New security for Maruti cars

Maruti Udyog is set to introduce the immobilizer system across all its models to add security to its products. Though immobiliser is more common in western cars for the sake of cost in Indian immobiliser fails to find a place for a long time. Losing of cars increased proportionally to the increase in car population also stolen vehicle recovery ratio is very low in India. Hence security system is necessary for Indian cars though there is no regulation for making it mandatory.

How the system works

The device, called iCATs (intelligent Computerised Anti-Theft system) works on the principle of multiplexed communication. Under this system, a transponder – inbuilt into the car key – carries a unique electronic identification and a secret code that digitally communicates with the engine computer via a controller. If the secret code matches, the engine starts and in case of a mismatch, the electronic circuitry does not let the car to start, thereby preventing the car from being stolen.

impact on price..

The new device will increase the cost of all Maruti cars that drive out in the next few weeks and the company plans to pass on the hike to the prospective buyers and the hike will be in few thousands.

Security system in other Indian Cars

While Ford’s Ikon, all models of Toyota except the e grade cars, Hondas Civic and CR-V already have immobilizer fitted into it, the other anti-theft device called the keyless entry is present in Honda City and Accord and is optional in Toyota vehicles or the remote-centre locking as is present in Hyundai’s Verna, Sonata and Elantra.

But beware ‘no system is foolproof’ and park your car in safer place.

Ford Ikon IKool music edition

Ford India has launched a limited music edition model Ikon IKool. Ford Ikon Ikool music edition features include -

* i-Pod compatible Sony MP3 Player with front round speakers and hi-wattage rear oval speakers,

*Nokia Bluetooth hands free kit

* sporty leather vinyl seat covers,

* anti-theft system with remote entry and IKool decal on front fenders.

The IKOOL limited edition is priced at Rs5,08,990, or Rs31,990 higher than the base level price (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The model is available in new colour – copper rust, along with other popular colours such as jeans blue, paprika red, panther black, platinum and diamond white. Scott McCormack, vice president marketing sales and service, Ford India, said, ”With the current economic growth in India and greater job opportunities available, the upwardly mobile young generation of today has higher disposable income and is conscious of the choices they make.”

Ford Fiesta Limited Edition

Ford celebrates the 50000 Fiesta cars on the road with a new limited edition. The limited edition of Fiesta is available on both petrol and diesel variants (Exi and Zxi only). Fiesta Limited Edition Prices start at Rs.6,25,499 (ex-showroom New Delhi). The Ford Fiesta Limited Edition brings an intense dose of style and comfort to the performance of the Fiesta. According to Ford, the Ford Fiesta Limited edition comes with an array of features that gives you a truly unique identity on the road. The Ford Fiesta Limited Edition gets sporty new five spoke Alloy Wheels. The limited edition Fiesta features gizmotronic Reverse Parking Sensors mounted on the rear bumper which alerts you about any obstacles behind the car while reversing. The Limited Edition adds a new dimension to the performance of the Ford Fiesta with a rear spoiler that gives the car aerodynamic stability. What’s more, it also adds that sporty look as you race by in your Ford Fiesta.

The Ford Fiesta Limited Edition comes with brand new, dynamic side graphics. These enhance the flow lines and add to the aesthetics of the car. Ford Fiesta limited edition also gets leather vinyl seats. Now you can feel the wind in your face and hear your engine roar in the fiesta since limited edition Fiesta features an electric sunroof. The Electric Sun-Moon Roof is optional and will be available at an additional cost of Rs 30,000. The launch of the limited edition Fiesta will see two brand new colours added to the Fiesta range – Brush Steel and Jeans Blue.

Chevrolet’s new Aveo limited edition

General Motor Corp, on Wednesday launched a new limited/special edition variant of its sedan Chevrolet Aveo priced at Rs 6,49,881 (Ex Showroom New Delhi). Chevrolet’s limited edition Aveo comes at a premium of Rs 54,000 over the existing base price of Rs 5.95 lakh. Limited edition Aveo would sport a refreshed instrument panel, leather upholstery, alloy wheels, audio system, remote keyless entry system, back seat armrests with cup holders, improved gear-shift and noise, vibration and harshness protection.

