Honda launches facelifted accord

Honda has launched facelifted variant of accord. On the exterior, the new Chrome accentuated front grille, rear chrome garnish and new front bumper adds to the charm of the Accord. The Sunroof now comes as standard across the Accord range which gives the car an impressive panoramic feeling making it look brighter and larger. Addition of Steering mounted cruise control system helps one to cruise at the desired speed to ensure comfort and convenience for the customer with one-touch operation and ORVM with turn indicators makes it more stylish and enhances the looks of the car. The inside wooden panel makes it look even more exquisite. The Accord now comes with an advanced improved audio system for improved usability & readability and Jackknife key have also been added to the Accord. Honda Accord is equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden maneuvers by applying braking to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque output as required.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Takashi Nagai, President & CEO, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., said “Honda Accord has been one of the most successful premium sedans in its category with over 25000 units sold since its launch in India setting new standards in exclusivity, comfort and safety. Our belief in constantly upgrading our products based on customer feedback prompted this launch of an upgraded version of the Accord with unique styling in combination with luxurious features.”

Price of the Honda Accord:-
Accord 2.4 MT – Rs.19.60 lac
Accord 2.4 AT – Rs.20.36 lac
Accord 3.5 V6 – Rs.25.41 lac

Volkswagen to launch new passat in India

Volkswagen India will launch the new passat in Indian market by March 29th. The 7th generation passat will replace the existing passat. The new passat features the same platform as the existing car but lengthier by 4mm. However the other dimensions remains the change. The new passat is unlikely to be an all new car but more like facelifted variant. The new passat reminds the styling the existing passat except minor changes in headlamps and front grille.

Engines on offer includes the 2.0L diesel  producing 170bhp and 1.8 petrol engine with manual and DSG transmission. Features list of new passat will be longer as the existing passat. We expect the pricing to be little higher than the existing variant,

Honda recalls city in India

Honda siel today announced a re-call of 60,000 city sedan in India. The company would replace the lost motion spring in the valve train in City cars manufactured between November 2008 and December 2009, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. said. The replacement would be done free of cost by informing customers directly, it added.  Honda said the recall doesn’t impact the latest version of the City sedan that is currently produced and sold in India.

“Honda Siel is proactively replacing the part in these vehicles with a new improved part,” it said. “Lost motion springs, which are compressed by rocker arms in normal engine use, may bend or break over time, resulting in abnormal engine noise and potentially causing engine stalling and problems in re-starting.” This will be the second recall of City sedans in about a year. In January last year the auto maker recalled 8,532 City sedans manufactured in 2007 to replace defective power window switches that could cause a fire.  Honda currently produces the City, Jazz, Civic and Accord cars in India. It also imports and markets the CR-V sport utility vehicle.

Fiat to launch branded showrooms

In a bid to make a comeback, Fiat india will open its branded showrooms across india. Fiat cars are now selling through tata showrooms. But fiat india want to keep its brand identity in order to boost sales. Fiat will now have its own independent brand showroom to showcase products, even as its cars would continue to be sold through Tata Motors showrooms.

“We are looking at ways to improve the sales numbers. We are not where we want to be (of Fiat-branded cars). We are redrawing plans to boost its sales,” said R Ramakrishnan, vice-president, commercial-passenger car business unit, Tata Motors. “To improve the image, we plan to open image brand centres (for Fiat). To begin with, two centres will be opened in Delhi and Pune.” he added.

Renault to launch Duster in 2012

Renault is planning for its second innings in India. Soon we will witness the launch of Koleos and Fluence in India. Either one or both launch may happen before may. These two models will stamp the Renault’s second innings in the Indian market. Meanwhile, Renault will strengthen its distribution base by appointing new dealers. In 2012, Renault plans to launch a low cost SUV called Duster.  Built on the robust logan platform, Duster would give Renault much needed pricing power to foray aggressively into the segment.

Renault will localise the duster before launching and will manufacture the duster in its chennai plant. .Duster with popular 1.5L dCi diesel engine peaking 85/105bhp of peak power could be a sure hit if priced right. While Koleos cater the premium SUV customers, Duster will cater entry level SUV buyers.  Renault will launch the duster in 2012, the same year which the company plans to launch V platform based small car (the same platform of Nissan Micra).

Hyundai to launch six cars in India

Hyundai india plans to launch as many as six cars in india by 2013. Each year we will see two new models from Hyundai india. “Starting from this year, we are looking at launching two new models every year in the next three years,” Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) Director Marketing and Sales Arvind Saxena said. Hyundai india is the official sponsor of 2011 world cup and Hyundai motor company is already the exclusive car partner for ICC between 2011 – 2015

Coming back to the models, we would see Hyundai ‘HA’ – nano competitor, new verna, new sonata transform and three more models.  Hyundai India is under intense competition from the likes of Ford India and Volkswagen India.