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.

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UK-based EcoCa to challenge Nano in India

When the Rs. 1 lakh common man was announced by Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto was quick to follow by announcing an ultra-low-cost-car (ULC) – both addressed to the bottom-of-the-pyramid and the car aspirants.
Read more: UK-based EcoCa to challenge Nano in India - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News
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Nano can be assembled by others under different brand name, reports Business Standard

Last week, there was news that Reva, the electric car company from Bangalore has set upon a new business model where it would franchise its electric vehicle technology to suitable auto manufacturers in the US, setting ground for Bannon Motors to announce aplant in upscale New York area also.
For full story click here : Nano can be assembled by others under different brand name, reports Business Standard

Toyota Kirloskar to hire 2,000 workers for its second plant in Bidadi

In line with its strategy to launch a small car in India by late 2010 or early 2011, Toyota Motor Corporation is pulling out all plugs to help facilitate the launch.
For full story click here : Toyota Kirloskar to hire 2,000 workers for its second plant in Bidadi

Tata Motors eyeing to launch Nano in Latin America with Fiat

According to reports in the media, Tata Motors has given an indication that it is considering to launch its Nano model in the Latin American nations (where Fiat has a sizeable presence) at a later point of time.
For full story click here : Tata Motors eyeing to launch Nano in Latin America with Fiat

Michigan plants in the US to build GM's future small car

General Motors has announced that it has selected its assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan and stamping facility in Pontiac, Michigan to build its future small car, which will add to the automaker’s growing portfolio of U.S.- built, highly fuel-efficient cars, including the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt. Today’s announcement will restore approximately 1,400 jobs in total -- 1,200 at Orion Assembly and 200 at Pontiac Metal Center, Building # 14.
For full story click here : Michigan plants in the US to build GM's future small car

Nissan upcoming Chennai plant to be its global small car hub

Following its cues from other global auto biggies like General Motors, Hyundai, Suzuki, etc, Nissan Motor Company is all set to earmark Indian operations as its low-cost small car hub. Amidst its global restructuring plan, Nissan Motor Company has kept its investment plans for India unchanged and the production of its first compact cars in the country will begin by next year. It is to be mentioned that the Indian arm of the Japanese automaker is establishing a Rs. 4,500-crore car-manufacturing facility (on 640 acres) with Renault at Oragadam near Chennai, where it will be rolling out next-generation A-segment car- to be christened Micra or March. The Micra would be available in both petrol and diesel versions, with nearly two-third of its production earmarked for the overseas markets. The Indian arm of the Tokyo-based company has also firmed up plans to launch 4-5 models over the next four years with its first one being Micra or March, is slated to hit the market before summer 2010, a top company official said told PTI. After the Micra/March, Nissan plans to roll-out a sedan version of Micra by 2011.
for full story click here : Nissan upcoming Chennai plant to be its global small car hub