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.

Maruti Suzuki to Add more Diesel Variants

The Indian car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki recognizing the growing demand for diesel cars is planning to add more diesel variants to its stable. Presently the sporty hatch Swift, graceful Swift Dzire, and recently launched Ritz is available in both petrol and diesel variants.

Customers too opt for diesel version over the petrol version and the demand is so high that people have actually wait for nearly 3-5 months to get the diesel cars after booking.

Now a day’s many car manufacturers are focusing more on diesel cars as they are the first choice of consumers. Diesel cars are not only economical but also provide better fuel efficiency compare to the petrol version.

Tata Motors too is expanding its diesel line and this could be one of the reasons for its closest rival Maruti Suzuki to expand its diesel product line. The competition in the Indian car industry is really high and every car manufacturer is thinking of different ways to crown the position.

Eight New Models from Nissan by 2012

Nissan is planning to strengthen its position in the Indian car market by introducing eight new models in the country by 2012.  All these models will comprise of both imported models as well as locally assembled models from the manufacturers plant at Chennai.

These eight models will also include a car from the small car segment called Micra which the company is planning to introduce in the Indian car market by 2012.Micra which is also known as March will be available in both petrol and diesel variants Micra which will be positioned against the sporty Maruti Suzuki Swift is first small car from Nissan for India.

Micra/March petrol variant will be come with a 1.2-litre three cylinder engine and the diesel engine will be powered by a .5-litre Renault engine which is presently used in Mahindra Renault Logan.

There is also speculation that Micra would be followed by a sedan version which would be developed on Micra platform and will compete with Swift Dzire. The other models from the lists include compact SUV and a MUV for the markets of India which will be manufactured at the at Chennai plant.

Honda Jazz an Expensive Small Car

Honda will be launching its premium hatchback Jazz in the Indian market by June 10^th with the price tag of Rs 7 Lakh. After Nano now it’s Jazz which is hitting the headlines. Jazz is the first small car from Honda stable for India and looks like the car manufacturer is all set to foray the small car segment.

Jazz is the one of the expensive small car, first one being Fiat 500 which comes with the price tag of Rs 15 Lakh. Jazz which will be powered by a by a 1.2-liter engine would be tough competitor for its rivals like Skoda Fabia, Ford Fusion, Tata Indigo, Maruti D’Zire, and also the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Ritz.

The Jazz engine is said to be developed especially for the Indian market. In contrast with other small cars, Jazz boasts with capacious interior and safety features like ABS, Honda’s G-CON technology, and airbags.

Fiat’s Made-in-India Small Car

Fiat’s made-in-India small car will go global by 2012. The proposed car may share its looks with the Fiat 500 but will be designed on a completely new platform.

It will be designed and produced using Indian components as well as Indian expertise. It will have a completely Indian touch. Though it will be a low-cost car it will not compete with Nano as the price of the car will be comparatively higher. In the Indian car market Fiat’s small car will compete with Hyundai Santro and Maruti Suzuki WagonR. The car is to be produced in the company’s Ranjangaon facility.

Fiat also has plans to roll out the Bravo and Punto. With all these launches Fiat desires to gain back the lost foothold in the Indian car market. This desire was moved into action with the launch of Fiat 500 after a gap of fifty years.

A-Star from Maruti Suzuki

So, now after a long wait, the shining A-Star from Maruti Suzuki has landed on earth. The car makes a thrilling debut in the Indian car industry with its brilliant styling, unmatched performance and excellent fuel efficiency.

 

This global car is a perfect blend of modernity and ethnicity. Powered by 1.0 Litre K10B petrol engine, the engine is mated with a 5 speed manual transmission that together delivers a comfortable and pleasurable riding experience.

 

The new rocking A-Star is available in three variants-Lxi, Vxi and the top end model Zxi. Available with a price tag of around Rs 3.5 Lakh, the five-seater car boasts its   exterior with imposing headlamp, cornet shaped tail lamps and low grille, raised hood, larger air dam, and attractive eye shaped headlamps. The exterior features add to the engaging sporty appeal of the car.

 

Even the interior is mind blowing with contemporary and traditional design. Embellished with a host of innovations and attractive car features including appealing instrumentation, sculpted aero-dashboard, floating cockpit, and spacious cabin, the car carves its own niche in the market.

 

Another striking feature of the A-Star is the green technology that meets the European ELV norms with 85 per cent of its car recyclable. Now, another impressive feature is the mileage that accounts for around 19 kmpl, as tested by ARAI, Pune (Indian automotive research agency).

Another small car from Honda

Honda’s upcoming car, Jazz is globally considered the smallest car in Honda’s stable. With the raising inflation, the company is thinking of introducing a car smaller than Jazz.

Foreseeing the fuel shortage and as well as aiming greener environment, Honda is also working on small cars that will consume less fuel and will be lower in CO2 emissions. In As a future plan, the company is plans launch small and affordable hybrid engines. Honda also plans to add more number of diesel variants in its product line.

Honda Jazz will be hit the Indian roads by 2009 and in couple of years will roll out another small car.

Looks like Honda is going strong with the range of small cars in India.

Fiesta from Sedan to Hatchback

Ford Motors India tasted the success of its popular model Ford Fiesta and now it is time for the magic of success to flow from the sedan to small car segment. The company is planning to introduce the supermini Fiesta hatchback.

Looks like we are soon to see this dashing hatchback on the Indian roads as t with a new porch is found testing across the Chennai roads. The company is trying to study the car’s performance on Indian roads in accord to the Indian weather conditions.

Ford plans to roll out Fiesta hatchback to India by 2009 and this supermini car is going to give a real tough competition to Skoda Fabia and the upcoming Honda Jazz.

Fiat Launches 500

The news were in the air that Fiat has plans to roll out revamped Fiat 500 in India but no one was sure whether this is a pondering plan or a proposed launch. But now the speculations are over, here comes the Fiat 500!

The much awaited, Fiat 500, finally made its debut in India. Fiat 500 being an icon of Italian style was accompanied by an Italian style celebration that was filled joy and excitement echoing in the Taj Land’s End in Mumbai. Celebrated in an Italian style, the launch was witnessed by the moons and stars of Mumbai.

Fiat 500, popularly known as Cinquecento in Italy, is launched as a great combination of success and style. The car was originally designed by Dante Giocosa and first launched in Turin 1957. If you calculate the numbers of years in between, it is exactly 50 years that the car travelled on a comeback trail to announce its new arrival in one of the most growing economies of the world, India.

The re-launch of this new car after 50 years has generated nostalgia among all its car lovers. But, Fiat promises to offer much more than this to all ardent lovers of Fiat 500. The comeback is not restricted to the likes and dislikes of the existing customers but the launch is widespread on a broader scale of enhanced performance and effectiveness to lure more number of customers.

Fiat 500 will be available in two trims and 11 unique colors. Both the trims, Lounge and Sport, will be powered by a 1.3 multijet engine generating 75bhp of power.

The car will also be outfitted with a significant in-car communication, infotainment and entertainment system known as “Blue & Me”. This is the voice activated in-car communication system designed and introduced by the Fiat and Microsoft venture.

This new small car also has a provision of modification and customization to meet the varying interest of the customers and ensure uniqueness of every Fiat 500. Priced at around 15 lakh, the car will be launched only in selected cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Pune, where the super-affluent class can walk into the Tata-Fiat showrooms and drive out with the elegant and stylish Fiat 500.

This new car is expected to create a strong base for the entry of Fiat upcoming cars, Linea, Punto and Bravo.