Tata Motors started commercial production of the world’s cheapest car, Nano, at Sanand plant yesterday.
The new plant at Sanand was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata, who seven years ago dreamt of making an affordable family car for the common man. Speaking on the occasion, Modi said: “The revolution brought by Ford in the early 20th century with its small car is being replicated now by Ratan Tata with his Nano.”
Tata Motors engineers could soon be playing a starring role in making engines for Jaguar-Land Rover (JLR), the marque models acquired in 2008, after the British company’s bosses grudgingly agreed to the austerity measure.
Despite the vast potential for savings, the move is surprising as the Tatas and JLR are as different as chalk and cheese in the automobile segment. Tata Motors is known for creating products aimed at the lower end of the market—the Nano is a prime example—while JLR is singularly focused on upscale segments.
Car maker Ford India today said it will be increasing the price of its latest small car Figo on account of rising input cost by next week.
The company, however, has not specified by how much the price of the car, which was launched in March with at price of 3.5 lakh to Rs 4.48 lakh, will be hiked.
“We can’t defy gravity for ever. The general industry cost is rising, steel prices are up, components are costlier and there has also been an increase in transport cost,” Ford India Executive Director Nigel Wark told.
General Motors introduced the new CNG variant of its entry level sedan model Chevrolet Aveo in India. The Aveo CNG is a bi-fuel vehicle billed as one of the most eco friendly cars available here. The factory fitted computer-controlled CNG injection system from Italy includes the injectors, selector switch and modified wiring.
Apart from all the components of the CNG kit being factory fitted, the body is reinforced to carry the additional mass of the cylinder. The ECU (Electronic Controller Unit) calculates the opening times of the injectors for each cylinder and acts separately on each gas injector with the highest precision.
Mercedes-Benz introduced its new technology, Charge Gasoline Injection (CGI) based car C200 CGI in India. This latest technology enables to use sophisticated petrol direct-Injection engine with spray guided with combustion process.
Unlike other direct injection petrol engines, this one has a vital advantage; it can run a genuine lean burn cycle. What this means is that when the motor is not under heavy load, it needs very little fuel to run.
British luxury car brand Bentley today launched its fastest and most powerful model, ‘Continental Supersports’ in India priced at Rs 2.25 crore (ex-showroom).
The two-seater is the first Bentley car capable of running on both petrol and biofuel. The launch comes two months after the company announced its plans to introduce two new models in the country this year.
Mitsubishi will be bringing its Evolution series of cars and a new variant of its SUV Pajero to India soon. The company, which has been in India since 1998, is looking to strengthen its presence in the passenger vehicle market and will add more products in its portfolio.
“We have just launched the new Outlander and our next plan is to launch a new Pajero, which will hit the market by the end of this fiscal,” Hindustan Motors executive vice-president and business head Vijay Kumar said.
Last week it launched a variant of its sports utility vehicle Outlander with a 2.4-litre petrol engine.
