Aston Martin Arrives in India

Aston Martin joins Ferrari S.p.A, Maserati S.p.A and Volkswagen AG's Bugatti and Lamborghini units in India with the U.K.-based company Friday launching three models for the country's sports car enthusiasts.

"India represents a new opportunity for us," said Michael van der Sande, chief commercial officer at Aston Martin.

The company will sell the V8 Vantage, priced at 15.50 million rupees, the Rapide at 21.5 million rupees and the One-77 for 200 million rupees in Asia's third-largest economy that has already prompted Daimler AG, BMW AG, Audi AG, Bentley and Jaguar to introduce luxury cars for India's rising number of millionaires and billionaires.

"A decision to bring the Aston Martin brand to India is driven by a strong level of interest and enthusiasm from potential customers in an emerging luxury market."

Aston Martin on Friday starts a dealership in Mumbai and will open a second dealership in New Delhi by the end of May.

Expanding sales in India and China have provided global auto makers new market opportunities with business in Europe and the U.S.--their primary markets--stagnating.

Aston Martin was in 2007 sold to Kuwait's Investment Dar Co. K.S.C. and Adeem Investment by its erstwhile owner Ford Motor Co.

Hyundai to Introduce New Models in India

Hyundai Motor Co. will introduce two new vehicles in India each year until 2014 in a bid to retain its position as the second-largest car maker in Asia's third-biggest automotive market amid stiff competition from recent entrants Volkswagen AG, Nissan Motor Co. and others.

"We will have new products in all segments," Arvind Saxena, director of sales and marketing at Hyundai Motor India Ltd., told Dow Jones Newswires in a recent interview. "New products play a vital role in boosting sales."

Hyundai will soon start selling an upgraded version of its mid-sized sedan Verna as part of this product introduction plan, he added.

The company also makes small cars Santro, i10 and i20 and sedans Accent and Sonata at its factory near the southern port city of Chennai and imports and markets the Santa Fe sport-utility vehicle.

Global auto makers are queueing up to take advantage of the robust Indian economy and rising personal incomes that have helped boost demand for new two-wheelers, cars and sport-utility vehicles.

Volkswagen, Ford Motor Co., Nissan Motor, Renault SA, Toyota Motor Corp. and others have either introduced small cars or plan to do so in the near future to cater to the record-growing demand.

New car local sales jumped 30% in the financial year ended March 31--the fastest in more than a decade--to 1.98 million vehicles.

But newer entrants are challenging the dominance of older, more established auto makers including that of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. and Hyundai. The two have already lost some market share in the past year because of increased competition.

"Going forward, we are confident that we would retain our market share. New models will help us in doing so," Mr. Saxena said.

Market share of the local unit of Suzuki Motor Corp in India fell to 48.7% in the year through March from 50.1% a year earlier, while Hyundai's share stood at 18.1% from the 20.6% it held a year earlier, according to data from industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Hyundai Motor India aims to sell at least 400,000 cars and SUVs locally in 2011, up 12% from last year's 356,717 vehicles. Still, the sales growth will be nearly half of last year's 23% rise as increasing interest costs and rising prices of raw materials such as steel, aluminum and natural rubber will likely dent demand, Mr. Saxena said.

"There would be a moderation in the whole industry. We will also grow at a similar pace," he said.

Hyundai Motor India plans to raise prices of all its vehicle models between 1% and 1.5% by Saturday due to higher commodity prices, Mr. Saxena said, marking the company's second price since January due to higher input costs.

Hyundai follows Maruti, Tata Motors Ltd., Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd., Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. and others that have all raised prices twice in 2011.

Also, exports of Hyundai--India's largest vehicle exporter--are expected to fall 11% in 2011 to 220,000 vehicles owing to weak demand for small cars in Europe.

The auto maker sells 'made-in-India' small cars to 118 countries globally and its i10 small car is made exclusively in India for the global market.

Volkswagen India to bring 7th generation Passat by March

Volkswagen has recently stated to bring its much awaited 7th generation 1.8 TSI (Petrol) Passat, which was wrapped off in 2010 Paris Motor Show, to India. This long awaited new model has got sharper treatment in its lines alike its other Scirocco inspired models like Jetta, Vento and Polo.

The new grille has been beautified with loads of chrome, whereas the daytime LED lights on outer corners make it quite catchy. The rear of the vehicle too has been worked out well - the taillight too is LED and adorned angularly to give sharper lines to the new age Passat as compared to existing one.

The vehicle has been priced at Rs 19.20 Lakh (Ex-showroom, New Delhi). Mr. Neeraj Garag, Member of Board and Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars (Group Sales), Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd said “The Passat TSI is well refined and not only will provide superior driving experience but also decrease fuel consumption and lower emissions.”

On the other end, Volkswagen is setting itself to launch new version Jetta 2.0L TDI too in India, around the same time at a cost of 15.92 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Mr. Lutz Kothe, Market Head, Volkswagen said about their production plans of both the vehicles, “We have no plan to localize the Jetta or Passat but we will continue to assemble them in India, India is the fastest-growing market in the luxury car segment and we will continue to grow here”

He also added, “We are gradually ramping up production at our Chakan Facility in Maharashtra to cater to the increasing demand. The Polo (White Color) has been more in demand in the market.”

India car sales soar 30 percent in 2010-11

Indian passenger car sales soared by 30 percent in the past year, the most in over a decade, but surging raw material costs will put the brakes on further growth, an industry body said Friday.

Car sales grew to 1.98 million units in the just-ended fiscal year to March 2011 from 1.53 million the previous year, spurred by cheap loans and new model launches, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said.

"We have ended the year on a reasonably high note. We have reached a very strong base," SIAM president Pawan Goenka told reporters.

India is the second-fastest growing auto market in the world after China.

