Toyota defers Liva launch till June to clear Etios backlog

The world's largest carmaker Toyota have postponed by two months introducing the hatchback version of its sedan Etios in India to June as it tries to clear order backlog of the recently launched car.

The company, which is present in India through a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group, will be doubling its output at the Bangalore facility to a minimum of 5,000 units every month from April for the Etios sedan.

"We have received very good response for the Etios. We are doubling the production of the car by starting the second shift from April," Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh told PTI.

Etios' waiting period is 4-6 months and TKM has decided to fulfill its commitment to existing customers first.

"Hence, to clear the order backlog, we have decided to postpone the launch of Liva by about two months," Singh said.

The company had launched the Etios in December last year and had announced its plans to introduce the small car Liva with a 1.2 litre petrol engine in April 2011.

As part of the new plan, the company will now enhance Etios output to a minimum of 5,000 units from the existing about 2,500 units per month, Singh said.

TKM has so far received about 26,500 booking orders for the Etios since its launch and the company has delivered only about 5,000 units, he added.

The company has invested Rs 3,200 crore to set up its second manufacturing facility in the country with an installed capacity of 70,000 units per annum to roll out the Etios. It has launched the car with a 1.5 litre petrol engine.

The Japanese auto major had launched Etios with a price tag of Rs 4.96 lakh-Rs 6.86 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It has been pitched against other entry-level sedans such as Maruti DZiRE, Mahindra Logan and Fiat Linea.

At the time of the launch, Singh had said the company was targeting to sell 70,000 units of Etios, including the hatchback, in 2011.

When asked about its sports utility vehicle Fortuner, Singh said: "We had started the booking again in January and so far received about 4,000 orders. The waiting period for the vehicle is 3-4 months now."

The company's first facility at the same location has a production capacity of about 80,000 units per annum.

On the impact of rising commodity prices, he said: "We are under pressure. We will review the prices of our products by March-end."

TKM currently manufactures models like multi utility vehicle Innova, premium sedan Corolla Altis and SUV Fortuner in India. It also sells sedan Camry, SUVs Prado and Land Cruiser and hybrid car Prius in the country as fully imported vehicles.

Goodyear launches Assurance Fuel Max in India

Goodyear India announced the launch of its latest tyre from its award-winning Assurance line, the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max with Fuel Saving technology that provides 4% more fuel efficiency and 15% longer mileage than conventional tyre technology. With safety at the heart of all Goodyear tyres, the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is reinforced with the same DuPont™ Kevlar® overlay - a material that is five times stronger than steel - that made its predecessor so successful.

Designed for family cars in the mid and premium markets, consumers who are looking for value for money and safety can now achieve maximum fuel efficiency and maximum protection with this new tyre.

"In the current environment where the rising fuel costs are a huge concern, Fuel Max technology is designed to improve fuel consumption without compromising on mileage or performance," said Rajeev Anand, Chairman & Managing Director, Goodyear India Limited.

"India is a unique country with a very different terrain, which requires maximum safety while maneuvering the vehicle on the road. Assurance Fuel Max offers critical safety features such as a strong grip, puncture resistance, blow out resistance, shorter braking distance and anti-skid, making it the perfect choice for everyday city driving as well as the long distance weekend road trips.", Mr. Anand added.

Moving forward towards commitment for safer and environment friendly driving, Goodyear collaborated with NGO Grow-Tress to plant more than 3,000 trees coinciding with the launch of Assurance Fuel Max in India. These were planted on behalf of retailers and media participating in the activity and also end users endorsing Assurance Fuel Max tyres.

More Fuel Efficiency and Longer Tread Life

One of the ways to reduce fuel consumption is to decrease some of the frictions while it drives. Rolling resistance or rolling friction, is the resistance that occurs when a tyre rolls on a flat surface. The greater the resistance, the greater the energy required to keep the tyre rolling. Up to 20 per cent of a car's fuel consumption is due to the tyres. Therefore a decrease in tyre rolling friction leads to a reduction in fuel consumption.

The new Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max features an advanced full silica compound which reduces the friction between the tyre's rubber molecules and provides high resistance to abrasion, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and a longer tread life.

Additionally, the tyre is built with a hard base under the tread, which reduces deformation in the crown area and heat build-up, contributing to higher fuel efficiency. The tyre also features even pressure distribution which helps reduce frictional energy caused by abrasion and heat at the tread surface, reducing the rate of wear.

