Force Motors' Launches new SUV, Force One

Pune-based auto maker Force Motors launched two new variants of its sports utility vehicle, Force One, here on Wednesday. 

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be the brand ambassador for Pune truck and multi-utility vehicles manufacturer, Force Motors' new SUV, Force One.

The newly launched variants - EX and SX of Force One, are priced between Rs 8.99 lakh and Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom price in Delhi). The company which launched its first personal vehicle, Force One, in August 2011 is now looking to cement its position in the market and is expected to a launch a third version of the same SUV in the coming days.

In the 19 months since the auto maker made its foray in the passenger vehicle segment, it has sold 2,600 units of Force One and aims to sell nearly 2,000 units in the current fiscal. It also hopes to sell 5,000 units of Force One in 2014-15. "We expect the sales to pick up due to our attractive price points, number of offerings and a growing rural market. We expect the sales to grow by 2,000 more vehicles," Firodia said.

In addition to the general slowdown, FM’s single offering in the segment as well as limited dealership network has impacted sales, he said. The company will double its existing 25-dealerships by the end of the fiscal, he added. Many of these will be in tier-II and III cities.

Force Motors had planned capital expenditure of Rs 1,000 crore over a period of three years beginning last year. The power drive for the entire Force One range comes from Mercedes Benz which is made at Pithampur under-licence from the German auto maker. Priced at Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom Pune), the features of the Force One SX include ABS, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), progressive cruise control, steering mounted audio controls, reverse parking sensors and leather seats. Its has a 2.2-litre common rail, 16 valves, turbocharged diesel engine developing 141Ps made under licence from Daimler AG Germany. The onboard electronics is audited and validated by Mercedes-Benz Technologies Germany.

The Force One EX is targeted specifically at the “value minded customer” in the Tier-II and III towns. It is priced at Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India).

Ford EcoSport SUV launched at a starting price of Rs 5.59 lakh

US auto major Ford launched one of the most awaited cars of the year, the Ford EcoSport, at a starting price of Rs. 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Ford EcoSport will be available with three engine options -- the 1-litre EcoBoost petrol, 1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol, and the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel. The 1.5 Ti-VCT will have the option of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (same as the one in the Fiesta) while the rest of the variants will sport a five-speed manual.

The EcoSport will be available in seven colours and 38 accessories.

The compact SUV will take on Mahindra & Mahindra's Quanto, Maruti Suzuki's Ertiga, Renault Duster and it will also try to wean away premium hatchback Hyundai i20 and prospective compact sedan customers of Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze.

Nissan launches new facelifted Micra at a price of Rs 4.8 lakh to Rs 7.14 lakh

Nissan Motor Company has launched a facelifted version of its premium hatchback Micra at a very aggressive price of Rs 4.8 lakh to Rs 7.14 lakh ex-showroom New Delhi.

Along with the new Micra, the company has also introduced value pack base range called Active at Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 4.71 lakh with four variants, through this the number of variants are extended to 11.

Micra Active and New Micra were launched at a starting price of Rs. 3.50 lakh and Rs. 4.79 lakh (petrol) respectively.

NEW MICRA

The car maker also said it is planning to come out with a refreshed model of Evalia to stimulate demand for its multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment.

The Japanese auto major had launched Evalia, its first MPV, in last October and it has sold only 1,567 units so far.

"We are in serious discussions...we are not too far (from a refreshed version)," Nissan India president and CEO Kenichiro Yomura told reporters in Mumbai.

He was responding to a question as to what Nissan is doing to revive the Evalia, which has seen low sales. To another question, Mr Yomura said approaching the fleet owners could also be one of the options to enhance volumes of the Evalia.

On the two Micra variants, he said the company has set sales target of 2,500 units a month for the new models. "Our total sales target for this fiscal is 1 lakh units," he said.

Nissan posted 11 per cent growth in sales at 36,975 units in FY13 with Evalia clocking just 1,396 units. Mr Yomura said the company is eyeing 10 per cent share by 2016 in India's fast-growing auto market and 10 models by then. As of June, the carmaker's market share stood at a negligible 1.5 per cent.

According to the company, Micra Active (petrol) is a spacious hatchback offering quality and functionality at a competitive price. It is based on the popular fourth generation city car with redesigned exteriors, refreshed premium interiors and gives a mileage of 19.49 kmpl.

Nissan launched Mirca in India in July 2010 and has since sold 43,000 units. Globally, the model is known as March and it has clocked sales of over 6.5 million.

"Micra is a significant model for Nissan in this market. We expect the new models to serve wider range of customers," Mr Yomura said.