Auto industry upset over Mileage ranking

The rating of cars on fuel efficiency has become a shot in the arm for the auto makers that the rating will be made on mileage, rather than carbon emission. The government’s Power ministry has entrusted the job to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency by charging Rs200 for each vehicle. The auto makers, however, claim that they already disclose the mileage. Initially, the policy lets the automakers to display the rating voluntarily; gradually it will be made mandatory.

The proposal to rate the vehicles has got shape after hectic parleys for over three months. According to SIAM, the move by the government is seen as a duplicacy of SIAM’s proposal of directing the manufacturers to declare the mileage of their vehicles for certification from Automotive Research Association of India. The new rating to be done on star basis with the top slot 5 points is for vehicles exerting maximum output of mileage. To begin with, cars will come under this rating, followed by other two wheelers and all types of vehicles. The revenue by way of this rating will come to Rs35crore to BEE at Rs200 per vehicle for nearly 1.6million vehicles.

The BEE carry out the testing from Automotive Research Association of India Hyderabad, since it does not have its own facility. It is to be remembered that the Environment Minister had directed the auto industry to display the mileage tag, duly certified by BEE, in every new vehicle. The mandate would be effected either by the Energy Conservation Act or the Motor Vehicles Act.

Hike in greener fuels from April

The government’s policy on Emission, Euro IV and Euro III would find the hike in the cost of petrol and diesel from April- 50p- 1 rupee. The norm will come into effect in 11 cities from April under Euro IV and as Euro III in other parts of the country. The oil agencies have prompted the hike with the government. Four years ago, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Agra came under this scheme with the price increasing by 30paise for petrol and 24 paise for diesel.
The current price of petrol in Delhi is Rs44.63 and Rs48,76 in Mumbai while the cost of diesel is Rs32.87 and Rs36.07 respectively. The oil agencies have invested Rs28000 crore to upgrade the fuel refineries and are seeking market margin with the back up of the government. The Euro IV fuel consists of less volume of carbon and due to this, the oil retailers will have to shell out gross revenue of Rs3.49 for a lit of petrol, Rs2.38 on diesel, Rs18.13 on kerosene and Rs250.67 on LPG cylinder of 14.2kg. the PSUs  might incur a loss of revenue to Rs45478 crore in this FY.
The Auto Fuel Policy is the result of the Supreme Court’s mandate for Euro IV compliance. Various refineries have spent amount to upgrade them- Mangalore Refinery, a subsidy of ONGC, has spent Rs8000 crore to yield a capacity of 15 million ton per annum from the current 9.69mtpa. HPCL spent Rs4000 crore for its refineries in Mumbai and Vishakapatnam; IOC’Rs12000 crore will be for its seven refineries. BPCL spent Rs4300 crores for its two refineries Mumbai and Kochi. However, the OMCs expressed their reservations on meeting the Euro III norms within April and seek extension till July. The blessings of the apex court is to decide this. Except HPCL, other oil agencies are in the process of upgrading for Euro III.

Trial production of Nano at Sanand plant

The trial production of the world’s cheapest and people’s car Nano commenced at Sanand plant with the commercial production to hit the market from March 2010. Sanand became the mother plant after the exit from West Bengal due to protest from Mamta Banerjee. The test production will be 50 units per day, according to the company sources.
The production of trial ones, is much ahead of the schedule in January-March, since the current production is going on from Pantnagar facility in Uttarkhand. This plant will deliver 4000 cars a month, against the current capacity of 2500- 3000. The Sanand unit will have the housing facility for the employees around the plant and Tata Housing is processing the land acquirement.
In addition, vendors to Tata are also seeking business accommodation nearby the plant. The vendors are expected to supply components for the production capacity of 200 cars a day. But the company is non-committal about this. Tata Motors has got the bookings of Nano numbering 200000 of which 10000 cars have been delivered since this July.

The trial production of the world’s cheapest and people’s car Nano commenced at Sanand plant with the commercial production to hit the market from March 2010. Sanand became the mother plant after the exit from West Bengal due to protest from Mamta Banerjee. The test production will be 50 units per day, according to the company sources.The production of trial ones, is much ahead of the schedule in January-March, since the current production is going on from Pantnagar facility in Uttarkhand. This plant will deliver 4000 cars a month, against the current capacity of 2500- 3000.

The Sanand unit will have the housing facility for the employees around the plant and Tata Housing is processing the land acquirement.In addition, vendors to Tata are also seeking business accommodation nearby the plant. The vendors are expected to supply components for the production capacity of 200 cars a day. But the company is non-committal about this. Tata Motors has got the bookings of Nano numbering 200000 of which 10000 cars have been delivered since this July.

Fiat to launch Linea T-Jet petrol

To further boost the sales and to quench of thirst of auto enthusiast, Fiat will soon powerful version of its Linea sedan. It’s not the much expected Linea 1.6L diesel Linea but the petrol one. Linea will get 1.4L turbojet petrol engine producing 120bhp of maximum power and 206Nm of peak torque starting from 1750rpm.  In contrary the current 1.4L linea produces the 90PS of maximum power and 115Nm of peak torque. Fiat 1.6L is said to be fast and exhilarating with a top speed of 195kmph and o-60kmph in 9 seconds. Along with the new Engine, the Linea is expected to receive some cosmetic changes and niggling problems fixed. Along with the Linea, Fiat will launch Punto CNG variant in 2010.