In tests evaluated by TÜV SÜD Automotive GmbH as a technical witness partner, results showed that Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is 4% more fuel efficient than the company's previous generation of tyre technology where the tread compound is carbon based. This test was conducted in Mireval, France using Citroen C4 1.6l on size 195/65 R15 versus Goodyear Ducaro GA (test report number 76243002-1, May 2010).

In addition, based on internal tests conducted by Goodyear Innovation Center* Luxembourg, Assurance Fuel Max has 15% longer tread life versus the previous technology (Goodyear Ducaro GA). Actual fuel savings and tread life may vary according to other factors including environment, road, vehicle conditions, vehicle model, and driving habits, etc.

Fuel Saving Example

New Assurance Fuel Max's fuel efficiency improvement can lead to 160L of fuel savings. For example: If a 1.6L car has an average fuel consumption rate of 10L/100km, is fitted with Assurance Fuel Max on size 195/65R15 91V and travels a distance of 40,000 km, the potential fuel savings can be calculated as follows:

40,000 km (distance traveled) x 10L/100 km (fuel consumption rate) x 4% (fuel saving rate) =160 L (potential fuel savings)

Maximum Protection against Road Hazards

A layer DuPont™ Kevlar®, a lightweight material which is five times stronger than steel, reinforces Assurance Fuel Max for added durability and protection against road hazards like potholes. This material is the same cutting-edge technology used in protective applications like bulletproof vests, industrial gloves and hoses.

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is also built with two plies in the sidewalls of the tyre for increased durability and protection against dangerous road hazards.

A Comfortable and Quiet Ride

The tyre is designed with a four pitch sequence and high centerline block angles that helps to facilitate a smooth and quiet contact with the road.

Shorter Braking and Grip on Wet and Dry Roads

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is constructed with unique three dimensional waffle blades in the tread to enable improved lateral interlocking power while providing maximized circumferential decoupling. This technology delivers better braking and grip on both wet and dry surfaces.

For maximum wet-traction, the tread has also been designed with four uninterrupted circumferential grooves, which provide room in the footprint for the tyre to absorb and repel water, ensuring better aquaplaning resistance on wet roads.

Maruti won't give up its position easily

Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest automaker, has drawn up an aggressive strategy to retain its 45-50 per cent share of India’s rapidly burgeoning car market that is expected to hit 5 million units by 2015, from the current 2 million. The blueprint includes upgrades or possible new models in the compact segment and a multi-utility vehicle (MUV).

The Japanese giant will also consider increasing its capacity, which could mean a new plant or expansion of existing units, after its ongoing expansion to 500,000 vehicles is completed in phases.
The possible compact launches are part of Maruti Suzuki’s effort to protect its dominance of a segment that is increasingly under attack from leading global players like Toyota, Ford, General Motors and Honda. With the R3 MUV — a six-seat concept vehicle showcased at the Auto Expo last year — the company wants to make its presence felt in a growing segment where it is virtually non-existent.

In an interview recently, Maruti Suzuki Managing Director Shinzo Nakanishi said: “The A2 (compact) segment constitutes 60 per cent of all cars sold in the domestic market. We do not see this ratio changing in the next five years, but many new players are coming in. We have to strengthen our position in this segment, where we already have seven models.” He said Maruti Suzuki would like at least two new models in this segment by 2015.

Nakanishi said the SUV-MUV market constitutes 12 per cent of overall sales, but that Maruti Suzuki has a negligible share with the Gypsy. “This is another area we would like to focus on. We had shown the R3 as a concept car and we are conducting market research to see whether we can introduce it as an MUV. The other important thing is to have diesel engine-powered SUVs,” he said.

However, Nakanishi admitted that to retain its 45-50 per cent share of the domestic market, Maruti Suzuki’s existing capacity would prove inadequate.

“Our enhanced capacity would suffice until 2013-14. But if the market maintains the high-growth momentum we have seen so far, we will have to consider adding further capacity,” he said.

Maruti Suzuki expects its 2010-11 production figure to cross 1.25 million units with capacity that has been enhanced through reengineering. It will add capacity for another 500,000 units, half of it by October this year instead of the original plan of early 2012. Nakanishi hopes that with these measures, Maruti Suzuki will be able to manufacture around 1.85 million cars by 2013. He said a decision on further capacity enhancement would have to be taken if Maruti Suzuki wants to retain its marketshare.

Nakanishi said he also sees an increasingly key role for the research & development centre in India, which has about 1,000 engineers. “We expect the R&D centre to utilise car platforms developed in Japan to develop full-body capability for the Indian market. Engines developed in Japan could be calibrated to Indian requirements at the facility here,” Nakanishi added.

