'Car IT will be adapted soon in India'

Microsoft’s ubiquitous Windows platform has an automotive version, MS Auto, an operating system for cars which includes info-and-entertainment

Norbert Braendli

systems. The software developer sees a role for itself in the auto industry’s green movement focusing on sustainability, controlling emissions and the move towards electric vehicles. Within the nearly $60-billion Microsoft Corporation universe, the automotive business is still small but the worldwide managing director of its automotive and industrial equipment business, Norbert Braendli, believes it will grow.

His confidence rises from the changing habits of a younger generation of car owners who will want to take their world with them wherever they go via the mobile phone and the change this will bring to the concept of mobility. So which trends in the automotive industry are of interest to the software major?

First off, car makers are investing in technology for sustainability and emissions control. You see ‘green’ cars at all the motor shows. The key for OEMs is time to market, with some like Toyota already there so there’s no time to lose for the others. In this area, MS can provide service to electric vehicles where energy management is critical. The range of an electric battery cannot compare with the standard battery. So, they need smart energy management. “We are also involved in services around the car, like making it easier to navigate and in location-based services,” he said.

An electric vehicle needs improved navigation systems, systems which are intelligent and dynamic. For instance, roads are now in 2-D but in an electric vehicle, if we provide 3-D road maps, these would show the gradient. This has a direct impact on consumption — a gradient means higher consumption. So the user might want to use a road that is flat even if it is a bit longer. We will be doing more in this space, he said.

Will this country be the first to deploy some of Microsoft’s solutions in the volume segment cars? Microsoft’s Car IT, which refers to mobile devices usable in a car, will be customary in next generation cars — cars that will be launched in the next 5-10 years. Dr Braendli expects that in India, with the penetration of the mobile phone, Car IT will be adapted more quickly than in the mature economies. As more Indian OEMs look at exports, they will have to include systems such as these in their products and Microsoft aims to provide basic services like security, user management and other basic services from the computer to work in and on-road environment. But infrastructure is a critical necessity.

So far, Microsoft has Ford Sync, which synchronises the mobile device with the car. It is built into the steering wheel, based on voice commands and has a standard interface with a USB, bluetooth, music, etc. For Fiat, it is Blue&Me, similar to the Ford Sync with some additional features built around it. The USB stick can read data and once the driver gets home, gets a free download on the home computer. Infrastructure, in the form of internet connectivity, safety and security could be problems. On the service side, the company expects to a difference between the volume segment and the premium. “We are in talks with car makers to provide MS Office services in premium cars for which we have done the proof of concept,” Dr Braendli remarked.

The OEMs however want high quality speech recognition and human machine interface, not standard Windows, to manage services inside the car. That ensures driver does not take his hands off the steering wheel.
So if MS Auto increases productivity, why not deployed it on commercial vehicles? Microsoft has begun talks with CV manufacturers, and it is more urgent for them. For a driver of a commercial vehicle, the truck is his home so he needs the PC, television, DVD, and so on, to be used during night halts. This is a huge opportunity there. Also, uptime is critical in fleet management so there are opportunities around remote diagnostics, monitoring the quality of the truck. If the price comes down, CV manufacturers will want such telematics-based service.

What can we expect in future from Microsoft in the automotive space? Much of the advancement would be around more entertainment, including digital radio. Also, an improved navigation system, making it more intelligent. Over the next three years, we will have two releases of MS Auto, extensions of the current versions. These will be standardised and richer and closer to OE requirements.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/Car-IT-will-be-adapted-soon-in-India/articleshow/5380139.cms

Honda plans Asian small car, with India as lead market

New Delhi: Honda Motor Co has identified India, along with China, as two of its top priority markets. Moreover, the company believes India holds a great potential for vehicle growth -- the very reason why the company's president and CEO Takanobu Ito chose New Delhi as the destination for his first overseas visit after assuming charge.

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_honda-plans-asian-small-car-with-india-as-lead-market_1310412

India, China small car sales cheer auto companies at global level

Consumers in emerging markets have saved the day for top global auto makers grappling with the after-effects of the steepest fall in global output since the Great Depression. On Monday, Japan’s Suzuki

Motor said that its annual operating profit would be four times more than previously forecast because of strong sales in India, according to a Reuters report.

Auto majors such as Suzuki and Hyundai Motors, South Korea’s biggest automobile maker, have seen growth buoyed by sales of small car in emerging markets. According to international media reports, Hyundai recorded about 55% of sales from China and India while Toyota saw around 31% of sales coming from emerging markets.

Hyundai, the second-largest carmaker in India, exported Santro cars and Accent sub-compacts made in India to over 100 countries, said company officials. Analysts say that small cars have emerged as a source of competitive advantage for these companies, giving them an edge over other big carmakers such as Ford and General Motors (GM), which have taken a hit in numbers.

When contacted, RC Bhargava, chairman of Maruti-Suzuki, said: “We will produce over one million cars this year and will certainly boost the consolidated balance sheet of Suzuki. A good-performing subsidiary always helps the parent company.”

Indian advantage

Suzuki’s 50% share in the rapidly-growing Indian market provides it an unusual advantage, at least in the current circumstances, compared to its much bigger rivals like Toyota and Honda who are more exposed to the US and European markets. India makes almost a quarter of Suzuki’s global production, company officials say.

Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, also posted a 32% growth in domestic sales at 85,415 units in October 2009. Hyundai Motor India’s total sales for October 2009 stood at 51,736 units, up 11%. Tata Motors and M&M — the two largest companies owned by Indian entrepreneurs — saw growth rates in excess of 20% in October. Crucially, Tata Motors has seen a smart recovery in sales of commercial vehicles, a bellwether for economic growth.

India is the world’s fifth or sixth largest maker of passenger vehicles, depending on definitions. Sales of cars and utility vehicles is expected to be around 1.8 million units for the year ended March 31, 2010.

Despite the brisk growth rate in India, they palled compared to the eye-popping 9.6 million units sold in the first nine months of 2009 in China. The sharp contraction of consumer demand in the US has propelled China into the position of the world’s largest automobile market.

Government incentives

Domestic growth rates have been boosted by Indian government’s efforts to combat the fallout of the financial meltdown in the second half of 2008. As a result, taxes on small cars — defined according to length and the size of the engine — as well as trucks were cut to 8%, the lowest level in many years.

This is true for countries worldwide. China has halved taxes on small cars, while developed markets have sought to boost sales by encouraging consumers to bring forward purchases of new cars. The most famous of these is the ‘cash for clunkers’ programme introduced in the US that encouraged car owners to purchase a more fuel-efficient one by trading in a less-efficient car.

Both Germany and France have had similar schemes, popularly known as “scrappage schemes”. Exports of small cars from India to European countries have benefited from these.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5191121.cms

General Motor Launches Cruze in India

General Motors launched its upper midsize sedan Chevrolet Cruze in the Indian market amidst much fanfare in Mumbai. The car is priced competitively at Rs. 10.99 lakh and Rs. 12.45 lakh for its LT and LTZ variants respectively. The new Chevrolet Cruze is available in six colours - Atlantis Blue, Light Gold, Olympic White, Velvet Red, Misty Lake and Caviar Black. It will be pitted against Skoda Laura, Honda City, Toyota Corolla Altis and Volkswagen Jetta. General Motors is offering a warranty of first three year or 1 lakh kilometers.

"The Cruze has been receiving rave reviews since its recent debut in some other markets. We expect it to perform well against the established D-segment players," said Karl Slym, General Motors India President and Managing Director. "GM's investments in manufacturing the Cruze in India are a demonstration of our sustained commitment to making Chevrolet the most admired and preferred vehicle brand in this country," Slym added.

The car is powered by a 2.0 Litre Commom Rail Turbodiesel engine with 150 bhp of maximum power and 327 nm of torque. It is the most powerful engine in its class for petrol or diesel models. ARAI has given it a mileage certificate of 18.1 kmpl for the diesel model which makes it the most economical car in its segment as well.

The new model is laden with a host of features which are standard in its category - Airbags, ABS, follow me home headlamps (headlamps which turn off automatically after some time), alloy wheels and a smart screen which shows a number of settings for the driver. The display screen shows date, time and outside temperature. Sunroof, Leather seats, 6 CD changer, Park Assists, steering mounted audio controls and cruise control are further add-on features available in the LTZ variant.

