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Analyzed – Nissan Micra tops 6 million units globally

by Paul Joseph June 24, 2011 Featured

The Nissan Micra is a sales success for the Japanese company which was questioned for shifting the production site and making markedly different design changed during its introduction last year in March as the Nissan March in Thailand. Nissan has been making the Micra/March ever since 1982 in convertible, sedan and hatchback forms. The latest model was introduced in India last year with a 3cyl petrol engine followed by the highly fuel efficient, no-turbo lag 1.5-liter diesel variant which we felt was the best city hatch in India for someone starting a family. Nissan announced that by the end of May 2011, it had made 6 million units of the fourth generation Micra (codenamed K13) globally. The Micra is produced in India, Thailand, China and Mexico and sold in over 70 countries. An eye-catching city hatch, it is a worthy upgrade to cars like the Chevrolet Beat and Suzuki A-Star (Alto) globally but sales hasn’t been very impressive in India. Nissan will hope to build a stronger dealer network and roll out more marketing initiatives to catch up with the competition. Nissan has been testing the Micra in Brazil and America. During the media presentation in Chennai last year, one Japanese official told IAB that if the Nissan was to be ever sell it in USA it needed better rear seats, bigger tires and a bigger petrol engine. An automatic transmission is another must. Nissan has introduced the sedan (Sunny) in America and there is talk that it could complement the hatch to the line-up. DNA of the Micra 1) Easy to drive and park 2) Reliability 3) User Friendliness Target customer of Micra Young, urban, eco friendly and values social affirmation The new Micra will be on sale in another 90 markets bringing the grand total to 160. The time frame for the global expansion is not clear but by the end of 2013, this must be achieved. Old Micra vs New Micra Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, the Micra/March’s chief vehicle engineer – Six million units sold tell us the Micra/March has a track record of success. With over 28 years’ experience producing compact cars, we want our customers to enjoy the maximum value of the new Nissan Micra/March together with its new technologies. With the newly-developed V-platform shared between two new models being produced, reduced vehicle weight and new aerodynamics have contributed to fuel economy performance that is among the best in its class Nissan will also bring out the third model from the V-Platform, a compact MPV (code – J02C) that will replace the Note overseas. Measuring a touch over 4m long with tight overhangs, this model can be manufactured in Chennai in the next two years the probability of being launched here is low. The spacious NV200 is a more practical choice to make the right impression to the Innova customer with the 1.5-liter diesel engine. The V-Platform MPV is anticipated to be more stylish than the NV200 but with less interior space.

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Honda VTR 250 bike launch in India

by Paul Joseph June 21, 2011 Featured

Rumours are on rise about the launch of a new bike by Honda Motors . Its name is Honda VTR 250. It is believed that this bike will be launched in the Indian market by the end of this year or early next year. Honda bikes might have understood the demand of 250cc bikes in Indian market with the launch of their Honda CBR 250R. At present, there are only two such bikes in Indian market that fall in same segment with Honda VTR 250. These two bikes are Honda CBR 250R and Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Out of these two bikes, demand of Honda CBR 250R is more as Kawasaki Ninja is more expensive. The so called bike FZ 250 and R25 by Yamaha bikes are not going to enter Indian market in near future. This second bike that is being launched by Honda is sure to strength its position and maintain its dominance in the segment of 250cc bikes. This bike has been priced competitively with Honda CBR 250R. According to the speculations in the market, the ex-showroom price of this bike is supposed to be INR 1,50,000. It is not sure about which colours will be available in this bike in India. However, in international market, this bike is available in Graphite Black, Italian Red and Pearl Sunbeam White colours. As it is a naked bike, it is supposed that it will generate good demand in the market. Honda VTR 250 is a 90 degree V-twin bike offered by Honda bikes and it has only one major upgrade. Original versions of this bike were sold only in Canada and USA from 1988 to 1990. The model that is being launched here is naked bike whose production started in the year 1997. It was available in Asia-Pacific region only. From the year 2009, it is also available in European nations. In some countries, this bike is also called as the Interceptor.

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Separated at Birth – 207 and F150

by Paul Joseph May 5, 2011 Featured

Left – A done-up Tata 207 pickup truck sporting a 2,000cc, 4-cylinder in-line diesel engine that manages 90bhp of power. The vehicle has evolved and is sold with a bigger, torquey engine in the current generation. Riight – A stock Ford F150 Raptor SVT with a humongous 6,200 cc V8 petrol engine delivering a class-leading 411hp. The vehicle is a part of the legendary F150 pickup truck brand which is the highest selling automobile in USA. Thanks Pappu Hatela for sending in the customized Tata 207 image!

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Audi A3 could be ready by as early as 2013

by Paul Joseph March 11, 2011 Featured

For those who want a good looking, premium car for 20 lakh rupees, Audi will offer help in the form of the A3 sedan in the coming years. The design elements on the A3 will keep it in line with modern Audis, so second glances will be won without batting an eye lid. But the only problem is that Audi’s still undecided about the prospects of the A3 in India. The model will be sold in China and USA, but markets are still undecided for the A3, the company revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. Media reports cite 2013 as its release date, but the Indian debut could be more than one year away from that point. The objective of the A3 sedan was to recreate the brilliance of the first generation A4 dating back to 1994. The concept model exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show had a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine from the RS3 Sportback that produces 408 PS and sent it through the seven-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive mechanism to the wheels. The A3 sedan concept shown at Geneva hence is truly a high-performance sedan. Audi hasn’t downplayed the possibilities of turbocharged four cylinder engines burning diesel under the hood of the A3 sedan, what it exactly needs to sit under the A4 in the company’s portfolio.

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