BMW launches new variants

German luxury car maker BMW has introduced new variants of its 5 Series sedan priced in the range of Rs 36.9 lakh and Rs 46.8 lakh as it looks to strengthen its presence in the country and compete with arch rival Mercedes Benz, who too launched new variants of the E Class some time back.

The new variants, BMW 520d, 530d and 530d Highline powered by diesel engines, will be additions to its existing petrol variants BMW 525i and BMW 530i.

"The BMW 5 Series is in the luxury Business Class car segment, and it is our goal to continue providing our customers in India with the highest standards of all-round quality, safety, and perfection to ensure the highest levels of comfort and luxury", BMW India President Peter Kronschnabl said.

Source - Motorbeam

Mileage run:BMW M3 Vs Toyota Prius

Why oh Why do we think that hybrids are the answer to our prayers to counter high oil prices.Sorry for breaking the suspense but shockingly the more powerful M3 performs better in the fuel efficiency test as compared to the Toyota prius[the prius was pushed to the limit while it was more or less a walk in the park for the M3].

Could not agree more with top gear"Its not what you drive that matters its how you drive"



[source: trev0006 from youtube]

Audi to launch the A4 in july

VW have already announced that they are all set to launch the Jetta by July 2008,Now Audi[same VW family] plan to launch the A4 sedan in India too in July.

Wonder if this is an intentional strategy to launch both the cars so close to the other.VW certainly can get a lot of mileage from the Audi brand.

The A4 is supposedly going to have a starting price tag of Rs.29 lakhs and would compete with the BMW 3 series and the Mercedes C-class both of which are well established and have a greater following in India than the Audi. It would be interesting to see how Audi present the A4 and how many would move away from the BMW and Mercedes options to the Audi.Not that it has not been done before,the Q7 sales are proof of that.

[source:Economictimes]

Mercedes turns to CNG to counter high oil prices

When it comes to fuel prices the recent surge has hit even the super rich.So those paying nearly double the amount one pays to buy a mercedes in markets like america for owning this beauty in India are still bothered when it comes to the bill at the Petrol pumps.So far diesel was the saviour but even diesel is proving a costly option nowadays.

Mercedes therefore are turning to CNG to help save these customers that extra buck and ofcourse in the process save precious foreign currency for our country and keep the environment cleaner.

The only problem ofcourse is CNG is available only in a select few cities,about time the Government considering improving the CNG infrastructure in the country.

Rival Bmw is supposedly even considering bring in their hydrogen powered vehicles.

[source:Economictimes]

Bmw 3 series facelift

BMW's latest could very well be part of the spot the difference contest.BMW have come up with a facelifted model of the 3 series until we get the next generation model.

BMW has just redesigned the taillights,added indicators to the side mirrors,modified the bonnet and given us a new front bumper and tada we have the latest 3 series from BMW.

The changes are not so major and should not discourage you from going in for a new BMW 3 series if you cannot wait until 2009.The facelifted version of the 3 series should be available in India within a few months of its global launch.

[Source:Worldcarfans]

[image source:worldcarfans]

The BMW F3:Is it it a car,is it an suv no its..?

If you ask what this new vehicle from BMW is,I have absolutely no idea what it is.It looks like BMW is attempting to follow the footsteps of Toyota[edge] and come out with a vehicle that performs the functions of the different vehicle categories namely sedan,van,suv and what not.

Automobile manufacturers now prefer the jack of all trades theory and feel that is the way forward for the future rather than having a vehicle perform one particular role.

For the moment one can only speculate what this new vehicle from BMW is ?

[source:BimmerPost.com ]

Audi A8 the most expensive car to Maintain

By now you must surely have heard the saying Skoda's cost an arm and a leg to Maintain.Audi is making the family proud.The Audi A8 is the most expensive car to Maintain* in the USA over a period of five years.

The bill for an Audi A8 over a five year period stands at $1640.Giving the car company is the Mercedes suv[G-class] which costs just the same.The BMW 7 series is not that far behind at 6th place costing $1529 to maintain.Considering our love for diesel,the Audi Q7 seems to be doing quite well in India but owners should be prepared for the high bills from their dealerships with the Audi Q7 being the seventh most expensive car to maintain.Coincidentally Audi,BMW and Mercedes have two cars each in the list.

From the non-luxury cars no surprises its the Hummers at the top of the list[H2 at $1484 and H3 at $1244].

Given the higher import costs for the Indian markets expect a much higher figure when it comes to India.

[image source:manager-magazin.de]


For the detailed list please visit:
Forbes

Maintain*- the average amount consumers might pay to keep their new cars in operating condition

Argentum Motors - Global Powertrain Player

Argentum Motors is panning out to be a service provider for automobile manufacturers than a rival.Initially there were rumors that they where going to produce low budget cars in India to take on maruti and hyundai but all that looks more likely to only remain a rumour.

Argentum motors have tied up with Karmann GmbH to manufacture high end luxury cars for players like Mercedes-benz,Porsche,Bmw.Initially Argentum may focus on convertibles since they have an aluminium forging facility.Argentum has the second largest automotive manufacturing facility in India with a capacity of manufacturing upto 2 lakh cars per year.Argentum has a 4 lakh powertrain (engine and transmission) manufacturing capacity with a 37.5 tonnes forging facility.

