newsgaze

Hero Honda launches new Super Splendor

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:37:21 +0000

Hero Honda new Super Splendor

Hero Honda launched the new model of 125cc ‘Super Splendor’ bike, priced at Rs 45,950/- (ex-showroom Delhi) with new value-added features. The new Super Splendor comes with ‘Honda Intelligent Ignition System’ (HIIS).

The all-new Super Splendor 125cc features aesthetic and technological advancements for superior performance and exceptional riding experience.

Mr. Anil Dua, Sr. Vice-President (Marketing & Sales) said, Hero Honda Motors Ltd said, “The strategy of constantly updating the product portfolio has been key to the success of Hero Honda. Our Splendor range is the leading volume driver in the deluxe segment. And today, it is further bolstered by the introduction of the all-new Super Splendor. This bike caters to the changing needs of customers and offers them more contemporary styling and efficient performance. With this launch, we are confident of further strengthening our leadership position in the domestic motorcycle market.”

The new Super Splendor bike features a newly designed Carburetor and ACG for improved engine performance. The 5-step adjustable rear shock-absorber provides a smoother drive and comfort. The new bike will immediately available through Hero Honda’s wide network of over 4200 sales and service points across the country.

Hero Honda’s Splendor brand was first launched in the year 1994 and since then the brand has become a legend in the motorcycle industry in the country, and indeed across the globe, surpassing a series of milestones on the way. The Super Splendor 125 cc was introduced in early 2005 with the path-breaking Quantum Core engine and enhanced features to give fuel economy even with higher engine power. Since then, the bike has been regularly upgraded to meet customers’ evolving preferences and tastes.

Airtel, National Geographic Channel begin hunt for ‘Young Explorer’

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:56:08 +0000

National Geographic Channel, in association with Bharti Airtel, has begun the quest for India’s bright young talents with, ‘Airtel Nat Geo Young Explorer’. This is an initiative to identify India’s bright young talents, who have the curiosity and aptitude to explore the world around. The ‘Airtel Nat Geo Young Explorer’ is someone who is articulate, curious, smart and aware about the world; in short a complete all-rounder. It is an extensive activity initiated by Bharti Airtel and National Geographic Channel, spanning across Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai, says Bharti Airtel.

The activity will cover 120 schools in total, across the 3 cities through on ground activation. In addition, there will also be online test available for students, which cannot be covered through on ground channel. The entire initiative is a combination of fun games, puzzles & an exciting yet brain tickling trail hunts, where the participants will need to clear various levels before they proceed forth. Information on the ‘Airtel Nat Geo Young Explorer’ is available on www.natgeotv.co.in/airtel

“Airtel Nat Geo Young Explorer is an initiative in association with Airtel to identify kids who will be the future visionaries of the country. The focus is to encourage more and more students to live curious and explore beyond their immediate World – its people, animals and places. Through this unique initiative, National Geographic Channel aims to stimulate and build better interactions with every child who participates,” said Keertan Adyanthaya, Managing Director, National Geographic Channel India & FOX international Channels.

“It is a privilege to join hands with National Geographic Channel in the quest for India’s young explorer. We believe this is a great platform that will identify, hone young talents by providing them the right exposure to real life situations and help prepare them for various challenges that life throws at them. The campaign to identify the young explorer is well crafted and designed keeping in mind all the necessary parameters that test the knowledge and aptitude of the participating kids. It will be a great learning experience for kids, as well as their schools” said K. Srinivas, President Telemedia Services, Bharti Airtel.

Airtel Nat Geo Young Explorer is primarily targeting approximately 60000 + children aged between 10-14 years. The winner will walk away with branded laptops and other goodies from Airtel and National Geographic Channel.

Maruti Suzuki launched limited edition of Swift

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:35:50 +0000

Maruti Swift limited edition

Maruti Suzuki announced the launch of a limited edition ‘Swift’, the iconic premium small car brand. The limited edition ‘Swift’ celebrates Maruti Suzuki’s landmark of selling one million cars in a year, achieved in last fiscal. The one millionth car Swif rolled out at company’s state-of-the-art plant at Manesar.

The Swift ‘One Million Edition’ is available in the Vxi version (Petrol engine) and only 1,000 units of the limited edition Swift will be sold at a price of Rs. 4.83 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The “One Million Edition” Swift celebration model will come in specially created “Goldsmith Black” color and loaded with smart and attractive features like splendid graphics, special integrated stereo with USB and speakers, luxurious leather seats, cushions, foot-mats and an artistic decal on the exteriors.

