Mumbai Taxi Union adopts the Hyundai Santro

The Hyundai Santro will now be used as a taxi, in Mumbai. Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) recently handed over the first batch of 30 Santro taxis to the Mumbai Taxi Union. By the end of this year, Hyundai aims to sell up to 1,250 Santro taxis, 500 units of which will be the airconditioned variant. The taxi-spec black-and-yellow Hyundai Santro (non-AC version) will be priced at Rs 2.42 lakh.

The Maharashtra State Government has decided to phase out taxis that are more than 25 years old, which means that a large percentage of Mumbai’s ancient, black-and-yellow Premier Padminis will soon be driving into the Sunset. Currently, more than 40,000 Premier Padmini taxis are estimated to be on Mumbai roads, and around 7,000 of these are due to be replaced with newer vehicles by the end of this year.

With an increasing number of consumers opting for newer Hyundai hatchbacks like the i10, Getz and i20, it looks like the decade-old Santro will now find a fresh lease of life as the Mumbai taxicab.

Audi India sales up 55.7% in March 2009

Disappointing news for those who may have been waiting for an affordable Audi hatchback - the Audi A1 is not coming to India...

Audi, which sold 162 cars in India in March 2009, saw a 55.7% increase in its sales over March 2008, which stood at 104 units. The German carmaker has already sold 384 units in India in 2009 and is quite bullish on its prospects this year.

In India, Audi currently sells the A4, A6 and A8 sedans, the TT coupe, R8 supercar and Q7 SUV. The company is also looking at launching its smaller SUV – the Q5 – in the country by June this year. However, contrary to some earlier reports in the media, Audi has no plans of bringing its small car, the A1, to the Indian market, though it might consider bringing in the A3 hatchback sometime next year.

Mahindra Yueda Yancheng Tractor Company inaugurated in China

Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra Group, and Hu Youlin, Chairman of Yueda Group, recently inaugurated a tractor joint venture formed between the two companies. The new company – Mahindra Yueda Yancheng Tractor Company (MYYTCL) – has been formed by an alliance between Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector and Jiangsu Yueda Yancheng Tractor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a leading Chinese tractor manufacturer. Mahindra holds 51% share in the JV through its subsidiary, Mahindra Overseas Investment Company (Mauritius) Ltd.

This is M&M’s second tractor venture in China, the first one being Mahindra China Tractor Company Ltd. (MCTCL). With MCTCL’s Feng Shou and MYYTCL’s Jinma brands, Mahindra’s tractor operations in China position it well to exploit the fast growing tractor market in that country.

‘We already have a successful Joint Venture with Jiangling Tractor Company. This JV between M&M and Yueda Groups will further combine Indian entrepreneurial and managerial skills with Chinese competitiveness and efficiency. I am sure this formidable combination will contribute substantially towards realising our ambition to be the leading tractor manufacturer in the global market,’ said Anand Mahindra. ‘This JV stands to gain by the operational excellence, international sales and distribution network, and R&D capabilities of Mahindra, and the distribution competence and manufacturing strength of Yueda. It will eventually lead to the creation of China’s leading tractor company. We are delighted to inaugurate this JV with Mahindra,’ added Hu Youlin.

The tractor industry (domestic and export) in China has grown from about 56,000 tractors in calendar year 2003 to 222,000 tractors in 2008, a CAGR of 32 percent. The new agriculture policy introduced by the government in 2004 has played a major role in this growth, with a number of positive measures including abolition of tax on agriculture, boosting growth.

The new JV’s manufacturing facility is located in Yancheng city, in the Jiangsu Province. The product portfolio comprises tractors ranging from 16 HP to 125 HP. MYYTCL will have a strong distribution network covering over 25 provinces in China and will also build on the existing exports operations, with a footprint in more than 60 countries including the US, South America, Russia, Europe and Africa.

