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India Auto News Thursday, 18 Mar. 2010 |
National - BMW to launch new 5-Series in India; develops small car platform- Nissan to begin production of Micra at Oragadam plant in May 2010 - Delhi auto-rickshaws to be replaced by eco-friendly vehicles, says Sheila - Mitsubishi to revive Indian operations in 2010-11 - Fiat India launches two new variants of Punto, expects to double sales in 2010 - Volvo India to launch XC60 by June 2010 International - Honda recalls 4.12 lakh vehicles to repair soft brakes |
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BMW to launch new 5-Series in India; develops small car platform
BMW India will soon be launching the latest version of its sedan, 5-Series, in the country. The new 5-Series will be introduced in the global market later this month, and will come to India shortly thereafter. It will compete with the
Mercedes E-Class. The German automaker is also planning to enter the premium small-car segment in Europe and Asia along with its sister company, Mini. It has already started working on a new small car platform. |
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Nissan to begin production of Micra at Oragadam plant in May 2010
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M Karunanidhi, inaugurated the new Renault-Nissan manufacturing facility in Oragadam, near Chennai this week. The two companies will jointly invest Rs 4,500 crore in the plant over a period of seven years. Nissan will begin the production of its small car, Micra, at the plant in May 2010. The Micra was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this year, and will also be manufactured in China, Thailand and Mexico. |
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Delhi auto-rickshaws to be replaced by eco-friendly vehicles, says Sheila
The Chief Minister of Delhi, Ms Sheila Dikshit, said this week that her government was considering the option of phasing out auto-rickshaws in the city. She said that auto-rickshaws are uncomfortable and polluting, and that their drivers 'conduct themselves in an arbitrary manner'. The Delhi Government is looking at battery-operated and electric vehicles as an alternative to auto-rickshaws. Ms Dikshit later clarified that auto-rickshaws would continue to ply on the city's roads until a concrete plan to replace them was in place. |
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Mitsubishi to revive Indian operations in 2010-11
Japanese car company Mitsubishi is planning a spate of new launches in India this year to expand its presence in the country. These include the 2010 Outlander, the Lancer Evo (Evolution) X and the Pajero Sport.
Mr Pritam Saikia, Head of Marketing, Hindustan Motors-Mitsubishi, said that while the company had decided to expand its portfolio in India, its entry into the small-car segment was still at least 2 years away. The company plans to launch its electric compact car MiEV by 2014-15. |
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Fiat India launches two new variants of Punto, expects to double sales in 2010
Fiat India this week launched two new variants of its premium hatchback, the
Grande Punto. The 1.2-litre Punto Fire 'Dynamic' is priced at Rs 4.57 lakh, while the Punto Fire 'Emotion' is priced at Rs 4.87 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). With the hatchback segment in India growing at a remarkable pace, the Italian carmaker expects to double its sales in the country from 24,000 units to 50,000 units by December 2010, said Fiat India President and CEO Rajeev Kapoor. |
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Volvo India to launch XC60 by June 2010
Swedish carmaker Volvo last week brought its crossover vehicle, the XC60, to India for homologation. The XC60 will be launched in the first half of 2010, and will target customers with an 'active urban lifestyle'. Mr. Paul de Voijs, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India, said that in its first two years in India, the company had focused on brand building, and that the launch of the XC60 would further strengthen its position in the country. The car boasts of top-of-the-class safety features and futuristic technology. |
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Honda recalls 4.12 lakh vehicles to repair soft brakes
A month after recalling more than 4 lakh vehicles to repair faulty airbags that could explode, Japanese auto company Honda this week announced another recall to fix 'soft pedals'. The latest recall affects 4.12 lakh vehicles in the US, and includes the 2007-2008 models of the minivan Odyssey and the SUV Element. Honda spokesperson Chris Martin said that, so far, three injuries involving the affected range of cars have been reported. This is Honda's third major recall in 2010. |
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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES - Auto News Roundup, 16-March-2010 - Auto News Roundup, 11-March-2010 |
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