Tata Motors launch the Indica Vista

Just like Tata,microsoft too had big dreams with its latest product[Vista] which has more or less been nothing but a dissapointment.Same seems to be the case with the Indica vista too,although early days the new car from Tata too isn't particularly something to be proud of.

The indica needed to be something from the future if it has to take on the likes of the honda jazz,the hyundai i-10,maruti splash and Toyota's new car.However from the first signs the car seems to have missed the mark.A detailed review is awated.

Tata has made it clear this car is for meant for export and can be clearly seen in the centrally mounted instrument cluster which I not a big fan off.Looks wise too I am not particulary impressed.Tata also are using the same fiat multijet diesel engine only they are calling it quadrajet.Tata have dissapointed further by leaving out airbags and saying that they will introduce it once exports begin.The petrol engine is interestingly called safire.At 4.88 lakhs[ex-showroom new delhi] is it value for money its upto you to decide.

Microsoft Vista was and is a complete dissapointment hopefully the Indica vista does not disappoint as much.

[picture source:the telegraph]

Tata Nano diesel in 2009

Talk about Tata Motors and it is natural you would end up with diesel in the rest of the sentence,such is the influence of diesel in its line-up.How could the Tata Nano have been left behind when it came to diesel engines.

Come 2009 and we would diesel engines on the Tata Nano.Interestingly these engines would be made in association with the same german manufacturer FEV with whom mahindra have a tie-up for the diesel scorpio.So although not immediately I am not ruling out a hybrid version of the Nano as well.

No mention has been made of an automatic transmission variant right now.Although official figures are not yet out interms of fuel efficiency expect this diesel to actually give a tough time for two-wheelers forget other cars.

The diesel engine for the Nano would be a two cylindered 800cc CRDi[common rail]diesel engine.As with all diesels expect a significant premium on the retail price compared to its petrol siblings.Inspite of this I expect this version to be the best seller and even cannibalise sales of the Indica range.Who knows the good old autorickshaw may well be replaced by the diesel version of the Nano.

[source:Tata Motors]

Common rail diesel now gets even more Common :Tata Indigo CS dicor

Thanks to Tata Motors we have some of the cheapest common rail diesel's in India[in terms of pricing that is]and Tata have not been shy to highlight that.

It was just natural that the smallest sedan in the world[incidentally Tata's golden goose for the moment] also got a common rail diesel engine.Besides the engine change there seems to be a minor facelift too in the Indigo cs with new thinner bumpers,a new front grille and new headlamps.Bringing out a facelifted model seems to be the favourite pastime of engineers at Tata Motors.The suspension too seem to have been tweaked and there is a slight improvement in ride quality according to the reviewers from dna money who incidentally found the AC performance unsatisfactory[Now AC of the indigo/indica was amongst the best so don't know what happened there]

Like with the indigo/indica platform the indica cs too has the awkard driving position problem one which Tata has not rectified since the past ten years.

The indigo CS is available only in the LS variant[power steering + AC standard].

[source:Sify]

Lack of New Models Hurts Tata Motors badly

Hyundai motors has just overtaken Tata Motors to become the second largest passenger car manufacturer in India.

So what is ailing tata motors.You dont need to be an einstein to figure out what the problem is.Tata motor have not introduced new models in the market for a long time and the overuse of the indica platform is coming to haunt tata motors.

Tata has been using the present indica platform since the past ten years now and although the 2008 indica has come a long way since the first indica in 2008 there has been no drastic change for the past ten years to speak off.A Ten year shelflife is way too long for a car

Then there is the question of quality,Tata aren't renowed for their quality and they have done nothing to improve this perception.Niggles are part and parcel of a Tata car owner's even in this generation where nothing but zero defects is acceptable,perhaps Tata motors could learn a thing or two from TCS.

Lastly tata cars[leaving aside the safari] have all taken up the taxi tag and individual buyers think twice before buying a car from Tata Motors only because of the Taxi tag.

However Hyundai may not be able to hold on to this position for long though as in terms of sheer volume alone the Nano would help tata motors zoom past hyundai and even maruti suzuki.That said Tata motors does need to pull up its socks if it has to survive in this highly competitve industry where things are only going to get tougher.

