All for the good customers

The remaining week of this year is a prospective one for driving a car of your choice with the heavy discounts labeled on it. Be it Maruti Wagon R, Omni, Swift and SX4, Hyundai i10, Santro Xing, Skoda’sFabia, Chevrolet Spark and Aveo U-VA. The car carries lot of other incentives (apart from discounts from Rs5000-Rs60000) lower down payment, free one year maintenance and insurance coverage for Re1. Skoda Laura Ambience (petrol) is less by Rs75000 from its Rs12.75lakh; a whooping Rs35000 is offered for Honda City, Honda Civic, Hyundai i10 and Santro. Martui Wagon R offers Rs30000 reduction.

A package oriented offer is coming for cars like Chevrolet Spark containing a discount Rs47000, maintenance cost worth Rs13000, a double DIN Kenwood stereo worth Rs11000 and a central locking worth Rs3000. Mahindra Logan offers an additional Rs10000 for exchange offer (but for the models of 2009 only). According to a dealer VM Motors, the discounts offered by car manufacturers is behind the idea of clearing the stocks of 2009, to receive fresh stocks of 2010 by January 15. The local dealers are arranging for car loans on EMIs for customers who have intention and but don’t have money.

For Toyota Innova the lower down payment is Rs38500 or EMI of Rs14225 and the offer is valid till December 31 2009. However, these sort of offers may not cover popular or premium brands since such cars have brought in long waiting. Already some car makers have exhausted the 2009 stock and such cars may not offer any deal. Industry analysts warn that the discounts should be taken seriously and customers shall be wary of depreciation in 2010.

Toyota launches Prado diesel

Toyota today launched the diesel variant of its SUV Prado. The Prado diesel is powered by 3.0L engine which produces 171bhp of maximum power and 414Nm of max torque.  The Prado diesel is priced  Rs. 52.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Bangalore). Prado diesel also has enhanced comfort features like 3-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Optitron Meter, Multi-information Display, Parking Assist System with front/rear sensors & rear camera and rich leather interiors. A host of Driver Assist Technology such as DAC (Down-hill Assist Control), HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) and A-TRC (Adaptive Traction Control) aid in outstanding off-road performance. The new Prado is available in five exciting colours ? White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Grey Metallic, Greyish Blue Metallic and Black.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Nakagawa (MD, TKM) said, “Globally, the Prado has sold over 1.56 Million units in more than 170 countries so far.  And, since its launch in India in 2004, customer response to the Prado’s legendary quality, durability and reliability have far exceeded expectations. As part of our long-term commitment to bring the best of Toyota’s technology to India, we are very proud to introduce the all new Prado.”

Pictures of Prado diesel


Maruti EECO Pictures

As you read it first at vicky.in few weeks back, Maruti will launch its “eco-friendly car” called EECO at the Auto Expo. Here are the exclusive pictures of EECO. EECO will replace the versa and is powered by an 1.2L engine. Maruti claims the fuel efficiency / mileage of EECO as 15kmpl.

You read about EECO scoop here

http://www.vicky.in/blog/maruti-to-christen-new-omni-as-eco/

Pictures of EECO

courtesy: kushan mitra

Prices of Maruti Eeco

* Eeco Non AC 7 seater – Rs2.78 lakhs
* Eeco AC 5 seater – Rs3.40 lakhs
* Eeco AC 7 seater – Rs3.45 lakhs

Hybrid City Buses from Tata Motors

India’ largest auto maker Tata Motors is back in the news again. This time with the launch of hybrid city buses to meet the environ care and Bharat Stage IV norms. Tata gained momentum with its electric version of Indica and is now on the verge of making this hybrid city bus, said its MD (operations). The move is for a series of such hybrid buses on the lines of LCV and high capacity forms targeting the urban mass transportation. So far no detailed report about this vehicle is disclosed except that one such bus is in the designing level.

The suspense will be broken in the ensuing Auto Expo in January. Tata Motors has got many vehicles up in the sleeves for this Expo. In order to meet this hybrid variant, the bus will be fit with diesel or CNG mode of fuel. With the success rate raising high for the electric version of Indica, Tata Motors is exploring the tie-up factors with a Norwegian firm for delivering the cars in the UK, Norway and Denmark during the global launch in 2011. The domestic version too will be launched simultaneously.

