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!

Fiat launches new model, plans doubling sales by 2010

Car manufacturer Fiat India is likely to double sales by 2010, a top company official said here Thursday.

“We are anticipating more than 40,000 sales in the current year (2009) and we hope to double it by 2010,” Rajeev Kapoor, president and chief executive officer of the company said on the sidelines of the launch of Fiat Linea - a sedan with diesel and petrol variants.

The total sales - domestic sales along with export - last year were only around 4,500 units, he said.

After Linea, the company plans to launch two more models this year, he said.

“During recession there is always an opportunity because consumers become more choosy about what they want to purchase. Secondly, the only way to beat recession is to come up with launches. Wait and see how many launches happen this year,” Kapoor said.

Apart from doubling sales figure, the company will also be looking at new markets. “We will be at new markets in 2010. Our focus will be Australia, New Zealand and the UK, all right hand drive markets,” he said.

The company is planning to launch, a two-door lifestyle car Fiat 500 in the city in February, the Fiat India CEO said.

The company is a 50:50 joint venture between Fiat Group Automobiles and Tata Motors.

Audi to launch sports car R8

GERMAN luxury car manufacturer Audi would launch its acclaimed sports car R8 in India in October- November as it seeks to build the brand in the Indian market, a top official of Audi India said.



“ We will launch R8 in October- November in the last quarter. We already have the first order ( in India),” Audi India vice president, marketing, Martin Birkner said in Bangalore.



Audi sold 350 cars in India in the calendar year 2007 and has a target to nearly triple that number, mainly driven by sales of A4 sedan that was launched in India this month.

“ As we target sales of 1,000 cars in India by the end of this year, the new Audi A4 will be a crucial product to help us achieve this goal,” Birkner said. Audi, which commenced business activities in India in 2007, is keen to build the brand here, where the luxury car market has seen rapid growth, particularly in the April- June quarter.

“ We have more or less launched the brand in India last year. We have to build up the brand and we would like to push the brand ( in India),” Birkner said.



Audi’s model range in India comprises A8, Q7, A6, A4 and TT. Birkner said Audi expects to sell 1,000 units of A4 within a year of its launch, indicating that the sedan would be a main driver of growth for the company in the near term.

Prices of the new Audi A4 start at Rs 29 lakh ( ex- showroom Mumbai without CST, transportation) The company sold 470 cars in the January- June period of 2008 and with Audi, A4 will definitely cross the 1,000- mark.

Audi builds its A6 model at its Aurangabad assembly plant and plans to do the same with A4, which is currently being imported and would be completed by October.