Smallcars Make a Bigsplash at Auto Expo 2010
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FAIR Buzzz... 6 January 2010: New Delhi Small Cars make a Big Splash at Auto Expo 2010 Over ten vehicles, including several small cars, are making their debut at the 10th Auto Expo utomakers appear ‘New Small Concept’ to occupy to have identified the space below its Jazz/Fit low-cost cars as model. This is the first time that the key to gaining Honda has chosen India for the a strong foothold world premiere of a concept car. Ain emerging economies, where Developed at Honda’s Automobile small sedans are considered R&D centre in Japan, the New a luxury item. Indeed, the mini Small Concept is designed as a and compact segments of cars family car to comfortably seat 5 shorter than 4 meters (13 ft 1.4 adult passengers. in) account for three-quarters of Another little scene-stealer was India’s car market. Volkswagen’s Polo, Indian In any country, the base of the production of which has just (income) pyramid is the biggest begun in Mumbai. VW Polo is group,” said Osamu Suzuki, chief the company’s first small car executive of Suzuki Motor parent in India, and falls under the A2 of top Indian carmaker Maruti segment of compact cars. Suzuki India. “Starting at the Larger vehicles too are sharing entry-price level was a successful the limelight at the Expo. strategy for us,” he said. Two new models from Mercedes- The market leader in India, Maruti Benz, the full size luxury Sports Suzuki, presented its compact Utility Vehicle GL 350 CDI and the next-gen multi-purpose vehicle S 500L are on display at Auto called Concept R3, designed in Expo 2010. – house at the 10th Auto expo. There’s also the SX4 hybrid, a BMW India, an Indian subsidiary full parallel hybrid car designed of the BMW Group, is presenting by Maruti Suzuki engineers. One several new cars, the limited cannot miss the much-anticipated edition of the new Gran Turismo, super-luxury Kizashi, marking the BMW X6 M, and the BMW the entry of parent company 760Li, especially at the Auto Expo Suzuki Motor Corporation in 2010. In addition, the company the premium segment. Kizashi also displayed its new BMW X1, means ‘a sign of great things to which is scheduled to come into come’ in Japanese. India in CKD kits by end of 2010. One of the debut makers at From Tata Motors, whose the 10th Auto Expo is the long- revolutionary Nano was the awaited Toyota compact car, star of the 2008 Auto Expo, the Etios, in both a sedan and offering this time is a premium hatchback version. Code-named multi purpose vehicle the Tata EFC for Entry Family Car, during Aria. Also on display were the Tata its development cycle, the Primea Concept Luxury Sedan, vehicle incorporates advanced designed in association with technology and superior quality Pinninfarina and other models in features that have been developed the Indigo and Indica range, as by Toyota specifically for India. Etios means ‘the origin of’ and intends to spell a new well as the Utility Trio of Safari, Grande Mark 2 and Xenon. Tata Venture and Magic chapter in the small car segment. Toyota plans to start building the car at its factory were other launches in the affordable and low cost transportation segment. in Bangalore from late 2010. Mahindra & Mahindra launched two new products from its utility vehicle platform GM’s Chevrolet Beat, a compact hatchback designed for the Indian market and due and a new truck from the Navistar joint-venture. The world’s second-largest truck to hit showrooms in 2010, is also on display at the Expo. maker Volvo presented its new global truck, and Daimler Motor showcased its new range of buses. Honda Spiel Cars India, at the Auto Expo, announced the world premiere of its FAIR Buzzz... View Point Driving into the Future Green is In ever has an f one single factor distinguishes the extended-range capability, designed to auto exposition 10th Auto Expo from similar shows drive up to 40 miles on electricity without Nin India Iheld in the past, it is a serious using gasoline or producing tail-pipe attracted so much emphasis on everything Green. With the emissions. hype on the very first underlying theme of is a showcase for In line with its focus on environmentally- day. The 10th Auto small vehicles, concepts and vehicles clean technologies, Hyundai Motor India Expo started off with run on alternate fuels, all of which will Ltd., is unveiling the electric version of a bang, with a slew of shift consumer preference towards more its compact car – the i10. Hyundai i10 small cars and concept fuel efficient and less polluting vehicles. Electric is an all-electric zero-emission vehicles launched on Both car and component manufacturers vehicle that reconciles motoring with the the opening day itself. are, for the first time, emphasising on environmental aspirations of customers. In fact, even before the green