Spyker Cars finalises purchase of Saab from GM

General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today announced that they have finalized the deal for Spyker to purchase Saab Automobile AB. Going forward, Saab and Spyker will operate under the Spyker umbrella, and Spyker will assume responsibility for Saab operations. The previously announced wind down of Saab operations has ended.


“This transaction represents the successful outcome of months of hard work and intense negotiations, all aimed at securing a sustainable future for this unique brand, and we are pleased with the positive outcome,” said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances. “This is a great day for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, and a great day for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide.”

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Hyundai i-Flow Concept Car to premiere at 2010 Geneva Auto Show

At this year’s Salon International de L’Automobile in Geneva on March 2nd, Hyundai will unveil an all-new concept car which pioneers a new look for a D-segment sedan. A sketch revealed today gives a first glimpse of the concept car – named i-flow – which will make its world premiere at next month’s show.
Styled at the company’s European design headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, i-flow is expected to attract much attention, thanks to its striking appearance – the latest product of the company’s evocative new form language, ‘fluidic sculpture’. The name i-flow reflects the exceptionally aerodynamic shape and the flowing lines of the concept car’s eye-catching styling, and retains the ‘i’ prefix of Hyundai’s established nomenclature.

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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.
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Force India unveils 2010 Formula one car VJM03

Force India has announced to present the car with which they will compete in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. The VJM03, which will be raced by the unchanged driver line-up of Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi this season, was unveiled online on Tuesday morning. The Silverstone-based team may have made a name for themselves last season, scoring their first pole position, points and podium, but they are hoping their new Mercedes-engined car will power them to even greater things in 2010. Following its Tuesday launch, the VJM03 will make its testing debut at the Spanish circuit of Jerez on Wednesday.

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UP govt exempts army officers from VAT on car and two-wheelers

Uttar Pradesh government has decided to exempt cars and motorbikes/scooters from levy of the Value Added Tax (VAT)...
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Electric Indica hatchback to roll first in Norway, Denmark and UK markets by 2011

Tata Motors had another news for the electric car industry when it announced at the recènt Environment Friendly Vehicle Conference that it was looking forward to launch an electric version of its Indica hatchback...

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Ford India unveils its global small car Figo in New Delhi

The all new small car named Ford Figo (Figo for colloquial Italian is cool) was unveiled by Ford Motor President and CEO, Alan Mulally in New Delhi on September 23rd.

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SIAM data shows July 2009 car and bike sales zoom 30.91 and 19.48 per cent repectively

According to the figures released by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the domestic passenger car sales were up by 30.91 per cent at 115,067 units in July from 87,901 units in the year-ago month.
For full story Click here : SIAM data shows July 2009 car and bike sales zoom 30.91 and 19.48 per cent repectively

Auto companies have reasons for cheer for another US$ 2 billon refill for CARS programme

Close on the heels of announcing a US$ 2.4 billion grant for the development of electric vehicles and the batteries to be used in these EVs, US President Barack Obama has signed yet another US$ 2 billion extension for the popular 'Cash for Clunkers' program.
For full story click here : Auto companies have reasons for cheer for another US$ 2 billon refill for CARS programme

US car brands make average 10 per cent improvement in 2009: J.D. Power Quality Survey

According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) released recently, new vehicles sold by Chrysler, Ford and GM’s domestic brands have improved in initial quality by an average of 10 per cent, compared with 2008, surpassing the 8-per cent rate of improvement by the industry overall.
Overall, the industry average for initial quality is 108 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2009, down from 118 PP100 in 2008. Initial quality for domestic brands has improved to an average of 112 PP100 in 2009 from 124 PP100 in 2008. Lower PP100 scores indicate a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.
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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

Chrysler brand could be launched in India by Fiat

Fiat which has recently entered into a strategic alliance with Chrysler, may launch the American auto giant’s models in the market. The company, however, refused to provide any details regarding this. When asked whether the company would bring Chrysler brands to India, Fiat Group Chief Operating Officer (International Operations) Filverio Bonfiglioli said, "why not..." he said on the sidelines launching its superhatch Grande Punto in both petrol and diesel variants in the Indian market
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Fiat's low-cost compact car in India likely by 2012-13

On the sidelines of launching its superhatch –Grande Punto- in Delhi, Fiat India, on 17th June, 2009, has revealed that they are working on bringing a low cost car, probably at the bottom of the B segment, to the Indian market in the coming 3-4 years. The car, which would be tailor-made for the Indian market, would be roll out of the Ranjangaon plant near Pune in Maharashtra.
for full story click here : Fiat's low-cost compact car in India likely by 2012-13

Luxury and premium car sales dip by 7.59 per cent in May 2009

Even though premium carmakers, rolling out high-end and niche cars, continued to do brisk sales in the Indian market for the past few months, the global recession and other factors have began take its toll on them. Even though carmakers like Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen et al are bearish about the American and other developed markets, their sentiments were hitherto quite bullish towards emerging markets like India due to the growing number of nouveaux riches. But since January 09, banks and other financial institutions have begun reducing the car loan disbursals to even high-profile customers, thereby hampering the sales of the automobile companies. While Mercedes Benz saw its sales plunging by The 34.18 per cent in May 2009, BMW's sales dropped by 22.48 per cent in the same month.

For full story click here : Luxury and premium car sales dip by 7.59 per cent in May 2009