Toyota launches CNG version of Innova in India

Toyota Kirloskar Motor finally launched CNG version of Innova in India, its multi purpose vehicle that has become ubiquitous on Indian roads. Besides personal use a large number of agencies providing taxi services have included it in their fleet.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor before launching the CNG variant tested various types of CNG kits on Innova at its Bangalore based facility. The new kits for CNG are being supplied by Minda Auto Gas, which is also the original equipment supplier to Hyundai for its flagship car Santro and Maruti Suzuki for its LPG based WagonR Duo.

It is said that Toyota is looking at the CNG option to tap the vast commercial segment of tour operators and fleet owners. Innova is the market leader in this segment.

Toyota is banking on the high-demand of CNG vehicles, which deliver high mileage and offer low cost of operation. Already a large number of CNG and LPG cars are available in the market including General Motors Optra, Hindustan Motors Lancer, and popular compact cars like the Santro and the WagonR Duo.

The Innova, launched in India in 2005, created a different experience for customers with its exterior and interior features that redefined the automobile segment in the country. Since then, the Innova has cut a niche for itself by offering the luxury of a sedan with the performance of an MPV.

The Innova has continued its market leadership in 2008 with a 36% market share in the MPV segment. The Innova is a result of the unique IMV project from Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) that has broken new grounds in the way automobiles are created.

BMW zips past Mercedes in India's luxury car market

For the first time ever, luxury marque Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, better known as BMW, has overtaken arch rival Mercedes Benz in terms of sales in India, taking the fight for supremacy in the luxury car segment to a new level.

BMW sold 270 cars and sports utility vehicles (SUV) or three times the total number of cars sold by Mercedes Benz, which stood at 89 units in January. Officials from both the companies say that 2009 will be the year, which would clearly define whether the generational domination of the three pointed star will be lost to BMW.

While announcing the launch of the X6 model (a luxury SUV) Peter Kronschnabl, president, BMW India said, "We were able to take the lead in January thanks to the success of the 3 and 5-Series. Around April we will get a clearer picture of market demand and will be in a better position to predict on following months."

Although sales in 2008 at 2,908 units was the best for BMW so far in India, it was still 24.5 per cent short of Mercedes tally of 3,621 units.

However, in the current financial year BMW has sold 994 units of the 5 and 6 Series sedans as compared to 490 units sold during the same period the previous year. Both models are in the range of Rs 40 lakh to Rs 85.5 lakh.

Meanwhile, Mercedes saw a rise of only 9 per cent in sales of the E Class at 883 units as against 810 units in the same period.

"Our customers are not that different from our competitors but the key to our success lies in the fact that we have been able to create the environment at our dealerships, service points, buying experience, which is on par with our global standards. Most of our 3-Series customers are young professional", added Kronschnabl.

The company launched three models in one month (January) including the new 7-Series, new 3-Series and the diesel variant of X3. The new luxury SUV X6, launched today is priced at Rs 65.9 lakh for the diesel variant and Rs 82.9 lakh for the petrol model.

According to industry experts the market for luxury cars expanded at a much faster rate than anticipated in 2008, however due to the on-going economic crisis the growth will be subdued this year.

Despite this luxury car makers are confident that the market will grow to 9,500 units by the end of next year from 7,500 units sold last year.

Sales for BMW began to show an upsurge ever since the company started local assembly of the 3-Series and 5-Series sedan in the Chennai plant from March 2007, thus making it substantially cheaper than their imported counterparts.

Mercedes Benz, meanwhile has decided to postpone the launch of the all-new E Class due to some technical glitches. Sources say that the launch is hampered due a delay in converting the model into a right-hand drive vehicle for markets like India.

BMW however, will go ahead with one more launch, which company officials say will not be a sedan, perhaps by the middle of this year.

Both companies have made special arrangements for financing their cars through tie-ups with banks and also through in-house financing arms. Although BMW has withdrawn the zero per cent interest rate offer, officials say that the company is working on different concepts along with the dealers.

Honda Jazz launch ontrack, Accord 3.5 V6 slated for next month roll out

Honda Motors India has reaffirmed its commitment to launch its latest small car Jazz in June as per prior schedule, even though it will go slow on its production. The Jazz is powered by a specially developed 1.2-litre engine crafted keeping in interest of the Indian customer. It will share its platform with the Honda City.

Furthermore, it is gearing up to roll out a 3.5-litre V6-engined luxury sedan-Accord, by next month. The i-VTEC-powered 6-cylinder car, which is likely to be retailed at around Rs. 19-21 lakh (ex-showroom India), will be pitted against Toyota Camry. The company has, however, refused to share any details of the product.

Honda Motors India Ltd president and chief executive officer Masahiro Takedagawa revealed to the media that the trial production of the Jazz had already started. Talking about the upcoming Accord he said that the company aims to occupy the top spot in the luxury car segment as confirmed and its entire team is working towards attaining leadership in the premium segment. He concluded by saying that HSCI has already become the number one player in the D-segment, with the tremendous response received by both its D-segment offerings - Accord 2.4L and CR-V - launched last year. He further added that Honda is confident that the Honda Accord V6, which promises to set new standards in the segment by delivering an unmatched driving experience, will only strengthen its lead further.

Tata Nano to be launched on March 23

Tata Motors on Thursday announced that the much-awaited Tata Nano will be launched at a function in Mumbai on March 23, 2009.

The cars will be on display at Tata Motors dealerships from the first week of April 2009. Bookings will commence from the second week of April 2009.



Since it's unveiling on January 10, 2008, the Tata Nano has evoked an unprecedented interest in the country, with its Web site having recorded over 30 million hits in the past one year and the creation of over 6,000 interest groups and communities.

Tata Motors is making arrangements for the widest possible network to book the car, so that prospective customers can conveniently avail of booking facilities at their locations, across the length and breadth of India. The booking process and other details will be announced on March 23, 2009.