Jawa Chic: The East-European Nano

The Jawa Chic is powered by a 500cc diesel engine. The base model costs about Rs 90,000

The Tata Nano was recently declared the most fuel-efficient car in India. With its ARAI-certified fuel economy figure of 23.6km/l (under standard test conditions), the Nano is clearly ahead of the Maruti A-Star (19.6km/l) and the Hyundai i10 (18.1km/l), which are in second and third places respectively.

However, fuel-efficiency figures notwithstanding, the Nano isn’t really the only car of its kind. While doing a bit of research on small, inexpensive cars, we came across the Jawa Chic, which can seat two people and which is powered by a 505cc, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder diesel engine.

The Chic's diesel engine, which is manufactured by Italian company Lombardini, only produces 5.4bhp and is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, since the car only weighs 349kg, this engine can still propel the vehicle to a top speed of about 40-45km/h.

Made by the Czech Republic-based Jawa (whose two-stroke 250cc/350cc motorcycles were sold in India at one time, under the Jawa and Yezdi brand names…), the Chic is priced at the equivalent of Rs 90,000 to 1.26 lakh, depending on the accessories you opt for.

Of course, we’re quite sure the Tata Nano is a far more advanced product compared to the Jawa Chic, but the East-European car does prove that the Nano isn’t the first – or indeed, the only – car of its kind!

Jawa also makes this small pickup truck, called the Logic, which seems somewhat similar to the Tata Ace. The Logic is powered by the same 500cc engine as the Chic

Porsche chalks out expansion strategy for India

Porsche will stick to the CBU imports route for India and will not assemble its cars here

With its sales slowing down in European and North American markets, Porsche is now looking at Asian countries for future growth. India, currently a miniscule market for the German sportscar manufacturer, also features in Porsche’s growth plans and the company is looking expanding its presence in the Indian market.

Porsche, which sells the 911, Boxter, Cayman and Cayenne models in India, plans to increase the number of its dealerships from the current two (Delhi and Mumbai) to 11, over the next 2-3 years. The company sold 168 cars in India in 2008 and hopes to increase that number to 200+ in 2009.

In addition to the Cayenne Diesel SUV, which Porsche launched in India recently, the company also plans to bring in its first four-door luxury GT, the Panamera, to the Indian market. Porsche plans to reserve around 50 units of the Panamera for India and the car is expected to be launched here by the end of this year.

However, Porsche plans to stick to the CBU imports route for India, in the foreseeable future – the company has no plans of assembling its cars here, given the very low sales volumes in India.

Ashok Leyland sales down 52.2% in March 2009

Ashok Leyland Ltd. (ALL) has reported a decline of 52.2% in its commercial vehicle sales in March this year, at 5,112 units, as compared to 10,696 units in March 2008. The company’s domestic sales stood at 4,441 units in March 2009, as against 9,541 units in March last year. Exports were down from 1,155 units in March 2008, to 671 units in March this year.

ALL also reports a decline of 70.77% in total domestic sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles in March this year, at 2,346 units, down from 8,027 units in the year-ago period. The company fared better with LCVs, with sales dipping from 79 units in March 2008 to 75 units in March this year.

Volvo's 2009 Technology Award winners announced

Hybrid powertrains are the future of Volvo buses and trucks...

A group of six engineers have been named the winners of Volvo's 2009 Technology Award, for their development of the world's first commercially viable hybrid solution for heavy vehicles. The award was presented by Leif Johansson, President and CEO of Volvo, at the Annual General Meeting of AB Volvo on the 1st of April.

Volvo's Technology Award this year recognizes the work to develop the Integrated Starter Alternator Motor (I-SAM), a combined starter, generator and drive motor in a parallel hybrid that, in addition to an electric motor, also has a small compact diesel engine.

The combination can reduce fuel consumption for buses by up to 30%, for trucks by 20% and, in a best case scenario, as much as 50% for wheel loaders. This reduces fuel costs and provides significant environmental benefits through lower emissions of carbon dioxide. The quiet and emission-free electric drive also improves environment conditions in the vehicle's immediate surroundings.

I-SAM was first presented back in March 2006, as the market's first parallel hybrid concept for buses and heavy trucks. The solution can be used in virtually all Volvo Group business areas, since it is based on a common platform with a high percentage of standard components, which also facilitates volume production.

