Some Big ideas and smart cars

We recently caught actor R Madhavan shooting for Maruti WagonR Think Big Challenge's new TVC in Mumbai, and he was just as involved in the making as he is while shooting for a film.
The TVC captures how the idea of 'thinking big' is infectious, and people who come across Madhavan are coming up with big ideas for the Think Big Challenge in the most unlikely situations. Madhavan said, "We wanted to make an ad that had an aftertaste and recall value. I really like this TVC because it's tongue-in-cheek and funny."
The 'WagonR Think Big Challenge' is back with its third season. It is a call of action for those who have an idea, a business plan and the skills, but have been waiting for the right opportunity. The winner stands a chance to win `10 lakh, venture capital and an all-new WagonR. Madhavan has also been involved with the first two seasons, but his association with WagonR goes back to before he became their brand ambassador. It was his wife's first car and his parents also own one. He said, "It is the kind of car that every Indian wants, and it's smart. It's zero maintenance, and is reliable."
Shashank Srivastava, chief general manager, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said "The WagonR Think Big Challenge is the perfect stage for potential entrepreneurs. Over the last two years, the quality of ideas has been phenomenal. With each year, the challenge gets bigger and more exciting." To participate, SMS 'WagonR TBP' to 53636 or log on to www.wagonrsmartideas.com.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-22/bollywood/31379337_1_ideas-brand-ambassador-first-car

India likely to be hub for Piaggio micro car

India is most likely to be the manufacturing hub for Piaggio’s three-seater micro city car for Europe. The 350-cc 2.4 metre car codenamed NT3 was showcased in 2010 and is likely to be ready for launch by 2015. The micro car, comfortable for navigating within busy cities, has caught the fancy of European customers. Daimler’s Smart has become quite popular in this segment and Piaggio aims to take away some share of this growing market. Piaggio is planning to manufacture it in low cost locations such as India or Vietnam in order to bring down cost.
“The cost is very important in this segment,” said Gabriele Galli, CFO, Piaggio group. “Ours will be considerably cheaper than Smart.” The company plans petrol, electric and hybrid variants for the micro car.
Piaggio has plans for a 200 cc variant of the same, which may compete with Bajaj’s RE 60, the 200 cc people carrier unveiled at the Delhi AutoExpo 2012. Piaggio has conducted feasibility study in India too.
The Italian vehicle manufacture has put up capacity to make 150,000 units of its popular Vespa brand of scooters in India. The firm on Thursday launched a premium model Vespa LX125 priced at Rs. 66,661 (ex-showroom in Maharashtra).

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Auto/India-likely-to-be-hub-for-Piaggio-micro-car/Article1-846735.aspx

Mercedes Benz plans to launch compact car 'Smart' in Indian markets

MUMBAI: German premium car maker Mercedes Benz is planning to introduce the compact car brand 'Smart' in the Indian market, and may depend on its global partners Renault-Nissan for support in India, said people familiar with the development.
The company had recently conducted a feasibility study of introducing the Smart-featured in the movie The Da Vinci Code-in the Indian market which includes both versions: the four-door Smart Forfour and two-door Smart Fortwo.
If the result of the study is encouraging, the company may launch the Smart brand, post-2014. "India is one of the countries where there's a very logical strategy to be made (on the Smart brand), with a good percentage of cars sold here are small cars.
It is a logical thought. I assume in the foreseeable future, we will come to that part of the world and discuss the possibility of rolling out Smart," said Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman, Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes Benz.
Smart could be priced anywhere in the range of Rs 12-15 lakh. Mercedes Benz sells the Smart-badged cars at a more affordable price point, and are positioned below its smallest premium car 'A' class globally. A Mercedes Benz India spokesperson told ET, "It is too premature to talk about it.
India is a growing market and we are studying several models to bring them into the Indian market." Since the next generation Smart cars are being developed jointly with Renault-Nissan, Mercedes Benz is not ruling out the possibility of sourcing components and engines in the future from the alliance partners' plant in Chennai.
"We have to see the logistics --where are they located, do they already have plants, what would be the incremental investments to facilitate Mercedes Benz platform or engines. And If it offers any benefits, it can be explored," said the official on the sourcing aspect with Renault-Nissan in India.
The company could have developed the engine itself, but even Renault-Nissan wanted a compact engine and it made sense for both the partners to explore the possibility of developing the engine together so as to bring in economies of scale and reduce the cost which could help in overseas markets and India.
ET had reported earlier in March that Mercedes Benz intends to launch 10 new models over the next five years, which may see 3-5 compact brands in India. The A and B class, along with a compact SUV, is more or less frozen for the Indian market over the next couple of years, while the next two could be from the Smart brand.
Mercedes-Benz India's chairman, Matthias Luhrs, who is also vice-president of sales at the headquarters, had told ET that the compact cars will drive the volumes going ahead, and help the company regain its number one position in India.

Luhrs had said that with the entry of more compact models, the carmaker will more than double its sales in India to over 15,000 units in the next couple of years. In 2011, BMW had launched compact models like the X1 and X3 in India and it also introduced the iconic brand, Mini, in 2012.
Audi too will be launching more compacts like the Q3 and A3 to create new entry level for the luxury and premium segments Sales of Mercedes-Benz India grew 22.7% in 2011 to 7,089 units. The company expects the overall Indian car market to grow by 18-19% in 2012, with the premium and luxury segment clocking over 66% growth.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-03-26/news/31240138_1_compact-car-daimler-ag-smart-brand