But Goenka said growth would slow to 16 or 18 percent this year due to rising commodity prices and costlier loans resulting from a tighter monetary policy aimed at curbing inflation.

The percentage gain in car sales in the year to March 2011 was the highest since 2000 when car sales soared 60 percent, SIAM said.

The sustained expansion of the Indian market in the face of saturated markets in the West has turned the country into a battleground for global vehicle manufacturers.

Ford, Renault-Nissan, General Motors and Volkswagen have all launched new models in India recently.

Sales of Japanese-controlled Maruti Suzuki, India's car market leader, jumped by 26.24 percent to 966,447 units last year from a year earlier, while sales of rival South Korea's Hyundai Motor increased by 13.95 percent to 358,904 units.

In March, passenger car sales in Asia's third-largest economy climbed by 24.37 percent to 194,199 units from the same month a year earlier, SIAM said.

Sales of commercial vehicles - seen as an important barometer of economic health - climbed by 15.35 percent to 77,688 units from a year ago, the auto group said.

Total sales of vehicles across categories grew by 19.42 percent in March to 1,465,909 units from the same month a year earlier.

New MUV's to hit Indian market soon

As the demand for the crossovers is shooting upwards in the Indian car market, some of the largest car makers of the country including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Skoda AutoMulti Utility Vehicles or MUV) is the fastest growing segment of passenger vehicles in the Indian market. Although, the year 2010 has been a year of new hatchbacks as an array of new and stylish hatchbacks have been rolled out in the Indian market since the starting of this year. But now the trend seems to be shifting towards crossovers as the industry is witnessing a steep rise in the demand for multi utility vehicles.

A simple example of how successful MUV are is the Toyota Innova which is the best seller in its segment and has been in high demand right since its launch.

The crossovers (MUVs) are basically SUVs built on a chassis of sedan car and thus fulfill all the requirements.

The main factor behind the success of the crossover vehicles is that they can be used in the city, highway and off-road journeys. Thus, the utility of these models fall maximum as compared to an SUV or a sedan.

Speaking of MUV, the country's largest vehicle maker, Tata Motors is all set to launch its much anticipated MUV Tata Aria in the Indian market in the upcoming festive season. The Aria model was showcased in the Delhi International Auto Expo in January 2010. The all new Tata Aria model is expected to sport a 2.2 L, DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) engine which is already doing duties in company's popular SUV Tata Safari model. After its launch in the Indian market, the Aria model will be competing with some of the most popular vehicles including the best selling model of this segment Toyota Innova.

Another vehicle that is all set to join the league of crossovers in the country is Maruti's new crossover that has been developed at company's R3 concept. The all new R3 concept was also showcased at the Delhi International Auto Expo January 2010. The model is expected to hit the Indian roads by next year. With this, Skoda, a fully owned subsidiary of Germany based Volkswagen group, is also planning to launch its much awaited.

Skoda Roomster model in the Indian market by year 2011. The German auto giant is also expected to enter into the fastest growing segment by launching a new crossover from Maruti SX4 platform by next year.
are mulling over to launch their respective vehicles in this segment. The segment of crossovers (also known as

Renault to Launch 5 Cars in India

French car maker Renault's Indian unit will launch five cars between mid-2011 and mid-2013, including small cars in 2012, its India head said on Thursday, to cater to brisk demand in one of the fastest growing automobile markets in the world.

Its small cars will be built on its alliance partner Nissan's platform, Country General Manager Marc Nassif said on the sidelines of an automobiles conference.

The cars produced at its manufacturing unit in Chennai, built jointly with its alliance partner Nissan, will be Renault-branded, Nassif said, adding that they would be competitively priced.

In 2011, the firm intends to introduce its premium vehicle Fluence and the cross-over Koleos.

Separately, Renault-Nissan is working with Indian two-wheeler maker Bajaj Auto

Renault, which this year sold off its stake in a joint venture with utility vehicles and tractor maker Mahindra & Mahindra which made the Logan sedan, is all set to storm the compact car market in India on its own.

Nissan, which is 44 percent owned by Renault, has started selling its compact Micra cars since June.

The compact car segment in India, with cars measuring between 3.4 to 4 metres in length, is a rapidly expanding segment constituting more than 70 percent of the total car market.

Though top carmaker Maruti Suzuki still holds sway, global majors such as Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Volkswagen and Ford are eyeing this lucrative sector.

General Motors' Chevrolet Beat and Ford's Figo compact cars have already seen runaway sales so far this year.

Renault's global sourcing from India is expected to rise 40 percent to 50 percent in the current financial year, Nassif said.
to make a low-cost car, which would be designed by Bajaj and launched by end-2012.

Volkswagen Vento

The German Car major, Volkswagen unveiled its much-awaited sedan Volkswagen Vento in India. However, the car will be available to its customers in the last quarter of the year. The company disclosed the specification of the car at the event held for its unveiling but details about price and mileage were kept under wraps. The company official informed that the Volkswagen Vento price would be declared in August, 2010.

Volkswagen Vento Description :

Overall

Volkswagen, the German Car maker is back with a bang, with the all new Volkswagen Vento. Volkswagen Vento is said to be designed to give direct competition to the market leader Honda City. The new executive sedan will hit the Indian roads in the October-December quarter this year, according to the company official. Market leader Honda has dominated the mid size premium sedan segment in India, but with the launch of Volkswagen Vento, the race to take the number one spot in terms of market share will now begin between the two Automotive giants.

Volkswagen Vento is expected to be positioned in the premium category car, same as Volkswagen Polo which is in line with a higher brand value of the company. The company will follow the same strategy for Volkswagen Vento as it does with Volkswagen Polo. Although Volkswagen Vento price will to be disclosed in August, 2010, but the industry sources speculate that it will be priced in the range of Rs 7-9 lacs, giving it a “in your face” competitive to Honda City.

