Bike on the lines of Nano

Hero Honda might hit the headlines soon if it announces the launch of motorbikes at the lowest possible price, say Rs20000. The motif behind this is to offer a bike with all quality at an easily affordable price. Hero Honda and Hero Motors are in the process for this which may find its way in a year from now. The price of the bike may depend upon the reciprocity to the huge volume of investment, at least 5lakh units a year.

Though Hero Honda rules the two wheeler segment, it needs to penetrate the rural segment with the low-entry model. The rural segment, which currently contributes 40% of net sales, is expected to increase to 45% this year.

Hero Electric launches 3 scooters

Hero Electric Motors has come out with three scooters-E-Sprint(Rs32470) Zippy(Rs17900) and Optima Plus(Rs32796)- while three more models are in store for next FY. The company is optimistic to sell about 45000 units in FY 2010-11 and 35000 for this fiscal, beside export to Latin America, Canada, the US(already in the market) and SAARC countries in FY 2011-12.

There will be increase in the dealership to 350 by the end of 2010 from the current 255. For producing Li-ion batteries in India, the company is making an association with Electric Vaya of Canada in a time span of 2-4 weeks. For the consumers, the company might initiate charging stations with the assistance of the governments and power sectors in the country.

Chennai witnesses launch of BSA street rider

The Murugappa group of Chennai has launched the electric scooter BSA Street Rider with the tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi doing tha favor. The all-white scooter at Rs28050, fetched 250 bookings since its launch last year. The company is known for its BSA Smile, BSA Diva, BSA Roamer and BSA Roamer Plus. The electric scooters of BSA exert fuel efficiency of 82-85% than petrol vehicles which have 35-38% efficiency.

After the Exit of Bajaj it

Sensing the potential in the scooter segment in India, Yamaha has proposed its entry, when it gets the analysis report on market feasibility, said its Yamaha Motor National Business Head. The survey report will decide the model and productivity as well as the range of the scooter. 25 % of the 80lakh two wheeler market is constituted by scooter. Remaining 75% is constituted by bikes in which Yamaha intends to attain 10% by 2012 apart from increase in 150cc(which has 8.5lakh/year potential) to 25% by 2010 from the current 15%. Yamaha is in the news latest with its launch of YZS-R1 and YZS-R15.

More time sought for Bharat IV norms

The emission norm Bharat IV, set for implementation in 11 cities from April 1, is the topic of concern for the Auto industry. SIAM made representations to the government seeking an extension of 3-6 months for implementation. The other parts of the country are left to move to Bharat III norm. the auto makers are in an urge to convert the engines meeting these norms, while fuel has to be upgraded to the norms.

Till December 2009, the net sale of cars was 1000500 units against 597241 units sold in the same period previous year. SIAM disclosed that the volume of sale for April-December increased with 22% (88.1lakh units) against 72.24 units in the same period of 2008. Maruti got an increase of 36% sales, Hyundai got 43%(the sale was, however less than November when it reached all time mark in the last 5 years).

India follows China and Germany as the fastest growing economy in 2009 with sale boosted as a result of 11 new launches in passenger cars. There was an increase of 40% sale with 1.15lakh units in December against 82174 units in the previous year same month. The total sale of passenger cars saw double growth in December (1.49 units from 99440 units in 2008 December). The same percentage of increase was there in export market (40%) 40888 units.
In the two wheeler segment, 5.92 lakh units were sold in December 2009 against 3.35 lakhs in December 2008. The net sale of two wheelers saw an increase of 66% with 7.67 lakh units, while the export of two wheelers saw 25% growth with the 1.13 lakh units in December. Increase was also therein the commercial vehicle sale- 48614 units in December 2009 against 17897 units in December 2008.

The birth of 2010will usher in with new models from world leaders in the small car segment which constitute 70-80% in the second fastest growing economy in the second fastest growing car market. the major companies anticipating rise in the sale are VW(Polo), GM (Beat), Maruti (Eeco) and Skoda (Yeti).

Hot wheels get the massage from technology

The technology in the auto industry is no exception to wheels run on engine and the internal combustion engines get the warmth of digital touch. The computers devise the difference among the same engines fitted in popular brands like Delphi, Bosch, Toyota, BMW, VW, GM and Continental. Hence the chip makers of such caliber Texas Instruments, Freescale Semiconductor, Infenion come to the picture to feed the next gen cars.

The technology has necessitated to up date the ones available for cars – from 8kb to 4- 6MB. The current flow of cars have brought in computer chips worth $2 billion which is likely to double in next three-five years. Nano and Maruti 800 have 2 or 3chips, while Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Spark hav 6-19 chips. Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze have got 25-30 computer chips while BMW 7 series and Mercedes S Class have 70-80 computer chips.