Speaking on the occasion Mayank Pareek, Managing Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) said, “It is indeed a moment of pride for us. Swift One Million Edition is our gesture to show gratitude to our customers who have strongly supported us in our journey to reach milestone of one million sales in one year.”

“The interiors of the Swift One Million Edition have aesthetics of a commemorative edition. The new features and the characteristic body graphics together compliment the sporty character of the Swift. We are confident that this special edition will bring pride to the select owners who get to possess it”, he added.

Since its launch in 2005, Swift has commanded unprecedented leadership with over 4.90 lakh happy customers. Swift has the distinction for achieving the fastest 2 Lakh sales in 35 months and fastest 3 Lakhs sales in 46 months.

Maruti Suzuki sales in August 2010

Maruti Suzuki India sold a total of 104,791 vehicles in August 2010, growing 23.6 per cent in the month. This includes exports of 12,117 units. This is the highest ever monthly sales recorded by the company, said in press release.

The company had sold a total of 84,808 vehicles in August 2009.

Maruti Suzuki’s volume in the domestic A2 segment grew by 25.7 per cent and in the A3 segment the sales volume grew by 34 per cent during the month as compared to sales in August 2009.

During the month the company launched Alto-K10 with 1-litre K-series engine and five CNG models across segments. Customers ranked Maruti Suzuki as the No.1 company in the annual Sales Satisfaction Survey conducted independently by JD Power, a leading global research agency.

Reliance acquires 14.12% stake in EIH

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:39:47 +0000

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) announced that it had acquired, through its wholly owned subsidiary Reliance Industries Investment and Holding Private Limited, from Oberoi Hotels Private Limited and certain other promoters of EIH Limited shares in EIH Limited representing 14.12% of EIH Limited at a total cost of Rs 1,021 crores approximately, according to the company website.

RIL’s investment in EIH Limited has been made as the Oberoi family had developed the “Oberoi Hotels” brand into a premier international brand in the luxury hospitality sector and as a result EIH Limited has excellent future prospects. RIL has full faith in and would support the management of EIH Limited and there is no change of management, operation or control of EIH Limited.

Mahindra’s Pick-up trucks bag Federal Tier-2 BIN-5 & OBD II compliance certificate

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:21:19 +0000

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), one of India’s leading automobile manufacturers, has become the first Indian automobile manufacturer to receive the Light Duty Diesel Federal Tier-2 BIN-5 & OBD II Compliance Certificate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USA, on August 17, 2010. With this certification, Mahindra has joined a select group of global automobile manufacturers who have received this certification for diesel powered Light Duty Vehicle (LDVs).

Mahindra’s product development team, ably supported by its consultants and suppliers met Tier-2 BIN-5 Emissions, while achieving its fuel efficiency target.

Mahindra used top-end diesel technology, namely Piezo 1800 bar Common Rail System, Fourth Generation Boosting and SCR (selective catalytic reduction) catalytic technology in order to comply with Tier-2 Bin-5 emission norms

Mahindra launches fuel-efficient tractor Yuvraj 215 in Gujarat at Rs 1.75 lakh

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:18:14 +0000

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), the market leader in the Indian tractor industry, rolled out India’s first 15 HP tractor, Yuvraj 215, at a price of Rs 1.75 lakh. The Yuvraj 215 is a compact, versatile, fuel efficient and easy to operate 15 HP tractor. It is ideal for a farmer with small landholdings, who is primarily dependent on farming with bullocks and seeks to increase productivity at an affordable cost, according to the company website.

The Yuvraj 215 promises a top speed of 25.6 Kmph and haulage capacity of 1.5 tonne. It boasts of the first water cooled single cylinder engine in this segment and side shift gear lever, ensuring comfort for the operator.

It is ideal for farmers with 2 to 5 acre of land, who carry out farm works with the help of bullocks or power tillers. This nifty tractor is also apt for farmers who require an additional tractor for specific applications like inter-culture, power generation or water pumping. Vegetable farmers, as well as those who own orchards or cultivate cash crops can also benefit from the Yuvraj’s strong value proposition of productivity, power and performance.
Sanjeev Goyle, senior vice-president, marketing & applitrac, farm equipment sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “At Mahindra & Mahindra, we have always pioneered products for increasing farm productivity and enhancing rural prosperity. Therefore, having realized the low penetration of tractors amongst farmers at the bottom of the pyramid, we felt a distinct need to create a product for farmers with small landholdings. The Yuvraj 215 is India’s first 15 hp tractor and has many firsts to its credit. Apart from offering an unbeatable value proposition and world class technology at an attractive price, it is part of our vision to deliver FarmTech Prosperity to farmers through its multiple application features.”

