Chennai based Tyre Store is offering a range of Michelin tyres that can not only be fitted on superbikes, but can also be used by owners of small capacity Indian bikes.
Available in various sizes, the range includes Power One, Pilot Power 2CT, Pilot Road 2 and Power Sporty too. While the former three are for imported superbikes, the last one is available in 100/90 R18 size that fits most 150cc+ Indian bikes.
Much relief to the riders of motorbikes, the HondaCBF Stunner will be herein after fitted with Leovince SBK exhaust system. The bike, as of now, is deprived of its Shine -drive despite the sharp cowl and less tuned engine. The arrival of this exhaust is a breathing break for the riders of this Stunner. Leovince, from UK, offers this exhaust system for this Stunner, and it provides 10% torque increase,10% power increase, Weight saving, ‘Superb’ sound. The imminent increase in the power output is 10.8 - 11.7 bhp@ 3500 rpm and 5200 rpm, a gain of torque upto 40%.
The cost of the kit is Rs. 27,212 and it is the ideal choice for international racers using Honda bikes - Stiggy-Honda, Wilson-Craig-Honda, Hannspree-Althea-Honda, Red Viper. Compared to these tuned bikes the performance in Stunner will be worthy for the money spent. The Leovince is in the news also for its newly crafted top-range ‘SBK Factory’silencer -in a oval shape with flat top and bottom sections, lightweight brushed alloy, a short 420mm body and 60mm tailpipe- the link to the engine with AISI 304 stainless pipework with racing type header fittings, a genuine carbon fibre support strap, 3D-style mounted kit - all these talk volumes of the efficiency of Leovince.
Nissan India has set up its new corporate head office in Chennai, from where Nissan’s operations in India will be controlled. Nissan will, of course, also continue with its office in Mumbai, which will operate as a regional office with product planning and sales & marketing teams from Hover Automotive India, Nissan’s strategic alliance partner in the country.
Nissan’s head office in Chennai already has a staff strength of more than 50 people, and this number is expected to double by the end of 2010. ‘This marks yet another significant milestone for us at Nissan, as we move to our new corporate office in Chennai. We have come to India to become a major player and Chennai will play an important and strategic role in our Indian operations as we gear up for the start of production of our locally made global compact car in May 2010,’ said Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director and CEO, NMIPL.
Bajaj Auto reported a 52.38% increase in its motorcycle sales in October 2009, at 249,681 units, as against 163,850 units in October last year. This includes 127 units of the Kawasaki Ninja 250R sportsbike, which the company launched in India during October this year. Bajaj’s total two-wheeler sales (including scooters) also increased by 51.06% in October this year, at 249,974 units, as compared with 165,477 units in October 2008.
Exports went up by 11.88%, to 84,012 units in October 2009, from 75,092 units in October 2008. Total vehicle sales (including commercial vehicles) of the company in October 2009 stood at 280,455 units, as compared with 191,840 units in October 2008.
TVS reported a 12% increase in sales during October 2009, at 131,000 units, as against 117,000 units in the year-ago period. In the domestic market, TVS sales were up 18% at 118,000 units, as against 100,000 units in October 2008. Scooter sales were up 20%, at 28,301 units in October 2009, as against 23,487 units during October 2008.
However, TVS’ total motorcycle sales declined, with the company selling 56,465 units in October 2009 as against 59,217 units in October 2008. Exports also went down, registering 12,466 units in Oct 2009 as against 17,013 units in October 2008.
Ford has unveiled its new small car Figo today in New Delhi with Alan Roger Mulally, Ford’s president and chief executive, making a lightening visit to the country for the unveiling. It is expected that Figo will be priced in the range of 3.5-5 lakh rupees and will compete with the likes of Maruti Ritz, Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz & Skoda Fabia.
Today’s press conference in Delhi was the first public preview of the exterior design of the new Ford Figo. Ford is reserving further details about the vehicle until closer to its production launch early in 2010. Design-conscious Italy inspired the new Ford Figo’s name. Figo is colloquial Italian for “cool.”
Sharing key elements of Ford’s kinetic design language with vehicles like the globally renowned Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo and the Ford Fiesta, Ford Figo features a fresh, contemporary shape that will be a distinctive alternative to traditional brands in this segment. The design language conveys a dynamic spirit of energy in motion.
Quality, substance and generous proportions are clearly evident in the design of the new Ford Figo, which features a solid stance, an invitingly large interior and a vibrant, youthful character. Its package is right-sized for the market, which is predominated by congested urban driving conditions.
From its modern headlamps, grille shapes and sculpted bonnet of its distinctive face to the subtle integrated spoiler and chamfered window shape at the rear, Ford Figo is filled with kinetic design touches. These also include sculpted shapes to the body side - chiseled front fenders, a “comet tail” undercut in the doors and additional light-catching sculpting in the lower bodyside - which combine to communicate the solidity, substance and protective safety of its design.
The bold graphic of Ford Figo’s large side window shape is another key kinetic design feature hinting at the comfort and spaciousness awaiting occupants’ front and rear. The side window graphic is executed with a blacked-out B-pillar, an elegant design touch that unifies the side windows into one shape visually.
With its wheels positioned at the four corners of the vehicle with minimal overhang, Ford Figo’s bold wheel arches self-assuredly signal its agility and solidity.
