Sunday, April 12, 2009

Tata's Air Car - Is it the next big thing?

Now a day we are facing so many problems like increase in rates of petrol and diesel. But here is an one solution because of the 'PUSHPAK VIMAN' is coming, to solve the problems.

Tata Motors to introduce Air Car - Is it the next big thing? Yeah! Tata Motors is taking giant strides and making history for itself. First the Landrover-Jaguar deal, then the world's cheapest car and now it is also set to introduce the car that runs on air, compressed air to be specific.

With fuel prices touching nearly $150 per barrel some time back, it is about time we heard some breakthrough! India's largest automaker Tata Motors is set to start producing the world's first commercial air-powered vehicle. The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of internal-combustion models, to push its engine's pistons. Some 6000 zero-emissions Air Cars are scheduled to hit Indian streets by August of 2009.

The Air Car, called the MiniCAT could cost around Rs. 3,50,000 ($ 8177) in India and would have a range of around 300 km between refuels.

The cost of a refill would be about Rs. 85 ($ 2). Tata motors alrady launched the world's cheapest car, Tata Nano priced famously at One lakh rupees by October.

The MiniCAT which is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis that is glued not welded and a body of fiberglass powered by compressed air. Microcontrollers are used in every device in the car, so one tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, indicators etc.

There are no keys - just an access card which can be read by the car from your pocket. According to the designers, it costs less than 50 rupees per 100Km (about a tenth that of a petrol car). Its mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving), a factor which makes a perfect choice in cities where the 80% of motorists drive at less than 60Km. The car has a top speed of 105 kmph. Refilling the car will, once the market develops, take place at adapted petrol stations to administer compressed air. In two or three minutes, and at a cost of approximately 100 rupees, the car will be ready to go another 200-300 kilometers.

As an alternative, the car carries a small compressor which can be connected to the mains (220V or 380V) and refill the tank in 3-4 hours. Due to the absence of combustion and, consequently, of residues, changing the oil (1 litre of vegetable oil) is necessary only every 50,000Km.] The temperature of the clean air expelled by the exhaust pipe is between 0-15 degrees below zero, which makes it suitable for use by the internal air conditioning system with no need for gases or loss of power.

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Saturday, April 4, 2009

Hero Honda contributes climb up in two-wheeler sales

Continuing the positive sales performance seen in February, Hero Honda, the country’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles, posted 10.3 per cent growth in sales for March this year, selling 353,342 units against the 320,574 units sold in the same month last year.

While the entire two-wheeler industry grew by 1.7 per cent for the 11-month period beginning April 2008, Hero Honda grew an impressive 11 per cent.

Analysts say the company, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has managed the downturn in the industry in three ways. One is its unparalled rural network, which roughly translates into a rural-urban sales mix of 50:50. Most rural customers make cash-down payments. The second is its bestselling 100cc motorcycle brands like Splendor and Passion, the largest selling models in the category. This segment contributes over 60 per cent to the company’s sales. The third is the brand equity of Hero Honda.

Chennai-based TVS Motors posted 2 per cent growth in March this year, selling 105,648 units as against the 103,975 units it sold in March last year. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter (HMSIL), which makes popular scooter brands like Activa and Dio, recorded 2.4 per cent growth in March, selling 81,865 units of motorcycles, scooters and CKDs. The figure includes domestic sales and exports.

“Once the RBI’s repossession norms are finalised, repossession of vehicles in case of loan defaults will become easier. Then, financiers, especially those from non-banking finance companies and private banks, will come back to the market to lend,” said Venu Srinivasan, CMD, TVS Motors. Srinivasan had earlier said that sales of two-wheelers depended on the cost and availability of funds.

Recovery could also come from the slew of new models that are in the pipeline. In addition to launching its bestselling XCD 135 this year, Pune-based Bajaj Auto plans to launch four brand refreshes and two new models in the high-power category. Others like Honda, TVS Motor and Hero Honda also plan to launch either newer versions of existing models or new models in 2009.