He also said that nothing has yet been finalised with Volkswagen, which has picked up a 20 per cent stake in Japanese parent company Suzuki, in terms of a common programme. “We are talking, but it is difficult. It already has the Polo, which is its small car, in India and in Europe. So, we are competitors in both markets. We do not know what shape the discussions will finally take,” said Nakanishi.

Honda launches the all new Accord

Honda Siel Cars India launched the new Honda Accord with new features. The Accord on the exterior gets a new Chrome accentuated front grille, rear chrome garnish and new front bumper adds to the charm of the Accord. The Sunroof now comes as standard across the Accord range.



The new feature list also includes steering mounted cruise control system with one-touch op which enhance the looks of the car. The inside wooden panel makes it look even more exquisite. The Accord now comes with an improved audio system for improved usability & readability and a Jackknife key have also been added to the Accord.

Honda Accord is equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden maneuvers. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Takashi Nagai, President & CEO, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., said "Honda Accord has been one of the most successful premium sedans in its category with over 25000 units sold since its launch in India setting new standards in exclusivity, comfort and safety. Our belief in constantly upgrading our products based on customer feedback prompted this launch of an upgraded version of the Accord with unique styling in combination with luxurious features."

The Honda Accord is available in 2.4L and 3.5L V6 engine and comes with a 5-speed Manual Transmission and 5-speed Automatic transmission with Paddle shift. The Automatic Transmission has Shift Holding System which avoids unnecessary gear shifting on winding roads and helps in hassle free drive.



The 3.5L V6 engine features an advanced Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system that switches between six-, four-, and three-cylinder combustion depending on the driving conditions and thereby delivering maximum power of 275 PS during six cylinder operation and impressive fuel economy in VCM mode while cruising. The new alloy wheels of the Accord V6 enhance the looks of the car even more.



The Honda Accord is equipped with six airbags, including side curtain air bags, Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body and G-Force Control Technology (G-CON) for enhanced safety of the vehicle occupants during a collision. Honda Accord V6 3.5L and Honda Accord 2.4L also have a provision for Bluetooth connectivity and customers can buy it as a Honda Genuine Accessory.

The variants are priced as below:
Accord 2.4 MT – Rs.19.60 lakh
Accord 2.4 AT – Rs.20.36 lakh
Accord 3.5 V6 – Rs.25.41 lakh

LONG WAITING LIST- In queue for Etios? Toyota may offer you Liva

Faced with a deluge of bookings for its new sedan Etios, Toyota is considering a unique offering for those in queue by giving them the option to shift to the company’s compact car, Liva, which debuts in March. Alternatively, the company is also considering to marginally increase the production of Etios to accommodate the rush.

According to sources, Toyota is worried that the seven to eight months’ waiting period for Etios may prompt customers to shift to rival brands. So, it is working on a plan to offer those with Etios bookings the option to go for the compact Liva, though details are still being worked out. It is not yet clear whether these people will get a priority in the delivery of the 1200cc petrol-engine Liva, which is likely to be priced around Rs 4 lakh.

The company hopes this move will ensure that the customers will stay within the Toyota fold, while getting an option to cut down on their waiting periods. The Etios, deliveries for which started earlier this month, has been a runaway success for the company and it has so far received bookings over 18,500 units.

When contacted, Toyota Kirloskar deputy MD (sales & marketing) Sandeep Singh said, “We are looking at various options, and a concrete plan is yet to be firmed up.” Singh, however, agreed that the company was looking at increasing the production of Etios from the plant near Bangalore, which has come up with an investment of Rs 3200 crore. Toyota plans to manufacture about 70,000 units from this plant between the Etios sedan and its compact version Liva in the first year. “Our manufacturing team is looking at this and a decision on enhancing production will be taken towards the end of February. However, if it happens, the increment in production may not be a major one. Whatever happens will be through improved efficiency and tweaking things here and there,” Singh said.

The company is gradually ramping up numbers at its plant and will start secondshift operations there. At full steam, the plant can churn out 200,000 units annually, though reaching this capacity will take time.

The Etios and the Liva are the two most ambitious products from Toyota’s stable to boost its share in the fastgrowing Indian car market. The company currently has a low single-digit share and has said it wants a 10% share to “occupy a mindshare of the average car buyer”. It has set a target to sell about 300,000-350,000 units by 2015.