The new Chevrolet Cruze also features Passive Entry Passive Start System, which offers complete keyless operations such as keyless entry, ignition starter without keys, anti-theft alarm and central locking system. One of the striking features of the new Chevrolet Cruze is that the car can be started even with a push button while the keys are still in the pocket. The car detects the keys as soon as the driver comes near the car and it opens the locks automatically.

Apart from normal airbags, safety features also include additional features like Emergency exit where the boot also opens from an inside lever. This prevents the occupants to be trapped inside the car in case of a traumatic situation.

Apart from the launch of Chevrolet Cruze, the company officials also confirmed that GM’s new mini car “Beat” is slated for a launch later this year and will be priced at Rs. 4 lakh. General Motors is also planning to launch a new 800cc petrol engine Spark model in India next year.

http://www.cartradeindia.com/car-bike-news/general-motor-launches-cruze-in-india-111593.html

Proton Team To Visit India To Finalise Joint Venture With Hero

NEW DELHI, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- A delegation from Proton Holdings Bhd is expected to arrive here later this month to finalise plans to form a joint venture with Hero Group.

The Economic Times in today's front-page "Hero chases small car dream with Proton" said that Proton and Hero Group were in the final stage of negotiations.

Hero Group's top executives, according to the newspaper, had visited Proton's Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim plants and its car design subsidiary, Lotus in the United Kingdom.

Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Corporate Service Ltd, told the newspaper: "Proton came and met us earlier and there's nothing more to add."

The tie-up would enable Hero Group, a family owned company that started off producing bicycle components in early 1940s, to enter the robust Indian passenger car market, which sold 1.5 million vehicles last year.

Proton had been critically exploring the Indian motor vehicle sector for some years and had talks with leading Indian players like Mahindra and Mahindra, Ambassador, Hindustan Motors, Sonalika's International Car and Motors Ltd and Argentum Motors.

More interaction between both parties is in the pipeline when International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed visit India later this month.

The US$4 billion Hero Group is owned by Delhi-based Munjal family.

In the past, the Indian company had also explored joint venture possibilities with French carmaker Peugeot-Citroen and Germany's Volkswagen, to manufacture cars for the Indian market, said the paper.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=445960

One more small car from Maruti, now as a CKD

The outflow of small cars from Maruti’s stable is ridiculously constant. It announced the new Zen Estilo last week, and within no time, focus has shifted on to another small car for India.
The new “eco” small car will be made in Thailand to benefit from the tax sops the government offers for vehicles following certain regulations (sub-1,300 cc, delivering fuel efficiency of 20 km per litre and under 120 grams of CO2 emissions per km). Our very own Tata is putting together a small car which will also fall under the eco category.
Moreover the Indo-Thai free trade agreement assists in sourcing componenets at a much cheaper rate now. The same has prompted Maruti to source CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits of the eco car from Thailand and assemble it locally.
Though the details are not clear, could it be an all new small car to take on select variants of the Nano? With the 800 retiring next year, one finds it hard it to believe it will be anything else.

Ford's global chief to unveil new small car in India

Ford Motor Co is expected to announce its new small car for the Indian market on Wednesday, with Alan Roger Mulally, Ford's president and chief executive, making a lightening visit to the country for the unveiling.
Although Ford officials seem to be playing it low key with no detailed announcement yet, Wheels Unplugged says the new small car has been codenamed Ford B517 is expected to be launched in March next year.
To be built at its Chennai facility, the new car will come in petrol and diesel versions of 1.2 litre and 1.5 litre engine capacity respectively to satisfy the Indian government's definition of a small car.
The car would have 85 per cent local content, and the company is in talks with Tata Steel for better steel prices with the increased volumes, according to the report. The company was earlier sourcing steel blankets - cut steel sheets - from its sister plant in Thailand.
This is part of Ford Motor's plans to integrate car designs globally and develop compact and mid-sized cars to help improve profitability and productivity.
Mulally, it may be recalled is the man who got rid of Ford's loss-making marquee brands Jaguar and Land Rover, selling them to Tata Motors last year, just ahead of the global turndown.
This timely sale helped Ford weather the recession without government aid.
Mulally had earlier also sold another marquee - Aston Martin, made famous by fictional super-spy James Bond.
http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_f/Ford_India/20090922_ford.html

REVA to launch electric M1 hatchback and sporty NXG at Frankfurt

An electric car company based in India, REVA has been producing and selling vehicles since 2001. The REVAi is a minuscule three-door hatchback that can seat 4 people and is smaller than a smart fortwo. It can reach a top speed of 80 km/h and offers a range of up to 80 kilometres.

REVAi

The REVAi can also be equipped with options like A/C, central locking, two-tone leather, climate seats, and a choice of 2000 colours.

At this year’s Frankfurt auto show, REVA will introduce two models and one peculiar new feature.

REVA M1

The M1 is a 4-passenger, 3-door hatch like the REVAi, but will offer a 160-km range when it will go on sale in the beginning of 2010. The NXG, on the other hand, is a two-door sporty car with a targa roof and minics the smart crossblade with its motorcycle windshield and open-air cockpit. According to REVA’s website, the NXG can reach 120 km/h and offers a range of 200 km.

Also presented at the show will be a feature called REVive. If you own a REVA and run out of charge, you can call or SMS REVA and they will instantly “charge you up”; it’s basically an invisible reserve charge that gets remotely activated and, according to REVA, addresses “range anxiety”.

REVA is currently being sold or being market tested in 24 countries.

REVA NXR

http://www.auto123.com/en/news/car-news/reva-to-launch-electric-m1-
hatchback-and-sporty-nxg-at-frankfurt?artid=111076

Maruti Suzuki launches New Estilo minus the Zen tag

New Delhi: India's biggest carmaker by sales, Maruti Suzuki India, has launched a new refreshed version of the Estilo model - but without the Zen tag at an introductory price between Rs3.12 lakh and Rs3.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Unlike the current 1.1-litre Zen Estilo, the new Estilo comes with an extremely fuel efficient 998cc petrol engine from its new K-series, which also equips Maruti Suzuki's other small cars - the A-Star and the Ritz. According to ARAI test results Estilo delivers a whopping 18.2 kmp / liltres in fuel efficiency, which should endear it to a large number of motorists in the country.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Shinzo Nakanishi, managing director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India said, "The new Estilo, with a new technology engine and a new transmission, is sure to delight the customer. We are confident that the new Estilo with its bolder new design and interiors will add to the competitive edge of Maruti Suzuki in compact car segment."

Maruti Suzuki has decided to drop the Zen prefix from the new model mainly as, it feels the name does not suit the current taste of Indian youth, Estilo's target group and says the ''Zen brand's shelf life is over''.

The new Estilo would be manufactured at the Maruti's Gurgaon plant, where the A-Star and the Ritz are also made. The company currently produces the K Series engines in 1 litre for the A-Star and 1.2 litre for the Ritz from its manufacturing facility at Gurgaon. The K Series engines are Bharat Stage-III, Bharat Stage-IV and Euro-V emission norms compliant.

The new Estilo delivers 68 PS@ 6200rpm of power and a higher torque of 90Nm @ 3500rpm. The improved engine technology provides higher power, lower NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and the lightweight engine helps to increase fuel efficiency with lower emissions. The new Estilo comes with ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 18.2 kmpl.
Features of Estilo's K10B engine include DOHC (double overhead cam shaft) with offset crank shaft, resulting in better volumetric efficiency, improved power and FE, high compression ratio, plastic intake manifolds for reducing weight and suction losses, smart distributor-less ignition (SDLi) system with dedicated plug top coils and advanced injector for superior atomisation. The engine oil in the new technology K10B engine is required to be changed only after 10,000 km which reduces its running cost.

http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_m/Maruti/20090825_new_estilo.html

Maruti Suzuki India launches Estilo with K-series engine and bold new design

New Delhi, August 25, 2009: Maruti Suzuki India Limited, country's leading car maker, launched the Estilo with all-new overall looks and advanced technological features at a glittering ceremony here today.

The Estilo represents Maruti Suzuki matching pace with the changing taste and lifestyle of 'Vibrant India'. The bolder new Estilo, designed to meet the aspirations of the Indian customer, is a heady-mix of sculpted features, bold designs, new exciting colours.

Leading the advanced technological features on the new Estilo are a new engine and a transmission system. Equipped with the popular 998cc K-series engine, the Estilo delivers a superior fuel efficiency of 18.2 kmpl (ARAI test results). This BSIV compliant engine makes the Estilo the second car in Maruti Suzuki stable that meets the BSIV norms much ahead of the effective date, April 2010.