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The car of the mile Maruti will not sell 800 in 11 cities from 2010

You never buy a beloved Maruti 800 in the year of 2010. Yeah! It is true. Maruti Suzuki has decided to stop selling its 800 model, that changed the face of the Indian car market, from 11 cities, including the four metros, from 2010 due to tighter emission norms. Maruti chairman RC Bhargava said the company will also stop selling Omni van in cities where stricter Bharat Stage IV (BSIV) norms will be implemented from next year.

Maruti chairman RC Bhargava said, "We will not be selling the M800 and Omni vans in the 11 major cities where BSIV norms set in from next year. However, this in no way means that we will discontinue or phase out the models, as these would continue to be sold in other cities and towns where BSIII norms would be applicable".

The cities where BSIV norms will set in from April 2010 are Delhi , Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore , Hyderabad , Pune, Kanpur , Ahmedabad, Surat and Agra . Other cities will come under BSIII norms, making it possible for the company to sell the cars. However, these would also come under BSIV norms by around 2015-16, that would finally mean phase-out of the two models.

Bhargava said Maruti had no plans to further invest in engine modernisation for the M800 or the Omni, the longest-standing models for the company. "We are not looking at this option. To continue the models in BSIV cities, we have to not only make changes to the engine but also take care of other issues. We do not want to do this. Anyway, they are old cars," he said.

M800, that once used to be the bread-and-butter model for the company, has sold over 27 lakh units since its launch in 1983. However, with the cut in prices of Alto, the demand for the car had gone down, though it still averages 4000-5000 units monthly.

But the absence of the models from 11 major cities, just when Tata would strengthen and boost the numbers of the Nano, is expected to make things tough for Maruti. The company is believed to be working on a new strategy to tackle the Nano phenomenon, though officially it has refrained to admit so.

Bhargava, however, said the exit from the cities would not be a big dampener for the company. "The demand for these models here is not that big anyway. So the impact will only be marginal," he said.

So, your dreams about Maruti 800 not comes true in the year 2010.

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Mahindra and Mahindra : A New Scooter Segment

To take on Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India. Almost a year after India’s premier tractor and utility vehicles maker, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), announced the acquisition of Kinetic Motors, it has put up a blueprint to enter every key segment of the two-wheeler market.

The Mumbai-based company will take on Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto and Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) and will have models in the 100cc, 125cc and 150cc mobike segments, and also in the ungeared low and high-powered scooter segments.

Hero Honda has a 60 per cent share of the motorcycle segment, while HMSI commands 58 per cent of the scooter market.

At a press conference, Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director, M&M, said: “Our two-wheeler project is complete; we have already begun marketing the fleet in Bangalore .” When asked what two-wheeler products will roll out, Mahindra replied, “You will be able to see it soon.”

The company is planning to leverage the research and development (R&D) strength of Engines Engineering Srl, an Italian engine and design company it bought last year. The company specialises in developing small yet powerful and fuel-efficient engines for motorcycles. The idea is to establish M&M in the two-wheeler segment through transfer of technical knowhow.

In addition, SYM, the Taiwanese two-wheeler company, which has agreed to extend its tie-up to M&M after the Kinetic takeover, will also help provide technology, perhaps more for the gearless scooters segment.

“Our ultimate goal is to be in every segment of the two-wheeler industry and this will be achieved through the strong R&D support M&M currently has. We want to be in the big engine segment of motorcycles, as well as in the smaller entry-level scooters”, said a source from Mahindra Two Wheelers.

The company is reportedly developing a 650cc-750cc petrol-fired engine with the help of the Italian company. However, it has refused to give details.

