Volkswagen Vento - Analysis

Maruti Suzuki Swift. When this ‘sporty’ little hatchback was launched back in 2004, the motoring world went crazy. Everyone hailed the Swift as a brilliant product, in fact, some motoring scribes declared it as perhaps the best Japanese compact car ever! Swift was, as a design activity, a departure from what was available in India at that time. It was radical and path-breaking.

The design was so ahead of its time that even now, the Swift sells like hot cakes owing primarily to the way it looks (and of course because it’s a Maruti!). I believe the design will not really become what you’d call passé even in the next five years or so.

Volkswagen Vento - coming this Autumn

Volkswagen will launch its all new Sedan, the New Vento in the Indian market in autumn this year. It will be the brand’s second volume model after its successful launch of the new Polo and will be coming as a premium entry level Sedan in the country.

The New Vento will be manufactured at Volkswagen’s plant in Chakan, Pune and has been completely designed to the needs and expectations of the Indian consumer.

Tata Nano Superdrive

To celebrate the inauguration of the plant, a fleet of 9 Tata Nanos driven by prospective customers, who participated in an online contest, began a country-wide drive, called the Nano Superdrive, from Sanand today. The drive was flagged off by Mr. Ratan N. Tata.

Tata Nano Superdrive will be an enchanting 26 day voyage, wherein nine Tata Nanos will circumambulate India on three different routes identified by Tata Motors. Tata Motors has given prospective customers an opportunity to drive these Nanos on select routes, and enjoy the car in the real-world.

Sanand plant in full swing; Tata Nano to roll out faster to meet demand

Tata Motors’ brand new plant for the Tata Nano at Sanand, in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat, was inaugurated today by the Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Narendra Modi, in the presence of the Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Ministers of the Gujarat Government, top officials, vendor and supplier partners, dealers and associates of the company. The plant’s inauguration marks the culmination of the company’s goal of making the Tata Nano freely available to hundreds of thousands of families, desirous of the car. 

Review - Toyota Corolla Altis

Research and Development – it is something that companies invest hugely in, to be a part of the dogfight that corporate world finds itself absorbed in. There’s a lot of science, mathematics, economics and sense involved in R&D. So we obviously do not understand what it really is. However, we do know that the products belonging to the automotive circus that come out as a result of such intense development are quite overwhelming and tech heavy.

Tata Motors sales figure grows 47% in May '10

Tata Motors’ total sales (including exports) of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles in May 2010 were 56,779 vehicles, a growth of 41% over 40,196 vehicles sold in May 2009. The company’s domestic sales of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for May 2010 were 52,801 nos., a 38% growth over 38,392 nos. sold in May last year.

Cumulative sales (including exports) for the company for the fiscal are 113,978 nos., a growth of 47% over 77,714 nos. sold last year.

HMSI lays the foundation stone for its second production plant

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Private Limited. (HMSI), Honda’s wholly-owned motorcycle production and sales subsidiary in India, today starts the construction of the second 2wheeler production plant to meet increasing demand in the rapidly growing motorcycle market in India.

To build the second plant, Honda has acquired approximately 240,000 square meters of land within the Tapukara Industrial Area (Near Bhiwadi), Rajasthan, which is approximately 40km from the existing plant and approximately 90km from Delhi. The new plant is scheduled to become operational in the 2nd half of 2011 with annual production capacity of 600,000 units.

GM continues to register strong sales; Beat making waves!

General Motors India has registered an impressive growth of 61% in sales in May 2010, compared to the corresponding period last year. It sold 8,225 units in May 2010 against 5,109 units in May last year. The May 2010 sales comprise of 2,812 units of the Chevrolet Spark, 2,296 units of Chevrolet Beat, 1,418 units of the Chevrolet Tavera, 854 units of the Cruze, 396 Units of Chevrolet Aveo, 312 units of Chevrolet Aveo U-VA, 84 units of the Chevrolet Captiva and 53 units of Chevrolet Optra.

Review - Mitsubishi Pajero

I had not even reached puberty, was rather far from it, when I first truly understood the meaning of the much famous phrase for lovebirds – “going weak in the knees”. The feeling of warmth in my heart, having that mesmerized expression in my eyes, feeling lost in our own little world when I used to be with her. Heck yes, I was in love! I remember my mom castigating me for not being like the other boys and keeping home to play with the so-called boys’ toys (read Hot Wheels and He-Mans and Supermans and...), instead I used to be with her, most of the time that I could afford.

Review - Volvo S80

You see, I am besotted by Yamahas. The R1, R6 and MT01 are machines that – I am sure – you would kill your darling mommy-in-law for. Okay, you would kill your mother-in-law even without a reason, but you get the point!  I’ve even had the pleasure of enjoying a Yamaha Waverunner once, and whatever little time I managed on the damn thing, I was screaming with pleasure. Why, you would ask, am I talking about Yamaha in Volvo S80’s review? Well, that’s because I have reasons. All 315 of them, in fact!

