Mercedes Benz launches Panoramic Icons-S 350 CDI Blue EFFICIENCY & S350L in India

Mercedes Benz India launched S350 with a price tag between Rs 80.5 lakh and Rs 82 lakh. Being the finest automobile in the world, the S-class has always been competing with itself and setting new benchmarks.

S350L is wrapped with innovative technology and produce a total displacement of 3498cc. The 6-Cylinder consumption-optimized petrol engine is environmental friendly and features four valves per cylinder. They reduce both emissions and fuel consumption.

The S350L boasts a peak torque of345 NM @ 4500 rpm and gear up with an approximate top speed of 250 Km/h. The wagon sweeps the road with the turning circle diameter of 12.2m.The grandeur provides an output of 200 kW/272 hp @ 6300 rpm. S350L reaches an approximate top speed of250Km/h.

S350L provides a Kerb weight of 1955 kg along with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 2535 kg and its wheel base is 3165mm. S 350 CDI L BlueEFFICIENCY is outfitted with 6-Cylinder consumption-optimized diesel engine.

S 350 CDI L BlueEFFICIENCY gears up with a maximum torque of 490 NM @ 1600-1800 rpm and produces a total displacement of 2987cc.The icon makes a turning circle diameter of 12.2m with an output of 173 kW/210 hp @ 4000 rpm and an approximate top speed of250Km/h.

S 350 CDI L BlueEFFICIENCY has a Kerb weight of 2005 kg along with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 2585 kg and its wheel base is 3165mm. S350L is priced at Rs 82 lakhs and S 350 CDI L BlueEFFICIENCY at Rs 80.5 lakh.

Skoda to retain brand positioning in India

The Skoda Auto is firm on retaining its brand positioning in the luxury segment despite such claims from VW. According to the GM(sales & Marketing) of Skoda, the company doesn’t want to dilute the position in India and is not in a bid to get identified in the mass segment. Skoda likes to have an individual identity for its own by providing quality of unique value proposition. This does not purport to the association with VW, he said. As a measure of consolidation, the company has initiated boutique outlets to retail its products, differing from the conventional dealership showrooms.

These outlets, novel in cities, will display lifestyle combined with contemporary ambience fascinating the customers, he said further. 15 new such outlets will be opened in select cities in India this year and this will take the net outlets to 75. Skoda outlets will deal with merchandise and followed by genuine accessories. The target for 2010 is 20000 units from 15000 units of 2009, by adding new model Yeti SUV to its portfolio during the second half of this year. This Yeti, to be assembled at Aurangabad unit, will get the power of 2.0lit diesel engine. Skoda’s current range in India consists of Skoda Superb, Skoda Octavia, Skoda Laura and Skoda Fabia.

The new born baby in the used car market

Much surprisingly, the people’s car from Tata, Nano, has entered into the old car market within 5 months of its launch. Nano LX, costing Rs1.81 lakh on purchase, got the marked price of Rs 2.05 lakh. Out of 15000-20000 bookers for this car in 2009, 4000 were assured of delivery before March by Tata. But many of those booked are now in a mood to sell them in the pre-owned car sector rather using them.

As such 15 Nanos have come to this market since many people believe that to drive Nano would shatter their dignity. Another reason cited for the immediate sale is discomfort with the driving pleasure in Nano. Barring the space, Nano does not satisfy many expectations from the customers, said the President of Auto Friend Owners Association. Some of the buyers adduced the gratitude to Tata on shifting the plant from West Bengal to Gujarat.

Juicy bits of Suzuki Swift

The New Suzuki Swift, termed as “a design evolution of the current model, will be shipped to the UK in the second part of the 2010. The refined version has appealing features and the current model is the largest selling model among Suzuki products- 54000 units in the UK since its launch five years ago.

The new version will have a design from new platform, small petrol engine to adopt to advanced variable valve technology. Enhancement of turbocharging for economy and efficiency is ascertained. Though the diesel version of this hatchback is yet to be confirmed, the association with Volkswagen may yield some prospects in diesel technology for Suzuki.

Nissan

Nissan has slated its future project with 9 new models in the period of coming three years and auto components sourcing export to commence this year(worth $70 million by 2012). According to the CEO and MD, the export of components will be to Thailand, China and Japan at $10 million in 2010, $20 million in 2011 and $40 million in 2012. As of now, there are 97 suppliers of components so as to make the 85% local content feasible for the ensuing hatchback.

The products to be framed for export are engine pistons, clutch discs, starter motors to name a few. The CEO further said that of the nine models fixed for future launches, 5 will be crafted at the Chennai plant of which 3 would come from V-platform compact cars. Hatchback will come first to be followed by a sedan in 2011 and the third is on the process. Other models will be CBUs straight from Japan.

Reliance creates a mark with fuel

The major business firm in India, Reliance is entering the global standard by offering diesel to meet the Euro IV compliance. Thus the flaw made in 2005 by way of delayed entry to Euro III compliance has been ratified. Reliance becomes the first private sector to launch this fuel this time as 25000 tonnes of Euro-IV grade diesel reached the HPCL. Reliance has now started producing higher grade of petrol which will facilitate the oil companies to be confident of supplying Euro-IV diesel uninterrupted.