General Motors well on its way to reach the target:

General Motors which has an ambitious target of 10% market share in India seems to be well on its way. GM India on Thursday reported a staggering 95 per cent increase in its vehicle sales during October at 6,139 units as against 3,153 units in the same month last year.General Motors said sales in October are its highest ever in a single month in India. The sales included 1,769 units of MUV Chevrolet Tavera, 1,621 units of sedan and hatchback Chevrolet Aveo and UV-A, 436 units of premium sedan Chevrolet Optra and 2,313 units of small car Chevrolet Spark. GM India on Thursday reported a staggering 95 per cent increase in its vehicle sales during October at 6,139 units as against 3,153 units in the same month last year.General Motors said sales in October are its highest ever in a single month in India. The sales included 1,769 units of MUV Chevrolet Tavera, 1,621 units of sedan and hatchback Chevrolet Aveo and UV-A, 436 units of premium sedan Chevrolet Optra and 2,313 units of small car Chevrolet Spark. Last month General Motors announced a special discounts worth of Rs53000 for a period of 10 days. GM received more than 10000 bookings during that period.

Chevrolet SR-V gets cheaper

Unconfirmed reports says General Motors has dropped the price of Chevrolet SR-V by around Rs70000.General Motors earlier discounted the price of Chevrolet spark by Rs50000 and received more than 10000 bookings during the offer period. More details are expected.

Chevrolet’s Beat, CNG Aveo U-VA and a new spark variant

Chevrolet next small car  – the Beat:

Chevrolet which has become the fifth largest automaker in India is planning aggresive launches in 2008. GM plans to capture 10 percent market share in india by 2010. Though it plans many new launches like captiva SUV, new optra,aveo diesel and hummer H3, GM realises unless it populate cars in small car segment (which accounts for 2/3rd of indian car industry)like Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki, GM could not make it. “The mini car segment is not a segment: it is several segments and several consumers, from first-time buyers to those looking for a second car, so we need to look at it differently”, said Karl Slym, president and managing director of GM india. If General Motors able to capture 10 -15% in the small car segment, it can easily achieve the target. GM officials at the ongoing Los Angeles Auto Show have indicated that the Chevy Beat concept(showcased in Newyork auto show) will go into production and will focus on non-North American markets. Hence After Aveo U-VA and spark, chevrolet’s ‘beat’ codenamed M300 might be GM’s next small car for india. Beat will go into production in mid 2009 and it will be slotted between spark and U-VA. The production model will carry the spirit of the expressive Beat concept, offering compact, city-friendly dimensions and a small-displacement engine that delivers excellent fuel economy.

Chevrolet beat is styled at GM’s Design Studio in Bupyeong, South Korea , with input from GM’s global network of designers. the beat is based on the same platform on which suzuki’s splash is built (soon to be launched in india).

Unlike the spark and aveo U-VA, chevrolet can price the beat very competetively. This is possible since GM is constructing its own engine plant in india(GM currently import engines for all its models except tavera from korea which attracts haevy import duty).  Chevrolet will use the 1.3L multijet (swift’s engine) diesel engine for the new beat. Beat will also be powered by an 1.2L petrol engine. GM is developing a new 1L diesel engine for asian markets which also may be used for the beat (but only after 2010).

a new spark variant and a CNG Aveo U-VA:

Before the beat, chevrolet may launch an another variant of spark possibly in 2008. “In the near future, we plan to roll out a mini car which is likely to be a variant of Chevrolet Spark”, GM India vice-president P Balendran told. The new spark variant may be equipped with the much proven 1.3L multijet (swift’s engine) diesel engine. GM could source its requirements from Fiat or Suzuki(1.3L multijet engine is jointly produced by Suzuki-Fiat and opel).

