Mercedes is too willing to introduce this C-class powerful twin-turbo which will be powered by the 250CDI motor (found in E-class). This motor is efficient to deliver power of 210bhp and 51kgm torque. The twins are not, however, ideal and the technicians behind this motor have combined the small and large turbo in a series. Of these, the larger turbo looks after low pressure induction and the smaller turbo is in charge of high pressure boost. There is a spin of turbine by the low pressure during the low speeds and this is done by bypass duct. But the performance is high when the speeds are higher making the both to fuse together.
Mercedes regains top spot, BMW to fight back
The ride on the crest of fortune is on the top notch with Mercedes in regaining its top slot in C-Class and E-Class. This made BMW to give way for Mercedes as the retail sale of Mercedes during the last four months is 1644 units against 1621 of the same period last year. BMW could secrue more sales than Mercedes only in March and the Stuttgart based global car maker has at last found a sigh of relief from its struggling phase in the last year. The tussle was due to the insufficient vehicle kits for its E-class. This E-class is the bread winner for Mercedes globally and the hit affected the net sale of the company.
Mercedes was firm on retaining its earlier best selling car, to make the way for its new E-class in India. This E-class came to the road in November 2009 at Rs46.89 lakhs followed by the launch of the coupe version for Rs54.83 lakhs. Of these, E-class sedan is domestically assembled at Chakan plant and the coupe version is completely imported unit. The presumptions and assumptions galore over the continued fight between these companies in this year too. BMW is fueling its spirit with the expansion of production at its Chennai facility to have the second shift. The new launches from these two companies are in high esteem and the companies are fully aware of it.
BMW is in full swing to revert back its top spot in another two or three months. The Munich based company is in the process of phasing out its 5-Series executive sedand and replacing it with a new model. This counters Mercedes’ E-class at Rs38.9 lakh- Rs45.9 lakhs. The response for this car has boosted the morale of BMW that it has commenced the delivery to be ready by July. The company hopes that with the tremendous feedback for this new version, the number will be hihger than 4000 this year. BMW foresees the growth of luxury cars to 11000 units in 2010 against 9000 in 2009.
In the period of january- December 2009, BMW mustered a sale of 3614 units while Mercedes could secure a sale of 3247 units. BMW is contented that it could achieve the target of being the number one in luxury car segment one year ahead predicted. BMW is eyeing on the launch of its sport version XI which saw the show case in the Delhi Auto Expo. This SUV is a part of Chennai plant to be assembled at a sale price of R25 lakhs.
Mitsubishi to launch Evo X and new Pajero
The successful Japanese car maker Mitsubishi is set to launch new models – Evolution series and a new version of Pajero- by this the company aims to boost its sale to double during this fiscal. The company is in a tie-up with Hindustan Motors and is on the process of making thesale of 10000 units during the 2011-12 fiscal. The earlier fiscal saw the company securing the sale of 2200 units. The new series comes after the recent launch of Outlander; the new Pajero is expected to hit the market during the end of this fiscal, said the executive VP of Hindustan Motors.
Mitsubishi has been in India for the last decade with high portfolio and is eyeing on increased presence in the passenger car segment. The new series of Evolution was supposed to have launched last year but the company withheld due to global economic fall. The recently launched Outlander comes under the Bharat Stage IV norm with a 2.4 lit petrol engine. The target for this car is 80 units per month supported by the new machine. The existing model has monthly volume of 35-40 units. The ultimate target of the company for this car is 300 units a month and the price tag is Rs19.95 lakhs which means costlier than the existing model by rs70000. With the launch of new Outlander and new versions, the company seeks to secure a sale of 10000 units. The range from Mitsubishi includes Lancer and Cedia, Pajero and Montero and is dealt by 40 dealers spread across India.
Maruti seeks reduction of cost from suppliers
The top notch car maker in India, Maruti Suzuki Ltd, is doing well to retain its supremacy in car market. As a part of it benefit strategy the company has asked the component suppliers to reduce the price by 3% to make the savings upto Rs700 crore for the company. The company, after reaching the million mark, feels that the reduction will make the cost of each car reduced by Rs7000. The reduction, said the Chairman of the company, may compensate the fluctuation in foreign currency as well.
When the three fold impact- increase in raw materials, fluctuation in foreign currency and the non-reduction of cost for components- is not balanced, it will definitely have a say on the overall sale and the price of the vehicle. In addition, the company is burning the midnight oil to devise a more fuel-efficient engine to offer 20km per liter and emit less than 100kg/km carbon. The existing engines of Maruti cars have the mileage of less than 20kms and carbon level being more than 100kg (the lowest being 103kg). suzuki’s unique selling proposition is the fuel efficiency and the R&D wing of the company is geared up to devise such engines. The company is firm and keen on facing the global advancements regarding fuel efficiency and carbon emission.
