9 posts tagged “small car”
Ford is planning to launch a new small car in the Indian market. The car is expected to hit the roads by early 2010. Ford has taken special efforts to meet the requirements of the Indian customers and has designed the car exclusively for the Indian car market. The company has already begun the testing its prototypes, and from the start to the production phase, the car is expected to be localized around 85 percent.
The car will be available in both diesel and petrol variants. Ford is expected to produce a sub-1.5 diesel and sub-1.2 petrol engines for the car. The car will be produced in a common global platform and will have European and Australian designs and styling. After it is launched in India, this small car from Ford is expected to be exported to other parts of the world.
The small car market in India is always active and all the major brands are launching small cars in the Indian market. With the launch of this small car, Ford is expecting to better its sales in India. The price or any other details of the to-be launched small car is not available.
The diesel cars are attracting the crowd and Maruti Suzuki is just following the trend. The company foreseeing the growth of diesel cars is now planning to expand the diesel car portfolio. Currently, Swift from the small car segment and Swift Dzire from the sedan class offer the diesel variant. Recently introduced Maruti Suzuki Ritz is also seen with the diesel version.
The diesel variants of the brand are in more demand compare to the petrol variants and currently these variants require nearly 3 to 5 months of waiting period after booking.
Tata Motors is also now focusing on diesel variant; this could be another reason for Maruti Suzuki to go ahead with this decision. Both the car brand hold a major share in the domestic car market and therefore it is important to top the position. And even if in one segment there is a slope then that could lead to dropping of their position. And in today’s competitive world of cars, no manufacturers would take any kind of risk. Be it the trend, necessity, or competition the show must go on.
What every may come the car manufacturers will not step back with their new launches for India. The recession has not taken away the confidence from the car manufacturers, Nissan the Japanese car brand has decided to roll out eight new models in India by 2012. These lots will include both imported as locally produced cars from the Chennai plant.
Micra (also known as March) is a small car that the company is working on for the Indian market. The car is expected to make its debut by 2010 in the country. Micra for the Indian markets will sport both petrol and diesel engine and will compete with Maruti Suzuki Swift. The petrol version of this small car will be powered by a 1.2-litre three cylinder engine, whereas the diesel variant will come with a 1.5-litre Renault engine (currently used in Mahindra Renault Logan).
The sedan version of Micra which will be positioned against Swift Dzire too will make a grand entry into the Indian car market with powerful petrol and diesel engine.
So, now after a long wait, the shining A-Star from Maruti Suzuki has landed on earth. The car makes a thrilling debut in the Indian car industry with its brilliant styling, unmatched performance and excellent fuel efficiency.
This global car is a perfect blend of modernity and ethnicity. Powered by 1.0 Litre K10B petrol engine, the engine is mated with a 5 speed manual transmission that together delivers a comfortable and pleasurable riding experience.
The new rocking A-Star is available in three variants-Lxi, Vxi and the top end model Zxi. Available with a price tag of around Rs 3.5 Lakh, the five-seater car boasts its exterior with imposing headlamp, cornet shaped tail lamps and low grille, raised hood, larger air dam, and attractive eye shaped headlamps. The exterior features add to the engaging sporty appeal of the car.
Even the interior is mind blowing with contemporary and traditional design. Embellished with a host of innovations and attractive car features including appealing instrumentation, sculpted aero-dashboard, floating cockpit, and spacious cabin, the car carves its own niche in the market.
Another striking feature of the A-Star is the green technology that meets the European ELV norms with 85 per cent of its car recyclable. Now, another impressive feature is the mileage that accounts for around 19 kmpl, as tested by ARAI, Pune (Indian automotive research agency).
The much awaited, Fiat 500, finally made its debut in India. Fiat 500 being an icon of Italian style was accompanied by an Italian style celebration that was filled joy and excitement echoing in the Taj Land’s End in Mumbai. Celebrated in an Italian style, the launch was witnessed by the moons and stars of Mumbai.
