Cars at the AutoExpo – Complete Pictures

As most of you have noticed, Vicky.in team has published 1000’s of photos from the Auto Expo 2010. Here is a consolidated list of pictures based on the Car Manufacturers and the models.

  1. DC
  2. Fiat
    • Fiat 500
    • Fiat Grande Punto Sport
    • Fiat Grande Punto Trendz
    • Fiat Linea Tjet
  3. General Motors
    • Chevrolet Beat
    • General Motors Camaro
    • General Motors Captiva Xtreme
    • General Motors Spark Electric
    • General Motors WTCC Cruze
  4. Honda
    • Honda Asimo
    • Honda CRZ
    • Honda Jazz
    • Honda Small Car Concept
  5. Hyundai
    • Hyundai Genesis Coupe
    • Hyundai H1
    • Hyundai i10 Electric
    • Hyundai iMode
  6. Jaguar Landrover
  7. Mahindra
    • Mahindra Maxximo
    • Mahindra Maxximo Electric
    • Mahindra Scorpio
    • Mahindra Thar
    • Mahindra Xylo
    • Mahindra Navistar
  8. Maruti Suzuki
    • Maruti Suzuki Alto
    • Maruti Suzuki Astar
    • Maruti Suzuki EECO
    • Maruti Suzuki EECO Charge
    • Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
    • Maruti Suzuki Kizashi
    • Maruti Suzuki New WagonR
    • Maruti Suzuki RIII Concept
    • Maruti Suzuki Ritz
    • Maruti Suzuki Swift
    • Maruti Suzuki SX4 HatchBack
    • Maruti Suzuki SX4 Hybrid
    • Maruti Suzuki WagonR
    • Maruti Suzuki Estilo
  9. Mercedes Benz
    • Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
    • Mercedes Benz GL Class
    • Mercedes Benz S500
  10. Renault
    • Renault Fluence
    • Renault Koleos
    • Renault Laguna
    • Renault Megane
    • Renault Twizy ZE Concept
  11. Skoda
    • Skoda Fabia GreenLine
    • Skoda Fabia SportsLine
    • Skoda Laura RS
    • Skoda Superb Combi
    • Skoda Yeti
  12. Tata Motors
    • Tata Motors Indica Vista Concept S
    • Tata Motors Aria
    • Tata Motors Indica Vista EV
    • Tata Motors Magic Iris
    • Tata Motors Prima
    • Tata Motors Venture
  13. Toyota
    • Toyota Camry Hybrid
    • Toyota Corolla CNG
    • Toyota Etios Concept Hatchback
    • Toyota Etios Concept Sedan
    • Toyota Innova CNG
    • Toyota Prius
  14. Vintage Cars
  15. Volkswagen
    • Volkswagen Phaeton
    • Volkswagen Polo
    • Volkswagen Polo Race
    • Volkswagen Touareg

Toyota flags off green-Prius

The greener version of the Auto Expo went off well with the world leader Toyota striking the string with its Prius. Costing Rs26.55lakh, it is delivered with Toyota Hybrid System II having 3 modes –power, eco and electric. Prius, though second after Honda Civic Hybrid, is to testify its credentials unlike Civic. Prius comes with the company’s hope of pining the aspiring green Indian consumers.

Toyota and Honda had their long time run to launch the hybrid version on account of heavy duties slashed by the government, thereby making the cost of car on the increase. Other displays in hybrid concept versions in the Expo are from Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland (Hypus-slated for Commonwealth games)), Volvo(a CNG bus and is in negotiations with two governments), Hyundai, GM ( Chevrolet Spark ). This is powered by the battery provided by Reva Electric Bangalore. Tata Motors’ 35-seater bus Starbus is a CNG/electric low-floor hybrid; one more green truck LPT 16 13 CNG.

The hybrid version in bus sector is the first ever in auto industry, said an official from Ashok Leyland. Under two wheeler sector TVS has displayed two concepts at the Expo which includes an electric scooter TVS Qube 2.0

Diesel vehicles to get facelift

The adversity towards diesel vehicles may be scrapped when the transformation takes place to clean the diesel mongrel. Given the hope that the government might exert some assistance, the engine and component makers – Cummins, Bosch and Delphi- are in the process of offering cleansed fuel injection, exhaust-control equipments and advanced engines. This comes in the wake of effecting Bharat IV norms from April in 13 states.