Buying Used Cars

The demand for cars has dramatically increased over the past few years. Everyone needs a car, but most people cannot afford to purchase a brand new car.

If you are also tight on budget, then buying a used car will not be a bad deal. A used car is more economical than a new car. If you are planning to buy a used car, then you will have to do a lot of research. Otherwise you might be sold a defective or faulty car. There are car dealers who sell used cars that are in a good condition. You can also take along a mechanic or a used car expert with you when you are going to see the used car that is up for sale. The mechanic will tell you the condition of the car and whether it is a good idea to buy the car or not. He will also be able to find out any hidden damages or faults in the car.
You can get a good used car for the smallest amount of money.

Private sellers often advertise their cars in newspapers. You can check your newspaper to find a used car on sale in your locality. You might even be able to find a used car in a really good condition for a reasonable price. You can also approach a used car dealer, who thoroughly assesses the car before putting it for sale. Still, it is advisable to check the reputation of the car dealer before making a deal. You can also browse the Internet and find cheap used cars online. Though you cannot touch or see the cars online, you can compare and examine the cars. The best part is that you don't have to go anywhere for the purpose. There are many websites displaying used cars for sale.

You can also buy a used car through a public auction. Usually, these car auctions are arranged by the police or government institutions and are the ones that they had seized through repossession or confiscation. They sell cars that were seized from car owners who were unable to repay their loan amounts.
People tend to buy the cheapest used car, and end up paying out more on the repairs. Nowadays, most car dealers conduct thorough tests on the used car before putting it for sale. These dealers also offer warranty to assure the quality of the used car. These warranties may range from a period of 6 months to one year. The condition of the used cars depends on the usage of the car and its maintenance by its previous owner. You must look for the used car that is best used by its previous owner.

Used cars rarely come with the warranty of the original manufacturer. So, used cars certified by car dealers are a good option. By buying a certified used car, you can be satisfied that the car you are buying has been thoroughly inspected and is in condition to be given an extended warranty. These certified used cars also come with benefits like low loan rate, roadside assistance, free maintenance like oil changes and shuttle services.

You can also buy a used car from a used car sale. In these sales, you have a variety of used cars that are up n display. You can find different models of cars, compare them and consider their prices. You also get a chance to examine the condition of the car in these sale centres.

What to Look For When Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can be tricky as you will have to consider lots of factors - it is therefore imperative that you know what you're looking for.

Trust is often a big issue when buying a used car, especially if you are buying privately. When viewing a car you will need to ensure that you check the vehicle over thoroughly. Here are a few tips to help make sure you buy a used car that won't give you too many problems.

1. Before viewing a car you should do some background research so you know the current 'going rate' of that particular car - you don't want to pay too much. You should also remember that when buying from a motor trader you have more rights than you do when you buy privately. It is therefore essential that you follow the tips outlined below.

2. If the car you are looking to buy is under three years old then it should have done around 25,000-30,000 miles, anything with a lower mileage is a good buy.
If it has done more miles then you know that the car has been driven hard which may have an adverse affect on the engine.

3. It is important that you inspect the bodywork to spot any blemishes. It is therefore a good idea to do this is daylight. You should look out for signs of rust as this indicated corrosion - rust is more likely to occur on cars over 5 years old. If you spot rust along the lower door sills, front wing or the bottom of the door alarm bells should ring. Rust shows that the metal is weakened and will require a lot of welding attention to put right. You should also look for signs of crash repairs - this is often shown by ripples in the paintwork.

4. Never buy a car without test driving it yourself. Make sure you are insured to drive it and then take it out on a drive.

If possible take it along a motorway, somewhere with twisting roads...and make sure you check reverse. This will give you a good feel of how the car drives. You will also be able to see whether the gears are sticky, the car pulls to one side or whether the clutch is stiff.

5. Finally, check that the mileage corresponds to the general wear and tear of the car. Also have a quick check of the condition of the engine - a dirty engine suggests that the car hasn't been looked after properly!

Private Seller Or Used Car Dealer Is Better To Purchase 2nd Hand Cars?

Having your own car is fairly joyable, however how to buy one is not easy. Although the reccession is basically over, its fallout still remains to some extent. Having considered this, a lot of people have decided to buy a second hand from either a private seller or used car dealer instead of a brand new car.

But therein lies the choice for many people - do you go for the used car dealer or the private seller?

This article discusses some of the issues that might come up when making this decision. Both have certain advantages and disadvantages, and carefully looking at these will help you come to a conclusion about which to go for.When you roll up to a used car dealer you are often confronted with a wide range of cars to choose from.

