Making a debut in India with an SUV, Citroen's products in the next couple of years will clearly chart and define its destiny in what has become both a vibrant but also a daunting market for foreign entrants, says Pavan Lall.
The much-awaited excise duty cut on small cars to 12 per cent (from 16 per cent) made by the finance minister may have brought smiles on the faces of car manufacturers but this, dealers say, will increase the waiting period on some popular models by another additional month.
German carmaker Volkswagen said it has no plans to discontinue the sale of its current generation super luxury sedan Passat in the Indian market.
The Volkswagen Vento is a great car when we look at its styling, build quality, driving feel and dynamics.
Volkswagen plans to integrate its Indian facilities, which will help the company contain costs and maintain uninterrupted supply of auto parts.
Launch will be under separate brand name
General Motors subsidiary Chevrolet will introduce a diesel engine option in Optra by April-May this year. Currently, the car is only available with petrol engine.
Positioned in the same category as Octavia, the Optra diesel version is competitively priced in the range of Rs 8.73 lakh and Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while the latter is being sold in the range of Rs 11.35 lakh to Rs 14 lakh.
New car launches in the past six months have driven sales growth despite a hike in vehicle financing. In April, new launches accounted for 17 per cent of over all sales.
The new cars which have been launched in the last six months include the Zen Estilo from Maruti, Hyundai Getz diesel, Spark from General Motors, Logan from Mahindra Nissan and Fiat Palio Stile.
What was the need to fictionalise a series on real events that were far more horrific because they were real? asks Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.
In absolute terms, prices will go up by Rs 5,500 to Rs 47,000, depending on the model and prevailing prices.
German luxury car maker Audi on Monday said it will start production of vehicles in India by next year, utilising group company Skoda's facility at Aurangabad and would float a new sales company.
A part of Volkswagen Group, Audi currently imports its 'A4', 'A6' luxury sedans and SUV 'Q7' in India through the completely-built-unit route.
Japanese auto major Nissan is poised to launch its premium sedan Teana in India next week, industry sources said.
Volkswagen said in a statement that the payments were compensation for losses incurred by Andhra Pradesh, following the 'allegedly illegal actions' of former Skoda board member Helmuth Schuster, who resigned on June 15.
German luxury car manufacturer Audi on Wednesday said it has slashed the price of its A6 range by up to Rs 2.10 lakh and will start marketing a locally assembled sedan in India by December. The company, which will also be launching the new A4 sedan in India next year, is planning to start local production of the vehicle by end of 2008 at group company Skoda's Aurangabad plant as it aims to sell about 3,000 units across its portfolio in the country by 2010.
German luxury car major Audi on Wednesday said it plans to increase local production of its models in India, with its sedan A4, which could be the next one to be manufactured there. The company has already started local production of its A6 sedan at the facility of Skoda, which is also a part of the Volkswagen Group
Chevrolet loses India on the map Why did GM's iconic all American brand mess up its chances in one of the fastest growing automobile markets?
What worked for Hyundai in India when so many other auto manufacturers have had to eat humble pie? Pavan Lall finds out.
Contrary to domestic sales, passenger car exports have declined during May 2005 by 4 per cent to 13,460 units as compared to 14,048 units in May 2004.
However, the company has claimed its vehicles are 'compliant' with the country's emission norms and that it will 'challenge' the tribunal's order.
Maruti Udyog on Monday said its cars were set to become dearer by 2-2.5% owing to rise in steel prices and technology cost for new emission norms.
India's second-biggest carmaker Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Wednesday raised prices of its two models while market leader Maruti and Czech car firm Skoda announced plans to follow suit next month to meet the rise in input costs and new emission norms.
The recall will affect only the diesel variants of the two models.
Why Kia is keen to drive into India? The Korean automobile maker plans to carve out a niche for itself in the crowded Indian market with its compact sedans and SUVs.
Automakers are caught in a chicken-and-egg situation: Prices have to come down if volumes are to increase, and volumes won't increase unless prices come down, notes Pavan Lall.
From Audi A8 to Honda Civic, here's what the auto industry has lined up in 2019.
The company said it will inspect and if necessary, replace the clutch pedal lever.
Chidambaram showed a total income of Rs 8.58 crore for 2014-15, while his wife Nalini showed income of Rs 1.25 crore for the same period.
Volkswagen fitted emissions cheating software for Australia cars too.