The norms regulate for 80% reduction of particulate matter and 30% nitrogen oxides. The SIAM claims that the global fuel policy is the outcome of the climate changes. The governments are concerned about the increased pollution resulting from burning fossil fuels- petrol, diesel and LPG- effecting the greenhouse effects. Diesel engines serve well for enviro with 25% less greenhouse compared to gasoline diesel. But the upcoming engines would enable clean diesel by being sulphur-free to reduce emission by 95%.

SIAM believes that the penetration of diesel will be by 43% in 2013, though diesel will adopt to be a substitute fuel in a slow manner. Trucks and buses consume more diesel, but they constitute jus 17% (which may increase to 20% )of all vehicles run now. But the target is on the commercial vehicles. Diesel engines attribute benefits to the consumers- 30% less fuel than gasoline engines, powerful by exerting 50% higher degree torque.
Bosch sees the present and future in diesel . but the cost of the engines do matter a lot.

An official from Cummins expressed that the consumers are reserved on paying whooping cost for cleaner fuel. The cost gets increased by 8%, but would yield 10% fuel save annually and diluted maintenance cost. Emission standards have given a new lease of life to the engine makers, despite their hue investment. But their motif is to promote fuel cleaner vehicles.

Indian market is the eye

The German car makers have sharpened their pens to benchmark the Indian market and it deemed to be an easy task for them. The reason being their readiness to offer luxury at any ‘cost’. They rule the rooster with their world class technology and engineering. But their current agenda to ice the cake to make it affordable to such a cost conscious market. they are fully aware of the future prospects in India.

Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are the major breakers of the nuts and they have started shelling out huge money to foot their presence great. They see the gradual growth of Indian market compared to China (4lakh luxury cars per year against 10000+ India). The official from Audi agrees that the current stage is the infancy but prospective. The company has witnessed its growth in India(-58% increase in 2009 from 1700 units), where its cars come out from the unit in Aurangabad. The company’s growth is similar in China – 300 cars 30 years ago and 1.5lakh units presently.

BMW and Mercedes too categorically agree to the slow growth in India but are too willing to invest lumpsum. However, they are assured of the growth in luxury sector only in the market which is highly feasible for low-end sedans and compact cars. But VW announced its Polo(compact car) meant for localization. The Germany Ambassador for India is systematic to reveal the presence ofhis country’s auto makrs in India and expressed hope. He reminded the implication behind the phrase Made in Germany- top quality, reliability, fuel efficiency and the latest technology.

Indian auto industry heading towards bright future of export market

The next 5 years will be the rising phase for the Indian auto makers that their dominance in the export market is visibly bright. By the way, they would rank along themselves with Hyundai, VW, Honda and Toyota according to report revealed by a survey carried out by KPMG. The survey, posed to some 200 senior executives, points towards the Indian and Chinese auto makers dominating the future.

The survey brought out the continued dismal state of GM and Chrysler. The respondents predicted the achievers to have a hand in global chains too. The industry, says the survey, will receive firm investments over the next five years. The hurdles that need to be cleared are unemployment, credit constraints and unguided governments norms.

Mahindra

M&M last week announced that the premium SUV will be ready for launch in India by the FY2011. The car may be designed for export to the US. The move is to compensate the presence of Scorpio and an investment of Rs700-800 crore has been ear marked for this project, said its President for Automotive. The product will be crafted from its Chakan plant and no further data could be perceived currently. The company has already proposed to allocate Rs2500 crore for the expansion of this facility to increase the production to 3 lakh units a year which would include 3-4 new products.

Vertical axis in the vehicle sale of 2010-11

The sale of vehicles for 2010-11 is projected on vertical axis, though orthogonal growth rate is not also ruled out. The industry sources foresee the growth amidst speculations over hike in costs and depriving stimulus features. The nine months of the 2009-10 fiscal saw the growth rate of 22% of which the cars constitute 24% compared to the previous recession phase.

According to the President of SIAM, the sale may dip if the customers are testified on price rise. The transaction price, which includes sticker price, taxes and interest rates for the auto loans, is the major factor for the sale. The government was good enough to waive gate taxes in 2008 and 2009 which boosted the net sale in spite of downfall in the economy. Another factor was the easy loan facility courtesy the apex bank.

