Mahindra launches Maxximo Minivan

Mahindra and Mahindra,one of the leading automobile company in India launches its Maxximo Minivan with a stylish look and best in-class comfort.It is powered by the company’s advanced C2 CRDe diesel engine technology.The engine delivers 25 HP power and offers a mileage of 18 KMPL.It is priced around Rs.3.2 lacs in the ex-showroom,Navi Mumbai.

Click here to see Pictures of Mahindra Maxximo Minivan

Mahindra Verito launched in India

Mahindra and Mahindra,one of the leading automobile manufacturing company in India launched its Verito replacing Logan.It features both BS3 and BS4 emission norms and is available in both angine variants.The petrol engine of Verito delivers a power of 75 bhp at 5500 rpm and a torque of 110 Nm at 3000 rpm and its diesel engine generates 65 bhp power at 4000 rpm and 160 Nm torque at 2000 rpm.It is priced around Rs.4.82 lacs and Rs.5.62 lacs for petrol and diesel variants respectively.

Click here to see Pictures of Mahindra Verito

Bajaj to launch Boxer 125cc

Bajaj will soon re-introduce the boxer brand in India. As of now, Bajaj currently sells motorcycles under pulsar and discover brand. With discover 100cc, Bajaj managed to sneak into the mighty 100cc territory of Hero Honda. However, Discover 100cc is aimed at splendor and passion customer still leaving the dawn and deluxe customers left with no choice.Bajaj which currently sells boxer in african countries will bring the brand again to indian market to target the entry 100cc segment.

Bajaj has confirmed the boxer would not come with a 100cc engine though it will be cheap to buy and run (higher mileage). Bajaj would come up with a 125cc variant of boxer. “We feel the demand for Boxer is still there in the market. Therefore, we decided to begin the Boxer once more with modified features,” Rajiv Bajaj said few weeks ago. Remember bajaj discontinued the boxer in 2007. Earlier Bajaj had a decent run with Boxer CT and Boxer AT models. Bajaj will re-launch its ‘Boxer’ bike with modified features within the next 5-6 months. Boxer 125cc is expected to be priced between Rs.38,000-40,000

Toyota Corolla Altis facelift soon in India

The 2011 Toyota Corolla Altis facelift version that is going to be launched soon in India will be available in both petrol and diesel engines as like its predecessor.Most probably its launching will be in next month.Toyota uses an innovative technology known as seven-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) which replaces the conventional four-speed torque converter-equipped auto.Its power delivery will be 132bhp for petrol engine and 87bhp for diesel engine.It is expected to be 75,000 rupees more in its price than its predecessor.

Click here to see Pictures of Toyota Corolla Altis

Mahindra Verito is here

Wonder you missed the Mahindra’s new vehicle – verito. Verito is nothing but the Renault’s logan. As agreed between Renault and Mahindra, Mahindra will stop using the renault brand from now on which includes the logan brand. Mahindra has rechristened the logan as “verito”. Mahindra has somehow managed to pump up the sales of verito post the divorce between the partners with aggressive marketing.

With logan gets repositioned as verito, Mahindra will add new features such as body cladding,new mirrors and body graphics. Verito will have same price tag as logan. Mahindra is also working compact variant of verito (sub 4m) which will hit the market before March 2012. Mahindra verito compact will come with aggressive price tag to tap the Maruti dzire and tata indigo e-cs customers.

Skoda to launch Rapid in India

Following the footsteps of Volkswagen, Skoda plans to shock the competitors in C-segment with the launch of Rapid sedan. Skoda rapid will hit the market around Diwali. Skoda rapid built on the same platform as Volkswagen Vento will come petrol and diesel engine option. Skoda will also use the 1.6L petrol and diesel mills of volkswagen which is already used in vento. However the similarity ends there, Skoda rapid will be completely different from Volkswagen vento in dimensions.

Also the Rapid will follow the new skoda theme in styling. The design of skoda rapid is inspired from the Vision D concept shown at geneva auto show. If Vento targets the city, Skoda rapid will look to grab customer of Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Verna and Maruti SX4.  Autocar india reports that Skoda rapid won’t have the typical hatch as seen in modern skoda’s owing to the aggressive price tag. Skoda rapid will be positioned below the Volkswagen vento (finally skoda for mass market and Volkswagen premium over the skoda). Expect the rapid soon in Indian market

Toyota to cut output in India by 70%

The Toyota motor of Japan is going to stop its production at its Indian subsidiary between April 25 and June 4 by up to 70% due to the break of supplies because of the earthquake and tsunami that occured in the northeast regions of Japan last month.The production cut will be on every Monday and Friday during this time period.Similar production cuts have been announced in Japan, China, North America and Europe.

The Managing Director of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Limited,Hiroshi Nakagawa quoted that this is a necessary response to a short-term supply issue and they intend to restore normal operations as soon as possible and their focus is on ensuring optimum stock management to reduce the impact on their customers from the immediate production shortfall.

The Deputy MD of TKML,Mr.Sandeep Singh revealed that it is a temporary measure to adjust production as per the supplies from their overseas locations. Based on the availability of components in future, they will chalk out their future strategy.He also added that they anticipate another month of waiting for most of the models that currently ranges from one month to three months due to this production schedule.

The company spokesperson informed that they are looking at possible options to get over any kind of crisis, but some of the components sourced directly from Japan may interrupt regular production in future.In India, Toyota produces the multi-utility vehicle Innova, premium sedan Corolla Altis, SUV Fortuner, and the Etios sedan, which has a long waiting period.

Volkswagen launches 2011 Beetle

The new Volkswagen Beetle has been launched at the Shanghai Motorshow with mind-blowing interiors and exteriors.It is packed with a 2 litre 200 PS engine with standard XDS electronic differential lock fitted to the Golf GTI.It features Bespoke customer options and also an optional 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Click here to see Pictures of Volkswagen Beetle

Tata Nano to get a new plant

Tata Motors is seriously planning to develop a production site for its small car Nano.The location may be in Latin America, South East Asia or Africa.

Regarding this,The Managing Director of Tata Motors, Kishor A Chaukar revealed that the work is at a very high stage and Tata Motors is looking at various regions such as Latin America, South East Asia and Africa and will decide any of these possibilities.Tata Motors is looking at the best options in terms of country locations or a geographic location.

He also added that apart from considering land building facilities availability, Tata Motors will look at supply chain availability and at the accessibilities of markets and most importantly they will also be looking at the supply chain because component usage in a single automobile runs into thousands and in a large production, supply of these components of desired quality has to be highly reliable.

The world’s cheapest car,Nano has been manufactured now only at Sanand in Gujarat for the Indian market.In 2009, Tata Motors launched the European version of Nano – Nano Europa at the 79th Geneva Motor Show.The company was expected to launch the car in Europe by 2011. The European version of Nano is said to have airbags, central locking and would be Euro V emission norms compliant.

Confirming this,Ratan Tata,the Chairman of Tata Sons informed that the European version of the Nano would come with airbags and other high-end features, “but it will still be a low-cost car”.