The big car Kizashi, matching the likes of Honda Accent and Toyota Camry, is expected to be launched soon. The car, with 2.4 lit engine, is already on the roads of US and japan since last year. As of now, said Mr Bhargava, there won’t be any thought of relocating 800cc cars to meet the competition from Hyundai. Hereinafter, the basic model will be of 1000-cc to meet the expectation of the customers who need performance and value for money. The smaller engines pose a problem of facing the difficulty in emission norms. He further cleared that there is no relevancy on the agreement between Suzuki and Volkswagen for sharing the stakes. The Indian plants and facilities do not come under the purview of this stake, said the Chairman.
Yamaha sets to roll down on rural pockets
The imminent success of its bikes in the urban segments has made Yamaha to intrude the rural pockets with more models at an affordable price. Yamaha is strong in Tier-I and Tier-II cities and the focus is to be diverted to the rural sector in India, said its national Business head. The present volume of 15% rural sale is expected to increase this year, said the company official. This rural market constitutes 70% of the total bike sales in India and Yamaha’s plan is to penetrate this potential market. By exploiting the optimum resources, the company seeks to take advantage of the huge demand. For this there will be an expansion of dealerships in Tier III network along with sub-dealers.
Yamaha was in the news recently when it laucnhed it YBR 110 in the rural pockets which has seen the sale of 4000 units within a month. This will add to the charm of Crux, which has solidified its presence in the rural sector. Both, Crux and YBR 110, have a special effect on the overall sale of bikes for Yamaha. The domestic sale of Yamaha in April was increased by 11.51% (sale of 16861 units) which was 15120 units in the same period last year. Already there are 250 compact dealerships called Yamaha Bike Corner, and this will be increased to 500 by the end of this FY.
Bajaj launches Discover 150cc.
Our spy team once again proved why they are THE best in the business. As you read it at vicky.in last week here, Bajaj Auto today launched Discover 150cc. Priced aggressively at Rs46,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Bajaj discover 150cc comes with DTSi engine and 5-speed gearbox. The engine produces 13PS of maximum power at 7500rpm and 12.75Nm of peak torque at 5500rpm.
Bajaj Discover 150ccc features LED tail lamps, nitrox suspension, front disc brake, electric start and wider rear tyre. Bajaj claims the Discover 150cc would return a mileage of 65kmpl. Bajaj tags the discover 150cc as “more excitement per litre”. The dimensions of the Bajaj Discover 150cc are – 1305mm wheelbase, 165mm ground clearance, 8L fuel tank and 121kg kerb weight
Pictures of Bajaj Discover 150cc
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Chris Pfeiffer Stunt Show India Tour
Catch Chris Pfeiffer stunts India tour @ http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/chris-pfeiffer-world-stunt-champions-india-tour/
Introduction | Chris Pfeiffer Biography I | Chris Pfeiffer Biography II | Chris Pfeiffer Achievements | Chris Pfeiffer India Tour | Chris Pfeiffer Deccan Tour | Chris Pfeiffer Favourites
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Ad campaign reaps in 2009
The triumphant run of two wheeler sale in India last year – growth of 26%-has boosted the advertisement concerns with 48%. the analysis spelt out by AdEx India reveals that the TV ads promoted by the two wheeler makers have grown by 48% than in 2008. Of this, motorcycles comprised 85% ads followed by scooterettes with 14% and one percent of electric bikes. The net constituent of two wheeler sector in TV ads is 49% in which Hero Honda played the major role by contributing 41% of the overall two wheeler ads.
Hero Honda has been maintaining this stint- largest company to zoom in TV ads- for the consecutive second year. TVS had compiled 27% and Bajaj Auto had 13% with Yamaha having 9% and Mahindra having 4% in TV ads. The sensational new brands in 2009 included TVS Apache RTR 180, TVS Scooty Streak, Hero Honda Karizma ZMR, Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si, TVS Flame SR 125, Hero Honda Passion Pro and Suzuki GS 150R. the ads projected the celebrities in promoting the ad campaign containing Hrithik Roshan (for Hero Honda Karizma which topped the list with 59% share) followed by Priyanka Chopra securing 20%, MS Dhoni getting 10%, Sania Mirza securing 8% and John Abraham with 3%.