Mercedes plans to launch compact couple and SUV in U.s

Mercedes-Benz will launch coupe and SUV versions of its new compact car family in the United States in the next three years and is considering a third variant - a convertible or a shooting brake - to help win younger customers to the brand.

Joachim Schmidt, Mercedes' global sales and marketing boss, said in an interview with Automotive News Europe that the automaker is developing at least four models based on its new MFA, or Mercedes Front-wheel-drive Architecture.

“We will introduce the next generation of our MFA family to the U.S.,” Schmidt said. Two variants, maybe even a third, are planned for the U.S., he said.

The coupe will be launched in the U.S. in summer 2013, according to a company source.

Mercedes insiders call it a "baby CLS" because it will have similar styling to the brand's larger CLS coupe-styled four-door model. An SUV aimed as a rival to the BMW X1 will follow in summer 2014. Both variants will go on sale in Europe three to five months ahead of their U.S. launch.

Mercedes will introduce compact cars in the U.S. because consumer preferences are changing toward smaller vehicles. The automaker also wants to stay apace with rivals BMW and Audi. The new compact car family will replace Mercedes' current A- and B-class models, which are not sold in the U.S. In Europe, Mercedes will launch the next-generation B class hatchback at the end of this year, followed by the A class hatchback in late summer 2012.

Mercedes has no plans to sell first those two MFA variants in the U.S. but could do so if it sees a demand. The source said: "The U.S. is not the typical compact hatchback market but if the demand arises, we could react very quickly and introduce these two variants in the U.S. far quicker than in the past."

GM Increasing Jobs, Production to Meet Demand for Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks

General Motors plans to add a third shift at its heavy-duty truck plant in Flint, Mich., to meet increased demand for Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 HD pickups, according to an announcement by the company this morning.
The additional shift is expected to create 750 jobs. Flint Assembly currently employs nearly 2,100 workers operating two production shifts.
In 2010, the plant produced 115,000 trucks, most of them regular and crew-cab versions of the heavy-duty Silverado and Sierra. Last year, the plant added production of regular and crew-cab versions of the light-duty Silverado.
"Adding a third shift is a response to customer demand for heavy-duty pickups, which most people use to tow, haul and plow,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “Equally important, it brings jobs and a needed economic boost to the Flint area."
The first wave of employees is expected to arrive at Flint Assembly in the second quarter with more waves arriving until the plant starts the third shift in the third quarter. Initial openings will be filled by recalled laid-off Flint Assembly employees currently working at other facilities, primarily in Lansing. Remaining openings will be filled by laid-off employees in the area, including those from Orion, Willow Run and Warren in accordance with the UAW GM National Agreement. No new employees are expected to be hired.

VW to bring Bugatti to India

Volkswagen AG may introduce luxury car brand Bugatti in India in the middle of 2010. The Bugatti Veyron can touch a top speed of 400 km/hr and is expected to be priced between Rs 5 crore and Rs 12 crore in India. However, Mr Kurt Rippolz, the head of communication at VW India, said that it was up to every independent brand to decide on its India strategy, and refused to confirm Bugatti’s entry into the country.
According to media reports, the German car major is keen on bringing a number of its luxury car brands to India, including Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini. Porsche and Bentley cars are currently imported to India by independent dealers.
However, it may not be economically feasible to bring these cars to the country as completely built units (CBUs). Cars imported to India as CBUs have to go through a process of homologation, which may not be possible in case of high-end luxury products because of the expenses involved and their low sales.
This may change as demand for luxury vehicles in India goes up, which seems likely in the light of  the country’s high growth rate and the positive experience of other luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes to enter premium small car market in India

Buoyed with robust demand, global auto giant Mercedes-Benz is looking at developing a small car for the Indian market. The proposed entry would be into the premium hatchback space over the next three to four years.

Sources say R&D is already underway on a multiple compact car platform that will spawn more than one premium small car offering in emerging markets like India by 2013-14.

An India specific small car built on that Euro 1 billion MFA platform will likely debut alongside A and B class cars from Mercedes Benz's existing portfolio.

Mercedes Benz India has already initiated discussions for these products with its vendors in India to ensure more localizat                Mercedes Benz said "As a policy, we do not comment on the company's future plans."

“Mercedes-Benz also plans to nearly double the headcount at its Bangalore centre from the present 600, by next year,” Mercedes Benz India's Chief Financial Officer and Management Board Member Uwe Jarosch had said.

As a part of its business strategy, the German carmaker also plans to set up brand centres with investment from its existing dealers, which would show-case around 20-odd models.

The first such centre is expected to be set up in Delhi by March this year, Jarosch said, adding Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai centres would come up at a later stage.

The competition is also keenly examining the premium small car space with BMW likely to launch the Mini brand this year and Audi contemplating local assembly for its A1 city hatch, but are the volumes going to justify this bullishness?

For now Mercedes Benz is focusing on its bread and butter premium segments in the immediate future.

