Delhi Auto Expo 2010: Look out for electric scooters

At the Delhi Auto Expo 2010, electric scooters will be major attraction. Many of you might not like the electric scooter because it is not so powerful like the traditional motorcycle but it is an ideal ride for city people. In cities, you can not ride vehicles at a high speed. Moreover, due to traffic jams and traffic stops, you would go at a slower pace and make frequent stops. The best thing about electric scooters is their smaller size which makes them highly maneuverable in congested streets and most importantly, they save lots of money because they do not run on fuel. Such a ride is very good for students and low income people.

Green technologies is a major focus in this years auto expo. Aside from hybrid, LPG and CNG driven vehicles, there will be e-scooters and taxis. Emmel Vheelers is one such company. Set up in 2008, it is an e-bike manufacturer. It has a production facility at Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra that can produce 3,000 units per month. At the expo, Emmel Vheelers, will display a hybrid three-wheeler, e-motorcycles, high-powered scooters. Its major electric scooter models inclue- Vee Elite, Vee Sharp, and Vee Dhoom. Manoj Laxmeshwar, President, Emmel Vheelers said:

“The market for electric two-wheelers is picking up. In the last month, around 3,500 units were sold. Last year, around 40,000 electric vehicles were sold against a market expectation of one lakh. This was because of recession. But now the market is picking up,”

Currently, the Indian market for two-wheeled electric vehicles is estimated to be Rs.4 billion and there are 300,000 electric vehicles on the road. Already, many companies are looking forward to foray in this segment.

Tube Investments of India Ltd, a subsidiary of the Murugappa Group, already inaugurated an electric scooter plant in Chennai with a production capacity of 100 units per day. Initially, it will launch three low-speed models priced within Rs. 25,000. Later, it will also produce two high-speed models which will have a base price of Rs.36,000.

Hero Electric, which already sells electric vehicles in India, recently announced its plan to assemble e-scooters in foreign markets. The company will form collaboration with local players and might enter into agreements in 2011. The company signed a MoU with Canada’s Electrovaya to produce lithium-ion batteries in December 2009.

Eko Vehicles, a Bangalore based company, launched a hybrid motorcycle that run on a combination of 70cc petrol engine and electric motor. It also has plans to launch an electric scooter.

Related article:

The Telegraph

Delhi auto expo 2010: Audi will display Audi A7 and Maruti Suzuki will show Maruti Suzuki SX 4 Sedan

The upcoming Delhi Auto Expo 2010 will see more than ten new car launches by reputed domestic and International auto makers.German automaker, Audi, will display its luxury sedan, Audi A7, at the show and it will also unveil the new logo of Audi. Audi A7 will be launched in India in 2010. Maruti Suzuki will display the hatchback version of its popular SX4 sedan. One India reports:

The powerful J20B engine on the SX4 hatchback on display raises the maximum torque to 190Nm/4,000rpm while enhancing environmental compatibility by cutting CO2 emissions. Lower piston friction in the engine contributes to enhanced fuel efficiency, output, and torque. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gives greater driving excitement.

The Prussian Blue Pearl SX4 hatchback has a 2.1 litre machine and it has been exclusively imported to be displayed at the show. The SX4 hatchback is very popular in the European market. It is available in 2.0 litre, 1.6 litre and 1.5 litre engine.

The 10th Indian Auto Expo: A big opportunity for local parts manufacturers

The 10^th Indian Auto expo 2010 will showcase the national and International autoparts manufacturers. This year, the Indian auto sector saw an unprecedented rise in passenger car sales. Moreover, the country very quickly recovered from the economic meltdown. For this reason, the 10^th Indian Auto Expo holds great importance to the auto parts producers. My Digital FC.com reports:

“Indian auto component companies have consolidated their position to be the key suppliers for small cars. The global auto industry realised the real capabilities of Indian auto parts firms after the launch of Tata Nano. There will be significant opportunities as these new small cars, to be unveiled at the Auto Expo 2010, need to have higher local content to make their presence felt here,” Vishnu Mathur, executive director, Auto Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) told Financial Chronicle.

About 1000 Indian firms are going to participate along with international firms from 30 different countries. Several Chinese firms are also participating in the show. The firms will showcase locally produced auto parts such as navigation controls, management systems, security systems etc. Green vehicle and green technology will be given lots of importance and this will also open up new possibilities for auto parts manufacturers.

10th Indian Auto Expo: More small cars are coming your way

In 1998, Tata Indica dazzled the Indian Auto Expo. Ten years later, Tata Nano, the cheapest car of the world stole the limelight. At the 10^th Indian Auto Expo, we will not see such showstoppers but there will be many launches, especially small cars. Maruti Suzuki alone will display seventeen cars. It will unveil ‘Eeco,’ a small car sporting 1200 cc petrol engine. The car will be priced at Rs.400,000. Then there is the Concept R3, a compact multi-purpose vehicle.

