Archive for December 20th, 2007

Maruti to shed small carmaker image

At a time when most auto companies are thinking small, India’s original small carmaker is thinking big. Maruti-Suzuki’s new managing director Shinzo Nakanishi plans to overhaul the company’s image as a predominantly low-cost mini and small car manufacturer to one that offers premium vehicles that sport contemporary look and feel.

A change of image would not see a shift to gas guzzling SUVs or premium sedans but instead see the entry of vehicles like Kizashi, an A4 segment car in the same league Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. While Kizashi was still a concept car, Nakanishi mentioned Splash and A-Star, the new concept car to be showcased at the Auto Expo next month, as two specific vehicles that would hit the Indian roads soon. More
Courtesy:economictimes.indiatimes.com

New MUV from Sonalika group to be launched next month

With the launch of its new Rhino Rx, scheduled for January 2008, International Cars and Motors Ltd (ICML) aims to capture 10 per cent market share in the Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV) sector, a senior company official said on Thursday.

The entry of Rhino would certainly have an impact in the MUV sector, witnessing an annual growth of 20 per cent, Rakesh Goel, General Manager-Sales and Marketing, ICML, told reporters here.
More
Courtesy:www.indiacar.net

Ford to announce Jaguar-Land Rover sale to Tata on Friday

Indian conglomerate Tatas are set to be named on Friday the top choice for buying the US auto giant Ford’s iconic British brands Jaguar and Land Rover, according to a media report here.

“The group has had its 1-billion pound bid accepted by Ford… the firm has beaten off competition from rival Indian firm Mahindra and Mahindra and private equity group One Equity Partners,” Birmingham Post reported today.

The report quoted unnamed sources at Land Rover as saying, “It is definitely Tata. There is one final meeting and so long as there is no last minute hitches, which are not expected, then an announcement will be made on Friday.” The final details would be worked out in the next six weeks, it added. More
Courtesy:www.indiacar.net

Tata on top; but Ford wants other suitors around

Not wanting to alienate other suitors including Mahindras, Ford may wait till the New Year to announce the winner for its Jaguar and Land Rover brands, although Indian conglomerate Tatas have emerged as the top choice, media reports said here on Friday.

“Tata Motors is set to be chosen by Ford as the preferred bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover as early as Friday,” a report in Financial Times said quoting people close to the situation. More
Courtesy:economictimes.indiatimes.com

Rs 1L car, Ford marquees can co-exist: Tata

Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata has said it should not be impossible for the world’s cheapest (Rs one lakh) car to co-exist with prestigious brands like Jaguar and Land Rover despite an image disparity.

In an interview to a reputed newspaper, Tata Motors chief Ratan Tata exuded confidence in his company’s ability to manage a diverse portfolio starting from the Rs one lakh car to British marquees Jaguar and Land Rover, which according to media reports the Indian company is set to acquire.

“How a company manages products in different sectors is the key. Toyota created Lexus, Nissan has Infiniti. No one is saying how can BMW handle the Mini? But they’ve made a huge success of it. So why is it impossible?” Tata said on being asked how would JLR fit into his company’s product portfolio. More
Courtesy:www.indiacar.net

Tata Motors launches medium and heavy commercial vehicles

Tata Motors on Thursday launched a new array of medium and heavy commercial vehicles which includes tractor-trailers, multi-axle and heavy duty trucks with a price range of Rs 11 to Rs 33 lakh.

Announcing the launch at a press conference here, Executive Director P M Telang said the new range would cater to sectors like mining, construction, road works and petrochemicals, among others. Read more
Courtesy:www.indiacar.net


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