With BMW perched on top of the heap in India, Mercedes Benz hopes to wrestle the crown back from its traditional rival in India and expects over 30 per cent sales growth in 2011 to try and ensure that.

 

Scorpio limo

Tata Motors Launches the Venture in Maharashtra

Tata Motors has launched the Venture in Maharashtra. The MPV will be priced in the range of Rs. 4 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh, ex-showroom Kalyan (Thane district), BS III.  Earlier this month, Tata launched the Venture only in Rajasthan and now we see the company bringing the car into Maharashtra. This statewise launch does speak volumes about Tata Motors underlying stratergy to match demand with supply.

The less than 4 metre long Tata Venture can comfortably accommodate eight passengers in three front facing rows and has ample luggage space. A glasshouse effect with plug-in windows for second row passengers contributes to the distinctive exterior design while the contemporary interiors sport a two-tone beige and black theme. Comfort and convenience of both driver and passengers have been adequately addressed with dual HVAC, power steering, power windows, reverse parking aid, keyless entry with engine immobiliser and rear wipers.

A semi monocoque construction provides the required rigidity while the robust shell has energy absorbing crumple zones built in. A collapsible steering and side impact beams protect occupants in an exigency. The Tata Venture meets crash safety norms applicable in the domestic market.

The Tata Venture is powered by a 1.4 Litre turbo diesel engine, delivering 71 PS power, with best in class fuel efficiency among diesel MPVs in the country. The mileage as certified by ARAI is 15.42 kmpl. The Tata Venture will be available in 5, 7 and 8-seater options in 3 row front facing configuration and will be available in a range of 5 colors and 3 trim levels. The Tata Venture comes with a warranty of 2 years or 75,000 kms (whichever is earlier).

That's one way to beat the fuel increases: Volkswagen unveils sleek new car that does an incredible 313 miles to the gallon

Volkswagen has unveiled the world's most economical car that it says can travel 313 miles on a gallon of diesel.

Emitting just 38 grammes of carbon dioxide per mile travelled, the XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle is also likely to be the vehicle of choice for green enthusiasts.

 

Mercedes Benz Chocolate car

Car manufacturer Mercedes Benz unveiled a chocolate themed version of its Smart car in Tokyo just in time for Valentine's Day

Maruti Suzuki’s Kizashi Luxury Sedan To Be Launched In February

Maruti Automobile’s New Small Car To Come Out By 2012

Maruti Automobile’s New Small Car To Come Out By 2012

 

Maruti Suzuki’s latest car is set to come out by 2012.  Maruti Suzuki is set to finalise about the design in the next six months time.

 As per a person who knows about this car, MS is likely to decide about the engine size, its design and how they are going to position this ...

Maruti Suzuki,

Skoda SK215

Expected in September 2011

Estimated price: Rs 8-10 lakhs

At the Skoda Fabia launch, Mr. Thomas Kuehl had made the announcement that Skoda has increased the local content on the Fabia to a total of 40% and now the company aims to make a completely localized car. The company has began work on it and they are designing a car specifically for the Indian car market.

For the time being, the code name for the new sedan is SK215. The SK215 will be based on the Fabia platform and will be competition to the Volkswagen Vento, its distinct cousin, the Honda City, the Fiat Linea and the Hyundai Verna. Our sources confirm that this car will be launched somewhere around September-October 2011.

We believe the SK215 will get the 1.6-litre petrol mill from the Volkswagen engine stable, and probably even the 1.6-litre TD CR engine recently introduced on the VW Vento. There have been rumours about a new Skoda Octavia being designed for the Indian car market. It isn’t the Octavia, it’s this all new sedan which is being designed for India. Watch out this space for more updates on the new Skoda sedan.

Tata Venture

Tata Venture

Expected in January 2011

Estimated price: Rs 4.5-6.5 lakhs

Tata Motors had displayed the Venture at the Auto Expo this year in New Delhi. The Venture is a seven-seater van which will be powered by a 1.4-litre diesel engine which churns out 70bhp and it is based on the Super Ace platform.  This is the tried and tested engine that came strapped in the Tata Indica for many years.

Tata Motors sure seems to be on its way to capturing a niche space in this segment, as currently there are no players besides Maruti whose vehicles the Omni and the Eeco, both, come with petrol engines only. Tata’s diesel powered engine should definitely prove advantageous as this comes at a time when there’s hardly any competition for the giant automobile manufacturer.

CarWale Team spotted one of the test mules of the Tata Venture. The test mules indicate that Tata has reached the final stage of testing the car and we believe it should be made available in the market by November 2010. This will be the first seven-seater with a diesel engine in this price range and we expect it to be a hit in the market. The Tata Venture is most likely to be priced between Rs 4.5-6.5lakhs.

Audi A8 4.2 FSI

When to expect: January 2011

Estimated Price: Rs 80lakh

Audi India will launch the 2011 A8L in the month of January. Read our first drive review of the 2011 Audi A8. The A8 will initially be launched with the 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine which produces 372bhp and will have an eight-sp... Know more details