Reliance could ascertain its supply but not the exact amount of fuel, as a trade confidentiality. In the meantime, IOC and BPCL have initiated tender for importing 120000 tonnes and 60000 tonnes of Euro-IV diesel respectively. The move is to meet the government policy of switching to Euro-IV fuel in 13 cities from this April while the other parts of the country will get Euro-III fuel. The implementation of the latter policy is to be made on phase from April 1 –October1.

Bajaj Granted

Bajaj Auto’s unique invention named “ExhausTEC” significantly improves low range / mid range torque in a single cylinder four stroke engine. Bajaj’s patented DTS-i twin spark technology and ExhausTEC together deliver unbeatable “fuel efficiency + performance” combination to its customers.

This European patent derives priority from the corresponding Indian patent application dated August 6, 2004 and is valid till August 5, 2024.

It may be recalled that the Indian Patent Office had granted the “ExhausTEC” patent to Bajaj in March 2009. The European grant awarded now after a stringent examination, is a solid reaffirmation.

Bajaj is in an enviable position of being the only automotive manufacturer to offer a unique package of two path breaking technologies in a motorcycle to its customers – “DTS-i” that delivers superior performance (higher power output with better fuel efficiency) compared to conventional four stroke engines and “ExhausTEC” that offers improved low end and mid range torque – a duo that delivers competitive edge to Bajaj of high performance and fuel efficiency amidst today’s motorcycling world that is increasingly dominated by products offering mere improvements of prevalent technologies.

Mercedes begins the year violently

In a resistive bid to thwart BMW on leading the luxury car segment in India, Mercedes has entered the fray by launching 2 models S-500L sedan and GL SUV. Four models(including Concept Fascination, E-coupe, SLS AMG for Rs2 crore, and a premium SUV S-Guard at Rs6 crore)have found place in the showcase and three more are on the reserve for this year. Some of these may be completely built units.

The company foresees the growth of luxury market by 15% this year in which it intends to achieve double-digit growth. The slackening in the market, giving way for BMW, was due to delayed presentation of E-class sedan and other variants. New E-class, introduced in September 2009 received bookings for 40 numbers while the earlier version mustered a sale of 1024 units in 2009. In all Mercedes’ sale in 2009 was rough 3250 against BMW’s 3619 cars.

The new E250 V6 costs Rs41.94 lakhs, E250CDI costs Rs40.65 lakhs. The Ahmedabad dealer, Benchmark Cars, is on the verge of new dealership in Surat to increase the sale of Mercedes in the state. The scope of luxury car segment in the Indian context is promising that it is expected to reach 10000 mark in the ensuing fiscal.

India to be a source hub for Nissan

Nissan has large and wide network in the Asian region and to expedite its work, India will become the hub for components. The regions covered under this process will be Taiwan, Thailand and Japan, said the company’s CEO and MD for India. The targeted volume from the Indian operations is $10 million in 2010, $20million in 2011 and $40million in 2012. To ease the operations, the company has appointed 97 suppliers from whom the products –engine pistols, clutch discs and starter motors-will be exported.

As of now there is a proposal to launch 9 models- 5 to be made in India and 4 from Japan- before 2012. In May2010, a hatchback on V platform will come off from the Chennai plant, followed by a sedan in May 2011. Another car in the V platform from the Chennai plant is also on the cards. Other two cars might be petrol version with 85% localization.

The imported launches are Teana, X Train and Nissan 370Z. under an MoU with the Tamilnadu Government, the Chennai plant has got an investment of Rs4500 crore for 7 years activities. The capacity is to be increased from the current 2lakh units to 4 lakh per annum of which 1.1 lakh will be slated for export to Europe, West Asia and Africa. The mean target for the company is 5% share in the Indian market by 2012, to be made possible by way of increasing the current 24 dealers across the country.

Expansion spree of Maruti Suzuki

The expansion spree in the Maruti Suzuki camp is brisk and an investment of Rs1700 crore has been ratified. By this the production will be increased to 250000 cars per year from the current 1 million units, from April 2012. The facelift will be at Manesar facility which has already got an investment of $215 million by getting production increase to relieve Gurgaon unit. Manesar plant, currently delivering 600000 units will be upgraded to double the production.

Maruti faces stiff competition from Toyota and Honda in small car segment. Hence the need to increase the production in addition to launch of 5-seater Eeco (Rs259000). The small car segment dominates the car market with 75% and India turns to be the 3rd largest market in this segment. GM made its presence felt with its Beat; Ford and Volswagen will follow the suit soon. One such car from a JV between Fiat-Tata may materialize in 2012.

Maruti holds nearly 50% stake in Suzuki and equal amount in the Indian car market, thereby accruing a quarterly net profit of 6.88 billion rupees. The factors that backed this profit were the slow pace in the previous year, government’s reliefs and easy credits. The price, decided by the commodities, favoured the sale increase.