Chrysler to redefine its brands to cater to specific lifestyles

Chrysler will now modify its approach to Dodge, Ram and Jeep branded cars...

The Chrysler Group has spelt out new strategy for its brands – Dodge, Ram and Jeep – which is aimed at boosting sales and market share. Among other things, Chrysler will look at ‘toning down’ Dodge’s ‘bad body’ image, start selling its trucks under a new, standalone Ram brand and increase focus on the fun-to-drive aspect rather than aggressive design.

‘All Dodge vehicles will represent lifestyles, not age groups or price classes,’ says Dodge brand president Ralph Gilles, who also heads product design for all Chrysler brands. Dodge will focus on various segments, including economy-oriented entry level products (likely to be sourced from Fiat), mainstream cars that emphasize driving dynamics and utility, and high-performance cars like the Dodge Challenger.

Chrysler’s Ram brand of trucks, which will inherit the old Dodge logo, will focus on real truck customers rather than ‘urban wannabes’ looking for a lifestyle vehicle rather than a real, genuinely capable truck.

For Jeep, Chrysler will offer trail-rated versions of each of the brand’s vehicles. More fuel-efficient, two-wheel-drive variants of most Jeep products will also be offered.

Fiat SpA, which finalised its alliance with Chrysler in June this year, is looking at pushing Chrysler upmarket and making a ‘luxury brand.’ Together, the two companies aim to double Chrysler’s market share in the US by 2014. We also suppose that sooner or later, Chrysler will make its entry into various Asian markets, including India. While we don’t see much of a market for Dodge or Ram vehicles in India, Jeep vehicles could certainly find a niche in our market.

Indian Army personnel in UP to be exempted from paying VAT on car/two-wheeler purchase

The UP Government has decided to exempt army personnel from paying VAT on car/motorcycle purchases...

The Uttar Pradesh State Government has decided that Indian army personnel – those who are currently serving as well as those who are now retired – will be exempted from paying value added tax (VAT) when they buy a car or a scooter/motorcycle. While the UP State Cabinet took a decision regarding this move last week, the Government is expected to issue a detailed notification on Monday.

While the move to exempt army personnel from paying VAT is admirable, it is likely to come with a clause that the vehicle may not be transferred to anyone (other than close relatives like spouse, children or parents) for a period of 10 years! Also, the UP Government will provide tax exemption on only 1,200 cars and 3,000 bikes/scooters in a year, and we really don’t know how that would work, since demand is likely to be much more than those figures.

In any case, the rate of VAT on cars/bikes in UP is 13.5%, which should represent a significant saving for army personnel who choose to buy a vehicle and avail the benefit of VAT exemption.

Renault announces production plans for Twizy, Zoe electric vehicles

Renault has announced it will launch a production electric car based on the Twizy Z.E. concept by 2011. The vehicle will be built in Spain

Renault has announced that by 2011, it will start manufacturing an electric vehicle based on the Twizy Z.E. concept car, which was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. This vehicle, which is Renault’s vision of ‘sustainable urban mobility,’ will be produced in Spain.

Renault, which is committed to launching a complete range of mass market EVs by 2011, will also manufacture an electric car based on the Zoe Z.E. concept, by 2012. Renault claims its EVs will be affordable, practical zero-emissions alternatives to regular IC-engined city cars.

In the meanwhile, with the Logan doing poorly and the Renault-Mahindra alliance seemingly going nowhere, we continue to wait and see how Renault will shape its strategy for India.

By 2012, Renault will also launch an electric car based on the Zoe Z.E. concept

UK survey says Honda, BMW cars are the most reliable

According to the Fleet News survey conducted in the UK, the Honda Civic, BMW 3-series and Honda Jazz are the most reliable cars in the world...

A research conducted by the UK-based Fleet News has ascertained that Honda and BMW cars are the most reliable vehicles in the world. Of all the brands surveyed, Honda and BMW cars took the top five places, while Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Toyota and Volkswagen cars also made it to the top 10.