The new Estilo comes with new efficient transmission technology and advanced 'Detent pin' gear shift mechanism for smooth and precise gear shift feeling for the customers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, "The new Estilo, with a new technology engine and a new transmission, is sure to delight the customer. We are confident that the new Estilo with its bolder new design and interiors will add to the competitive edge of Maruti Suzuki in compact car segment."

On the refreshed Estilo, that packages contemporary features and style with next generation technology, he added, "Product upgradation is an integral part of Maruti Suzuki's business strategy and future plans. This is a way to include feedback from the customers and offer better products that match their tastes."

The compact hatchback new Estilo is a part of the growing A2 compact segment where Maruti Suzuki is the established market leader with a market share of 58 per cent.

Superior technology Engine

The Maruti Suzuki new Estilo houses the K-series 'K10B' engine under the hood. The 998cc three-cylinder engine delivers a power of 68 PS@ 6200rpm and a higher torque of 90Nm @ 3500rpm. The improved engine technology enables more power, low NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and the lighter weight of the engine helps to increase the fuel efficiency with lower emissions. The new Estilo comes with ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 18.2 kmpl.

Technical highlights of the K10B engine include DOHC (Double Overhead Cam shaft) with offset crank shaft, resulting in better volumetric efficiency, improved power and FE, high compression ratio, plastic intake manifolds for reducing weight and suction losses, Smart Distributor-less ignition (SDLi) system with dedicated plug top coils and advanced injector for superior atomization. The engine oil in the new technology K10B engine is required to be changed only after 10,000 km thus lowering the running cost.

Environment friendly

The new Estilo is the second model from the Maruti Suzuki stable which is BSIV compliant, thanks to the K series engine. The Estilo is also ELV compliant and 89% of the parts are environment friendly meeting ELV norms. Further, to take on the forthcoming norms of 10% Ethanol blending of petrol, the new Estilo is also E-10 compliant. Maruti Suzuki is bringing these environment-friendly features to its range of cars much ahead of the industry adopting these norms.

Superior Transmission

A new transmission technology and a number of innovations make the new Estilo a combination of power and pleasure.

The new Estilo comes with a new Cable-type transmission technology. The five-speed manual gear with synchromesh is now changed to Cable type as against Rod-type, mechanical transmission earlier. This new transmission reduces the gear shifting effort in the new Estilo, by reducing mechanical losses.

The new Estilo has been fitted with an advanced 'detent pin' gear shift and select mechanism. This mechanism eliminates the sliding friction (or line contact) between parts and provides rolling friction (or point contact). This technology, in turn, facilitates smoother transition of gears, and is a first among all Maruti Suzuki products.

These engineering changes, based on customer feedback, provide gear shift assistance for the driver (the gear smoothly goes into its position with minimal effort of the driver). The mechanism reduces the friction and hysteresis losses, thereby proving smooth and precise shifting of gears. It also removes the feeling of stickiness during gear shift process.

Safety, Security & Comfort

The new Estilo is high on safety, security and comfort.

Improved occupant safety in the form of increase in the frontal impact absorbing area, as the distance between steering wheel and front bumper is increased.

The VXi variant comes equipped with front and rear fog lamps, rear wiper and washer. Safety features like Airbag (driver side) and ABS are provided as option in the VXi variant.

In terms of vehicle security the VXi variant comes with i-CATS integrated keys, five-door central locking and anti-theft alarm.

Rear parcel shelf adds to the passenger convenience and comfort in the VXi variant. Based on customer feedback, the suspension of the new Estilo has been fine tuned to provide improved ride and handling.

Compact and Convenient

The new Estilo has got a minimum ground clearance of 165 mm and wheelbase of 2360 mm. The tight turning radius of 4.6 meters makes the Estilo a favored car in tight parking and driving conditions.

Vibrant design, styling and looks

In its refreshed avatar, the new Estilo flaunts expressive, bold frontline looks owing to new swept-back headlamps, dynamic front and rear bumpers, sculpted fog lamp surrounds and a new hood design with crease lines. The rich chrome detailing in the grille and the stylish wheel covers add to the premium feel and the overall appeal of the vehicle. The side door mouldings and ORVM's have been given a new design to add to the bold looks.

The interiors of the new Estilo have been done up in a posh-looking two-tone beige/chocolate brown complimentary combination, which adds to the refreshing feel inside the vehicle. The seat-covers, embossed with new organically designed geometric patterns heighten the posh looks of the car's interiors.

The dash-board is in a dual tone chocolate brown and beige combination with new attractive and bright silver accent prominently on the center console, instruments cluster, steering wheel, AC louvers and gear knob. The instrument panel has an all new design speedometer, digital fuel level indicator and multi-function display.

Vivacious new colours

The new Estilo is available in three exciting variants: LX, LXi and VXi in four brand new colours:

New	Ecru Beige	Emerald Blue	Dusky Brown	Quantum Orange
Existing	Silky Silver	Superior White	Bright Red	Midnight Black

Price: Introductory Prices of Maruti Suzuki RITZ in NEW DELHI are:

Introductory Prices
Model	City	Ex-Showroom (Rs)
Estilo Lx	New Delhi	3.12 lacs
Estilo LXi	New Delhi	3.40 lacs
Estilo VXi	New Delhi	3.66 lacs

The stock was trading at Rs.1426.60, down by Rs.5.25 or 0.37%. The stock hit an intraday high of Rs.1448 and low of Rs.1415.80.

The total traded quantity was 92100 compared to 2 week average of 176850.
http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=59640

The World’s Cheapest Car - Tata Nano

A lot is riding on the the world’s cheapest car. In the words of Ratan Tata, chairman of the company behind the upstart econobox, India’s “People’s Car” will be a “safe, affordable, all weather vehicle for a family which is today traveling on a two wheeler.” The entry level model is ticketed at just over $2,500 — or the equivalent of 100,000 rupees or one Lakh — a revolutionary price where the average lower middle class income is $200 a month. (For comparison’s sake, in the early 1970s, Honda introduced affordable, good quality Civics at about $2,200, which adjusted for inflation would now be nearly $10,500.) It could well be one of the most important cars ever designed

The car emerged at a much-anticipated launch on Thursday: a cute, short thing, with four doors, tiny wheels placed out at the far corners of the body and what looked like plenty of room inside. The Nano has just enough space for a briefcase or small bag under the hood. The engine — all two cylinders, 624cc and 33 horsepower of it — is in the back, just like the Volkswagen Beetle of old. The speedometer and other instruments cluster in a central pod in the middle of the dashboard rather than directly in front of the driver, the easier (and cheaper) to offer both left- and right-hand versions when Tata Motors starts exporting the car to Southeast Asia and Africa in a couple of years. The top third of the over-sized headlights act as the turn signals (indicators) and look like cheeky yellow eyebrows above the main lights. It has a top speed of about 60 miles per hour. “Car companies are in probably the most emotive business area that one can find apart from fashion,” company chairman Ratan Tata told TIME a day before the big launch. “There will be people who say it looks like a toy, but if you consider the value proposition I think the car is great.” (See the 50 worst cars of all time.)

Tata hopes the Nano will help millions of poor people around the world — the “Bottom of the Pyramid” in developing world marketing-speak —switch from two wheels to four. Environmentalists, city planners and even some competitors, on the other hand, warn that the new vehicle will clog up India’s crowded roads and add clouds of pollution to its already filthy air.

Ratan Tata emphasized that the new car complies with India’s emissions laws and even with Europe’s much stronger Euro 4 standards. Emissions, Tata says, are “lower than a scooter’s today”. The company claims the car will also deliver 50 miles per gallon, or better than 20 kilometers per liter, which would make it one of India’s most efficient vehicles, and vastly more efficient than the average in the U.S. Chief U.N. climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri, who shared last year’s Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore, said recently that he was “having nightmares” about the low-cost car. “Dr. Pachauri need not have nightmares,” said Ratan Tata at today’s unveiling. “For us it’s a milestone and I hope we can make a contribution to the country.”

But with India’s road infrastructure struggling to keep up with explosive growth in car sales, won’t the new Tata just add to the country’s road hassles? That’s a problem the Indian government has to deal with, not manufacturers, Tata said. “We’d certainly be concerned if our vehicle created absolute chaos all across India,” he told one questioner who complained that his morning journey of a few miles across Delhi took over an hour. “But if you had chaos today and it did not include our vehicles, then I would suggest the problem has to do with something else besides the presence or absence of our vehicles.” India, he agreed, “does desperately need mass transit systems… both within cities and between cities.” But poor Indian families also have a right to what millions take for granted elsewhere in the world. “Should they be denied the right to independent transport?”