Ford and GM are building their cars with 8-inch touch screen with voice, audio, navigation, climate-control and other digital functions. The new technology of cars offer changed windshields, system of speed, gauge, RPM and mobile phone screen beaming on the touch screen. VW offers ADR (Automatic Distance Control) for controlling the speed, IDAS (intelligent Drive Assistance Systems) for safety, dynamics, economy, and ecological balance; ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ANB (Automatic Emergency Brake), LDW (Lane Departure Warning), Enhanced Night Vision and Perception of Vehicle Surroundings and AMK (attention control). The alert for the driver on his fatigue is recorded.

The future cars are computer-oriented being connected by software and the snags, including unexpected break downs, will be displayed immediately. There are sensors to monitor the over all functions of the car apart from providing safety. Cloud computing is feasible enabled by a PC. Computers enhance fuel efficiency, air bags, and multi-temperature air conditions. The embedded chips, assisted by Bluetooth or small net work enable change of car entry from key to passive level, opening at a distance of 1 meter. The mandatory features are increased further by the chips incorporated into the cars.

SUV in ranges in India from world big players

The turnaround of sports utility vehicle is to be prominent in India with leading world makers – Toyota, Land Rover, Audi, BMW and VW- targeting the market with full zeal. The focus is diverted to India after the US and China, as evident from the response spelt at the Auto Expo. The cars would be produced locally to make them affordable. Skoda has planned its Yeti with high-end features, said its board member.

In the US and Europe the SUVs are elements of private transportation and the recession and subsequent economy fall down has affected the routine flow of these vehicles. The cost factor too decides the sale and hence the world leaders are turning towards India and China for promoting these cars. BMW’s X6 (Rs1.3crore) is on the verge of making a decent penetration in this segment.

The President for BMW India said the response at Auto Expo has been promising in the Indian car market where SUVs have 15% share. He foresees the increase once the launch of X1in 2010. This X1will be the cheapest in the SUV segment (Rs25 lakh) and will come off from the Chennai plant.

Audi tasted 58% rise in SUV sale in 2009 and its Q5 will roll down from the local end. Audi will introduce V8 4.2lit Q7 soon as limited version, said its Head (marketing) in India. VW has its account with its Toureg SUV (Rs60lakh) and will be followed by the smaller version. Toyota is on top with the bookings for its Fortuner making 6 months wait. The segment is contributed by M&M and Tata Motors and has made an increase of 21% (1.04 lak units) for the period of April-December 2009.

Mahindra launches Xylo Celebration Edition

Mahindra launched a celebration edition of Xylo. Xylo celebration edition what Xylo E6 variant offers and more. The additional features of Xylo celebration edition includes

* Exclusive pearl white finish shade for Xylo celebration edition exterior

* designer leather interior

* leather wrapped steering wheel

* leather wrapped gear knob

* Celebration logo

* Ski racks

* Black out B & C pillars

* stickers on body panels

* DVD player

* 2 DIN music system

Pictures of Mahindra Xylo Celebration Edition

Mahindra launches Scorpio Special Edition

Mahindra launched a special edition of its flagship SUV called Scorpio special edition. Mahindra will sell only 1000 numbers of this special edition.

Scorpio special edition comes with whole list of features which includes

* leather wrapped steering wheel

* dashboard grab rail

* Alloy wheels with signature chrome finish

* re-designed gear knob with european leather trim

* Roof mounted DVD with video playback system

Pictures of Mahindra Scorpio special edition

Bikes at the AutoExpo

  1. Harley Davidson
  2. Hero Honda
    • Hero Honda Pleasure
    • Hero Honda Splendor NXG
  3. Honda TwoWheelers
    • Honda CB Twister
    • Honda NewDio
    • Honda New Stunner CBF
    • Honda Unicorn Sports Concept
    • Honda VFR1200R
  4. Mahindra2Wheelers
    • Mahindra Concept Motorcycle
    • Mahindra Concept Scooter
  5. Royal Enfield
    • Royal Enfield Cafe Racer Concept
    • Royal Enfield Classic BattleField
    • Royal Enfield Classic Chrome
  6. Suzuki2Wheelers
  7. TVS
    • TVS Apache RTR ABS
    • TVS King Hybrid
    • TVS Race Bikes
    • TVS Scooty Hybrid
  8. Vibgyor
    • Vibgyor Hunter
    • Vibgyor Persona
    • Vibgyor Shark
  9. Yamaha
    • Yamaha R1
    • Yamaha R15
    • Yamaha SuperBikes
    • Yamaha SZ
    • Yamaha YBR
    • Yamaha YZF R15