With more than 800,000 cars covered in the research, which has made it the largest vehicle reliability survey in the UK, the Honda Civic came out on top as the most reliable car, followed by the BMW 3-series, Honda Jazz, Honda Accord, BMW 5-series, Audi A4, Mercedes Benz C-Class, Mini, Toyota Avensis and Volkswagen Golf. It’s interesting to see that seven of these cars are also available in India, so if you’re looking for a really reliable car, you know where to head…

For the survey, Fleet News quizzed companies involved in the contract hire and leasing sector and asked them to rate each vehicle they have on their fleet. ‘This survey is the largest of its kind in the country and is based on feedback from those who really know about the reliability of vehicles – people who run hundreds of thousands of vehicles over many hundreds of thousands of miles,’ says Stephen Briers, Editor - Fleet News.

Ford Fiesta 1.6 ZXI: New special edition model is priced at Rs 6.44 lakh

This special edition Fiesta 1.6 ZXI comes with leather upholstery, ABS and EBD

Ford India has announced a new special edition variant of the Fiesta 1.6 ZXI, which comes with leather upholstery, revised trim materials and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD). The updates are only available on the petrol-engined Fiesta.

‘The Ford Fiesta continues to be one of our bestselling products and registered impressive sales during the festive season. We are building on the success and offering customers with a special edition of the 1.6 ZXI Duratec variant. The stylized features and plush leather interiors with additional safety features make it even more appealing,’ says Nigel Wark, executive director, marketing, sales and service, Ford India.

The new special edition Fiesta is priced at Rs 6.44 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, and comes with a two-year/100,000km warranty.

Maruti may assemble Grand Vitara SUV in India

If the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is not doing so well in India, is it because of the pricing or because of branding issues?

In order to take on the Honda CR-V, Ford Endeavour and Chevrolet Captiva, Maruti Suzuki is looking at ways of bringing down the prices of its Grand Vitara SUV. And for that, the company is said to be considering the possibility of assembling this vehicle in India. The Grand Vitara, which is fitted with a 2.4-litre petrol engine, is currently imported to India as a CBU and is priced between Rs 16.70-18.00 lakh for the manual and automatic transmission versions.

Maruti Suzuki sold 59 units of the Grand Vitara during April-September this year, compared to 194 units during April-September 2008. While the Grand Vitara is refined, comfortable, overall capable and refined vehicle, it’s never sold very well. Even the earlier-generation Grand Vitara, which was fitted with an outstandingly smooth and powerful V6 petrol engine, never sold well in India.

While Suzuki SUVs are priced lower than Honda, Nissan or Mitsubishi SUVs, they still fail to do well because Maruti Suzuki, as a brand, is primarily associated with small cars in the Indian market. Hence, Suzuki SUVs are not deemed as ‘prestigious’ as Honda or Toyota vehicles, which is why people are not prepared to pay similar sums of money for Suzuki vehicles.

Ford introduces inflatable seat belts

Ford's new inflatable seat belts have been designed to boost safety for rear seat occupants, especially children and older passengers

Ford has announced the introduction of the automotive industry’s first-ever production-ready inflatable seat belts, which are designed to provide additional protection for rear-seat occupants. These seat belts have been specially designed to protect children and older passengers, who can be more vulnerable to head, chest and neck injuries.

Advances in air bag inflation and seat belt construction methods have enabled Ford to develop inflatable seat belts that are designed to deploy in 40 milliseconds in the event of a crash. In everyday use, the inflatable belts operate like conventional seat belts and are safe and compatible with infant and children safety car and booster seats.

The inflatable rear seat belts, which spread crash forces over five times more area of the body than conventional seat belts (and hence reduce the possibility of injury), will debut on the 2010 Ford Explorer SUV. Ford will then introduce these seat belts in other vehicles in its global line-up in a phased manner.

‘Ford is pioneering inflatable seat belt technology to help enhance crash safety protection, while encouraging more people to buckle up with a more comfortable belt,’ says Paul Mascarenas, Vice President - Engineering, Global Product Development, Ford. ‘It's a very simple and logical system, but required extensive trial and error and testing over several years to prove the technology and ensure precise reliable performance in a crash situation,’ adds Srini Sundararajan, safety technical leader for Ford research and advance engineering.

This video explains Ford's inflatable seat belts

Suzuki Kizashi: Prices to start at $19,000 in the US

Prices for the new Suzuki Kizashi will start at the equivalent of Rs nine lakh in the US. The car will go on sale there in December this year

Suzuki has announced US pricing for the Kizashi sedan, which will go on sale there next month. Prices for the Kizashi start at $19,000 (about Rs 9 lakh), which seems to be a bit of a bargain for a car that will compete with vehicles like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

The Suzuki Kizashi, which already meets the NHTSA’s 2014 safety standards, will be available in various spec levels, with top-end models being priced at $22,000-24,000 (Rs 10.50-11.50 lakh). Standard features include eight airbags, ABS, EPS stability control, dual-zone climate control system, pushbutton keyless start, 9-speaker audio system with steering wheel mounted controls and projector beam headlamps.

