New Mercedes Benz A Class concept revealed

     The new Mercedes A Class concept is all set to be previewed at the Shanghai Auto Show this month. The concept known as Concept A study has flowing sheetmetal, distinctive detailing and sporty stance. The production car is likely to be little more dynamic than the concept.

     The new A Class features all new MFA (Mercedes Front-wheel drive Architecture) platform with strut front suspension and a multi link rear axle. Most of the things such as plastics, trim and switchgear has been borrowed from the C Class.

     The Concept A design features - flowing instrument panel moulding, sporty steering wheel, dominant twin-dial instrument binnacle and rotary controller for the infomatics system. The concept A design is based on Mercedes idea of a glowing jet engine afterburner as seen in the centre-illuminated dials with air vents.




     Powering the new A Class will the same engines from the C Class family. The 2.0 litre petrol engine produced 204 Bhp making the car a hot hatch. The engine will be mated to a dual clutch gearbox. The diesel engine is 2.2 litre with power ranging from 130 to 180 Bhp. A AMG version will also make it way with a 2.0 litre turbo engine with four wheel drive by 2013.

Source: Autocarindia

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Harley Davidson Forty-Eight 1200X launched in India

     American iconic motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson has launched its 1200cc superbike Forty-Eight XL 1200X in India priced at Rs. 8.5 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The Forty-Eight XL 1200X superbike will be available in all Harley Davidson dealerships in India along with 14 other models. However bookings for Forty-Eight will be done this month only at 5 selected dealerships.

     Harley Davidson is setting up its manufacturing unit in India at Bawal, Haryana. This will be the company’s second unit after home-base Brazil. The company will to rollout SuperLow and Iron 883 superbikes from its Indian unit later this year. The SuperLow and Iron 883 will be priced at Rs 5.5 lakh and Rs 6.50 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively. Currently Harley Davidson bikes in India ranges from Rs 7.79 lakh and Rs 38.66 lakh.

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Just Turned 25? Time to Look for a New Auto Insurance Policy

Insurance companies use various criteria to determine your car insurance rates. The age of the policy holder is one of the most important factors they consider. Since drivers over the age of 25 are less likely to have a car accident than teenagers and younger people, they get the best rates on auto insurance. If you just turned 25, then you should start searching for a new car insurance policy and take advantage of the cheaper rates right away.

Age and Other Rating Factors

Before you buy auto insurance, do proper research and try to understand how things work. First of all, you should know that insurance companies measure risk. The costs you will pay depend on a number of factors such as your age, gender, driving record, marital status, location and credit score. The type of vehicle you drive, as well as its year of manufacturing and the miles driven each year may influence your premiums too. Other factors include the driver’s experience, school grades, education, criminal record, claims history and occupation.

A Good Driving History Isn't Enough

Even with a good driving history, individuals who are under 25 pay more on car insurance. The good news is that there are many ways to lower your premiums and obtain substantial discounts. Getting multiple cars covered, taking defensive driving classes or keeping your vehicle in a secured area a night can help you save hundreds of dollars on auto insurance.

Know How Much Coverage You Need

One of the best ways to reduce costs is to buy the right amount of coverage. Although many states have minimum car insurance requirements, you should consider buying a more comprehensive policy. If you only purchase the minimum amount of coverage required, you might end up paying thousands of dollars from your pocket in the event of a car accident. Since auto insurance rates go down dramatically when drivers turn 25, you can afford paying more on a policy that offers great coverage.

Take Time to Compare

Saving money on auto insurance is easy for those who take the time to compare at least five quotes from different carriers. Whether you go online to search for car insurance quotes or you contact a few companies, be sure to get as many offers as possible. Look at the company's ratings, check its reputation and read unbiased customer reviews. When you compare quotes, consider both the price and the amount of coverage included in the policy you are interested in.

Other Insurance Tips

Increasingly, insurance company are offering discounts for adding safety features, approved alarms and other security devices on your vehicle. If you have both your home and your car insured with the same company, you will get even more discounts. For further savings, ask your insurance provider about low-mileage discounts and good driver discounts. Consider raising your deductible in order to make savings over the long run. Try to maintain a good credit score, join a professional group and insure more than one vehicle with the same car insurance provider.

- By Jessica Bosari

Jessica Bosari writes for CarInsuranceQuotesComparison.com. The site empowers consumers by offering practice insurance tips and advice so they can compare auto insurance and get the best rate every time.

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Mahindra Bolero Special Edition launched in India

     Mahindra has launched a Special Edition of its popular SUV Bolero. The Bolero Special Edition features new Refined European leather seats, exclusive body graphics, two new colour shades – Sahara Beige and Mystique Purple, Blue vision headlamp and wire mesh grill.

     The interesting feature is the Bolero Tele Assist System (BTAS) which warns the owner in case of the vehicle theft. In case of a theft, the owner gets an SMS on the mobile phone. The owner can also lock the vehicle with just an SMS in case he is away from the vehicle.


     The Bolero Special Edition is priced Rs. 80,000/- more than the usual model and only 1000 units will be available. It comes with 3 years warranty. An inbuilt CD/MP3 player is additional feature you get on this vehicle.

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India car market sales data for March 2011

Chevrolet

Optra : 270
Cruze : 834
Aveo : 198
UVA : 161
Tavera : 1395
Spark : 3289
Beat : 2998
Captiva : 220

Ford

Fiesta : 1228
Figo : 8926
Endeavour : 331

Honda

City : 2773
Civic : 379 
Accord : 216 
Jazz : 152 
Crv : 56 

Hyundai

Santro : 8,026
i10 : 14,215
i20 : 7,655
Accent : 1,293 
Verna : 489
Sonata : 23
Santa Fe : 121

Mahindra

Logan : 1017
Xylo : 2646
Scorpio : 4144
Bolero : 8237
ST + Marshal + Maxx : 1275

Nissan

Micra : 2060
X-Trail : 29
Teana : 11
370Z : 1

Porsche

911 : 3 
Boxster S : 2 
Panamera : 1 
Cayenne : 9

Skoda

Laura : 591
Fabia : 1753
Superb : 390
Yeti : 275

Tata

Nano : 8707
Indica : 6937
Indigo : 7197
Sumo : 2526
Safari : 1966
Aria : 98
Venture : 247

Toyota

Innova : 4418 
Altis : 953 
Fortuner : 980 
Etios : 3257 
Camry : 59 
Prado : 43 
LC200 : 8 
Prius : 8

Volkswagen

Jetta : 205
New Beetle : 21
Polo : 3,881
Vento : 3,973
Phaeton : 15

Volvo

S60 : 12
S80 : 5
XC60 : 37
XC90 : 7

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Impressive sales figures by Ford India in 2011

     Ford India has registered a growth of 97% growth in car sales as of this year. Ford sold 29,804 units between January and March this year as compared to 15,154 units during the same period last year.


      Figo, the small car from Ford is the driving force behind the growth. Ford had sold over 85,000 Figos last year. In March 2011 alone the company could register sales of 10,485 units which has been the highest figure so far in the Ford India’s history.

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Tata Motors sold 8,707 in March 2011

     Tata Motors could sell 8,707 Nanos in the month of March as compared to 8,202 units in February. The extended warranty and inexpensive maintenance package along with new TV ads has added to Nano sales.

     On the other hand the Indica sales have dropped to 6,937 units as compared to over 10,000 units in the month of February. The launch of eV2 might boost the sales of the car in 

this month.

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