M&M currently sells only a gearless scooter called Flyte. This product, originally built by SYM, has been altered by M&M to suit the Indian consumer. Its sales have more than doubled after the Kinetic takeover. M&M currently sells 3,500-4,500 units of the scooter a month, as against the 1,500-2,000 units sold earlier. According to sources, demand for the scooter has been growing 50-70 per cent every month, mainly on account of improved marketing techniques.

Freshly developed products by the company may see co-branding of Mahindra Kinetic, as both companies enjoy a strong brand value.

M&M had earlier bought the business assets of the then loss-making Kinetic Motor Co, run by the Pune-based Firodia family, for Rs 110 crore. M&M holds 80 per cent in the new entity, while the balance is held by Kinetic. Now all we are eagerly waiting for new segment of scooters from M&M.

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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Mahindra's Beautiful Dream XYLO running on the road

A stylish, feature packed ‘Sedan Plus’ vehicle starting at an unbeatable price of Rs. 6,24,500

A sketchy summary of the main points:

The much anticipated Mahindra XYLO debuts in India starting at an unbeatable price of Rs. 6,24,500 loaded with HVAC, Power Steering, Power Windows, Central Locking and transponder-based immobilizer.

Technology, style, space, luxury & comfort make the XYLO an apt choice for sedan buyers.

The XYLO boasts a wide array of unique features:

* Flat Bed front seats

* Digital Drive Assist System (DDAS)

* Foldable flight trays

* Surround cool dual ACs

* Captain Seats

* Powered by state-of-the-art 2.49 litre mEagle CRDe engine

* Available in 4 variants and eight elegant shades

* The XYLO is now open for bookings in a phased manner at 57 select Mahindra dealerships in January and another 44 dealerships from February.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), India’s undisputed market leader in utility vehicles, today unveiled the eagerly awaited Mahindra XYLO at its Nashik plant. The XYLO is perhaps the most complete car with luxury comforts to enter the Indian market with everything that today’s sedans offer and much more. Available at 57 select Mahindra dealerships in January and another 44 dealerships from February, the XYLO price range starts at Rs. 6,24,500

With the launch of the Mahindra XYLO, the era of sedans is under serious threat! The sedan has long been considered the ultimate in high-end mobility but the XYLO is all set to change this perception. The famed Mahindra DNA of 'tough & rugged' meets an unprecedented level of sophistication and luxurious comfort in the XYLO. The XYLO is the ‘Great Indian Traveling Machine’ and will redefine the future of road travel in India,” said Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group.

The Mahindra XYLO is perhaps the first vehicle in the country which has been completely engineered around the customer. The powerful 2.49 litre mEagle CRDe engine is fuel-efficient and delivers 112 bhp, allowing you to literally fly from 0-60 kmph in just 5.8 seconds. Moreover, the Mahindra XYLO offers class-defining lavish space all around such that even a 6ft tall person can stretch in comfort on the 3rd row seat. The XYLO offers an extraordinary level of luxurious comfort at a very cost-effective price for prospective sedan buyers,” said Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

A perfect amalgam of performance and style…

Sleek contours coupled with structured edges and the signature Mahindra front grille give the XYLO the sophistication of a sedan and the aggressive stance of an SUV. Integrated bumpers, chunky alloy wheels and strong curves on the bonnet and fenders add to the car’s stature. Body side cladding with chrome rails and rear lamp clusters with well defined edges add oodles of panache to the car’s design. All this makes the XYLO an eye-catching vehicle on the road.

To complete the picture, the XYLO is available in 4 exciting variants & eight elegant shades to suit a variety of tastes – be it masculine and powerful or contemporary and classy. These include Fiery Black, Mist Silver, Mint Green, Lucky Lilac, Gold Shimmer, Toreador Red, Java Brown and Rocky Beige.

XYLO variants, loaded all through….

All XYLO variants conform to stringent BS III emission norms.

Far more luxury than any sedan, inside out…

What makes the XYLO unique and far superior to sedans is simply the manner in which it was conceived and designed. Completely created from the inside out, the XYLO keeps all the needs and wants of the would-be passenger in mind. This translates into surprising legroom, both in the second and third row. Theater style seating ensures that none of the passengers feel left out of the conversation, even if they are seated in the back row.

