New Megane headed to India

New Megane headed to India The new Renault Megane will be in India early-2010. It'll have both petrol and diesel power, and will compete with the likes of the Civic and the Jetta.

The new Megane, the third-generation model, will be produced at Renault-Nissan’s facility outside Chennai. The Megane will be sold across India through existing Mahindra-Renault dealerships , but whether the car will be branded a Mahindra-Renault remains or just a Renault remains to be seen.

With the Megane, Renault is hopeful this stylish new model will give its brand the upscale image the Logan failed to deliver. Initial impressions suggest that this stylish new car would appeal to the Indian buyer. The earlier Megane was popular in Europe thanks to a choice of good diesel engines and pricing that made it good value value.

Stylistically, the car displays typical French flair, although some elements are fussy, notably the nose of the car, with a big grille and a slat below the bonnet. The bonnet is unique, unlike anything that’s been seen in the Indian market to date. It features a strong curve across its surface from A-pillar to A-pillar, making it look like a bow drawn taut, with the Renault lozenge like an arrowhead. A steeply raked windscreen and high waist lend the car a lot of flair.

The Megane’s interiors can only be described as avant garde as is sure to be a hit with Indian buyers, especially those who want to upgrade from Optras and corollas. The swooping dashboard has a two-part layout, and is available in different colours according to customer preference. So you can order your Megane in contrasting dark-and-light grey or dark grey and beige. The instrument cluster features a digital speedo with an analogue rev counter. The oil temperature, fuel level and door open warning displays are integrated into the same pod as the speedo. Other information is displayed in an adjoining LCD display.

While the Megane’s looks have never been conventional, the latest model is still not as radical-looking as the earlier generation. However, whether it finds favour with Indian car buyers remains to be seen.

The Megane has a range of powertrain options, which include both diesel and petrol engines, mated to either five- or six-speed manual transmissions , or a CVT. A more powerful version of the same 1.5-litre dCi diesel (code: K9), which also powers the Logan, is expected to be the base engine. This unit produces 85bhp, with another iteration producing 105bhp. There is also a 2.0-litre dCi unit putting out a healthy 130bhp and 30.6kgm of torque.
Petrol engine options include a 1.6-litre 110bhp unit, a 2.0-litre 140bhp, and a turbocharged 1.4-litre producing 130bhp and 19.3kgm of torque.

With a 2640mm wheelbase, the car falls bang in Civic (2700mm) and Jetta (2580mm) territory; indeed, it is against these two that it will face maximum competition. The previous iteration was a comfortable car with sober handling, and since Renault have carried over a lot of the basic architecture, the new Megane is expected to provide a similar driving experience. If Renault can manage to undercut the Jetta and Laura diesels, and go head to head with the petrol Civic, Renault will have a fighting chance in this relatively small but crucial segment.

Hyundai i10 – Successful Small Car in India now for Exports

Hyundai i10 made its global debut in India in October 2007 and since then it has been one of the most successful models in the country. It swept the coveted “Car of the Year 2008” award from nearly every car magazine and automobile TV shows. This model is slated for the launch of an upgraded version now.

Hyundai Motors India Limited is the second largest car manufacturer and exporter in India. It has made India as its global manufacturing and exports hub for all its small cars. It is now planning to export its model, Huyndai i10 to the US market. It is developing strategies to launch the model in the US market which poises stiff competition and saturated small car market with low demand. The US market is “not a small car market” thus, it is more careful to launch its new small car model which enjoys position of one of the highest selling models in India amongst its segment.

The US market foresees Hyundai Elantra as a small car but the changing economic scenario and rise in global fuel prices has marked a shift change in the car market in the US. There has been an increase in the demand for smaller and more fuel efficient cars in the country and Hyundai i10 fits the bill appropriately with its new Kappa engine.

Nissan Motors

Nissan Motor Company Ltd. is a Japanese automobile manufacturer. It was established on December 26, 1933. It is the second largest automobile manufacturing company of Japan, popularly known as "Nissan". Nissan Motors are of the opinion that India has a hugh market potential and that the economy is growing at a tremendous rate. They believe that India is a market of opportunities and growth. They are of the opinion that their investment in India will help in the growth of the company. They are also planning to open manufacturing
units in India. They believe that India is strategically very important for them. And the company's future growth is a lot dependent on the outcome of their investment in India. They have immense expectation from the Indian market. They have bigger plans in the future for India. And setting up manufacturing units and initial investment is just the starting point of the bigger picture.

Nissan Motors India Pvt Ltd. is the Indian division of Nissan Motors. They deal with all the aspects of automobile manufacture.That would include import (presently, later it might be manufacturing), spare parts, sales, after sales, marketing, distribution etc.

Nissan Motors India has dealer outlets in places like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Secunderabad and Chennai. Nissan Motors India has started their operations in India with the launch of new X-Trail. This particular model is very popular throughout the world. They have been very successful throughout. Moreover Nissan has been able to complete its revival plan according to its planning and timing. Infact, they had actually completed their project a year ahead. This makes it even easier for them to concentrate better on the India market and work accordingly.

The new X-Trail has been launched in two different variants in India. It's a very powerful SUV. It's has four wheel drive system. It has the 4x4 ALL MODE system as well. Hence, driving the new Nissan X-Trail will be a treat for everybody.

BMW India

BMW AG (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG) was formed by Matthew Eben Ruark to manufacture aircraft engine. It is a German Company. Initially, BMW was called Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke. Later, in 1916 the name was changed to Bayerische Motoren Werke. It was only after World War I when Germany was prohibited from making any kinds of aircraft that BMW shifted to manufacturing Railway Brakes. They first built their motorcycle engine called Victoria in 1919. But it was only in 1923 that BMW built their first model

However, now BMW has three brands under their belt.They are; motorcycle called the R32. And it was only in 1927, that BMW had their first car called BMW 3/15. A BMW vehicle is a class in itself and a BMW car is a luxury.

