BharatBenz – the new brand from Daimler for India

     German automobile giant Daimler AG has unvieled a new brand for India named ‘BharatBenz’. With the increasing demand of commercial vehicles in India, Daimler aims to gain maximum foothold with this new brand in the segment. The new brand BharatBenz will be limited to commercial vehicles like buses and trucks from Daimler Group in India.

     Under BharatBenz brand, Daimler has invested Rs 4,400 crore at a facility in Oragadam near Chennai which will manufacture 6 to49 tonnes commercial vehicles. Bharat Benz will compete with players like Sweden’s Volvo, Germany’s Man and America Navistar in India heavy vehicle segment.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG & Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars -

We would have liked to come to the country earlier but there was a slowdown. We are very clear that we want to take a leadership position in India. We have chosen a very promising product for this market.

2012 Proton Exora spied

     Proton has been in news for some time in India. The Malaysian company wants to set its foot hold in growing Indian car market but somehow is not able to make it. The company is searching for a potential partner to launch its cars namely Savvy and Saga initially and more products in the future.

     Proton Exora is one of the successful models in Proton line up. The MUV with its dashing looks and practicality would give a stiff competition to Innova in India. The next generation/ 2012 Exora has been spied being testing in winter conditions. However the 2012 will be a facelift with changes to front, rear and also on the side body panels. Interiors are expected to be same and so do the power trains. Hope we could see the new Exora in India soon.

Honda recalls ‘City’ in India for faulty valve train

     Honda has recalled its popular sedan ‘City’ in India for replacement for a faulty valve train. The recalled cars were manufactured between November 2008 and December 2009. According to the company 57,853 units had been manufactured during the period and all those will be recalled.

     The City need a change of lost motion springs which are compressed by rocker jams during normal engine use. These springs may bend or break causing abnormal engine noise and hence damaging the engine.

     The valve train replacement will be done free of cost and the company will communicate with the City owners directly. A microsite on Honda’s Indian website has also been created where customers can check weather their cars are affected

New Volkswagen Passat launch in India on March 29th

     Volkswagen will launch the new Passat sedan in India on 29th of March this year. The new Passat will be the 7th generation car and even though most of the body panels have been changed, the car looks similar to the earlier model. Nothing has been changed in terms of dimensions except for the length which is 4 mm longer than the outgoing car.


     New headlamp and tailamp assembly with chrome insertions are the only major changes in the exterior. The interior looks familiar with the earlier model but now gets lots of chrome treatment. Quality of interiors have been enhanced with use of quality materials.


     Initially, the Passat will be available in the same engine options – a 2.0 TDI diesel and 1.8 TSI petrol, both of which are familiar and being used in the earlier model. The 2.0 TDI diesel engine now delivers power of 170 Bhp, a clean 32 Bhp higher. Transmission options offered will be both manual and DSG gearbox. Expect the new Passat to be priced slightly higher than the previous one.


     Autocarindia could scoop some of the pictures of the soon to be launched new Passat. Have a look at them.

Mahindra Gio passenger cab launched in Bihar

     Mahindra has launched a passenger variant of its sub one tonne pick up Gio in Bihar priced at Rs. 1.95 lakh (ex-showroom). The vehicle is powered by single-cylinder, 441cc, diesel engine that produces 9.1 bhp and 2.2 kgm of peak torque. The engine compiles with BS3 norms. Mahindra claims the Gio 4-wheeler compact cab will deliver 30 kmpl. The 4 wheeler compact cab will compete with the 3-wheeler passenger carriers from Bajaj and Piaggio.

Mercedes Benz launches G Wagon(G55 AMG) in India

     German luxury automobile manufacturer Mercedes Benz has launched G Wagon cross country vehicle in India priced at Rs. Rs 1.1 crore (ex-showroom Mumbai). The G Wagon will be imported a CBU (Completely Built Unit). The G represents Geländewagen which in German refers to Cross Country Vehicle. The version launched in India is the AMG tuned G55.

     The G55 is powered by a 5.5-litre petrol V8 eninge developing 507 Bhp @ 6100 rpm & 71.4 kgm of torque @ 2750 rpm. The G55 weight over 2.5 tonnes and does 0-100 is just 5.5 seconds. The G55 is loaded with technology such as permanent all-wheel drive with three locking differentials, a 5-speed automatic transmission, ESP and electronic traction control system and high performance 350mm front and 330mm rear ventilated disc brakes.

One more Chinese MPV caught testing in India – this time its Hong Guang

    Few days earlier we had posted about General Motors testing the Wuling MPV Hong Tu in India. Now we have found one more MPV from the Chinese manufacturer Wuling being tested on India soil.

     The MPV in the picture with heavy camouflage is Wuling Hong Guang which was spied in Bangalore. Unlike the Hong Tu which is a competitor to Maruti Eeco, the Hong Guang is bigger in dimensions and is likely to compete against Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo. The vehicle has flexible seating arrangements of 2+2+3 and 2+3+3.

     Chevrolet has to position the Hong Guang as it might overshadow its own Tavera. Probable Chevrolet will position Hong Guang as a luxury people mover. Lets wait and watch.