Entries from August 2009 ↓

Source : Headlightmag.com

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to produce low-priced cars for emerging markets in China and Thailand starting in 2012, the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun reported Monday.

Without citing where it obtained the information, the paper said that the Japanese auto maker aims for annual output of 150,000 units of its so-called “Entry Family Car.”

Demand for low-priced, small cars in emerging nations such as China, India and Brazil is expected to grow in the coming years and Toyota is aiming to cash in on this trend, the paper noted.

Revealed first image of the new Chevrolet Agile

Model, fully developed in Brazil, with a surprising and memorable novel design to enchant the Brazilian consumer

It’s finally revealed the first image, without any disguise or camouflage, Agile, the new Chevrolet automobile, whose stylistic lines were being stored by the mark. The novelty, now known, will officially launch in the Brazilian market during the month of October 2009.

Totally developed for the areas of Design and Engineering Development Center General Motors vehicles in Brazil, the new Chevrolet Agile surprises with its novel design and remarkable, in addition to offering the consumer other strengths such as indoor comfort, versatility and a very modern technology .

So the big launch this year in Bombay is now known, less than two months before their arrival at dealerships, and to Jaime Ardila, president of GM Brazil and Mercosur, “The Agile, a leading news and Chevrolet the market in 2009, shows the confidence we have in the preference of Brazilian consumers and potential of the country. ”

In turn, Jose Carlos Pinheiro Neto, vice president of GM Brazil, emphasizes that the Agile “is a clear demonstration of the capacity, technology and infrastructure of GM Brazil, which now dominates the development of a completely new vehicle, since its conception and design to production assembly line, including key areas such as design, engineering, powertrain (engine assembly) and manufacturing. ”

- And the GM Brazil utilizes the latest in automotive technology, “adds Pinheiro Neto.

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As the UK car market experiences it first growth since April 2008, Suzuki GB is pleased to announce that worldwide sales of Suzuki cars have recently passed 40 million units. This milestone was made up of 19,666,000 units sold in Japan and 20,334,000 sold worldwide.

This achievement is particularly important as 2009 also sees Suzuki celebrate its centenary. Suzuki began trading in October 1909 as the Suzuki Loom Company in Hamamatsu and extended into automobiles in October 1955 with the Suzulight mini-vehicle.

Since then, Suzuki has remained at the forefront of Japan’s expanding mini-vehicle market by reflecting customer’s priorities in models such as the Alto, Wagon R and SJ Jimny compact 4×4. Larger Suzuki vehicles joined the Japanese domestic market in 1965 with the popular Fronte, Cervo and Escudo which led to the development and global introduction of the highly successful Swift, SX4, Grand Vitara and Splash.

Suzuki has three production bases in Japan and launched its first production base further afield in Pakistan in 1975. Having continually expanded overseas production bases since then the company now builds automobiles at 15 plants in 14 other countries including Indonesia, Hungary and India – where Suzuki dominates the passenger car market with sales of more than 7.5 million cars.

Commenting on this latest milestone, David Seward, sales and Marketing Director, Suzuki GB commented; “Suzuki has a rich history in producing high quality, reliable cars. Looking to the future, Suzuki hopes to continue the success of this remarkable achievement and plans to concentrate on the further development of our vehicles; lowering emissions and providing cars that our customers will continue to enjoy driving.”

Maruti Suzuki India said on Thursday it is targeting to export 100,000 units of its small car A-Star . The company is aiming a total of 1,20,000 units to sell in the overseas market this financial year.

“Out of the total exports, A-Star alone will comprise one lakh units while the rest would be other models,” Maruti Suzuki India executive officer (marketing) Mayank Pareek told reporters in New Delhi

The auto maker also expects double-digit growth in April-October period this fiscal. “So far, our sales have been good and we will attain double-digit growth till October in this fiscal,” he added.

In July, the sales in the top cities have turned around despite the fear of weak monsoon, he said, adding that 44 per cent of its total sales has come from major cities.

“As of now, there is no impact of a weak monsoon on sales as we are selling not only to farmers but to other people also in the rural areas. But in the long term, it will definitely have an impact,” Pareek said.