Eventually, Tata Motors hopes to sell a million Nanos a year. Even before it goes on sale, though, it has become an important symbol of an emerging trend in the developing world, a new brand of innovation that makes more out of less and engineers clever but cheap fixes to problems that Western companies might throw expensive technology at.

The head of the Nano team says Tata Motors has applied for 34 patents on various components and design features on the new car, though he was short on specifics. The car reportedly uses super strong glue rather than welds in some joints — a technique that a handful of other car makers have used before, though perhaps never as extensively. Tata Motors’ cost-cutting drive was relentless: the windshield has just one washer rather than two, the metal steering column was hollowed out to save on steel, cheaper bearings — strong enough to perform well up to (70 kph) but fast wearing beyond that — may be used rather than more expensive components. “It’s a very tight package,” Ratan Tata said. Given the steep rise in the cost of steel, rubber and other inputs in the past few years, it’s possible that the entry level Nano might not break even, though Tata made a point of saying the “one lakh” price tag in India will stay because “a promise is a promise”. The car, the company says, will make money across its various models.

The Indian magnate, who has hinted he will soon retire, sees the Nano as an evolution rather than a revolution. “What is revolutionary anyway?” he asked TIME before the launch. “If you asked me would it be possible to build a lower cost car than this — a car say for 50,000 rupees [$1,300] — I might be driven to say, ‘Yes, it might be possible.’” He pauses for a few seconds. “I don’t think anything’s impossible.” The half lakh car anyone?

http://www.divinediary.com/2009/08/the-worlds-cheapest-car-tata-nano/

Famous Rolls-Royce Vintage Cars From India On Sale

Hans-Günther Zach is not a new name for Rolls-Royce loyalists. Well, for those of you who aren’t let us tell you that this man is famous for his own museum that is dedicated to the well-known marque in Main, Germany. And now he is planning to sell off his entire collection including the very famous Star of India. This is a one of its kind vintage 1934 Phanton II 40/50 HP Continental ‘All-Weather Convertible’ that was custom made for the Maharaja of Rajkot.

The car is tOuted as the most expensive in the world as it would fetch nothing less than €10 million. Zach is accpeting bids all through September for his other cars too that include 24 Rolls-Royces, 3 Bentleys and a 1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP I Open Tourer that was put togethe for the Maharaja of Nanpara; this one is better known as the Aluminum Sculpture wing to his highly polished aluminum body and chassis.

You would say that Zach was truly taken over by the Indian fetish for Rolls-Royce. Well, you won’t be wrong for there is a third car too that belonged to the Maharajah of Rewa. Called the Hunting Car, it is a Phantom II Cabriolet. Again, Zach is also selling a 1920 40/50 Silver Ghost Coupé de Ville made for Jean Hennessy.

http://elitechoice.org/2009/08/03/famous-rolls-royce-vintage-cars-from-india-on-sale/

Tata Nano says tata to wait list

Finally consumers in India can get their hands on a Tata Nano microcar.

After production delays, due mainly to factory land and location controversies and a lot of hoopla the Nano is trickling into the eager hands of consumers via lottery, the first of over 200,000 orders. The car is marketed to replace bicycles, rickshaws, scooters and motorcycles. For the vast majority of consumers in India it is their first car.

The car which has an ugly duckling cute factor is spartan compared to other cars on the road such as Toyota Yaris and smart car. It does have three trim levels which like any other line of car gives more features as you move up. The powertrain in all trims is a small air cooled 2 banger with 4 speed stick shift which tops out around 65 mph and returns 50 mpg. Stopping is via four wheel drum brakes. Of course this car is $2,055 US dollars (base). For perspective this car is $1,944 cheaper than what a $3,999 Yugo GV sold for back in 1986 in the United States, even in 1986 money that was bargain basement.

The trim lines are Nano base, CX and LX. Moving through the trim lines adds things such as more color choices, delay wiper, rear headrests, A/C with heater (not on base), central door locks, locking passenger door (LX), wheel covers, reclining seats and nicer console with cigar lighter. Click here for a side by side comparison of trim levels.

Safety? Well lets just say ABS and air bags are not included/available at any price level. Interestingly enough, Nano is smart car like with larger rear/smaller front tires, P155 and P135 respectively for traction.

Many wonder will this little bugger make it to the United States? Probably if it does well in Europe first. There will have to be modifications of course. Airbags will have to be made standard and structural enhancements performed just to pass crash tests. A bigger engine with more power will be required so the car can venture onto Interstates. More standard features will be needed to add appeal like power steering. And a dealer network will have to be established. It would be interesting if they can keep the price around say, the $4,000 to $5,000 dollar range.

Questions persist. Will this car be bad for the environment even with emission controls and so many people slated to buy? Will Tata make money since car companies never see large profits on entry level cars? Will this be the first phase of Tata coming to America? Will this hurt them in terms of prestige since they own high end nameplates such as Jaguar and Land Rover?

http://www.examiner.com/x-6812-Newark-Alternative-Transportation-Examiner~y2009m7d17-Tata-Nano-says-tata-to-wait-list

Tata Motors net profit jumps 57.5 percent

MUMBAI - Auto major Tata Motors Monday reported 57.5 percent surge in its net profit at Rs.513.7 crore (Rs.107 million) for the quarter ended June 30, as compared to Rs.326.11 crore in the like period last fiscal.

Total income, however, decreased 7 percent to Rs.6,723.9 crore from Rs.7,244 crore, the company said in a regulatory statement.

“Improvement in liquidity, increased reach across the country and introduction of new products and variants improved the company’s sales, except in the case of the heavy truck segment, it added.

The company reported a marginal decrease of 1.4 percent in domestic sales at 122,120 vehicles.

“The exports at 5,220 vehicles continued to be severely impacted (negative 43 percent) in the wake of continuing tumultous global environment resulting in total sales volume at 127,340 vehicles, a decline of 4.3 percent, the company added.

The auto giant, which owns luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover and recently launched the world’s most inexpensive car Nano, said its passenger vehicle sales declined 10 percent in the domestic market to 45,846 units.

http://blog.taragana.com/n/tata-motors-net-profit-jumps-575-percent-121730/

The Indian Car Promise

India is no China when it comes to cars, but then again, it's almost time for the $2,000 Nano.

What's the potential car market in India? Many of us were tied to the past. We thought of India, and we saw sacred cows, elephants, jammed streets, slums, beggars and millions of people dressed like Gunga Din. Then we saw Slumdog Millionaire, and we saw skyscrapers and luxury homes and cars. So what's the story? Is India another China when it comes to cars?

In fact, the car market in India is still largely a promise. Car sales have grown, yes, but they are still a fraction of China's vigorous market. This year's sales may push past 1.6 million cars and light commercial trucks. That's double the 800,000 of 2002--but it still isn't that many. And Western companies are extremely small in India, unlike in China, which might be the world's No. 1 vehicle manufacturer this year.

To make this clear, look at four-month sales through April: 649,000 cars and light trucks in India compared with 3.7 million in China. And China's sales are still climbing, while India is flat. Mind you, flat isn't bad this year, unless compared with China.

Who sells there? A Suzuki ( SZKMF.PK - news - people ) partnership called Marudi Suzuki is the dominant player, with 43% of the market. Next is the Korean Hyundai Group with 14%. But our big players are minor actors in India. Honda ( HMC - news - people ) accounted for only 22,000 car sales in the first quarter, General Motors' ( GMGMQ.PK - news - people ) Chevrolet (also from Korea) 19,000, Toyota ( TM - news - people ) 13,000 and Ford Motor ( F - news - people ) 10,000.

Check the first four months' car production. These production figures come from J.D. Power, which does a thorough job of collecting numbers from India and China.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/30/flint-india-cars-business-autos-backseat-driver.html

Can India really afford cheap cars?

The news that GM India is poised to launch a 'two-lakh' car took me back to an incident in Lucknow in March
last year.

I had almost tripped over a scooter lying on its side in the dust, its front wheel still spinning. Moments before it had been carrying a family of four, plus chicken. Now, they were all on the ground, except the chicken which had run away.

You can't travel long on India's crowded roads without stumbling on a crash of some sort. This Lucknow family just lost a chicken. About 90,000 people lose their lives on the roads every year — and only 5% of them are in cars.