TVS likely to foray into above 200 cc bike segment

Similar to Bajaj, for venturing into the top slot in the motorcycle segment, TVS is shaping its designs for 200cc bikes. The company has chalked out strategies to reach the milestones in the bikes market and a new version of 125cc is in the offing. Both -125cc and 200cc- will be rolled down based on the needs of the market, said its President (Marketing). The brand is to be categorized, that it can neither be sporty nor be proto-Apache (more than 150cc).

One more model to accompany in the 125cc segment with Flame will be soon launched; there are three versions at the entry level which includes Sport, Star City and the recent model Jive (clutchless). In addition there are Apache RTR 180 and Apache RTR 160. Of these, Jive found its entry first in Tamilnadu and soon to enter across the country probably from January. The company’s objective for this fiscal is double-digit growth in the two wheeler market.

The SIAM figures disclosed that TVS had done the sale of 11,36,344 units of two wheelers in the Indian market in 2008-09. With this scale of growth, TVS is mooting the plan for new variants for 2010 and new models may find way towards the end of the year 2010. The company’s current cabinet contains six bikes, two scooters and two mopeds. Since the company has no hiccups, there is no talk of price revision and the President (Operations) said the revision will be taken up for review during the budget time.

A flying flair in the Mumbai Sky- Beetle

Having stepped in Monte Carlo, the going after bananas Herbie has at last found another space for its stretch of fantasy. The love bug Herbie is set for a fly over the sky in banner spread across the Mumbai sky. Volkswagen is aggressive, after taking over Porsche that a battalion of luxury cars adorn its platform and in particular the newly launched Beetle is to have the honour of propaganda.

The car will be displayed in the spread of 10000 sq ft banner to be flew over the Mumbai skies on the eve of Christmas. According to unofficial sources, Deccan Charters will take care of the task and VW did not disclose the sensation. Launched in India for Rs20 lakhs, the car is expected to generate a clean chat for itself forming individual product segmentation, said its director for India.

Quite differing from the conventional mode of marketing, VW has taken the road not taken to brand build through this car. The car was parked through the news ad campaigns in all pages of a leading newspaper, creating a roadblock in marketing spaces. The norms for such aerial ads mandates consents from the Director of Civil Aviation, from the local authorities and involves financial commitments of Rs1.5-2 lakh/hour. This is in addition to the banner cost of Rs6-10 lakh specially imported from Australia and made for this purpose to counter the wind.

The concept behind such ads is to create a sensation at the expense of equal amount for as many billboards in the city roads, said the manager Deccan Charter. In the lines of hot balloons and occasional aircrafts, this ad will be the first of its kind in India. But some ad agencies claim that similar ads were in the “air” during 80’s by a departmental store Akbarallys.

According to CMD of Madison World, such ad campaigns are for iconic brands of the global market and is a new concept for India. Some corporate companies have the edge with this banner to make use for more cities or for more brands. This sort of ad is ideal for FMCG, films and telecom companies and Beetle has initiated the doldrums.

Good calls to Beetle

Volkswagen’s new sensation Beetle is on the good move with an advance booking of 170 but the company strikes its target of 300 units in 2010. The launch of this bug-designed car in December found instant response that VW has already started delivering the car, said its dealer in Ahmedabad. The cars are derived in shipments of 40 per batch and the first batch has already arrived with the next batch expected soon. The cars are imported as CBU with more than 100% duty.

Beetle is crafted with a single 2lit petrol variant, a 6-speed automatic transmission and costs Rs20.90 lakh (ex-showroom Ahmedabad). The distinctive design and effective brand-building features are the hallmarks of this car to become one of the most popular brands in the world in coming decades. Fiat 500, at Rs15 lakhs, found 62 owners since its launch some 17months ago.

VW has launched its SUV Tourareg in Ahmedabad for Rs53lakhs and is ready for delivery at a shorter waiting time. The Chakan plant near Pune has started the production of VW’s small car Polo and the car will be a 5-seater hatchback in the B+ segment (in the lines of Hyundai i20, Maruti’s Swift and Chevrolet Beat). All these efforts are exerted to secure 10% market share in the Indian car market by 2015, said VW’s official.

