Disney's Pixar previews the teaser of popular animated movie 'Cars 2' at Detroit Auto Show

Disney Pixar's 'Cars' sequel 'Cars 2' is back. Jay Schuster and Brad Lewis from Pixar Animation Studios, provided some hints of their coming film, “Cars 2,” which opens on June 24 while addressing an event at Detroit Auto Show.

Mr. Schuster is the film’s art director and Mr. Lewis, its co-director.

About their upcoming movie, they revealed one major new character, Finn McMissile, is based on James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 and a secret agent babe, body inspired by Jaguar. Finn is given voice by Michael Caine and secret agent babe's by Holley Shiftwell.

“Cars 2″ goes global, with cities like Tokyo and London where the racing-drama takes place. There is even a dramatic nighttime race inspired by the Singapore Grand Prix, Mr. Schuster said.

We will be seeing new look of The hero, Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, rendered sportier with a new flame-style paint job drawn for the studio by the independent designer Chip Foose. New set of wheels, spoiler package and ground effects are added to McQueen's collection.

The most exciting news may be that the film will offer new “villains” based on the AMC Pacer and Gremlin.

Scr: [NYTimes Blog]

France’s biggest car producer, Peugeot coming to India??

Peugeot, largest car makers of France, may soon be seen on India roads, if talks between the all goes well between the car makers and Govt of Andhra Pradesh, India.

The company, PSA Peugeot Citroen, is ready to invest about 2,000 crore during the first phase of its proposed assembly and manufacturing facility.

The company has shortlisted two site for its facilities. The company is in talks with chief of state and officials from the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of AP to avail the tax benefits and other incentives, the State offers.

The plant is expected to produce cars and support ancillary units. The facility is likely to encompass a dye manufacturing facility for car components, an R&D team for design, body-building shop, new technologies for a central-controlled room for regular functioning besides a testing unit.

Src: [Expressbuzz]

Homogeneous Maruti car from India may be out by 2012

India's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India's 'Made in India car' i.e., totally developed and built in india will seen on roads by 2012 as the company is near to finalising the design within the next six months.

According to source close to this project for the car, the company will finalise the design, engine size and how to position it in the market within the next six months.

"It is likely that the made in India car will be positioned along with MSI's its best selling model Alto," a source said.

It is know fact that Maruthi Suzuki India some how depends on Suzuki for its future model design and development programme. Spending about Rs. 1,500 crore over the next 3-4 years at its R&D centre at Rohtak, Suzuki’s only such significant centre outside Japan to scale up its vehicle development programme and become self reliant.

It is said that this 'Made in India' car has been developed keeping in mind rival Hyundai Motors India's small car that is also likely to be unveiled in early 2012.

- PTI Inputs

After dip in sales, Tata Nano to come with four-year manufacturer's warranty.

After noticing a decrease in demand for the world cheapest car, nano, Tata Motors said it would offer a four-year manufacturer's warranty on Nano cars and it would be extended to all existing customers of the vehicle.

Tata reported that sales of the Nano, plunged by 85% in the November compared with a year earlier, despite other models surging ahead in Indian auto market.

Media reports of a handful of spontaneous fires, difficulty getting financing to purchase the cars and rising prices have spoil-sported the sales of the Nano.

-Reuters Inputs

Car sales in India increased by 21 percent.

According to the data revealed by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), car sales in India jumped 21 per cent in November from a year, sales last month climbed to 161,497 cars from 133,703 a year earlier.

But the number of cars sold was down from October, when car sales rose 38 per cent year-on-year to 182,992 units, the highest ever monthly total, buoyed by the religious festival season, when buying is considered auspicious.

SIAM forecast passenger car sales for the fiscal year to March 31 should grow by at least 25 per cent - far higher than the group's initial forecast of growth of 12-13 per cent.

Sales of commercial vehicles jumped by 18.26 per cent to 48,314 units from a year earlier.

The Indian market, Asia's third-largest, is projected to triple over the next decade to six million cars a year from the current two million, according to industry estimates.

- AFP Inputs

Increase in demand for Volkswagen Polo, Vento in India.

Looks like for the first time the German Auto-maker Vw is enjoying success in India with it latest model Polo(Hatchback/wagon) and Vento(sedan).

German Auto-maker Volkswagen said that there is an increase in demand for its Polo and Vento models in India due to which the waiting period for these two models had gone up to 2-3 months.

In order to cater this demand, company plans to ramp-up production at its Chakan facility in Maharashtra.