The added advantage that the all new Volkswagen Vento has in comparison to its competitor Honda City is that the former will be available in both petrol and diesel version unlike the latter which is available only in petrol version. The all new Volkswagen Vento will be seen with the same engine as is available in Volkswagen Polo i.e. 1.6 L petrol and diesel engines. While the petrol engine is expected to produce a torque of 105 Ps, the diesel engine will have a thumping torque of 250 NM. Volkswagen Vento will be launched in India with manual and automatic transmission. The petrol version will be equipped with a 6 speed automatic gearbox.

The all new Volkswagen Vento is expected to have the same dynamic exteriors and interiors, as Honda City does. The sleek exterior look of the new Vento that will hit the roads soon, is expected to hog a lot of limelight, all for good reasons, we believe. The Sedan with be loaded with a lot of charismatic effects and looks to appeal to car lovers.

Volkswagen Vento as mentioned above will hit the roads in the October-December quarter of 2010. The car will be manufactured at Volkswagen's new factory at Chakan in Pune. This facility is currently used in the production of Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia. The company has plans to sell around 25000 units every year once the production starts with full swing. The major disadvantage for Volkswagen Vento will be its cost, as the engine and the transmission (which is generally 35-40 % of car's cost) will have to be imported. Volkswagen Vento is expected to have top of its class advanced safety and comfort features that will make this car very different from its competitors.
Volkswagen Vento Models

Volkswagen Vento will be launched in the Indian market with petrol and diesel engine models. The new sedan will be available in the same variant line as the Volkswagen Polo. According to the initial information, the new car will have both Trendline and Highline variants.




Volkswagen Vento Models

Volkswagen Vento will be launched in the Indian market with petrol and diesel engine models. The new sedan will be available in the same variant line as the Volkswagen Polo. According to the initial information, the new car will have both Trendline and Highline variants.

Volkswagen Vento Petrol Trendline : This basic variant comes equipped with 14" steel wheels with full wheel caps, Black exterior door handles and mirrors, Radio preparation with speaker & antenna pre-wiring, 14" steel wheels with full wheel caps, etc.
Volkswagen Vento Petrol Trendline AT: It comes with the same features as Volkswagen Vento Petrol Trendline except automatic transmission gearbox.
Volkswagen Vento Petrol Highline : This variant is comprised of all the standard features of Trendline along with some extra features like ABS, Front Airbags for driver and co-driver, Climatronic automatic air conditioning, Radio with CD player MP3 and four speaker including roof Antenna, Fog light, front & rear , 15” Alloy wheels, etc.
Volkswagen Vento Petrol Highline AT: It comes with similar features as Volkswagen Vento Petrol Highline, the only difference is automatic transmission gearbox.
Volkswagen Vento Diesel Trendline :It comes with the same features as Volkswagen Vento Petrol Trendline except diesel engine.
Volkswagen Vento Diesel Highline : It comes with the same features as Volkswagen Vento Petrol Highline except diesel engine.

Mileage, Average and Fuel Economy

The all new Volkswagen Vento is expected to come in both Petrol and Diesel engine. The all new Vento will be packed with the same engine as Volkswagen Polo. The car will have a 1.6 L engine. The new Volkswagen Vento will be equipped by both 5 Speed Manual Transmission and an automatic gearbox (in the petrol version) and 5 speed manual gearbox (diesel version) for smooth changes and easy shifting of gears. The engine will have a DOHC Valve configuration with 4 valves per cylinder which will make the performance of the car dynamic.

The new Volkswagen Vento promises to offer smoother and faster gear shifts and acceleration in both manual transmission/automatic mode. This engine is anticipated to offer a mileage of 11.2 kmpl in the city and 15.4 kmpl on the highway. So far, the mileage figures are not announced by the company.
Power

Volkswagen Vento will be available in both petrol and diesel engine. Both the engines will be powered by a 1.6 liter DOHC in-line type engine. This In-line type engine with 4 Valves per cylinder offers greater torque and clear emission. Volkswagen Vento will have a 5 Speed Manual and automatic AT (in the petrol version) for easy shifting of gears. The engine will provide smoother and faster gear changes with both manual and automatic gearbox. It is also anticipated that the car will provide an improved fuel economy. This engine will offer idling speed to be lowered without compromising on its high-speed performance. The highly powerful engine of Volkswagen Vento will produce an impressive power of 105 bhp at 5250 rpm and a thumping torque of 153 Nm at 3800 rpm for the petrol engine and 250 Nm at 1500-2500 rpm for the diesel engine.
Colors

The Volkswagen Vento Trendline variant will be available in two exciting colours i.e. candy white and flash red, both being the most sought after colors in the auto world. The car will have body colored outside mirrors, door handles, chrome strip on trunk, chrome finish on front air dam,fog light surrounds and green wedge at top section of windshield.

On the other hand, Highline variant of the Volkswagen Vento will have reflex silver metallic, shadow blue metallic, terra beige metallic and deep Black Pearl. The exterior will be comprised of body colored outside mirrors and door handles, 15” alloy wheels, chrome strip on trunk, paint, metallic and pearl effect, chrome finish on front air dam and fog light surrounds and green wedge at top section of windshield.
Acceleration and Pick Up

It a known fact (well for car enthusiasts !) that the acceleration of a car is greatly dependent on the torque and transmission. Manual Transmission offers greater mileage and acceleration than the Automatic Transmission. The Volkswagen Vento is assumed to be powered by 5 Speed Manual Transmission and automatic gearbox (in the petrol engine variant) to facilitate smoother changes in gears. The engine is expected to offer an impressive acceleration and top speed.



