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India Auto News Wednesday, 23 June 2010 |
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National - Car companies step up investment in digital advertising- Renault to launch new premium hatchback by mid-2012 - M&M may tie up with Proton to launch Lotus sports cars in India - Ford to launch another small car; may develop SUV based on Figo's platform - Korean auto company Kia to enter Indian market International - Volvo recalls 29,299 vehicles to repair faulty gears |
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Car companies step up investment in digital advertising
Auto companies in India have significantly increased their spending on digital marketing over the past year. According to industry observers, Maruti Suzuki, Honda Siel, Hyundai India and General Motors India are now investing at least 10 percent of their total advertising budgets online. These companies are targeting customers aged between 25 and 44 years, a large number of whom make inquiries online before taking final purchase decisions. Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest carmaker, claims that 18 percent of its customers are now drawn through digital marketing leads. |
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Renault to launch new premium hatchback by mid-2012
French auto company, Renault, is planning to launch a new hatchback in India by the middle of 2012. The car is likely to be built on a V-platform, also used in the Nissan Micra, and will compete with the VW Polo, the Maruti Swift and the Honda Jazz. Renault will also launch an SUV, priced below Rs 10 lakh, in 2011. A Renault India spokesperson said that the company would launch 5 new models by 2013 including the luxury sedan, Fluence, and the premium SUV, Koleos. |
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M&M may tie up with Proton to launch Lotus sports cars in India
Mahindra & Mahindra may form an alliance with Malaysian auto company, Proton, to sell the Lotus range of sports cars in India and manufacture Proton's small cars. According to industry analysts, M&M is looking to complete its range of vehicles by entering the sports car segment. The Lotus brand, which was bought over by Proton in the 1990s, currently makes the Elise, Exige, Europa and Evora sports cars. M&M may also launch Proton's compact car models, including the 1200cc car, Savvy, if the joint venture works out. |
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Ford to launch another small car; may develop SUV based on Figo's platform
In keeping with its plan to launch a new product every 12-18 months, Ford India may introduce another small car in the country by 2011. According to media reports, the car, codenamed 'B156', will be smaller than the Ford Figo.
The Figo was launched in March 2010, and has sold 16,000 units so far, with an additional 21,000 bookings. The company is also planning to launch a small SUV built on the Figo's platform, and a hatchback version of the Fiesta. |
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Korean auto company Kia to enter Indian market
South Korean auto company, Kia Motors, is looking to expand its presence globally, with its largest market, Europe, shrinking as a result of the economic slowdown. The company may enter the Indian market with its small cars, Picanto and Proceed, and its popular sedans, Forte and Rio, after a feasibility study. Partly owned by the other big Korean automaker, Hyundai, Kia manufactures small cars, entry level sedans and compact SUVs and may eventually set up a production facility in India. |
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Volvo recalls 29,299 vehicles to repair faulty gears
Swedish auto company, Volvo, has recalled 29,299 of its vehicles to repair faulty gearboxes. The recalled cars include all the company's 2010 and 2011 models that come with a six-speed manual gearbox. Volvo spokesperson, Per-Aake Froesberg, said that the recall would apply to the company's markets across the world, with Britain, Sweden and Germany being the most severely affected. There have so far been no accidents due to the problem. |
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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES - Auto News Roundup, 17-June-2010 - Auto News Roundup, 15-June-2010 |
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