Old order giving place to new

Ford’s Figo will see the exit of its own Fusion in the Indian market, it is expected. The MD and President for Ford India said the focus will hereinafter be on the new Figo as the days are numbered for Fusion in the Indian market. Figo will hit the roads in March this year as the production is already on in the company’s Chennai unit. The car will see the designing meant for both domestic and the export market simultaneously, the first ever attempt by the global company.

The target regions for this Figo will be South Africa and ASEAN nations. The Chennai plant is manned with 700 employees in the last 12 months and more personnel would be pressed into service once the plant attains full capacity. The plant is expanded from the investment of $500 million of which 40000 sqm has been earmarked for the engine plant to be able to deliver 2.50 lakh engines annually. The company’s VP for Operations (Asia and Pacific) declared that necessary investments will be upgraded on demand. The company is staging the launches of new products in another one year or so.

CNG kit enables Toyota for Green

MPV Innova and Corolla Altis Saloon of Toyota get the CNG variation, as evidenced at the display at Toyota Q World Programme in Mumbai. The CNG kit will be fit by the dealers. The CNG in Innova will have 4-cylinder 16 valve DOHC, 2.0lit petrol engine, which is capable of yielding 132bhp and 18.5 kg torque. There is a 5-speed manual gear box, regular 55lit fuel tank; 12kg cylinder tank at the rear of the third row of the seats occupying the boot area.

Corolla Altis CNG too has the 5-speed manual VVT-i 4cylinder 16 valve 1.8 lit petrol engine capable of 132 bhp and 17.3 kg torque. The 12 kg CNG tank occupies the quarter area from the 475 lit boot area. The car has the 55 lit fuel tank in addition. CNG and petrol versions do not undergo any variations regarding the exteriors. There is an assured fuel efficiency and lower emissions in both cars. The cost of these CNG versions (ex-Mumbai and Delhi) is about the difference of Rs85000 between the CNG and the petrol version.

2010 M-class edition of Mercedes Benz in two options

Mercedes-Benz has planned to introduce two variants of its 2010 M-Class in India- sports edition at Rs55 lakhs and the Luxury edition at Rs60.9 lakhs. From the analysts’ view, M-Class versions are the safest in the segment, as confirmed by the Euro NCAP test results. The cars come with seven airbags, belt tensioners, belt-force limters, crash responsive NECK-PRO head restraints.

The SUV provides safety aspects regarding the accident occurrence. M-Class has the validity as the one with global standard of anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE. The system enables instant protective measures by sensing the trouble. M-Class versions have 4-wheel drive, 4ETS traction system, advanced Downhill Speed Regulation, Acceleration skid control and the off-road ABS. for comfortable drive and journey, AIRMATIC air suspension is provided enabled by Adaptive Damping System, adjustable shock absorber response system.

Added features are double-wishbone front suspension for reduced road roar and tire vibration. The aluminum wishbones provide excellent driving dynamics; there is a a4-link suspension system in the rear axle; standard 19” light-alloy wheels offer the sporty effect. M-Class poses with admirable design – lighting units as the front having bi-xenon headlamps, appealing front bumpers holding horizontal lines of fog lamps. There are three sub-divided radiator grille combined with chrome trim, LED based rear tail lights; discreet spoiler edge based rear tailgate; the sensation gets momentum with the wide rear windscreen.

More features portray the illumination of M-Class versions: PARKTRONIC, Electric Sliding Sunroof, Front memory seats, Media interface coupled with Audio of 6-CD changer, mini-spare wheel. M-Class sports version has got interior sports package of lighting, sports instrument cluster, sports pedal system wrapped from brushed stainless steel and rubber studs; there is Alcantra/ARTICO leather upholstery suiting topstitching and electrically feasible front sports seats. 19” 5 twin spoke light alloy wheels, rectangular tailpipes with chrome trim, aluminum-look roof rails, chromed waistline trim strip, load sill guard on the rear bumper in chrome and simulated front underguard in stainless steel form the Exterior Sports version of M-Class.

Fiat Palio on the waning glide

Fiat has no favorable conditions in the current Indian car market as its Palio is meeting the anti-climax. It is set to meet the fate similar to Uno, by selling less than 50 units a month which is meager to the net volume of Fiat’s sale. Thus, the exit of Palio gives way to Grande Punto (Palio came in the place of Uno). However, the company CEO revealed that there is no plan to modify Palio, in the wake of ensuing Bharat Stage IV norms,
But it will continue to run.

Thus, Palio will run along Maruti 800 in terms of BS IV norms. This is a somewhat gradual phasing out of Palio as the company itself started promoting its Grande Punto. The dip in sale of Palio Stile(launched in 2001) began as early 2004 as Hyundai, Ford, Daewoo, Tata Motors, GM and Maruti Suzuki stepped into the Indian market venomously. The car is equipped with 1.1 and 1.6 lit version at the price range of Rs3.5 -4 lakhs.

Grande Punto came to the market in June 2009 and sees the sale of 1500 units a month and Fiat has enhanced the car to two versions- Grande Punto 1.2 lit petrol and soon to be launched sports version. Fiat senses the stiff competition from the rival German car maker VW’s Polo but is confident of securing the growth to attain 40% from the existing stage, said the CEO. The company hopes to ride on the newer versions of Grande Punto and Linea in the months to come.

The net increase in the share will be upto 4%. Linea 1.4 petrol is expected to hit the roads by the Q2 of the next fiscal after that the automatic version will come in the end of 2011 or probably a year later. The FY 2009-10 will make Fiat a dull phase with the export of 25000 engines and further fall in the wake of lapse of the incentive scheme in the European market.

