Nano platform to be used for future electric and hybrid cars rollout

According to sources familiar with the development, Tata Motors is drawing up plans to roll out an electric car based on its ultra-cheap car-Nano. If speculation is to be believed, the Indian automaker is likely to develop the model in cooperation with the Norwegian electric car company Miljoebil Grenland. The price and other specifications have not been yet finalised by Tata Motors.
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Auto Fitness and Environment Convention 2009 in Hyderabad from 17th June 2009

The Society for Automobile Fitness and Environment (SAFE), an initiative from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in association with the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, 17th June 2009, is hosting its annual convention on road safety at Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. The theme for this year's annual convention would be `Safety through enforcement and inspection and certification.' The convention would deal with safety and best practices in traffic enforcement system. This day-long convention will have officials from central and state Governments, traffic police departments and industry bodies from India and representatives from Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Philippines and Geneva.
For full story Click here : Auto Fitness and Environment Convention 2009 in Hyderabad from 17th June 2009

Jaguar Land Rover opens parts distribution centre in Suzhou, China

Jaguar Land Rover China (JLR), the marquee brands owned by Tata Motors, has recently held an opening ceremony for its new parts distribution centre in Suzhou, China. As the biggest parts distribution centre for JLR in Asia Pacific, it will facilitate the expansion of sales and service network in the Chinese market and rapid response to the dealers and customers' parts ordering in China. JLR China management members, government officials, representatives of partners and JLR dealers attended the event.
For full story Click here : Jaguar Land Rover opens parts distribution centre in Suzhou, China

Audi R15 TDI comes third on 2009 Le Mans race

The Audi R15 TDI, which had won last year's race, took third place in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans which took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France, and was organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) over June 13–14, 2009. It was reported recently that Peugeot succeeded in winning the aforesaid race.

For full story Click here : Audi R15 TDI comes third on 2009 Le Mans race

Audi introduces three more engines for Audi A4, brings 10 per cent additional fuel efficiency

The Indian arm of German auto company, Audi AG has announced the introduction of three new engines for the Audi A4 ― the 3.0 TDI Quattro, the 2.0 TFSI and the 1.8 TFSI. With a range of five engines, the Audi A4 now becomes the model with the widest choice for customers in the luxury car market in India. These engines also have a significantly greater fuel efficiency, consuming 10 percent less fuel than their predecessors. For the most powerful engine in the range, the 3.2 FSI quattro, Audi India announced additionally a special offer for the customers - a 3.99 percent interest financing rate. The prices of Audi A4 (ex-showroom Mumbai are - Audi A4 1.8 TFSI multitronic for Rs 2667,000; Audi A4 2.0 TDI multitronic for Rs 2854,000; Audi A4 2.0 TFSI multitronic for Rs 2854,000; Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic for Rs 3640,000; and Audi A4 3.2 TFSI quattro tiptronic for Rs 3543,000.

For full story Click here : Audi introduces three more engines for Audi A4, brings 10 per cent additional fuel efficiency

TVS unveils Apache RTR 180 in New Delhi

TVS Motor Company has unveiled its racing DNA with the launch of the high performance TVS Apache RTR 180. The motorcycle’s sporty, chiseled looks and unmatched performance-packed superior engine technology, take it to a different league making the bike a class leader in terms of acceleration, performance, styling, ride handling and stability. The Apache RTR 180 is equipped with both electric and kick start and comes in three stunning colours, including an all new pearl white, titanium grey and black. The bike is priced at an introductory Rs. 63,990/- ex showroom Delhi and is immediately available in TVS dealerships across the country.

For full story Click here : TVS unveils Apache RTR 180 in New Delhi

By Invitation : Ucal Rolon National Road Racing Championships'09 - Round One by Navroze Contractor

The first round of the Ucal Rolon Championships was held at the Kari Speed way in Coimbatore. The track is situated in a beautiful location sixteen kilometers from Coiambatore and the weather these days was much cooler than expected. I was there to cover the Super Bikes class, and specially the Red Rooster Racing team, and how they go about their business.

Every racing event has some drama, and this one particularly had high drama, to put it mildly. Andrew Morris and Mathew Lim from Red Rooster racing had come down from Singapore. Joe Raja Singh and his honcho Muju were there in tech team. Amit Sandill had his hands full throughout the weekend with logistics that are needed to run a racing team with four riders. K. Rajini, Preetham Dev Moses, and Sameer Venugopal rode Yamaha R6 while was on his Honda 600. Rajini, Preetham and Rohit had reputations to protect. They have raced internationally and so, all eyes were on them. The programme was rather over packed with events. Small bikes with many classes, 600 Super sports, one-liter super bikes, plus a series of go-cart races, all were accommodated in the weekend. Such a tight schedule requires a high degree of organization and time management. That all the events were pulled of, though with minor irritants was an achievement of the organizers.

