Entries Tagged 'Uncategorized' &darr;

Tata foresees Thailand as pickup hub

December 7th, 2007 — Uncategorized

Tata Motors, India’s largest and most fully integrated automobile company, is confident it can succeed in Thailand’s pickup truck market, the world’s second largest after the United States, despite tough competition from Japanese and American brands and the slow automotive market.The company also pledged to make Thailand its manufacturing hub to serve the Asean market as many projects are in the pipeline, including an eco-car.

Tata Motors (Thailand) Co, a 70:30 joint venture between Tata Motors and Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co, would introduce a range of one-ton pickup trucks carrying the Tata name in the Thai market next March.

The Tata pickup trucks would be produced at Thonburi’s assembly plant in Samut Prakan at full capacity of 35,000 units per year and generate at least 500 jobs.

The project represents about 1.3 billion baht in investment.

Tata Motors may expand into local production of other vehicles in the future.

2008 Suzuki APV Arena has been launched in Indonesia

November 8th, 2007 — Uncategorized

It’s the Suzuki Apv Arena what is a first minorchnage of its populary minivan life cycle for indonesian and asean market for competitive to Toyota avanza 1.5 and new born Nissan Grand Livina.the first as sight once that the front grille are changed looks to more luxury and front bumper looks so more better than MY2004.

4 Comments

The 10th Generation of 2009 Toyota Corolla

October 31st, 2007 — Uncategorized

October 31, 2007 – Las Vegas - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., unveiled the all-new 10th generation Corolla sedan at a press conference today at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

“Nearly 40 years after the Corolla was introduced to American drivers, the 2009 Corolla will continue to offer the quality and value for which the brand has long been known,” said Tim Morrison, Toyota Division corporate marketing manager. “In style and substance, the tenth-generation Corolla will have a strong, new identity, all its own. It will be far more than merely the next-generation Corolla and will position itself perfectly above our entry-level Yaris and below our sales leader, the Camry.”

Originally launched in Japan in 1966, Corolla first arrived in America in 1968 to instant success. For nearly four decades, Corolla has been synonymous with Toyota quality, style and value, earning a distinction as one of the most trusted cars in America. Over that span more than 30 million Corollas have been sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling cars of all time.

Bajaj conside Renault Joint Venture in 2 months to make $3,000 cars

October 23rd, 2007 — Uncategorized

MUMBAI (Reuters) - A feasibility study by Bajaj Auto Ltd, India’s No. 2 motorcycle maker, and France’s Renault on making a small car in India should be ready within two months, a senior Bajaj official said on Friday.

Renault and Bajaj said in July they were in initial talks on making “very competitive” vehicles in India.

“Right now, it looks like the study will be done in six to eight weeks,” Executive Director Sanjiv Bajaj told Reuters by telephone.

“Depending on the outcome, we will then make a decision on how to proceed,” he said, without giving further details.

Renault, which also has a joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra to make the no-frills Logan sedan in India, has said it was looking at the viability of a $3,000 car to compete with a cheaper car that Tata Motors is making.

Renault, Nissan Motor and Mahindra also have an alliance to make 400,000 vehicles in a plant in southern India from the second half of 2009.

It has been reported that Bajaj, which also makes motorised three-wheelers and is developing its first four-wheel vehicle, a cargo carrier, would make the engine for the proposed small car.

Bajaj has been reported as saying the engine may be displayed at India’s Auto Expo in January, when the Tata car is also expected to be unveiled ahead of its launch later in the year.

Earlier on Friday, Bajaj posted a better-than-expected 6 percent rise in net profit to 3.36 billion rupees ($85 million) in the fiscal second quarter to Sept. 30.

Source : Reuters

Vietnam’s car price problem

October 21st, 2007 — Uncategorized

Car prices in Vietnam are notoriously high and authorities seem keen on keeping it that way as long as they can.

With 10 years until an ASEAN agreement to cut Vietnam’s car import taxes comes into effect, the government looks like it may hold onto its high auto taxes while it can.

CEO of Ford Vietnam Michael Pease said the price of a 2007 Ford Escape is a breakthrough on Vietnam’s auto market.

“Ford Escape 2007 is US$2,700 cheaper than last year’s model,” he says.

He predicted that the vehicle – at a total price of $35,900 including taxes – would become the most popular SUV in Vietnam.

The same car, however, is $15,000 less expensive in Thailand and $11,000 less in the U.S.

Thailand september 2007 sale ranking

October 20th, 2007 — Uncategorized

The second-best September haul ever closed out the third quarter with sales of 53,491 new vehicles taking the total so far this year to 451,326 units, or down 7.6% compared to the same period last year.

According to figures compiled by Toyota, September’s performance surpassed the mark set last year _ 49,383 vehicles _ but it failed to better the record of 55,137 units sold in the same month two years ago.

For the automobile industry, it was the third best monthly return this year _ after March (56,021) and August (54,163) _ and it helped arrest a sales slide that until then had been running at a high 9.4% compared to last year to 7.6%, a turnaround that can be attributed to improved political and economic conditions.

Toyota loses ground in reliability report; Ford models make impressive showings

October 17th, 2007 — Uncategorized

Toyota Motor Corp.’s quality reputation got dinged in the latest Consumer Reports survey of new-vehicle buyers, as glitches in new models pushed the company from the top of the magazine’s rankings and canceled the automatic “recommended” rating bestowed on new Toyota, Scion and Lexus models.

The magazine’s closely watched survey released Tuesday also gave high marks to Ford Motor Co.’s lineup, and offered some encouraging news to General Motors, with Buick becoming the first Detroit brand to crack the top 10 for reliability.

The overall pattern of foreign automakers dominating the rankings held firm. But, despite Ford’s strides, Detroit failed to make many inroads among the top tier of most reliable models. Detroit automakers have long complained that the Consumer Reports surveys of more than 1 million owners understated their quality improvements. Thanks to a base of 6 million subscribers, the magazine has made itself into the highest-profile critic of new cars and trucks, with recommendations that carry more sway than any other publication.

Renault to awaken Alpine name tranfers to New sport car

October 17th, 2007 — Uncategorized

Renault is considering putting the name Alpine to a premium sports car it plans to introduce in 2010. The name Alpine comes from the iconic French manufacturer, known for its rear-engined sports cars. According to Automotive news, Renault’s top management discussed reviving the name two weeks ago, as Renault own the rights to Alpine from its 1973 purchase of the brand. CEO Carlos Ghosn wants Renault to use its Formula One racing technology and expertise to develop a sporty high-performance product. Although the layout of the new sports car has not yet been decided, sources say Renault aim to position the Alpine above partner Nissan’s 350Z coupe.

Source : Reuter

More than 40 vehicle debuts to be made at the Los Angeles Auto Show

October 15th, 2007 — Uncategorized

The 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show will feature at least 14 World debuts and nearly 30 North American debuts during press days, Nov. 14 and 15. The show kicks-off with 28 press conferences featuring some never-before-seen vehicles as well as many eagerly anticipated North American debuts. The show opens to the public at the conclusion of the press days Friday, Nov. 16 and runs through Nov. 25, including Thanksgiving Day.