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.

Maruti Alto 800- Launched at Rs.2.44 Lakh

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This is my first blog.....I'll give a brief description about this blog. This blog vehicleteaserblogspot.com is informative, critics about the vehicles.

Maruti Alto 800- Launched at Rs.2.44 Lakh

 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, codenamed as YE3, is touted to be the replacement model for the company’s current bestselling brand, Maruti Suzuki Alto. Expected to be launched during the festive season this year, the upcoming model happens to be one of the most anticipated models of the Indian auto industry. Reportedly, the new avatar model comes at a time when Maruti Suzuki’s bestselling Alto is witnessing a gradual decrease in its sales volumes in India. Alto, which once generated massive sales figures, has been struggling of late with only 3,08,288 units sold in fiscal 2012, marking a fall of 11 per cent under the review of figures recorded in last fiscal. It is believed that the auto major will position the new launch a bit above its previous generation model and lower than the Hyundai Eon.

 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, backed by the legendary names of Maruti 800 and the country’s bestseller Alto, is expected to follow the same story of success and carve huge client base in India. Alike the aforementioned two models, the new car is also anticipated to offer best-in-class mileage and easy maintenance to its buyers.

 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, at first glance appears to have borrowed styling elements from several models. Front fascia of the car resembles a lot to that of the Maruti Suzuki A-Star, whereas its rear end is quite similar to that of the Hyundai i10. However, the major USP of the car happens to be its unmatched headroom, which will set it apart from not only the existing Alto and the Maruti 800, but also with every member of the entry-level small car family.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, post launch, will compete with the likes of Hyundai Eon, Chevrolet Spark and Tata Nano. Considering the Indian auto industry's ultra-competitive small car segment and a plethora of worthy contenders, analysts believe that the auto maker needs to price its new model right in order to succeed and bring in decent volumes. It is anticipated that the yet-to-be launched model from the stables of Maruti Suzuki will come with a price tag starting from Rs. 2 lacs, which is a little above the outgoing Alto F8D.

 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 has been a work-in-progress project by the company’s engineers since four years. The initiative was started in the wake of the fact that the fast emerging small car segment of Indian automotive market is offering huge opportunities to every car maker in the country. Considering the level of competition posed by other auto makers in the same segment, it can be safely assumed that the availability of a diesel option in Maruti Suzuki’s product portfolio will enable it to stand apart from the league.

 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 should not be confused with the Cervo model, which is available in Japan, as both the models do not have anything in common among themselves. Cervo happens to be a pricier model, which is at par with the WagonR and thus, it is not feasible to launch the car in the sub-Rs. 3 lacs category in India. It is also possible that the Cervo hatch may never debut in the country as for that Maruti Suzuki will have to shell out a large sum in form of royalties to its parent company, Suzuki Motor.

 Engines & Specifications of Maruti Suzuki Alto 800

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, remains a mystery as far as the technical specifications are concerned since the car maker has not revealed them yet. However, it is expected that the F8D powertrain serving on the current model will be fine-tuned to feature on the new model as well. It is also possible that the car maker may tone-down the K10 motor to 800 cc range and use it to power the upcoming model of Alto. Both the variants of upcoming Alto are expected to come mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox. On the other hand, analysts believe that the Maruti Suzuki needs to come up with a powertrain that could outperform the 814 cc engines and are built to deliver 55 bhp of maximum power, outpacing models like Hyundai i10.

Performance of Maruti Suzuki Alto 800

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 engine will a displacement of 796 cc. It is believed that the petrol engine in the upcoming model will have the potential to churn out a maximum power of 46 bhp at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 62 Nm at a low 3,000 rpm.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is bound to offer a brilliant drivability, since the model will be incorporated with McPherson strut front suspensions with torsion type roll control device and coil spring gas filled shock absorbers at the rear end. The tubeless and puncture resistant radial tyres serving on the existing Alto are expected to be carried over the new model to ensure a stress free drive. Besides, the new Alto 800 will feature large air-inlet dams, located above and under the front spoiler to deliver an aggressive stance to the car. The air dams ensure that there should be sufficient airflow through the air conditioning radiators in order to keep the heat at minimum, thus, improving the fuel efficiency of the model.

Exterior, Interior & Safety Features of Maruti Suzuki Alto 800

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 has been spotted several times doing rounds around the country and from the images it is evident that the auto maker has kept its design rather basic. The car, which is scheduled to be introduced in the Indian auto industry, also has a slight resemblance with the Alto being sold in Japan. Reportedly, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is designed on the manufacturing platform of existing Alto; however, the car features a complete overhaul at its exteriors. Being based on the same platform, the new car seems to have retained the dimensions of the existing model; though, it appears to be a bit longer than the existing model. Coming to its front part, the snout of the car seems to be inspired by a blend of Maruti Suzuki A-Star and Ford Figo.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 boasts of a distinctive personality with curvy lines stretching from headlights till the lower edges of the front windshield. From the images being spotted on the internet, it seems that the windshield of the new model is strikingly similar to that of the existing Alto. This can probably be an attempt by the car maker to save costs using component sharing measures. Providing an extra charm to the new avatar Alto, there is a horizontal chrome strip between the bonnet and the front spoiler, which bears the moniker of Suzuki in centre.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800's side profile is again quite similar to that of the current Alto; however the new car comes with flared wheel arches and a streamlined stretching, right from the front part till the rear end, similar to that of Honda Brio. The new edition Alto will come with a taller roof line than the regular alto, ensuring better headroom and a capacious cabin. Moreover, the auto major has reduced the size of engine compartment, which extends space within the cabin. Taking the spacious feeling a little further, the windows are bit bigger in the new model making the cabin more airy and bright. Interiors of the upcoming Alto, carved using grey fabric, features sloppy dashboard and integrated head restraints in front seats.

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 seems to have extensively borrowed its styling from A-Star at its rear end with identical rear windshield and similar placement of the company’s logo on the rear boot lid. The position of tail lamps and its shape seems to be highly inspired from that of the Hyundai i20.

Considering the safety features packed within the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, the company officials have not come forward. Industry experts believe that the upcoming model may share the dynamic braking system from the existing Alto, which provides the driver a complete control over the vehicle. Moreover, the special emergency braking system can be easily traversed across difficult terrains, making Alto a proper vehicle to travel through.

Fact Sheet:

Make	Maruti Suzuki
Model	Alto
Fuel Types	Petrol
Price	Rs. 2 - 3 lakhs
Key Specifications	0.8 litre engine with a displacement of 796 cc. Maximum power produced by petrol engine will stand at 46 bhp with a peak torque of 62 Nm.