The CarWale Daily Fuel – April 26, 2012

Nissan, the second largest car maker in Japan, plans to make India the manufacturing and export hub after the global success of the 'Made in India' Micra. Nissan's manufacturing plant in Chennai has a strategic advantage for exports to Africa, latin America and Europe. With Datsun also coming to India, Nissan is betting big on the Indian success story.

Volkswagen India sales in first quarter showed slow growth. The company is evaluating the situation to ensure a better experience for the customer with the car as well as the after sales service. Expect Volkswagen to dole out sops in the future.

Car-makers in India are wary about the diesel price deregulation. It is the lack of clarity from the government regarding the extent or time-frame is what bothers them the most. The existing policy paralysis of the Congress led, scam marred government is not helping the car-makers in any way.

LPG price hike has affected the gas-car users. The LPG prices have been revised twice in the last few months making it not so cheap to run the gas fueled cars. IOC claims that the prices are expected to reduce in May.

Aston Martin has finally confirmed the sell out of its limited edition One 77. If you were thinking of booking the rumoured last one anytime soon, you have ran out of time. But, not to worry, say Aston Martin, as they wil be out with the V12 Zagato, 150 to be built, priced roughly around half a million dollars.

More about Astons, Prince Charles' Aston Martin is up for auction at the Bonhams. The 1994 Virage Volante with the 6.3 litre V8 engine was driven by the Prince for 14 years.

Mercedes have confirmed the SLC, evocatively designed two-door sedan, aimed to rival the Porsche 911. Developed with inputs from the performance division AMG, the car is expected to be launched in 2014 with a price tag of about Rs. 64 lacs (without taxation).

Parry-Jones, one of the automotive industry's most respected engineers, has claimed that least polluting passengers cars by 2020, will actually be more greener than today's high speed electric trains.

DRB-Hicom, Group Lotus's new Malaysian owners, are looking to find a chinese buyer for the troubled sports car maker and engineering group. The British politicos are also trying to find a way to revive the legendary racer in order to retain the 1200-odd jobs.

General Motors has claimed that the 'semi autonomous' car that 'drives itself' will be on sale by the end of this decade. Probably, it will be a high end Cadillac filled with the latest cutting edge radio control technology.

The next Mazda 6, based on the Takeri Concept, will be powered by 4-cylinder engines only. The 2.2 liter turbo-diesel engine making 173PS will be apt though.

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.