"At present, we have at least two to three months of waiting period for the Polo and Vento. We are ramping-up capacity at our Chakan facility to meet demand," Volkswagen Group Sales India (Passenger Cars) Director Neeraj Garg said.

Volkswagen sold 4,613 units of Polo and Vento in November this year. It sold over 26,000 units across models from January-November this year.

- PTI Inputs

India become third largest Rolls Royce's market in Asia Pacific.

Britain super luxury Auto maker Rolls Royce has said India joined China and Japan in selling its vehicles which are priced up to 4.25 crore rupees, making it third largest seller in Asia Pacific region.

Rolls Royce sold less than 10 units in 2009, expects to sell up to 70 units in 2010 in India.

He said the China tops the list in the region with eight dealerships that sell "hundreds" of cars of the brand. Japan follows with two dealerships.

Globally, the company has sold 2,007 units during January-October period this year compared to 531 units in the same period last year. It has sold 1,002 units in 2009.

- PTI Inputs

World cheapest car, people's car Tata Nano sales are drastically down.

World cheapest car produced by Indian Car maker Tata's Nano popularly know as 'one lakh car', sales plunged by 85% in November compared with a year earlier, TATA has said.

They say that difficulty in acquiring loan is the reason behind the plunge.

But car analysts says that above might not be the reason for plunge. They think its the series of fire catching incidents in the Nano, as well as price rises are the cause of concern for the affected sales.

It had sold just 509 Nanos during November 2010.

Tata offered free safety upgrades for the model, which went on sale last year.

This came after much media frenzy behind the fire catching incidents which were reported by six owners.

GMs Chevrolet's Volts gets official EPA ratings, Comparison between all electric and all gasoline.

Finally the U.S. government has rated the much hyped GM's electric baby Chevrolet Volt.

Though the EPA fuel economy label is going to look a little different from the ones used on other cars since, it can run on electricity, gasoline, or a combination of both.

Because of the complexity of how the Volt operates, the fuel economy label will contain a host of other numbers so consumers can at least try to figure out what their own fuel economy will actually be.

The Volt, according to a preliminary Environmental Protection Agency label presented by GM, will get an estimated 93 miles per "gallon-equivalent" when driving under electric power only, 37 miles per gallon when burning gasoline and, over the long term, is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving.

According to the EPA label, the Volt can drive an estimated 35 miles on electricity stored in its battery before a gasoline engine comes on.

The 60 mpg figure, however, combines the miles-per-gallon figure, when running on only gasoline, and miles-per "gallon equivalent" number, when running on only electricity. Depending on how and how much they drive, consumers could actually be using considerably less gasoline than the 60 mpg figure would indicate.

GM executives said the label that will appear on early versions of the Chevrolet Volt is preliminary. The way the figures are displayed on the label may change in the future.

Src: [CNN]

Mahindra & Mahindra's SsangYong acquisition is almost done, pays $ 463 million for 70% authority

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Indian leading SUVs maker on 23 Nov said it has signed a definitive agreement with Korean(South) Automaker SsangYong Motor Company (SYMC) to acquire 70 percent stake for $463 million which include $378-million of new SsangYong stocks and $85-million of SsangYong bonds.

M&M said it acquisition may be done by end of March 2011.

Recently, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has received a green signal from the court in Seoul and the company has also reached to an agreement with the SsangYong labour union.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has signed a tripartite agreement that contains provisions for employment protection, long-term investment and commitment for no labor dispute. SsangYong is likely to retain Korean management after the acquisition.

"The coming together of Mahindra and SsangYong will result in a competitive global UV player. Together with its financial capability, Mahindra offers competence in sourcing and marketing strategy while SsangYong has strong capabilities in technology," M&M president (automotive & farm equipment sectors) Pawan Goenka said.

He said there was also an opportunity to introduce a premium portfolio of SUVs in the Indian market, providing a new growth avenue for SsangYong and "further strengthen our dominant position in the UV segment".

SsangYong Motors is a major manufacturer of sports utility vehicles (SUV) and recreational vehicles (RV), thus giving Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) a wide market to make mark.

Src: [NDTV]

Tata to hire 1500 engineers for its UK Jaguar plant

TATA's Jaguar Land Rover, come with good news as the company has started recruiting for new posts.

It has already announced 1500 new UK posts. But three times that number may be needed if the company's strategy goes to plan, The Telegraph reports.

During recession, JLR was set to close one of its three UK manufacturing plants. That has now been shelved.

The company says, it has received 13,000 applications for 1,500 new jobs.

