by Paul Joseph
May 28, 2011
Featured
Rapid , the upcoming C-segment offering from Skoda Auto caught on Indian roads. Overdrive managed to film the heavily camouflaged Rapid sedan on the outskirts of Pune, Maharashtra. As the test mule is heavily camouflaged it does not reveal much information about the styling and other details. But the mule gives some clear insights about overall design of the car. The internal project code of Skoda Rapid is VW SK251. Skoda Rapid’s design will be more inclined to it’s hatchback sibling Fabia. Rapid sedan will not be based on Skoda’s latest styling concept Vision D. On a closer look, one can easily find out Rapid’s relation to VW Vento. Especially design of out side rear view mirrors and side panels design are similar to VW Vento. Rapid and Fabia may spot same front grille and head lamp design. VW – Skoda will position Rapid just below Vento to avoid siblings rivalry. Naturally Skoda Rapid may not bring many gadgets that we see in Vento. Skoda Rapid price may from Rs. 6.5 lakh onwards. Under the bonnet hood, Skoda Rapid will have a 1.6ltr diesel and petrol engine that currently powering up VW Vento. But the engine may undergo re-mapping exercise to optimize the power and torque characteristics. Skoda may preview Rapid sedan in upcoming New Delhi Auto Expo 2012. VW Vento managed to snatch the C-Segment leader crown from Honda City within few months of it’s launch. Thanks to VW’s product planning team for bringing a decent diesel sedan with sensible price tag. Now Skoda Rapid with it’s no frill approach may target the entry level sedan segment where Maruti SX4 is ruling now. Sometimes Skoda may price Rapid aggressively so that it even emerge as a threat for other entry level sedans like Mahindra Verito, Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Tata Manza. The wait is not too long, just another six months. Stay with us more updates. Subscribe to Wheelosphere In A Reader Subscribe to Wheelosphere by Email Related posts: Skoda Is Planning An Entry Level Sedan Skoda Auto is planning an entry level sedan for European… Skoda Fabia sedan rendered; Is this the next-gen Octavia? The VW Vento was based on the Polo platform and… Skoda Fabia sedan – The Felicia rendered Sedans formed by sticking an additional compartment to a hatchback… Skoda’s new model plans unveiled; Four new cars by 2012 Skoda is getting ready to attack the Indian market as… Spied:- Skoda Felicia sedan Skoda Felicia, the low cost sedan finally photographed in Sweden….
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by Paul Joseph
May 28, 2011
Featured
Jaguar – Land Rover is strengthening it’s relationship with India. Yesterday Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) inaugurated their manufacturing plant in India, at Tata Motors campus. JLR will initially assemble Freelander 2 SUV in this plant from Completely Knock Down (CKD) kits brought from their Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool, UK. “This is a very significant step for our growth strategy in the Indian market. The opening of this unit clearly demonstrates our cooperation that exists between Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover, which will continue growing, “said Carl-Peter Forster. “Jaguar Land Rover is delighted to have officially opened our first assembly facility in India. We are excited about the prospect of assembling cars in Pune for the Indian market where we have achieved significant growth since we opened our first showroom in 2009. It is a great time to be expanding our operation in India due to the increasing demand for luxury products and the strength of the Indian economy,” Said Dr Ralf Speth. The new plant operations will be supervised by JLR’s UK plant staff to ensure the top notch quality of the product. The decision to assemble Freelander 2 will give cost benefits to the company. The good news is, JLR will be passing the cost benefits to it’s end customers, thus both variants (the TD4 SE Automatic and the SD4 HSE Automatic) of Freelander 2 will get cheaper by approximately Rs. 5.0 lakhs. As we reported earlier JLR may select more localized components in future products. Company’s Indian portfolio includes Jaguar XJ, XF,and XK, the Land Rover Freelander 2, Discovery 4, Range Rover Sport. Armed with local assembling benefits JLR Freelander 2 is now more competitive in luxury SUV segment in which BMW X3 , Volvo XC90, Mitsubishi Montero and Audi Q5 operates. Company Press Release. 27TH May 2011: Jaguar Land Rover today officially opens its first assembly plant in India. The facility at Pune in the Maharashtra region of India, will assemble Land Rover Freelander 2 vehicles supplied in Complete Knock Down (CKD) form from Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool, UK. The inauguration ceremony was led by Carl-Peter Forster, Chief Executive Officer and MD of Tata Motors and Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover. Mr. Carl-Peter Forster, said: “Today marks a significant step in our growth strategy for the Indian market. The opening of this plant demonstrates close co-operation between the parent company TATA Motors and Jaguar Land Rover and we are keen to develop this further”. Dr Ralf Speth, said: “Jaguar Land Rover is delighted to have officially opened our first assembly facility in India. We are excited about the prospect of assembling cars in Pune for the Indian market where we have achieved significant growth since we opened our first showroom in 2009. It is a great time to be expanding our operation in India due to the increasing demand for luxury products and the strength of the Indian economy.” The facility in Pune will be subject to Jaguar Land Rover’s mainstream launch quality processes and will be overseen by experienced manufacturing and quality managers who have moved to India from the UK. The award winning Freelander 2 is available in India in two variants, the TD4 SE Automatic and the SD4 HSE Automatic. The prices start at Rupees 33.89 Lacs (ex-showroom price in Mumbai, pre-octroi). Jaguar and Land Rover’s acclaimed vehicles are well known around the world. Jaguar has become one of the world’s leading producers of beautiful fast cars. Land Rover produces the world’s most versatile all-terrain vehicles, combining refined luxury with a true breadth of capability. The exciting new range of premium luxury vehicles available for the Indian market includes the Jaguar XJ, XF,and XK, the Land Rover Freelander 2, Discovery 4, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover. Stay subscribed Subscribe to Wheelosphere In A Reader Subscribe to Wheelosphere by Email
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