Japan car market sales data for February 2011

1.Toyota Prius 19.110
2.Honda Fit/Jazz 16.876
3.Toyota Viz/Yaris 16.484
4.Nissan Serena 9.646
5.Honda Freed 7.032
6.Toyota Ractis 6.781
7.Toyota Corolla 6.495
8.Toyota Passo 5.909
9.Mazda Demio/2 5.196
10.Honda StepWGN 5.151
11.Toyota Voxy 5,141
12.Nissan March 4.677
13.Toyota Vellfire 4.429
14.Toyota Noah 4.184
15.Suzuki Solio 3.981
16.Nissan Note 3.930
17.Toyota Wish 3.836
18.Toyota Estima 3.711
19.Toyota Crown 3.594
20.Nissan Juke 3.233
21.Nissan Cube 3.100
22.Toyota Alphard 2.843
23.Suzuki Swift 2.823
24.Nissan X-Trail 2.819
25.Nissan Leaf 2.593
26.Nissan Tiida 2.314
27.Mazda Premacy/5 2.306
28.Toyota Mark-X 2.300
29.Subaru Legacy 2.119
30.Toyota Vangard 2.057

Source: Autoten

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Honda Brio unveiled in Thailand

     Honda has officially unveiled its much anticipated small car Brio in Thailand. Brio is the small car from Honda for the emerging markets like Thailand, India and China. Brio Concept was showcased as Auto Expo last year in New Delhi. Brio was to be unveiled in India on the 17th of March but due to the Tsunami affecting Japan which is the home country of Honda, it has been postponed. Brio is likely to be launched in India by September this year. Honda is expected to raise the bar and set a new standard for small cars in terms of design, packaging, cabin comfort and fuel-efficiency in India.

     The Brio is powered by a 1.2L 4 cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine that produces 90 Bhp of power. The engine promises to give better performance by delivering stress free driving experience at any rpm. Fuel efficiency is again class leading with 20 Kmpl.


     The Brio also features Honda’s safety technologies such as dual SRS front airbags, disc brakes, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) which enhances braking performance. These features are available in all versions.

     Honda’s G-Force Control (G-CON) technology gives Brio high performance body features and enhances driving performance, ride comfort and collision safety. The high performance body satisfies standars for both front and side impacts as specified by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)’s regulations 94 and 95.


     The Brio is available in 3 variants – SMT, VMT & VAT. It is priced in the range of 399,999 Bhat to 508,500 Bhat which is Rs. 6 – 7.5 lakh in Indian currency. 5 colour options are available - Fresh Lime Metallic, Taffeta White, Cerulean Blue Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl.

Honda Brio Commercial

Honda Brio Pictures

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Hyundai launches Accent facelift in India

     Korean carmaker Hyundai has launched a mild facelifted Accent in India. The mild facelift includes a new grill which seams to be inspired from the i10. Apart from the grill changes you can hardly find any changes in the Accent. Accent was launched in India 10 years ago and is in the verge of discontinuation. Unfortunately Accent is only available in petrol version now. The diesel CRDi had won many hearts in India, thanks to its fuel efficiency. Hope Hyundai might re-launch the Accent with the CRDi engine.

Photo courtesy - Siddharth Shankar via Indianautosblog

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Mahindra Xylo Celebration II Edition launched in India

     Homegrown SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the Xylo Celebration II Edition in India to celebrate its 2nd anniversary. The Xylo MUV was launched in January 2009 and was mainly aimed at the sedan market as shown by its ads. The company will produce 1000 units of Celebration II Edition to keep it exclusive. The Xylo Celebration II is offered at a price of Rs 9.06 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Mahindra Xylo Celebration II Edition has following new features:


Special Walnut Brown Colour
Designer Body Graphics
Crest Emblem of Celebration Edition II
Celebration Edition Badging
Genuine Italian Leather Seats
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Leather Wrapped Gear Knob
Dark Chocolate glossy finish Door Trims

     Mahindra is currently offering a unique referral scheme in which anybody who recommend the new Xlyo Celebration Edition to their friend and if the friend buys the vehicle then both the persons will get a stylish Cross pen set worth Rs. 2500 as a mark of celebration.

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Mahindra finishes SsangYong deal

     Mahindra & Mahindra has complete the process of acquisition a majority stake in the SsangYong Motor Company of Japan. Mahindra had bidded for the troubled Korean carmaker in August last year. Mahindra is planning to launch SsangYong Motors vehicles later this year.

     Speaking on the occasion, Pawan Goenka, President of Mahindra & Mahindra said,” “This is a landmark day for all of us at Mahindra as it marks the beginning of what I am sure will be an enduring partnership with SsangYong Motor Company. He further added, “I would like to thank all the employees of SsangYong as well as the company’s creditors for the help and cooperation extended to us during this long process.”

     Mr. Goenka also stressed that SsangYong Motors will function as an independently run Korean company with largely Koreans on the management board.’ Made in Korea’ tag for SsangYong vehicle will stay. Mr. Yoo-il Lee has been appointed as CEO of SsangYong Motors and Dilip Sundaram as the CFO.

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Mercedes Benz E Class Special Edition launched in India

     Mercedes Benz has launched a Special Edition of its E Class sedan in India to commemorate 125 years of the company. The Special Edition E Class gets Vario bag, Rear entertainment system and Illuminated door sill panel as extra features.

     Only 125 of these Special Edition E Class will be made and available on The E Class E200 CGI BlueEFFECIENY AND e250 CDI BlueEFFECIENCY. The Specail Edition E Class is priced at Rs. 39,70,000/- for E200 CGI and Rs. 41,55,639/- for E250 CGI.
 

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Hindustan Motors launches new Ambassador Grand at Rs. 7.03 lakh

     India’s older car maker Hindustan Motors has launched new Ambassador Grand priced at Rs. 7.03 lakh (On road Bangalore). The Ambassador Grand is BS4 complaint and provides unmatched space and comfort.


     The Ambassador Grand is powered by a OHC MPFI 1817 cc petrol engine with power of 71 Bhp @ 4800 rpm and torque of 13.7 Kgm @ 2250 rpm. Transmission is through 5 speed manual synchromesh gear box and dry disc clutch type with 215 mm clutch diameter.

The new Ambassador Grand has following special features


• New headlights
• Wheel hub cover
• Smoother door handles
• New tail lights
• Power windows
• Power steering
• State of the art music system
• Charger for your multimedia devices
• More space
• Digital trip meter


     Power steering is optional with 5.4 meter turning radius. The new Ambassador Grand gets Independent suspension with torsion bar springs and anti-roll bar with hydraulic telescopic double acting shock absorbers at the front and Semi elliptical leaf springs with hydraulic telescopic double acting shock absorbers and metallic bushes at the rear.


     The car measures 4325 mm in length, 1662 mm in width, 1593 mm in height. It has wheel base at 2464 mm and ground clearance of 152 mm.. Braking is through Servo assisted front disc and auto adjuster drum at rear. The car rides on 4J x 15 wheel wrapped with 165 / 58 R 15 (Radial) and 165 R-15 tyres


     The new Ambassador comes with 50,000 Kms or 1 year warranty. Seven different colour shades are on offer - Jet Black, Lunar Silver, Fire Brick Red, Oyster Blue, Ecru Beige and Crystal White.

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