Italian carmaker Maserati is targetting India's tier II and III cities, which are proving to be catalysts in spurring demand for super luxury brands, as it looks to strengthen foothold in the country, according to a senior company official. The company, which re-entered India in 2015, has also overhauled its after sales and service support as part of its renewed focus on customer experience. "Maserati has seen a hike in demand in smaller cities although traditionally we enjoyed steady patronage in the metros. "Even though the expansion in terms of physical network presence in these cities depends on our partners," Maserati APAC head Bojan Jankulovski told PTI in an emailed interview.
The figures are encouraging for the auto industry amid apprehension that due to higher cost and lack of fuel availability, cars with stricter emission standards may not be popular in initial stages. Automakers had even cited this confusion as one of the reasons for dwindling car sales in India, reports Arindam Majumder.
The Tata Nexon and Mahindra Marazzo ace the safety ratings, but what about other Made in India cars? How safe is the car you drive?
'The global semiconductor shortage has inadvertently provided an immense fillip to the pre-owned car market'
On a standalone basis, the company reported a net loss of Rs 249.4 crore for the first quarter ended June 30. Net sales declined to Rs 3,679 crore in the first quarter as against Rs 18,738.8 crore in the year-ago period.
The car is built in a manner that stands tall and rugged on the city streets, without ever being uncomfortable, says Pavan Lall.
Citroen drives in its SUV late, but it's worth the wait, says Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com.
In a rare face off, captains of the auto industry have hit out at the government for not walking the talk. At an industry event in the capital on Wednesday, R C Bhargava, chairman of India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki, and Venu Srinivasan, chairman of TVS Motor, questioned the government's intent to support the auto sector. Revenue secretary Tarun Bajaj sat in the audience listening, before his turn came to counter them.
Passenger vehicle wholesales in India increased by 12.73 per cent to 285,367 units in November as against 253,139 units in the same month last year riding on the back of festive demand, auto industry body SIAM said on Friday. According to the latest data by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), two-wheeler sales rose 13.43 per cent to 16,00,379 units, compared with 14,10,939 units in the same month last year.
It isn't yet clear whether Martin Winterkorn knew about the "defeat devices" in certain U.S. cars, notes Olaf Storbeck.
Some new EU cars, including Mercedes, BMW and Peugeot vehicles, were using around 50 percent more fuel than manufacturers claimed.
The German luxury automaker has already seen its online traffic increase 10-fold this year. Though that has not always translated into sales, Mercedes-Benz says it is continuing to build on what it calls its "touch-free" experience to stay plugged into its consumer base. Under the used car business, more than 150 cars were sold online in January and February.
The month of October saw the sales graphs of carmakers go through the roof.
Kia has entered the Indian market at a time when the domestic automotive industry is facing the worst slowdown in more than two decades.
Maruti would conceptualise a car that would be totally developed in India.
Maharashtra's Labour Minister Dilip Walse-Patil has sought a written submission from the General Motors' (GM) Employees Union and the management of the company detailing its stance on the issue of plant closure. The labour minister asked the warring sides for submission at a hearing on Tuesday. Both sides have been given a week's time to reply.
The Czech carmaker said the assessment of the locks will be done in 12 minutes only
The model is loaded with various safety features including six air bags, anti-lock braking system with brake assist, dynamic stability control, including dynamic traction control, cornering brake control, among others.
Maruti's exports in May were down 2.4% at 9,089 units
Automobile companies are worried about challenges from electric mobility, automation and connected vehicles.
Customers, instead of visiting showroms, now do most of their decision-making in the comfort of their drawing rooms using internet
Audi enters North East India, eyes 200 units in first year.
Fiat has revised its India strategy. The car maker, which was among the first western auto companies to enter India, is betting big on SUVs and sporty cars. It no longer wants to compete in the small car segment.
Two-wheeler sales were down 15.24 per cent in July to 12,81,354 units as compared with 15,11,717 units in the same month last year.
Despite the romance around the car and its early models, Fiat in India will also be remembered as a brand that frittered away the first mover advantage, says Shally Seth Mohile.
This major shift in the consumer choice has forced carmakers to field their version of expedient under 4-metre machines in the market.
This major shift in the consumer choice has forced carmakers to field their version of expedient under 4-metre machines in the market.
The number of participating automakers has fallen from 50 in 2018 to 30 this year. The count of exhibitors, including technology companies, has come down from 119 to 112. And showstopper luxury and supercar brands, including Toyota, Jeep, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Volvo will be missing. Similarly, the commercial vehicle makers also gave the show a miss -- a prolonged economic slowdown has dented their fortunes and near chances of any recovery.
World over, BMW cars are considered to be royal, pristine and very refined.
While the carmaker still has another 300-odd acres to set up the proposed plant, state government officials said the government might sell the remaining land, too, if the demand came up in future.
Indian carmaker Tata Motors gave the world its cheapest car in the form of Nano.
Tata Motors is trying hard to popularise the car and increase it sales. Will the renewed efforts deliver?
Opt for the top-spec trims, you get four additional airbags, Hill Start Assist and Vehicle Stability Management as well.
Maruti's Alto retained the top position in June with 14,856 units, as against 15,750 units in June last year.
The Renault Formula One team will be renamed Alpine F1 from 2021, competing in French colours to showcase the carmaker's sportscar brand, new company CEO Luca de Meo announced on Sunday.
While the latest, fourth-generation Swift makes no pretence of being a performance car or the last word in luxury, what it does stand for is amply evident, notes Pavan Lall.
Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli. Besides automobiles, Fiat has also manufactured railway engines and carriages, military vehicles, and aircraft during its century long history.
Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli. Besides automobiles, Fiat has also manufactured railway engines and carriages, military vehicles, and aircraft during its century long history.
Volkswagen's emissions scandal is fueling investor fears about the environment.