Renault to launch Duster in India

Renault has surprise to Indian customers at Auto Expo.  It may launch its Duster SUV in India. Built on the platform of Logan, the duster could lease a new life to Renault brand in India. Along with Sandero small car, logan sedan and Logan MCV, the duster completes the line-up of logan platform.  Duster appeals to customers who looks for a conventional SUV. Duster is 4.3m longer and 1.8m wider and packs in lot of storage space for customers which includes a 475L generous boot.  The 200mm ground clearance of the Duster makes it ideal for off-roading fun as well. Duster is offered in both petrol and diesel options. A 1.6L petrol producing 110bhp of maximum power and the familiar 1.5L dCi diesel engine peaking 85/105bhp of peak power.  Duster comes in both 4*2 drive and 4*4 (AWD). Duster is already scheduled for developing countries like Russia and Brazil. India might be part of it journey. Stay tuned for more details.

Pictures of Renault Duster

Must Have List

Here’s is a list of lists which every auto enthusiast must have. Bookmark/Tweet/FB this post coz you won’t see this often

New Year special

Upcoming Cars in 2010

Upcoming Bikes in 2010

Cars launched in 2009

Bikes launched in 2009

2010 Auto Expo Special

Cars at 2010 Auto Expo

Bikes at 2010 Auto expo

Absentees of Auto Expo

Models you won’t see at Auto Expo

Complete list of bikes and scooters launched in 2009

From Discover 100cc to Honda FireBlade to Ducati Monster, you could buy anything from nearby showrooms. 2009 – what a year it was for bike lovers. To know about the complete list of bikes and scooters launched in 2009 in India visit http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/bikes-launched-in-2009/

TVS to show Streak hybrid and King hybrid

TVS Motor Company will showcase its range of vehicles including those that run on alternative energy sources at the up-coming auto expo in New Delhi.  TVS will show hybrid variant of its scooter streak – streak hybrid and king auto- rickshaw – king hybrid. TVS Motor Company will also have on display the TVS QUBE 2.0, carrying forward the iconic minimalistic DNA of the award winning QUBE that uses an electric-hybrid motor, as it gets closer to reality.

With the Hybrid-TVS KING, TVS Motor Company announces the arrival of the world’s first mild hybrid – plug in – CNG 3 wheeler. The vehicle’s cutting edge technology features a high efficiency axial flux motor coupled with the engine to provide power assistance during acceleration. This effectively supports the low emission CNG engine to ensure vastly reduced overall emission levels. TVS King Hybrid brings down the CO2 emission level by 22% and HC+ NOx emission by over 20%. When managing the power assist operation, the intelligent micro-controller based high efficiency power drive, additionally recovers the energy available during deceleration and braking by the way of regenerative charging. An advanced micro controller based system, manages the energy generated from the battery and CNG such that it is best suited to the operating points in terms of CO2 generation. It also works as a smart battery SOC monitor by way of high speed-high sampling rate current integration. In addition, the system control conserves the energy by shutting down the relevant power sources to optimize the CO2 reduction at relevant operating points.

The TVS Streak Hybrid two-wheeler has a four-stroke engine and an electric hub motor as the two sources of power. This is a parallel hybrid system wherein both engine and electric vehicle modes are available. The power sources will be in operation as per the programmed strategy or the mode selected by the user. To make the most efficient use of the energy, this hybrid system charges the battery when the brakes are applied and utilizes this power whenever required. In addition, this two-wheeler conserves energy when the vehicle is stationary at a traffic signal or at a standstill condition by stopping the power source. The TVS Streak Hybrid has four optional modes for users to choose from:- 1. Electric Only: For short trips and zero-fuel consumption 2. Engine Only: When battery SOC is very low 3. Hybrid Electric Mode: Both sources run as per the programmed strategy 4. Hybrid Power Mode: Both engine and electric together for better acceleration

Hyundai to show i10 electric

Some shocking news to the competitors of Hyundai, the wholly subsidiary of Hyundai  Motor of South Korea- the electric version of i10 is set for launch at the Auto Expo. This will stay along with the company’s other models and concept cars  portraying the technology of the future.

The electric i10 will be zero emission set to protect the environment and impressing with ecological aspects. The car was entered the market with an internal combustion engine in 2007. Hyundai is the country’s second largest car maker and exporter. The company recently paraded its latest range of cars in the alternate fuel category – CNG and LPG- which included Santro, the sedan Accent and i10 CNG. Soon the company will once again pioneer in technology oriented vehicles

Maruti signals green for the future

In much compliance to the government’s insistence on enviro-based automotives, Maruti is launching its green technology with its sedan SX4 and an electric multi-purpose vehicle, both of which are to be displayed at the Auto Expo in Delhi. This step is an initiative for the implementation of public-private deal coinciding the Commonwealth games. The R&D wing of the company will be greased to meet the demands, technology will be improved and sourcing of parts will be analysed much.

The Indian government has formulated National Hybrid Propulsion Programme with an aim to promote clean fuel vehicles during Commonwealth games 2010 as much as China did for Beijing Olympics. Under the scheme, the cost for effecting this move will be shared by the government. Maruti, as an individual company to make such a move, is launching ten vehicles for the ensuing Commonwealth games.

The Auto Expo will be an ideal avenue to portray the concepts and official launch might be after two years. Maruti is one among other car makers – Tata Motors, M&M, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors, Bajaj Auto and TVS- to involve in this move. The Program envisages for exploring the joint effort for hybrid, electric and clean fuel efficiency in tune with the cost factor meeting the needs of innovation, labor and growth.

The Program is designed as a three-phased one with the first phase taking the demo of the move at the Commonwealth games in October 2010, the second phase to focus on R&D and localizing the technology in 2012  and the last phase would be culmination of local tech enabling mass production in another five years.