Avinash Patankar, senior vice president, sales, channel development & customer care, farm equipment sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., “Our proposition is to take the Mahindra lineage of name, quality, fuel efficiency and trust to a whole new consumer segment. Further, in our endeavour to bring farm tech prosperity, we always strive to not only help India’s farmers increase their agricultural yield and productivity but to also ensure a better quality of life for them.”

The Yuvraj 215 will be manufactured at a state-of-the-art plant in Rajkot with a production capacity of 16,000 tractors per annum. M&M has entered into a contract manufacturing agreement with Deepak Diesels Pvt. Ltd. (DDPL) which will exclusively manufacture the Yuvraj 215 in Rajkot, adhering to M&M’s renowned quality standards and processes.

The Yuvraj 215 is equipped with various features including hydraulic with AD & DC, first time in tractors below 20 HP for smooth operation and better performance with draft implements, side shift gears with Fatigue-free ergonomics for driver comfort, first single cylinder water cooled vertical engine which does not allow over heating, enhances productivity per hectare in comparison to other small tractor/ power tillers, and it is light in weight at 780 Kg, leading to low soil compaction and hence better yield.

Mercedes-Benz launches new E200 CGI BlueEfficiency in India

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:54:40 +0000

Mercedes-Benz new E200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY

Continuing its product offensive, Mercedes-Benz India launched the new E200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY in Indian market with an aggressive price tag of Rs. 38.76 lakh Ex-Showroom Pune and Rs 39.5 lakh Ex-showroom Delhi. E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY marks the debut of CGI technology in the E-Class and its available in the popular elegance range, the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY churns out a power of 183 hp and 285 Nm torque.

The new offering from the E-Class stable is tailored to deliver the highest standards of design, technology, comfort and luxury motoring to its discerning patrons. This marks the debut of the CGI technology in the E-Class range. The CGI technology combined with BlueEFFICIENCY measures ensures optimised efficiency, performance as well as environmental compatibility. The E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY thus becomes the second Mercedes model to feature these innovative measures.

After celebrating the spirit of open top motoring with the launch of the E-Class Cabriolet earlier in August, Mercedes-Benz India E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY marks the entry point of customers into the E-Class family.

Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India Limited “E-Class has been an all round success internationally; in India too it is the most popular luxury car in the country. The new E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY is an irresistable combination of power, torque and luxury and further reinforces the broad range within the E-Class offerings.”

Ford to launch eight new models in India by 2015

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:35:51 +0000

Ford India to export Ford Figo to 50 new markets including Mexico, North African countries and the United Arab Emirates
Ford’s growth in Asia Pacific and Africa is expected to account for 70 percent of the company’s global growth in the next decade

Ford Motor Company plans to launch eight new models in India by the middle of the decade as it moves to rapidly expand its presence in the fast growing market. Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa (APA), made the announcement on Thursday, August 26, 2010 during a keynote speech titled “Managing Growth – Evolving Market Dynamics” at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Conference in New Delhi.

Hinrichs said, “As we have seen from the spectacular early success of the Ford Figo, more and more Indian consumers appreciate the fuel efficient, economical, high quality, safe, and fun-to-drive vehicles that Ford offers. By the middle of this decade we will introduce eight new vehicles to India from our global platforms, in segments appropriate for this market. This is part of our ‘better plan’ to bring more and more vehicles from our vast global portfolio to India and other markets in Asia Pacific and Africa.”

Ford India launched the Ford Figo subcompact in the first quarter of this year, selling more than 30,000 units in 25 weeks.

“Although the vast majority of vehicles we produce in India will help satisfy growing local demand, we also continue to pursue export opportunities,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India. “We are pleased to announce that Ford India will export our locally-produced, hot-selling Ford Figo to 50 new markets, including Mexico, North Africa and the Middle East starting next year.”

