Duster moves India’s position in Renault global map
Sources told, that the heady market response to the recently launched Duster SUV has played an important part in catapulting Renault India to this ranking. The crisis in Europe, which has seen a significant shrinkage in key markets, has also helped the cause.

It is, therefore, “very likely” that India could even climb by another two positions during the course of 2013. At present, it is just behind Spain which has clearly seen better days.

The momentum generated by the Duster could result in Renault targeting production of over one lakh units from its Chennai plant next year. This will also include other models such as the Pulse compact and Scala sedan.
Revival agenda

In its third quarter results declared a couple of months ago, the company had outlined France, Brazil, Russia and Germany as its top four markets followed by Argentina, Algeria, Iran, Turkey, Spain and Italy. With growth focused on emerging markets like India coupled with the ongoing mess in Europe, sources say it is only a matter of time before these rankings see a dramatic change.

The first time Renault unveiled its ‘Drive the Change’ plan in early 2011, the world was a different place with Europe, in particular, nowhere close to the abyss it has sunk into. At that point, India was targeted to be the 11th largest market by next year. The top management had reiterated that along with Brazil and Russia, it would be one of the big growth engines of the future.

Soon after its break-up with Mahindra & Mahindra in the Logan joint venture, Renault has been focusing on a ‘step-by-step’ approach to its India revival agenda. It launched the Fluence and Koleos SUV quickly followed by the Pulse and Scala. However, it was the Duster that whipped up the big numbers and has been growing from strength to strength since then.
Team Renault India

The fact that SUVs have been registering good growth in an otherwise somnambulistic car market has clearly helped the Duster’s cause. Yet, there was tremendous hard work put in by the Renault India team to get everything right -- from the features and mileage to the final price. The Duster has also begun its global journey from India to the UK with other RHD (right-hand drive) markets likely to follow in due course.

Renault is betting big on its next project, the global compact car which will retain the French company’s ‘premium DNA’ and be priced upwards of Rs 4 lakh. It will be part of the B-plus segment which is seeing brisk growth led by models such as the Suzuki Swift, Ford Figo and Toyota Etios.

Mercedes-Benz India to hike price from January

A constant increase in input costs and unfavorable exchange rates coupled with inflation has posed a severe strain on margins,” Mercedes-Benz India said in a statement.

The company, however, did not specify the quantum of the proposed price hike. “We aim for a sustainable profitable growth maintaining our premium appeal and hence, we are going to substantially increase the prices of all Mercedes-Benz cars from January 2013,” Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director & CEO Eberhard Kern said.

He said a significant level of cost escalations have been absorbed by the company till now, but beyond a point it could continue to sustain such levels.Mercedes-Benz India sells a range of luxury vehicles, including the B Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, M-Class and the GL class with prices starting at Rs 21.9 lakh and going up to Rs 1.07 crore (ex-showroom Delhi).
Audi, a major competitor in the segment, has announced similar plans to hike prices from January, while other car makers such as Maruti Suzuki India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and General Motor India have said they would hike prices from January.
Similarly, Honda Cars India, Volkswagen and Nissan are also considering such a move.

 

Force Motors to invest Rs 1,000 cr in 3 yrs

Bangalore: Force Motors plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore in the next 2-3 years for the launch of new models as well as ramping up production, a top company officials said here on Monday.

“We plan to invest Rs 1,000 crore in the next two-three years,” Force Motors Chief Operating Officer and President (sales and marketing) Naresh Kumar Rattan told reporters here after the launch of company’s mid-size bus, the 26-seater Traveller.

The company has two plants at present — at Akurdi in Pune and Pithampur — with a combined capacity to produce 66,000 vehicles annually. Company officials said a new plant would come up at Pithampur in the coming financial year, taking the overall capacity to 80,000 vehicles.Rattan said the company would also launch a new van (a multi-purpose vehicle) in the next fiscal.

The firm said the Traveller 26 monocoque panel van is 15 per cent more fuel efficient than comparable models and it would initially be priced at Rs 11,07,673 (ex-showroom). Rattan said the company’s turnover is expected to go up to Rs 2,750 crore in the current fiscal from Rs 2,085 crore in the last financial year. “We are scaling up the volumes to reach a turnover of Rs 10,000 crore in five years,” he added.

Force Motors’ range includes small commercial vehicles, multi-utility and cross-country vehicles, light commercial vehicles and agricultural tractors. It recently entered into personal vehicles arena with the launch of sports utility vehicle, the Force One.

The company has set up a dedicated facility for Daimler for assembling and testing engines for Mercedes passenger cars made in India. Till date, it has supplied over 28,000 engines.

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Nissan Commercial 2012

Nissan Commercial Juke.....

Nissan's teaser images released.......

Nissan is building more hype after making an earlier promise to deliver a 'Dramatic' model at the Sao Paulo Motor Show by releasing 2 teaser images as preview.

Nissan had recently vowed to bring a 'Dramatic' unnamed concept model to the forthcoming Sao Paulo Show through their Senior Vice President & Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura. Nissan looks set to cash in on their promise as they officially release two teaser images to build curiosity and create hype. 
 