‘In the future, the parallel hybrid will not be considered a special solution, and the technology will be included in almost all new city buses and delivery trucks. We see good potential to develop the hybrid technology for all segments of the heavy trucks sector,’ says Johansson.

The parallel hybrid concept is an excellent feature for city buses, refuse trucks and delivery trucks that drive at different speeds and start and stop frequently. When a hybrid bus drives away from a bus stop, the electric motor is used first, a quiet-running unit with no emissions, and the diesel engine starts up when the bus reaches a certain speed.

When the bus brakes to stop at the next stop, the braking energy is absorbed by the electric motor and stored in the batteries – to be used later during the next acceleration. Everything is controlled by a sophisticated control unit, which was also developed by Volvo Group engineers.

Engineers from many parts of the Volvo Group have taken part in the development of I-SAM. Six of these engineers were represented at the prize ceremony. Volvo Powertrain was represented by Anders Kroon, Volvo Technology by Jerker Lennevi, Joakim Lindström and Lars Carlhammar, Volvo Buses was represented by Peter Jönsson and Volvo 3P was represented by Christer Ehn.

The Volvo Technology Award was established in 1988 and was awarded this year for the 22nd time. The award is an expression of appreciation for particularly prominent technical achievements within the Volvo Group.

Production-ready Mercedes Benz ML450 Hybrid to be unveiled at New York Auto Show

The ML450 Hybrid has batteries and electric motors to go with its 3.5-litre V6, so you can feel a bit less guilty about driving a big, fat SUV...

Mercedes-Benz will officially unveil the all-new ML450 Hybrid at the New York Auto Show next week. This high-tech SUV is the first Mercedes-Benz production vehicle which will be fitted with a new version of the two-mode hybrid system (where the electric motors are paired with a continuously variable transmission), which was co-developed with General Motors, Chrysler, and BMW.

Mercedes-Benz will manufacture the new two-mode hybrid system that it will use on the ML450 and also supply this hybrid system to BMW, which the latter will use on the upcoming X6 hybrid.

The ML450 Hybrid gets a 3.5-litre V6, which, along with the electric motors, produces a total of 335 horsepower. The vehicle can run in electric-only mode and the V6 kicks in automatically while accelerating hard, climbing steep inclines or in any other situation where more power is needed.

The ML450 Hybrid will first be launched in European and North American markets, but could also come to India and elsewhere in Asia by 2010-11.

Delphi signs agreement to sell global suspension and brakes business

Delphi Corporation has announced that it has entered into an asset sale and purchase agreement with Chinese company, BeijingWest Industries Co. Ltd., for the sale of Delphi's remaining global suspension and brakes business, which is comprised of approximately 3,000 employees, primarily located in Poland, China, Mexico, France and the United States.

As part of the company's transformation plan announced on March 31, 2006, Delphi identified its brakes and suspension business as non-core product lines that no longer fit into the company's future strategic framework and could become more profitable and competitive as stand-alone businesses or as part of another organization with the working capital to invest in and support these businesses.

Having previously concluded asset sales and business transfers with Bosch, Tenneco and TRW in North America, as well as asset sales and business transfers with SEVA in South America, this proposed sale represents further substantial progress towards the completion of Delphi's transformation plan announced three years ago. The final sale of the business is subject to court approval and other closing conditions. Delphi anticipates the sale closing during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Under the sale and purchase agreement, BeijingWest Industries will acquire machinery and equipment, intellectual property and certain real property. Assignment and assumption of certain customer and supplier contracts will also transfer to BeijingWest Industries. Delphi will carefully manage the transition of the business, and the sale will be completed in coordination with Delphi's customers, employees, unions and other stakeholders.

Anjanikumar Choudhari appointed TMA President for 2009-10

Anjanikumar Choudhari, President, Farm Equipment Sector and Member of the Group Management Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., has been elected the President of Tractors Manufacturers Association (TMA) for the year 2009-10. Choudhari succeeds L D Mittal as the new TMA President with immediate effect.