Volkswagen Vento Exteriors
Exterior Appearance

Volkswagen Vento is a stylish luxurious Sedan that offers a distinct sporty look. The secret of its distinct design lies in the combination of a robust appearance with functional details. The exterior design gives the car a smart and an elegant appearance. The classy look of Vento spells sophistication all the way. The design of Volkswagen Vento blends concept car themes and sound aerodynamic principles while conveying the brand’s rally heritage.

The front of the Volkswagen Vento is similar to the Volkswagen Polo design with chrome trimmed front radiator grille that offers a classy and an elegant look. The saloon and the hatch are similar to the B-pillar, except for a different grille and lights, to differentiate it from its hatchback sibling.

The stylish halogen headlight and indicators give extra emphasis to the elegance and luxurious look and provide good and optimum vision on the road, thus offering an uncompromising attention. The squarish rear LED lights (tail lamps) give a very innovative and impressive look and offer stylish contour to the New Volkswagen Vento which perfectly blends with the rear design. The new Volkswagen Vento offers a look similar to that of a sports car, with its unique front end. Alloy wheels provides a very aggressive and sporty look to the car.

The trendline variant of the Volkswagen Vento will come with 14" steel wheels with full wheel caps, chrome inlays in front grille to the left and right of the Volkswagen logo, body coloured bumpers, black exterior door handles and mirrors, Halogen headlights, partially zinc coated body with 6 years anti-rust warranty and rough road package with increased ground clearance whereas the Highline variant will be designed with body colored outside mirrors and door handles, 15” alloy wheels, chrome strip on trunk, paint, metallic and pearl effect, chrome finish on front air dam and fog light surrounds and green wedge at top section of windshield.
Exterior Measurements

Volkswagen Vento is a stylish Sedan with a seating capacity of 5 passengers. Its dimensions guarantee comfortable handling and maneuverability while driving in the city The exterior dimensions of Volkswagen Vento offer ample length and width with excellent height and wheel base.
Volkswagen Vento Interiors
Interior Appearance

The all new Volkswagen Vento is expected to be on roads shortly with amazing and stunning interiors that compliments its exterior. The interior of the car boast sophistication with top of its class luxury features. Spacious interiors of Volkswagen Vento that offer a sense of tranquility even in the busiest of roads is sure to attract car lovers.

The new car is expected to offer higher level of comfort that is unmatched by any other car. Its reflex interiors with fabric upholstery, dashboard will make it look what it should look- elegant all the way !

Other salient features the Volkswagen Vento possesses are: Front doors with storage compartments including a holder for 1 litre bottle, Rear doors with storage compartments, Storage compartment for sunglasses inside the glove box, Fully lined trunk and trunk floor, Trunk illumination, Foldable roof handles with coat hooks (3x), Warning triangle holder, Center console including 2 cupholders, Front centre armrest including cupholder for rear seat, Front center console including 12V outlet, Rear seat backrest, Fixed Gear lever surround, inner door handles and AC vents with chrome, 2 tone anti-glare dashboard, Black & Beige, Sun visors with ticket holder on driver's side, Sun visors with vanity mirror on passenger's side and Livon" fabric upholstery.

Additional interior features in Volkswagen Vento Highline variant include, Co-driver seat adjustable from rear seat for additional leg room, Interior Chrome package, Genuine leather wrapped steering wheel, gear shift knob, hand brake lever and gear shift boot, Rear centre arm rest and “Livon” superior upholstery
Interior Comfort

Volkswagen Vento offers a cocoon of comfort. The car is a class apart from its peers when we talk about the comfort features it carries. Along with style and elegance, the comfort and convenience of the passengers is also taken care of. Volkswagen Vento is expected to be packed with a host of features that ensure, you reach your destination relaxed and in great comfort, something that we all need, at the end of the day.

The power Steering wheel offers a comfortable drive for a of any height, the adjustable steering column, for both reach and rake and comfortable seats ensures a great driving experience. The tailor made innovative engine of Volkswagen Vento gives a high level of driving comfort.

The adjustable driver’s seat offers a suitable driving position with both height and seat adjustments in it, that ensures you reach your destination in sheer comfort. The car is packed with many advanced comfort features to give a pleasant and smooth drive.

The storage section is also taken care of, with the availability of huge boot space wherein you can put in your luggage in case of long distance travel. The front cup holders and the storage compartments in front doors offer greater use of space where you can store bottles or papers, etc.

The comfort features for the Trendline variant of the Volkswagen Vento include AC with rear AC vents, central locking, push type fuel lid opener, centrally lockable, outer rear view mirrors manually adjustable from inside, four power windows with driver side one touch down, Electric trunk opening, Rear defogger, white instrument back-lights, Parking lights, radio preparation with speaker and antenna pre-wiring, Front intermittent wipers, Dust and pollen filter and 14" steel spare wheel.

The Highline variant of the Volkswagen Vento will be equipped with some extra comfort features such as Electrically adjustable outside mirrors, Climatronic automatic air conditioning, Comfort power windows, Height adjustable driver seat, Remote control for central locking, incl 2 keys, Multi function info display including door opening warning, Radio with CD player MP3 and four speaker including roof Antenna and14” steel spare wheel.
Interior Measurements

Volkswagen Vento is a luxurious sedan with a seating capacity of 5 passengers. The car is very spacious from inside and the interior dimensions provide ample area making both the headroom and legroom spacious.
Engine Capacity and Performance

The all new Volkswagen Vento will be available in both petrol and diesel engine options. The car will be equipped with the same engine as that of Volkswagen Polo. It will have 1.6 L engine DOHC in-line petrol engine for both manual and automatic options. The engine is expected to be equipped with 4 valves per cylinder which will offer clear emission and a higher torque. Volkswagen Vento petrol version will have 5 Speed Manual Transmission and automatic gearbox and diesel version will host only 5 speed manual gearbox to enable smooth changes in gears. This engine helps the idling speed to be lowered without compromising the high-speed performance. The officials of the company claimed greater fuel efficiency for the car without mentioning the figures.