The latest, smallest and most fuel-efficient Range Rover will be built at the Halewood plant on Merseyside.

- ANI Inputs

US Govt plans to set new fuel efficiency rules for Trucks.

For the commitment to the Greener world, the Obama administration is preparing a draft for proposed fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks that would begin in 2014 and extend through 2018, according to a some media report.

In May, President Barack Obama signed a memorandum directing the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to co-write the first-ever fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

"I believe it's possible in the next 20 years for vehicles to use half the fuel and produce half the pollution that they do today," Obama said at a White House ceremony at the time.

Margo Oge, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said an announcement would happen “soon,” The Detroit News reported today. The newspaper said details could be released as early as Monday.

In US Heavy-duty trucks account for a large percentage of emissions which consume more than 2 million barrels of oil every day and has an average of 6.1 mpg and emit 20 percent of the greenhouse gases.

This new proposal could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 250 million metric tons over five years, The News reported.

Under the new medium- and heavy-duty truck rules, manufacturers would be encouraged to replace old diesel engines with new, cleaner diesels. The government already has spent $200 million on the effort since 2005.

New diesel engines emit 90 percent fewer environmental pollutants, including those that contribute to smog, compared with engines made 20 years ago, Reuters reported.

- Autonews Inputs

Tata Motors plans to setup 1000 kiosk for Tata Nano

In order for the easy distribution of Tata Nano across India, Tata Motors plans to setup more than a 1,000 kiosks across India to sell the car, especially in areas where it has no dealerships.

If this strategy works it will double its sales and despatches to 20,000 Nanos a month from 9,000 at present.

"Customers will be able to take a closer look at and test drive the Tata Nano across all Tata Motors dealerships and special Nano access points. Tata Motors has also tied up with 25 banks to offer customers with loans for purchasing Tata Nano at attractive rates of interest,” said a Tata Motors spokesperson.

Tata Motors hopes to sell 2,50,000 Nanos a year for next fiscal.

Mahindra & Mahindra starts its 2 wheeler campaign with low segment Stallio and high segment Mojo

Mahindra and Mahindra one of the successful SUV sellers in India accelerates with its two wheelers plan to grab the 2-wheeler market share where Hero-Honda and Bajaj are dominant.

At press event, Mahindra 2 Wheelers’ Stallio and Mojo motorcycles made their debut in which Stallio is targeted to common man where as the powerful Mojo which is power-bike is targeted to youth who craves for the power.

“In the last twelve months Mahindra 2 Wheelers has achieved a milestone by registering a sale of 1.5 lac units – a clear validation of the success of our niche PowerScooters strategy. We are now all geared up to redefine the biking experience in India with the Stallio and the Mojo which are a potent blend of global technology and innovation and will take the category to the next level,” said Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group.

“These world class bikes are worthy additions to the Mahindra 2 Wheelers product portfolio and are part of our commitment to establish a robust, end-to-end two wheeler business in every segment of the industry,” said Mr. Anoop Mathur, President Two Wheeler Sector and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

“Both bikes incorporate world class R&D and design elements from our Bologna, Italy based design house, Engines Engineering and are best suited for Indian biking conditions.

Mahindra Stallio is 110 CC segment bike having an engine displacement of 106.7 cc, gives a max power of 5.4 KW (7.3 PS) @ 7500 rpm and has a Max torque of 8.0 N-m @ 5500 rpm. It is available in two variants – Self Start / Cast Alloy wheels / Digital Console and Kick Start / spoke wheels which are available at Rs.44,699/- and 41,199/- (ex showroom Pune), respectively. The Stallio is available in a choice of five shades – Derby Red, Colt Black, Equus Blue, Buckskin Yellow and Ranch Green.

And the best thing is that it is endorsed by Mr.Perfectionist Aamir Khan.

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The Raw looking Mahindra Mojo is having an engine displacement of 292 CC, powered by Single Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves – Direct Drive, SI Engine gives a Max power of 19.3 kW @ 8500 rpm and has a Max Torque of 24 N.m @ 7000 rpm . It also features a 6 speed gearbox, Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system has been developed by Ducati Energia of Italy.

The Mojo sports inverted front shock absorbers developed by Paioli of Italy, which ensures superior shock absorbing ability at high speeds. This is complemented by a horizontally mounted mono shox at the rear, allowing for much more comfortable ride. Radially mounted assembly also helps in accurate braking.