Review - Mercedes Benz M-Class (ML 320 CDI)

The moment it was fixed, I immediately decided that the first thing the Mercedes Benz ML 320 CDI will be subjected to is something called ‘girlfriend-approved’ test. You see, my lady – she detests whatever I love under the motoring umbrella. She likes cutesy hatchbacks like the Zen Estilo. Me? I hate it. From the bottom of my heart. To the core. Don’t, not even for a moment, think that I hate small cars. I love them. But the Zen Estilo? No thank you, I’m better off on a bunch of berries.

A train that never stops - concept train from China

I was forwarded this video and think that the concept is really cool. Sorry for the language of the video being Chinese, but I am certain you guys will be able to understand the concept and working principle of the concept train easily.

 

Iron Man 2 - as good as it gets!

Iron Man 2 is making waves. Have not watched this movie yet, and can't wait to watch it! Check out the teaser.

Costs a bomb - if only you don't care.

This was an eye-opener. For her. My friend owns a six-year old, 70,000km run Hyundai Santro and she’d committed the worst sin that a proper petrol-head can ever imagine. It is so sinister that even in the book-of-automotive-sins, it exists as a highlighted item. She took the car to a local workshop and got it serviced from a local mechanic because Hyundai’s authorised workshop was not accepting cars for service for a couple of days and she was in some sort of a hurry. It cannot go all that wrong that the car will not run, she thought. And she was right to some extent. The car was indeed running; only that you’d not feel like driving it – it was a mess.

Mitsubishi unveils the new Outlander

HM-Mitsubishi Motors, one of India’s leading auto manufacturers, unveiled the Outlander 2010 for the India market, today. The much-awaited Outlander 2010 is a comfortable, high-performance car, which lends itself to business purposes, as well as leisure driving. The new Outlander was unveiled by Mr. Vijay Kumar, Executive Vice President and SBU Head – Chennai Car Plant, Hindustan Motors Ltd. in presence of Mr. Rohit Bal, one of India’s leading fashion designers and other senior company officials.

KBB announces video car review contest

Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new- and used-car information, announces a new video car review contest offering a grand prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to play Kelley Blue Book Editor for a day. Anyone with a video camera and an interesting take on a car of their choice is encouraged to step up to the plate and show the Kelley Blue Book editors a video review of two minutes or less. A panel of judges will judge entries based on creativity, the ability to capture the essence of the vehicle being reviewed, cool and unusual visuals, overall presentation, professionalism, and 'general awesomeness.'

Harley Davidson establishes Indian corporate headquarter

Harley-Davidson India today inaugurated its India corporate headquarters in Gurgaon. The guest of honor, U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer, opened the passageway to the new office entrance in true Harley-Davidson form – by revving the engine of a 2010 Fatboy.  The grand opening event, hosted by Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, saw the attendance of a broad array of industry leaders, enthusiasts and officials.

Audi sales show northward march

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, has continued its positive growth in 2010 with an impressive growth of 69% in April 2010. Audi India's countrywide vehicle sales in April this year grew to 189 units as compared to 112 units sold in April 2009.
                                                    
“Our strong performance this month is a testament of the confidence our customers have in our brand. We recently completed three years in the Indian market and are committed to introducing progressive new products with unparalleled levels of luxury, comfort and sportiness. This year, we will continue to focus on enhancing the customer experience through exciting new product launches and superior standards of service,” said Benoit Tiers, Managing Director, Audi India.

Vishnu Mathur appointed Director General of SIAM

SIAM is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vishnu Mathur as Director General of SIAM.  Vishnu succeeds Mr. Dilip Chenoy who after a successful stint with SIAM moves on to take responsibility as the CEO of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Vishnu graduated from Delhi University and joined the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association in 1994 after working in CII from 1980. Vishnu, as Executive Director ACMA, has been involved in the development of the Automotive Mission Plan and is also a member of various committees related to the automotive industry. His work in ACMA included consensus building within industry and also promoting the growth and development of the industry.

Early launch for Nissan's electric car, Leaf, in Hawaii

Due to Hawaii’s strong commitment to clean energy and a recognized leader in the introduction of electric vehicles (EV), Nissan North America, Inc. has selected Hawaii to be one of its initial launch markets in the U.S. beginning in early 2011. Nissan and the State of Hawaii are working towards a partnership to promote the development of an electric vehicle network. As part of the collaboration, Nissan has committed to make the highly anticipated all-electric Nissan LEAF available to Hawaii consumers.