Why the Government should not subsidise imported Hybrids like the Honda civic and the Toyota Prius

Soon your dream of owning a hybrid car could turn out to be a reality and no this time its not only the rich who can dream of having the fancy hybrid badge on their cars.

Tata Motors is developing a hybrid model of its passenger car for only an additional Rs,45000 over its petrol only counterpart.Tata are planning hybrid version of the indigo and the indica apart from the ACE pick-up.Similarly Mahindra is all set to launch a Scorpio hybrid for an additional premium of Rs.80,000.Mahindra's hybrid is a diesel electric one.

Tata's vehicles are expected by 2010 while Mahindra's should be on the roads a bit sooner than that.

Newspapers like the Times of India on their front page are requesting the Government to subsidise hybrids even if they are not manufactured in India,the media says they should be given tax incentives and people should be encouraged to buy imported hybrids.Why should we import when this technology can be developed in our country itself.These imports would kill the domestics.If Honda and Toyota are indeed serious about protecting the environment why don't they manufacture hybrids in India itself.

[Source:Economictimes]

Maruti 800 to compete with the Tata Nano

After a lot of yes and no,it is becoming clear that Maruti indeed is worried about the impact the Tata nano can have on Maruti Suzuki. In order to allay fears that Maruti would be caught on the wrong foot as and when the Nano comes on the roads,Maruti has displayed to bankers a stripped down version which in terms of pricing would be very close to the Tata Nano.

How Maruti have achieved this low pricing is unknown but an already stripped down car the Maruti 800 is said to have been further stripped down.The ex-showroom price of this model is around Rs.75,000 cheaper than existing model and should be available for a price tag of around Rs.1.2-1.5 lakhs ex-showroom pricing.

Now its pretty much established that the one lakh tag for nano cannot stay on for long and what should help Maruti would be the supply demand mismatch which Tata are bound to face.Also until 2010 atleast the Nano will have no rival other than the Maruti 800.

However I would really love to see what Maruti mean by a stripped down version of the Maruti 800.

[Source: Business Standard]

Please note:Tata Motors and Mahindra

Here's what autoblog has to say[must add this is the general perception in the western world now]

"Got an automotive brand to sell? It doesn't matter how it's performing in the marketplace, whether its products are outdated or just not popular in the present buying climate. If you've got one, an Indian automaker wants to buy it."

Part of this phenomenon is because of the over-enthusiastic Indian media too.Autoblog have also reported that it is Mahindra and Tata who have approached GM with their offer when it was the other way round.Merchant bankers on behalf of General Motors have actually contacted the Indian manufacturers.Autoblog should have been a bit more responsible before reporting facts.

Mahindra and Tata already are not showing as much interest in the hummer deal as with the landrover+jaguar one.In all probability both are going to give this deal a miss.

While it is credit that Indian manufacturers are considered good enough to turn around lemons like Hummer a little bit of PR on the part of these two brands would actually help.Remember they want to become global players.

The autoblog link:

REPORT: Tata and Mahindra interested in HUMMER

BBC's exclusive video of the Tata Nano in action

No Jeremy Clarkson was not in Pune nor were his partners from Top gear[though I am sure they would get their hands on the Nano too].This was jut a first look of the the Tata Nano by a BBC correspondent.Tata is represented by Girish Arun Wagh, head of Tata's Small Car Project.

Given the rising oil prices,the Nano could even play the role of the people's car in developed markets like UK even with its high fuel efficiency and lower emissions.Already people are seeing the benefit of smaller cars and it should not be difficult for Tata to tweak the Nano a bit to match the expectations of consumers in the developed markets.

Please do go through the video,you can see inspite of its tall boy design the Nano does a pretty good job at cornering.

Heres the Link:
Tata Nano in Action

This is pretty much the first video I can remember which features the Tata Nano in action and it a pity no Indian television channel thought on the lines of BBC.

Tata Nano bookings to start this July

Though Tata motors faces one obstacle after the other in its endeavor to launch the Nano,Tata has announced that things are very much on track and that the vehicle would be out on the roads by Durga Puja in October,2008.

Booking for the tata nano would start as early as July 2008.

Now I have already hinted that it may just not be possible for Tata Motors to maintain that one lakh tag for long with rising input prices.So you are bettter off booking the vehicle as soon as the dealer gives the green signal.Tata are targetting an annual prioduction of 3 lakh units.

