Renault Motors finds market not feasible for Sandero launch

Renault India has categorically stated that it will not be manufacturing its 5-door hatchback-Sandero, as it is finding it commercially infeasible at this point of time. It may be recalled that Renault India was earlier toying with the idea of jointly producing Sandero with Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) from Nashik in Maharashtra, where the combine is already manufacturing its entry-level sedan-Logan.

Read more: Renault Motors finds market not feasible for Sandero launch - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Volkswagen Pune plant gets ISO 9001:2008 certification

The Volkswagen India Plant Pune received the ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality management systems. The certificate was handed over to Joerg Mueller, Volkswagen Group chief representative India, president and managing director, Volkswagen India Private Limited by Anil Rairikar, managing director, TUV India Private Limited at the Volkswagen India plant Pune today.
Commenting on the occasion, Joerg Mueller said, "It is a moment of immense importance and pride for us to get such recognition in a short span of time. Volkswagen as a Group has stringent quality policies world over and we are proud to have followed the same level of quality assurance in the Pune plant as well." ISO 9001:2008 certification is another milestone for Volkswagen’s quality philosophy at its Pune plant. "This recognition reinstates the role of the plant in Volkswagen’s continuous India success story", Mueller stated.
Read more: Volkswagen Pune plant gets ISO 9001:2008 certification - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Now watch car servicing online courtesy new auto software

KPIT Cummins, in association with DSK Motors, has rolled out automobile software, CLICKSERVICESMILE.com, which will allow the customers to view their cars and servicing process online. It will also be possible to view the car histories and records, besides facilitating the transfer of cars, purchases of second-hand cars and bill payments. A car customer will have to register for the service and depending on the car model, he will get a complete list of service stations on his monitor. The website www.clickservicesmile.com offering these services was officially launched at the hands of D.S. Kulkarni, CMD, DSK Group & Ravi Pandit, chairman & Group CEO, KPIT Cummins Infosystems Ltd. in Pune. The software is the brainchild of Jitendra Mali; executive director, DSK Motors and has been developed under the guidance of Shirish Patwardhan, chief technical officer - KPIT Cummins.
Read more: Now watch car servicing online courtesy new auto software - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Nissan Micra to sport a 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine

It seems that the small car from Nissan - the company’s first made-in-India car Micra - could be fitted with 1.2-litre 3-cylinder lightweight and a fuel-efficient petrol engine (which has an offset crankshaft and low-friction piston rings) and five-speed manual transmission.
Japan’s third largest car company had earlier said that it has tuned the engine for drivability and low-end torque to suit Micra’s urban focus. Speculation is also pretty rife that Micra will get a 1.5 litre turbo-diesel, the same Renault K9K unit which powers the Logan. Micra will first be launched in Thailand, in March 2010, and will subsequently be launched in the Indian market - probably by May/June 2009.

Read more: Nissan Micra to sport a 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

VW Beetle corners 300 bookings and still counting

Expensive hatchbacks have always been a subject of debate and now VW's Beetle has managed to clock 300 bookings with a waiting period of 2-3 months. With a two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, 115 HP output and six speed automatic transmission, the car comes at a price of Rs 20.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The car is brought into the country from Mexico as a completely built unit (CBU) attracting a duty over of over 100 per cent.

Read more: VW Beetle corners 300 bookings and still counting - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Toyota recalls four models to correct ABS software programme

Toyota Motor Corporation announces a recall related to the software program that controls the antilock braking system (ABS) in current-model "Prius", "Prius Plug-in Hybrid", "Sai" and "HS250h" sold in Japan. The recall, for which TMC submitted notifications today to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, concerns approximately 223,000 vehicles.
"Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to quality as the lifeline of our company. With myself taking the lead, all of us at Toyota will tackle the issue in close cooperation with our dealers and with our suppliers. Together, we will do everything in our power to regain the confidence of our customers," said TMC President Akio Toyoda, regarding the recall.

Read more: Toyota recalls four models to correct ABS software programme - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Gulf Oil rolls out Gulf Super Duty VLE 15W-40 diesel engine oil for commercial vehicles

Gulf Oil Corporation strengthened its diesel engine oil portfolio by introducing Gulf Super Duty VLE 15W-40, super high performance diesel engine oil for low emission diesel engines of new generation trucks, buses and construction equipments. The product exceeds the requirements of API CI-4 specification and is approved against Daimler MB Approval 228.3, Volvo VDS – 3 and MAN M 3275. This state-of-the-art technology product meets the requirements of high performance engines in the vehicles conforming to BS III & BS II emission norms and even BS IV vehicles without particulate filters.

Read more: Gulf Oil rolls out Gulf Super Duty VLE 15W-40 diesel engine oil for commercial vehicles - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Goodyear India to delist its shares

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced its intention to commence either directly, or through one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, a cash tender offer to acquire any and all outstanding shares of Goodyear India, Ltd. (GIL), a publicly traded company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, and to delist GIL’s shares from the Bombay Stock Exchange (the Delisting Proposal).
Read more: Goodyear India to delist its shares - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Bridgestone inaugurates Select Super tyre showroom in Pune

Bridgestone India has recently announced the launch of their ‘Select Super’ showroom with ‘Darshan Tyres’ in Pune. The showroom was formally inaugurated on Thursday, January 21, 2010 by H. Mori, director Sales & Marketing, Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd. The Bridgestone Select stores boosts of an exclusive Bridgestone retail ‘Identity and Sales’ in line with the global retail philosophy adopted successfully across the world.

Read more: Bridgestone inaugurates Select Super tyre showroom in Pune - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News Under Creative Commons License: Attribution