New Ford Regional Production Centre
The introduction of the new Ford Figo marks a significant shift for India’s role in Ford’s strategy. Transformed with a production capacity of 200,000 units, the integrated Chennai manufacturing facility is now positioned as a Ford regional centre of excellence for small-car engineering and production.
Ford Figo models will be produced at the plant for export to international markets. The plant is also being groomed to produce diesel and petrol engines for local vehicle production and export within Ford’s Asia Pacific and Africa region.
With more automation and high-tech new facilities, the new site reflects the latest Ford manufacturing processes globally and pioneers new technologies for Ford and India. Created with a “best of the best” approach, it has been benchmarked against other competitive facilities globally, as well as the current volume manufacturers in the Indian market, for quality and production efficiency.
The transformed plant introduces eco-friendly production techniques like its new Three-Wet High-Solids paint process. This approach produces beautifully painted vehicles with three wet coats - primer, base coat and clear coat - of high solids-content paint applied one after the other without oven curing between coats. A first for India, it produces fewer carbon dioxide emissions and reduces volatile organic compounds emissions by about 20 percent compared to current medium-solids solvent-borne paints. Use of high-solids content results in a paint finish with high levels of gloss and depth ofcolour which is more resistant to scratches and stone chips.
Maruti Suzuki has roped in Bollywood actor R Madhavan as the brand face for the WagonR as it aims to increase sales of the car in South India. Maruti had carried out a consumer study before signing the actor and his signing would help increase the brand equity of WagonR nationally and more specifically in the southern parts of India. The WagonR has average monthly sales of 12,000 units and a cumulative customer base of 7.45 lakhs.
“We feel that associating with a personality such as Madhavan will certainly reinforce the brand values of WagonR at an all-India level. Going forward, we feel, the brand shall have an exceptional foothold in the Southern market as well. Given the popularity of Madhavan in the South, the masses will relate to the brand more strongly with a local icon becoming the face of the brand,” he added.
Ford’s manufacturing facility near Chennai is readying for volume production of its soon-to-be-introduced new car after a comprehensive transformation to double its capacity and become a strategic production hub for Ford Motor Company.
Attracting an investment of $500 million from Ford Motor Company, the Ford India plant, located in Maraimalai Nagar, was selected as the ideal production source for Ford’s new car. It will be produced not only for India but also for export to other international markets.
“This new world-class manufacturing facility is a symbol of Ford’s commitment to India and our intention to compete with the best in the market,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India. “When the first new car rolls off the line, it will be a moment when Ford achieves its potential as a major player in the Indian automotive industry.”
Starting from 7th up till 20th September 2009, the Free Car Care Clinic will be conducted at 375 Hyundai dealer workshops across the country. For the first time, the customers can also avail this free check-up service at 30 Hyundai Authorised Service Centres (HASC) across India
Hyundai Motor India Ltd., the country’s leading passenger car exporter and the second largest automobile manufacturer, in an effort to extend the advantage of its excellent services and free check-up to a larger number of its customers, today launched its seventh nationwide Free Car Care Clinic.
Starting from 7th up till 20th September 2009, the Free Car Care Clinic will be conducted at 375 Hyundai dealer workshops across the country. For the first time, the customers can also avail this free check-up service at 30 Hyundai Authorised Service Centres (HASC) across India.
The Free Car Care Clinic will offer a comprehensive 80 point check-up and a thorough examination of the engine, transmission, electricals, under-body, AC, exterior etc. The privileged Hyundai customers can also avail free car wash and special discounts on Oil & consumable and other value added services. In addition to this, Hyundai is offering an attractive 10% discounts on spare parts & selected accessories as well as 20% discount on labour charges and on Extended Warranty.
To honour and reward the customers attending the camp, daily attractive gifts and prizes are being offered during the entire period. These include exciting prizes like 10 Free extended warranties for the entire duration of the camp which will be held for 14 days making it a total of 140 extended warranties.
Prizes will be given in each of the 8 regions and the winner will receive a 32 inch LCD TV while as the first runner up will get a digital camera and the second runner up a DVD player. In addition to this there is a Bumper prize of 32″ LCD TV with DVD player combo for one lucky customer.
Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Arvind Saxena, Sr. Vice President - Marketing and Sales, HMIL said: “Hyundai’s Free Car Care Clinic has become a stand out service activity which symbolises the bond Hyundai shares with its esteemed customers.
Comprehensive packages at attractive discounted prices are being offered to customers in order to acknowledge their belief in our quality service and brand. Keeping in view the strong support from our customers in the last two camps, we further expect a good response and turnout for the seventh nationwide free check-up camp.”
The Toyota Fortuner has surpassed all expectations in India. Prior to the launch, TKM claimed 2,500-odd bookings were recorded and merely days after its launch, it says bookings are shut, thanks to the earth-to-moon long queue.
Toyota says it has received 3,100 orders for the vehicle, a lot more than the monthly manufacturing capability of 550 vehicles in Bidadi, where it also makes the Corolla and Innova.
The CKDs arrive in India from Thailand and Toyota does not have a second plant to shift assembly. It says it will be working to touch the monthly mark of 600 Fortuners to restart bookings as early as possible.