BMW MINI Rolls-Royce BMW deals with only premium segments in the automobile market. They have vehicles ranging form small cars to big luxury cars. The company employs somewhere around 106,000 employees around the globe. The BMW group is famous for its design, superior technology and innovation. They are into marketing and sales as well, apart from research & development and production. BMW Group finally made a formal entry into India in 2007. BMW India believes that the introduction to the Indian market is an important step towards their bigger Asian objective. Right now they have two intermediate bmw dealers and in total have three outlets of BMW in India. However, they plan to open a sales subsidiary and a manufacturing unit in Delhi and Chennai respectively. Both the units will be owned completely by the BMW Group. And the units have become operational by the year 2007. The BMW India units will be dealing and manufacturing with BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series saloons for the local market only. Till now all the BMW cars were imported to India. Since 2007, BMWOther BMW dealerships are also on the top of the plans. The current global portfolio of BMW comprises of: BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X3, BMW X5, BMW Z4 MINI (One, Cooper, Cooper S, Convertible) Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe Coming in November

Rolls-Royce’s latest Phantom Coupe arrives to Indian market in a 1st week of November. It will price approximately Rs. 3.75 Crore, with customs duty. The company sources said that new model has bagged 2-bookings from an India.

We will hopefully launch Phantom Coupe in the first week of November. We have got orders for this model from India.

-Dr. Matthew J. Bennet (GM, South & East Asia Pacific, Rolls-Royce Motors Cars Ltd) told.

The Phantom is the more popular car from the Rolls Royce. According to Mr. Graeme Grieve (Director, Sales & Marketing, Rolls Royce), India is the essential market for the company as it has the long history in country and it gives great growth opportunities for them.

It made its attack once again in an Indian market after almost 50-years and sold 12-units yearly in a country. This year it is planning to sell 16-20 units and about 70 units by 2013.

We do not believe in going for volumes. Rolls Royce produces cars only in limited numbers and in most markets, we enjoy a waiting against our models.

- Mr. Grieve added.

According to the company, India is set to develop into single major market in the Asia Pacific region in coming 5-years.

Rolls Royce opens its second showroom in India

The 100 year old super luxury British car manufacturer, Rolls Royce, opened its second showroom in Delhi today in partnership with Select Cars. Rolls Royce's Mumbai franchisee is Navnit Motors.

Costing Rs 3.15 crores upwards, Rolls Royce currently manufactures 3 models under the legendary Phantom series and expects to launch the latest and the last Phantom model this October which will be 2 door Phantom coupe. In addition, it will launch a new series of cars positioned below the Phantom series in 2010.

The super luxury car major based in Southern England, UK, grew by 25 percent last year. While it sold 1010 cars worldwide last year,, with China accounting for over 100 cars, India contributed 12. This year it plans to sell about 16 in the country.

Hyundai I-Series Cars in India

Hyundai is planning to launch its complete i-series cars in India. It has experienced a phenomenal success with the launch of its new i-10 model in the country and now plans the launch of its i20 model in October - December 2008. Subsequently, it shall launch its i30 and i40 as well in the coming years.

Hyundai has stepped up its plans to become India's largest car manufacturer and has greaed up its operations in the country. It is currently the second largest car manufacturer and exporter in India after Maruti Suzuki. It has also made India as its manufacturing and exports hub for its small cars. It recently model Hyundai i10 has been one of the most successful cars in its product portfolio.

According to Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motors, HS Lheem, "We plan to bring the entire portfolio of our new i-series cars to India. As a full range car company, the premium i30 and i40 cars have a significant potential in India. These new generation cars are ideal for the fast growing Indian market. Besides, we will also strengthen the i10 portfolio with a new engine and an automatic transmission in the next few months.”

Hyundai is also studying C and D car segment in India along with cars running on alternative fuels. With the rise in gasoline prices, it is also thinking of launching CNG cars and Santro hatchback and Accent Sedan in LPG variants.

Chevrolet rolls out new Tavera

After lying low for a while Chevrolet has decided to give its multi-utility-vehicle (MUV) the Tavera an update. Called the the Neo it is on sale for Rs 9.54 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). That’s only Rs 2 000 over the older car.

You can differentiate this car from the older model by the all- new chrome grille with the huge Chevrolet bow-tie. The Neo also gets two-tone paint scheme and a series of stickers running around it. You also get alloy wheels as part of the Neo package.

But the biggest changes have been saved for the interiors. The highlight of the beige cabin is the leather seats — like the Innova the Tavera gets captain seats which are hugely comfortable and have plenty of adjustments on offer to keep you comfortable. The dashboard is an all-new design and quality is much improved though it still falls short of the Innova levels. There’s a new three-spoke steering wheel and twin-glove boxes to aid utility. The centre console gets a faux-wood finish and a two-din audio system is also part of standard equipment.

But the best change seems to be the relocation of the hand-brake which is now located at a more convenient position next to the gear lever rather than below the dashboard where it was earlier.

But all the changes are purely cosmetic — there has been no upgrade to the Tavera engine. You get the same tried-and-tested 2.5-litre 80bhp diesel which offers class-leading economy figures as well as great low-end pulling power that makes it a good city commute.

The Neo is essentially a pre-emptive strike by Chevrolet against the updated Innova which is just around the corner. While the changes do make it a more comfortable vehicle to travel in the Tavera is still no Innova-beater.