Technology & Lifestyle
August 18th, 2010 | Published in Auto News
Yamaha, the Japanese Automobile Manufacturer is looking to boost up its share in the Indian market to about 10% by 2013.
Meanwhile, they have also brought out the 3 recent versions of its diverse models also covering the latest model in India.
Yamaha in an attempt to improve sales in India will also ramp up the dealership network, thus creating a niche in the local market.
The company also reports sales of 2.2 lakhs units in India for the year 2009, with the entire two- wheeler Indian market making up almost 94 lakhs units.
The year 2009 sees a decline in sales for motorcycles all over the world, thus resulting in a fall of twenty to thirty percentages in the user demand. The auto manufacturer focuses on the Asian market for development.
In the meantime, Yoshiteru Takahashi the Co Director and Managing Executive Officer (Motorcycle Business Operations) of Yamaha Motor claims that they consider India as a crucial market.
He goes on to add that they also had plans to provide more funds in a bid to surge up the productivity such as that of scooters. The auto manufactures had earmarked Rs, 800 Crores in 2007 to invest in India.
Currently, they have put in just Rs, 600 Crores for the same. Takashi finally concludes that the expected yearly target sales of 1 million motor bikes by 2013 or 2014 would make up for nearly 10% of the worldwide sales.
August 11th, 2010 | Published in Auto News
Honda, the car manufacturer has come out with its new variant for it top hatchback model, namely the new Jazz X Grade for the Indian market. Style and performance forms the watchwords for this new addition to the Jazz assemble.
Comfortable and luxurious interiors look sporty with black colour even as the enhanced exteriors offer Alloy wheels. Not to mention, the audio system that features USB ports!
The new variant also provides a parcel shelf at the back, which further improves the usability and the protection for the baggage. Other additions are the mud guards both at the front and back, fog lamps as well as the driver seat height adjuster.
The colours expected for this model ranges from the latest Rallye Red other than the earlier Tafetta White, Alabaster Silver, Crystal Black Pearl, Sherbet Blue and Deep Sapphire Blue.
According to the Director for Marketing, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, Mr Tatsuya Natsume, the new Jazz X was rolled out catering to the user demands and their feedback. Hence, the enhanced outer appearance as well as sporty interiors along with thrilling driving experience forms part of its existence.
Meanwhile, the ex-showroom price for the Honda Jazz X Grade is reported to be about Rs 7.53 lakhs.
Tata Motor’s brings out the new Tata Manza Aura (ABS) Quadrajet BS IV, Built on J300 platform, to capture the C segment cars in the Indian Markets. It also makes use of the body of its other model, the Indica Vista.
Put the earlier version of Tata Indigo on the side of this Indigo Manza, and you will find it much longer and wider in dimensions. The measures are Length 4413mm, Width 1703mm, Height 1550mm and good ground clearance at 165mm.
Tata Motor is also planning out putting a stop to its current Tata Indigo, with just CS, Marina and XL made available.
The recent Sedan offered in both petrol and diesel models comes in chiefly four variants – Aqua, Aura, Aura (ABS) and Aura Plus. The diesel model comes to be known as Quadrajet even as petrol variants are termed Safire.
Tata Manza Aqua Quadrajet BS IV phase out from Tata Manza Aqua Quadrajet BS III equipped with additional feature of BS IV emission instead of BS III emission.
Bluetooth connectivity, power outlets for charging laptops as well as further portable devices, outdoor temperature sensors and high mount LED Lamps add to its allurement.
Quadrajet fitted with 1248cc, Common Rail Direct Injection system Diesel Engine offers mileage of 13.8kmpl at cities, while that on high-ways is 18.2 kmpl. The model generating max power 90PS@ 4000 rpm can as well estimate its utmost torque as 200Nm at 1750-3000 rpm.
The car goes steps into next level with its high- tech technology, luxury and classy appearance. Chrome finish front grille with striking logo of the company imprinted on it makes it look eye-catching.
Wheelbase is mentioned as 2,520mm more long than that of the existing Indigo model. Featuring almost same interior to the present model, it also comes out with posh features to make it more high-end.
Features include instrument cluster traditionally positioned at the right side of the dashboard and steering mounted audio controls. Not to forget it’s centrally mounted Multi Information Display. Up-to-date with its feel and redefined precision adds on to its classy appearance.
Safety and compromise- not at all; Is the motto. It is evident with features made available such as Antilock Braking System and Airbags. It features C 549, 5 +1 Speed Manual Transmission Gearbox.
Advanced safety is offered through collapsible steering, child locks, central locking, remote keyless entry, retractor, pretensioner and load limiters on front seat belts and more.
It can exceed the mark of 10 kms in only 15.6 seconds making a mark with highest speed at 164.2kmph. When it comes to its exterior the model comes with Chrome inserts on the rub rails and door handles, attractive three barrel headlamps and Chrome Strip in hoods of the car to make it spectacular.
