Honda CBR250R bags I Mark 2012

      In the first Indian design review ranking, Honda CBR 250R motorcycle has won the best design for the two wheeler category. The Indian Design Mark (I Mark) is the highest recognition from the Indian Government through Indian Design Council, an autonomous body under Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

      The first India Design Mark awards program was organized in cooperation with Japan Institute of Design Promotion. The program recognizes exceptional innovation and assurers Indian and global customers of excellence in form, function, quality, innovation and sustainability. Maruti Swift and Wagon R won the accolades in the four wheeler segment. 

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Mahindra to reopen XUV500 bookings from June 8th

     Mahindra will reopen XUV500 bookings from June 8^th 2012. This is the third time, the bookings of XUV500 have been opened, and the first two was closed after a strong response from the customers. This time the SUV will be available across India which earlier was restricted to 19 cities.

     Mahindra received over 25,000 bookings in the first eight months of XUV500 launch of which around 7,200 vehicles have been delivered. Mahindra has ramped up the production capacity to 3000 vehicles per month in January 2012 which will to go up to 4000 per month soon.

     Mahindra was played carefully with the XUV500 launch after the failure of Xylo MUV. Unlike the Xylo, XUV500 production capacity was built for small volumes which could later be ramped further. Till now XUV500 has got good response from the customers, but still Mahindra has to improve the quality of its vehicles to compete against International players. 

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Yamaha to launch world’s cheapest motorcycle in India

     The performance oriented motorcycle company Yamaha will launch the world’s cheapest motorcycle in India. When launched, the unnamed motorcycle will cost Rs. 28,000 which is Rs. 8000 cheaper than the current cheapest model Hero Honda’s CD Dawn in India.

     Unlike its Japanese counter parts, Yamaha has not had the success which it anticipated in India. The launch of FZ series of bikes did sell in good numbers but the competiton from others such as Honda and Bajaj Auto checked the Yamaha sales. Now Yamaha has decided to enter the mass motorcycle segment by launching the cheapest motorcycle. Hope Yamaha does get some success here…

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Skoda to replace stolen logos on its cars

     Logos of cars are as attractive as the cars themselves and no wonder thieves have a special eye on them. We often see car logo mission on cars and if you think they have fallen off, think twice. The new trend of steeling logos has arrived and why not a Mercedes logo costs more than a branded stereo system.

     Skoda as a good will gesture to its customers has decided to replace the stolen logo on its cars. Skoda Fabia front logo cost Rs. 600 and Skoda Yeti's rear one cost Rs. 1500. Skoda do not want its customers to run its cars without them, after all logos on the cars build the brand value. Hope other manufacturers are also listening.   

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Tata Vista goes to Spain, Aria and Xenon to follow

     Amid financial crisis in Europe, Tata Motors has launched the Vista hatchback in Spain. The Vista replaces the Indica which was launched in 2008. Indica could not be sold further because of the emission norms. Tata Vista is priced at €7,960 (around 5.51 lakhs) in spain. Nijuler Automoción has been assigned to distribute the Vista in Spain.

     Surprisingly Tata Motors has launched the old Vista and not the facelifted one which has the Manza’s front look. Along with the Vista, Aria and Xenon will also be launched in Spain. With the launch of Vista, Tata Motors intends make its strong presence in the Europe.

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Peugeot 301 revealed, to come to India

     French car maker Peugeot has revealed its new compact sedan 301 for emerging markets. With the 301, Peugeot announces new revised naming strategy for the brand’s model line-up. The first digit will represent the vehicle’s segment or size, small numbers for small cars and large numbers for large cars. The naming of the cars will not change regardless of the market in which they are sold.

     Thought Peugeot has not officially announced 301’s entry into India, it is clear that Peugeot 301 has been designed for emerging markets which include India. Peugeot says the 301 has been designed keeping in mind the extreme climatic conditions and bad roads.

     Peugeot has been testing its vehicles in India for quiet a long time. The company has plans to invest Rs. 4000 Crores in India to set up a plant in Gujarat. We in our earlier post has posted spy pictures of Peugeot 207 and 508 cars testing on Indian roads.

     Peugeot 301 will be available in both petrol and diesel versions with varing power outputs between 71 Bhp to 115 Bhp. Two petrol engines (1.2L & 1.6L) and one diesel (1.6L) mated to manual or automatic transmission will be on offer. Peugeot’s diesel motor, like Renault’s 1.5L is a renowned engine will class leading performance and fuel efficiency. 

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Toyota sells 1 lakh unit of Etios and Etios Liva in India

     Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd has annunched that it has sold 1 lakh units of Etios and Etios Liva cars in Inida. Etios series – sedan and Liva hatchback are cars aimed at mass volume market in India and Toyota feels it has achieved an important milestone.

     Toyota Etios sedan was launched in December 2010 and the Liva hatchback was launched in June 2011. Etios sedan sold 50,157 units in financial year 2011-12 to become the third largest selling car in its segment. 

     The Etios sedan and Liva hatchback were launched in petrol variants initially. After 6 months of launch, diesel variants came into the market which actually boosted the sales. The increasing petrol prices prompted customers to go for a diesel car and the long waiting period of Swift made Etios the obvious choice. The renowned Toyota quality and refined engine has played positive for the company in its first mass market venture. 

Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing, TKM added -

“We are delighted to touch the One Lakh mark. The number reflects how the Etios family has grown and how Etios and Etios Liva has become a household brand in India. Customers have owned and appreciated the vehicles and we are constantly incorporating their feedback to be able to serve them better. This is a small yet very important milestone in this large project that will place TKM on a higher pedestal in the global operations of Toyota.” Source: Wheelsunplugged

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