Choudhari joined Mahindra & Mahindra in 1999 as Senior Advisor, Infrastructure Development Sector and in January 2005, was appointed President - Farm Equipment Sector. Under his leadership, M&M’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES) has made significant progress and is now one of the top three tractor brands worldwide. With Punjab Tractors Ltd. in its fold, FES has nearly 40% market share in India and has also received the prestigious Japan Quality Medal, the only tractor manufacturing company in the world to be bestowed with this honour.

Among other things, Choudhari is the Chairman of Mahindra USA Inc. and Mahindra (China) Tractor Co. Ltd. He is also the Vice Chairman of Mahindra Yueda (Yancheng) Tractor Company Limited, the Company’s second joint venture in China, and serves on the Board of Mahindra & Mahindra South Africa (Pty) Limited.

In India, Choudhari is on the Board of Mahindra Gujarat Tractor Ltd., Swaraj Engines Limited and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited. He is also the Chairman of Swaraj Automotives Limited and Mahindra ShubhLabh Services Limited.

Maruti Suzuki logs highest ever sales, exports in March 2009

For a model-wise break-up of Maruti's sales, refer to the above chart

Maruti Suzuki sold 792,167 vehicles in FY 2008-09, recording a growth of 3.6% over the year-ago period. This figure also represent the highest ever sales logged by the company.

Maruti’s exports during 2008-09 stood at 70,023 units, up 32.1% over the 53,024 units recorded in 2007-08. The 2008-09 export numbers, the highest ever by the company, were led by the A-Star hatchback, which is sold the Suzuki Alto in various parts of the world. Around 19,000 units of the A-star were exported to Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland.

2008-09 marked Maruti Suzuki’s Silver Jubilee year in India. Over these 25 years, the company has sold over seven million cars in the domestic market and exported another 500,000 cars worldwide.

Bajaj Auto two-wheeler sales down 15% in March 2009

Bajaj Auto Ltd. has reported a 14% decline in its motorcycle sales for March 2009, at 132,210 units, as compared to 154,443 units sold in March 2008. Bajaj’s total two-wheeler sales (including scooters) during March this year stood at 132,640 units, as compared to 155,504 units in March 2008, a decline of 15%.

Bajaj’s exports also were down by 8% in March this year, at 46,874 units, as against 51,035 units in March last year. At 21,453 units, Bajaj’s three-wheeler sales during March this year were up 3% over the 20,776 units sold in March 2008.

Chinese passenger car market may show marginal decline in 2009

According to a recent J.D. Power Asia Pacific reports, the economic slowdown in China has resulted in a notable decline in demand for vehicles in the Chinese market, with light-vehicle sales projected to decline by nearly two percent in 2009, compared with 2008, to 8.57 million units.

The decline is expected to be more pronounced in the light-commercial-vehicle market, with sales forecasted to decline by nearly three percent to 2.75 million units, while passenger vehicle sales (including cars, MPVs and SUVs) are expected to come in at 5.83 million units, down by one percent from 2008.

‘The once red-hot Chinese economy is slowing markedly due to a pronounced downturn in global demand for its exports,’ said Michael Dunne, managing director of J.D. Power Asia Pacific, Shanghai. ‘The country's key export sector reported a 17 percent year-over-year decline in January, compared to an average of 20 percent growth during the first ten months of 2008. However, compared with other international markets, the new-vehicle market in China is still relatively strong, and it is particularly encouraging that the government is enacting new policies—including those that are favorable toward environmentally friendly vehicles and smaller vehicles—that will shape sales throughout 2009.’

Changes in purchase taxes on new vehicles and increases in fuel taxes in China are expected to cause a shift in demand toward smaller vehicles. In particular, sales of sub-compact cars are projected to increase by two percent in 2009, compared with 2008. In contrast, sales of larger vehicles—including compact and midsize cars—are expected to decline by three percent and four percent, respectively.