Chevrolet which has already launched a CNG variant of its mid-size sedan Optra is now planning a CNG variant of its premium hatchback Aveo UV-A.  In 2007, General Motors has launched spark and optra magnum this year and will launch captiva SUV in january 2008. GM’s indian line-up is full – starting from a refreshed aveo U-VA, new spark variant, a small car, new optra and aveo diesel and the luxury sedan epica.

Auto Expo Live: Yamaha Gladiator SS & Gladiator RS

Yamaha will soon launch new variants of its flagship product gladiator. Gladiator SS and Gladitor RS will embrace contemporary sporty theme. Gladiator SS (Sporty and Stylish) and will be out by February and Gladiator RS (Racing Style) will be out by March 2008. Yamaha has developed 26 new items  for the RS and SS variants of Gladiator. Front cowl is lowered by 30mm for the sporty look of Gladiator RS and Gladiator SS. Sporty chracter of gladiator SS and Gladitor RS is further enhanced with a newaerodynamic rear fender, sporty chain cover, Aluminum foot rest for rider & pillion and machine gun type muffler end. Tachometer and Aluminium shift pedal are further additions for the new gladiator RS and  SS

Auto Expo Live:ICML plans world car by 2010

ICML which launched the Rhino Rx at the Auto Expo has displayed a concept car and unveiled its plans on much touted world car platform. The newly launched Rhino Rx is powered by 2.0L MG Rover diesel enginewhich cranks out 100bhp of maximum power at 3600rpm and a maximum torque of 220Nm at 2400rpm. This new rhino RX is BSIII compatible and is the most fuel efficient in the category, according to the company. Rhino Rx would be available in three variants S1.S2 and DLX. Coming to the ICML’s new world car, ICML says the series that would be build on the world car platform will set benchmarks in the Industry.  On world car platform ICML will develop a family of vehicles and high end luxury cars in association with an Italian design firm called Pininfarina. Pininfarina has involved for making cars for Ferrari,Maserati,Cadillac and Jaguar.

Ford’s small car for India

Ford officials have given some hint about their small car entry in india

When asked about Ford India’s small car plan

`It’s(small car) a segment we can’t ignore,” said McCormack – Ford india’s vice president for marketing and sales. “At some point we’ve got to be in that segment.”he added

When asked about Tata’s 1 lakh car plan

“We are always focused on what our consumers want… if our consumer comes back and says here are the trade-offs, I am willing to make ($3,000 car) and this is what I will accept and live with,” Ford India managing director and president Arvind Mathew said.

It’s Ford KA or Mazda2  for India

Unusually very tight lipped ford officials have given few indications on Ford small car entry in india. With this hint, Ford is joining with Honda,Toyota,Volkswagen in planning to sell small cars in India. It is believed that Ford will either use the existing Ikon or Fiesta platforms for a hatchback or it will tweak the new KA that Ford is developing jointly with Fiat in Europe. The new KA is expected to roll out in Europe next year. Fiat has already formally launched its euro small car Fiat 500 which is on the same platform as the new KA. But now many believe Ford may opt for Mazda2 which was formally previewed at the Geneva motor show earlier this year. The Mazda 2, when it debuted, got more wows than the fit/Jazz(Honda’s proposed small car for india). Also The Mazda2 can be a fairly decent India option and may even be cheaper to develop in India compared to the new KA. Ford already has both petrol and diesel engines that can be tweaked to enable the hatch to qualify for excise benefits. There’s a 1.4 litre duratorq (CRDi) diesel engine in the Fiesta and a1.3 litre petrol in the Ikon. Both may be likely probable if Ford decides to build an India-specific car on an existing platform. KA or Mazda2 whatever Ford opts for india surely it will have more impact on other manufacturers proposed small car.