Hence, of course, the appeal of the one-lakh Nano, and of GM's slightly pricier competitor, promising as they do to put relatively safe motoring within reach of tens of millions of ordinary families.

Less appealing, of course, is the projected surge in pollution. If these cars sell in anything like the numbers their manufacturers hope, they will catapult India into the premier league of carbon emitters — casting doubt on the country's new-found commitment to tackle global warming.

Once the climate cost is factored in, there's no such thing as a cheap car. India is acutely vulnerable to climate chaos, and some of the very same people who'll benefit from the Nano will also lose out as wild weather wreaks havoc on the country's agriculture.

Does safer, smoother travel for middle-income Indian families have to come at the price of the planet? Do we always have to choose between protecting the environment and lifting people out of poverty? Not a bit of it. There's growing evidence that smart innovation can make life sweeter as well as more sustainable. Forward-looking think tanks like Malini Mehra's Centre for Social Markets, or Forum for the Future in the UK, argue that the best hope to win public support in the fight against climate change is to focus on this 'opportunity agenda'.

So, how could this apply to the Nano? Petrol-powered, it's a great social revolution, yes — but an electric Nano could be all of that and an environmental one, too. It would be ideally suited to the sort of short, urban hops that will constitute the vast majority of its use, so its limited range wouldn't be a problem. It could be recharged by solar power while its owner is at work or even out in the fields. Standing idle, the Nano's battery could trickle power into the grid — helping to smooth out the network's notorious instability.

And the innovation doesn't have to stop there. You might not be able to afford an electric Nano — but why own something that you don't use every day? So what about a state-sponsored Tata Zero Carbon Car Club, of the sort springing up across European neighbourhoods, giving people the benefits of using a vehicle when they need it, without the hassle and cost of owning one when they don't? It could help cut congestion, too: all the evidence suggests that car club members drive less than private car owners — because they don't feel they have to justify their hefty investment in their vehicle by using it in preference to the bus or metro.

But surely all this simply wouldn't be affordable? Well, not necessarily — not if the government grasped the nettle of subsidy reductions on the one hand, and carbon trading on the other.

The government spends billions of dollars a year on fuel subsidies — effectively making pollution cheap. If some of that went instead to developing 21st century clean transport — both personal and mass transit — it could bring dividends. After all, as the age of cheap 'easy' oil stutters to a close, investing heavily in fossil-fuelled infrastructure now is about as visionary as sinking your fortune into sailing ships 100 years or so back.

The dawn of a worldwide carbon market really can't come too soon for India. With its per capita emissions a fraction of those of the West — and even China — the country could expect to earn billions from selling carbon credits. That could be another source of revenue for cleantech R&D — and another source of opportunity for Indian business, as it fights to compete in a low-carbon global economy.

It all calls for fresh, not to say courageous, thinking — always a rarity in politics. But the Nano might help here, albeit in unintended ways. If a swarm of the one lakh miracles slows the pace of the capital's traffic from sluggish to stationary, it might convince even the most sceptical minister that there has, surely, to be a better way.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/All-That-Matters/Can-India-really-afford-cheap-cars/articleshow/4653456.cms

'Indian customers are smart buyers’

Honda Siel Cars India president and CEO Masahiro Takedagawa has been managing activities of the Honda group in India and Asia Oceania region for the past three-and-a-half years. Mr Takedagawa outlines Honda’s plans for India and the launch of the premium small car, Jazz. Excerpts:
What technology do you plan to bring with the Jazz?

First of all, Jazz is a sister car of the City that was very well received in the Indian market. The platform of the cars is almost same. However, driveability of Jazz will be different. It will be very sporty. In terms of utility, it offers plenty of legroom and cargo space.

There has been much experimentation with the styling of the Jazz. Will there be many variants of the car?

There will be only one variant initially. It is a different car and will set new standards for the hatchback segment. It’s a shift from our policy for the City and the Civic. Of course, there will be many options for colours. This is to minimise the level of stocks which dealers or suppliers have to keep for several variants.

What is the progress on the diesel version of the City and the Jazz for the Asian market?

We have around 400 engineers, who are free from F-1 activities to develop small diesel engine, power train as well as next generation hybrid engines. As already announced, a small diesel engine project has been kicked off. We are working on different engine sizes and development could take 2-3 years.

What would be your strategy to ensure stable demand for the Jazz?

The market has changed due to the economic slowdown and the depreciation of the rupee. We are achieving above 70% of localisation. The components used in the Jazz are same as in the City. However, the Jazz will benefit from the lower excise duty allowed on small cars. Jazz will give the best fuel efficiency in that segment. We will target those customers who appreciate the drive. Indian customers are smart buyers and they appreciate the value given by Honda.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Interview/Masahiro-Takedagawa-President--CEO-Honda-Siel-Cars-India/articleshow/4586653.cms

Hyundai adds to its alternate fuel range

Launches Accent LPG variant with unlimited 2 Year Warranty offer
21 May 2009 , New Delhi : Hyundai Motor India Ltd., the country’s largest passenger car exporter and the second largest car manufacturer, as part of its initiative to promote eco-friendly and non-polluting means of transport, today launched its LPG variant of the very popular Accent. The LPG, bi-fuel variant will be priced at Rs 533,900 which is Rs 34,900 more than the existing petrol model and it is fitted with an engine immobilizer as a standard fitment for added security.

The new LPG version of Accent, named as Accent eco (eco is synonymous with environmentally friendly and economy) comes with a factory fitted LPG kit approved and certified by the Department of Explosives (DOE) and Automotive research Authority of India (ARAI), the country’s premier automobile testing and certifying authority.

Powered by the 1.5 litre engine which is mated to a 5 speed, manual Transmission, the Accent eco offers its customers a unique combination of safe and reliable performance with an unmatched fuel economy. With separate Petrol (45 Litre) and LPG (27.2 litre) fuel tanks, the customers has an option to choose from both LPG and petrol driving mode. The LPG tank in the Accent eco has a special ‘Toroidal’ design that allows intelligent use of space and makes for a larger luggage room available to the customer.

Announcing the launch, HMIL, Managing Director, H S Lheem, said, “The Accent has always been a very strong product in its segment. Earlier we had introduced it with a CNG kit and our customers found it to be a really attractive proposition, as it has all one can look for in this class of cars. The LPG version will only add to the appeal of Accent, as it will not only be cheaper to run and maintain but also eco friendly. At our end, we have ensured that Accent LPG meets all the safety standards as our customers need to be assured of the safety and reliability of our products that we offer to them.”

The factory-fitted LPG kit in the Accent eco enjoys a full 2 year manufacturer warranty benefits thus ensuring enhanced peace of mind for the customers. Accent eco also boasts of the lowest greenhouse gas emission as it emits lower CO2, as compared to the petrol version of the car, hence making it extremely environmentally friendly.

Other highlights of the Accent eco includes reduced engine maintenance, longer life of spark plug and engine, less frequent change of engine oil, safe and reliable. In addition to that, the car offers ample luggage space, smart and ergonomic design and efficient performance. Hyundai in keeping to its high safety standards ensures that the car goes through LPG leakage detection test thrice before it is delivered to customers and has a special filler cap inside the LPG lining to prevent wear and tear of the parts. HMIL offers the Santro in CNG and LPG variants and now the Accent LPG adds to its range of offerings in the alternative fuel cars. The Accent CNG was launched in June, 2008.

About HMIL
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea and is the second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter from India. HMIL presently markets 33 variants of passenger cars across segments. The Santro in the B segment, the Getz Prime, i10 and the Premium hatchback i20 in the B+ segment, the Accent and the Verna in the C segment, the Sonata in the E segment and the Tucson in the SUV segment.

Hyundai Motor India, continuing its tradition of being the fastest growing passenger car manufacturer, registering total sales of 489,328 vehicles in the calendar year (CY) 2008, an increase of 49.6 percent over CY 2007. In the domestic market it clocked a growth of 22.4 percent as compared to 2007 with 245,397 units, while overseas sales grew by 92.5 percent, with exports of 243,931 units.

HMIL`s fully integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai boasts of the most advanced production, quality and testing capabilities in the country. In continuation of its commitment to provide the Indian customer with global technology, HMIL commissioned its second plant in February 2008 which produces an additional 300,000 units per annum, raising HMIL`s total production capacity to 600,000 units per annum.

