Maruti Grand Vitara has continuously witnessed falling sales in past few months. Maruti intends to arrest the falling sales figures of its SUV model by bringing its advanced version to India. It currently imports the SUV from its Japanese production facility as a completely built unit which makes the model quite expensive. Now the company is contemplating its options to assemble the model in India itself to offer more features at extremely competitive prices.

“The company is seriously considering bringing in an advanced version of Vitara into India, mainly to arrest the falling sales of the SUV,” a source said. Maruti is in talks with auto component manufacturers to supply the parts for the model. An advanced version of the model will be introduced in 2010 and Maruti will decide upon its assembling plans for Grand Vitara after assessing the sales figures of the new model. Grand Vitara is currently available at Rs. 16.67 – Rs 17.97 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and comes with 2.4L petrol engine with both manual and automatic transmission.

[Via: cartradeindia]

Skoda is ready to bring a new low-cost budget sedan model in 2012 in the international market. The new sedan model will compete with Renault’s Dacia which has recorded the strongest sales in past few months, especially in the sedan segment. Dacia received most of the benefit from the government scrappage scheme and now Volkswagen Group intends to bridge the gap between Renault Dacia and Skoda models which have a big price difference.

Skoda currently sells Octavia as a popular sedan internationally especially in the emerging markets including India and China. Skoda intends to replace the Octavia with new budget model which will be smaller than Octavia. The new budget model will directly replace Octavia in the developed markets.

Skoda CEO, Mr Reinhard Jung, said the new model would cost between 10,000 and 12,000 euros (Rs. 6.7 lakh – Rs. 8.04 lakh) and would launch in two to three years. Skoda has not revealed any more details about the car which will be placed between Fabia and Octavia in coming years.

[Via: cartradeindia]

Toyota India has been successful in attaining 4 lakh Mark in India. There are now four lakh Toyota cars in India. The company has achieved this mark in the 11th year of its tenure in India. Toyota is the world’s largest carmaker by sales. And it plans to increase the Toyota dealerships from 93 to 150 by 2011. By 2011, the company will launch a small car and for its launch the second production plant would be set up in Bangalore at an investment of Rs 3,200 crore.

Sandeep Singh, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Deputy Managing Director (Marketing), said in a statement that it is a big step for the auto market and the company. Toyota, which is present in India through a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group, currently sells Toyota Prado and Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Corolla Altis, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Innova. Toyota Prius is expected to be showcased in Auto Expo 2010.

[Via: Cars India ]

Toyota Prius may be the most successful and the most fuel efficient car around the world with its best hybrid technology but the car ranks amongst Top 50 ugliest cars around the world. World’s cheapest car from Tata Motors is also included on #50 in the list. Top 50 cars in past 50 years around the globe have been identified and listed by Business Week. Some of the other cars listed are Chevrolet El Camino which has front and rear similar to a pick up vehicle. Its 1982 model with its front grille is said to be looking like it’s “wearing dental braces.” Citroen Ami has weird looking windows and roof extending like porch roof from the back.

Lightburn Zeta was designed by cement mixers and washing machine manufacturers and its front grille resembles a fence and headlights popping out like protruding eyeballs. Wartburg 353 has nothing that can be claimed as a pretty sight and Volkswagen Thing is nothing more than a Beetle engine fitted inside a large metallic matchbox. AMC Gremlin was launched on April 01 1970 has a shockingly weird looking back, saucer hub caps and missing rear windows. Bond bug, Ford Pinto, Ford Mustang, Bricklin SV1, Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar, Volvo 340, AMC Pacer, Chevrolet Chevette, Aston Martin Lagonda, Martra Rancho, Subaru Brat, Yugo and many more are listed under the Top 50 Ugliest cars in past 50 years.

The Royal Enfield Bullet has for decades been the byword for rugged, refined cool and a bike handcrafted to perfection. The Bullet Classic was unveiled by Royal Enfield at Intermot exhibition in Germany. They have already launched this mouthwatering classic version of its legendary motorcycle abroad. Bullet Classic was first launched in Germany followed by European launch. But for India Royal Enfield has removed the “Bullet” tag from the name and it is going to be sold as “Royal Enfield Classic” for Indian Market.

