“It will be an all-new car, nothing to do with any of our other models and will be priced aggressively. It will compete with the Alto and will have a one-litre engine. The new car will be an India-specific one, made in India, made for India, keeping in mind the country’s unique terrain and temperatures. Our R&D team is working day in and day out to develop the car that meets consumers’ needs in the best manner. The small car market in India is blazing and there is intense competition. The entry level car space excites us”

We are guessing this new model will borrow design cues from the new Uno, Punto and Panda. We can bet a million bucks that Fiat will drop a 900 cc Twin Air petrol motor under the bonnet. May be the higher variants will come with a 1L or a 1.2L engine including the 1.3-liter multi-jet diesel.

We have also spoken about the Project 326 which is the Palio revival, which Brazilian engineers are working on as we speak. Since we lack enough information on the India small car, we sense there is a possibility of the two being related, perhaps both are the same car.

Taking on the kingpin – The Maruti Alto is a tall order. After all, it has been the best seller since the dawn of time. Fiat engineers clearly have the work cut out for them.

Best of luck to you Fiat!

Source – Wheelosphere.org

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Unable to price the Micra aggressively, Nissan has understood that the only way to penetrate the Indian market is by developing another inexpensive compact car.

Nissan is working on this small car and the Indian wing is helping them complete the task. Earlier this year, Nissan held talks with Ashok Leyland for a car between the Bajaj-Nissan-Renault ULC and the Micra, but no headway was made.

As wheelosphere.org points out, Nissan could develop this mini car with another objective – Pixo replacement for Europe. The Pixo is the Maruti Suzuki A-Star wearing a Nissan badge. Maruti Suzuki agreed to supply Nissan Pixos till 2013. Beyond this point, Nissan might fill that void by manufacturing the next generation Pixo at its Oragadam plant in Chennai where the Micra is manufactured.

Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director & CEO, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (NMIPL) to Business Standard -

We plan to have a car below the Micra. We have a significant demand for this segment and we have been studying it. We are, at present, in the concept stage and studying customers

Rumor has it that Volkswagen expressed interest in cosmetically altering the A-Star to fill the product gap under the Polo for India. This might be another reason why Nissan could have chosen to look beyond the A-Star and its partnership with Maruti Suzuki for the future of the Pixo. Recently there were reports of a possible tie-up between Malaysian car maker Proton and Nissan, where the latter would provide its V-Platform to Proton for developing its small car for India.

In 2013, Nissan will manufacture the V-Platform MPV at Oragadam which might not be suited for the Indian market. Nissan will however introduce the NV200 MPV in India by 2012 under the Ashok Leyland-Nissan alliance.

Nissan’s third product for India, from Oragadam, instead of the V-platform MPV, could be the sub-Micra mini car which will serve dual purpose – take on the likes of the Maruti Alto and Hyundai HA here in India, and serve as the Pixo replacement in Europe and other parts of the world.

Source – bsmotoring.com

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Maruti Suzuki made in car will be launch in India by 2012 and the company will come to a conclusion on the design within the next six months.

The company will finalize the design, engine size and how to position it in the market within the next six months.

“It is likely that the made in India car will be positioned along with MSI’s its best selling model Alto,” a source said.

Maruti Suzuki India is still depends on parent Suzuki for its future model design and development programme and they have set the launch date in 2012.

“For customers’ benefit, product development and technological innovation are continuous processes at MSI. We do not comment on future models and plans.” said by Maruti Suzuki India spokesperson.

Maruti Suzuki is currently in full swing due to Hyundai’s small car that will be launched in early 2012 and the rival competitor is currently designing and developing the car keeping in mind the Indian market.

Picture Source: Rediff

Maruti Suzuki to launch MUV in January 2012Maruti Suzuki Alto Will Be Priced Below Than Rs 2 LakhsMaruti Suzuki WagonR LPG Old Version RestartedMaruti Suzuki Ritz Waiting Period Is 45 Days From Now OnMaruti Suzuki Eeco Will Be Launched At The 2010 Delhi Auto ExpoTags: maruti small car, maruti suzuki small car

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Kia Motors Corporation has released the first official photos of the next generation Picanto city car, which now offers a bolder, more mature and more self confident look.

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Maruti Suzuki made in car will be launch in India by 2012 and the company will come to a conclusion on the design within the next six months.

The company will finalize the design, engine size and how to position it in the market within the next six months.

“It is likely that the made in India car will be positioned along with MSI’s its best selling model Alto,” a source said.

Maruti Suzuki India is still depends on parent Suzuki for its future model design and development programme and they have set the launch date in 2012.

“For customers’ benefit, product development and technological innovation are continuous processes at MSI. We do not comment on future models and plans.” said by Maruti Suzuki India spokesperson.

Maruti Suzuki is currently in full swing due to Hyundai’s small car that will be launched in early 2012 and the rival competitor is currently designing and developing the car keeping in mind the Indian market.

Picture Source: Rediff

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