Fiat launches new variants of Grande Punto with 1.2L petrol engine

     Fiat has launched two new variants of its hatchback Grande Punto in India priced at Rs 4.57 lakh and Rs 4.87 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.

     The new variants Fire Dynamic and Emotion is powered by a 1.2L FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotised Engine). Earlier the two variants were driven by a 1.6L petrol engine and with the new smaller engine, the new variants will cost consideralby less as it comes under small car category in terms of engine specifications.

     The Punto Fire launched today comes with a tilt steering, front power windows, fire prevention system and programmed service reminder in its entry level 1.2 Active variant.

Toyota increase prices of its vehicles in India

     Toyota has incresed the prices of its vehciles in India after hike in the export duty done in the budget this year. The increased prices are as follows

Fortuner price hike by Rs 30,500/-

Corolla Altis price hike by Rs 18,900/-

Innova price hike by Rs 16,000/-

Tata displayed Nano Electric Vehicle at Geneva Motor Show

     Tata Motors launched the Electic variant of its popular small car at the Geneva Motor Show. The Electric Nano whcih is christened Nano EV is primarily aimed at European Market. The electric motor and battery pack has been neatly incorporated in the car withought affecting is functionality.

     Along with the Nano EV was none other than the latest entry in the Tata family, The Aria - which is supposed to be the best Tata ever yet. Aria will go on sale in UK in early 2011. Aira has been designed according to the European standards and Tata is expecting to get a 4 star ratings in the EuroNACP.

Rs 2.5 lakh car from Nissan for India

     Nissan is seriously considering a feasibility study on a Rs 2.5 lakh car for India and China Markets. Speaking on the occasion of the launch of Nissan Micra at the Geneva Motor Show, Executive Vice-President, Nissan Motor Company, Mr Colin Dodge said.

"We believe there is huge potential for a car in the gap between the ultra-low cost car that Bajaj is developing and the Nissan Micra" said Colin DodgNissan has revealed that it is seriously studying the feasibility of a US$ 5000 car (approximately Rs. 2.5 lakh) for markets like China and India. "We believe there is huge potential for a car in the gap between the ultra-low cost car that Bajaj is developing and the Nissan Micra"

     Mr Dodge also said that Nissan will develop Rs 2.5 lakh car in association with its India Partner Ashok Leyland. He believes that engineers in Europe and Japan has lost the ability to design products the meets the low end of the market where as engineers in India look and design everything in cost point of view.

     With Suzuki and Hyundai along with Ford making India as a small car manufacturing hub, Nissan too do not want to fall back. Well suddenly the Nano has pulled the Automobile Giants into India, Thanks for the Tata small baby.

General Motors to stop Hummer production

     A sad news for Hummer fans! General Motors which owns the Hummer brand has decided to stop Hummer production and to wind off operations associated with Hummer brand.

     General Motors has been in talks with China based Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. Ltd., which showed interest in buying the Hummer brand. However the talks failed and the US auto major decided to wind off the Hummer operations.

     Not to forget, General Motors had filed for bankrupcy last year due to recession and started selling its sub brands to mobilise money to sustain in the industry. General Motors was succesful in selling SAAB brand to Spyker earlier this week.

     General Motors now wants to focus on its other brands, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac and want to work with Hummber employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner. The company will continue to provide service support and spare parts to current Hummer owners around the world.

Volkswagen launches Polo hatchback in India

     Volkswagen has launched its much anticipated small car Polo in India priced between Rs 4.34 to Rs 5.32 lakh ex-showroom New Delhi.


     Volkswagen Polo will be available in two engine options at present, a 1.2L petrol priced at Rs 4.34(base model) and 1.2L diesel(base model). The delivery of the 1.2L petrol car will start from March 2010 where as the diesel car would find its way by May this year. Both the models will be avilable in three trim levels - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline and will be sold at all the Volkwagen dealerships in the Country. A powerful 1.6L 102 bhp petrol engine is also on the cards, though only in Highline variant which will be unvieled some time in the third quarter.

     The 1.2L petrol motor pumps out a max power of 75bhp @ 5400 rpm and a Torque of 110NM @ 3750 rpm. The diesel mill with 1.2L capacity produces a decent power of 75bhp @ 4200 rpm and torque of 180 NM @ 2000 rpm. Both the engines are mated to a 5 speed manual transmission.

     The Polo promises to give the Indian customers the best of the quality of cars with advanced German engineering. The 1.2L 3 cylinder diesel motor seams to be a legendary engine with good power coupled with good fuel efficiency of around 30kmpl.

Third Generation Indica on the drawing boards

     Its was just about 2 years ago that Tata Motors launched the Second Genration of Indica hatch 'Vista' in India and the Thrid Generation Indica hatch is already on the drawing boards. The Third Generation Indica will be based on the Fiat platform, probably on the Punto and will be simultaneously in India as well as UK. The design work is being done by Italian design house Pinninfarina in which Tata has a considerable share.