Nissan May Launch up to nine Models by 2012

The Japanese automaker Nissan has announced its plans of launching nine models in India within the next three years. The company is planning to manufacture five of them here in India and it will be launched by 2012. And, the company is aiming to garner five per cent of the local market.

Nissan together with Renault, its French parent company, is investing Rs 4,500 crore in a car plant here. This plant will start its commercial production from May next year and employment in the facility will increase to 3,000 by 2012.

Nissan has plan of launching three new models during 2009. But he did not specify the details. The company has just weeks before launched its facelifted models X-trial and Teana, in India.

Nissan is also expected to expand its dealerships from its current 11 to 55 by 2012. The Joint Venture would help in increasing its employee strength to 3,000 by 2012.

Renault’s Indian Plans

Renault, the French carmaker seems to be having an unpleasant time. The company is having a tough phase in the Indian car market. The most adored model of the car manufacturer, which it is producing with a Mahindra & Mahindra partnership, Logan, does not seem to bring the car company enough booty. And now the company has launched a new Logan Play to boost its sale during the festival season.

The ultra-low cost (ULC) car project, which the company has planned with Bajaj Auto and the Renault-Nissan combine also, does not seem to have any progress. The information still available is that there is a long way to go before the car finally gets launched.

The company has announced its plans to build a compact car, which will share its platform with the Nissan compact car. And this sharing of platform by Renault is to save on the money spend on product development. This would be a great helping hand for Renault and let us hope that this generous act by Nissan will help Renault regain its lost glory in India.

Toyota and Honda wants Indian Government to Redefine Small Cars

Toyota and Honda Motors, two Japanese carmakers, have requested the Indian government to transform the standards of classifying small car. And this is because of that the small cars have low tax compared to other car segments. Both the car manufacturers have said that emission norms, passenger safety, and fuel efficiency should be used to classify a car into a small or large car.

Toyota and Honda are both very renowned carmakers of the country and their opinions are expected be viewed seriously by the Indian government. Currently, under the government policy, a car with the length of 4-metre length and has a 1,200 cc petrol or 1,500 cc diesel engine has a lower 8% excise duty compared to 20% duty and there will be an additional Rs 15,000 levied in case of any other cars manufactured in India.

It is also interesting to note that both the companies, Toyota and Honda, are launching small cars in the near future

Honda Launches Facelifted Civic

The new facelifted 2010 Civic is launched by Honda. Available in the 1.8 L i-VTEC engine, new 2010 Honda Civic will be available in three variants namely SMT, VMT, and VAT.

The new sporty exteriors include curved fog light with garnish, newly designed alloy wheel,5 point metallic front grille, and restyled front sporty bumper. The crystalline octagonal tail lights and restyled dark smokey headlights improve the look of the new Civic.

The interiors of the new 2010 Civic have two tone luxury high quality fabric seats with matching fabric on door panels and armrest. The audio controls for the backseat and auxiliary Jack in the front seat give the machine an urbane feel. In both the VMT and VAT variants, the car has steering mounted cruise control system.

The car also has a range of safety features that ensures the complete safety of the passengers with ABS (Anti – Lock braking system) with EBD (Electronic Brake – Force Distribution System) and Brake Assist, and Dual SRS airbags. There are colouring options including Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Hebanero Red, Tafeta White, and Crystal Black Pearl. The price of the car is not yet available.

Facelifted Ford Endeavour Launched

Ford has unveiled its SUV, throughout the country in a phased manner, with a new look. The new design elements in the car are chrome-accented lower grille combining with wraparound headlamps and new-look front design with a multi-bar chrome grille.

The new Ford Endeavour has a contemporary style and is in two variants namely the 2.5-liter (offered with 4×2) Duratorq TDCi and the 3.0-litre (offered with 4×4) Duratorq TDCi common-rail engines. The SUV has a 16-inch alloy wheel is fitted with 245/70r16 tyres are new. There are even added features in the side mirrors.

The new Endeavour is priced at Rs. 17.99 lakh for the 3.0-litre 4X4 automatic transmission and Rs. 15.99 lakh for the 2.5-litre 4X2 manual transmission variant (Ex-Showroom, New Delhi).

Toyota Expanding Dealerships in the Country

Toyota Fortuner was launched in the Indian car market on August 24^th and it received a very warm welcome from the Indian car lovers. The booking of the car extended the actual number of units that is been allotted for the country. And it seems that this acceptance by the Indian customers has rooted a new thought in the company’s mind.

The company is planning to expand its business in the country which they think is essential to compete with the growing demands in the Indian car industry. And as a part of its expanding plans the company is looking to expand its dealership network in the country. And Toyota is planning to open more outlets, around 150 outlets by 2010.

