Piaggio to launch 2 verions of NT3: a three-seater car in India

Piaggio Vehicles has been the pioneer of 3-wheeler goods transportation in India since 1999 and today is among the top in its category. With global standards in vehicle performance and customer service, it has revolutionized the 3 wheeler cargo segment in India. This well established company is all set to bring its new car named NT3 a three-seater car. The 2.4 meter long car is expected to have a 200 cc and a 300 cc engine option, in addition to a hybrid and electric variant as well.

The NT3 car is expected to have a maximum speed of 80 km p/h with the 300 cc engine and 60 km p/h with the 200 cc engine. The car is expected by 2012.

These cars are developed for markets like India, Vietnam and some areas of South-East Asia because as informed by Ravi Chopra, chairman and managing director, Piaggio Vehicles, said, “The demand for small cars will be large in the densely populated countries and cities”.

Company is planning to put in good money as investment in Vietnam & India to expand manufacturing and sales activities in these regions. In India, the company will be putting in Euro 90 million to finance growth in both the commercial vehicles and the two-wheeler businesses. The company will be launching Vespa brand of scooter in the first quarter of 2012.

With an aggregate market share of 41% in the three wheeler industry and 64% in the three wheeler cargo segment in 2010, Piaggio has firmly established its position as an undisputed leader in the three wheeler domestic market. Today the company offers a range of passenger and cargo vehicles already and with NT3 company is hoping to increase its market share and sales in coming future.

New Niche Vehicle to be Introduced by Hindustan Motors

Just a few days ago, we reported that Mitsubishi Hindustan Motors decreased the prices of their cars by some six thousand rupees in India. The last few months have been busy for Mitsubishi. Now Indian newspaper, The Economic Times, is reporting that Hindustan Motors will introduce a new "‘niche vehicle", which will be sourced from Mitsubishi Motors’ stable.

R Santhanam is the managing director of Hindustan Motors. On the sidelines of the sixty-seventh annual general meeting of the company, Santhanam explained, “We are gearing up for the launch of a niche vehicle, hopefully, within this year, for which we are awaiting requisite homologation from ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India).”

Mitsubishi Hindustan Motors launched their Outlander sports utility vehicle in October last year while in March 2009, they rolled out the Montero, which costs somewhere around Rs. 41.88 lakhs (ex-showroom). However, Santhanam hasn’t revealed anything about the price bracket for the niche car from Hindustan Motors.

The new Ford Fiesta 1.6S launched in India has now emerged as the ‘segment-winner’ with competitors having to spruce up their act. The model has lived up to its expectations with various car magazines and critics voting unanimously for the car.



“If you are choosing between these two cars to have the perfect ally for spirited motoring, then go for the Fiesta” – BS motoring, Dec 2008.

“Ford has created one of the most involving driver’s cars in India” – TopGear, Nov 2008

“That’s good value for the Fiesta S as you get a super competent car that gives you the best of both worlds – sport & comfort” – Times drive, June 2008.

The new Ford Fiesta certainly flaunts what it has got! You can experience a superb driving experience which redefines the meaning of world-class driving experience. This sedan comes loaded with a host of features that is sure to please the owner. Ford Fiesta 1.6S is the sports variant of the car that was launched last year. It accentuates the bumper treatments, sports body kit, new rear spoiler, 5-spoke 15” alloy wheel and much more. Its new suspension system offers higher level of machine and driver interaction for excellent maneuverability. On the whole, the car offers superb handling and stable on-road driving experience. The interiors of the car have been refurbished with ebony and jasper blue environment that expresses cool and refreshing look. Moreover, the car also sports a honeycomb instrument cluster, leather wrapped steering wheel that finishes with superb aluminum finish gears.

AutoCar India tags the Ford model as one of the best in its segment. “The best driver’s car in its class” – AutoCar India, Sep 2008

On the price front, the new Ford Fiesta 1.6S is genuinely a luxury car without the hefty price tag. With a price tag starting at Rs. 7 lakh, the car offers a great value for money and the critics offer their kudos and accolades to the car on that front.

“A great buy if you love driving and worth every rupee” – WhatCar India, July 2008.

“This is one of the best six figure driver’s cars money can buy” – AutoCar India, July 2008.

If you are looking for a good and reliable sedan that offers great mileage with best driving experience, the new Ford Fiesta 1.6S is surely a serious contender!

TAKE A LOOK-What's happening in emerging car markets

India expects the automobile sector to double its share of gross domestic product to 10 percent and contribute $25 billion in export earnings in a decade, the trade minister said on Thursday.

Kamal Nath also said the government would consider incentives for exporters of cars and auto-part makers and keep policy favourable to help auto makers sustain high growth in output.

"We believe that the sector's contribution to GDP will double from its current 5 percent to 10 percent .... and exports should go up nine times," Nath told a business conference.

"By the middle of next decade, India should be the destination of choice for design and manufacture of automotive components and vehicles in the world."

India's booming auto sector has lured major companies to tap the domestic market, and many of them plan to make it an export hub to take advantage of low-cost labour and components.

Nath said Maruti Suzuki, India's biggest car maker, was planning to scale up its capacity to 1 million cars by 2010, Hyundai was looking at capacity of 600,000 cars by 2009 in the country and Toyota plans to scale up output to 200,000 units.

Demand for cars has been hit by rising interest rates, with the central bank raising its key lending rate to a seven-year high of 9 percent in July, and rising input costs have squeezed profit margins of auto makers.

"I believe this is a passing phase," Nath said.

BMW India to go to tier II cities; have 15 dealers in 1 yr

German luxury car maker BMW plans to increase its dealership in tier II cities in India after raising its sales target for the country.

BMW India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of BMW AG, will open showrooms in Lucknow, Coimbatore and Jaipur, taking its total dealership network from the current 12 to 15 in the next one year.

"We will have dealers in tier II towns like Lucknow, Coimbatore and Jaipur in the next one year," BMW India Peter Kronschnabl told reporters here on Tuesday.

The company, which sold 1,397 cars in calendar year 2007, raised its sales target in India by 40 per cent to 2,800 cars by December 2008. It has already sold about 2,000 cars in the country so far this year. "We are not affected by any slowdown in the automobile sector in India," he said.

On the contrary, the luxury car market in India will cross the 7,000 mark by the end of this year, significantly higher than 4,300 cars last year, Kronschnabl added. BMW India also plans to launch an amateur golf tournament series for its customers in Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai and Delhi from September 6. The national final of the tournament would be held in November in Gurgaon.

Electric car from Mahindra and Mahindra in India by 2010

India automaker Mahindra and Mahindra plans on introducing four-seater electric car for India, which is expected to hit the roads by 2010. However, power shortage and electric-drive in the country may cause problems.

The Indian Auto major, Mahindra and Mahindra, known for their sturdy SUV’s, is working on an electric car for India. The E-car is expected to hit the Indian roads by 2010. This four-seater will run on lead acid battery initially and later on nickel metal hydride.

The company claims this E-car will be bigger than Maini REVA brand and also little expensive. Currently REVA comes with the price tag of Rs 3.5 lakhs for the base model in Bangalore and in New Delhi it starts with Rs 2.9 lakhs onwards.

Once the car is settled and achieves success in India, it will be launched in other countries too. It is true that e-cars are the best solution for increase in fuel hike and the pollution level. But practically speaking, it is difficult for the electric cars to sustain in India, as the country is already experiencing power shortage and electric-drive versions are not as economical as CNG vehicles.

The CNG is readily available at gas stations now. A solution to this is to build up low-carbon electricity technology and the auto companies are looking at tying up with energy companies.