Despite the decline in sales projected for 2009, the automotive market in China is the second-largest in the world, behind only the United States in the number of units sold annually. A pilot study conducted by J.D. Power, prior to the release of the inaugural China New-Vehicle Shopper Study, suggests that one third of vehicle shoppers in China are classified as ‘car enthusiasts,’ who are brand-conscious. A similar percentage of shoppers are ‘thrifty buyers’ who have lower incomes, on average, than car enthusiasts, and tend to be married and female.

‘More than 80 percent of new cars purchased in China are bought by first-time new-car buyers,’ said Dunne. ‘Understanding the thoughts and perceptions of new-vehicle buyers regarding brands and models can help manufacturers increase efficiency of their marketing and product development efforts, and ultimately raise customer satisfaction with their vehicles and the purchase process.’

Honda Siel sales down 16.53% in FY 2008-09

Even the brilliant new Honda City couldn't prevent HSCI's sales from falling during FY 2008-09

Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. (HSCI) sold 7,368 units in March this year, a 32% increase over the 5,579 units sold in February this year. However, the company’s cumulative sales for FY 2008-09 stood at 52,420 units – a decline of 16.53% over the 62,802 units sold in the previous financial year.

In March this year, Honda Siel sold 6,040 units of the City, 720 units of the Civic, 326 units of the Accord and 282 units of the CR-V.

Porsche launches diesel-powered Cayenne SUV in India

The Porsche Cayenne Diesel is now available in India. Prices start at Rs 65 lakh on-road

A diesel-powered Porsche?! While that may be blasphemy for some Porsche purists, the German sportscar manufacturer is indeed going ahead with oil-burners. In fact, the company has gone ahead and launched the Cayenne Diesel in India. This SUV, which is fitted with a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, is priced at Rs 65 lakh on-road.

Precision Cars, the exclusive importers of Porsche vehicles in India, are said to have brought in 19 units of the Cayenne Diesel, three of which have already been sold. With its 240bhp, 550Nm diesel engine, this Cayenne is capable of accelerating from zero to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds and will do a top speed of 215km/h.

Porsche expects its sales in India to grow by about 20% this year, even as it anticipates a drop in global sales during 2009. Last year, the company sold 168 units in India – a tiny percentage of the 98,000 units it sold worldwide in 2008. This year, Porsche expects its global sales to come down to just 80,000 units.

India Yamaha Motor sales up 45.3% in March 2009

India Yamaha Motor’s sales in March this year, at 14,558 units, registered an increase of 45.3% over the 10,022 units that the company sold in March last year. With its new R15 and FZ16/FZ-S bikes having taken off in a very big way, Yamaha is now the fastest growing two-wheeler company in India. In fact, it's quite amazing to see that other two-wheeler manufacturers in India continue to ignore the entry-level sportsbike segment completely, despite Yamaha's success with the R15 and FZ machines.

Tata Motors domestic sales down 13% in March 2009

Tata Motors sold a total of 18,642 units of the Indica and Indigo cars in March 2009

Tata Motors’ domestic sales for the month of March 2009 stood at 52,686 units, a decline of 13% over the sales figure for March 2008. The company’s total sales (including exports) in March 2009 stood at 54,485 units, while total sales (including exports) for FY 2008-09 stood at 498,581units, a 14% decline over the 582,390 units which the company logged in FY 2008-09.

Commercial Vehicles

Tata Motors’ sales of commercial vehicles in March 2009 in the domestic market stood at 29,006 units, 24% higher than that in February 2009 but 19% lower than 35,993 vehicles sold in March 2008.

MCV and HCV sales in March this year, at 12,333 units, showed a 40% growth over February 2009, but 40% lower than March 2008.

LCV sales, at 16,673 units were 9% higher than March 2008.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for FY 2008-09 were 265,012 units, a decline of 15% over the 313,360 units recorded last year. Cumulative MCV and HCV sales stood at 113,674 units, a decline of 32% over last year, while LCV sales for the fiscal were 151,338 units, a growth of 3% over last year.