The company is expecting to increase its business base in India in the next few years. The company is also planning to launch a new small car by 2011. And all of this will be helped with the emerging dealerships of the company.

New Maruti Plant in India

Suzuki Motor is planning big for India and is getting ready to face any competition from the other carmakers of the country. Suzuki, with its combined effort with Maruti, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, in India has been controlling a major part of the car market of the country and now the future plan of Suzuki is to expand and develop its business in the country.

Suzuki Motor has plans to build a new car factory in India and for this the company has plans to invest about $215 million. The company believes that this new initiative will improve and upgrade its production facilities.

The company expecting tougher competition in the county is expected to start production at its new facility by early 2011. The company is also expected to have an annual output capacity of around 250,000 cars.

Having a production capacity of 6.2 lakh units the Gurgaon plant mainly produces 800, Omni, Versa and Gypsy. The company has a production capacity of 6.2 lakh units.

As a part of its expanding plans, the company will shift the car production phase by phase from Gurgaon to the new Manesar unit, which is in Haryana, 50 kilometers away from New Delhi.

Fisichella joins the prancing horse until the end of 2009 season

After days of speculation and dilly-dallying, the truth has finally come out. Giancarlo Fisichella will join Ferrari after intense discussions between the Force India management, Fisichella & his associates as well as Team Scuderia Ferrari with immediate effect. His first race for team Ferrari will be at Monza, its home race.

Force India team principal and Chairman, Dr Vijay Mallya said, ‘Giancarlo and his management team approached me yesterday with the proposal from Ferrari. For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this. Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo’s long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India.’

He also clarified that there was no financial transaction involved between his team and Ferrari and that the move was done in ‘good faith’. Sources within the fraternity however seem to suggest the deal was done as Force India did owe some money for the Ferrari engine deal last season, and therefore the possibilities of a transaction were slim.

This move marks the end to all the speculation that was rife on the paddock at Spa after Felipe Massa’s stand-in and Ferrari test driver, Luca Badoer failed to perform for the second consecutive race. Badoer’s 14th and last was in contrast to team mate Kimi Raikkonen’s win at Belgium last weekend. Incidentally, Kimi had a long fought battle with Giancarlo Fisichella at the same race and called in for all his resources to stave off Fisichella, who eventually finished second.

The 36-year old’s strong pole qualifying performance and the first points for Force India did not go unnoticed by the Scarlet team, who were quick to make their move over the week. While Fisichella is currently being employed until the end of the season, it is not known if he will fill into Raikkonen’s shoes, which is speculated to be looking at pastures outside F1.

Meanwhile, Force India will find the going tough as it tries to fill in a driver for car number 21. Vitantonio Liuzzi, the test driver looks like a strong contender, but the team hasn’t confirmed the news yet.

Force India: The Force within

What a weekend it was to remember. This one certainly is for the history books, and in so many ways. Giancarlo Fisichella, having driven the race of his life, is expected to fulfil every Italian’s boy dream and get the call from the Scuderia. At Monza, of all places, it looks like he will race a Ferrari. We assume that when the invitation comes he will not accept it for our love for Force India which gave a fading hero the lucky break…

One imagines that the loan of Fisi to Maranello could just be the most profitable piece of business that Mr. Mallya will bank in this financial year.

But, for once, it’s not all about money. Force India proved, on Sunday anyway, that you don’t have to have the biggest, smartest motor home to take on the Big Budget Boys. Lots to mull over then, as we slide reluctantly from summer to autumn, while we anticipate with some relish the climax of the European Grand Prix season at magnificent Monza.

Fisichella. A weekend is a long time in Formula 1, and what a difference a day makes. First Barrichello strikes back, and now Fisichella reminds us that, yes, he has the talent, but not always the inclination. So, the old men are not done with yet, and maybe a bit of experience does in fact beat a new haircut and expensive sunglasses.>

Kimi-without-KERS would not have had a chance at Spa. Just take a look at the lap times. So where has Force India found this startling pace? In two very clever young designers, that’s where, and in a new team manager fresh from the McLaren Technology Centre. Add in the force of Vijay Mallya, the experience of Andy Stevenson, and you see that, in the right place and on the right day, this crew was going to get the car up the grid. And this was no flash in the pan. The car is quick, the engine is strong and they have been working very hard back at the old Jordan building at Silverstone. Wise heads, young heads and a driver with talent will eventually come good, and we should rejoice in another twist to this extraordinary tale of 2009.

What is good, however, is that the sport’s showcase – the Formula 1 World Championship – has rarely been so exciting. Just a few months ago, in Monte Carlo, Bernie Ecclestone declared that he thought the show was becoming a little boring, with the same man winning all the races. Not now. There will be further surprises.