For full story click here : By Invitation : Ucal Rolon National Road Racing Championships'09 - Round One by Navroze Contractor

Hyundai Verna : Good value for money says Varun Gopalia

Varun Gopalia is an Ahmedabad-based businessman who loves long-distance-driving all over India....

How long have you had your Hyundai Verna CRDi?2 years
Why did you choose the Hyundai Verna CRDi? Which other cars did you consider at the time?Its best in the class. Ford fiesta, Logan, desire
Has your Hyundai Verna CRDi lived up to what you expected from Hyundai ? YES
What do you have to say about the overall performance of the car?Its really nice a very good value for money.

For full story click here : Hyundai Verna : Good value for money

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

Small cars emerge top- selling models during FY 2008-09

Even as the Indian auto industry witnessed bloodbath during FY 2008-09, some cars , especially the small ones, managed to buck the downtrend and gave record numbers to carmakers. The robust volumes of models like Hyundai i10 and Santro, Maruti Alto, Swift (both hatchback and sedan) and Wagon R, Tata Indica and Indigo, simply demonstatres the fact that the Indian small car market is immune to the worldwide slowdown in auto sales. In fact, a lot of global auto biggies like Suzuki, Hyundai, Nissan are earmarking India as their small car hub.

For full story click here : Small cars emerge top- selling models during FY 2008-09

Audi to appoint 4 new dealerships during 2009

The Indian arm of German auto titan, Audi AG which is aiming to sell atleast 1,500 units during this financial year, has firmed up its plans to scale up its distribution network in the country and has reaffirmed its intentions to specifically target underpenetrated tier-II and Tier-II cities. Believing in the core brand value Vorsprung durch Technik, the company is eyeing to become the most successful premium brand in India in the coming years and corner at least 30 per cent of the luxury market share by 2011. Currently having 11 dealerships in major cities, it will soon be appointing new dealers in Lucknow, Jaipur, Coimbatore and Nagpur during CY 2009.
For full story click here : Audi to appoint 4 new dealerships during 2009

Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland get grace periods for bus supplies from government

According to media reports, commercial vehiclemakers Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, which are supposed to supply buses to various state governments under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme by June 30, 2009, may get a grace period in case they are not able to deliver by the deadline. It was reported earlier that Tata Motors has grabbed a major chunk of bus orders under JNNURM. Out of the 7,815 buses ordered by various state governments under the programme, India’s largest commercial vehiclemaking company will be supplying 4,689 buses.
For full story click here : Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland get grace periods for bus supplies from government

Mazda Aqua-tech Paint System maintains world-class low CO2 emissions levels

Mazda Motor Corporation announced the successful launch of the newly developed Aqua-tech Paint System for vehicle body painting at its Ujina Plant No.1 in Japan. The innovative new technology achieves the world’s highest standards for limiting emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) contained in paint as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) gas generated from the energy consumed during the vehicle painting process.
For full story click here : Mazda Aqua-tech Paint System maintains world-class low CO2 emissions levels

Benchmark Cars appointed Mercedes dealer in Ahmedabad

Mercedes-Benz India has inaugurated its new showroom and authorised service center, Benchmark Cars at Ahmedabad in Gujarat showcasing the powerful roadsters from their enthralling AMG range the SLK 55 AMG & the SL 63 AMG. Benchmark Cars, the only dealership in the state of Gujarat, was inaugurated by Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Sanjay Thakker, Chairman, Benchmark Cars.

For full story click here : Benchmark Cars appointed Mercedes dealer in Ahmedabad

GM India to ramp up its Chevrolet OK outlets to 50 by end-2009

On the sidelines of holding a regional launch of the LPG version of its Spark model in Jaipur, Genereal Motors India has said that it is increasing its chain of used-car outlets (Chevrolet OK) to over 50 by the end of this year. The cars offered through CHEVROLET-OK, outlets will go through a strict, 110-point checklist by GM India trained engineers, a thorough vehicle reconditioning program, besides a detailed history check. Chevrolet-OK Cars will be sold with a 1-year / 15,000 km limited warranty, along with three labour-free services for Chevrolet cars. GM India also sated that in a sector that is largely unorganized and very often unreliable, the Chevrolet-OK Cars program will assure customers safety and surety of purchase and complete transparency of operations. The pre-owned program from Chevrolet has since become operational in 9 outlets across 6 cities, with three outlets in Delhi and NCR, two outlets in Mumbai and one each in Pune, Hyderabad, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
For full story click here : GM India to ramp up its Chevrolet OK outlets to 50 by end-2009