Maruti to launch CNG EECO

Maruti Suzuki has undergone a good stimulus with the overall growth of 18-20% in this fiscal. The factors adduced for this are the government’s flexibility and instant finances from the financial institutions. According to the company’s Chief GM, the sales growth should be double-digit in this month too but there will be a slowdown in the Q4 of this FY.

There was a revival of the market in the beginning of 2009 after a turmoil of fall down in 2008 due to government policy, ready finance, new models and customer satisfaction. In the meantime, Maruti is shaping its Eeco MUV to be launched at the Auto Expo which, the company hopes, would sell 40000 units per annum. This Eeco is designed on 1.2lit petrol engine, 5-7 seats and priced Rs3-3.5 lakhs.

Many industry observers see this as a replacement for Versa(no more in production now) which had a tough time in the market ever since its launch in 2001. Maruti had misjudged Versa on the luxury version but the failure taught it to retrieve so as to devise Eeco on MUV and will be a step ahead Omni, said the Chief GM. Plans are agog for the CNG version of this Eeco to reach the taxi sector on lines of Maruti’s own Omni and Tata Ace Magic

DC will unveil Rs1 crore Nano at Auto Expo

The visionary gleam of the automobile designer Dilip Chhabria for making Nano into a crore-worth car. The 623cc engine will be replaced by 1600cc and there will be doubled speed of 200km/h aided by a 7-speed triptronic gear box. The exteriors will enthrall with gull-wing configuration doors opening towards the sky, resembling the Lamborghini and Ferrari.

The refined car will carry biometric door handles exclusive for the owner’s entry. The aerodynamics is enhanced with the removal of xenon lights and LED clusters in addition to polycarbonate glazing. The width of the alloy wheels are increased from 12” to 15” to be christened as the world’s smallest sports car. The refresh in Nano will flow with a panoramic winds-screen and latest gizmos occupying the interiors (found in Ambierod). There will be a mobile LCD screen and customized instrument panel.

The Ambierod, is known for its fanciful customers who bought it before the concept exposure in 2008 and a Dubai-based NRI got it for Rs4 crore. Chhabria took a leaf out of this Ambierod and tried his talent with Nano while retaining the size but changing it to 2-seater (from 5 –seater). The refined car seems to be ideal for long drive as it is fixed with a rear view camera to snatch clippings. Chhabria was credited for his transformation of an Ambassador to a 3-seat coupe, in the Auto Expo 2008 (re collecting American Hotroids bikes).

Government okays biofuel policy

In order to inculcate more focus on sustainable energy use, the Indian government has given its consent to the National Policy on Biofuels. This will increase scope of financial subsidies and grants to the utility of second generation biofuels. There will be a commissioning of National Biofuel Fund and a Biofuel Coordination Committee headed by the PM.

With Brazil topping the list of biofuel users in the world, it is expected that by 2015, the usage of biofuel will double in the world. India wants to have a separate identity with regard to this bio fuel; there would be a cut in the dependence of hydrocarbon and coal, 70% of which is derived from import. Explorations on jatropha plantations have been expedited.

An MoU with the US on R&D of celluosicethanol and algal biodiesel has been initiated. The irony is that promotion of bio diesel is criticized as depriving food production. But the government has clearly mandated and demarcated the fertile land and waste land. The minimum support price for edible oils is ensured to the farmers periodically. Under the Policy, 20% blending of biofuels is targeted (for biodiesel and bioethanol) by 2017.

BMW to showcase X6M and X1 at Auto Expo

Along with strong contenders of global standards, BMW is to display its strong contingent of vehicles- domestic and international- at the Auto Expo New Delhi. The cynosure from BMW will be the twin door BMW Z4 Roadster, a 3.0 lit twin-turbo and other highlights will be X5 (4.8lit, 350bhp, V8petrol engine and 3.0lit diesel). The indigenous 3-series capable of 154bhp 320i, 211bhp 325i and 320d are also in the fray.

The 5-series will have 525i, 530i, 520d, 530d and M5. The maiden entrant will be the new 400bhp twin-turbo direct-injected 4.4lit V8 550i Gran Turismo. It is the amalgamation of a complete tour car and an SUV. Further exposure will be X1, the compact SUV, new 760Li (535bhp win-turbo, 6.0lit V12 engine), the new X6 (4.4lit 555bhp, V8 engine).

Mercedes To Launch C250 CGI

The Auto Expo New Delhi will witness the launch of C250 CGI (run on new generation petrol motor) from Mercedes. The motor is turbocharged with direct injection and displaces 1796cc; will be the first of its kind in India from Mercedes. The move comes after a little hesitation from the company engineers over fuel efficiency but now there will be an increase to 200bhp(up to 204bhp) with added efficiency of 31.6 kgm torque.

This petrol-turned powerhouse will yield top whack of 240kph with 100kph in 7.4 seconds speed. The efficiency of direct injection is akin to Audi and Skoda and Mercedes provides an advantage – the Piezo injections sustain multiple injections, similar to a diesel engine. Without load, the motor is on the burn with less fuel aided by a homogenous mixture of air called Lean Burn (which can be attained by C-class at 120k/h) resulting 10% reduction in petrol consumption.

