Honda Siel Cars India is ready to roll its small car into India. The new hatchback model will be called Honda Jazz. It is the only small car model from Honda’s global portfolio in India and it will directly compete with Hyundai Getz and Maruti Swift in India. One of the biggest auto car magazines, Top Gear, has rated Jazz as the number one global hatchback model and Maruti Swift as Number 3.

Honda has been toying with the idea of launching its small car model in India, which is the largest small car market in the world. Now the company looks serious to put its plans into action by introducing Jazz or Fit as it is called in some of the overseas markets. The company has also been encouraged by the lower excise duty on the small cars in the country and has finally decided to introduce its small cars which sports trendy looks and packs plenty of power.

Under the Hood:
The Honda manufacturing unit in Greater Noida in Delhi will roll out three different variants of Honda Jazz. These variants will be GLi, VTi and the fully loaded VTi-S. The model features at the Auto Expo 2008 sported a 1200cc VTEC engine. The car has a uni-body construction that includes MacPherson Struts upfront and a torsion beam suspension layout at the rear. The Indian version of Jazz will have electric power steering, 14 inch wheels with an option of 15 inch wheels along with a front stabilizer bar. The overseas models of Jazz are powered with 1.5L VTEC engines; the Indian version is expected to have a smaller engine as shown during the Auto Expo but shall deliver equally dutiful performance. The company may also introduce the 1.4L VTEC petrol engine model capable of producing 100PS of power.

Appearance:
The new Jazz Indian version will have a similar dashboard as Honda Civic but without a digital speedometer. It may be lacking in steering mounted controls. However, the company does not compromise on quality and strives to deliver the best ergonomically designed model. Interiors of the car are packed with lots of cubby holes and storage areas. Interiors of the car and their comforts have already been acclaimed many times over by the international press and car lovers. Interior space is quite impressive and the seats can be folded or rolled over to increase the loading capacity of the car.

Apart from stylish and comfortable interiors the car portrays a sleek hatchback model with similar looks as Hyundai Getz. It is a premium model that will definitely pose a threat to its contemporaries.

Additional Features:
Mileage of the car will be revealed only upon the launch. SIAM has also made it mandatory for the auto makers to officially declare the mileage for all the models in their product portfolio. The Indian version of Jazz will come equipped with braking system (abs), dual front airbags, dual side airbags, electronic brake force distribution (EBD), front and rear disc brakes, emergency brake assist which enhances the safety during drive.

Honda Jazz: Honda Small Cars Exterior & Interior Photos:

Content Source: cartradeindia.com

TVS India is planning to launch their all-new Apache RTR 180cc bike for the Indian markets. The TVS Apache RTR 180cc bike is expected to be codenamed as the ‘Menace’ and will also load on the 180-cc engine that features a power rating of 17.3 PS beating the 223-cc Hero Honda Karizma, and also the Bajaj Pulsar 180cc.

TVS Apache RTR 180cc bike will be in the sporty look as of the 3rd generation TVS Apache RTR 160cc, 0-60 km/hour timings, and digital speedometer with top speed.

Features of the TVS Apache RTR 180cc bike include:
- Petal-shaped disc brakes
- Bigger RTR sticker on the tank scoops
- Naked chain cover
- LED tail lamps
- Clip on handlebar
- White back light for the speedometer
- Service and battery indicator
- Feature to test the top speed and 0 - 60kmph timing on the digital display
- RTR 180 logo near the clip-on’s
- Wider 110/80-17 rear tyre

Design:
The bike will retain the basic lines of the current RTR, retaining the basic look of a naked sports bike. But with no front scoop this time. And for a good reason too, the front is now going to house a semi-full faring that will expose part of the engine and give it that naked bike look too.
The bike will have a digital speedometer with top speed, 0-60 timer, trips, and other extra functionality plus stunning looks.

Ride and Handling:
The current RTR handles like a charm with loads of feedback from both the front and rear end. TVS won’t make a mistake in the handling department, although the company is looking to keep the setup to a slightly sportier side. With front and rear disk brakes and a proposed mono-shock we have a new dream bike in development here.
Rumours are that TVS might be going overboard with the weight distribution and balancing and we might have a surprise exhaust this time.