HMIL has invested to expand capacity in line with its positioning as HMC`s global export hub for compact cars. Apart from the expansion of production capacity, HMIL currently has 253 strong dealer network across India, which will be further bolstered in 2009.
In 2008, HMIL also successfully completed 10 glorious years of operations in India and to commemorate its achievements, initiated a unique trans-continental drive from Delhi to Paris in two of its hugely popular i10 Kappa cars. The drive created automobile history by completing a distance of 10,000km in just 17 days after which the i10s were showcased at the Paris Motor Show in October. In fact it was at the Paris Motor Show that HMIL first unveiled the Hyundai i20 and the car received a phenomenal response from the auto enthusiasts across the world. Hyundai Motor India also accomplished the landmark of producing the fastest 20th lakh cars in India in 2008.

Like 2008, the year 2007 had also been a significant year for Hyundai Motor India. It achieved a significant milestone by rolling out the fastest 400,000th export car. Hyundai exported to over 100 countries globally; even as it plans to continue its thrust in existing export markets, it is gearing up to step up its foray into new markets. 2007 also saw the launch of the i10 and yet another path-breaking record in its young journey by rolling out the fastest 1,500,000th car.
Hyundai`s new model i10 made a clean sweep of all the `Car of the Year 2008` awards from the leading automotive magazines and TV channels like BS Motoring, CNBC-TV18 AutoCar, NDTV Profit Car & Bike India and Overdrive magazine. The i10 was also the choice of the discerning automotive media of the country as they conferred the prestigious `Indian Car of the Year` (ICOTY) award to the i10 as well.

The Santro and the Accent also received the `TNS Voice of the Customer - 2008` award for the Premium Compact Car (Santro) and the Entry Mid size Car (Accent). In March 2008 it achieved yet another milestone by rolling out the fastest 500,000th export car.

In 2007, the Hyundai Verna had also bagged some of the most prestigious awards starting with the Overdrive magazine`s `Car of the Year 2007`, the `Best Mid-size Car of the Year` award from NDTV Profit Car & Bike India, the `Best Value for Money Car` from CNBC Autocar and `Performance Car of the Year` from Business Standard Motoring.

Hyundai cars have been a favorite at all awards ceremonies and has won many awards. The Sonata Embera won the `Executive Car of The Year 2006` award from Business Standard Motoring magazine and NDTV Profit Car & Bike India had declared the Tucson as the `SUV of The Year 2006`.

Not only this, HMIL has also been awarded the benchmark ISO 14001 certification for its sustainable environment management practices.

Corporate website: www.hyundai.co.in

Want a Tata Nano? Get In Line Behind 200,000 Indian Buyers

Tata Motors

The Tata Nano, India's equivalent of the Ford Model T a century later, finally went on sale on April 9th. And while it may not seem like much of a car to US buyers, more than 200,000 eager Indian buyers put down deposits for cars that won't be delivered for as long as two years.

And that should be a relief to Tata, whose $2 billion purchase of Jaguar Land Rover from Ford Motor Company last August couldn't have come at a worse time, just weeks before the global auto market began to implode. Deposits of roughly 90 percent for confirmed Nano orders have added $500 million to company coffers (though of course they'll have to spend most of that money to build the cars).

And in a first for any Indian car, roughly 4,000 were ordered and paid for online, via the Tata Nano website.

According to Tata, in just two weeks, it received 203,000 paid orders and sold another 600,000 booking forms for the car. The first year's production of 50,000 cars from a factory in Pantnagar will be delivered starting in July. They and another 50,000 Nanos from a factory--which had to be relocated from Singur to Gujarat after protests over land seizures--will be allocated among paid-up buyers by lottery.

Proving the allure of optional equipment, just one of five Nanos ordered are the bare-bones Nano Standard model, costing $2,000. Another 30 percent are the mid-level Nano CX, which adds air-conditioning and power brakes, but fully half the buyers paid for the top-of-the-line Nano LX, which tops out at $3,300. That model has electric windows and door locks, nicer trim, body-colored bumpers, and more.

The Nano has gotten good reviews, from a first ride report in December to more recent full road tests. They pretty much add up to: "Yep, it's a real car. Handles decently, not that fast, fits four adults. Gee, that's pretty amazing, isn't it?"

While Tata will have its hands full with home-market orders for a couple of years, it's moving ahead aggressively with plans to sell the Nano in Europe and perhaps even in the United States. For reference, the Nano is 10 feet long, longer than the two-seat 2009 Smart ForTwo but shorter than a 2009 Mini Cooper.

Tata Nano Europa at Geneva Auto Show

Smart Cars in Metro Detroit: Still Smart?

Enroute to winning $448,000 on the Los Angeles set of NBC game show Deal or No Deal last October, Tommy Knowlton scored something bigger than the briefcases of buckos on offer: It looks like a dinosaur's roller skate, but runs on a 1-liter, 3-cylinder engine. It has environmental sex appeal. Oh, and it takes two of these cuties to fill one parking space.

"Before they revealed the car, they said to me, 'The challenge is, all you need to do is get in it. You have to get in and shut the door, if you can fit inside it's yours'…So I walked right down there and with ease just got in it and shut the door and they said it was mine, free and clear," recalls the pharmacy technician from Sterling Heights.

He knew the smart fortwo – at just over eight feet long and five feet wide, a weehicle by any measure – was his for the taking. He'd already comfortably slid his six-three, 400-pound frame into the two-seater on display at the Detroit auto show.

Over the last 5,000 miles on the road, he and his wheels have been regularly recognized and photographed – and admired. "All the girls think it's so cute!" he claims.

Knowlton also owns a Chrysler 300C, but commutes to work at Beaumont Hospital in his babe-magnet black Passion Coupe. Off duty, he cruises with his six-foot-plus, 300-pound buddies. (One passenger at a time, please).

A brake on gas

Bloomfield Hills-based Smart USA, a division of Penske Automotive Group, is the exclusive U.S. distributor for the brand owned by Daimler AG and manufactured in France. The ballyhoo? At EPA ratings of 33 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway, the smart fortwo gets the highest mileage of any gasoline-powered vehicle in the United States; comparable to a hybrid, but without the cost premium, Rick Cortwright, brand manager at smart center Bloomfield, says.

As such, the smart fortwo's share of the Compact Basic Car segment has nearly doubled in the U.S. – from 3.3% in March 2008 to 6.3% in March 2009, according to the Power Information Network. Parked an average of just 29 days on dealer lots, it's a top 10 hot model for March 2009.

Itty-bitty, inexpensive, and fuel-frugal are the operative words the world over. Similar in appearance but slightly larger than the smart (it holds four people), the Tata Nano, at about $2,500 the world's cheapest new car, is now available for sale exclusively in India.

Without the winning prize, the three models – the Pure Coupe, the Passion Coupe, and the Passion Cabriolet – are base priced at $12-17,000. A fully loaded Cabriolet runs just over $20,000, Cortright says. Not quite nano-level, but not otherworldly.

While cars are typically sold through an online reservation system, where $99 gets your order in with options to customize, smart center Bloomfield (Michigan's sole outlet) has stock now for clients flexible with colors and options. Delivery used to take about a year, but the economic slowdown now equates to a 5-month wait, Cortright says.

While Italy is the top market for the vehicle, in the United States "We're perfectly happy to fill 25-30,000 vehicles a year, which is what we can get in allocation from the assembly plant, and as far as Detroit is concerned it does just as well as most markets," Cortright observes. "We've sold beyond our planning volumes in Detroit. We were expecting short of 800 the first year and we sold over 800, so we're very pleased."

There is no typical buyer, he says. Baby boomers, urban dwellers, and commuters all find room in this buggy. "Something like 70% of all vehicles are driven with one occupant. It works extremely well as an add-on or second vehicle for a lot of homes."

Revving up recycling

The car, which is 95% recyclable, has a big following among green enthusiasts, Cortright adds. The entire manufacturing process is green-driven, from the construction of the plant to its exterior grounds, which eschew manicured lawns in favor of more natural vegetation, to the powder-coat painting process, which eliminates overspray.

Environmental considerations were top priority when Linda Diane Feldt, a holistic health practitioner from Ann Arbor, made her purchase decision. "I was looking for something very fuel-efficient and very safe, and then the environmental practices of how it's built and their consistency at every stage of the process was extremely impressive. And that includes the dealership, which is selling it from a LEED-certified building." She notes one drawback: the carbon footprint of shipping the car to the U.S. from France.