This year, Tata Motors booked the largest space in the show; 5,500 square meters. This is followed by Maruti Suzuki with 4,700 sq meters. Toyota will unveil its new EFC (Entry Family Car). Toyota’s small concept car, codenamed 800 L, will be unveiled at the expo. Till now, I have been reading in news reports that Ford is not going participate in the show but Hindu Business Line reported that Ford will display its Figo small car which was unveiled by the company’s president, Mr. Alan Mulally, in New Delhi, few months ago.

In India in 2009, car sales is set to jump at least 16 per cent to 1.4 million vehicles in India, the second most populous country in the world. Three quarters of the Indian car market is made up of cars shorter than four meters. Passenger car sales, which showed tremendous growth so far, will rise by 14.5% to 2.4 million cars annually by March 2014.

The 10th Indian Auto Expo re-establish India’s position in the world auto-industry

The year 2009 had been a rough year for auto makers in developed countries but not for India. Though sales declined, it quickly went up and the industry observed a “historically high” quarterly profit in the passenger car segment. Already, India has zoomed past China and Japan and became third largest car market in Asia with a big appetite for small inexpensive car. For all these reason, organizers are expecting that the 10^th Indian Auto Expo will attract lots of visitors.

In various developed market around the world, auto companies posted huge losses. The Indian auto market on the other hand, saw thirty new launches and high quarterly profits at the end of the year. Indian economy battled with credit crunch, high inflation and then global economy. In the first three months, sales went down. In the next quarter, the car sales saw a decent rise. In November, new car sales in India increased by 61 percent on year-over-year basis to 133,687 units. Thanks to government’s stimulus package and duty and vat reduction. According to Mr Rakesh Batra, Partner and National Leader, Auto Practice, Ernst & Young, in the current financial year, number of Indian passenger vehicle will cross two million units.

It is now clear that the Indian auto market cannot and should not be ignored. The 10th Indian Auto Expo, which will be held from January 5, 2010, to January 10, 2010 will is expected to attract 1.8 million visitors. A total of 2100 companies will participate in the show. Rajiv Kaul, Chairman, 10^th Indian Auto Expo said that the area of the fair has been doubled to 125,000 square meters. More than ten new launches will happen throughout the fair and eight hundred international companies will participate in the show. Even now, many companies are contacting to participate in the show but all the pavilions have been booked already.

Related articles:

AFP

The Hindu Business Line

Toyota and Honda are going to unveil concept small cars at the 10th Indian Auto Expo 2010

Despite cutting short by two days due to uncertain economic condition, Rajive Kaul, Chairman, Steering Committee for Auto Expo 2010, is expecting 1.8 million visitors at the expo this year. Dilip Chenoy, Director General, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) expected it to be the largest show in terms of footfalls. This year there will be 2100 participants from 30 different countries (in the official website it was 25).

International automakers will unveil ten new cars in the upcoming Indian Auto Expo. Since, small cars make up two-thirds of the total car sales in India, many concept small cars will be unveiled at the show. Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. will premiere, a concept version of its first small car for the Indian market. The car will sport a 1.2 litre gasoline engine and it will be launched in stores by the end of 2010. Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. will unveil its second concept small car model at the show which will be launched in 2011 (Times of India says 2012). Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., the largest automaker in India will showcase its 17 cars including its Kizashi Sedan. It will launch a new van named Eco at the show. It will also unveil its concept small multi-utility vehicle.

Chevrolet Beat by GM and Polo by Volkswage will be displayed at the show. The two cars will be launched in March 2010.

The show will also display electronic vehicles and focus on green auto technology. There will few hybrids and electronic cars at the show the famous Toyota Prius hybrid from Toyota. Honda will unveil its concept model hybrid, CR-Z Concept 2009. GM will unveil an electronic version of its Spark mini car that the company is building in collaboration with Reva Electric Car of Bangalore. Hyundai will also unveil the electric version of Hyundai i10.

The Indian auto Industry was not badly affected by the global recession. Following a four month decline, the auto sales started to pick up in February. In November 2009, it registered a 61% growth to 133,687 units which became the “largest percentage gain since February 2004.” Small cars makes up about two-thirds of annual car sales in India. By 2016, annual car sales would grow up to 3 million units per year in the country.

Related articles:

The Wall Street Journal

The Times of India

Volkswagen wants 10% of Auto Market Share in India

I have to say that it is an ambitious goal. There is a lot of room for growth in the auto market in the country but already companies like Maruti and Hyundai have a strong grip in the market. Volkswagen has not taken India seriously until now but they want to change it. It is a very attractive market for any auto maker.