The Classic 500 is powered by a 499cc, single cylinder engine which generates maximum power of 27.2 Bhp at 5250 rpm and peak torque of 41.3 Nm at 4000 rpm. And the Classic 350 is powered by a 346cc engine from Thunderbird Twinspark which generates 19.8 Bhp of maximum power at 5250 rpm with 28 Nm of maximum torque to price it competitively in a range of 85-90000 rupees. What is really new in the Royal Enfield Classic is a UCE (Unit Construction Engine). In the Royal Enfield Classic’s engine, the clutch and gearbox are situated outside, they are both integrated into the crankcase. Royal Enfield claims that the UCE construction gives the Classic less moving parts, less transmission loss and less maintenance issues.

[Via: Bikes India]

Honda India has launched the all New 2009 model of CR-V in Indian market. The base model with 2.0 litre engine has been priced at Rs. 22,51,000 rupees (EX-Showrrom Mumbai), which is very high in comparison to its rivals – Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour & Chevrolet Captiva. New Honda CR-V is sold as a CBU import and will be available on confirmed order basis. It also comes with a 2+2 year warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance as standard.

New Honda CR-V comes with a refreshed look, sporting a new two-step front grille, a re-sculpted hood and front bumper design and oval shape fog lamps. The new CR-V is 45mm longer than its predecessor and measures 4575 mm in length while maintaining the same width, height, ground clearance and head clearance. A new 10-spoke alloy wheel design replaces the previous 7-spoke alloy wheel design.

- New Two-Step Front Grille & Re-Sculpted Hood
- New Front & Rear Bumper Design, New 10-Spoke Alloy Wheels
- Oval Shape Front Fog Lamps, Body Colored ORVMs With Side Turn Indicators

The top model of New Honda CR-V comes with three additional features which includes Cruise Control, Electric Sunroof & Option Of 5 Speed Automatic Transmission.

The New Honda CR-V is available in two new colours – Opal Sage Metallic and Premium Mystic Night Pearl along with the existing range of Polished Metal, Alabaster Silver, Crystal Black Pearl and Premium White.

New Honda CR-V is available in 2 engine options – same which were doing duty in the outgoing models – the 2.0 litre & 2.4 litre petrol engines. The 2.0 litre engine is a 1997cc i-VTEC which generates maximum power of 141 bhp at 6000 rpm with maxium torque of 192 Nm at 4200 rpm. The 2.4 litre engine is a 2354cc i-VTEC which generates maximum power of 159 bhp at 5800 rpm with maxium torque of 218 Nm at 4200 rpm.

Price Of New Honda CR-V (Ex-Showroom Mumbai)

- New Honda CR-V 2.0 MT – Rs. 22,51,000.00
- New Honda CR-V 2.4 MT – Rs. 24,00.000.00
- New Honda CR-V 2.4 AT – Rs. 24,78,000.00

[Via: Cars India ]

To boost the sales of diesel variant of Ritz Maruti Suzuki has launched celebration edition of its hot selling hatchback Ritz called “ Ritz Aura “. Ritz Aura comes with six additional comfort and styling features.

- MP3 player with USB port
- Body Side Moulding
- Aura decal
- Body Graphics
- Security system
- Twin front speaker set

Ritz Aura will be available only in Mumbai & Ahemdabad.

[Via: Cars India ]

Following a meeting in Seoul today between the Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Yoon-Woo Lee, and the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, Samsung Electronics announced that it will collaborate with Microsoft on efficient energy usage in computers. The two companies are aimed at encouraging PC users to purchase more environmentally friendly PC systems. Samsung expects substantial energy savings when Microsoft’s flagship Windows 7 operating system and Samsung’s 40 nanometer (nm) class DDR3 DRAM are used together.

Samsung, a strong supporter of Windows 7, will be migrating all of its corporate PCs worldwide to the new operating system beginning in 2010. The Green IT collaboration effort between the world’s number one memory company and the world’s number one software company is expected to contribute to the revival of IT markets that have been depressed from the economic downturn.

At the beginning of September, Samsung initiated its own global marketing campaign centered around “Less Energy, More Speed”, initially focused on its energy-efficient, 40nm-class, 2Gb DDR3 DRAM. Also, Microsoft has announced significant reductions in power consumption with the new power management function in its recently released Windows 7 operating system.

“Windows 7 was designed as a more environmentally-sound and energy-efficient OS, particularly evident in its managing of memory and when shifting into lower power mode,” said Kim James Woo, Country Manager of Microsoft Korea. He added that “users will enjoy the benefits when Windows 7 and DDR3 are combined.”