Among the major car makers, Maruti is yet to come out with the rise while Toyota and GM have announced their rise by 1.5-5% effective January. The outcome of the price rise in commodity would invite equal hike from Hero Honda Motors. The rise, however, may not burn the pockets nor melt the bank balance of the customers. M&M is facing a fall in its monthly production by 5% for the sake of supply hiccups. The manufactures face this sort of freak issues, which may revive in April, said the secretary. The suppliers didn’t expect such early revamp of sale in auto industry.

In December 2009, the sale of car found an increase by 40.3%-115268 cars against 82714 in the previous year thanks to the confidence reposed by the buyers, slow down in the previous year and ready finance from bankers. Trucks and buses constituted the sale figures of 17.1%- 48614 units against 17897 units in the previous year. The higher base effect may affect the sale during Jan-Mar, he said. The government’s relief measures worked out well for the affected industry and yielded marginal sale since Jan 2009.

Hot scoops on Fiat Linea T-jet,Linea dualogic and Punto CNG

Fiat showcased 5 new variants of its products (2 linea’s and 3 GP’s) – Linea T-jet,Linea Dualogic,Punto CNG,Punto Trendz and punto sport. Of these cars few will hit the market in 2010

* Fiat Linea T-jet will be launched soon and will be the top end variant of Linea series

* Fiat Linea dualogic is teamed with 1.3L Multijet diesel and 1.4L petrol engine not with the 1.6L Turbo-jet engine.

* Don’t expect the Fiat dualogic anytime soon

* Grande Punto Trendz and Grande Punto Sport will hit the market soon

* Grande Punto CNG is meant to showcase Fiat’s prowess in alternate fuels to Indian customers

* Grande Punto CNG may take time to hit the market

Fiat Small Car

* Fiat is making a indian specific small car which will be priced below Grande Punto

* Fiat small car will hit the market in 2010

Hot Scoops on Skoda Yeti and Skoda small car

Skoda Yeti in June

* Skoda Yeti will be launched during second half of 2010

* Skoda will launch Yeti in June or July

* Skoda Yeti will be launched in few variants initially and later Skoda will add more variants

* Skoda yeti will come in two variants. The variants will be completely loaded with best-in-class features like seven airbags

* Skoda Yeti is likely to be priced between Rs13 – Rs17 lakhs

Skoda small car

* Skoda has a price target of Rs4 to Rs5lakhs for its much touted small car which will be positioned below Fabia

* Skoda’s small car is likely to be launched by the end of 2012 or early 2013

Proof of shield to cars- the cited affair of the Auto Show

Shattering of glasses, denting of bumpers and marks of bullets piercing the body are no longer the sober features to moan. The Auto Expo in New Delhi displays the bullet-proof ranges of cars, exclusive ones for police personnel, defence services and politicians. The sensitive industry is equally booming in a terror-stricken country.

Chanakya Automobiles India is the only such company at the Expo and it displaces the government owned Medak Ordinance Factory. Chanakya Automobiles is certified by the Bureau of Police Research and Development for making bullet-proof vehicles for VVIPs in the country. In the same category are a Kanpur-based Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn who make indigenous models of armoured vehicles differing from Chanakya’s conventional versions.

Tata fills its slot with its Safaris in a market full of infringing new comers. But Chanakya intends to take advantage by being in the forefront. It boasts its products built with cocooned steel body and glass-resistant bullets, arrowing from 9mm pistol – NATO assault rifles. The run-flat tyres are capable to run 50kms @50km/hr speed even after receiving firing from close range.

Chanakya views two advantages over Ordinance Factory- longer delivery time (16-24 months) and product rigidity of ‘take it or leave it”, which is not compromised by the politicians on safety and comfort. As of now, Chanakya has sold 6 units and got orders for 50 numbers.

The cost factor is mystical, as transforming a Pajero or a Motero into a bullet-proof is equally hard task. For Pajero the cost would be up by Rs44.5 lakh and for an Ambassador it would be Rs22 lakhs. Chanakya employs Swedish steel, the special glass, laser rods, welding rods amd run-flat tyres all imported. Cost will be equally higher for bigger vehicles. For Ambassador the cost is lesser due to less modifications than for an SUV.

It will not be a mere bullet-proof vehicle, but it will be bullet-resistant vehicle. It can resist two simultaneous grenades in the underside and parallel sides apart from overhead airbursts. The official from Chanakya is quite pragmatic to match the sophisticated bullets from the richer terrorists.