What's new, What's hot /// East of your border!

[nickatnite]

Nick, thanks for the pics. The new Verna is a LOT better than the old one, but I'd still give it a miss. Good job though, Hyundai.

I checked out the new Verna today and ye know what?. I agree with you. It is a much superior car over the old one, though. Gimme the Santa Fe anyday.

[nickatnite]

as usual India seems to be the happening place for auto industry... good pics nick..

Thanks and good to see ye back here.

[nickatnite]

Just the usual lurking around when i decided to go out today...

[nickatnite]

On sale now and with petrol and diesel engines. The diesel is a bit pricy. Posh dashboard and fittings. Everything's nice about the car except the front grille and rear seating. That's my opinion.

For details, specs and pricing click on:

http://www.hyundai.com/in/en/Showroom/Flash/SRFOVERVIEW/DF_IN_SR_JD_080313145313.html?gclid=COety8bw56gCFcZ56wodvVCuBw

I'll post some more pics of this car later as i resize them. Cheers!

[nickatnite]

Them dang ribbons! More views of the new Verna. Coming up next from the Hyundai Stable is the 2011 Sonata. Yummy car , that one is. I saw a test car speed past me last week.

[nickatnite]

Some of which i was able to click easily today!

Tastefully done Swift and i messed up the pic!

later......

[nickatnite]

I hope Renault's 2nd innings in India is better than the 1st. Wishing them well.

later...

[nickatnite]

A set of updates from the Indian automobile scene.

Maruti-Suzuki to debut the R3 MUV later this year

Bloomberg reports that the three-row R3 MPV from Maruti Suzuki will be set afloat this year. Quoting a senior financial officer, the R3 targets customers of Innova and Xylo.Ofcourse, the production model will be renamed and this car will be based on the SX4 platform.

Ford Fiesta update

Ford is not going to keep it unwrapped till the festive season starts as the Hyundai Verna, with the shock wave its teaser campaign and variants have managed to create, will extend the head start with the help of everyone’ attention.

There are some useful features on the new Fiesta like voice activated controls but even before driving the car, we’re almost certain that this will handle the corners better than the Nissan, Skoda or the Hyundai. But handling corners alone won’t increase footfalls in Ford dealerships.

One Million Maruti-Suzuki Wagon-Rs in 12 years

On the occasion, Maruti Suzuki India Chief General Manager (Marketing) Shashank Srivastava said it was a proud moment for the company. The Japanese tall boy has done extremely well in India holding its position in the top three best selling cars consistently over the years.

The latest generation model drove in last year with the 1.0-liter K Series engines and more recently CNG and LPG variants joined the ranks

Nissan Sunny in September @RS 6.99lacs!

Sunny, Almera or something else, Nissan's V-Platform sedan is eagerly awaited in India as people want to see if it adds anything new to that crowding segment. The Sunny could arrive during the end of September this year with 1.6-liter petrol and diesel motors.

The interesting bit of information we’re going to speculate on is its price. Sources tell IAB a starting price of 6.8 lakh rupees (ex-showroom Delhi) is on the cards for the Honda City competitor.

Will the 'BRIO' lead Honda's comeback in India?

After a lack luster performance in the first quarter of 2011, Honda plans to come back strong in the later half with the Brio. The company plans to expand in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to give the sales of the Brio a massive boost.

Currently Honda has 125 sales centers in 77 cities. Honda plans to take this number to 150 by the year end.

There is intense pressure on Honda Siel to make their small car ambition – the Brio – succeed.

source:indianautosblog.com

[Born2Race]

I see a lot of exotics in India but how's the tuner/souped-up cars scene over there?

[nickatnite]

I see a lot of exotics in India but how's the tuner/souped-up cars scene over there?

As varied as the regular/exotic car scene with literally thousands of car modding/tuning firms nationwide.

a few links on this subject:

http://www.motorheader.com/

http://www.petes.in/

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifications-accessories/

http://www.autopsyche.com/

http://www.kitup.co.in/

[nickatnite]

Not bad at all, eh?.

Tata Motors Group global wholesales at 87,114 vehicles in April 2011

The Tata Motors Group global wholesales, including Jaguar Land Rover, were 87,114 nos. in April 2011, a growth of 12% over April 2010.

Global sales of all commercial vehicles - Tata, Tata Daewoo and the Tata Hispano Carrocera range -- were 41,179 nos. in April 2011, a growth of 20%.

Global sales of all passenger vehicles were at 45,935 nos. in April 2011, a growth of 6%.