The company currently has an inventory level of three weeks and is producing more to meet the upcoming festive demands. On the company’s diesel-engine plans, Pareek said it will expand the production capacity to 300,000 units per annum by 2010-11 from the existing 2,40,000 units.

The New Estilo

Maruti has dropped the Zen from the Estilo, powered it with its next-gen K-series petrol engine, introduced a new cable-type transmission and advanced gear-shifting technology, and redone the exterior for a sportier look.

The new Estilo complies with Bharat IV emission norms. The car’s revamp, excluding the engine, cost Rs 120 crore, according to Mr I. V. Rao, Managing Executive Officer, Engineering, Maruti Suzuki.

The car’s sale had averaged 3,000 unit a month last year.

The car would be considered for export to Indonesia, where its earlier version had done well. For now, however, the Estilo is not headed to Europe.
CNG cars

With Bharat Gas IV emission norms coming into effect in 13 cities, Maruti is working to upgrade its car portfolio.

Mr Pareek said that encouraged by the gas finds in the KG basin, Maruti is betting big on the popularity of CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicles and its R&D team is working on CNG models.

Maruti is to also raising its diesel engine plant output to three lakh units by FY2011 from 2.4 lakh units now.

Mr Pareek also dismissed concerns that the deficient monsoons would affect sales in small towns. While a bad monsoon did affect the economy at large, till the impact on sales had not been significant, he said.

The rural consumer isn’t just the farmer but also the primary health worker, the teacher and the shopkeeper. “In July, we actually saw a turnaround in the top cities, despite the deficient monsoon,” he said. Top cities account for 44 per cent of Maruti’s car sales.

source : rediff.com & thehindubusinessline.com

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) today launched its all-new global mini-car, the Matiz Creative. The new mini will go on sale from September 1. “The Matiz Creative is an all-new mini-car developed at GM Daewoo, the global vehicle development center for GM’s mini and small cars,” said Michael Grimaldi, President and CEO of GM Daewoo.

“With its best-in-segment design, performance and safety, the new mini is destined to become an industry benchmark and a winner among consumers in Korea and around the world.”

Based on GM’s global mini-vehicle architecture, it took 27 months to develop the Matiz Creative. KRW 295 billion has been invested in the vehicle’s development.

Following its launch in Korea, the global mini will be sold in over 150 markets around the world including those in Europe, Asia and North America. Aimed at meeting the highest quality and performance standards in the most sophisticated markets, the global vehicle was put through over 1 million kilometers of intensive durability tests, extreme weather tests, and crash tests both at home and abroad.

With roof-rail curtain air bags and high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel over a majority of its body, the Matiz Creative ensures segment-leading occupant protection. With a revolutionary design, advanced technology, segment-leading features and benchmark safety, the Matiz Creative offers much more than a mini.

Segment-Leading Size and a Dynamic Exterior
The Matiz Creative is a car that is ideal for those with an urban lifestyle. With the styling of a sporty hatchback, it showcases the new direction of GM Daewoo design and a new trend in the design of mini-cars. “Our clear goal from the very beginning was to create a revolution in size and design despite the restrictions of the mini segment,” said Taewan Kim, Vice President of GM Daewoo Design. “We wanted to make a statement with an innovative design that would go far beyond a typical mini-vehicle and set new standards for the segment. This is not your average-looking mini-car.”

The Matiz Creative’s roomy proportions and dynamic styling are courtesy of its segment-leading length of 3,595 mm, height of 1,520 mm, wheelbase of 2,375 mm, and width of 1,595 mm combined with its “body-in/wheels-out” stance. Dramatically sized headlamps that literally stretch from the front fascia to the back of the hood, with clear polycarbonate lenses and chrome-coated bezels, resemble diamonds, adding an upscale appearance and glamour.

A window line that is slanted dynamically upward, an arching roofline and sharp sidelines bring a sporty yet edgy look, a rarity in the segment. Secret vertical rear door handles located in the C-pillar are another unusual feature. They give the Matiz Creative a unique, sporty three-door coupe appearance without sacrificing five-door utility.

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Confirmed by inside Nissan Qazana Production will be launch March,2010 be not different from Qazana Concept.It’s so Sexy Buggy Beach Crossover.