A reversal of fortune

Bajaj Auto, the once pioneer in the scooter sector, has withdrawn its presence to make way for its motorbikes. But Suzuki plans for doubling its production capacity in its plants. The acceleration is due to the demand for its Access 125. The Gurgaon plant has the capacity of 1.7lakh per year and this is to be increased to 2.5 lakh units by January only to be doubled from March 2010 (to 3 lakh units) per year.

Suzuki is facing threefold demand for its Access 125 – 38000 units against its current production of 11000 units per month. Hence there will be a full-fledged production from the next year. The condition for motorbikes is conducive- supply against demand- but the scooter segment creates a wait for a minimum of three months. For the period April-November Suzuki Motorcycles had the sale of 77663 units at the growth of 41% (against 55130 units in the same period last year). For the same assessment period, the net sale of two wheelers including bikes and scooters stood at 109648 units at a growth of 28%.

GM India bets big on Shanghai Auto alliance

General Motors India is staunch in its prospects of striking the alliance with Shanghai Auto of China. GM is now improved to have the options from the partners in China where it has two firms – SAIC and the SAIC-Wuling –GM Automobile, of which the former is for passenger cars and the latter is for light trucks, said MD of GM India. It is to be mentioned that GM and SAIC have made a JV on 50:50 for India to have an access of the plants in Halol and Talegaon in India.

The new venture will see the retailing of SAIC light trucks in the form of Wuling series. (GM refuted the possibility of sport version of Chevrolet brand). The JV between GM and SAIC is already on the export venture of Wuling series N200 and N300 to South America, the Middle East and North Africa on Chevrolet brand. The company is firm on having exclusive dealerships for passenger cars and trucks; GM-SAIC sees competition for light trucks from Tata and M&M. GM has the advantage of more cars with the blessing of SAIC’s large sector of passenger cars. And the latest to be launched is Beat, a compact car ready for launch next month.

Under the JV, Halol plant will be allocated for making light trucks and Tavera utility vehicle whereas Talegaon will be for cars. This set up is for making both the plants benefit out of the deal. Halol has the capacity of 85000 units and Talegaon has twice that much(140000 units) and is to be upgraded to make 300000 units. The pact will benefit GM much with higher number of car line up and increased market share in the years to come. GM is clear that SAIC versions will be devised to suit the Indian market.

The pact enhances export potential for GM with more numbers coming from SAIC from the Indian plants. To begin with, Beat will fly to Europe as much as the Opel did in 2000. This followed the success story of Chevrolet under GM-Daewoo pact for the promotion of Optra and Spark. GM sees much potential in SAIC’s link to stabilise its base in the car race. GM-Daewoo is to be carried on for future prospects like M300 (Beat) from the units of Korea. GM always exponentially seeks design centres for its cars. The one at Bangalore displays the charm of designing, said CEO.

Nissan to rejuvenate its import strategy

Nissan, the Japanese car maker and is ranked third largest is contemplating the idea of importing its luxury version as completely knocked down kits. Currently Nissan is importing its luxury cars –Teana and X-Trail- as CBUs and the new move is to reduce the cost thereby increasing the sales. In September last Nissan launched two new versions in luxury segment. According to the company’s Indian CEO and MD the move may considerably reduce the cost and still other alternatives are studied. The heavy cost of Teana and X-Trail is due to its segmentation of the premium sector and the import duty.

Further, the company is assessing to initiate finance forum to increase the sales. For this an analysis of RBI factors and non-banking systems are taken for consideration, said CEO. 2010 seems to be a challenging year for Nissan India as its unnamed compact car is set for the launch. Nissan is going good along with its Ashok Leyland LCV tie-up and the period mid-2011 would see the launch of production at the latter’s unit in Hosur.

However, the initial launch will be made individually with individual brand and Nissan will make its own from its Oragadam unit in Chennai. The joint production would be arrived when the situation demands so, said CEO. Export market will be based on the factors like global market turnaround, revival of economy and recognition for LCVs in domestic market. Nissan is ready to face any competition and is particular from Europe and Japan.