Honda Siel has unveiled a couple of new Honda CR-V models today, varying in terms of engine capacity: 2.0-2.4 liters. These new variants carry a price range between Rs 21.9 lakh and Rs 24.12 lakh. Over 12,500 units of these Honda sports utility vehicles have been sold in India since it opened shop in 2003. The Honda CR-V sales have been dwindling from the past months, selling only one unit in September. Some form of reprieve came in October occurred though as they were able to sell 47 units, which is not really that impressive to offset administrative and operations cost.

(Source) Business Standard

Tags: Honda, honda cr v, honda siel, honda sports, India, lakh, liters, models, reprieve, rs 21, sports utility vehicles

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General Motors of India is reportedly set to unveil a new mini car this coming December. The codename for the mini car is M300, a car that is undergoing its final round of testing and will be officially displayed at 2010 autoexpo in New Delhi. Production is set to commence at the Talegaon plant and may be priced somewhere in the Rs 4 lakh category. This car will go in line with the Chevrolet Spark and follows the recent launch of the Chevrolet Cruz.

(Source) Express India

Tags: autoexpo, Chevrolet, chevrolet spark, General Motors, GM, India, launch, mini car, new delhi

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Volvo is making sure that their new model scheduled for release in 2010 will be filled with safety features both for the driver and the pedestrians. As most people seek safer cars these days, avoiding accidents and injuries to people on the road may yet take turn for the better with the new Volvo S60’s new Automatic Braking Technology.

The Automatic Braking System will be able to detect pedestrians who walk in front of the car and avoid impacts at speeds below 15MPH. To make this possible, the system is made up of key parts such as a radar unit at the front grill and a camera by the rear view mirror. In short, the system acts as a reliable alternative just in case a driver would overlook the presence of people around the vehicle.

Volvo’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety will debut on the Volvo S60 in 2010.

(Source) Auto India

Tags: Accidents, automatic braking system, full auto, India, new model, pedestrian safety, pedestrians, presence, radar unit, Rear View Mirror, safer cars, safety features, Volvo, volvo s60

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The Nissan 370Z sports car, one of the most wanted cars to date, will be launching in India in 2010. This move, announced by Hover Automotive India Vice Chairman G M Singh, aims to bring more variants to the Indian market despite a limited demand for now. But showing much optimism on the car demand market trend, he expects the demand to increase after some time.

The target date is January 2010 where the Nissan 370Z Sports Car is expected to be priced around Rs 35-38 lakh. At the same time, another car was likewise unveiled in the Micra hatchback which will become available in petrol and diesel. The price range for the Micra is expected to play around Rs 5 lakh.

Nissan is aiming to introduce nine new variants in India by 2012.

(Source) BS Motoring

Tags: car one, diesel, India, lakh, market trend, Nissan, nissan 370z, optimism, petrol, Sports Car, vice chairman, wanted cars

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Ford Motors is setting its sights on unveiling new compact car made for the Indian market. The new car model is the Ford Figo, a new and fresh face which is Ford’s bet to compete with the growing demand for small cars in India. Only the exterior design was revealed to the public at the press conference held in New Delhi and further details will be unveiled once the vehicle production launches in 2010.

For the record, Figo is an Italian word for “Cool”. Production for the Ford Figo will be held at the expanded integrated manufacturing facility near Chennai.

Image Courtesy: BBC News

(Source) Press

Tags: BBC, car model, compact car, debut, figo, ford motors, India, integrated manufacturing, italian word, new car, new delhi, new ford, news source, small cars

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As new electric cars continue to flourish and come out one by one, how much they would cost is the prime concern for most motorists. Basing it from the initial prices set out in the market, they are not that cheap. And now, the next best thing to do right now is to compare and see which electric car can fit into their budget and deliver their transport needs.

REVA initially made the headlines when it unveiled its electric car in India last February. And now, that same company reveals the price for its REVA NXG which is scheduled to go into full production by 2010. Average prices in Europe, will be around 14,995 EUROS for the lithium-ion NXR Intercity version, plus a monthly mobility fee for the batteries and other services.The REVA NXG pricing in Europe, excluding batteries is from 23,000 euros plus a monthly mobility fee.

The REVA falls under the M1 category three door, four seater hatchback family and can reach a top speed of 104 KPH and a range of 160 KMS. They boast of a keyless entry and operation and will include REVA’s exclusive REVive remote emergency charge.

Check out the gallery below:

(Source) Press

Tags: batteries, Budget, electric car, electric cars, Europe, headlines, India, initial prices, keyless entry, kph, lithium, lithium ion, motorists, prime concern, reva nxg, top speed

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A vehicle-supply project between Nissan and Chrysler was shelved due to varied circumstances. Though it was not said directly, it seems that this had something to do with Chrysler’s tie-up with Fiat with regards to the supply of small vehicles for the global market.

The deal between Nissan and Chrysler started as early as the first quarter of 2008 which called for Nissan to supply small vehicle for the global market in 2010 and a compact sedan for the South American market at the beginning of this year to Chrysler. Nothing really materialized and was further compounded when the Chrysler-Fiat deal started in January of this year.

Also, one other factor is the current global situation. Both Nissan and Chrysler had halted production until they could come up with improved returns from operations. And as we know, Chrysler eventually filed for bankruptcy and later on announced a new alliance with Fiat which all but put the previous alliance of Nissan and Chrysler terminated.

Nissan was scheduled to have supplied Chrysler with an all-new, fuel-efficient small car made in Japan in exchange for a full-size pickup truck made by Chrysler in Mexico. Apparently all of these plans are a thing of the past as Chrysler is now tied up with Fiat for small vehicle distribution.

