Test Drive : Fiat Grande Punto - A Showstopper

Three years ago, Tata Motors joined hands with Fiat India in what was seen as a move akin to offering the seemingly-drowning Italian firm a straw to clutch and save itself. The deal in a nutshell was that in exchange for access to Fiat technology and the Ranjangaon manufacturing facilities, Fiat India would have access to the Tata Motors service marketing and servicing network. Which meant that both Tata and Fiat passenger cars would be sold jointly from each other’s showrooms as is the case today.
While Tata Motors launched its new Fiat engined Indica Vista not so recently, Fiat India was seen to be soldiering on with an ageing range. Not any more though, because with the launch of the Linea first and now the Grande Punto, though ideally it should have been the other way round as the Grande Punto was born first, Fiat India is fighting back.

for full story click here : Fiat Grande Punto : A Showstopper

Beyond Wheels : Land Rover S1 mobile phone announced

Land Rover has recently announced that it has teamed up with Sonim Technologies, to launch the Land Rover S1 by Sonim, a rugged, high quality mobile phone designed to meet the needs of those who work and play in the great outdoors. The mobile phone was unveiled by the world’s greatest explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, fresh from his successful ascent of Mount Everest. The Land Rover S1 by Sonim will be available from Go Mobile stores nationwide and through the http://www.landroverphone.co.uk/ and http://www.gomobileuk.com/ website from June 2009 priced at £299.99. The phone is compatible with a wide range of off-the-shelf car kits and headsets and comes with complete with charger, belt clip and headset as standard.

for full story click here : Land Rover S1 mobile phone announced

Tata Motors could scale down investments if it fails to secure British loan

Even though Tata Motors is gearing up to officially launch its Jaguar and Land Rover brands in India on June 28, and will also be inaugurating the marquee company’s exclusive showroom at Ceejay House in Worli, Mumbai on that day, things are not going hunky dory in UK, where its plants are located. According to the buzz circulating in the British media circles, the ongoing negotiations between Jaguar Land Rover and the government of UK for the financial aid package may hit a roadblock. It is to be mentioned that the Tatas, with the help of the British government, were seeking short-term funding between £500 million to £1 billion, which would allow JLR to pay its suppliers and prevent the company from running out of cash.

for full story click here : Tata Motors could scale down investments if it fails to secure British loan

Allotment letters of Nano to begin this week

Finally, there is some movement in the Nano story in India. A leading business daily, The Economic Times, has published a report that says that Tata Motors is all set to begin dispatching Nano allotment letters this week to its one lakh customers, with nearly 70 per cent of them expected to be for small town residents. It is widely believed that Indiia’s largest vehiclemaker commence delivery by early July and complete the process by the last quarter of this fiscal. According to the press release issued by Tata Motors earlier, its Nano model has drawn over 2.03 lakh fully paid bookings amounting to nearly Rs. 2,500 crore, in an encouraging response to the car launched on 23rd March, 2009.
for full story click here : Allotment letters of Nano to begin this week

Toyota kicks off tree-plantation drive at Bidadi plant

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Pvt. Ltd. carried out a one of its kind afforestation programme in an effort to begin its sustainable plant activities at its premises in Bidadi, Karnataka on 21st June 09. Nearly 30,000 saplings were planted by more than 6000 volunteers that comprised of TKM executives, including the MD, Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, local school children, officials of Ramanagaram District, Toyota suppliers and dealers, and TKM employees and their family members. This was the first of three phases that will cover an area of 40,000 square meters along the periphery of the 432-acre TKM plant.

for full story click here : Toyota kicks off tree-plantation drive at Bidadi plant

Bajaj rolls out eco-friendly RE-GDI autorickshaws in Mangalore

Bajaj Auto Limited on 20th June, 2009, has launched a new petrol-engined RE-GDI autorickshaw at Mangalore in Karnataka. The new three-wheeler incorporates gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology, which, according to Bajaj, allows the vehicle to achieve very low emissions figures, making it cleaner than autorickshaws that run on LPG or CNG.
for full story click here : Bajaj rolls out eco-friendly RE-GDI autorickshaws in Mangalore

Vettel wins 2009 British GP F1, Fisichella comes 10th

On 21st June, 2009, Red Bull Racing driver, Sebastian Vettel won the FIA Formula One 2009 Santander British Grand Prix from pole at the Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, England. His teammate, Mark Webber, came second and -Mercedes teammate driver Barrichello took the third place. Felipe Massa came fourth for Ferrari and Jenson Button, who is at the numero uno position in the championship ratings, sixth gaining three points for the Brawn team
for full story click here : Vettel wins 2009 British GP F1, Fisichella comes 10th

Yamaha India holds Racing Ride Tech Challenge in Delhi NCR

India Yamaha Motor brought out another round of Racing Ride Tech Challenge exclusively for its customers on the 21st June, 2009, where Yamaha bike owners zoomed on the tracks of India Expo Mart, Greater Noida Expressway. This initiative by Yamaha has drawn a platform for all the potential users to show off their spectacular steeds.
for full story click here : Yamaha India holds Racing Ride Tech Challenge in Delhi NCR