The highly powerful petrol engine of Volkswagen Vento will produce an impressive power of 105 ps at 5250 rpm and a thumping torque of 153 Nm at 3800 rpm .The diesel engine of the car churns a top power of 105 ps at 4400 rpm and generates a peak torque of 250 Nm at 1500-2500 rpm.
Wheels

The all new Volkswagen Vento will available with cast aluminum alloy wheels and large size tyres. This big sized tyre are of great help in controlling the car from off-roading. It also reduces the skidding rate in slippery and watery roads. The Volkswagen Vento Trendline will have 14" steel wheels with full wheel caps and a 14" steel spare wheel while the Highline variant will be assembled with 15” alloy wheels and a 14” steel spare wheel.
Braking and Handling

Like all the cars from the Volkswagen stable, Volkswagen Vento, too is packed with a sound braking system. The front wheels of Volkswagen Vento come with Disc Brakes while its rear wheels have drum brakes. A good braking system helps in decelerating the car very quickly. The other advanced features that make the handling of Volkswagen Vento more convenient is ABS (Antilock Brake System) that ensures the prevention of wheel locking in case of sudden braking. Moreover it prevents the vehicle from skidding in case of hard braking at a wet or slippery road.

The suspension too, in the all new Volkswagen Vento will be a very powerful one and is expected to maintain the stability of the car.
Handling and Safety

Safety is a major concern these days with increased number of vehicle on roads. Volkswagen has taken care of this concern with its inbuilt passive and active safeguards in place. Volkswagen Vento is expected to be equipped with a array of advanced safeguards to make the drive comfortable and hassle-free.

The ABS (Anti Lock Braking System) ensures prevention of wheel lock in case of abrupt braking and keeps the car steerable. The availability of Driver’s Airbag and co-passenger airbag in the car is the most important safety measure which offers a cushioning effect to the passenger in case of collision and jerk and also helps in reducing the impact of the collision.

Volkswagen Vento is expected to have front and rear fog lights that help to drive the car in any weather condition. With the presence of fog lamps, the drive becomes easy and safe in bad weather conditions.

Some of the other safety features are Anti theft system with interior surveillance and back up alarm, Height adjustable 3 points front seat belt, 3-point safety belts for rear outboard occupants, lap belt for rear middle occupant, Front headrests and rear headrests, height-adjustable, High mount stop lamp, Day night rear view mirror, Front disc brakes and Electronic immobilizer.
Stereo and Accessories

Volkswagen Vento will be equipped with advanced integrated audio system wherein you can listen to your favorite music with best sound quality using an integrated radio. Also, a sound system for ultimate drive experience will be available in the all new Volkswagen Vento. The Highline variant will have radio with CD player MP3 and four speaker including roof Atenna.

Volkswagen Vento will be accessorised with a powerful Climatronic automatic air conditioning, dust and pollen filter.

BMW to launch electric car, MegaCity, in 2013

When everyone is going green, BMW does not want to be left behind in the race. Yes, we are talking about the latest trend, well known as electric cars, that has become so popular among the global car manufacturers.

BMW will launch a new car in 2013 which will run entirely on electricity. BMW had earlier announced that it will launch its first-ever full electric production vehicle, MegaCity in 2013, which is two years earlier than expected. This car would run primarily on electricity stored in a battery and the MegaCity urban electric vehicle will be built of carbon fibre.

BMW has forged a partnership with the composites expert SGL Group to construct a new plant in Moses Lake, Washington. This plant will produce lightweight carbon-fibre materials for auto industry applications. The total cost of the plant is likely to go beyond $100 million.

Carbon fibre weighs less and hence plays a very important role in reducing a car’s total energy consumption. The MegaCity will be built on carbon fibre which would enhance its green sustainability. It will be sold primarily in over-populated cities.

The firm's "Megacity" car "will be an emission-free city vehicle for metropolitan areas around the world," the Munich-based firm said in a statement.

The MegaCity is expected to be a four-seat, three-door hatchback. All MegaCity cars will run solely on electricity stored in a 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.

BMW has now produced two electric cars so far: the two seat Mini E, which is currently being tested in the US, UK and Europe, and the new Active E Concept which introduced at the last month's Detroit Auto Show.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen, Europe's biggest automaker, is also expected to launch its electric cars in 2013.

Luxury 2010 new ABT Golf VI GTD

The ABT Golf VI GTD is based on the new Volkswagen Golf TDI which have improved both power and torque to give it 140kW (190hp) and maximum torque of 390Nm. The ABT Golf VI GTD diesel engine could reach 100 km/h in a 7.1 second with a top speed of 230 km/h.

Volkswagen launches Polo

Volkswagen, Europes largest car maker, launched its much awaited premium hatchback, Polo at a price of Rs 4.34 lakh for the petrol variant and Rs 5.32 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the diesel variant.

"India is a key market for our overall strategic growth plans and with launch of the Polo, it affirms our commitment to offer quality products to customers at affordable prices," said Neeraj Garg, Member of Board and Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India. Deliveries of the new 1.2 petrol variant will begin from March and the diesel variant in May.

VW will manufacture the Polo from its Chakan plant with an annual capacity of 1.11 lakh cars. The Polo offers some standard features like the tilt & telescopic steering and the green-tinted heat-blocking glass.

VW which currently markets the iconic Beetle, Jetta, Passat and the Touareg sports utility vehicle, expects the Polo to be a volume puller and a money spinner for the segment.

The Polo which will compete with the Hyundai i10 and the Maruti Suzuki Swift will have a localisation level of 50% .

Volkswagen to launch new Polo on 2nd of March

After unveiling the all new Volkswagen Polo to the Indian market at the 2010 Delhi auto expo Volkswagen is all set to launch the New Polo in India on the 2nd of March.