Body Colour side rub rails, black tape on the exterior sash area and 7 speed front wipers are provided with it. Other features are trendy 15 inch wheels, tubeless tyres; full wheel cap and electricity controlled outer rear view mirrors.
Elegance comes to the model with features like 2 tone beige interior colour scheme, complete fabric seat trim, light intensity adjustments for instrument clusters, power steering as well as front and rear cabin lights.
Front suspension of Independent Lower Wishbone Mc Pherson Strut with Coil Spring and the rear suspension of Semi independent twist beam with coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers are also provided. When it comes to brakes, the car opts for ventilated disc for front brakes and the rear ones as drum brakes.
Not to compromise on style and comfort it also offers storage pockets inside front and rear door, storage tray beneath front seat, tachometer with CRITICAL REV INDICATOR, vanity mirror & light situated at the sun visor in front.
With quite roomy interiors the vehicle provides pleasurable driving experience. Tilt adjustable Power steering and HVAC with electric controls adds on to the luxury. Additionally, power windows shown facilitates hassle free opening of window.
Multiple storage compartments, Lumbar support for front seats, both fixed and 2 ways adjustable and 2 DIN am/fm/mp3/cd/usb supported music system are also offered in the vehicle.
August 8th, 2010 | Published in Auto News
Suzuki Motors was not looking to share its platform for its models with the German Manufacturer, Volkswagen who already claims a twenty percentage of a stake in the Japanese auto major.
The 19.9% stake bought in 2009 for $2.5 billion also reaffirms plans to go ahead with the prospect of jointly producing vehicles.
Meanwhile, the MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, Shinzo Nakanishi revealed that the chief cause for this was the increased manufacturing as well as the product development prices of Volkswagen.
According to his declaration, this would further make the business not feasible for them.
They were planning on restricting the association between two car manufacturers to just sharing the production facility for the purpose of producing the models, under the joint venture.
They could as well form an Original Equipment Manufacturing deal with Volkswagen, as was in the instance of Nissan that brings out the A-Star, a hatchback as the Pixo in Europe.
They mainly sealed this deal in a bid by Volkswagen to create a niche for themselves in the Indian Market, where Suzuki is already a vital presence.
Volkswagen plans to manage its expenses by exploiting the manufacturing schemes by Suzuki, even as they create more numbers of small cars, thus leading to a move towards the compact cars, for the market worldwide.
Both the manufacturers could as well come out with some unyielding publicity, worldwide by the upcoming 6 to 8 months time. A Few of the ventures are due for introduction within the conclusion of 2010 or even the beginning of 2011.
We see that Maruti is more keen on imbibing the technology employed by Volkswagen, namely the diesel engine, whilst the German Auto manufacturer has designs on the expertise of Maruti Suzuki to produce large quantity of cars, both efficiently and at low cost.
Demand for Polo on the Rise; German Car Manufacturer unable to cater to it
The German Car Manufacturer, Volkswagen had launched the Polo, earlier this year. The demand for the vehicle is forever on the high, with the manufacturer incapable to cater to this.
Meanwhile, many of the consumers had also cancelled the bookings, and opted for competitor vehicles like Ford Figo, Hyundai i10, GM Beat and Maruti Swift, citing the 3-4 months waiting time as the chief cause.
Dearth of parts is reported to be the main reason for this gap in meeting the user demands, states a source close to Volkswagen. There is also expected to be some problem with quality of the parts made available by the vendors.
Resulting from this, the manufacturers were not able to increase the production of this vehicle and thus create a gap in meeting the user requirements.
Volkswagen maintains their presence with no compromise on quality, even if it could set in motion cancellation for the bookings.
Nissan Motors in India reports 1005 units’ sales for July 2010
Nissan is fast making known it presence in India, reporting sales of 1005 vehicles for July this year.
According to the official report from the Japan Automotive manufacturer, out of the 1005 sales accounted, nearly 928 units were expected to be of Nissan Micra.
Meanwhile, Nissan would as well set up 5 new dealerships all over the country in various cities covering Vijayawada, Bhopal, Jaipur, Navi Mumbai and Bhubaneswar.
Currently, there are mainly 20 dealership units operational.
If we look back at the sales reported, we will find that nearly 27 units’ sales was of the Nissan Teana, belonging to the luxury sedan group.
Finally, the SUV Nissan X-trail also claims 50 units’ sales.
Nissan Micra rolled out in mid July all over the nation had also received bookings for more than 3,000 units in advance.
The car introduced in the base model, XE, the mid-level model XL and the high- end model, the XV variant.
The exshowroom price for these vehicles in Delhi is expected to be between Rs. 3.98 lakhs and Rs. 5.28 lakhs.
Reports also claim that the sales for Nissan in July 2009 stands at 25 units, with Teana claiming 17 units sales, whereas X-Trail sales was just 8 units.
