New Small Cars in India

India is one of the largest small cars market in the world. All auto manufacturers around the world are eyeing on the Indian small cars market to increase their global sales figures. Tata Motors are ready to launch its most anticipated model Tata Nano in India in the ultra-cheap small cars market segment, The other auto manufacturers of premium small cars are also not lagging behind.
The leading auto manufacturer Honda Motor Co is also ready to launch Honda Jazz in the segment of small cars in India by June 2009. Honda Jazz is expected to be priced at the range of Rs. 5-6 lakh and will share its platform with Honda City. Honda Jazz is expected to be powered by specially developed 1.2L engine. The car was showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2008 and is much awaited model from Honda.

Maruti Suzuki is also planning to launch its most awaited model Maruti Ritz in the segment of small cars in India by April 2009. Maruti has launched its A-Star last year in small cars segment and now its plans to splash the country with its new car Maruti Ritz that would also be in the segment of small cars in India. Maruti Ritz is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 4.5-5.5 lakh and will be powered by 1.2L petrol engine as well as 1.3L multi-jet diesel engine.

Hyundai to launch i20 on December 28th

Hyundai Motors India Limited plans to launch its new car, the new Hyundai i20 on December 28. The slow market conditions and falling car sales are not holding back the company to introduce its latest model in i-series. Hyundai Motors is plans to launch this 5-door hatchback car on December 28th. The car made its debut this year in October at the Paris Motor Show and will be priced in Rs. 5-5.5 lacs.

The launch of this new model will be pitted against Maruti Suzuki Swift Zxi and Skoda Fabia which priced at Rs. 5.08 lakh and Rs. 5.24 lakh respectively. The company official said that they will unwrap this new model on 28 December 2008, and it will sport the 1.4 litre petrol Kappa engine that empowers the car. The company has already started exporting Hyundai i20 to European markets in November'08 as this model will replace Hyundai Getz in Europe. In India also, the company does not committal about the phase out of Getz in India.

Dirigindo em trechos alagados

Voltando de férias e após muita chuva e alguns alagamentos, resolvi colocar um post sobre este assunto que esta virando rotina.

Esta é uma situação que sempre que possível, deve ser evitada até mesmo em rua asfaltadas. Pois não é possível avaliar o estado da pista à frente.

Se não foi possível evitar o alagamento, é recomendado verificar se a lamina de água não ultrapassa o limite do centro da roda, pois acima disto a água pode danificar o veículo seriamente.

Ao atravessar um trecho alagado, procure deixar a velocidade em torno de 10 km/h, utilizando a 1ª marcha. É importante ficar atento a veículos de grande porte pois eles geram ondas que podem aumentar a probabilidade de danos.

O problema mais grave que pode ocorrer é a entrada de água no motor pelo sistema de captação de ar de admissão. A entrada da água impede o movimento dos pistões parando o veículo imediatamente. Neste caso não tente ligar o carro novamente, pois pode aumentar os danos.

Muito cuidado com as correntezas, pois nestes casos o veículo poderá ser arrastado. Até mesmo alguns centímetros de água podem impedir o contato dos pneus com a pista e causar perda de tração e capotagem do veículo.

Ford Ikon scores highest in the entry mid-size segment

Ford's entry-level sedan the Ford Ikon scored highest in the entry mid-size segment according to the JD Power Asia Pacific 2009 India Initial Quality Study SM (IQS). Ford Ikon is the clear winner in its segment scoring 90 PP100 in this J.D. Power study while the industry scores averaging at 123 PP 100 in the entry mid-size segment for Overall New -Vehicle Quality in India.

Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India, commenting on this commendable achievement told that the results speak for itself. It’s about a quantum leap in quality that companies vehicles demonstrate and their laser-focus and commitment to produce world-class quality vehicles for this market that exceed customer expectations.

Both the Ford Ikon and the Ford Endeavour earlier this year had won top scores for 2009 J.D Power Vehicle Dependability in the entry midsize and SUV segment respectively. The Ford Ikon has been ranked No. 1 and much stronger in the initial vehicle quality as compared to the Maruti Swift Dzire and Tata Indigo in the entry mid-size segment. The much awaited cars in India are Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X and Volkswagen Beetle.

Ford to be Launched new Ford Fiesta before LA Auto Show

Ford Auto company has recently launched a limited edition of Ford Fiesta , the model was completely sold out during the launch period. Ford Fiesta is a extremely -successful in entry-level sedan segment models in India. New Ford Fiesta is being launched in the international market soon. New model is now available in the informer preview. Ford Fiesta 2011 model will be available as a sedan and in addition to hatchback model in the US Market. In North America, it's considered to be small car. The new upcoming model with new design and style will lose, because it's not same to European styling, also with the new images of 2011 of Fiesta, according to auto industry experts. But minor changes in the picture shows. The company was done to the European-sourced of Fiesta in which order to meet US concept. Additional changes will be there as minor cosmetic and option changes. Still, there aren't many details available by seeing the leaked pictures. Ford will introduce the car with complete details on Dec 02. Volkswagen also planning to launch a new Volkswagen Beetle and Volkswagen Polo models in India.

Car co experiencing growth in June too

The car companies are enjoying growth in the consecutive seventh month, June. Thanks to the new car launches and low interest rate on auto loans. Maruti Suzuki continued its strong performance by selling 61,773 vehicles in th month which is 10 per cent more than in the same period last year. It also posted a three-fold increase in exports to 13,336 vehicles , taking its June tally 75,109 units. Robust exports helped Hyundai Motor India post 18% increase in sales in June to 47,267 cars. Tata Motors posted flat sales at 17,039 cars in the month compared with 17,017 units sold in June last year. Sales of the Indigo sedan declined 26% to 3,522 units in the month. Utility vehicle Sumo and Safari declined 11% to 3,307 units last month. Mahindra and Mahindra’s (M&M ) domestic sales jumped 24% to 22,526 units in June. Honda Siel Cars recorded a 6.5% increase in sales to 5,039 units on the back of the 2,032 dispatches of its newly launched Jazz hatchback to dealers.

Auto sector growth rate 3% in 2008-09

Auto industry has witnessed a modest growth of three per cent in the year 2008-09. It was 13.6 per cent in 2006-07 while it fell into red (-2.3%) in 2007-08. These figures were disclosed during the presention of Economic Survey in Parliament on Thursday. Although auto industry production grew at a CAGR of 11.5 per cent over the last five years. Auto sector turnover crossed Rs 2 lakh crore in the last fiscal whereas the industry employs 10.5 million people, directly as well as indirectly. "The industry has a strong multiplier effect on the economy due to its deep forward and backward linkages with several key segments of the economy," a finance ministry statement said. The automobile industry, which was plagued by the economic downturn amidst a credit crisis, managed a growth of 0.7 per cent in 2008-09 with passenger car sales registering 1.31 per cent growth while the commercial vehicles segment slumped 21.7 per cent.