Renault-Nissan, Daimler AG announce strategic cooperation

Everyone is tying up with someone, so why not Renault-Nissan and Daimler...

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG today announced a broad strategic cooperation wherein the two groups will work together in a wide range of areas, including the development of new small cars and light commercial vehicles, and the development of new petrol and diesel engines. The two groups also announced an equity exchange that will give the Renault-Nissan Alliance a 3.1% stake in Daimler, and Daimler a 3.1% stake in both Renault and Nissan.

‘Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are combining common interests to form a promising foundation for a successful, strategically sound cooperation. Right away, we are strengthening our competitiveness in the small and compact car segment and are reducing our CO2 footprint – both on a long-term basis. We know that we can make brand-typical products based on shared architectures. The individual brand identities will remain unaffected,’ said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

‘This agreement will extend our strategic collaboration and create lasting value for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler, as we work on broadening and strengthening our product offering, efficiently utilizing all available resources and developing the innovative technologies required in the coming decade,’ added Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Under this ‘strategic cooperation,’ the two groups will develop new common architecture for small vehicles and from 2013 onwards, launch jointly developed models. The two will also co-develop and use a range of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines.

Audi Q7 4.2 TDI launched in India

The new Audi Q7 4.2 TDI has been priced at Rs 58.68 lakh for a limited period...

Audi has launched a new diesel-engined version of the Q7 SUV – the 4.2 TDI – in India, with a ‘special offer’ price tag of Rs 58.68 lakh. This special offer will be for a limited period of time, after which the Q7 4.2 TDI will cost Rs 66.12 lakh. Other versions of the Q7 – the 3.0 TDI, 3.6 FSI and 4.2 FSI – will continue to remain available in the country.

‘India has been a significant growth driver for Audi globally and this special offer, as we commemorate three rewarding years in India, is our way of thanking our valued customers in India without whom our success would not have been possible,’ says Benoit Tiers, Managing Director, Audi India.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé launched in India

Can a two-door, two-seater version of a luxury saloon like the E-Class really work in India...?

Mercedes-Benz has taken a brave step ahead and launched the E-Class Coupé in the Indian market, at a price of Rs 56.38 lakh, ex-showroom Mumbai. Why is this a ‘brave’ step? Well, the E-Class sedan is a big luxury car and in India, most people who buy an E-Class usually have a chauffeur to drive them around. We believe a two-door two-seater version of the Mercedes E-Class may not find too many takers in this country.

‘The new E-Class Coupé meets the needs of young individuals looking for a car that is athletic, striking and passionate. The vehicle rounds off the automotive product range and targets a clientele for whom style and individuality is of significant importance,’ says Dr Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India.

While the E-Class Coupé might appeal to those who want “style and individuality,” it isn’t exactly a sportscar – power comes from a 3.5-litre petrol V6 that makes 272 horsepower, which should make for performance that’s adequate, but certainly not in the ‘supercar’ league. Then again, a Ferrari or a Lamborghini would costs three times as much, so maybe the E Coupé will find some customers after all…

Hyundai Equus: Korea takes the lead with luxury saloons

Mercedes-Benz S-Class type of luxury, at one-third the price? Bring it on...!

Korean car manufacturer Hyundai is pulling out all stops in waging war with premium-brand luxury cars from Europe. Its new flagship – the 2011 Equus – has been designed and built to compete with the best that the world has to offer, and that includes cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS460 and so on. The Hyundai Equus is fitted with a 4.6-litre petrol V8 (mated to a six-speed automatic transmission) that produces 385 horsepower and features high-tech bits like a lane departure warning system, electronic air suspension, smart cruise control and a Lexicon audio system.

‘The Equus takes Hyundai’s formula for intelligent luxury to a new level. We’ve applied the lessons in engineering excellence we’ve learned with Genesis to the Equus, while adding a new level of customer experience that will further differentiate our take on luxury from the traditional premium brands,’ says John Krafcik, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.

Prices for the Equus, which will come with a host of safety features and entertainment/communications/navigation gizmos, will start at around $55,000 (Rs 24.75 lakh) in the US. If Hyundai can sell the Equus at this price in India, the car might actually be a big hit in this country – a lot of buyers may not be able to resist Mercedes-Benz S-Class kind of comfort and luxury, at less than a third of the price. Of course, this pricing will not happen if Hyundai imports the car as a CBU instead of making it here and chances of that happening are almost zero, so don’t expect to see the Equus at your friendly neighbourhood Hyundai dealership anytime soon…

Audi R8 V10 is 2010 World Performance Car of the Year

Can the Audi R8 V10 really be better than the Ferrari 458 Italia? Apparently, yes...

While the VW Polo won the 2010 Car of the Year award, the Audi R8 V10 has been named 2010 World Performance Car of the Year. The Audi R8 (the V8-engined version) had earlier won the World Performance Car of the Year award back in 2008.

Developed jointly with Quattro GmbH, the Audi R8 V10 is powered by a 5.2-litre direct-injection ten-cylinder engine that develops horsepower, pushing the car from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 314km/h.

Volkswagen Polo is 2010 World Car of the Year

The VW Polo, which was recently launched in India, has won the prestigious World Car of the Year award this year. The car has already, earlier, also won the 2010 European Car of the Year award...

Volkswagen AG has announced that the Polo has won the 2010 World Car of the Year award, which is judged by 59 automotive journalists from around the world. ‘We're honoured that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors. After the triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. This shows that Volkswagen is on the right track and is offering arguably the best range of products in its history,’ says Professor Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

In a separate award, the VW BlueMotion product brand, consisting of the Golf, Passat, and Polo, was also declared the 2010 World Green Car of the Year by the World Car of The Year organisation. The 59 member jury awarded the BlueMotion product brand over two other finalists in the 2010 World Green Car award – the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius.