Hindustan Times wrote:

Mr Jorg Mueller, President and Managing Director, VW India Pvt Ltd, said VW products will be sold through 35-40 independent dealerships.

The vehicle will be launched commercially at the Auto Expo at New Delhi in January.

With the other two group brands, Skoda and Audi, the company is targeting 8-10 per cent market share in the next four-six years.

What do you think? Can Volkswagen make it? 

Tata Motors Planning for a Hybrid Version of Nano

Tata Motors created a buzz in the Indian auto market last year through its much-awaited Nano car which Tata claims to be world’s cheapest car. The India-based company has also seen huge interest for the 1-lakh car among the car enthusiasts. Having seen satisfactory response, Tata is now planning to roll out a hybrid version of Nano. Nothing has been finalized yet, but company chief Ratan Tata has recently revealed that his company wants to ensure that people can run their cars as cheap as possible, besides providing cars for surprising prices.

Well, I think, Tata will once again make a boom in the industry if they really can materialize their plans of bringing a hybrid version of Nano in future. Nothing regarding the dates, specifications and costs of the hybrid version has been revealed yet, but it is expected that the hybrid version will also be cheap likes its diesel counterparts. Last year there were reports in the media suggesting that Tata Motors would produce all electric version of Nano car in future.

Related article:

PC Mag

Maruti Ritz images and pictures

(This entry was originally uploaded on May 2009.)

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. is a pioneer in the Indian auto industry. Not only it is one of the biggest automakers in India but the first company that mass produced vehicles that changed the face Indian auto industry. The company produced Maruti Suzuki 800 and Maruti Suzuki Omni, two of the most popular cars in India. The cars were first launched in 1984 and even today these two models are very much popular in India. Though there are many different car models in the market, many people still prefer these two models for their lower prices and easy availability of spare parts. Even today, in rural and semi-rural areas, many families buy Maruti Suzuki 800 and Maruti Suzuki Omni.

On May 15, 2009, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) is going to launch Maruti Ritz, its seventh car in the A2 segment car. The car is shorter in length but it’s tall design makes the car more roomy and comfortable. The car is designed to attract the young consumers. The car comes with a macho design on the exterior. It has large crystal headlight and the grill compliments the overall styling of Maruti Ritz. Passengers would feel like they are riding a luxurious car due to its spacious structure. The car has comfortable seats, plush dashboard like the Maruti Suzuki SX4. The tail lights are tall and rise vertically towards the roof. The gear knob placement is similar to that of Hyundai i10. The tachometer is place on the upper side of dashboard.

Dimension:

Length: 3715 mm

Width: 1680 mm

Height: 1590 mm

Ground clearance: 145 mm

Kerb weight: 1150 kg

Engine type: The Maruti Ritz will be available in 1.2 litre and 1.3 litre petrol and diesel engines respectively.

Cylinders: 4

Displacement: 1248cc

Max. Power (Ps at rpm): 85@6000

Max. Torque (Nm at rpm): 113@4500

The Maruti Suzuki Ritz will be available in five speed manual gear and four speed automatic transmission.

The Maruti Ritz will come with anti-lock breaking system (ABS).

The Maruti Suzuki Ritz will have front ventilated discs.

The Maruti Ritz will have rear disk break.

The Maruti Ritz will come with electronic power steering.

The Maruti Suzuki Ritz has 16″ alloy wheels.

Tyre Size 165/70 R14

Already the launch of Maruti Ritz created big hype among the people. There are many interested buyers who are looking for pictures of the car. For them, I have collected some pictures of Maruti Suzuki Ritz from various blogs and websites.

Images & wallpapers: This site has a picture gallery with large collection of Maruti Suzuki Ritz photos. There are 99 photos in this gallery.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz.in: This website has a great collection of Maruti Ritz images. There are 11 Maruti Ritz images.

Car Dekho: Another website with great collection of Maruti Ritz pictures. This picture gallery contains 24 photographs of Maruti Suzuki Ritz.

Zig Wheels: This website has a great collection of Maruti Suzuki Ritz pictures and Maruti Suzuki Ritz wallpapers. The website contains two photo slideshows and wallpapers of Maruti Suzuki Ritz.

Techwhack: This website has eight great Maruti Ritz pictures.

Autoblogs.in: This website offers five Maruti Suzuki Ritz images.

flickr.com: Another great photo website with beautiful Maruti Ritz images.

All-car-news-blogspot: This website contains some great Maruti Suzuki Ritz pictures.

Blogcatalog.com: This blog contains five Maruti Suzuki Ritz photographs.

Carspicturesandphotos: This blog contains 15 Maruti Ritz photos.

Autos.maxabout.net: This blog offers five great Maruti Suzuki Ritz images.

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Tech World

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