Maruti to launch low cost Alto and upgraded Alto

To set a unique stage for itself, Maruti is seeking the platform of Auto expo in New Delhi for a wider spectrum of its range. In addition to concept MPV, Maruti is to display a concept SUV. In all these years Maruti has been serving the Indian customers with cars developed by its apex Suzuki Japan. Now for the first time, Maruti’ s indigenously developed Concept SUV would be available at the Auto Expo. (The engineers from Marui visit Suzuki for developing Swift).

Maruti is in no hurry about this SUV since only the concept is devised now and it may be ready for launch by 2012. Maruti’s range of cars at the Expo will include an electric version and the recently launched Eeco MPV ( a replacement for Versa MPV). This is dual purpose vehicle – cargo and passenger car- meeting BS IV norms; equipped with 1200cc petrol engine; comes in three variants of 5-seater standard, 5-seater AC and a 7-seater.
Maruti targets to sell 40000 Eecos within the first year of its launch.

According to the company’s Chief GM, Versa was wrongly positioned as the customers were not willing to recognize it as luxury car and this made the company to refine the platform for Eeco. This new Eeco will cost lesser than Versa’s Rs3.5 -4.25lakhs. The C segment, with Omni already doing well(8000 -10000 units /month), will be boosted with this Eeco and if needed cargo version of this Eeco will be designed by the company.

Maruti has a different strategic scheme for 2010. Eeco is ready for launch at Auto Expo; upgraded Alto is set for April 2010; low-cost Alto (replacing M800) by mid year. In the meantime, the sales for the year end is to be a repeat of November while not similar to the ones in 2008. In all the projected sale is an increase of 18-20% this fiscal.

TVS to launch Apache RTR 220

TVS which raised the standard of performance bikes with Apache,Apache RTR FI and Apache RTR 180cc is believed to b working on higher displacement Apache’s. Across web, there is buzz that TVS is working on 220cc variant of Apache RTR. Though the reports are speculative, we wish the report is true. Apache RTR 220 might be the first TVS to come with full fairing. It might also feature ABS setting a new safety standard for performance bikes. Apache RTR 220 if launched will take on the likes of Bajaj Pulsar 220cc, Hero Honda Karizma ZMR and Yamaha R15. Recently, TVS has announced it will look to launch variants of its existing models in 2010. Whether Apache RTR 220 could be the one? we wish.

Tata to launch Indicruz

Tata always take the Auto Expo seriously. Last year, it turned the world to watch the Expo with Nano. For the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo, Tata has lined -up new models to excite the fans. The model list includes

* Nano based truck (codenamed Penquin)
* Ace based people mover on the likes of Omni,
* Nano variants (possibly Nano diesel and Nano Hybrid)
* Indicruz Crossover

While other models are typical Tata products, Indicruz could be revolutionary. Developed and tuned with the help of Land Rover engineers, this could be easily best ever Indian made vehicle. Indciruz – based on X2 platform is expected to set new standard in terms of performance,electronics and handling characteristics. Read our pictorial preview of Indicruz here . Indicruz will coexist with sumo grande and safari. Expect the price tag of Indicruz to be upwards of Rs10lakhs.

Maruti to showcase RIII MPV concept

Maruti Suzuki plans to showcase 17 production and concept models at the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo. Of all the models, the most expected are the new small car,new Wagon-R,new Swift and Kizashi. To our surprise, Maruti has announced it will a MPV concept called R III. Maruti has already models like Omni and recently unveiled EECO in the people mover segment, but Maruti wants a bigger pie. Maruti R III concept based model will be in the segment of Mahindra Xylo and Tata Sumo Grande.R III concept is based on the extended SX4 platform and will be built on monocoque platform. R III based model if produced will be powered by Maruti’s successful KB series petrol engine. Maruti has only the 1.3L mutlijet but whether it would be sufficient to pull 7 seater will be a question. But the Suzuki’s recent stake sale to Volkswagen gives a cue to us. R III concept based model may run on Volkswagen diesel engine. Production of R III concept might take between 18-24 months. Till then, let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Ford,Nissan and Bajaj Auto absentees for the Auto Expo

Few media reports claims that Ford will showcase the Figo and Nissan will unveil the india specific small car Micra at the 2010 Auto Expo. We too expected the same. But we have confirmed reports from senior management that Ford and Nissan will not be present at the Auto Expo. Another surprise absentee is from the two wheeler industry. Bajaj Auto -which created ripples at the 2008 Delhi Auto Expo with concepts, KTM bikes and Ninja’s hass officially stated it would stay from 2010 Auto Expo.

Update: Bajaj makes an U-turn, though there won’t be any major launch. Bajaj will showcase pulsar,KTM and Ninja series bikes at the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo

Toyota to unveil Etios

Toyota which was one of absentee at the 2008 Auto Expo, will come in full form for the 2010 Auto Expo. Toyota has already announced it will unveil 14 production and concept model at the Expo. Of all the models, Toyota’s small car is the most expected one. You have been reading about Toyota’s small car as EFC (Entry Family Car) at vicky.in for years. Finally, we would all see the concept of the car called “Etios” in few days of time. Concept of Etios and Etios based sedan will be showcased at the Expo. The Etios based sedan will be first one to hit the market and later Etios will be launched.

Etios is expected to come in both petrol and diesel variants. Etios will come with 1.4l diesel engine and 1.2L petrol engine thus qualifying for the small car excise duty. Etios is expected to be priced competitively, remember, Toyota bench marked swift for Etios. Stay tuned for more details on Toyota’s Etios.

Mahindra launches Xylo mDI

Mahindra & Mahindra today launched a new variant of Xylo. The new model called Xylo D2 is priced at Rs 6.30 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The new Xylo D2 is equipped with a 2.5 litre mDI CRDe engine, which would give a mileage of 13 km per litre, Mahindra & Mahindra said. “The Xylo D2’s mDI CRDe engine offers…greater fuel efficiency, lower maintenance and spare parts cost and decreased emissions,” Mahindra & Mahindra senior vice president for marketing-automotive sector Vivek Nayer said.

Reaction to the launch of Tata Sumo Grande Mark II

Mahindra launch of new Xylo variant is to lure the prospects against the likes of Tata’s new Sumo Grande Mark II

Fiat to hike the price of Linea and Grande Punto

Owing to the raising input cost, Fiat today said that it will increase the prices of its models Linea and Grande Punto. Fiat has taken the decision to have the prices of the Linea and the Grande Punto increased by 2 – 2.5%. Prices would go up by about Rs.15,000 on average, and upto Rs.25,000 for some of the versions. The price increase will be effective from 1st January 2010. The prices of the Fiat Palio Stile will remain unchanged.

On the upcoming price increase for the Linea and the Grande Punto, Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, President & CEO, FIAL said, “Both the Linea and the Grande Punto have received a tremendous response in the Indian market and clocked very impressive numbers. The initial pricing of both the cars was an introductory offer so as to allow more patrons to experience these great products. Input material costs have gone up substantially and without wanting to burden our consumers too much, the cars will now be available with a price increase of 2-2.5%. The Linea & Grande Punto continue to be two of the most attractive propositions in their respective segments.”

Toyota

The Japanese car premier Toyota Motor Corpn is setting a target of 70000 units of compact cars during its first year of operation( 2010). The company’s Deputy MD said the company seeks to gain 10% market share within one year of its inception. The car would come with 70% indigenous making and only the engine will be of Japanese differing from the current models which come in exact reversal mode. Toyota recently launched its Prado landcruiser. The Auto Expo in Delhi will display both the sedan and hatchback version of this compact car. The price will be announced at the time of launch said the DMD.