Her Passion Coupe is metallic blue with black exterior trim, red interior, and a WIZDOM vanity plate. She's driven her primary car about 1,600 miles thus far, at up to 38 mpg in the city. She also has a 14-year-old pickup truck, but the smart feels roomier to her. It handles well on snow and ice, and fits in parking spots half-filled with snow, she says.

Moreover, the social benefits of being the runt of the road are hardly miniscule. It helped her get a date – plus an unexpected burst of affection. A woman ran up and hugged the car when Feldt rolled into the drive-in section of Ann Arbor's Downtown Home and Garden store.

Curb appeal

Cortright says it's common to see the smart backed or pulled into a parallel parking spot; at just over eight feet, its length is similar to the width of many cars. And in 90 minutes, barely more time than it takes to change your hairstyle, the co-polymer body panels can be switched out for those of another color – a good disguise for hiding from the police.

According to Metromode's unscientific survey of the owners featured here, with 12 cubic feet of storage space, the cargo area holds everything from a gaggle of groceries to a 32-inch TV (with front seat folded flat) to a 65-pound dog. On the minus side, the car lacks a tilt wheel, armrest, cruise control, and spare tire (it comes with an air pump as a temporary fix). The plusses? All cited the interior roominess and the fun factor of ownership.

The brand has its own social networking website that serves as a hub for Michigan owners to trade tips and make play dates. At last year's Grand Prix on Belle Isle, 45 cars took a lap on the racetrack. And 80 vehicles rode in a caravan in the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Dream cruiser Mark Carlson (aka Mr. Incredible) has gotten up to 45 mpg in his Passion Coupe. It's been a heroic year for the engineer and wanna-be comedian from Bloomfield Hills. He's put 22,000 miles on his ride (including a trip to Florida); been photographed in caped costume; and completely made over his Incredible Mobile. He switched the body panels from white to red, black powder-coated the wheels, painted the brakes yellow, and added an Incredible logo and NCRDBLE license plate.

Carlson, who also owns a Jeep and two minivans, says that until 2007, his auto purchases had been strictly "pragmatic", but the smart car's entertainment value clinched the deal. While driving through Chrysler property recently, "I come to a stoplight and there are two geese by the side of the road. Their heads are following my car. Everybody looks at this car, even the geese." They didn't honk, but "they gandered."

Apparently, even the geese see that micro-compact fuel-sippers may really be overtaking our streets. Feldt hopes so, but also envisions a larger road map. "I'd like to see a combination of Zipcars, the co-ownership of larger vehicles, small cars for commuting, and access to vans and larger cars for families that need them... So a whole system that has greater mass transportation and co-using, sharing either commercially or privately, is the future. But certainly, small safe commuter cars are an essential component."
http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/smartcarsdetroit0113.aspx

Now on sale: The Tata Nano

Tata Motors has begun taking orders for its Nano minicar.

The Indian automaker on Thursday opened up its booking system for the high-profile Nano, which it has pitched as the "people's car"--a first automobile for families that, until now, have had to crowd onto a scooter. There are only approximately nine vehicles per 1,000 people in India, according to the Reuters news agency.

The deluxe version of the Tata Nano (photo from January 2008).

(Credit: Tata Motors)

Bookings will close in just more than two weeks, on April 25. The company had made application forms for bookings available at the beginning of the month and said the response has been "very encouraging."

Priced starting at about $2,000 for the standard version, the Tata Nano is a very modest machine. It's about 10 feet long, weighing in at about 1,300 pounds, and Tata says it can "comfortably" seat four adults. The top speed for the car, which has a two-cylinder, 624-cc, rear-mounted engine, is about 65 miles per hour. The gas mileage is said to be about 56 miles per gallon.

Prospective buyers seemed most attracted by the low price (only about three times that of a low-end scooter), according to a Reuters report.

"I have experienced other foreign small cars," Denis Quadros, 42, who owns a Maruti Wagon R, told Reuters. "They are expensive to maintain and consume a lot of fuel. But look at Nano's mileage, and we know Tata cars are cheaper on maintenance."

Tata plans to begin delivering the cars in July.

But even then, there could be a long wait for those who've booked a Nano order. At the end of June, Tata plans to announce the allotment of the first 100,000 cars, as determined by a computerized random selection. News agencies reported that it will likely take Tata more than a year to fill the 100,000 orders.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10216340-1.html

Segway and GM Unveil Two Wheel Electric “Car” of the Future

Is it a marketing exercise for a firm desperate to show it’s environmental and innovation credentials, or is it a clever and viable new city transport option that could be the way of the future? What are we talking about? Segway-GM’s PUMA (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility Vehicle) – a two-wheeled, two-seat electric car designed to drive on its own and automatically avoid collisions.

Weighing in at just 600 pounds and powered by lithium ion batteries, the PUMA can travel 35 miles on a single four hour charge costing about $.35-.50 cents (depending on whose details you believe). Like the Segway scooter, the vehicle balances on two wheels with the help of gyros and is cutting edge in many of the “fly by wire” controls and smart electronics used. And like the Segway scooter, early adopters are likely to be niche applications – university, government and tourist campuses, traffic free towns as found in middle European states and possibly more environmentally focused city states like Singapore. But we would like to see how the two wheeler copes with the ice and snow of a Chicago winter (not to mention the horrendous potholes!) before hailing this as the transport system of the future. However in the right environment we could see cities semi-pedestrianizing parts of the city centers for walking, cycling and vehicles of this type. Segway has produced and delivered some 60,000 electric scooters since inception in 2002, so they know a thing or two about lithium ion battery supply and management technologies. With GM’s backing, and a new administration keen to develop green initiatives one can forgive a little hype in their promotional material. The vehicle is a fully functioning prototype at the moment and not set to go on sale before 2012 when the cost is predicted to be 25-35% of the price of a small automobile.

http://agmetalminer.com/2009/04/09/segway-and-gm-unveil-two-wheel-electric-car-of-the-future/

Tata Nano test drive: why world's cheapest car should silence the cynics

You might not expect the world's cheapest car to be a looker, but the sight of a canary-yellow Nano pottering along India's streets turned plenty of heads this afternoon.

The admiring glances – from cheering schoolchildren, sleepy-looking bullock-cart drivers and gawping motorists – probably owed as much to the relentless hype that has surrounded the vehicle’s launch as to its snub-nosed aesthetics

But many people who have seen the car in the flesh do consider it “cute” – even saying that the styling compares favourably with many hot-hatches costing several times as much. If tiny, bumper car-esque motors are your thing, you’ll probably like it a lot.

It’s only when you climb into the cabin, however, that the Nano really comes into its own. The most pleasant surprise is the amount of space inside. The car is more than capable of accommodating four “healthy” six-footers, though at a cost – a serious lack of luggage space. The boot has a volume of 130 litres, enough for a couple of modest overnight bags. Also, it’s only accessible by folding down the rear seats and not from outside. The Nano, it turns out, isn’t a hatchback, and it isn’t built for touring.

With the engine weight being in the rear, the non-power steering is responsive enough (there’s supposed to be a bit of understeer, apparently, to suit inexperienced drivers). The four-speed gearbox does its job with a minimum of fuss. The turning circle – at eight metres – is a joy.

The ride quality isn’t bad either, even on India’s less-than-pristine roads, which is impressive when you consider that the Nano is travelling on a set of rather diminutive 12-inch wheels. At higher speeds there is a fair amount of vibration and the noise levels rise quickly. There’s also a bit of a roll on cornering (probably because the Nano is surprisingly tall) – but what did you expect for £1,400 plus taxes and extras?

The one serious drawback is the lack of pick-up from the 624cc two-cylinder engine. Tata says that the Nano wields enough clout (it puts out 35bhp) to keep pace with Indian traffic, and that was true on the congested streets of Pimpri, the town where the Nano testing centre is located. It has a top speed of 106kph and can reach 100kph in 29.7 seconds.

But I wouldn’t want to have to rely on it to keep me out of trouble on one of India’s highways (such as the one back from Pimpri to my home in Mumbai, which has been named “the death highway” after a string of serious accidents).

The first version of the Nano that The Times drove was the top-end LX model, which comes with front power windows, air-conditioner, central locking and sunvisors. The finishing of the trim on our pre-production model was OK – about right for the price, of about 180,000 rupees [£2,480] (the exact cost depends on where you live in India).

