Automobile Blog

Maruti Suzuki Eeco: Specially Designed For India

Maruti Suzuki, the country’s number one automobile manufacturer, is set to launch an all-new car named Eeco.Maruti Suzuki Eeco is a five-door, C segment vehicle, which has been specifically designed for India by the auto-major.

Eeco comes with a new, powerful and highly fuel efficient 1200 cc engine. This new engine delivers 73 bhp of raw power @6000rpm, a high torque of 101Nm@3000rpm specifically designed to meet the Indian driving conditions.

The Eeco will come with a flexi design, offering 7-Seater and 5-seater options with air-conditioning option making it an ideal vehicle for dual usage.

Maruti Suzuki is spearheading the adoption of more stringent BSIV Norms and Eeco is the fourth model to meet these norms well ahead of the April 2010 deadline. (more…)

Honda Siel launches all new Civic

Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) Ltd on Tuesday launched the all new Honda Civic. According to the company, the new civic has been designed with advanced technology with changes in its looks, such as a 5 point metallic front grille, new bumper.

Speaking on the occasion, Masahiro Takedagawa, President and CEO, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd said, “The new Honda Civic carries forward the legacy of the Civic which is already the most refined and advanced car in the segment.”

New Civic will be available in 3 variants – SMT, VMT & VAT. (more…)

Ford Motor plans small car for India

Ford Motor Company has reaffirmed its commitment to India by deciding to invest an additional $500 million (around Rs. 2,000 crore) into its facility at Maraimalai Nagar, near here.

The investment plan will be implemented in phases over the next three years. The first phase of the plan had already commenced and would include the addition of a diesel engine plant at Maraimalai Nagar with an initial annual capacity of 50,000 units.

The first engine is expected to roll off the assembly line in April. These will go into the local production of Fiesta and Fusion vehicles. Ford is also ramping up capacity at its Chennai plant to 200,000 units from the exisiting 100,000 units by 2010, bulk of which will comprise its small car.

While an integrated engine plant will supply for all these cars, the balance 50,000 units will be exported. This is the first time that Ford is making diesel engines outside Europe,” Mathew added. The manufacturing capacity at the Chennai car plant would be doubled to two lakh units a year. (more…)

Rolls-Royce launches Rs 3.5 crore car Phantom in India

The epitome of luxury is here. Luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce (RR) launched the Phantom, in India on Saturday.

Rolls-Royce Phantom is going to cost an amazing Rs 3.5 crore and comes powered by a 6.75-liter V12 engine. Despite its huge size, the car accelerates from 0-100 kmph in just 5.9 seconds. This perhaps makes it one of the snippiest automobiles in the Indian market.

Rolls-Royce hopes to sell 10 units of its luxury car Phantom in India this year. The car would be imported, with no indigenization. (more…)

Hyundai Motor India Launches all-new fifth generation Sonata Embera in India

Hyundai Motor India on Wednesday launched the all-new fifth generation Sonata, the Sonata Embera, with a new 2.4 litre VTVT engine, international styling, luxurious interiors and high-end safety features. The Sonata Embera has been priced at Rs13.69 lakh for manual transmission and Rs14.59 lakh for automatic transmission.

To bare eyes, it kind of resembles the styling of the Honda Accord. However, Hyundai have made sure that the car has its own special appeal and styling. The Embera, which is 53mm longer, 12 mm wider and 53mm higher than the current Sonata, will be available in 5-speed manual and 4-speed H-matic automatic transmission. Its fuel tank has 5 litres more capacity than the current Sonata’s. The company has priced the car at a competitive price point of Rs 13.69 lakh for manual transmission and Rs 14.59 lakh for automatic transmission. It comes powered by a high-power 2.4-Liter, four cylinder, all-aluminum Variable Timing Valve Train engine, with a power of 165 ps @ 5800 rpm, ensures quick response and robust acceleration. (more…)

Hyundai, GM intensifies price wars; Launch cheap variants of Getz and Corsa Sail

Hyundai Motor India on Wednesday launched a stripped-down variant of its hatchback Getz at Rs 4.15 lakh. Earlier, the cheapest version cost Rs 4.50 lakh.

Incidentally, Hyundai had said yesterday that the prices of the Getz and the Accent were likely to go up next month.

BVR Subbu, the company’s president, said the new base model of the Getz would be available mostly for the directorate-general of supplies and distribution, though a small quantity will be sold for private use too. (more…)

Cisco is aggressively looking at the Indian automotive sector, as it opens up to exponential growth and challenges from global auto markets. With a focus on helping Indian manufacturers streamline processes, improve productivity and ensure faster turn-around of high quality products, Cisco is in the midst of conducting an auto seminar that straddles the three key automotive hubs in the country – Pune, Chennai and Delhi.

A key feature of the seminar is a Technology Showcase covering a wide range of innovative technologies such as Wireless LANs, IP telephony and video surveillance for increased collaboration, monitoring and service management in the Indian auto industry.

Cisco’s expertise in managing networks in this sector goes back a long way – the company works with leading auto players in the country including Honda, Ford and Mahindra & Mahindra. In one of its most successful customer references, Cisco was able to help Ford (Europe) contribute in a US $ 1 billion profit turn-around between 2000-2001 as a result of e-enabling projects.

Auto, Retail, Textile and Pharmaceuticals are some of the key sub-verticals Cisco is looking to tap during the year. This focus is part of the company’s broader vertical focused go-to-market strategy classified under IT & ITeS, Enterprise and Service Provider & Government.