Engine Specifications:
- Displacement: 180cc
- Engine: 4 Stroke, EFi
- Maximum Power: 17.3 Bhp
- Maximum Torque: 16.5
- Gears: 5 Speed
- Clutch: Wet, Multi Plate
- Bore: 0
- Stroke: 0
- Engine Block Material: Iron Block
- Chassis Type: Double Cradle
- Cooling Type: Air Cooling

Dimensions:
- Length: 2020.00 mm
- Width: 730.00 mm
- Height: 1100.00 mm
- Weight: 140.00 kg
- Ground Clearance: 180.00 mm
- Fuel Tank: 16.00 ltrs
- Wheelbase: 1300.00 mm
- Headlamp: 12V 35/35W Halogen HS1, Clear lens with MFR
- Wheel Type: Mag Alloys
- Tubeless: True
- Colors: Yellow, Matt Grey & Red

Expected Price:
75,000 to 1,00,000

Expected Launch:
May 2009

TVS Apache RTR 180cc Bike 'Menace' Photos - (Same As 160cc) :

TVS Apache RTR 180cc Video:

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has chartered an aggressive growth path for itself in the fast-growing bike segment. The wholly-owned two-wheeler subsidiary of the Honda Motor Company, Japan plans to launch a 100cc bike by December and introduce five more models in three years with the objective of encashing on the growing opportunities in the bike market. 

Confirming the move, Naresh Kumar Rattan, operating head, Sales

 & Marketing, HMSI, said, “The bike segment is a good business for us and we would be focusing on it. We expect to grow in the bike space by 25% by next year.” He declined to reveal the details of the new models and the segments they would be considered. “We cannot speak about our upcoming products now.” 

HMSI is known for the Honda Activa, its gearless scooter and the intention now is to have a presence in the bike segment where it is a marginal player. The company presently offers three bikes — Unicorn, Shine and Stunner. HMSI has sold over five lakh bikes during the 2008-09 financial year which is up 40% from 2007-08. Overall, HMSI sold 10.7 lakh two-wheelers (bikes and scooters) during FY09. The company has now set itself a target to produce 12.5 lakh two wheelers for 2009-10. 

HMSI, recently, has entered the fun bike segment with the launch of the CBR 1000RR Fireblade and CB1000R models — these are at the higher end segment. These are in the Rs 9.5-12.5 lakh price range. The company also has plans to increase its dealership and branches. With the intention to grow in the bike segment, HMSI will be up against Hero Honda where Honda is a joint venture partner. 

Today, Hero Honda is the biggest player in the bike segment with a 40% market share. Though HMSI officials say their existing models and those in the pipeline are not in the same segment as that of Hero Honda’s, they will compete for the same customer. 

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), two wheelers constitute three-fourths of the total number of vehicles sold in the domestic market. Hero Honda is the market leader and is followed by Bajaj and TVS in the domestic market. HMSI is one of the major players in the automatic gear scooter segment. HMSI, on Tuesday, launched a 110cc variant of Honda Activa for the Western market.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

- The world’s most successful business sedan in new design
- New generation engine - 3.0 Turbo FSI; higher performance and efficiency for whole engine range
- Available at Audi dealerships from May 4th, 2009 onwards

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, announced today the launch of the new Audi A6, the world’s most successful business sedan, in India. The new design of the Audi A6 emphasizes the cars strong personality; the latest engine generation including the new turbo engine 3.0 TFSI equips the model with more power and highest efficiency. The new Audi A6 with four engine variants - 3.0 TFSI, 2.8 FSI, 3.0 TDI, 2.7 TDI - will be available at the Audi dealerships across India from May 4th, 2009 onwards.

Mr. Benoit Tiers, Managing Director Audi India, stresses: “The Audi A6 is the most successful business sedan worldwide and one of our main contributors to our achievement in the Indian market. The new Audi A6 with its thrilling design, powerful engines and its combination of dynamic performance and lower fuel consumption is an example of Audi’s successful efficiency strategy and embodies our philosophy of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’. We believe the new Audi A6 will be one of the key players in the Indian luxury car market.”

“India has been a significant growth driver for Audi and will be the car market of the future. In 2009 Audi celebrates 100 years of the brand and the launch of the new Audi A6 is Audi’s continued commitment to the Indian market to offer luxury cars with superior technology, thrilling design and high performance to provide an unforgettable experience to our customers,” added Benoit Tiers.

The design of the new Audi A6 is emphasized by a range of bold new accents, perfectly articulating the cars strong personality. The single-frame grill, bumpers, air vents and fog lights have all gotten a facelift. In the standard xenon plus, LED daytime running lights have been redesigned as horizontal strips with six LEDs each.

The new Audi A6 enters the Indian market with a higher equipment level than the predecessor and the well-known advanced Audi Multi Media Interface system, the MMI, which has been setting news standard for perfectly controlling any function of the car. The instrument panel uses new higher-resolution graphics; and a new frame better accentuates the display.

The new Audi A6’s spacious interior with its clean and elegant contours and perfect craftsmanship is characteristic of this luxury brand. The rear seats have been re-defined and became far more comfortable and a package of elaborate features makes sure the noise level is cut by almost half.