During the year, Tata Motors launched the Winger High Roof AC Ambulance, LPT 407 EX2 truck and the Super Milo range of bus chassis.

Passenger Vehicles

Tata Motors’ sales of passenger vehicles in March 2009 in the domestic market, at 23,680 units, were the highest this fiscal, 24% up over February 2009, but 4% lower than 24,737 vehicles sold in March last year.

The March 2009 passenger car sales of the Indica and Indigo range put together at 18,642 units were the highest this fiscal, surpassing February 2009 sales of 15,524. The Indica range sales at 13,678 units were 5% higher than March 2008 and the highest this fiscal. The Indigo range sales of 4,555 units were 8% higher than February 2009, but 11% lower than March 2008.

The Utility Vehicle/SUV range accounted for sales of 5,038 units, the highest this fiscal, registering a 43% increase over the previous month of February, but a 23% decline over March 2008.

Cumulative sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal were 200,159 units, a decline of 7% over 214,758 units in the same period last year.

Cumulative sales of the Indica range at 111,257 units, reported a decline of 18%. For the January – March quarter 2009, Indica range sales at 36,426 units have grown by 2.5% over January – March 2008.

Cumulative sales of the Indigo family were 49,190 units, a growth of 57%. Cumulative sales of the Utility Vehicle/SUV range at 39,303 units declined by 17.6%.

During the year, Tata Motors’ major launches included the Indica Vista, the Xenon XT lifestyle pick-up and the much awaited Tata Nano.

Tata Motors also did an offtake of 8,075 Fiat cars for distribution, a 139% increase over 3,377 cars sold by Fiat last fiscal.

Exports

Tata Motors’ sales from exports at 1,799 vehicles in March 2009, were up 36% over February 2009, but declined by 69% compared to 5,765 vehicles in March 2008. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal at 33,410 units declined by 38% over 54,272 units in the same period last year.

M&M to ‘reposition’ Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio - an MUV or an SUV...?

Mahindra & Mahindra wants an image makeover for its multi-utility vehicle (MUV), the Scorpio. Now that M&M has a new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Xylo, in its lineup, the company wants people to think of the Scorpio has a full-blown sports-utility vehicle (SUV) rather than an MUV. To achieve this, M&M has given some style updates to the Scorpio, including bits like a new front grille, revised headlamps, fog lamps, new bumpers and embossed side cladding etc.

There is, of course, the question of how much ‘sport’ (in terms of style, power, performance and handling) should there be in a vehicle before it can be considered a lifestyle-oriented SUV rather than a more utilitarian MUV. There are no clearly defined benchmarks here – one man’s SUV can be another man’s MUV, and vice versa. A lot of this MUV vs SUV thing is also down to clever (and often, very contrived) marketing tactics adopted by car manufacturers and it remains to be seen how far M&M will go down that route in trying to push its MUV as an SUV…

In the meanwhile, the company’s domestic sales stood at 25,748 units in March this year, an impressive increase of 30% over the sales figure for March 2008. This figure also represents the highest ever number of vehicles sold by M&M in a single month. The company’s total sales (including exports) for March 2009 stood at 26,209 units, as against 24,682 units in March 2008.

TVS Motor sales up 4% in March 2009

TVS Motor Company has reported a 4% increase in its sales for March this year, at 121,988 units, as against 117,045 units sold in March 2008. According to TVS, this increase in sales was primarily because of its scooters, which logged an impressive 44% growth in sales, at 22,975 units, as against 15,942 units in March last year.

TVS’ motorcycle sales in March 2009 actually declined by 8.46%, at 55,754 units, as compared to 60,908 units in March 2008. Exports during March this year stood at 16,340 units as against 13,070 units in March last year – an increase of 25%.

Also, according to a press release issued by TVS Motors, the company’s Chairman and MD, Venu Srinivasan has been elected President of CII for 2009-10. Srinivasan, who succeeds ICICI Bank Chairman K V Kamath, has earlier been President of ARAI and SIAM.

Maruti to phase out 800, Omni in Metros in 2010

For the 800 and the Omni, it's time to say sayonara...