The Kizashi will be available in all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions, with the latter getting a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A high-performance GTS model will also be available, which will come with a six-speed manual or performance-tuned CVT with steering wheel paddle shifters. Optional features will include leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, automatic rain sensing wipers and automatic headlamps and rear proximity sensors.

Maruti Suzuki will have the Kizashi on display at the Auto Expo in Delhi, in January next year. The car is expected to go on sale in India by mid-2010, though it’s likely to be about 20% more expensive here than it is in the US. More details on the Kizashi’s India launch coming soon…

2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder to make its world debut at LA Auto Show next month

The lean, lightweight and powerful Porsche Boxster Spyder is likely to deliver a very 'pure' sportscar driving experience. The car will be launched in India by mid-2010

Porsche will introduce a new, lightweight version of the mid-engined Porsche Boxster roadster at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December this year. Weighing in at 1,275 kilos, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest car in the Porsche line-up.

After the Boxster and Boxster S, the new Boxster Spyder will be the third variant in the Porsche Boxster range. Its 3.4-litre six-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine produces 320 horsepower, which propels the car from zero to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 267km/h (with the roof removed).

The Porsche Boxster Spyder will go on sale worldwide in February 2010, and will be priced at the equivalent of about Rs 35 lakh in Europe. The car could cost roughly twice that amount in India, given the 100% duty levied on CBU imports here.

GMD, Zytek announce T.27 electric city car programme

After the T.25 petrol-engined city car, Gordon Murray Design, along with Zytek Automotive, is now working on the T.27 electric city car

The UK-based Gordon Murray Design (GMD) and Zytek Automotive have announced their plans to build prototypes of an all-electric three-seater city car, which will be made possible through a £4.5 million investment from the British government-backed Technology Strategy Board. With a total cost of £9 million, the new project will allow the consortium to develop four prototypes by February 2011.

‘As we head towards the new industrial revolution brought about by rising energy costs and concern over the effects of greenhouse gasses, we feel proud to be working with the Technology Strategy Board in helping the UK play a leading role in tackling the issues we all face,’ said Professor Gordon Murray, Chief Executive and Technical Director of Gordon Murray Design.

According to GMD, the T.27 will be the world’s most efficient electric car due to its low weight and radical new design, which will not compromise on things like safety, performance, range, space and ride quality. By applying GMD’s iStream production process and integrating it with a custom-designed drivetrain from Zytek, every aspect of the vehicle can be optimised.

GMD claim that their holistic approach will result in a car slightly smaller than a Smart, but with more interior space. A similar approach was used by GMD for the T.25, their three-seater petrol-engined car which is also under development.

Zytek’s motor, power electronics and gearbox will form a single, highly integrated unit designed specifically for the performance requirements of the T.27, but offering scalability to heavier vehicles as required. ‘This is an exciting project on several levels. As well as supporting the development of a new family of e-vehicles, it will show what can be achieved when the vehicle design is optimised for zero emissions propulsion. It’s a terrific initiative and we are delighted that the Technology Strategy Board has agreed to back it,’ said Steve Tremble, Zytek Automotive’s sales and marketing Director.

Ultimately, GMD and Zytek hope to set up a manufacturing facility for the T.27 electric car in the UK, which could happen sometime in 2011-12. We hope to bring more details on this project over the next few months.

Keating TKR: The world’s fastest production car displayed at the MPH Show

It may not look as good as a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, but the Keating TKR features a 7.0-litre V8 that pumps out 2,000 horsepower...

The British-built Keating TKR supercar, which is powered by a 7.0-litre, 2,000-horsepower V8 engine and which has a top speed of 416km/h, is now on display at this year’s MPH Show in the UK. The Keating TKR recently beat the Shelby Aero TT’s top speed record at the Salt Lake Flats in California, in the US.

‘The Keating TKR realises our ambition to take on the world’s finest supercars and win. This car rivals them all for looks, handling, performance and exclusivity. And best of all, it’s British,’ says Tony Keating, founder of Keating Supercars.