Later, we took the base model (the true Nano, if you like – the one that costs 100,000 rupees ex factory) for a quick spin. It really is a no-frills car. The lack of air conditioning was felt immediately as the temperature climbed into the 90s on the afternoon of our drive.

So was the absence of sunvisors, which came close to feeling like a cost cut too far, given India's climate.

So, would I buy one? Well, no – but I’m not the target market. The Nano is a good city car, but is not enough fun to drive (unless you really, really enjoy pulling very tight U-turns) to snap one up for the motoring experience. And though it is built solidly enough and marvellous for the price, I’ve some reservations about that tiny engine.

It is, however, most definitely a proper car – not the 600cc rollerskate that handles like a cardboard box that so many cynics had forecast and the fuel economy, at about 18 kilometres per litre, is excellent. The lower-specification models cost about three times as much as a good 100cc motorbike, which still makes it a steep trade-up for its target audience – aspiring middle-class families who are currently travelling on two wheels. But it’s hard to imagine them not wanting one.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_reviews/article6002338.ece

China Set to Corner Electric Car Market

Getting out of the economic recession is one thing. Staying out is another. A key factor in sustained economic health may well be the ability to lead in new, clean technologies -- and the wherewithal to unshackle economies from the burdens of expensive and volatile fossil fuels in so doing. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that clean energy and efficiency will provide the economic engine to get us out of the recession and the stability to stay out.

With that in mind, here's another installment in my campaign against the "China Scapegoat Syndrome" when it comes to smart energy policy (you've heard the common refrain: "why should the US do anything about emissions if China and India keep burning coal and growing their populations? It's not fair!")

Well, I have little doubt that when China captures the market in clean energy technologies ahead of everybody else, the very same people might be saying the same thing: it's not fair!

So we might take heed when we see that China is positioned to become a leading producer of clean vehicles.
http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2009/04/03/china-set-to-corner-electric-car-market

India’s car for the people

A dinky little car will soon be squeezing its way on to the choked streets of India as Tata Motors finally launches its long-awaited Nano.

Based on advance buzz, car dealers see potential in the Tata Nano even as the industry has cooled in recent months amid the recession. Parth Sanyal / Reuters

Billed as the cheapest car in the world – the introductory price tag is only US$2,000 (Dh7,346) – it is to be officially launched at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai on Monday afternoon and should arrive in dealerships across the subcontinent by April. Salesmen are anticipating a flurry of activity after fielding thousands of inquiries from potential customers.
Tiny and sporting a stubby nose, teardrop headlights and a high stance, the Nano looks like little else on the road and houses a 34-horsepower, 600cc rear-mounted engine which can, it is claimed, deliver excellent fuel economy of close to 80km per gallon.

Hailed as the new people’s car, it is India’s equivalent to the Volkswagen Beetle and the original Mini. It was dreamt up by Ratan Tata, chairman of Ratan Motors, a 71-year-old business titan from Mumbai who set out to create “a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport” for the hundreds of thousands of Indian families who travel around on motorcycles – father at the helm, young child standing in front of him, wife and baby seated behind, her sari blowing in the wind.
Tata had expected to make 250,000 cars a year, but delays in opening a Nano plant mean the company will, according to reports, probably sell only between 30,000 and 60,000 in this year.

Already, the Nano has captured the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide who have joined online fan clubs, coined terms like Nanolution and urged its creator to take the car to Europe and the United States soon.

However, in the current economic climate there will inevitably be a few bumps in the road. And critics are already warning that there will be consequences in offering such a cheap car to a booming country of more than one billion people.Our concern is increasing the total car stock in our cities,” says Anumita Roychowdhury, associate director of the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment.

“If you begin to make ultracheap cars, then it means it is likely to expand car ownership in our cities.”

This must be music to the ears of a stalling global car industry. India is a largely untapped car market full of consumers with growing, but still limited, purchasing power. Currently, there are about seven cars for every 1,000 people in India, compared to 600 to 800 cars per 1,000 in developed countries. Tata is banking on the logic that if it offers a car that is marginally more expensive than a scooter, Indians will buy it.

Dilip Chenoy, director general of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, says the Nano can help create a new car consumer market segment that can meet the aspirations of a lot of people who want their own form of mobility but are unable to access it.

“The demand is only going to grow,” says Pankaj Chandra, director of the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore. He believes the Nano’s example will spur other companies to increase efficiency and become more creative.

“From a purely engineering and manufacturing point of view, this is a very innovative car.”

At 1.5 metres wide and 3.1 metres long, the Nano is the same width as the Smart Car, and about 60cm longer. It has four doors and, Tata Motors says, comfortably seats four. The Indian model has basic safety features including a crumple zone, intrusion-resistant doors and seat belts, but there are no airbags. Designers did away with other common car features to achieve the low price: the standard version does not have a radio, power brakes or air conditioning. It is also made with single sheet metal, and maximises interior space by, for example, putting wheels on the edge of the car.

The company touts it as environmentally friendly since its exhaust emissions meet Indian regulatory requirements and the car produces less pollution than motorcycles manufactured in India today. The European model, scheduled to be ready in 2011, will satisfy that continent’s more stringent emissions standards.

The next cheapest car in India is the Maruti 800, which revolutionised the car industry in the 1980s as the country’s first affordable car, and now costs about $5,000. Currently, Maruti Suzuki dominates the passenger vehicle market in India, but the vast majority of people still drive on two wheels, not four.

Mr Chenoy sees the Nano as a catalyst that will spur other manufacturers to develop cars at a similar low cost. “The space is there for someone to do it,” he says.

The Nano also changes the depth of India’s car-making capacity, he argues, as it proves the country can design, engineer and deliver an affordable and efficient car. “I would not like to equate it to the Smart Car or the hybrid car, but the Nano is a green car. It has a very high fuel efficiency.”

Still, critics are alarmed by the potential for a rapid rise in car numbers.

“If you’re just giving a vehicle-to-vehicle comparison, then a small car that Indians drive today is definitely more fuel efficient than the big cars you drive in the US,” says Ms Roychowdhury, who is also the spokeswoman for the Right To Clean Air campaign. But what environmentalists do not want to see in Indian cities are more cars clogging already congested roads and polluting the air.

Residents say the air is much fresher since the ubiquitous auto-rickshaws, taxis and other forms of public transport switched from diesel to compressed natural gas. Some now fear the Nano will replace some three-wheelers.

With five million cars on the road, no one in Delhi would deny the chaotic mess that plagues its streets from sunrise to sundown. The government is trying to address the congestion with a new road policy, and Mr Tata says that if in five years time his company were to produce 500,000 small cars a year, that would only amount to 2.5 per cent of all passenger vehicles in the country.

“This could hardly be considered the nightmare of congestion that is being raised today about our new small car,” he has said.

The Centre for Science and Environment has lobbied the Indian government to invest more in public transport, which, despite its inadequacies, is popular in the country.

“In India because we are still in that take-off stage we have the opportunity to grow differently,” says Ms Roychowdhury.

“Nano or no Nano, still the traffic is very bad,” says Sanjay Thukral, chief of operations at Sanya Motors, a Tata dealership in south Delhi.

But, he adds, “just because the infrastructure is not very good doesn’t mean that the car companies shouldn’t be developing more cars.”

Prospective buyers have already been calling in to his showroom in the upmarket Defence Colony neighbourhood. And it hasn’t only been people who are eager to buy their first car.

“There are people who have one or two cars and still they want a Nano,” says Mr Thukral. He is worried that supply will not be able to meet demand, and points out that the margins on such an affordable car will be very thin. India is not immune to the global recession and Mr Thukral has seen business slow down. He hopes the Nano will turn that around.

In south Delhi’s chic Hauz Kauz market, the narrow streets may already be clogged but the Nano’s imminent arrival is causing a stir.

“I know many people who would want one,” says Poonam Dubey, a 24-year-old business analyst. “It’s not good for Delhi, but if you talk about smaller cities and the middle class, whose per capita income is less, for them it’s good. Cars are a show of some sort of luxury. It’s a dream for them.”

Nineteen-year-old Uday Bhatnagar, leaning up against his Suzuki motorbike, is more dismissive. “I don’t want to drive a bite-size car,” he said.

“I think that it’s all about the target audience,” says Manu Arya, a gentlemen’s tailor. He might not be interested in a Nano for personal use, but it could prove a smart replacement for the scooters his employees use to travel between the three shops he owns.

“My view is that it’s still too early to tell. Let the product actually come into the market and see if it delivers.”
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090321/WEEKENDER/414497098/1306