Striking design, uncompromising quality and exciting engines that’s what you can expect from the fabulous New Polo, the tough little performer that’s packed with big car credentials.



The cars looks very modern in terms of design with attractive chrome-trimmed louvre insert on the front grille, adds sporty elegance and adds a touch of quality. The stylish halogen headlights provide better vision in all weather conditions.

The New Polo offers a choice of petrol and diesel engines which being fuel efficient and have dynamic performance. The range starts with a 1.2 litre petrol unit which develops 75 PS (55 kW). Volkswagen wil also offer the 1.6 litre petrol engine which develops 105 PS (77 kW). The 1.2 litre diesel variant with 75 PS will follow later.

The New Polo will be available in the following variants: Trendline, Comfortline & Highline.
The new Polo will be available in 6 colours and 2 interior trims.



Some interesting facts.

• Tilt and telescopic is standard on all the 3 trims.
• ABS and Dual airbags on the Highline trim only.
• Front and rear fog lamps on the Highline trim only
• Radio with CD player on Highline only.
• Electronic anti theft immobiliser on all the variants.
• Height adjustable driver seat on the Comfortline & Highline
• Power windows on the front on all the variants and rear power windows only on Comfortline & Highline.

Bugatti set for India drive in 2010!

Volkswagen AG will drive in the fastest and most expensive car in India with the launch of legendary French car brand Bugatti in 2010, a company executive said. Bugatti Veyron, which can hit a top speed of more than 400 km per hour for the sports and coupe models, will cost anywhere between Rs. 50 million (US$ 1.1 million) and Rs. 120 million when it hits the Indian roads by the mid-2010, said the executive requesting anonymity.



Volkswagen, which has become the world’s largest carmaker with its takeover of Porsche, will import Bugatti cars.

The original Bugatti company was set up exactly 100 years ago by Italian Ettore Bugatti in the town Molsheim, then part of the German Empire and a region of France since 1919, and started rolling out high-performance cars known for their engineering as well as artistry. Molsheim became the birthplace of some of the most exclusive and fastest cars in the world.

But the brand was hit when the World War II started. In 1963, Bugattis sold the company to Hispano-Suiza that was primarily interested in Bugatti’s airplane parts business.

In 1982, Romano Artioli, a finance broker and auto dealer, brought Bugatti trademarks rights and set up Bugatti Automobili SpA. But after rolling out only one model — EB 110 in 1991 on the 100th birthday of Ettore Bugatti – the company filed for bankruptcy in 1995.

Volkswagen bought the brand name in 1998 and founded Bugatti Automobile SAS in the very next year. Over the last decade, it has rolled out a number of models including Bugatti EB 118, EB 218 and Bugatti 18.3 Chiron. In 2004, it launched two-door super sports car Veyron 16.4, named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Bugatti Type 57 in 1939. The Veyron debuted in China and Russia in 2007.

The carmaker recently unveiled the Bugatti Galibier 16C concept, which will be launched globally by 2013. The Galibier, touted as the most powerful four-door automobile in the world will be far more expensive.

Volkswagen to make India low-cost export hub

Volkswagen AG will make India a low-cost manufacturing hub catering to select export markets as Europe’s largest car maker tries to emulate the success of global rivals Hyundai Motors and Suzuki Motor Corp. Volkswagen will export from the second quarter of next fiscal fully-built models and completely knocked-down kits of its hatchback, Polo, to South East Asia, Middle East and Africa from its Pune plant, a senior executive said.

The company will launch Polo this month-end in India. The India-made vehicle at Rs 4.5-6 lakh comes at half the European price as the company has been able to ram down costs by sourcing 80% of auto parts from the domestic market. It will help the Polo compete against Hyundai’s i20, which too is exported in large numbers to these markets.

"We are looking at all potential markets for export," said the executive who asked not to be named, adding that many markets in South East Asia and Africa would prefer the India-made Polo for its competitive pricing.

Car exports grew 30% to 3.3 lakh units between April and December last year from a year ago. Hyundai, which shipped 2.15 lakh cars, and Maruti with 1.05 lakh cars were the biggest contributors. Volkswagen, which has set a production target of 50,000 for Polo in 2010, is looking to sell up to 35,000 units in the domestic market and export the rest. The company would ramp up production next year after it launches the sedan version of the Polo, which too is to be exported.

The company’s new plant at Chakan near Pune can manufacture 1.1 lakh cars, including the Polo, other small car models and Skoda Fabia.

Skoda consolidating position

After almost a decade of its entry into the Indian market, Skoda Auto, part of the Volkswagen Group, is now focussing on consolidating its position in one of the world’s fastest growing car markets. Accordingly, it is all set to launch its sports utility vehicle (SUV) Yeti, besides chalking out plans for India launch of its new compact car that is now under development. Buoyed by the tremendous response at the recently concluded 10th auto expo in New Delhi, the Czech automaker will be taking unique initiatives that include selling cars online and opening boutique outlets, besides launching new variants of the four models it currently sells in India.

Explaining the importance of the Indian market, Skoda Auto’s Member of the Board (Sales and Marketing) Reinhard Fleger told The Hindu that “The Indian automobile industry continues to be among the most promising car industries across the globe that would continue to grow in the coming years backed by an estimated economic growth of about 7 per cent. Skoda has a share of around 25 per cent in the mid-size segment. We have aggressive plans for the Indian market and aim to emerge as a major player. The launch of Yeti is an integral aspect of this plan.”

Yeti, which is one of the best-selling SUVs in Europe, is likely to be launched in mid-2010. Initially, the top-end variant would be made available in India followed by more engine and model options. “We hope Yeti will help us capture 10-15 per cent share in the SUV market. Overall, we are doing exceptionally well. Globally, India will emerge among top five markets for us from the 11th position now,” said Skoda Auto India’s Member of the Board (Sales and Marketing) Thomas Kuehl.