The Mojo is the first ever motorcycle in India to sport Pirelli tubeless radials. They are also the widest tyres in their class (4” x 17” at the rear), ensuring greater stability, priced at Rs. 1.75 lac/- (ex showroom Pune). The Stallio will be available at 370 Mahindra 2 Wheelers dealerships across the country. The Stallio comes with a four year manufacturer’s warranty. The distribution model for Mojo will be different and therefore, would be available only in select outlets.

The Mojo is available in a choice of two colours – red and black.



Both bikes incorporate world class R&D and design elements from our Bologna, Italy based design house, Engines Engineering and are best suited for Indian biking conditions.

Swedish Automaker SAAB to come out with its first Electrical Car at Paris Auto Expo.

SAAB, Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Spyker Cars NV to come up with its first-ever electric car which it will showcasing at the Paris motor show Sept. 30.

The car is named as ePower, a converted Saab 9-3 SportsCombi wagon, is equipped with a 184-HP electric motor.

ePower can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, have a top speed of 93 mph and have a range of about 124 miles on a single charge, says SAAB.

ePower has a lithium-ion battery pack. This battery packs are placed at normal car's exhaust and fuel systems.

The batteries can be recharged in three to six hours, Saab says.

SAAB plans to build 70 ePowers and to start testing in Sweden, beginning next spring.

Hyundai to invest $ 150 Million in it's US HQ

Hyundai Motor Co., Korean car maker announces plan to invest $ 150 million to expand its North American headquarters in California

The current buildings in the in Fountain Valley are going to get a boost, other complex will also be constructed. This expansion makes to double the capacity of employees from 700 to 1,400, according to a statement.

"The new building will give us the flexibility to grow with our brand, reflect our modern design sensibility, and showcase our commitment to sustainability,” said John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, in the statement.

Hyundai said its investment will create about 1,500 new construction jobs and provide Orange County with $273 million in total economic output.


California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had a meeting with Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong Koo in Seoul earlier today.

The governor is in South Korea as part of an Asian tour that included stops in China and Japan.

Hyundai's U.S. sales have risen in all but two of the past 15 years. The company sold 435,064 vehicles last year, up from 164,190 in 1999.

PRESS RELEASE:

Hyundai to Build New Orange County, California Headquarters

Hyundai Motor Company Chairman Chung Meets with Gov. Schwarzenegger, Commits to Investing Some $150 Million in New Building and Growing Employment in California

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In a meeting today with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hyundai Motor Company Chairman Mong-Koo Chung committed to build a new North American headquarters in Orange County – Hyundai's home since its arrival in the United States in 1985. The new building will be constructed on Hyundai's current Fountain Valley campus, securing the company's long-term future in California. Hyundai will invest about $150 million, the largest investment ever made by Hyundai Motor Company in the state. During the approximately two-year project, it is estimated that as many as 1,530 new construction jobs will be created with a $273 million total economic output, according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

The new facility will double the size and occupant capacity of the current headquarters. Plans call for approximately half-a-million square feet in floor and garage space, growing considerably from today's current 220,000 square-foot structure. Capacity will grow to approximately 1,400 occupants, up from 700. Construction is expected to begin in mid 2011 and be completed by the end of 2012. Hyundai employees will work from temporary office space in Orange County during that time. In line with Hyundai's commitment to sustainability, all construction will be LEED certified.

"This investment ensures that Orange County will remain Hyundai's U.S. hub, with our headquarters in Fountain Valley, for the foreseeable future," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "The new building will give us the flexibility to grow with our brand, reflect our modern design sensibility, and showcase our commitment to sustainability."

Hyundai Motor Company has grown to become the fifth largest automotive company in the world, taking the global leadership position thanks to its focus on quality and innovation. California in particular is a critical market for Hyundai and a barometer of success in the United States. Since its start in 1985, Hyundai has housed its U.S. Headquarters in California, contributing vastly to the state's economy. Currently, in California, the company:

* Employs approximately 1,400 people

* Invested $152 million in facility development

* Oversees 63 franchised California dealers

Hyundai Facilities Across California

* California City – Proving Grounds

* Chino – Technical Center

* Costa Mesa – Logistic Operations

* Fountain Valley – Regional Sales Office

* Fountain Valley – Hyundai Motor America, U.S. Headquarters

* Huntington Beach – Innocean Worldwide Advertising

* Irvine – Design and Technology Center

* Irvine – Hyundai Capital

* Ontario – Parts Distribution Center

* Port Hueneme & Richmond – Port & Vehicle Processing

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

Maruthi Suzuki launches its five CNG Variants models.

