Piaggio to launch mass scooter in India

     Italian two wheeler manufacturer Piaggio aims to launch a mass market scooter in India. The likely model will by ‘Fly’ which is stylish enough to compete against the Honda and Suzuki scooters. Fly will be powered by a 125cc engine tuned for higher mileage.

     Piaggio feels Indian two wheeler market is growing tremendously and it wants to capitalise the market with a mass segement vehicle. Piaggio has invested Rs. 150 crore at its Baramathi plant to ramp up the production capacity.

     Currently Piaggio has Vespa LX125cc scooter in India which is aimed at premium segment. In spite of its high price of around Rs. 70,000/-, the LX125cc has got a tremendous response in India. 

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Mahindra to enter small car segment in India

     India’s utility vehicle major Mahindra is planning to enter the small car segment in India. It is learned that Mahindra is developing a new platform for small cars in its new facility at Chennai. The small car is expected to be launched by 2014 in the price range of Rs. 2 – 5 lakh.

     Mahindra will have a huge task cut out as the players in the small car segment has already capitalised the market. Mahindra has to bring in its vast experience in making rugged vehicles to its small car and give its customers value for money.  

     Along with the small car Mahindra is also planning to built cars on Logon platform. A Verito hatch which is already in its testing conditions will make its presence very soon. Mahindra will also look to synergise Reva operations with these new projects. 

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Honda to stop selling Civic in India

     Honda has decided to pull out its Civic sedan from Indian market. Honda had earlier stopped production of the Civic some months ago and the dealers have exhausted with the stocks now. Honda has no plans to launch the next generation Civic in India which made its international debut last year.

     The reason for pulling out the Civic is due to the lack of a diesel option. According to the Honda source, the next generation Civic which has a 1.6L diesel and is sold European market is not compatible for Indian conditions. 

     With no Honda Civic in Indian market, we will certainly miss a car well known for its sharp design and performance. The ‘sexy car’ as known by the fairer sex will now become a history. We hope Honda brings its next generation Civic with a diesel engine suitable for Indian conditions. 

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Toyota launches ‘Liva TRD Sportivo’ Limited Editon

     Celebrating the first anniversary of Etios Liva, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd. has launched a Limited Edition variant of its Liva hatchback named ‘ Liva TRD Sportivo. Only 1200 units of Liva TRD Sportivo will be on sale. Bookings for the car have been started and will go on sale till October this year.

     The Liva TRD Sportivo is available in both petrol and diesel variants. The petrol model costs Rs. 5,23,692/- and diesel is priced at Rs. 6,32,281/- (all prices ex-showroom New Delhi). The Limited Edition Liva comes in two colour options – White and Ultramarine Blue.

The Liva TRD Limited Edition sports the following new features

1. TRD Designed Sporty Package - The Front Bumper Spoiler , Aerodynamic Side Skirt, Two-Tone Rear Bumper Spoiler and Two-Tone roof spoiler is designed by TRD,  Japan. This Aero package gives a distinct look and sporty appeal to the vehicle.

2. Smoked Alloy Wheels - Specially designed for the limited edition - the 15”-Alloy Wheels are given a “Gun-Metal” finish and it provides an aggressive and sporty look to the car.

3. Roof Ornament and Body Side Graphics - Enhances the overall exterior appeal of the Limited Edition.

4. Limited Edition Branding - The Limited edition is branded as “TRD Sportivo”. A high quality Chrome badge on the boot lid symbolizes Toyota Racing Development’s sporty appeal.

5. New Seat Fabric with “TRD Sportivo” logo and Silver Shift Knob

Enhance the interior appeal and adds a touch of “sportiness” to the interiors.

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Maruti Suzuki Ritz facelift caught testing in India

Maruti Suzuki is all set to give a facelift to Ritz. The Ritz facelift was revealed some days back in Japan and Germany which had some changes to the front and rear bumper. The Ritz facelift will also have the same changes when it will be launched in India.

As seen from the spy pictures, the front of the car is heavily camouflaged indicating major changes in the front. The rear of the car looks very similar as there will be no changes in the tail lamps and tail gate and only the bumper which will be new having couple of air scoops.