To address low-cost car markets like India, Skoda had already begun work on a car smaller than Fabia. “Work on the ambitious project is now on at our headquarters. We will surely be launching the car here and use India’s low-cost advantage to our benefit for this model,” he said. The car is likely to be launched next year. Skoda also plans to leverage India’s low-cost manufacturing advantage.

About expanding Skoda’s reach in India, Mr. Kuehl said the company was planning to add to its existing network of 65 dealerships to cover more cities and towns. Its initiative to sell cars online has also been a hit and now the company wants to make it a permanent feature to boost sales.

Volkswagen Beetle In First Week of December

VW Beetle is scheduled for a launch in the Indian auto market on December 04 in Mumbai. The company has planned a complete advertising campaign including internet, print, electronic and digital media to generate a furor about its upcoming high cost model. Volkswagen AG has embarked on Rs 40 crore ad campaign to build its brand in the run-up to its December launch of small car Beetle and sports utility vehicle Touareg and the January launch of another small car, the Polo. The main aim of launching Beetle in India is to build a brand image in the country.

The car will be imported as a completely built unit in India which will make it pricier due to high import duty. It is expect to be priced around Rs. 20 lakh and above. The company will launch another premium car, Polo, at Rs 4.5 lakh in January. Polo will be the cheapest form the Volkswagen stable in India. The vehicle will compete with Maruti Swift and Ritz, Skoda Fabia, Hyundai i10 and Aveo U-VA.

“We will soon be introducing new car models like Beetle or Polo in India to enhance our presence in the market, besides providing technologically advanced cars for Indian customers. Our factory in Pune is ready for the start of production of Polo, which will be launched during the upcoming Auto Expo 2010,” Joerg Mueller, president and managing director, Volkswagen India, said.

Volkswagen's Beetle to hit Indian roads in Dec

Europe's largest carmaker Volkswagen will roll out the Beetle – fondly called the people's car after its maker – on Indian roads by beginning of next month.

A senior company official said on the sidelines of the India Economic Summit that Volkswagen – which mean People's car – would import the car from its Mexican plant for sale in Indian markets.

He, however, declined to divulge the possible price of the car.

Beetle is one of the most successful models that the German carmaker has ever produced.

The car bucked all trends and has made history, although critics had predicted a complete failure due to its peculiar styling, underpowered motor, rough ride and noisy engine.

Volkswagen, which currently sells luxury sedans Passat and Jetta in Indian market, is planning to launch its small car Polo by early next year.

The group has two facilities in India at Aurangabad and Chakan, which assembles cars of its three brands – Skoda, Audi and Volkswagen.

VW is looking at full-capacity production at this plant by 2012 and in order to strengthen its workforce, it is planning to more than double the India headcount with addition of 1,500 employees at Chakan alone in Maharashtra.

The group had earlier announced a target of 8-10 per cent share of the Indian passenger car market in the next 6 years.

It will also consider integrating after-sales service of its three brands in India for better synergy.

It sold about 19,000 units of Skoda, Audi and Volkswagen brands last year in the over 1.5 million-unit Indian passenger vehicle market.

New models from Fiat coming soon

Just as the sales momentum picks up in Motown, international car majors like Volkswagen, Nissan and Fiat are re-energizing their small car plans in India.
After the small car launches from the Volkswagen and Nissan stable in 2010, Fiat will now come out with its own small car in 2011-12.

After tasting success with the Linea and the Punto, Italian auto major Fiat is busy working on a small car.
No, it’s not going to compete against the Nano but it will be positioned between the Nano and Grand Punto with a price tag of around Rs 4 lakh. The company is currently considering various engine options right from 900 cc to 1200 cc for the small car.

Silverio Bonfiglioli, COO of Fiat Group International, said, “One vehicle that you can sell is in the Rs 3-4.5 lakh category, one vehicle that is above the Nano and the 800 and that can compete with existing cars. I think there is a space for our company to have a car that has convenient price and value proposition."
For now, the focus is on launching powerful Linea's and Grande Puntos but the real volumes will kick in in 2011-12, once the small car below the Grande Punto hits the market. That's why the company is eyeing to sell 2,00,000 cars by 2012 with an aim of achieving 7-8 per cent market share.

But FIAT LCVs and premium cars are still sometime away.

" The ideal time for LCV launch is 2012-2014," said Bonfiglioli.

Meanwhile, the company will continue to build its network and manufacturing capabilities to create its own market in India and a strong base for exports of small cars.

Audi Q5 May be Assembled in India

This is one among the many plans of Audi, a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen, which has been revealed recently.

The company is planning to locally assemble a model in India. Though the company has not specified the model that will be assembled in the country, it has given us a hint that it will be an SUV. And working on this lead the most popular guess is Audi Q5. If the guess is right, then the Q5 will be the third model from the luxury carmaker that will be assembled in India, Audi A4 and A6, being the other two.

If you are expecting a change in price then you are mistaken, the Q5 will be still priced at Rs 44.94 lakh for its 3.0 TDI Quattro and Rs 38.94 lakh for 2.0 TFSi Quattro. And there is fine explanation for this and that is the company has already launched the model at the CKD or local assembly price and the company does not differentiate between CBU and CKD.

This shift in the location of assembly is a part of the company’s plan to expand its business in the country. Audi till this time of the year has marked a 62 per cent hike in its sales compared to the last year. And this has been a true encouragement for the company in the midst of economic slowdown and it is planning to bring in new models next.

The company has also not revealed the expected date on which it will start assembling its model. With most of the information about the model and other details still shrouded in mystery, nothing stops the car lovers in the country from speculating.