Just as the Tata Nano is getting all ready to begin its innings, the Maruti 800 and Omni are preparing to drive off into the sunset. With tough new emissions norms coming into effect from 2010, which the 25 year old engines in these vehicles will not be able to meet, there’s no option left for Maruti but to phase out these cars.

Initially, Bharat Stage III (equivalent to Euro IV) emissions norms will only be implemented in the Metros (11 cities), so the Maruti 800 and Omni will still soldier on in smaller towns and cities in the country. However, once these norms are implemented across the country – which is expected to happen by 2016 – these vehicles will disappear completely from the Maruti lineup.

With Maruti having launched various new small cars over the last decade, sales of the 800 and Omni have been declining over the last many years. In February this year, Maruti sold only 4,075 units of the 800, as compared to 5,745 units in February 2008.

According to Maruti, the company has no plans of either reducing the prices of the 800/Omni, or of upgrading the engines in these vehicles to meet the new emissions norms, since the low sales volumes of both these vehicles makes it unviable for the company to do so. Maruti also does not have any plans of launching a substitute for the 800 and says it will not compete in the Nano segment.

Hyundai sales down 15.81% in March 2009

HMIL's cumulative sales for March went down by 1.79%, despite a 21.63% increase in exports

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) has reported a decline of 15.81% in its sales for March this year, at 24,754 units, down from 29,401 units sold in March 2008. HMIL’s exports, however, went up by 21.63%, at 21,406 units, as compared to 17,600 units in the year-ago period.

The company's cumulative sales (including exports) during March 2009 were down by 1.79%, at 46,160 units, as compared to 47,001 units in March 2008. HMIL’s sales in March 2009 comprised 41,802 units of Santro, Getz, i10 and i20 hatchbacks, 4,285 units of the Accent and Verna sedans, 70 units of the Sonata Transform luxury sedan and three units of the Tucson SUV.

Hero Honda sales up 10% in March 2009

Hero Honda has reported a 10% increase in its sales for March this year, at 353,342 units, as against 320,594 units sold in March 2008. Hero Honda’s total sales for FY 2008-09 stood at 3,722,000 units, an increase of 12% over the 3,337,142 units sold in the previous financial year.

Hero Honda now has a 57% share of the Indian two-wheeler market, which is worth about 7.5 million units per annum.

Geely GE: Now, a Rolls-Royce rip-off from China!

A cut-price, Chinese-built Rolls-Royce Phantom, anyone?

You’ve almost got to admire the Chinese – they aren’t afraid to make copies of anything in the world. Most companies would probably be scared of ripping off the mighty Rolls-Royce Phantom, but not Geely, who’ve gone ahead and copied the Phantom anyway.

As you can see in the pics here, the Geely GE does a fair job of impersonating the British car – probably as long as you’re standing 40 feet away from it. And the interiors also look suitably opulent. There is, in fact, space for just one person in the passenger compartment, though the single rear seat looks big enough to accommodate three Chinese business tycoons.

Really, this one is so outrageous, we’re actually wondering it could be an April Fools’ Day thing…!

Hyundai Genesis Prada: Luxury unleashed

The limited-edition Hyundai Genesis Prada

The time when the terms ‘Korean cars’ and ‘luxury’ couldn’t be used in the same sentence seems to be fading fast into distant memory. Take the new Genesis luxury saloon, for example. Hyundai have now tied-up with the famous European fashion house, Prada, to launch the limited edition Genesis Prada.

The Hyundai Genesis Prada gets fancy new 20-inch alloy wheels, matte metallic midnight blue paintjob and various gold-plated and titanium parts. Inside the car, there’s ‘saffiano’ leather upholstery and high quality wood inserts. And if you really want one of these luxury barges, you’d better be prepared to shell out the moolah. Hyundai will keep one of these cars for itself and auction the other two for charity. Yes, only three of these limited edition cars are being made…

A special Hyundai i10 for world leaders, Godmen and religious gurus? No, Hyundai's just fooling around. After all, it's the 1st of April today... :-)