Nissan hopes to get rid of debt by this year end

Nissan Motor co is on the verge of revitalizing its hold in the market by this year end by boosting the sale by double. This ray of hope and a breath of relief came in the last quarter profit recently for the second time. Still, the fears are yet to be allayed in its position in global market. however, the condition of Toyota is still pathetic following its recall of 8 million cars globally, which is a blow to its long standing reputation. Nissan’s CEO is diplomatic to review the position of his company on the lines of Toyota- sees the position as temporal. He looks after both Nissan and Renault SA which has 44% in Nissan.

Nissan is chalking out a strategy to introduce new launches of small cars in Geneva at very well priced range. Though the conditions are conducive for Nissan currently there is no time bound target to attain the double growth in market share. The company is pinning on the hope of good move in China, by which the sale is expected to peak this year.

Nissan

Volkswagen AG’s deal with Suzuki Motor for selling Nissan’s Pixo model has drawn the fingers crossed for Nissan to go in for a new partner for the small car project. Nissan is still to ascertain the pact between VW and Suzuki before making a final decision, said its Executive VP. Nissan is not in a hurry to stall the movement of Pixo amidst the global competition from Fiat SpA’s Panda and VW’s Lupo.

Nissan is already in the tussle over the backfire of Chrysler rejoinder last year in secluding the business of cars and pick ups. The deal with Chrysler came to a jolt once Fiat sneaked into the door of Chrysler. As such there is no final word from either VW nor Fiat nor Nissan in this regard. It was Fiat which rescued Chrysler from the bankruptcy last year in exchange of 20% share in Auburn Hills of Michigan. The earlier pact between Nissan and Chrysler was to make small cars and a full-sized pick up for Nissan from Chrysler ; in turn, Nissan was supposed to make compact sedan for Chrysler for marketing in South America.

But Nissan still believes the life of the deal unless it is feasible for it to go alone for making small cars in Europe. Pixo is akin to Maruti-Suzuki’s Alto and served the vacuum of small car in Europe through Nissan platform. The car is said to meet the norms for availing the government incentives extended for fuel efficient small cars. Thus, Nissan cannot ignore the probable run with the small cars in the European segment, even if Suzuki disappoints with its proposed honeymoon with the German car maker.

In the meantime, Wolfsburg, a Germany based VW is in the helm of utilizing the Suzuki’s technology for its own ranges. In this regard, the German company has set in 35 cooperative projects, it is learnt. Nissan is happy that Suzuki is capable of delivering nearly 30000 units of Pixo annually, which is almost 50% of Nissan’s commitment. However, Renault SA has got 44% share in Nissan.

Ford India to export its Figo to South Africa, Asia-Pacific markets

As the focus is now shifting on the new Figo, Ford India is diverting its small cars to South Africa and Asia-Pacific regions. Once the car, with 1.2 lit engine (optional 1.4 lit engine), gets its launch in India in March, soon it will enter these markets, said its Executive Director. The car is crafted in the Chennai plant of the company which has the capacity of 2 lakh annual units at an investment of $500 million.

There will also be production of petrol and diesel engines coupled with 4-cylinder engines of 1.6 lit (which are meant for export). The engines will see the landing in South Africa, Asia-Pacific, Ford Europe, Ford North America and ASEAN. For marketing this Figo next month, the company has fixed 28 new dealers spread across 24 cities in India to provide total sale and service network for the entire range of cars. This addition of dealers make the tally to 164 in 97 cities in the country with an increase of 30% dealerships in the last two years. To promote this Figo vigorously, Ford India is targeting the Tier-II and Tier-III areas.

Tata launches Indica Vista Aura + with ABS and Airbags

Finally the giant has awaken. Catering to the demands of the customers, Tata Motors has launched Indica Vista with ABS and Airbags. The new Indica Vista Aura+ variant comes equipped with much needed safety features like ABS and Airbags. The Aura variant of Indica Vista comes with ABS.

Price of Tata Indica Vista (Ex-showroom Bangalore)

Tata Indica Vista Saffire Aura – Rs4,15,000

Tata Indica Vista Saffire Aura Plus – Rs4,47,000

Tata Indica Vista Quadrajet Aura – Rs5,01,000

Tata Indica Vista Quadrajet Aura Plus – Rs5,32,000

Audi to start assembling Q5 in India by mid-2010

Audi to come as indigenous assembled from Mid-2010. The move includes converting major cars as locally assembled and there would not be CBUs. The units will be Completely Knocked and would be out from Aurangabad facility, said its MD. The process will certainly make feasible ends for the uprising market. soon other models will follow suit, he added. The Q5 is to be started by mid-2010.

The range of beeline from Audi includes Audi A4, A6, A8, Q5, the new version Audi Q7, the Audi TT Coupe and the premium sports car Audi R8. Audi had a good stint with A4, A6, Q7 and Q5 in India by selling 1600 units. A4 and A6 are delivered from the Aurangabad plant under Completely Knocked Down units. The unit feeds the demand in proportion as it has the capacity of 750 cars were produced in the last year.

In another six years, said the MD, the annual production will steep to 5300 cars. This is in proportion to the overall increase in the luxury car market- from 2000 units in 2006 to 7000 units till now. This may hike to 10000 in this year, it is expected. The methodology to make the cars as CKD in the domestic market is to reduce the cost of these luxury units, thereby boosting the sale.

The base model of Audi Q5 costs Rs38 lakhs but the price of the CKD version is yet to be let known. Simultaneously the number of dealerships too would be increased to 17 from the current 8 in the cities of Kolkata, Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Nagpur and Coimbatore.