Independent AC vents ensure that the Surround Cool Dual AC cools all corners of this spacious car with individual controls for each passenger. The car’s stylish exterior is aptly complemented by plush interiors available in three sophisticated shades – Black, Walnut and Granite.

The Mahindra XYLO is also the only car to offer flatbed front seats, just like in the business class of a world-class airline. Additional unique features include foldable flight trays behind the front seats, individual reading lamps for each passenger and conveniently placed laptop and mobile charging points.

Close attention to the finer details is what makes the XYLO a winner. The car's doors are fitted with puddle lamps, giving passengers visibility while alighting from the car at night. Cabin lights in the XYLO shut gradually after a few minutes, giving passengers enough time to settle inside the car. A wide arm rest in the front row provides the driver and co-passenger with comfort, while an integrated foot rest allows easy entry and exit.

Ahead in technology too…

One of the most revolutionary features of the XYLO is the tech-savvy Digital Drive Assist System (DDAS). An alphanumeric display in the centre panel, the DDAS has features such as an onboard computer to calculate mileage and distance permissible. The system is easy to read and provides useful data at a quick glance. Standard information available includes date, time, inside and outside temperature and relative humidity. It also lets you know exactly which direction your Mahindra XYLO is headed in. Press a button and you are informed of your gear position and speed. The DDAS will even tell you how long your fuel will last and share information on your average speed and the instant mileage clocked by you. All of which ensures that you derive optimum mileage from your Mahindra XYLO.

The DDAS also has an inbuilt warning system which will prompt you to put on your seat belts in case you forget or if you attempt to drive with the handbrake engaged, for instance. The Intellipark Reverse Assist has a visual prompt in the rear view mirror which shows you the distance between the rear bumper and any object behind your car.

The 2 Din Entertainment System is also feature packed. It enables playback from MP3s and CDs, SD cards and USB devices, giving you a superlative acoustic experience on the road.

A driver’s delight as well…

Plenty of innovation has gone into making the XYLO a superior vehicle to drive. The sporty dials, the centre bezel curves and the advanced Digital Drive Assist System combine to give you the feel of an aeroplane cockpit. The driver's seat is ergonomically designed with height adjustment control to maximize comfort on long drives. Lumbar support can also be adjusted to three positions while the unique tiltable steering wheel gives you the perfect driving position.

An illuminated keyhole ring allows you to conveniently locate the keyhole even in pitch dark conditions. Utility spaces abound in the Mahindra XYLO with a well defined Centre Console housing space for CDs, magazines, etc.

Outpace, out-manoeuvre the sedan…

This muscular car is powered by a state-of-the-art 2.49 litre mEagle CRDe engine which delivers a power-packed 112 bhp with 24 kilogram meter torque over a range of 1800 to 3000 rpm. The 2.49 litre engine is meshed with a five-speed manual gearbox and has been built on the Scorpio NEF CRDe engine family with relevant technological advancements. When a burst of power is needed, the top mounted intercooler delivers. Dual pilot injection increases the XYLO's drivability scores, while advanced engine damping, hydraulic lash adjustor technology and auto tensioner ensure minimum service frequency and a pleasurable drive. On a long drive, you can zip down the straights with the long wheelbase and multi-link suspension keeping the XYLO composed and rock steady. The vehicle also tackles sharp bends effortlessly and skirts bumps with ease.

Sourced from the best…

Leading vendors from India, Japan, America, Germany, etc., have contributed to the development of the XYLO. To name a few, Bosch, Lear, Motherson, Nippon, Subros, JBM, Spicer, Visteon, Lumax, Alf, Asahi, Sharda, Rane and Varroc have played a key role in creating the XYLO.

I think, it will reach the line at which the sky and earth appear to meet.

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