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

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.

Taxi Version of Santro is out in Mumbai

 Santro from the Hyundai will be now seen in the black & yellow attire on the streets of Mumbai. At the ceremony organized in Mumbai, Hyundai handed over the first batch of Santro to the Taxi Union

Mumbai city which currently holds 50,000 taxis will be seen with only 30 Santro taxis initially as per the decision taken by the Taxi and Auto rickshaw Welfare Sangh. The state government has also decided to phase out 25 years old taxi models.  By 2009 the state government is planning to replace 7,000 old taxis.

The car manufacturer will sell around 1,250 Santro taxis, out of which 500 will be equipped with come with AC.

The company will also sell the tax version of Santro at a special price of Rs 2,42,300 for the taxi purpose in Mumbai. This is for the first time the car manufacturer entering the taxi segment.

Santro was launched in 1998 in India received a very good response from people leading to a good sales figure.

Santro from the Hyundai will be now seen in the black & yellow attire on the streets of Mumbai. At the ceremony organized in Mumbai, Hyundai handed over the first batch of Santro to the Taxi Union
Mumbai city which currently holds 50,000 taxis will be seen with only 30 Santro taxis initially as per the decision taken by the Taxi and Auto rickshaw Welfare Sangh. The state government has also decided to phase out 25 years old taxi models. By 2009 the state government is planning to replace 7,000 old taxis.
The car manufacturer will sell around 1,250 Santro taxis, out of which 500 will be equipped with come with AC.
The company will also sell the tax version of Santro at a special price of Rs 2,42,300 for the taxi purpose in Mumbai. This is for the first time the car manufacturer entering the taxi segment.
Santro was launched in 1998 in India received a very good response from people leading to a good sales figure.

Ford Indian to Launch Upgraded Endeavour

The SUV segment is in great demand and the completion is too growing really high. Every car manufacturer to top up the position comes out with models enhanced with innovative technology and features. Foreseeing the success of the upcoming Toyota Fortuner, Ford India is introducing the facelifted Endeavour in the Indian car market.

The specification, price and the launch date is still under cover but its said that the new Endeavour would be powered by a CRDi engine with an output of 143bhp which will be a replacement of indirect injection engine (equipped in Endeavour). The engine will be supported by a new 5 speed automatic transmission system against the 5 speed gearbox for the existing model. It will be also seen with new chrome grille and redesigned headlights adding more charm to the SUV.

The interior and exterior too will undergo minor changes Endeavour is the perfect off roader that shines on the Indian roads and hope that upgraded Endeavour will add more figures in their sales graph.

Honda to Launch Small Car with a Competitive Price Tag

Honda Jazz is still on the way to the Indian market with the price tag of Rs 7 Lakh. But looks like the Japanese car manufacturer has started liking the small car trend as the car manufacturers is working on another small car.

The new car will be seen with a competitive price of nearly Rs4.5 Lakh and to keep the low price the company decided to localize the components. This small car from Honda is going to challenge the other players of its segment. Currently the small car market is ruled by the Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai in India.

For the first time, the new model will have India as the lead market. Whereas the upcoming car Jazz will have Japan as the lead market and US was the lead market for the Accord and Civic and Thailand for City. The new small car is expected to be produced in mass volume from the company’s new Rajasthan facility.

Maruti 800 and Omni to be Modified

The Indian car leader Maruti Suzuki seems to be in a chaos regarding it two models Maruti 800 and Maruti Omni. Some time back there was a buzz in the market that these two models would be discontinued by 2015. This led a few disappointments as both the models have a unique place in the Indian car industry.

Nothing has been confirmed by the car manufacturer about the phasing out of these models. But now there seem to be a twist in the story as the latest information is that the car manufacturers is planning to modify both the models so that are in compliance with the Bharat Stage 4 emission norms by 2010.

With the latest emission norms, both the models will shine again on the Indian roads and there is no genuine reason to phase them out.  The company will definitely think of some way to attract its buyers and give a tough competition to world’s cheapest car Nano.

Lexus to Enter the Indian Car Market

Toyota Motors is planning to introduce its luxury car brand Lexus in the Indian car market. The news was always in the air but there was no confirmation. The Indian car industry is experiencing vast demands for the luxury car and this has encouraged the car manufacturer to go ahead with the decision.

Lexus as a brand came to existence in the year 1989 and since then there was no looking back for the brand. It attracted many buyers with its elegance and luxurious features without compromising on performance. As a result Lexus’s fame started growing worldwide and it became one of the top selling car brands.

The company has just confirmed the launch but there is no specific information on the date of launch or models that will make their debut in the market. There are many who have individually imported this brand and now with its presence in India, Lexus is going to give a tough competition to its rivals.

Chinese Car Manufacturers to Enter Indian Car Market

The Indian car market is already a prominent market with great potential for other car manufacturers. Now with the growing popularity of the Indian market, the Chinese car leaders are planning to try their luck here.

The Indian car market has attracted the Chinese car brands and as a result two important car manufacturers called Chery Automobile and Great Wall Motors are thinking strong to enter the Indian car industry. As we all know that for any car manufacturer it is important to have a local partner and the Chinese car manufacturers too are looking for the same.

All this while, the Chinese car company was concentrating on U.S. and European market. But after the recession bug hitting the market they decided to turn towards our country.

Chery is in discussion with the Sonalika group (makers of ICML Rhino RX) for small cars in India. And if everything falls on track then we can expect Cherry cars by2010. Whereas, Great Wall Motor (GWM) is looking for a local partner in India for launch of their products.

Audi A6 with Attractive Offer

Global car industry has been adversely hit by the recession and in order to fight and push the sales, the car manufacturers are coming out with various attractive offers. Just like other car manufacturers, the luxury car manufacturers are offering attractive packages.

Audi, the luxury car manufacturer too came up with a great offer “A zero percent financing rate and an extended four years warranty for the Audi A6 range in India”. This package comes with a 0% rate on finance for customers and an extended warranty of two years which is additional to the normal two years warranty. Audi A6 wants to foray passenger/sport luxury sedan segment. Currently it comes in four variants – 2.8 FSI, 3.2 FSI Quattro, 2.7 TDI and 3.0 TDI Quattro. A6 is a car with combination of luxury of a sedan and feel the adrenalin rush of a sports car.

Audi also hit the headlines with “Audi Top Assist”, the emergency road side assistance services across 95% of the major roads across India. Seems like Audi India is thinking big to strengthen its position in India.

Swift Sells More than Three Lakh Cars

Swift has given Maruti Suzuki a reason to celebrate. The Swift has sold more than 3 Lakh cars in just three years and eight months. Since it launch in 2005, Swift has made a great impression with its style, performance and rich features.

Here is an clear evidence of its popularity. The car made first sales figure of one Lakh cars in less than 21 months and the second one Lakh in less than 13 months and the third sales of one Lakh less than 11 months.

Swift entered the Indian market with the petrol variant and later come out with a powerful Fiat Multijet diesel engine. Mostly popular among the younger crowd, Swift prices ranges between Rs 4 Lakh to 5.7 Lakh.

It is not just the style and the sporty features that make the Swift different from other cars but is also its powerful performance and commendable fuel efficiency.