All new Mahindra Logan to be launched soon

Mahindra & Mahindra, which has recently snapped its ties with Renault group, is now eying at launching a new and revived version of its Logan sedan in India. The Logan model was launched in India in year 2005, under the name of Mahindra-Renault joint venture, but since last few years the sales of this model went down to a very low level. It is expected that the company will initiate a fresh campaign in June this year, to enhance Logan's market presence and popularity. Company is claimed to be planning to reduce the length of this car by 4 meters, so that it can avail the excise duty cut from the government. The car will possibly be launched with a new name as well.



In the short-term company is eying to start a new campaign that will bring out the functional benefits of Logan, said Rajesh Jejurikar, chief executive, automotive division, Mahindra. Mahindra will change the name after December, when Renault goes out of the budging. The agreement also allows the company to bring the length of car under 4 meters, he added. Mahindra has recently announced a whooping 50,000 discount on its Logan model, just after buying the Renault's stake in the joint venture. By cutting on cost, the company is trying to add momentum to the product. As it starts selling, resale value will rise, Mr Jejurikar added.

Source:- All new Mahindra Logan to be launched soon - New Cars

Honda targets to grow bikes sales than its scooter

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India is planning to increase its share of bikes sale up to 50 per cent in the next one year. At present, Honda's scooter sales accounts for more than 60 per cent in the total sale. The company is to achieve this target by launching new bikes in India in the aforesaid time period. Scooters sales of Honda has been phenomenal and the company is still getting excellent response from the auto market. Honda's leading gearless scooters include Honda Activa, Honda Aviator and Honda Dio which are presently capture at 50 per cent market share. Last fiscal year, the company registered total two-wheeler sales of around 13 lakh and the scooters contributed over 60 percent of sales.



" We would target motorcycles sales more than scooter sales in the next one-year," said, Shinji Aoyama, president and CEO of HMSI. The company has also set a target of selling 15 lakh units of two-wheelers and expected that motorcycles would contribute at least 50 percent or more in the current financial year 2010-11, he added. Honda Motor has launched long-awaited CB Unicorn Dazzler in India. It is a new upgraded version of flagship model of the company, Honda Unicorn. Honda CB Dazzler was first showcased at the 10th Delhi Auto Expo,2010. It is available at the price tag of Rs. 62,900 (ex-showroom-Delhi).

Source:- Honda targets to grow bikes sales than its scooter - Bikes in India

Toyota 'Q' World gets overwhelming response in Hyderabad

Toyota 'Q' World held in Hyderabad as a part of Auto Show South 2010 - Customers across India given an opportunity to see the Toyota Etios Concept - An exciting array of vehicles showcased, exhibiting Toyota quality and technology - Customers got a touch and feel experience of Toyota range of cars with advanced and environment friendly technology Toyota Kirloskar Motor held the Toyota 'Q' World in Hyderabad today. "Toyota Q World", held as apart of CII Auto Show South 2010, is expected to draw large crowds to Hitex Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad. The participants included people from all walks of life eager to see the much awaited concept model of Toyota's new compact car- Etios. The event has already swept a wave of excitement across Hyderabad. With the Etios concept - 'World First, India First', Toyota is all set to enter the mass volume segment in India. To ensure maximum accessibility to its customers, Toyota will expand its sales/service network to about 150 dealers by the end of 2010.




Toyota currently has a strong presence in Andhra Pradesh with 6 dealerships. Three dealerships namely Harsha Toyota, Radha Krishna Toyota and Dorbo Toyota are present in Hyderabad. Toyota also has pan AP presence with Harsha Toyota in Nellore, Leela Krishna in Vishakhapatnam and Radha Madhav in Vijayawada. Toyota's presence in AP will be further strengthened with four more upcoming dealerships by the end of 2010. The upcoming dealerships will be Harsha Toyota at Kurnool and Tirupathi, Radha Madhav at Rajamundry and Guntur. Toyota's Innova and Fortuner are the market leaders in their segments in Andhra Pradesh with a market share of 44% and 63% respectively. Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Sailesh Shetty General Manager, Sales, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.said, "We would like to engage car enthusiasts and customers from across India and not limit this experience to just one city.




This is an opportunity for us to get a direct feedback from customers across the country, which will in turn help us to further improve our products and services and serve them better. Andhra Pradesh is a very important market for us and we look forward to expanding it further in the future. With the introduction of Etios concept, we hope to attain a sizeable market share in India in the shortest possible time. "
After the grand success of the world premiere of the Toyota Etios concept at the recently held Delhi Auto Expo, Toyota's globally renowned quality and technology was brought to Hyderabad. Customers eagerly awaiting the launch of Etios concept got an opportunity to see the vehicle in their own city. The Delhi Auto Expo had customers coming to see the world premiere of Etios concept and its latest technology. However, the Toyota 'Q' World took this experience 'to the customer'.

