New Cars to launch in New Year

All car manufacturers in India have decided to postpone their car launches from December,2008 to the next year due to recent terror attacks in Mumbai. Mahindra has previously planned to launch its most awaited suv(sports utility vehicle), Mahindra Xylo by December 16th, 2008 but now it will launch this suv on 13th January 2009. Mahindra Xylo is currently being manufactured at Mahindra’s Nasik based manufacturing plant. The company said that they have planned to open customer bookings for its latest offering by January 14th, 2009.

Mercedes Benz has already presented its six new AMG cars for the Indian market and the new year will be witness the SLK 55 AMG, the CLS 63 AMG, the S 65 AMG, the E 63 AMG, C 63 AMG and the SL 63 AMG hitting the Indian roads. AMG is the performance brand rom the Mercedes Benz stable and combines the Mercedes values of comfort, luxury, performance and safety with cutting edge technology and dynamism of AMG.

BMW India is expected to launch new cars in its facelifted 3 series at the onset of 2009. The company official said that they also ready to launch two more versions of its best selling A4 saloon with two new engine options.

Fiat has also postponed the launch of its most awaited sedan, Fiat Linea till January 15th, 2009. The company spokesperson had earlier stated that the company has decided to postpone the launch date from December 16 due to the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.”

The largest car exporter and second largest car manufacturer of India, Hyundai Motors is also ready to launch its latest hatchback Hyundai i20 in India that has already received raving reviews from automobile lovers in India and Europe.

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Tata Motors may launch Nano on 3rd March

Tata Motors may launch its most awaited car Tata Nano on 3rd March. Government officials said that Tata Motors had chosen 3rd March to launch Tata Nano as it is the birth anniversary of Tata Group founder, Jamsetji Tata. However, when we contacted to a spokesperson of Tata Motors, he said, "We have not announced any official date or any marketing plans for Tata Nano launch."

The government official, said, “Tata Motors are planning to give Tata Nano to celebrities initially. Senior Tata officials had discussed about this at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit recently.” Those who likely to be in this list may President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Opposition Leader LK Advani. Others who likely to get it are sports stars like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sania Mirza.

Narendra Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat, who was instrumental to attract the Tata Nano plant to Gujarat after it failed to take off in West Bengal, may also be given the car. "This marketing strategy that might help the Tata Motors to brand the common man's car as people's car." sources said.

However, the people may have to brave a waiting period as Tata dealers will start bookings for the Tata Nano by the end of February before the Sanand factory reaches full production. The booking amount is decided to be Rs 70,000 a car.

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New Small Cars in India

India is one of the largest small cars market in the world. All auto manufacturers around the world are eyeing on the Indian small cars market to increase their global sales figures. Tata Motors are ready to launch its most anticipated model Tata Nano in India in the ultra-cheap small cars market segment, The other auto manufacturers of premium small cars are also not lagging behind.
The leading auto manufacturer Honda Motor Co is also ready to launch Honda Jazz in the segment of small cars in India by June 2009. Honda Jazz is expected to be priced at the range of Rs. 5-6 lakh and will share its platform with Honda City. Honda Jazz is expected to be powered by specially developed 1.2L engine. The car was showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2008 and is much awaited model from Honda.

Maruti Suzuki is also planning to launch its most awaited model Maruti Ritz in the segment of small cars in India by April 2009. Maruti has launched its A-Star last year in small cars segment and now its plans to splash the country with its new car Maruti Ritz that would also be in the segment of small cars in India. Maruti Ritz is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 4.5-5.5 lakh and will be powered by 1.2L petrol engine as well as 1.3L multi-jet diesel engine.

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Hyundai to launch i20 on December 28th

Hyundai Motors India Limited plans to launch its new car, the new Hyundai i20 on December 28. The slow market conditions and falling car sales are not holding back the company to introduce its latest model in i-series. Hyundai Motors is plans to launch this 5-door hatchback car on December 28th. The car made its debut this year in October at the Paris Motor Show and will be priced in Rs. 5-5.5 lacs.

The launch of this new model will be pitted against Maruti Suzuki Swift Zxi and Skoda Fabia which priced at Rs. 5.08 lakh and Rs. 5.24 lakh respectively. The company official said that they will unwrap this new model on 28 December 2008, and it will sport the 1.4 litre petrol Kappa engine that empowers the car. The company has already started exporting Hyundai i20 to European markets in November'08 as this model will replace Hyundai Getz in Europe. In India also, the company does not committal about the phase out of Getz in India.

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