Global sales of Tata passenger vehicles and the distribution offtake in India of Fiat cars were at 26,504 nos. for the month, a growth of 5% over April 2010.

Global sales of Jaguar Land Rover in April 2011 were 19,431 vehicles, higher by 9%. Jaguar sales for the month were 3,079 nos., lower by 13%, while Land Rover sales were 16,352 nos., higher by 14%.

About Tata Motors
Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs. 92,519 crores ($ 20 billion) in 2009-10. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand and Spain. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India. With over 5.9 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country's market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fourth largest truck manufacturer and the third largest bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America.

source: tatamotors.com

[Bombaywalla]

As varied as the regular/exotic car scene with literally thousands of car modding/tuning firms nationwide.

Holy Moly! I am tempted to do something about my brother's Laura.

[nickatnite]

Holy Moly! I am tempted to do something about my brother's Laura.

Get the car tuned and dressed up by PETE's.

I never get to spot nice cars on the road lately. I tried today and just to show you how pathetic my spotting has been i took a few pics!.:o

Hope i spot some nice cars on the road while roaming around tomorrow.

[nickatnite]

Leftover pics from last Sunday...

[nickatnite]

More pics from last Sunday...

Hopefully, i'll come across some nice cars today and if i do, i'll share them with y'all. Ciao...

[KamranAslam]

^^^ This Red Swift [speechless] what did he tought of ?

[nickatnite]

^^^ This Red Swift [speechless] what did he tought of ?

Then, whaddya think the owner of this Swift wuz thinkin'?.:S

[nickatnite]

beginning with what i could resize...

The evening started off well, till i realized i had forgotten to charge my cell phone battery so i had to be careful clicking away. Still, no luck as far as 'on the road spottings' 'cause seeing nice cars while driving makes for a brighter day, for me atleast. I hope Hyundai brings back yellow color choice on the i-10.

later with more of Sunday spottings...

[nickatnite]

Managing Director, Renault India, Marc Nassif (right) and Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Len Curran (centre) during the launch of Renault's "Fluence" in New Delhi.

Renault on Monday launched its luxury sedan ‘Fluence’ in India, even as the French carmaker said it plans to source components worth 100 million euros (over Rs.600 crore) from India by 2012. Renault plans introduce a sports utility vehicle 'Koleos' this year, followed by three more cars in 2012.

‘Fluence’, which is first Renault branded car in India that is being assembled at its Chennai plant, will be available in both petrol (2 litre engine) and diesel (1.5 litre engine) options, priced between Rs.12.99 lakh and Rs.14.40 lakh.

“The ‘Fluence’ was designed for the Asian market and hence we are confident that it will not only shake up the segment, but also give the Indian customer their first taste of what Renault is capable of bringing to the Indian market,” Renault India Managing Director Marc Nassif told journalists here. In 2010, Renault sold 1.30-lakh units of the Fluence globally.

“India is one of the three key strategic countries in Renault’s international operations. Our aim is to sell 1-lakh cars by 2013. We aim to become one of the top three international automakers in India,” Mr. Nassif added.

Renault, which has global alliance Japan’s Nissan, has committed an investment of Rs.4,500 crore by 2015 at Chennai facility to produce 4-lakh units annually. The French carmaker is also considering setting up an engine plant at the facility, besides setting up a full-fledged Renault DeSign Studio in Mumbai and a global logistics centre in Pune.

According to Renault Indian Deputy Managing Director Sudhir Rao: “Against our plan to start with eight dealer outlets, we have 14 fully operational dealers…and by end of 2011, we will be ramping up to 40 dealers pan-India. We will have the full range of 5 cars and 100 dealerships by December 2012.”

He further said: “In 2010, Renault had sourced components worth 35 million euros from India, while this year it will be between 75-80 million euros. By 2012, it is expected to reach 100 million euros.”

Referring to the company arrangement with Bajaj Auto to produce ultra low cost (ULC) car, Mr. Nassif said: “If it (ULC) really matches our DNA, we will go ahead. If the quality of development matches with the promises we see, we will go ahead.”
source:'the Hindu'

photos credit: indianautosblog.com

*** I told ya earlier. i can't keep up with this market anymore*** I'm waiting for the new Swift to be launched and then mercifully close this thread.lolzzz

[jasroop81]

@nick
the FLUENCE looks impressive ..and the pricing puts it bang in ALTIS,CIVIC,LAURA range..only if RENAULT don't goff up wid service quality,I think they can sell well..
I wonder why hav RENAULT not introduced a fully loaded diesel variant like petrol variant.. may be they think diesel customer does not demand luxury...BIG MISTAKE..