Bajaj’s small car the ‘Lite’

To avoid being overshadowed by the Tata car, automobile manufacturers are scheduling their announcements for January 8-9.
It all begins with Bajaj Auto’s small car on Tuesday(january 08), followed by General Motors, Volkswagen, Fiat (Tata’s joint venture partner), Maruti, Volvo Cars and the rest. Bajaj Auto addressed a press conference today (on 8 January) and discussed some details of the small car, launch of superbikes in india and the road ahead with the partners. Bajaj will join suzuki and Yamaha by rolling out super bikes in 2008.”We will launch KTM and Kawasaki bikes sometime this year,” Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj said. Bajaj also said it will launch 3 new models in two-wheeler space in 2008. As Bajaj plans to revive its glory in scooter segment, it will launch Blade DTSi soon. Blade will be followed by Discover 150cc. Though pulsar continues to rule 150cc segment, its crown is challenged recently by apache RTR and Hero Honda Hunk. This year yamaha will roll out its premium bike (scooped as yzf R15) hence Bajaj believes uplifting discover will strengthen its presence in 150cc segment. A new variant of XCD called XCD sprint will be added to the Bajaj’s line-up

Lite – LCV and passenger carrier:

Long before Renault came into the people’s car scene, Bajaj started working for a four wheeler project (in 2005). Bajaj plans to use this new four wheeler platform for its passenger and cargo carrier vehicles. The cargo carrier will counter market leader Tata ace and piaggio ape truk. Bajaj’s new platform is named as ‘lite’.Bajaj Auto’s managing director Rajiv Bajaj said, “The middle ground (between two and four-wheelers) can spawn a range of ‘lite’ vehicles — a diet version if you will — and that’s something we will look at. We are intending to get into a family of ‘lite’ four-wheelers, both for people and goods. We will get into that business first with a goods carrier.” Bajaj Auto is building a plant at Chakan near Pune in the western state of Maharashtra will have the capacity to make 250,000 light trucks and cars a year.Bajaj Auto Ltd will launch its lite based small car in alliance with the French carmaker Renault and Japan’s Nissan Motor Co in 2-4 years. The low-cost car will be designed by Bajaj and produced at its Chakan plant in Maharashtra.

Bajaj’s lite concept: features‘tall boy’ image on the lines of Hyundai Santro. Though bajaj says lite as a concept car, it looks like it is ready for production. Fit and Finish seems good. Large raked headlamps occupies the major part of the bonnet. Connecting the headlamps is a line (not a grille). Above the grille is an unfamiliar badge, yes, bajaj’s badge looks strange on the bonnet of a car. Steeply raked large windscreen has become a rule for low cost cars. Thick B and C pillars supports the declining roof. Alloy wheels and stylish fog lamps raises suspicion whether Bajaj can bring the car around Rs1.2lakh ($3000 car). Bajaj’s lite based small car should not have unattractive rear like this. The pillar mounted tail lamps looks bad but Bajaj has time to rectify the design till 2010. Getting inside the ‘lite’ concept, the instrument panel is moved to centre similar to what we seen in chevrolet spark. The three spoke steering wheel bring the memory of cheap china made cars. The gear lever is mounted on the dash. But putting aside all this things, could you believe this is the first car made by a two- wheeler manufacturer.Really, i’m not, this is incredible. If Bajaj prices the lite based small car in between Rs1 lakh and Rs3 lakh. I can assure you that this will give other hatchbacks a run for money. Bajaj lite is perfect, nothing more can we expect from a small car.

Bajaj’s lite concept: based small car will be available in petrol and diesel variants.  We will also have a diesel option and one can always build LPG, CNG and hybrid options on to the platform as well,” Mr Bajaj said. For diesel, Bosch is “one option”, he added. The lite based small car will have twin-cylinder engine and will be positioned as an intra-city car.

Bajaj lite concept: Bajaj plans to make the lite based small car the most fuel-efficient small car in the market. Twin cylinder engine and an innovative transmission will make the lite to return more than 30km per litre. The management of Bajaj Auto said that they will rollout the small car in 2009.
Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto, said: “This is not a Rs 1 lakh car. It will be priced competitively but not sell on the pricing. Offering the customer twice the fuel economy is more effective than offering half the price.”