Under the hood, the engines – both petrol and diesel, will be the same. Expect the engines to be retuned to deliver quiet and smooth performance. The car is expected to go on sale this Diwali and could be priced Rs. 5,000 to 10,000 more than the current model.

Picture Source: Team BHP

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India car market sales data for July 2012

Chevrolet

Spark – 534
Beat – 4353
Aveo-UVA – 98
Aveo – 21
Optra – 15
Cruze – 501
Tavera – 1615
Captiva - 80


Fiat
Punto – 619
Linea – 151


Ford
Figo – 4697
Fiesta Classic – 1192
Fiesta – 231
Endeavour – 116


HM-Mitsubishi
Ambassador – 200
Lancer & Cedia – 10
Pajero – 24
Outlander – 10
Montero – 4
EVO-X – 0


Honda
Brio – 1715
Jazz – 598
City – 1843
Civic – 138
Accord – 39
CR-V – 53


Hyundai
Eon – 4985
Santro – 3059
I10 – 6113
I20 – 7775
Accent – 182
Verna – 5300
Sonata – 32
Santa Fe – 85


Mahindra
Verito – 1261
Bolero – 9312
Xylo – 2401
Scorpio – 4378
XUV500 – 4007


Maruti Suzuki
800 – 1411
Omni – 5949
Alto -17422
Eeco – 930
Estilo – 1079
Wagon R – 9582
A-Star – 583
Ritz – 3259
Swift – 11421
Dzire – 9189
SX4 – 11413
Gypsy – 199
Kizashi – 2
Grand Vitara – 4


Nissan
Micra – 1028
Sunny – 2436
X-Trail – 14
Teana – 3
370Z – 0


Renault

Pulse – 437

Duster - 1194
Fluence – 102
Koleos – 43


Skoda Auto
Fabia – 215
Rapid – 1505 
Laura – 151
Yeti – 85
Superb – 89


Tata Motors
Nano – 5485
Indica +Vista – 8852
Indigo+Manza – 6816
Sumo – 3898
Safari – 865
Aria – 65
Venture – 259


Toyota
Liva – 2264
Etios – 3760
Innova – 6678
Corolla – 540
Fortuner – 1316
Camry – 0
Prius – 0
Prado – 13
Landcruiser – 3


Volkswagen
Polo – 3498
Vento – 1546
Jetta – 258
Passat – 55
Beetle – 0

Source: team-bhp

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Premier Rio CRDi4 launched in India

     Premier Automobiles has launched Rio mini SUV with Fiat sourced 1.3L Multi Jet diesel engine. The new Rio named Rio CRDi4 is priced at Rs. 6.7 lakh ex-showroom Pune. Deliveries of the vehicle will begin from August 2nd 2012 on wards. The Rio is also available with the old Peugeot’s 1.5L TUD5 engine.

     Premier has been testing the Rio with the Multi Jet engine for a while. Now with Rio getting the Multi Jet engine, its joins the band wagon of cars like Punto, Swift, Swift Dzire and Indica Vista which are also powered by the same engine. Fiat’s 1.3L Multi Jet engine has won many accolades all over the world because of its superb torque and high fuel efficiency.

     The 1.3L Multi Jet engine in Rio churns out 71 Bhp of power at 4000 rpm and 183 Nm of torque between 1800 to 2400 rpm with a fixed geometry turbocharger. The power is little less as compared to the Punto and Swift, probably because of the weight of the Rio. The Rio weighs 1145 Kg and rides on 205/70R15 tubeless radial tyres. It has disc brakes in the front and drum at rear.

     Premier Rio comes in 4 colour options – Paradise White, Sterling Silver, Mystic Black and Cherry Red. Two trim levels are in the offereing – DX and LX. The Rio comes with many useful features such as - 

Internally adjustable outside rear view mirrors

Rear wiper and washer as standard

Rear defogger

Tinted glass window

Front and rear fog lamps

Blackened B pillars

Rear Spoiler as standard

Alloy wheels on Lx model

split seats at rear

Door ajar warning

Tachometer

Digital clock

3 spoke sporty steering wheel design

Power steering

Air conditioner with heating

Collapsible steering column for safety

ABS and EBD as standard on all variants

Brake assist

Keyless entry and central locking etc.

Press Release:

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