Ferrari 599 China auctioned off for Rs 8.33 crore!

The guy on the right (green trousers, fancy shirt...) paid Rs 8.33 crore for a Ferrari that has an exterior that looks like cracked eggshell...

Last month we showed you these first pictures of the one-off Ferrari 599 China, which features an exterior finish that’s been ‘inspired’ by Ge Kiln porcelain of the Song Dynasty. We thought the car, with its cracked glaze pattern exteriors, looked rubbish. Not everyone agrees though, and the car was auctioned off yesterday in Beijing, for 1.2 million euro (Rs 8.33 crore).

The unnamed buyer who paid that massive sum of money got a free dinner courtesy Ferrari and also had his photograph clicked with some guy called Michael Schumacher. With such freebies thrown in, this had to be the bargain of the week. In the meanwhile, Ferrari expects China to become one of its top three markets worldwide within the next five years.

Royal Enfield Classic 500, 350 launched in India

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is priced at Rs 1.25 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi

Royal Enfield has launched two new variants of the Bullet – the Classic 500 and Classic 350 – which are priced at Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs 98,000 respectively, ex-showroom Delhi.

The Classic 500’s single cylinder engine features unitary construction and fuel-injection, and is the most high-tech variant of the Bullet ever launched. The bike went on sale in Europe last year, where it’s said to be popular with fans of classic British motorcycles.

Given the increasing popularity of its bikes in overseas markets, Royal Enfield is now looking at investing about Rs 65 crore towards increasing production capacity at its plant in Chennai. From the current 50,000 units per year, RE plans to increase capacity to 100,000 units. Also, the company expects 15% of its sales to come from overseas markets within the next five years. As of now, exports account for about 5% of RE's annual sales.

Toyota announces its withdrawal from F1

After Honda, Toyota is the second major Japanese car manufacturer who's decided to leave F1. We guess it's all about making hybrids and electric cars now...

Toyota Motor Corp. has announced its plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula 1 world championship at the end of the 2009 season. This move reflects ‘current severe economic realities,’ says TMC.

Starting in 2002, Toyota raced in F1 for eight seasons, competing in 141 F1 races but taking only 13 podium finishes. Despite having an annual budget of around US$300 million, Toyota's F1 team could never manage to win a race between 2002-2009.

‘We will rethink our motorsports activities while addressing economic realities. And we will take what we have learnt on the racetrack and put it to work in ever better vehicles that are aimed at meeting the highest of expectations,’ said Akio Toyoda, President - Toyota Motor Corporation.

Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland ramp up bus production to fulfil DTC orders

DTC has placed an order for 2,500 modern buses with Tata Motors and ALL

To avoid delays in supplying low-floor buses to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland have speeded up the production of these buses.

DTC, which has placed an order for around 2,500 low-floor buses (including some AC buses as well) that will be used during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, is said to have asked Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland to make sure that the buses are supplied on time. While Ashok Leyland has already overshot its September deadline, Tata Motors says it’s confident of being able to meet its February 2010 deadline.

Tata Motors, which will be supplying 1,625 buses to DTC, has stepped up production at its Dharwad facility. The DTC contract for these modern buses was valued at Rs 2,200 crore, of which Rs 900 crore is for the buses and Rs 1,300 crore is for their maintenance for the next 12 years.

Ashok Leyland, which will be supplying 350 AC buses and 525 non-AC buses to DTC, has a contract for Rs 1,190 crore, of which Rs 480 crore is for the buses and Rs 710 crore is for maintenance of the buses for 12 years. ALL will be supplying the buses from its facility in Alwar, Rajasthan.

It’s been reported that some Chinese bus manufacturers were also interested in the DTC contract, but backed out on the issue of also having to maintain the buses for 12 years.

Via Business Standard

2009 SEMA Show: The American Muscle Car is alive and well!

Now while hybrids, electric cars and small family hatchbacks are all very well, what the Americans really love are their big, V8-engined muscle cars. And economic recession or now, The Big American Muscle Car seems to be doing just fine, thanks very much. These pics (source: Autoblog) from the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, from Las Vegas in the US, show some brilliant examples of the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, Pontiac Trans Am and even an eccentric old Chevy Impala. And as a bonus, there are some non-American muscle cars there as well - the mid-engined Hyundai Genesis RM460 and the mighty Pagani Zonda R. Enjoy...

Pics: Autoblog