“There is no doubt that the combination of Windows 7 and 40nm DDR3 in new PCs will make users very happy,” said Dong-Soo Jun, executive senior vice president of memory marketing at Samsung Electronics. He added, “If you opt for 4GB of memory in a Windows 7-based system, over typical 2GB-based systems used today, you’ll see an increase in performance, while using less power, thanks to the efficiency of Samsung’s 40nm DD3 DRAM.”

In the ensuing months, while measuring the effects of this and other collaborative Green IT efforts, Samsung will continue to examine the potential for other areas of global cooperation with Microsoft in IT technology development.

[Via: Samsung India]

Following a meeting in Seoul today between the Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Yoon-Woo Lee, and the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, Samsung Electronics announced that it will collaborate with Microsoft on efficient energy usage in computers. The two companies are aimed at encouraging PC users to purchase more environmentally friendly PC systems. Samsung expects substantial energy savings when Microsoft’s flagship Windows 7 operating system and Samsung’s 40 nanometer (nm) class DDR3 DRAM are used together.

Samsung, a strong supporter of Windows 7, will be migrating all of its corporate PCs worldwide to the new operating system beginning in 2010. The Green IT collaboration effort between the world’s number one memory company and the world’s number one software company is expected to contribute to the revival of IT markets that have been depressed from the economic downturn.

At the beginning of September, Samsung initiated its own global marketing campaign centered around “Less Energy, More Speed”, initially focused on its energy-efficient, 40nm-class, 2Gb DDR3 DRAM. Also, Microsoft has announced significant reductions in power consumption with the new power management function in its recently released Windows 7 operating system.

“Windows 7 was designed as a more environmentally-sound and energy-efficient OS, particularly evident in its managing of memory and when shifting into lower power mode,” said Kim James Woo, Country Manager of Microsoft Korea. He added that “users will enjoy the benefits when Windows 7 and DDR3 are combined.”

“There is no doubt that the combination of Windows 7 and 40nm DDR3 in new PCs will make users very happy,” said Dong-Soo Jun, executive senior vice president of memory marketing at Samsung Electronics. He added, “If you opt for 4GB of memory in a Windows 7-based system, over typical 2GB-based systems used today, you’ll see an increase in performance, while using less power, thanks to the efficiency of Samsung’s 40nm DD3 DRAM.”

In the ensuing months, while measuring the effects of this and other collaborative Green IT efforts, Samsung will continue to examine the potential for other areas of global cooperation with Microsoft in IT technology development.

[Via: Samsung India]

Following a meeting in Seoul today between the Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Yoon-Woo Lee, and the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, Samsung Electronics announced that it will collaborate with Microsoft on efficient energy usage in computers. The two companies are aimed at encouraging PC users to purchase more environmentally friendly PC systems. Samsung expects substantial energy savings when Microsoft’s flagship Windows 7 operating system and Samsung’s 40 nanometer (nm) class DDR3 DRAM are used together.

Samsung, a strong supporter of Windows 7, will be migrating all of its corporate PCs worldwide to the new operating system beginning in 2010. The Green IT collaboration effort between the world’s number one memory company and the world’s number one software company is expected to contribute to the revival of IT markets that have been depressed from the economic downturn.

At the beginning of September, Samsung initiated its own global marketing campaign centered around “Less Energy, More Speed”, initially focused on its energy-efficient, 40nm-class, 2Gb DDR3 DRAM. Also, Microsoft has announced significant reductions in power consumption with the new power management function in its recently released Windows 7 operating system.

“Windows 7 was designed as a more environmentally-sound and energy-efficient OS, particularly evident in its managing of memory and when shifting into lower power mode,” said Kim James Woo, Country Manager of Microsoft Korea. He added that “users will enjoy the benefits when Windows 7 and DDR3 are combined.”

“There is no doubt that the combination of Windows 7 and 40nm DDR3 in new PCs will make users very happy,” said Dong-Soo Jun, executive senior vice president of memory marketing at Samsung Electronics. He added, “If you opt for 4GB of memory in a Windows 7-based system, over typical 2GB-based systems used today, you’ll see an increase in performance, while using less power, thanks to the efficiency of Samsung’s 40nm DD3 DRAM.”

In the ensuing months, while measuring the effects of this and other collaborative Green IT efforts, Samsung will continue to examine the potential for other areas of global cooperation with Microsoft in IT technology development.

[Via: Samsung India]