- Last week we confirmed about the rebadging of the last generation Fiesta, as the Ford Classic. Now Ford has launched featured loaded Titanium variants of the newly renamed car. The Classic Titanium petrol is priced at Rs 6.68 lakh, whereas the diesel version will cost Rs 7.82 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
- Volvo India is planning a new strategy to increase their sales here and compete with the three German luxury car brands – Audi, BMW and Mercedes. The Swedish car maker hopes to launch one new car every year, for the next five year; apart from making the existing models more affordable and efficient by replacing the mighty V6 and V8 engines in their car by smaller 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre mills.
- Mercedes-Benz has confirmed to build a new compact crossover based on the A-Class, which will compete with the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3. The new model will be built on the front-wheel-drive MFA platform making it very economical, with contemporary design seen in new Mercedes cars. The compact SUV will possibly be called the GLA and will be available in India soon after its global launch.
- Speaking of compact crossovers, the Volvo XC40 was caught testing without camouflage and is expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. This is another Audi Q3 and BMW X1 competitor, loaded with features and also good looking. If Volvo is serious about the India plans, this will have to be one of the first models they offer here, post global launch.
- Fiat has once again said that they plan to launch SUVs in India, along with few of their global brands. We have confirmed before that the Fiat SUVs for India will be Grand Cherokee Jeep range; however we might as well get the upcoming Fiat 500X and 500L, after their global launch.
- India’s largest tractor company, Mahindra, is planning to consolidate its operations in China for better visibility and higher growth. M&M currently has two JVs in China – Mahindra China Tractors Limited and Mahindra Yeuda Yancheng Tractors Company Limited (MYYTCL). In order to merge the two – Mahindra China will buy another Mahindra company, which holds 88.55 per cent stake in MYYTCL, thus bring synergy to entire operation.
- There are rumours that Tata Motors is in talks with Brazilian government to setup a facility for locally assembling the Land Rover Freelander. If the company gets support from the local government and enough volume for the 4x4 model, then a assembly line might be set up soon in the biggest Latin American market.
- The demand for the MUVs and SUVs have been growing significantly for quite some time – courtesy shoddy Indian roads, seven-seater configuration and ability to muscle smaller vehicles on the street. This growth of MUVs and SUVs has now reached a significant landmark – for the first time these bigger vehicles have out sold the sedans in their respective segments. The Mahindra XUV500 and Toyota Innova priced in the same range as the D-segment sedans fetched lot more orders in the last quarter. Similarly, the Maruti Ertiga, now joined Renault Duster are fetching more orders than the VW Vento, Honda City, Hyundai Verna and others in the segment.
- General Motors plans to develop new three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines in collaboration with their Chinese partner, SAIC. The 3-cyilnder turbo petrols will be light, economical and cost effective, bringing economies of scale to the American car maker. The technology will be used to develop engine family of different capacities – 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.5-litre; and in future will also power upcoming GM models in India like the Sail twins and the MPV, Enjoy.
- Tata Motors global sales were up 6 per cent in June to 94,055 units compared to same month last year. The sales of Jaguar Land Rover Plc were up 39 per cent – sales of Jaguar sedan dipped 5 per cent and Land Rover increased 43 per cent. Commercial vehicles sales also increased 6 per cent to 47,896 units.
The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.