Fiat 500, popularly known as Cinquecento in Italy, is launched as a great combination of success and style. The car was originally designed by Dante Giocosa and first launched in Turin 1957. If you calculate the numbers of years in between, it is exactly 50 years that the car travelled on a comeback trail to announce its new arrival in one of the most growing economies of the world, India.
The re-launch of this new car after 50 years has generated nostalgia among all its car lovers. But, Fiat promises to offer much more than this to all ardent lovers of Fiat 500. The comeback is not restricted to the likes and dislikes of the existing customers but the launch is widespread on a broader scale of enhanced performance and effectiveness to lure more number of customers.
Fiat 500 will be available in two trims and 11 unique colors. Both the trims, Lounge and Sport, will be powered by a 1.3 multijet engine generating 75bhp of power.
The car will also be outfitted with a significant in-car communication, infotainment and entertainment system known as “Blue & Me”. This is the voice activated in-car communication system designed and introduced by the Fiat and Microsoft venture.
This new small car also has a provision of modification and customization to meet the varying interest of the customers and ensure uniqueness of every Fiat 500. Priced at around 15 lakh, the car will be launched only in selected cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Pune, where the super-affluent class can walk into the Tata-Fiat showrooms and drive out with the elegant and stylish Fiat 500.
This new car is expected to create a strong base for the entry of Fiat upcoming cars, Linea, Punto and Bravo.
One of the leading luxury car makers Volkswagen, is planning big for India. The company is expected launch more new models and will also assemble 110,000 cars in India.
Car makers and as well as car components manufacturer are spreading their wings in India, as they expect a sale increase in India to 3 million units by 2015.
Volkswagen AG is displaying the concept for its small car called UP as well as the Tiguan from the SUV will be soon seen on the Indian roads. The automaker stated this in the press statement.
After the small car fever, looks like now the trend is rolling out models with CNG version. Recently Hyundai Accent came out with the CNG version and now Fiat Motors is planning on introducing Fiat Palio in a natural gas-fueled version, which will hit the Indian roads by 2009.
Increase in fuel prices are the prime reason for the car makers to experiment on other fuel options. Companies are also working on using Hythane that is a blend of 10 percent hydrogen gas along with the natural gas. Presently Palio hatchback is already available with both gas and diesel engines in India. a peep into the Fait new launches and will know that there are list of vehicles waiting to be rolled out.
Honda Motors Siel Cars India Ltd is looking forward to introduce a small car with in two years to India its upcoming Rajasthan unit. The price of the small car is yet to be decided. Currently the Honda manufactures premium segment vehicles, which is 20 per cent of the total Indian car market.
The company’s upcoming facility in Rajasthan is spread over 600-acres of land and will manufacture 60,000 units initially which will be later expanded to over 2-lakh units. The small car from Honda is definitely going to be a competitor for Nano. Tata Nano is expected to hit the Indian roads by end of this year.
The Indian auto market is growing very fast and every car manufacturers are planning expansion for the Indian market. Moreover, the small car segment in India is the latest attraction. India is already an export hub for small cars for Suzuki and now Hyundai also moved its complete manufacturing base for small cars to India. Presently models like i10, Getz and Santro are manufactured in India.
In 2007, the demand for small cars had not been much in China but is now expected to bounce back in the coming years. In Japan, the mini car sales accounts for at least 1/3rd of the total car sales. Currently India shines as one of the largest producers of the small cars in the world. Nearly 3/4th of the auto market in India accounts the small car segment. And this outstanding growth in the small car segment has flattered the major players like Nissan, Renault, Toyota, VW, etc to sit up and take notice. Tata’s Nano has already been a show stealer. With the stage set, India is expected to witness more than dozen small or compact cars in the auto market.
The list of up coming cars in India in this segment are Maruti A-Star, Maruti Splash, VW Up!, Bajaj small car and many more. In the small car segment, Maruti Suzuki already dominates by holding 60% of the share for small cars in India.
