2009 Mercedes E-Class spied
Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Goes On Sale In U.S.
Thursday, October 9th, 2008Alfa Romeo is back in US, well partially. After exiting the US market in 1995 due to slumping sales and discontent customers, the brand is making a come back by launching the Alfa 8C Competizione , the $200,000 high performance coupe that has captured the fancy of automobile lovers across Europe.
The Alfa 8C Competizione is now officially available across USA through designated Maserati dealers selected to sell the car. But it doesnt matter as of now beacuse all the 8C’s earmarked for the US market for the year have already been spoken for.
The spyder version will come in later, by 2010. After the full operations are started in the USA, the whole Alfa range will be available throughout the dealerships, from Brera coupe to the 159 sedan or their replacements MiTo and the 149. The company is also looking at a large rear wheel drive car which will be based on a Jaguar platform.
[Via: indianautoblog]
Ratan Tata joins US-based Nanobiosym’s advisory board
Friday, September 19th, 2008Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, has joined the global advisory board of the US-based Nanobiosym, one of the leading nanotechnology companies in the world. ‘I am inspired by his example, which provides us with a practical roadmap for bringing cutting edge technologies into emerging global economies,’ said Dr Anita Goel, Nanobiosym’s Chairperson and CEO.
‘Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the way we tackle key issues facing the world today, and Nanobiosym is working at the forefront of this revolution,’ said Ratan Tata. ‘Dr Goel has forged a bold model for driving technological innovation and commercialization, while maximizing global humanitarian impact. I look forward to working closely with her and her team,’ he added.
[Via: Indiaautomotive]
Hyundai to Export i10 from India to US
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008Hyundai is currently studying its options to export its latest 54-mpeg car from India to the United States. i10 is the premium hatchback model in the Hyundai portfolio that has been extremely successful in India. It already crossed 1 lakh benchmark for exports in less than 7 months of its launch.
“We are studying the feasibility of beginning our exports to the US,” said Mr H.S. Lheem, Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd on the occasion of the company’s 10th anniversary celebration.
Hyundai i10 is only 140 inches long and 21 inches shorter than Honda Fit and is capable of up to 56 mpg. Escalating fuel prices has led to rise in demand for compact cars in the US. Hyundai needs to add the safety features which will increase its weight by 400 pounds and the new Hyundai i10 shall be ready to be exported to the US.
Hyundai currently exports its premium compact car model, i10, to nearly 96 countries but has stayed away from the US market owing to the poor demand in compact car segment and intense competition.
It is also planning to export its upcoming model Hyundai i20, to overseas market which shall be launched by the year end in India. All exports shall be done from its Chennai facility in South India. It plans to stop exporting Getz once i20 starts getting exported to international market.
[Via: Cartradeindia]
Volkswagen edges out Ford
Friday, August 29th, 2008Volkswagen has become the world’s third largest carmaker outselling Ford. According to the latest sales figures, VW Group delivered 3.31 million vehicles in the first half of the year, with Ford delivering 3.22 million. Remember only in 2004 Ford lost the second spot to the japanese car maker Toyota.
The worsening sales in US is hitting the American major very badly. Toyota is marching towards the no 1 spot by selling 280,000 units more than the General Motors globally during the first six months of 2008.
[Via: Vicky]
Suzuki Kizashi 3 to debut at New York Auto Show
Thursday, August 28th, 2008 
Long back at the Frankfurt Motor Show, we saw the debut of the Suzuki Kizashi concept, the first of the Kizashi’s, then at the Tokyo Motor Show, we saw the debut of the Kizashi’s second concept. Now the Japanese company Suzuki is going to unveil its third version of the Kizashi line-up, the Suzuki Kizashi 3 at the upcoming New York Auto Show.
The Kizashi 3 is said to be the last of the Kizashi concepts and alongside the Kizashi concept 3 will be the Kizashi concept 2 and the Kizashi concept 1. The design of the Kizashi concepts were developed by Suzuki’s Advanced Design Group. With these concepts we can see how Suzuki will revolutionize its product line-up.
The Kizashi 3 is said to be a new sports sedan with quality, gadgets,style and interiors like no other Suzuki in production. The Kizashi line-up’s design can inspire the cars that Suzuki will make in future.
[Via: Autocrust]
Hyundai i10 in America from India
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008Small has suddenly started becoming bigger in the minds of auto consumers around the world. The increasing fuel prices and congested traffic has made people switch to smaller cars day by day. Hyundai Motors India Limited launched its model, Hyundai i10 in India and plans to take the model to America.
Although market for small and fuel efficient cars has gone up considerably in the US, but Hyundai i10 making a foray in the US is a little unlikely in the near future, says John Krafcik, Vice President of product development in America. The subcompact 5-door hatchback model is too lightweight for the American market, the company looks at launching the model in the US but not so early, he adds
Hyundai had been studying logistics and other costs associated with getting the car approved for the American market. It plans to launch the heavier hatchback model i30 in America in 2009. India is the manufacturing and exporting hub for Hyundai Motors India Limited. The company plans to manufacture and export its small car models from India to countries around the world. Hyundai i-series launches are a part of its same strategy.
[Via: Cartradeindia]
VW Jetta TDI: US delivery has started
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 
Lovers of both fuel mileage and torque can finally rest easy; Volkswagen of America is now officially selling its 50-State-approved, clean diesel engine in either the Jetta sedan for $21,990 or Jetta SportWagen wrappers for $23,590. Equipped with the six-speed DSG transmission, both Jetta gets an EPA rating of 29 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway.
Source: Germancarblog
18 months waiting time for Audi R8
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 
the 2009 Audi R8 is sold out and that there is a waiting list of more than 18 months for the German automaker’s performance flagship, according to Audi of America spokesman Christian Bokich. The 2009 Audi R8 is priced $3,500 higher than the outgoing model, Audi announced on Monday. The 2009 Audi R8 Quattro manual starts at $113,700, including a $1,200 destination charge. The 2009 Audi R8 Quattro R tronic is priced at $122,700, including shipping. The destination charge on the Audi R8 increased by $200. Destination charges on other ‘09 Audi models increased from $775 to $825.