(Source) Reuters India

Tags: Bankruptcy, Chrysler, distribution source, drop project, Fiat, first quarter, global situation, India, Japan, Mexico, new alliance, Nissan, pickup truck, project partnership, Small Car, south american market, vehicle distribution

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A new study shines new light on potential Indian and Chinese car manufacturers. Conducted by AutoPacific, 15% of 30,000 new car and truck buyers said that they would purchase a car from a brand they never heard of.

“Not only are a significant number of people willing to consider Chinese and Indian brands, this group consists of highly desirable buyers who would be coveted by any manufacturer.” said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “They tend to be young, well-educated, and affluent for their age and have good jobs in administrative, healthcare and middle management positions,”

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors, both South Korean companies, have been out in the American scene for a while now, so who knows when India and China will be stepping into the mix? A cheaper alternative to the heavily Japanese and American company saturated markets would be breath of fresh air in this economy.

via AutoRemarketing

Tags: autopacific, china, India, study

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It seems that some start up business owners in India are looking towards the Tata Nano as a godsend. Sure, they may not appeal to every business, but to up and coming taxi businesses, they are.

It seems that Autocar recently learned from an Indian man that a large portion of Tata Nano orders were from those who are looking to use the extremely cheap car to start their own taxi businesses. They point to the fact that due to the car’s 4-person capacity and sure-to-be low repair costs, it is the perfect alternative to a fullsized sedan.

In India they may be the perfect taxi alternative but just imagine someone with a truckload of bags after a day of shopping in New York City trying to squeeze into one of these things.

Tags: Budget, India, low cost, repair, tata nano, Taxi

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Impressed in its recent trip from Japan, European car maker Volkswagen is reportedly mulling a possible 10% stake in Suzuki. Apparently, the market penetration of the Japanese car manufacturer into India is what caught Volkswagen’s eye, something that they have not been successful at to date.

This should be good news for Suzuki considering that they needs all the help they can get financially although some terms of that area may possibly need further elaboration. But whatever happens, you can bet that this potential investment or partnership can be a good one for both of them.

In late May 2009, VW said that it was mulling cooperation with the Chinese company BYD to build hybrid or electric cars.

(Source) Steel Guru

Tags: car maker, chinese company, cooperation, electric cars, guru, India, Japan, japanese car manufacturer, market penetration, partnership, stake, Suzuki, volkswagen, VW

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It seems that “the world’s cheapest car” is finally going to make its way to North American dealers, if the Indian automaker Tata Motors has anything to do with it, that is.

We’ve been hearing about the Tata Nano for some time now with intentions of a US debut dating back to March but a solid price point and release window were no where to be seen. Well, Ratan Tata, an exec from the company, has come forth and said the following regarding the Nano:

“It will need to meet all emission and crash standards and so we hope in the next two years we will be offering such a vehicle in the U.S,

But just how much will it cost? Well, according to CNN, the Nano is making its way to the UK in 2011 at a price point of about $2,300. This coupled with its 65 MPG fuel rating is sure to have some Americans drooling.

$2,300 for a brand new car? Count me in. But wait, how fast does it go?

Tags: Europe, India, tata motors, tata nano, UK, united kingdom, united states

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Even though Ratan Tata envisioned Tata’s Nano to be a “common man’s” car, naming it the Rs. 1 lakh ($2098) car and making it more affordable for Indians, even he is dumbfounded by the fact that there are not that many takers for the basic model which does not have such features like power windows, an air conditioner, and the like.

The no frills model, which costs only about $2600 (after taxes and other expenses) makes up only 20 percent of all orders taken by the company. In fact, 50 percent of the orders are for the higher end version (cost 40 percent more) which does feature air conditioning. Given the heat in India, this should not be such a surprise with temperatures ranging between 40°C and 50°C in summer in many parts of India.

Tags: basic model, India, Nano, Tata

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The April car sales numbers continue to show a bright future ahead as they rose to an annual 4.2 percent. Sales of trucks and buses, which track the pace of economic activity, fell 11.3 percent to 29,842 units. This update sheds a bit of bright light in the wake of bankruptcy rumors buzzing around regarding Chrysler and Ford.

Car sales in India rose an annual 4.2 percent in April, an industry body said on Monday, helped by improving financing and demand from rural markets. Companies sold 102,899 cars during the month, compared with 98,752 cars a year ago, data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) showed.

(Source) Reuters

Tags: Bankruptcy, bright future, buses, Cars, Chrysler, economic activity, Ford, ford car sales, India, indian automobile manufacturers, pace, sales numbers, siam, trucks

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Tata has plans to take Land Rover and Jaguar into the Indian market, hoping to tap a whole new customer base. When Tata purchased Jaguar-Land Rover, they promised that none of the vehicles from either brand would be built in India but, how that works into the new plans to tackle the Indian market with its range of luxury cars and SUVs is anybody’s guess. Importing the cars will certainly make them even more expensive on the Indian market.

Jaguar Land Rover CEO, David Smith, commented on the importance of the Indian market to the company’s competitive position in the global market. “We are delighted to be formally entering the Indian market, an economy which is still growing appreciably, and able to offer our premium products to a whole new group of customers,” said Smith. “It is an important strategic move for Jaguar Land Rover and will enable us to realise our competitive potential in this significant market.”

Tags: India, jaguar, Land Rover, Tata

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It seems that Indian auto maker, Tata, is considering to bring the extermely cheap, extremely small Nano to the U.S. market by 2012.

According to Tato chairman Ratan Tata, the thing that will make the Nano flourish in the United States is its price. Since the economy is in such a bad state the car , which is said to cost under $5,000, will be very appealing to Americans looking to buy a brand new car but not looking to spend a fortune at the dealer.

What do you guys think? Would you buy the Nano if it were released in the States?

Read (Autoblog)

Tags: economy, India, Nano, Tata

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