Maruti R3 concept to display at auto expo

The R3 concept from Maruti will find place at the ensuing Auto Expo in New Delhi. The global unleashing will be held at the area of 4800 sqm in the Expo which would reveal Maruti’s serious focus on the segment, which M&M (Xylo) and Toyota Kirloskar (Innova) have been already. Maruti has gained good stint with its Concepts – Swift was Concept S while A-Star was Concept A- the industry observers feel that Maruti’s concept would take it to small-car player. This concept MPV will be of in-house creation with 6-seats and a maximum indigenous building thereby to be reasonable with the price.

R3 will be carrying forward Maruti’s immense devotion in R&D. The engineering centre at Rohtak with 700 acre will take charge the global hub at an investment of Rs.3500 crore.

Launch of Audi A6 limited edition

Audi, the German car industry known for luxury cars, has hit the headlines with its launch of A6- 2.7.lit diesel version at Rs.37lakh. the launch commemorates the centenary celebrations of the company. The version proved to be a major contributor for the company and the expectations are high in the Indian market, said its Director.

With 2698cc the sedan is equipped by V8 engine and turbo diesel injection (TDI) technology. Audi is grateful to dedicate this version to India, which has so far been the most potential market for its ranges- Q5 and Q7 (suvs), Volume model A6, Super luxury sedan A8, sedan A4, sports coupe TT and super sports car Audi R8. The sales volume of Audi in India too is exemplary with 12 dealers across the country– for the last 11months 1550 units against 1050 units last year.

Toyota to produce 70,000 Etios in 1st year

Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation, which is coming out with compact car (Etios) by December 2010 in India, will produce 70,000 units in the first year, a top official of Toyota-Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd said.

“To begin with we will be manufacturing 70,000 units of the compact car (etios) and are looking at a 10 per cent market share within one year of its release”, Deputy Managing Director TKM, Sandeep Singh told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of new Prado diesel landcruiser.

To a query, he said the compact car (Etios) would be 70 per cent indigenous except for the engine which will be imported from Japan, ”unlike the present cars which is only about 30 per cent indigenous.”

Singh said both the hatchback and sedan version of the concept vehicle of the Etios will be showcased at the Auto Expo to be held in New Delhi from Jan5 to 11.

However, he declined to reveal the price of the Etios saying “I cannot reveal the price now. Once it is launched, you will come to know”.

Auto Expo to witness the launch of 10 new cars

The Auto Expo in New Delhi slated for the first week of January will be an ideal avenue for over 10 new small cars, said the President of SIAM.

The Show is a once in two year event and will display vehicles from all major makers of the likes of Toyota, Honda, VW, Suzuki, BMW,GM, Daimler, Tata Motors, M&M. the show will invite many global launches reflecting the importance of the Indian auto market. The show is deemed as the second such event of the year after Shanghai Motor Show.

It is estimated that the event will be a feast for nearly 18 lakh visitors, said the Chairman of the Expo. Shanghai Event is the world’s largest auto event to collect 40 lakh foot; since the economic revival the Indian auto market has gained prominence and any sort of auto show turns out to be a grand event, with other shows becoming inferior.

The show will see the global launch of GM’s Beat, Suzuki’s Eeco, and four new ranges from Tata. Honda and Toyota are displaying their concept compact cars designed for the Indian markets. M&M is armouring the show with two new products- UV and a truck- under Navistar JV. A global truck from Volvo and new range of buses from Daimler are additional highlights of this pompous show.

Barring two prominent makers Nissan and Ford, all major auto companies are there to enthrall the prospective buyers. The Auto Expo will consist of 2100 auto displayers derived from over 30 countries. Be there, to feast your passion.

Hero, Emmel, Yo Bykes display of vehicles to gleam at the Auto Expo

What is mush awaited at the Auto Expo might be realized amidst the glowing display of electric vehicles- scooters, three-wheelers and small cars. The maiden venture by Emmel Vheelers into two wheelers will be a highlight (the company is already in physical testing machines, carburetors and auto components).

A range vehicles from this company – hybrid three wheeler, e-motorcycle, high power scooters, personal transporter, and electric scooters like Vee Elite, Vee Sharp and Vee Dhoom. The company owns a dedicated manufacturing plant in Maharashtra which has a capacity of 3000 units / month at an investment of Rs5 crore and another equal amount is allocated for expansion. The company President is all optimistic that the electric market enjoys power with a sale of 40000 units last year.

Last month alone 3500 units were sold with an estimated sale tuneof Rs400 crore. (in all 300000 electric two wheelers are on road now). Many other companies are refreshing to expand this electric market. In Chennai, Murugappa Group’s Tube Investments India Ltd has started a new electric scooter unit in a capacity of 100 scooters /day. Hero Electric is in the process of assembling e-scooters by having domestic tie-up after its venture with a Canadian firm Electrovava for making lithium batteries.

Eko Vehicles of Bangalore has released a hybrid motorcycle enabling to run on both electric motor and 70cc petrol engine. New electric scooterettes will be on roads from Eko soon. Emmel Vehicles rely on its base of indigenous aspects leading to 80% – fabricated frames, axles and battery; tyres, lamps, switches and shock absorbers are to be outsourced. The company is clear enough to gain reputation, unlike others who have damaged the electric market with Chinese components, said its President.

Further, the electric automobile industry seeks the grace of the governments on subsidy(Delhi government offers 27%; Karnataka and Gujarat governments are reasonable at vat at 4% and Maharastra levies 12.5% VAT for electric vehicles.