And that's one of the main advantages to buying from a used car dealer - the fact that you can find a wide range of vehicles in one place. This also means you can seek the advice of the salesperson in order to determine more clearly if a given car meets your requirements and those of your family members.

Many people choose a used car dealer because they can sometimes provide some attractive offers - such as free roadside assistance services and similar attractive offers. But one of the main reasons car buyers opt for a used car dealer is the fact that they provide a warranty of some kind. This can be the clincher for many people.

Compare the warranty situation with what people get when they buy from a private seller - there is invariably no warranty. Any spoken agreement as regards the quality of the car and how the seller would accept a return are of course very difficult to prove - often impossible.

But on the plus side, private sellers often sell their cars for a lower price than their used car dealer counterparts.

This is because, in most cases, the private seller will have lower overheads than the used car dealer. It may also be because they wish to make a fast sale - which can be good and can be bad (for example if the car is of lower quality than they suggest).

There are clear pros and cons to both second hand car buying options - and it is worth taking your time when deciding which to go for.

Maruti Suzuki to launch Kizashi in January

MARUTI SUZUKI India Ltd is all set to launch its much awaited D-segment car Kizashi, a sedan by the end of January. Pronounced ‘Kee-Zah-Shee' which in Japanese means ‘something great is coming', it is an executive sedan to be launched in the third week of January 2011.

Kizashi is set to take on Honda Accord and Skoda Superb, Toyota's Corolla and Camry , Honda's Civic and Accord in features and pricing.This will be the first car by Maruti Suzuki catering to high-end customers entering into a segment where an average of 1,000 cars are sold every month.

Maruti will launch its first luxury car on January 28, 2011. Kizashi will be the first of the several new launches the company is planning in 2011 including a updated version of Swift and Dzire and a small SUV.

Sources indicate that the pricing is expected to be around Rs 18-20 lakhs, some other says it will cost around Rs. 11-12 Lakhs.The company is expecting upto 250 cars to be sold per month. Kizashi will have a 2.4 litre petrol engine, and will come in both manual and automatic versions.

Maruti recently raised its sales forecast for the current fiscal ,and said it expects to sell 31% more cars compared with the 10,18,365 cars it did in last year. Maruti currently produces 1,10,000 lakh cars a month, as compared to 84,000 per month last fiscal.

Launched first in 2007, Kizashi is already running successfully in Europe.The Kizashi version to be launched in India is a new model developed in 2010.So when are you grabbing one for you.

New Fiat Linea Car Features and prices

The new Fiat Linea is a very vibrant mode car which is fitted with the finest of technologies and quality all in the best of the class. This car is one of the greatest instances of Italian style. The interiors of the car reflect it to be best in offering the comfort and ease. Fiat Linea car are presently available in five different variants such as Active, Dynamic, Dynamic Pack, Emotion and Emotion Pack.

All these variants are available with both petrol and diesel engine option. New Fiat Linea Car Features are like sensors, AC, audio player and moreover it is also accompanied with special features like safety features with the help of Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and provides you safe and secure drive.

New Fiat Linea Car comes with a lot of comfort features that make everyone inside the car feel at home.

The new Fiat
Linea is not an ordinary sedan, it has designed so pleasingly. The new Fiat Linea car is just amazing and gives the Italian styling in Indian norms. The heart of the car means engine is perfectly crafted. It is accompanied with the new age and advanced T-Jet engine and revolutionary Multijet and Fire engines, thoughtful safety features which make the new Fiat Linea car truly admirable.

The all new Fiat Linea T Jet car is loaded with a 1.4L turbo charged petrol engine and churns out 114 PS at 5000 rpm and a maximum torque of 207Nm at 2200 rpm onwards. Acceleration and pick up of the car are just mind blowing, with Fiat Linea T Jet zooming from 0-100 kmph in 11.14 seconds and reaching to a top speed of 186 kmph.

Let's talk about the new Fiat Linea car features and prices.
Some valuable features are tilt steering with mounted audio and Blue & Me controls, Driver seat height adjust, all four auto down power windows, remote tailgate open, manual HVAC, Remote key less entry, rear armrest with glove box and cup holder, rear AC vents, integrated MP3/CD and FM player, Blue &Me with USB port, etc. New Fiat Linea Car price in Delhi is Rs. 9, 29,334 and New Fiat Linea Car price in Mumbai is Rs. 9, 19,334. The price of this car is varying according to the dealer's location.