Maruti to produce 1.2million cars in 2011

Owing to growing demand for Maruti cars, Maruti plans to produce 1.2 million cars in 2011. “We are looking at producing 1.2 million vehicles in FY’11, as compared to 1 million vehicles produced in FY’10,” Maruti Suzuki Managing Executive I V Rao told. “Following the productivity improvement, we are now manufacturing 1 lakh vehicles per month for the last five months,” Rao said. The company’s manufacturing capacity will increase further when its second unit at Manesar commences production next fiscal, he said.

Apart from the increase in production, Maruti is also setting up test track and plans to hire 1000+ engineers to produce its future cars completely in India.

India to become 4th largest vehicle market

India which now ranks as 7th largest car market will move up three places by 2014 according to global consultant Booz&Co.  Indian vehicle market is growing steadily with a double digit growth in recent years. According the report, Indian passenger vehicle market will be 3.5million from 2 million now. Car makers from across the world have pumped in millions of dollars on creating plants and launching india specific products. The trend may continue as the car majos like puegeot-citroen and proton will enter the market. Under the Automotive Mission Plan (AMP), the Indian market had earlier set a target to become a USD 145 billion by 2016, for which USD 35-40 billion investment is required.

But where are the roads to accommodate this booming vehicle population? India’s ambitious plan of constructing 20kms/day remains a dream. With the parking spaces already became a scarce one, people are going to find it hard to afford to parking and toll charges rather than buying car

TVS Apache ABS

TVS Apache ABS is finally here! By end January you will be able to buy Apache ABS in your nearby TVS showroom. TVS Apache RTR ABS is expected to be Rs3000 costlier than current Apache. TVS has developed ABS system in collaboration with continental AG. ABS helps to avoid skidding by preventing the wheel lock under hard braking. Apache with its shorter wheelbase will find this electronics a good compliment. TVS first showcase the Apache ABS at the 2010 Auto expo.

Tata Venture price list

Tata has launched the venture MPV in Rajasthan. Tata showcased the venture mpv at 2010 delhi auto expo. Tata venture is seen as an answer to Maruti’s omni. Tata venture comes with a diesel advantage. Tata venture is powered by the Indica’s 1.4L engine developing 71PS of peak power and with a ARAI certified mileage of 15.14kmpl. Beinge sub 4 metre MPV, venture enjoys the tax benefit as well.

Tata Venture will be available in 5 colours and in 3 variants. Venture is also available in various seating configuration – 5 seater, 7 seater and 8 seater.

The Tata Venture comes with a warranty of 2 years or 75,000 kms (whichever is earlier). Venture will be available both in Tata passenger car dealership and commercial vehicle dealership. The Tata Venture is priced between Rs. 4.05 lakhs and Rs. 5.07 lakhs (ex-showroom Jaipur).

Yamaha to launch FZ250

While Honda plans CBR250R and Bajaj plans Pulsar 250, Yamaha can’t be silent for long. Yamaha will join the quarter litre bandwagon with FZ250. Yamaha FZ250 will come with loads of technology including the Fuel Injection, four valve and liquid cooled engine. Yamaha FZ would follow the design theme Yamaha’s successful FZ -series. The naked styling DNA would be carried forward in FZ250 as well.

Honda plans to launch the CBR250R in March and Bajaj may launch the Pulsar 250cc in april.  Yamaha may follow the bike majors with the launch of FZ250. This would also give the Yamaha to price the FZ250 sensitively. Remember, Yamaha plans to launch the facelifted R15 soon.

Taiwan’s TECO to import Tata Nano

Tata Nano which slowly gaining market in india may head overseas soon. TECO is interested in getting the Nano to Taiwan. Huang Mao-hsiung, honorary chairman of the TECO Group, recently unveiled two Nano cars at a news conference in Taipei. “We are making the evaluation to decide if we want to be Nano’s agent, or to cooperate with India’s TATA Motors to make Nano components, or to launch an electric car based on the Nano,” he said. If TECO launches the Nano in Taiwan, it will be an upgraded version, with extras like air bags added, for example, and priced under 280,000 Taiwan dollars (6,000 US dollars), he said.

TECO will launch an upgraded variant of Nano equipped with airbags and other safety features in Taiwan. TECO is yet to make up its mind on whether to import the Nano as CBU or assemble it

Cars and Bikes launched in 2010

2010 was great year in India automotive history. We witnessed many successful launches inlcuding the Ford Figo and Toyota Etios. Manufacturers were taken aback seeing the demand for the products. Indian customers rushed to showrooms to buy cars. Many manufacturers witnessed an exorbitant growth in excess of 30%. Let’s hope the Indian auto boom continues

Cars launched in 2010

On the bikes, 2010 was not that exciting as an Indian customer wants to be. Manufacturers consolidated their product portfolio and market share. Apart from Honda twister, there were not any exciting launches. However the big news came at the end of the year. When Hero and Honda split and set to lead their journey in their own way.

Bikes launched in 2010

Tata Nano available at showroom across India

Tata today opened sales of Nano across India. Nano  was thus far freely available in 12 states. Customers across the country, who are desirous of driving home a Tata Nano but had not booked the car during 2009, will now be able to purchase a Tata Nano from the company’s 874 sales outlets in India.

The Tata Nano comes with a 4-year / 60,000-km (whichever is earlier) manufacturer’s warranty, at no extra cost. In addition, customers have the option to avail of a comprehensive maintenance contract at only Rs. 99 per month. This contract will help take care of running maintenance of the car. Tata Motors Finance (TMF), which provides finance for all Tata Motors vehicles, has launched a special Tata Nano finance scheme, under which a customer can get up to 90% loan with select documents in just 48 hours. Besides, Tata Motors has tied up with 28 banks and NBFCs to offer customers loans for purchasing the Tata Nano at attractive rates of interest.

Customer satisfaction studies with current Tata Nano owners indicate that over 80% are satisfied or very satisfied with the car, because of it being small yet spacious, its performance, maneuverability, durability, mileage and safety. Some owners have taken their Tata Nanos on country-wide trips or to altitudes like Khardungla, the world’s highest motorable road.

Besides its dealership showrooms, the company is setting up Special Nano Access Points for customers in the hinterlands to experience, test-drive or test-ride the car.

Toyota opens fortuner bookings

Toyota has opened bookings for fortuner again. Toyota which stopped bookings for fortuner SUV has cleared half of its backlog. Now it has left with 3000 bookings for fortuner which the company says will be cleared in 3 months. “The current backlog of around 3,000 units will be cleared in about three months,” said Mr Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing, TKM. Toyota has also increased production of fortuner to meet the demand

Bajaj plans Pulsar 250cc

The much awaited Pulsar 250cc may finally hit the market in 2011. As Honda clocks record bookings for its CBR250R, Bajaj cannot be idle for long. While Bajaj plans higher displacement duke for indian market, it is also looking 250cc+ pulsar. Honda CBR250R is likely to be priced sensitively. To counter these, Bajaj may look at higher displacement pulsar. Bajaj pulsar 250cc might come with 4-valve engine like its younger sibling Pulsar 135LS for superior performance. The 250cc pulsar could be launched by the end of 2011. Stay tuned