Ford has been exporting the Figo to South Africa since May 2010. Ford India also exports the Ford Fiesta (branded as the “Ikon”) and diesel powertrains to South Africa, as well as 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol engines to Thailand. Ford sells the Endeavor, Ikon, Fiesta and Figo in India, all locally-produced.
The launch and export of both Figo and the engines are the result of a USD 500-million investment in India to expand manufacturing and set up an engine plant there.

Ford’s APA region encompasses markets on three continents, including Australia, China, India, Thailand and South Africa. Industry sales in the region will increase from 16 million units in 2009, to an estimated 35 million units by 2018. The region is expected to account for nearly 70 percent of Ford’s worldwide growth in the next decade.

Sales of vehicles in India have grown at an average annual rate of 17 percent over the past five years, and an estimated 10 million to 11 million people will migrate from two-wheeled forms of transport to small cars in the next few years.

Hinrichs’ remarks at the SIAM conference focused on strategies for managing change, specifically the impact of rising demand and increasing capacity on the value chain.

“Introducing eight new vehicles by the middle of the decade is an ambitious plan that will have tremendous impact on our manufacturing operations, supply chain, dealers and employees. As part of our better plan for India, we are working today to make sure the value chain is ready for the demands we will place on it in the years to come,” Hinrichs said.

Suzuki launched SlingShot 125cc bike in India

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:19:11 +0000

Suzuki SlingShot 125cc bike

Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. , a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading two-wheeler manufacturers Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, launched 125cc Suzuki SlingShot. The Suzuki SlingShot priced at Rs 43,945 (ex-showroom Delhi) and is positioned to fill the void that currently exists between the 100cc and the 150cc segments without compromising the key parameters that a customer aspires for – style of a 150 cc and the efficiency of a 100 cc bike.

The Suzuki SlingShot is available in four colours – Metallic Mustard Yellow, Metallic Fox Orange, Candy Antares Red and Pearl Nebular Black.

At the launch of the Suzuki SlingShot, Katsumi Takata, Chairman, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Suzuki is a brand trusted worldwide for its superior technology and uncompromised quality and we have amply displayed this to our commitment to India by launching products, from the GS150R to the Hayabusa, Gixxer and Bandit, that have generated tremendous response from customers. The same global promise of Suzuki ensures that our customers in India get same uncompromising quality, style, performance and comfort in the Suzuki SlingShot. “

Atul Gupta, Vice President (Sales and Marketing), Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, “It has been our constant endeavour to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the Indian motorcycle market and the Suzuki SlingShot is a direct result of us listening to what the customers want and delivering a world class product that meets their requirements. The Suzuki SlingShot offers a complete package in terms of Style, Comfort, Performance and Practicality – all combined in a 125 cc bike. The customer wanted a bike that was as frugal on fuel as a 100 cc bike, yet had the looks to match a 150 cc premium bike combined with a price point that made the product affordable yet met all requirements – which the Suzuki SlingShot offers.”

The Suzuki SlingShot boasts of sharp edgy head lamps, an all new front fender design and a convenient gear position indicator for ease in riding in city traffic. A state-of-the-art engine fed by a BS carburettor with a Throttle Position Switch (TPS) optimizes the ignition timing coupled with a DC – CDI along with the Suzuki P ulsed-secondary AIR -injection (PAIR) system results in obtaining high combustion efficiency for enhanced mileage and reduced emissions.

Mitsubishi Motors showcases ASX compact crossover at Moscow International Automobile Salon 2010

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:38:53 +0000

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) showcased its Russian-spec ASX compact crossover at the Moscow International Automobile Salon 2010 held at Crocus Expo in Moscow from August 25 (open to the general public from Thursday August 26). A total of 12 vehicles are on display, including MMC’s core SUV lineup; Outlander, Pajero, and Pajero Sport, states information posted at the company website.

The Russian-spec ASX, equipped with a choice of MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) engines mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or 6-speed sport-mode CVT, provides superior fuel efficiency and low emissions in a compact package that can seat five. Sales of the ASX in Russia commenced this July.

MMC President Osamu Masuko noted, “Since the ASX was first launched this February in Japan, then in Europe and China, I am pleased to say that we are receiving such high praise for the vehicle that demand currently exceeds production in Japan. We plan to expand our SUV lineup in Russia with the new ASX in addition to commencing full-fledged SKD*3 production of the Outlander, the core of our SUV lineup, at a new assembly plant in Kaluga next month. We hope to meet the needs and expectations of our customers in Russia, one of our most important markets.”