The Jurors felt that it is not necessary to add an electric motor and a heavy battery pack to achieve class-leading efficiency. Based on Volkswagen's common-rail diesel engines, the BlueMotion models are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. In fact, the Passat BlueMotion can travel about 1,600km on one tank of fuel in the European cycle. As far as internal combustion engines go today, these models are the ultimate you can get. ‘BlueMotion is one of the most successful efficiency brands worldwide. It stands for tremendous competence in efficient and economical drive trains at Volkswagen,’ says Dr Winterkorn.

Harley-Davidson dealerships set up in India, bookings to start later this month

Harley-Davidson begins operations in India...

Harley-Davidson has announced that it has set up five dealerships in India (in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Hyderabad) and will start accepting bookings for its bikes from the 20th of this month. The company has 12 bikes in its India line-up, which will be priced between Rs 7-35 lakh, ex-showroom New Delhi.

‘I am delighted and proud to welcome on board the first dealers in India to the Harley-Davidson family. Our aim is to create a strong network that will provide our customers a world-class Harley-Davidson ownership experience, and we are off to a great start,’ said Anoop Prakash, MD – Harley-Davidson India.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid unveiled at the New York Auto Show

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sure looks good...!

Hyundai unveiled the all-new Sonata Hybrid at the New York Auto Show today. ‘The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s full parallel hybrid configuration and breakthrough lithium polymer batteries offer a new take on traditional hybrid design, while its unique design sets it apart from the mid-size hybrid pack,’ said John Krafcik, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.

The Sonata’s ‘Hybrid Blue Drive’ architecture is a full parallel hybrid drive system, which can operate on an electric motor, petrol internal combustion engine, and a combination of the two, depending on driving conditions and driver demands. ‘Hyundai’s proprietary full parallel architecture differs from the power split technology used by most competitors, allowing significant efficiency advantages at higher speeds,’ says a press release from the company.

Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive is also the first and only system using lithium polymer battery technology, which offers the benefits of lithium-ion, a technology used in laptops and cell phones, but adds robustness, power-density and package flexibility, making it ideal for automotive applications. Apart from its 30kW electric motor, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is fitted with a 169bhp 2.4-litre Theta II petrol engines, which is said to be quite fuel efficient on its own. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

HMIL is expected to launch the new 2011 Sonata in India by the end of this year. Whether the company will also decide to bring in the Hybrid version – perhaps as a CBU imported in limited numbers – remains to be seen.

BMW launches long-wheelbase 5 Series sedan in China

The new, China-spec BMW 5 Series is longer, so you can have a more pleasurable back seat experience. Size does matter after all...

The Chinese want it longer, so BMW have stretched the 5 Series sedan for them. The German company recently unveiled the long-wheelbase 5 Series which has been developed exclusively for the Chinese market. The car will be built at BMW’s plant in Shenyang, in China.

Compared with the regular 5 Series, the longer version’s wheelbase has been increased by 14cm, rear seat legroom has been increased significantly, four-zone automatic air-conditioning is optional and a cooling box, a folding table and electrically adjustable blinds on the rear side windows are available as optional extras.

It seems that BMW will not offer the long-wheelbase 5 Series in India, which is a bit surprising because we suppose at least 80% of all 5 Series cars sold in India would be chauffeur driven. Still, if you want more leg space in your car, we suppose you could always spend a few more pennies and buy the BMW 7 Series…

Toyota gets started with its special committee for Global Quality

Toyota is ramping up quality control operations in a big way...

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) recently convened the first meeting of its Special Committee for Global Quality, for which TMC President Akio Toyoda is the Chairman. The committee has been formed to spearhead reforms to Toyota’s operations throughout the world and investigate the causes of quality problems, including those that necessitate recalls. The special committee will also examine the factors that affect quality in every phase of design work, manufacturing, marketing and service.

Among other things, Toyota’s newly appointed chief quality officers will participate in recalls and other safety-related decision-making on a global basis. This is aimed at establishing a system in which respective representatives will voice customer concerns from their region, and share information on customer complaints, defects and recalls with global team members.

Toyota also aims to strengthen its information-gathering capabilities with regard to suspected quality problems and increase the number of its offices dedicated to this function worldwide. While Toyota hasn’t had any major quality issues in the Indian market, the fact that it is ramping up quality control in a big way can only have a positive effect on its operations in India, especially in the light of the impending launch of the Etios, Toyota’s first small hatchback that’s specifically been engineered for emerging markets.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class unveiled

The seven-seater Mercedes-Benz R-Class MPV looks pretty ordinary...

Mercedes-Benz has released pics and details of its new R-Class, which essentially looks like a more expensive, more luxurious version of a Toyota Innnova. This seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is being officially unveiled today at the New York Motor Show and deliveries, in Europe and the US, are expected to start in September this year. We don't believe M-B has any plans of bringing the R-Class to India.

The new Mercedes-Benz people-carrier will be available with a range of V6 and V8 petrol and diesel engines, 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, air suspension (with self-levelling at the rear) and optional four-wheel-drive. A long wheelbase version will also be available.

With vehicles like the R-Class, Mercedes-Benz seems to be milking the brand for all it’s worth, but it seems to be a rather dubious long-term strategy. For a manufacturer that builds cars like the SLS AMG and the S-Class luxury saloon, having an MPV like the R-Class in its line-up seems to be a bit of an anomaly. Sure, like any other carmaker, Mercedes-Benz also needs to do whatever it can to boost profits, but, hey, whatever happened to brand image and brand positioning…?