M&M unfazed by US downturn, to launch pick-up trucks by end-2009

Even though the US auto market is down in the dumps, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), India's largest utility vehiclemaker, is going fast on its launch plans for its new generation diesel-powered and cleaner-burner SUVs and pick-up trucks in the United States.

click here for full story : M&M unfazed by US downturn, to launch pick-up trucks by end-2009

Audi launches Start-Stop & Energy Recovery Systems

Audi is consistently pressing forward to improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Starting in the second quarter of 2009, the modular efficiency platform will benefit from additional new technologies: The on-board computer with the efficiency program and the start-stop system will raise the efficiency and convenience of the Audi models to a new level. By 2012 the fuel consumption of the Audi model range should drop by 20 percent.
click here for full story : Audi launches Start-Stop & Energy Recovery Systems

Honda Jazz to sport a Made-for-India engine

Honda Siel Cars India will launch its latest model in India, the Jazz, with a 1.2 L i-VTEC engine which has been specially developed for the Indian market. The 1.2L i-VTEC engine reflects the company's commitment towards India and its continued focus on bringing in the latest global technology into the country.

for full story click here : Honda Jazz to sport a Made-for-India engine

Michelin Pilot Sport tyres for Porsche Panamera

According to a press release issued by Michelin Tyres, the Porsche Panamera which was unveiled recently at the 2009 Shanghai International Auto Expo, and is destined for India as well, will be sporting the French company’s specially developed Pilot Sport Tyres.
for full story click here : Michelin Pilot Sport tyres for Porsche Panamera

Maruti Suzuki Ritz microsite to offer interactivity, prizes, puzzles and fun

Maruti Suzuki India has launched a microsite - www.marutisuzukiritz.com- to commemorate the upcoming launch of India's first BS-IV compliant passenger car, Ritz, on May 15. The key features of the interactive Ritz microsite include a countdown ticker showing the time left for Ritz to arrive, a fun online viral to watch and enjoy, interesting screensavers and car wallpaper, and a teaser that shows the shape of the car bit by bit when the cursor is moved over it. These features apart, the microsite has multiple interesting games and puzzles. Ritz aficionados can win many prizes such as trolley bags, Puma T-shirts, and Ritz desk sets which consists of a pen holder, a mobile holder and attractive coasters.
for full story click here : Maruti Suzuki Ritz microsite to offer interactivity, prizes, puzzles and fun

Toyota likely to enter Indian luxury market with its Lexus brand

With the automobile industry seeing the sales graph inching north now, a bevy of luxury cars are planned to be launched in the next few years by global biggies like General Motors, Toyota, Honda et al. It would be covering segments like luxury sedans and SUVs (with a price range of Rs.20-50 lakh). Toyota is sounding a very optimistic note on the future prospects of its luxury cars in the country. The positive outlook comes at a time when the company has exceeded its expectation in sales in the country and reporting a dismal performance in its home country and other developed countries like US, UK and Canada.
for full story click here : Toyota likely to enter Indian luxury market with its Lexus brand

Nano top-end variant to be produced more by Tata Motors

There are reports that on the basis of the emerging booking pattern for Nano, Tata Motors is believed to be redrawing its production plans and is considering to manufacture a sizeable proportion of its top-end variant - the LX variant, whose ex-showroom price is above Rs. 170,000. At present, the company is producing all the three variants of the car - Standard, CX and LX - in equal numbers.
for full story click here : Nano top-end variant to be produced more by Tata Motors

GM Opel Insignia roars to top of mid-size class in Europe

Europe's Car of the Year 2009 is also European car buyers' first choice: Thanks to the new Insignia's spectacular market launch, Opel now leads the mid-size segment in Europe. In the first full quarter of Insignia sales, Opel surpassed all competition in the mid-size sedan segment in Europe. The start of sales in most European markets was in January. Due to the high demand for the new Opel flagship, three extra shifts will be added at the Rüsselsheim plant in May. Orders received have already topped the 100,000 mark.
for full story click here : GM Opel Insignia roars to top of mid-size class in Europe

What happens to those who get left out after Nano draw is done?

As is well known, Tata Motors received bookings from 203,000 customers for its Nano. It's common knowledge too; that a lottery with computerized random selection will get 100,000 people to get the car keys, and this activity would be over by end of the next month.
for full story click here: What happens to those who get left out after Nano draw is done?

Maruti Suzuki Ritz set for India launch on May 15, 2009

Maruti Suzuki India will finally launch India's first BS-IV compliant passenger car, Ritz, on May 15, 2009. Considered a tallboy hatchback, positioned in the premium A2 market segment, the new car adopts a contemporary European design and is positioned at the growing premium-end of the compact car market.
For full story click here : Maruti Suzuki Ritz set for India launch on May 15, 2009

Hyundai India to roll out diesel variant of i20 super-hatch by end-2009

According to reports in the media, Hyundai India would be launching the diesel variant of its recently-launched super-hatch-i20, by the end of this year. To be fitted with a 1.5-litre common-rail diesel engine, the new variant is likely to be around 15-20 per cent more expensive than the petrol, but will offer better fuel economy and improved drivability mainly due to the diesel engine's higher torque output compared to the petrol.
for full story click here : Hyundai India to roll out diesel variant of i20 super-hatch by end-2009

Will Suzuki 660cc Cervo take on Tata Nano?

As a number of domestic and international carmakers have announced the launch of their small and cheaper cars to take on 'Tata Nano', there was a lot of buzz that Maruti Suzuki is planning a similar segment car. But the skeleton is expected to come out of the closet as unofficial reports state that soon a car priced in the range of Rs. 1.50-2.50 lakh christened 'Cervo' will be rolled out by the India's largest passenger vehiclemaker in the country, but not in the immediate future, as the company is exploring its feasibility. Though it could not be officially confirmed, Maruti aims to launch this car in India in the next few years. As the company is tightlipped about the model, the exact cost could only be ascertained once the car is launched.
For full story click here : Will Suzuki 660cc Cervo take on Tata Nano?

It's official : Tata Nano gets over 2.03 lakh bookings

Tata Motors has finally put all speculation to rest by releasing the official booking figures for Tata Nano. The company has secured just over 2.03 lakh fully paid bookings which amounts to nearly Rs.2,500 crores.

The figures also reveal other data like, the Tata Nano website recorded an unprecedented 3 crore (30 million) hits from the date of launch of the car to the closure of the booking period (25th April, 2009), which is nearly 1 million hits a day. About 14 lakh people walked in to Tata Motors' Showrooms, Croma and Westside stores across the country to catch a glimpse of the car.
For full story click here : It's official : Tata Nano gets over 2.03 lakh bookings

Ford Fiesta follows Ikon to the DGS&D rate contract list

Ford India has signed a significant contract with the Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals [DGS&D], the central purchase and quality assurance organisation of the Union Government for supply of its Ford Fiesta to all government departments across the country with immediate effect.

for full story click here : Ford Fiesta follows Ikon to the DGS&D rate contract list

Ford Fiesta follows Ikon to the DGS&D rate contract list

Ford India has signed a significant contract with the Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals [DGS&D], the central purchase and quality assurance organisation of the Union Government for supply of its Ford Fiesta to all government departments across the country with immediate effect.

for full story click here : Ford Fiesta follows Ikon to the DGS&D rate contract list