Argentum motors have also tied up with software solutions provider Dassault Systems for designing and engineering of engine components for global automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).Under the new venture with Argentum Engineering Design (AED) it is aiming to provide powertrain solutions to various companies.Already Argentum has three OEMs as customers for its powertrains.

Argentum now looks more on the lines of a global powertrain player.

[Source:Economictimes,Sify]

Honda Accord Diesel Coming Soon

Well the new Accord is expected soon, we had early posted about the same here but its not only going to be getting a petrol engine but even a diesel engine. The new Accord is going to have the same engine which is soon going to be launched in the CRV, a 2.2 liter CTDi engine producing around 140bhp with loads of torque.It surely seems that Honda is coming under pressure from Skoda's Laura, which is sold only in diesel variants. This diesel engine will make the Accord almost perfect. Now only if Honda prices it sanely and doesnt take advantage of its "Premium Tag", we have a winner. Skoda watch out.

Source - http://thecarsandmore.blogspot.com/

Should Automobile dealerships be given the right to refuse Test drives.

Yes it does not only happen in India,a BMW dealership refused a customer a test-drive of the 1 series because they thought he was not a serious enough customer.

Heres the Link to the story:
BMW Denies Test Drive Because You Are Not A "Serious Customer"

In India we too have the same behavior from dealerships of manufacturers like Skoda for instance.Ask them for a test drive of the Laura and they think you are playing a joke on them.So should these dealers be given this right of refusing test-drives.

Although I understand the difficulties faced by the dealers I think no,after all a single test drive is not going to be as expensive as the loss of a potential customer and many more even.Moreover I just do not understand why the premium tag means dealers think it is their duty to adopt an arrogant attitude something fairly common at the Honda dealership here.

Mercedes Benz- Back to where it belongs

The Mercedes star is gleaming again says the Financial times headlines.After having a rough time in the recent few years Mercedes seem to have overcome their problems and are doing what they do best,selling aspirational luxury products which do not break down so easily.It also helps that recent products from the Mercedes stable[like for instance the C-class] even outscores in the looks department too.

Also what has helped back Mercedes profitability is that Chrysler is no longer a part of the family.Now without Chrysler operating margins are more than 10% and almost at Toyota levels.Mercedes have set targets to better this too.Toyota is now the leader in the automotive industry,one whom others look to in order to run their business.

In India rivals like BMW are fast catching up but in the new C-class Mercedes really have a winner and I won't be surprised if in the 3 series vs C class battle Mercedes emerges as the winner.In cars above this segment Mercedes is comfortably placed in the Indian market.

Is selling a cheap car a sin?

Yes that seems to be the attitude adopted by the car manufacturers off late.Everyone wants to play the premium tag.Nobody wants to sell affordable ,value for money cars.Value for money really has become a bad word as far as car manufacturers are concerned[atleast the established brands].

Skoda wants to move on as a premium car manufacturer and so is VW.Honda are planning to sell only the most expensive cars in their segment after the success of this strategy with the CRV.The latest attempt is more an attempt to take on the Bmw and the Mercedes customers rather than cater to the middle class as it has done so far in the US markets.Honda have publicly stated that as part of its global strategy if they ever come across a Honda Taxi they will buy it back[Premium hotels are exempt from this rule] guess thats why you hardly come across a Honda taxi.Even Hyundai are moving towards the premium segment cars.Its the same with Toyota too their cars just keep getting expensive with each passing generation though I have not yet heard of their premium tag aspirations.

Yes it is profitable to sell these so called premium cars but when everybody wants to play the same card it could just backfire.They should not forget that traditionally they were the ones to benefit from overpriced cars from rivals now somebody else could fill their shoes.

[Image source:wikipedia]

Whats keeping Lexus Away from the Indian Markets?

Each month you hear Mercedes and BMW say sales have overshot expectations by a huge margin.BMW now say they could well achieve 10000 units per annum by 2010 easily[and then you will again hear they have exceeded this target].Its the same with the others as well be it Mercedes,Volvo,Audi.

Then why does one of the hottest brands as far as the Premium badge is considered prefer to stay away from the Indian markets.Yes Lexus has well and truly been accepted as a luxury brand throughout the world and its no different here in India.We have imports here in the Indian market and the SUV's especially seem to be quite popular.Why does Toyota want to deprive itself from one of the hottest markets.Even the Camry which is imported from Japan and attracting those huge duties is still doing pretty well considering its ridiculously high price in the Indian market.So the excuse that a Lexus imported as a completely built unit will not attract customers does not real stand firm ground.And surely if BMW and Mercedes can do it so can Lexus it too should start assembling cars in India there is definitely a big enough enough market in India.

Toyota is simply giving the first mover advantage to these already well established brands and letting them set up a good enough network in India.This was the best time to catch these big boys on the back foot no point taking them head-on when they are well established in India[leaving aside Mercedes which is already well established and the darling of the premium car buyers in India].

But then isn't this the case with the whole Toyota brand in India.It is ridiculous that Toyota just has two vehicles in the mainstream market in India[4 overall in India] after more than 10 years in the Indian market.Yes Toyota is approaching the Indian market with caution after the DCM Toyota fiasco but does it really have to be so extreme.We know you have some of the best vehicles for markets like ours,but please get them here first.

[Image source:Wikipedia]

Also read:
Lexus to be sold in the Indian markets soon