technologies, taking a cue from show dawned, several As part of its initiative to promote eco- global environmental concerns, with companies announced friendly and non-polluting means of products that would effectively reduce their plans to hit the transport, Hyundai Motor India already their carbon footprint and make our Indian market with their has a strong line-up of models with planet cleaner and greener. offerings. alternate fuel technology like Santro Several auto majors have dedicated CNG & LPG, Accent CNG & LPG and i10 Looking at the products, areas within their stalls earmarked CNG in India. whether it is a small car, exclusively for showcasing their journey a hybrid, a concept Honda Siel Cars is exhibiting the CR-Z into the green world. On their part, or a huge truck, Concept 2009, a concept model for a the organizers, the Confederation the emphasis is on new hybrid model, which was unveiled of Indian Industry (CII), the Society advanced technology, for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show of Indian automobile Manufacturers eco-friendly machines in October 2009. (SIAM) and the Automotive Component and fuel efficient engines. Of course launched its new range of products for Manufacturers Association (ACMA) An exclusive ‘Engine Section’ features the luxury is in no way compromised, as the Indian market. are striving to ensure that the serious advances made by Honda in the engine the presence of Audi, Mercedes Benz, A day before the Auto Expo opened, message of environmental concern technology realizing both superior power Skoda, BMW, Harley Davidson and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and technological innovations is not and low fuel consumption. Volkswagen stresses. Volkswagen’s inaugurated the Twizy Z.E electric sidelined in the glamour and hype of the Polo will woo an audience that forms While launching the Yeti vehicle, Skoda concept car from Renault. Expected to exposition. India’s large middle class with high Auto will be showcasing the Greenline be on Indian roads by 2011, the Twizy disposable incomes. The focused pavilion on Automobile range of cars. is classified as a quadracycle and does Engines showcases products that have Even the big vehicle makers are not need to comply with the big list of Leading manufacturers like Tata Motors been tweaked and fine-tuned to reduce reiterating their seriousness in making safety regulations. Since it does not are displaying their own range of green emissions. There are pavilions on efficient, eco friendly global quality have doors, it does away with the need vehicles including an electric car. Even alternate fuels, gas and Asli Naqli. The products. Take, for example, Ashok for an air conditioner. heavy duty vehicles run on fuel efficient latter is an effort to educate the masses Leyland’s new, innovative U-Truck engines are on display. Biking enthusiasts gathered at Pragati on the pitfalls of using counterfeit parts. platform. The trucks on these platforms Maidan to get a major adrenaline boost Others like Ashok Leyland too are will revolutionise the Indian trucking The theme of the General Motors India from the exciting and innovative collection expected to launch new platforms that industry. Over 25 models and a host of stall entitled ‘Inspiration to advance’ of bikes showcased by India Yamaha are based on green technologies. variants are expected to roll out in 18 has Chevrolet vehicles displayed under Motor Pvt. Ltd. Brand Ambassador John months starting April 2010. three categories: performance series, Electric two wheeler companies like Abraham was at the Yamaha stall to mini series and the green series. Making Hero Electric, BSA and others too Eicher made known its plans to bring add a touch of glamour to the new 2010 a green statement are the Chevrolet are unveiling new electric bikes and in the VE series, a new range of value model of YZF-R1 and the launch of the Volt, Chevrolet Spark - LPG, the all- scooters. enhanced, fuel efficient, heavy duty special white colour edition of YZF-R15. new Aveo CNG and the Spark Electric trucks. There’s are more surprises from Also at the Yamaha stall are its muscle Auto Expo 2010 is a major step in the prototype which is scheduled to make Eicher still to come, both from the Volvo bike VMAX, the YZR-M1 model, the Indian automobile industry’s march its commercial launch later this year. The stable and the Royal Enfield stable. 500cc TMAX sports scooter and 600cc towards a greener tomorrow. Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with XJ6 motorcycle. Mahindra, showing its prowess in both the worlds, the big and the small, In the two-wheeler segment, Hero Electric is bringing in heavy duty vehicles in has launched three new eco and pocket collaboration with Navistar, as well as a friendly electric bike models: E-sprint, the small truck by the name of Maximmo.