The exhibit included an exciting array of 9 vehicles which gave them a never before 'touch and feel experience' of Toyota vehicles. Toyota Etios concept was the highlight of the event. The vehicles symbolized the following themes - Eco Friendly, Concept Car and the Toyota Line Up. The exhibit included the newly launched Etios concept and many more interesting and exciting vehicles in the current line up of Toyota products namely,

* The newly launched Toyota Prius - world's highest selling hybrid vehicle,
* Newly launched Prado Diesel,
* Most popular vehicle in the SUV segment - Toyota Fortuner

Exclusive customer engagement events were also held for fun and entertainment of the visitors.

After the huge success of the first phase of Toyota 'Q' World, the event will travel to 15 other cities, namely Calicut, Goa, Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Siliguri, Guwahati, Varanasi, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Indore and Surat. The event will span a period of 4 months. TKM is a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and the Kirloskar Group. TKM has invested nearly Rs. 1,500 crores in its plant at Bidadi, employing around 3000 people. The plant started production in December 1999 and has a capacity of producing 80,000 units annually.

Source:- Toyota 'Q' World gets overwhelming response in Hyderabad - New Cars

Nissan Juke to hit Indian roads by 2011

Nissan is expected to launch their new crossover Nissan Juke by the mid of year 2011. Nissan Juke, has been recently revealed at the New York Auto Expo. The car has already been launched in the international markets. Presently the car is available in three variants, two oin Petrol and one in Diesel in the international markets. Nissan Juke has been termed as an “Organic Bug” by the auto experts as it is supposed to be similar to the inflated version of Kia Soul. The petrol variants of the car are powered by a 1.6L engine. The difference between the two petrol variants is that one of them is turbo-charged, while the other is naturally aspirated. The Diesel variant would come with a 1.5L CRDI engine.



An important feature that the Nissan Juke would sport is an all-mode 4WD-I Torque Vectoring System that would be able to split power from side to side and front to rear in the ratio of 50-50, providing more control and better driving. Although, the model that would be launched in India is quite similar to the international model except the fact that it would bear homologation according to the Indian customer. The best part of the Nissan Juke is that it would come packed in a small size, like that of a hatchback and also have strength and agility like that of an SUV. Nissan Motors seems to be on a launching spree as the company is soon going to launch its popular hatchback, Nissan Micra. Nissan Juke is going to be an additional value addition to the company's portfolio in India.

Source:- Nissan Juke to hit Indian roads by 2011 - New Cars

Honda tied-up with Raj government for two-wheeler plant

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, one of the largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has tied up with Rajasthan government for two-wheeler production plant in Tapukara Industrial Area near Bhiwadi. Senior officials from both sides has inked the project recently but a formal function will be held on 31st May 2010 in the presence of Rajasthan cm Ashok Gehlot. The agreement was singed by the Principal Secretary for Industries of Government and President and CEO of Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India.




Besides, other officials of the Government and Vice-President of Honda Siel Cars were also took part in the deal ceremony. HMSI is going to invest of Rs. 500 crore at Tapukara plant, is also expected the capacity of manufacturing up to 6 lakh units annual. In the next turn, the company will be invert more than Rs. 1100 crore for producing 12 lakh units yearly.



Honda Motor has recently launched a new version of Unicorn in India, the Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler with price tag of Rs. 62,900 (ex-showroom-Delhi). Rajasthan government is eager on promoting new approaches in the Automobile Industry. The Minister for Rajasthan government projected that the plan may provide 3000 direct employment and 10000 indirect employment within the first three years. Meanwhile, Bajaj Discover has also entered into premium segment by the launched a new version, Bajaj Discover 150.

Source:- Honda tied-up with Raj government for two-wheeler plant - Bikes in India

New Chevrolet Aveo CNG launched in India

General Motors India today launched the CNG version of its Chevrolet Aveo mid-size sedan at a ceremony presided over by its President and Managing Director Mr. Karl Slym. The Aveo CNG is a bi-fuel vehicle with a full-size petrol tank that is one of the most environmentally friendly cars available in India.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Slym said, “The launch of the Aveo CNG is a testament to the importance that GM India attaches to green technology and environmentally friendly mobility solutions. Its running cost is approximately 54 percent lower than a similar vehicle powered by petrol and 25 percent lower than a similar vehicle powered by diesel.Because of the lower operating economics and the growing number of CNG stations being built across India, this new offering is expected to appeal to both individual and fleet customers.



Under normal driving conditions, the Aveo CNG has a range of 180 to 200 kilometres on a full tank of CNG and is BS IV compliant.” The Chevrolet Aveo CNG is equipped with next-generation computer-controlled CNG injection technology from Italy. In an industry first, all “critical to quality” CNG kit components are fitted at the factory – including the CNG injectors, selector switch, modified wiring and suspension – to ensure high-quality and trouble-free service. In addition, the body is reinforced to carry the additional mass of the cylinder. Sequential injection represents the most advanced level of evolution of CNG kit technology. The ECU (Electronic Controller Unit) calculates the opening times of the injectors for each cylinder and acts separately on each gas injector with the highest precision.

Source:- New Chevrolet Aveo CNG launched in India - New Cars

BMW Team Schnitzer : LMS 2010

BMW Team Schnitzer BMW E92 M3 #78