As reported earlier Maruthi Suzuki india's largest car maker on Friday launched CNG variants of five models. The models include SX4, Eeco, WagonR, Estilo and Alto and they would be launched in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Gujarat.

Ex-showroom Delhi price (Rs. Lakh) of Maruti Suzuki CNG vehicles

Alto LXi Rs. 3.23 lakh

Eeco 5-seater Ac Rs. 3.64 lakh

SX4 VXi Rs. 7.47 lakh

WagonR LXi Rs. 4.11 lakh

Estilo LXi Rs. 4.05 lakh

Shinzo Nakanishi Managing Director & CEO Maruti Suzuki India said, "The development is significant on multiple counts. This is the first instance when a car manufacturer has developed and launched factory-fitted technologically superior CNG engines in India. Compressed natural gas is environment friendly and also reduce country's dependence on imported fuels."


In a statement the automaker said, as the CNG technology is factory fitted the customers will enjoy the full warranty benefits including extended warranty. To top it all, the CNG vehicles from Maruti Suzuki will enjoy the nationwide back up of over 2700 Maruti Service Stations, it added.

The factory fitted CNG vehicles use advanced Intelligent Gas Port Injection technology. Maruti Suzuki R&D team has integrated this technology with the company's range of engines and products to bring the benefits to the consumers.

This is seen as desperate move because though there were rise in vehicle sales, there was a dip in revenue.

San Francisco Bay Area to install over 5,000 EV charging stations

US Department of Energy had announced on wednesday that it is release sum of $5 Million to install EV charging stations at the San Francisco Bay Area for charging Electrical Vehicles.

The $5 million will cover the installation of 50 fast-charging EV stations along highways, 2,000 public stations for public parking lots and participating company-owned parking lots, and 3,000 residential charging stations.

Approval for the funds came through last week from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, a panel that oversees air quality concerns for the nine counties that make up the Bay Area. The funds will be distributed as grant money as part of its "Spare the Air" program.

"In the Bay Area, the transportation sector accounts for more than 50 percent of air pollution. Significant emission reductions from the transportation sector will help the Bay Area attain and maintain state and national air quality standards," the board said in a statement.

Maruti-Suzuki to launch five CNG cars in a single day.

In an desprate move to defend market share, the country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India will launch five cars in CNG version in a single day in the second week of next month.

The company, whose market share has come down below 50 per cent in the quarter ended June for the first time in its history, will unleash factory-fitted CNG options of its best selling Alto, compact cars Estilo and WagonR, multi-purpose vehicle Eeco and mid-sized sedan SX4.

"The CNG models will be very important in our portfolio. We are the first company to come out with factory-fitted CNG cars and we will have the first mover's advantage in the market," MSI Chief General Manager (Marketing) Shashank Srivastava said in New Delhi.

In the April-June quarter, MSI's market share fell to 47.59 per cent from earlier over 55 per cent in the 15 lakh units per year domestic car segment. It had sold 2,06,377 units during the quarter in a total market of 4,33,641 units.

The company has decided to launch all the five versions on a single day in the second week of August because there is no particular segment for CNG cars unlike other models, which can be specified into different strata, Srivastava said.

"It is the launch of a technology, not the cars. It is the concept of factory-fitted CNG models," he added.

Besides, MSI will launch a two new versions of its small car Alto on August 4 with a 1.0 litre K-series engine.

The Alto is the best selling car model in India averaging over 20,000 units per month. The company has sold nearly 14 lakh units since its launch in September 2000.

"We are expecting about 25 per cent increase in Alto's sales after the launch of the new variant -- AltoK10," Srivastava said, adding the first time buyers are gradually going for more sophisticated and feature-oriented models.

In April, MSI had introduced BS IV compliant Alto on the existing 800cc F Series engine and this model will continue.

When asked about the possible price of the new Alto, he said: "There is a huge gap between the top model of existing Alto and the base version of Estilo. The base variant of AltoK10 may be priced between this range."

The existing Alto is priced between ` 2.29 lakh and ` 2.81 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while the Estilo starts at ` 3.20 lakh and goes up to ` 4.10 lakh.

AltoK10 will have a mileage of 20.2 kilometer per litre as per Automotive Research Association of India standards.

The company currently offers retro-fitted CNG versions in Alto. Besides, it also offers dual fuel mode in M800 and Omni, which are available in LPG-cum-petrol variants also. Earlier WagonR was also coming with a LPG variant, but MSI stopped producing it after launching the new WagonR.

- PTI

Read more at: http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/maruti-to-launch-five-cng-cars-in-a-single-day-85898?cp