"The showcar will dazzle on two counts," said Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Nissan. "It is a genuinely new and exciting concept, and it will explode with energetic design and impressive colour that fully express our impression toward the country." 

While the teaser images has served its purpose of teasing and leaves the rest to our imagination, it would appear the unnamed concept is likely a sporty coupe that borrows styling inspiration from the GT-R, including the front grille design and the heavily sculpted front fenders that incorporates air outlets. 

Billionaires Drive , Net Worth

The cars that billionaires drive, their Net worth.

Warren Buffett, Investments, US, Net worth: $49.9 billion

Warren Buffett, the third richest man in the world is often accused of being a miser. Buffet owned a 2001 Lincoln Town Car that, symbolically enough, had a license plate that read 'Thrifty'. In 2007, the investment genius sold the car on eBay for $73,200 and made a profit of $11,000, which he donated to charity.

Mukesh Ambani, Petrochemicals, oil and gas, India, Net worth: $30.6 billion

India's richest man, RIL's Mukesh Ambani is no stranger to luxury. His $2 million, 60-storey house coming up in the heart of posh Mumbai reportedly has a parking space for 168 cars. Ambani currently owns the $1.2 million Mercedes Maybach 62, a Mercedes S Class and a Mercedes SL500.

Lawrence Ellison, Oracle, US, Net worth: $29.8 billion

Oracle Software founder, Lawewnce Ellison is perhaps the most eccentric and extravagant of the billionaires' club. He owns a Russian MiG fighter plane as well as an America's Cup racing yacht. However, for the road, Ellison prefers his 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur. A car built for comfort, the Flying Spur's interiors are made from 11 cowhides. Oh, and by the way, at 200mph, it is also the fastest 4-door production car in the world.

Eike Batista, Mining oil, Brazil, Net worth: $29 billion

Following closely on the heels of Larry Ellison, both in terms of personal wealth and lifestyle choice, is oil baron Eike Batista. The Brazilian flies around the world in his own $26 million Embraer Legacy 600 business jet, he owns the $19 million Pershing 115 luxury yacht and a $1.7 million racing boat which needs an engine change after each race. But what defines this billionaire is the fact that he has a $500,000 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren parked in his living room in Rio de Janeiro.

Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA, Sweden, Net worth: $23 billion

If you thought Warren Buffet was 'Thrifty', you haven't met Ingvar Kamprad yet. The IKEA founder is on the opposite end of the scale that Larry Ellison and Eike Batista occupy, driving around his native Sweden in a Volvo 240 GL. And yes, he still takes the bus.

Alice Walton, Wal-Mart heiress, US, Net worth: $20.6 billion

The Wal-Mart heiress has had her fair share of extravagance, owning Porsches over the past years. However, ever since she ran over a woman with her Porsche in 1989, Walton has stayed away from the flashy. She now prefers large trucks, currently driving a 2006 Ford F-150 King Ranch.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud, Saudi Arabia, Net worth: $20 billion

If you belong to a royal family, and the Saudi one at that, rest assured luxury will follow you even if you don't want it to. So, it comes as no surprise that the Prince, who owns 3 palaces, a $500 million yacht, and a private Boeing 747 with an Airbus A380 on the way, should cruise the roads in a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Steven Ballmer, Microsoft, US,  Net worth: $14.5 billion

From the extravagant to the frugal: Steven Ballmer, Microsoft's current CEO, prefers Lincolns, like Warren Buffet. Ballmer, whose father worked at the Ford Motor Company for 30 years, stays true to his Motor City roots, driving a 1998 Lincoln Continental.

Michael Dell, Dell, US, Net worth: $13.5 billion

Bringing up the tail of the billionaires list is the man who gave us the personal computer, Michael Dell. When the skies are clear and the sun beats down, the Dell founder prefers his 2004 Porsche Boxster - a two-seater, 6-cylinder, top down beauty. However, when the weather turns, Dell drives about town in his monstrous 2005 Hummer H2 SUV.

Tata's Nano to hit US market..

Washington: A new mini-car could be rolling onto the US automotive market within three years, as Indian automaker Tata has announced plans to redesign its Nano no frills mini-car for release in the US.

"The US is a very enticing market," said Ratan Tata, CEO of India's Tata Group in an interview with Automotive News. "We hope that the (sub-$10,000), Rs 5.27 lakhs car has appeal."

The current Nano is an egg-shaped four-seater initially launched in India as an alternative to scooters. It went on sale in 2009 with a price tag of about ($2,500), Rs 1.31 lakhs making it the world's cheapest car.

To compete in the US, the Nano would have to undergo redesigns to meet American standards including adding power steering and traction control. Even with the updates, the Nano is estimated to hit the US market with a price tag of about ($8,000), 4.21 lakhs. That would make it America's cheapest car beating out the Mexican-made Nissan Versa that retails for ($11,750), Rs 6.19 lakhs .

The new version of the Nano will also come with a bigger engine and "more bells and whistles", according to reports. Tata says it is also redesigning the Nano for Europe as well.

The country's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs.165,654 crore (over $31 billion) in 2011-12, Tata Motors has subsidiaries and associates in Britain, South Korea, Thailand, Spain and South Africa.