Top 10 Car Makers of the World in 2009

We know you are a car lover. You dream of the speedy Ferraris, exotic Jaguars, and luxurious Maybachs. Have you ever thought about the car makers, in terms production and revenue? Here we bring you the list of the world's top ten car makers of 2009. The list is compiled by the Automotive News Data Center as per the global units' sales in the first half of 2009.

World's 10 Largest Car Manufacturers

Toyota
Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation is the world's largest car manufacturer. It has sold 3,564,105 units in the first half of 2009 compared to 4,815,442 units in the first half of 2008. Though Toyota reported an annual net loss of US$4.4 billion on May 8, 2009, it could still emerge as the world's largest car maker. The Japanese giant has been severely affected by the 2007-2009 financial crises. Toyota ventured into the automobile industry in 1934 with its first product Type A engine. It manufactured in its first passenger car the Toyota AA in 1936. Toyota Motor Corporation was established as an independent and separate company in 1937.

General Motors
General Motors was established in 1908 by William C. Durant. It is world's second-largest car maker. General Motors was world's number one car company for consecutive 77 years from 1931 to 2007. Because of the economic conditions, the beleaguered car giant went bankrupt on June 1, 2009. On 10th July 2009, the company emerged from" Chapter 11 bankruptcy" reorganization. In spite of all these, General Motors could sell 3,552,722 units compared to last year's 4,541,125 units.

Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Group is the world's third largest car maker. It sold 3,100.300 units this year compared to 3,265,200 units of previous years. The Volkswagen Group constitutes the car brands like Audi AG, Bentley Motors Ltd., Automobiles Bugatti SA, Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A., SEAT, Skoda Auto and heavy goods vehicle manufacturer Scania AB. Recently, Porsche has united with the Volkswagen Group. The German luxury car company was founded on May 28, 1937 under the leadership of Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler wanted a "people's car". Volkswagen literally means 'people's car' in German.

Hyundai-Kia
Hyundai-Kia has emerged as the world's fourth largest car manufacturer. This year Hyundai-Kia jumped up a rank above. The Korean car maker showed global sales for the first half of 2009 at 2,153,000 units. The Indian subsidiary of Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, the Hyundai Motors India, is the country's second largest car manufacturer. The Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967. It became the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group when Hyundai Motor Company purchased 51% of South Korea's second-largest car company, Kia Motors in 1998.

Ford
Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. Presently, it is world's fifth largest car maker with 2,145,000 units of global sales. This year, Hyundai-Kia edged out the mighty Ford of the fourth position. In 2007, Ford fell from second to third-ranked car maker for the first time in 56 years, behind only General Motors and Toyota.

PSA Peugeot-Citroen
The French car company sold 1,586,900 units in 2009. Last year it showed a sale of 1,844,700 units. The company was formed in 1976 and sells under the Peugeot and Citroen brand names. PSA is the second largest automaker based in Europe.

Honda
The Honda Motor Company secures the seventh place with sales units of 1,586,000 compared to last year's 2,022,00 units. Honda became Japan's second largest car maker in 2001 by superseding Nissan. Moreover, Honda is the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines. The company was founded by Soichiro Honda on 24th September 1948. Soichiro Honda dreamed to provide a personal mobility to everyone. The first production car from Honda was the S500 sports car.

Nissan
Nissan Motors was founded in 1932. It is among the top three Asian car companies. Nissan is in the eight position with 1,545,976 units. Last year it sold 2,013,611 units in the first half. Nissan faced severe financial difficulties in 1999 and entered an alliance with Renault S.A. of France. The Nissan VQ engines, of V6 configuration, have featured among Ward's 10 Best Engines for 14 straight years, since the award's inception.

Suzuki
Suzuki Motor Corporation is the ninth largest car manufacturer in the world. The company began as Suzuki Loom Works in 1909 under Michio Suzuki. Suzuki started producing cars in 1955. Maruti Suzuki, the Indian arm of the Japanese car honcho is India's largest car manufacturer. The car company sold 1.152,000 units this year compared to 2008's 1,283,000 units.

Renault
Renault is the world's tenth largest car maker with 1.106.989 units this year. Last year, it sold 1.326,164 units. Renault S.A. is a French carmaker producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks since 1899. The company was formed by Louis Renault, his brothers Marcel and Fernand, and his friends Thomas Evert and Julian Wyer. Renault has joined hands with Nissan on March 27, 1999. The Nissan-Renault Alliance is world's fourth largest car maker if their individual units were taken together. Nissan-Renault Alliance sold 2,652,965 units this year.

VW Polo to be seen in India by 2010

The Volkswagen Polo is expected to be in the Indian car market by the end of next year. Indians have been long expecting the launch of this supermini car. But the wait just a little longer.

It has been reported three years back that the car will be available to the Indian car customers by 2009 and it will be competing against the Maruti Swift, Hyundai Getz and Tata Indica. But when the promised time has just arrived the wait is extended by another one year and the car will have a new set of rivals in the Indian market by the end of 2010.

Let us hope that the wait will finally end this year. The bookings have already begun in Europe for this fifth-generation of Polo. For the European customers, the Polo is a very familiar model and a much loved one also. But for us Indians, we have to wait until Volkswagen plans to deliver this cute hatchback to our shores by sometime in 2010.

For the Indian car customers, there will be modifications in the car so that it will meet their needs the best. But from the master car builder it will be surely some great features, as the Indian customers also have now learned the trick of not getting settled for what has been offered but asking for more.

The exteriors of the car will match its siblings the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat, but mocks at the more serious look of these models with the dual indicators, which gives the car a sportier look. As for the engine options, the base model of the car will be available in a 1.2-litre petrol and there will be a more powerful engine option of 1.2 TSI petrol motor.

The price is expected to be between 4 lakh and 7 lakh which looks quite tempting, but wait and see, what this long wait has in store.