India’s car market leader Maruti Suzuki India Limited, launches its next generation new compact sedan, Swift DZire, in diesel and petrol variants. The petrol version of the more compact and revamped Swift Dzire is priced between Rs 4.79 lakh and 6.19 lakh and the new Swift Dzire diesel models are carrying price tags between Rs 5.80 lakh and Rs 7.09 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

After Honda Motor entered the low-cost small car segment through Brio hatchback last year, the Japanese auto major is planning to lunch the diesel version of Brio in a year or two in order to increase its market share and also to tap the mounting demand for diesel cars in the domestic market.

India’s largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki launched the revamped version of its compact car A-Star at Rs 3.66 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The top-end of the new spiced-up A-Star will cost Rs 4.47 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the country’s largest passenger car exporter and second largest manufacturer announced the launch of three new variants of the Eon – D-Lite +, Era + and Magna +. Priced below Rs 3 lakh at 2.98 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) D-Lite + comes loaded with air-conditioning and power steering, said the company.

Nissan North America, Inc., (NNA) and ABB, the world’s leading power and technology group, along with 4R Energy and Sumitomo Corporation of America, have formed a partnership to evaluate the reuse of lithium-ion battery packs that power the Nissan LEAF, the world’s first and only all-electric car designed for the mass market, said the company.

Ford unveiled the all new Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car which will adorn the car in the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship, the company said.
Ford World Rally Team director Malcolm Wilson and Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn unveiled the livery for the eye-catching Fiesta RS WRC at the Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, motorsport’s traditional start-of-season showcase event.
The Fiesta RS World Rally Car, with its four wheel-drive transmission and 1.6-litre Ecoboostengine will once again spearhead Ford’s challenge in the 2012 and 2013 championships.

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Mahindra & Mahindra, a part of the US $ 14.4 billion group, announced at the Delhi Auto Expo that it would launch SsangYong Rexton, Mahindra Reva NXR, the electric car, and a compact SUV before the festive season this year. Mahinda also announced the launch of Maxximo Passenger Van to debut in Q1 of next financial year and a sub 4-metre Verito in the last quarter of FY 13.

Honda Motorycles and Scooters India (HMSI) unveiled 110cc mass motorcycle Dream Yuga, sporty performance motorcycle CBR 150R, new 2012 model of CB Shine and new 2012 model of CBR 250R (new color) at the Delhi Auto Expo. Honda also displayed its New 2012 model of Dio in automatic scooter and the twin-engined VT 1300CX super bike as well as new performance bike CBR 1000RR Fireblade in the big bikes portfolio.

Vespa scooter is returning to India after over a decade. Italian two-wheeler manufacturer Piaggio, the parent company of Vespa, has unveiled its range of new Vespa scooters at the Delhi Auto Expo, Piaggio Vehicles announced while unveiling the two-wheeler.

The four new SsangYong vehicles namely – the Rexton, the Korando E, Actyon Sports and the XIV-1 Concept – were unveiled by Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. & Chairman, SsangYong Motor Company and Mr. Yoo-Il Lee, President, SsangYong Motor Company.