The new Audi A6 starts at 38,57,000 INR (ex-showroom Mumbai) and offers a choice of four engines - 3.0 TFSI, 2.8 FSI, 3.0 TDI, 2.7 TDI - and six exciting colors: Aventurin Blue, Dakar Beige, Ice Silver and Oyster Grey are the new additions to the color range of the Audi A6 besides the successful Phantom Black and Ibis White.

The new Audi A6 will be available along with the entire Audi model range comprising the Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A4, Audi TT and the super sports car Audi R8 from May 4th, 2009 onwards at 12 dealerships across the country: Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Chennai, Kochi and Kolkata.

Courtesy: Audi India

Audi A6 Exterior Photos:

Audi A6 Interior Photos:

Is this true?

Bajaj Pulsar 300cc Bike India: This is really good bike as per its look. I feel that Bajaj Pulsar 300cc will be the best selling among all bajaj bikes. But the fact is there is no official announcement from bajaj auto till today. Bajaj Pulsar 300cc Price matters a lot for buyers. Is Bajaj Pulsar 300cc going to launch? Still this question is in the mind of the readers. Bajaj Pulsar 300cc Bike Photos looks cool. When you see & think about Bajaj Pulsar it always good. Bajaj Pulsar is top selling bike for Bajaj Auto.

The high-end fun-bikes market is expanding with Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), the wholly-owned Japanese subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, planning to sell its super-speed products soon.


“We will enter the high-end fun-bike market with CBR1000RR Fireblade and CB1000R Hornet imported models from Japan with a price tag of Rs 12.5 lakh and Rs 9.5 lakh, respectively,” Naresh Kumar Rattan, head — operations, sales and marketing, HMSI, told Financial Chronicle. The bikes will be sold through two company-owned showrooms ‘Honda Wing World’ in New Delhi, he said.

The Fireblade will be available in black and blue while Hornet will come in dragon green and black.

Honda’s competitors, Yamaha and Suzuki, have also tapped this high-end market with their popular models. Yamaha recently launched the YZF R1 and the torque sports MTO1 models at a price tag of between Rs 10 and Rs 12 lakh. Suzuki’s Hayabusa and Intruder bikes are priced at Rs 12.5 lakh each. BMW and Ducati models cost a steep Rs 40 lakh and Rs 30-45 lakh range, respectively.

Rattan said the company targeted to sell over 100 units of its fun-bikes in 2009 in metros such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

Yogesh Mathur, regional manager, sales, HMSI, said the Indian fun-bike market was catching up with about 400 units being sold annually. From mid-last year, the government eased norms to import 800cc and above bikes, while earlier completely built-up units entered the Indian market through the illegal route.

Rattan said the company staff had been trained in Australia and Singapore to handle these super-speed sports bikes and train the customers. “Only after being thoroughly trained on how to handle these bikes on the roads, these models will be sold to our customers to ensure safety and security,” Rattan said.

The company is planning to roll out the upgraded deluxe version of 110cc new scooter Activa in August. Its price will be disclosed on the launch day. The new standard Activa launched last week carries a price tag of Rs 39,787 (Delhi) and Rs 41,297 (Pune). The company plans to sell 12.5 lakh units in 2009-10, of which 7.3 lakh would be scooters and 5.2 lakh units of motorcycles. The company sold 10.7 lakh units in 2008-09.

By Michael Gonsalves

Source: mydigitalfc.com

International football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, has today signed as Global Ambassador for the leading lubricants company, Castrol. The dynamic partnership between the world’s leading footballer and the market-leading brand will run until 2011.

In his new global role with FIFA World Cup™ sponsors, Castrol, Ronaldo will be the face of Castrol football initiatives that will show the energy, motivation and determination that goes into delivering winning performances on the pitch. Cristiano will lead new Castrol Edge and Castrol Power 1 brand communication campaigns as well as supporting the full Castrol product range, including the exclusive workshop range of Castrol Professional products.

As part of the deal, fans from across the globe will be given the chance to come face to face with their hero in a unique initiative that will allow them to experience the level of skill and dedication that led to him being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008.

His drive for winning and for being the best matches Castrol’s passion to make the world’s best oils, using the technical expertise they have built up over the last 100 years. Ronaldo commenting on the partnership, said: “I admire Castrol as they have the same commitment to success and winning performances as I do on the field. I’m honoured to be working with them and am excited to see how Castrol analyse my own performances!”

Mike Johnson, Castrol Senior Vice President, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity where two world class performers are joining forces. Castrol, as the world’s greatest lubricant brand, and Cristiano, as the world’s best performing player. We are really looking forward to building on our success through this new partnership.”

Courtesy: Castrol India

The booking of the Tata Nano opens tomorrow on April 9th and will continue up to the end of day on April 25, 2009. Tata Motors has entered into agreements with 18 preferred banks/NBFCs to enable prospective customers to get finance and facilitate booking of the car.

The sale of application forms has already started from April 1, to a very encouraging response. The Tata Nano website has recorded over 50 million (5 crore) hits, including over 20 million (2 crore) hits in the fortnight since the launch on March 23, 2009. The forms are available at a price of Rs.300 (for online booking Rs.200). The forms can be bought at over 30,000 locations in about 1,000 cities through Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, State Bank of India and its branches, its subsidiaries and associates, other preferred financiers, and outlets of Westside, Croma, ‘World of Titan’ and Tata Indicom exclusive stores. The forms come with a range of offers from select associate Tata Group companies up to Rs.1100.

Customers can either pay the entire booking amount -- of Rs.95,000 (Tata Nano Std.), Rs.120,000 (Tata Nano CX), and Rs.140,000 (Tata Nano LX) -- themselves or seek financing of the booking amount.

Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850
The company’s partnership with the preferred financing partners has enabled attractive options of financing the booking amount, which start from a low of Rs.2850. The details are as follows:

Preferred banks/NBFCs	Financing of booking amount of Rs.95000 for the Tata Nano Std. version
State Bank of India	Rs. 2,999
Canara Bank	Rs. 2,850
Tata Motor Finance	Rs. 3,199
Corporation Bank	Rs. 2,999
Central Bank of India	Rs. 3,256
Indian bank	Rs. 3,343
State Bank of Tranvancore	Rs. 2,999
State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur	Rs. 2,999
State Bank of Indore	Rs. 3,516
State Bank of Patiala	Rs. 2,999
State Bank of Hyderabad	Rs. 2,999
State Bank of Mysore	Rs. 2,999
ICICI Bank Ltd.	Rs. 2,999
Union Bank of India	Rs. 2,950
United Bank of India	Rs. 3,137
Punjab National Bank	Rs. 3,733
UCO Bank	Rs. 2,975
The Federal Bank Ltd.	Rs. 4,110
Corporation Bank	Rs. 2,999

Customers can submit their application forms to their chosen financier. The financier will, on their behalf, submit their application forms to the State Bank of India, which is managing the booking process. Those who are themselves paying the entire booking amount can submit their application forms directly to State Bank of India through 1,350 notified branches in 850 cites, and also at Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, Westside and Croma outlets. Option to submit bookings online is available at tatanano.com.

Retail auto loan interest rates for the Tata Nano
Post the successful allotment of the bookings, customers can convert their booking loan into a retail auto loan for the Tata Nano at very attractive rates with the preferred financiers:

Preferred banks/NBFCs	Interest rate post Allotment
State Bank of India	11.75%
Canara Bank	9.5-11%
Tata Motor Finance	12 – 13%
Corporation Bank	11-11.5%
Central Bank of India	9.5-11%
Indian bank	11%
State Bank of Tranvancore	11.75-12%
State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur	11.75%
State Bank of Indore	11.50%
State Bank of Patiala	11.50 – 12%
State Bank of Hyderabad	11.75%
State Bank of Mysore	11.25-11.75%
ICICI Bank Ltd.	13.00%
Union Bank of India	11-11.25%
United Bank of India	9%
Punjab National Bank	11%
UCO Bank	11 – 11.50%
The Federal Bank Ltd.	14.25%
Corporation Bank	11-11.5%

Insurance premium for the Tata Nano
Tata Motors has also entered into agreements with five partner insurance companies to offer comprehensive insurance, under the ‘Tata Motors Insurance’ banner, for the Tata Nano at a rate of just 2.76% of the ex-showroom price of the car, the most competitive in the industry. In New Delhi, the insurance premiums will be as follows:

	Nano	Nano CX	Nano LX
Ex-showroom price New Delhi (Rs.)	123360	148360	172360
Insurance premium (Rs.)	3468	3959	4431

The empanelled insurance companies are National Insurance Co Ltd, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co Ltd, Royal Sundaram Alliance General Insurance Co Ltd, United India Insurance Co Ltd and HDFC Ergo General Insurance.

Deliveries
Within 60 days of the closure of bookings on April 25th , 2009, Tata Motors will process and announce the allotment of 100,000 cars in the first phase of deliveries, through a computerised random selection procedure. These 100,000 allotments will be price protected for the launch prices till delivery of the cars but the booking amounts will not bear any interest for the customers. Deliveries will commence from July 2009.Applicants have the option to retain their booking deposit, even if they do not get allotment in the first phase. Those who choose this option will be eligible for interest on their deposit, effective from the date of announcement of allotment of the second phase, at a rate of 8.5% for retention period between one year to two year and 8.75% for a retention period of more than 2 years. Allotment of retainees will be simultaneously communicated, along with the allotment of the first 100,000 cars.

source: Tata Motors India