Tata Motors is meanwhile trying its level best to maintain that one lakh tag by setting up a special team just to look at ways to reduce costs.Also Tata would be manufacturing the Nano from multiple locations as of now the locations are pune,pantnagar and singur perhaps we may see a few more depending on demand.Tata is also asking one of its suppliers Autoliv IFB India Ltd to manufacture the cheapest airbags in the world at about $10.As far as its headlights go,Tata motors has asked koito to design headlamps for the nano using half the parts that it uses while manufacturing headlamps for its other clients.And finally Tata is also looking at taking advantage of the Tata family by using steel and fibre tubes that would be used in the Nano’s engine cradle from Tata Steel[jamshedpur] itself.

However inspite of all these efforts its really mission impossible for Tata Motors and it is one hell of a challenge for Tata Motors to maintain the one lakh tag for long.

[source:Telegraph,economictimes]

Tata Nano: One lakh price Tag not for Long

A promise is a promise remember Ratan Tata's words at the Auto expo 2008 during the Tata Nano launch.Keeping in line with this the Tata Nano may very well be launched with a factory price of one lakh but for a very short period.So anybody who does want to benefit of the price tag may have to pull a string or two to get the car during that period with the introductory pricing.

Why do I say so.Rising steel prices have meant suppliers to Tata are no longer able to keep their costs down to initial estimates.Remember steel is a major component of the car[about 15-20%].Although Tata has set up a special team to keep prices in check there is only so much that they can do.

Almost all suppliers[including the likes of Sona Koya and Minda] are pressurizing Tata to increase prices.Already margins expected from the Nano are very low and if prices of raw materials continue the same trend then Tata would actually be paying us to buy the car if prices are not increased.Something which is very unlikely,Tata too are a business house.Making the cheapest car in the world is philanthropy enough.Tata shall not make much money from selling the car in markets like.it is betting on the more developed markets where it may play the environment card as well by targeting the 100mpg figure and perhaps even use non-conventional fuels to power the Nano there.

Very unlikely that other manufacturers could match or better the price tag of the Nano and the Nano will remain the cheapest car available but the one lakh price tag now looks impossible even for Tata.

[Source:Business Standard]

Tata launches LPG indica: But why buy One ?

Normally in the case of the Indica if you drive a lot you opt for the popular diesel or you buy the petrol[which even the dealer asks you why?]Now once you start using the petrol you realise your mistake and want a cheaper fuel alternative and end up with that retrofitted LPG kit[The money for which would have helped you buy the diesel in the first place].And then the nightmare starts,frequent dealer visits do not seem to solve the problem.

Now however the company is offering an LPG variant[unlike the earlier retrofitted at company authorised outlet] which should make things better,safer and all importantly more reliable.Although LPG is comparable if not better than diesel when it comes to running costs given the fact that automobile LPG[using domestic LPG is dangerous and is illegal]is not that widespread and the fact that you have to donate a large part of your already non-existent boot makes me feel that you are better off with the diesel in the first place.

However for those interested in LPG,the company LPG variant is the best bet and I have heard of numerous horror stories after retrofitting the LPG kit even at the company authorized centre.You do not have a major loss in power using the LPG variant and you can shift between fuels[petrol and LPG] on the move.Pricing is Rs.3.27 for the GLE version and Rs.3.42 for the GLS version.Tech specs read as 65.3 PS @ 5000 rpm with petrol and 62 PS @ 5000 rpm with LPG. It has a peak torque of 102Nm @2600 rpm.

However I am not convinced still and feel if you have the diesel option then prefer that.

[source:EconomicTimes]

Will Mahindra buy Kinetic Motors

There is all this talk about Mahindra buying out kinetic motors.Why is an SUV manufacturer now suddenly interested in two wheelers.

Mahindra seem to be thinking on the lines of Honda here in believing that there may be a market for small affordable cars like the Nano but the market is even bigger for two wheelers.Not all prospective two wheeler buyers are going to head to a car showroom anytime soon and with rising oil prices and traffic congestion it is very likely car buyers would head towards two-wheeler showroom.

With kinetic motors mahindra also get automatic gearbox[CVT] technology remember Kinetic were to suplly gearboxes for the the Tata Nano.Mahindra could do well with automatic gearboxes and also since it is looking to be a global player in the gearbox field the kinetic buy would hold it in good stead.Also somehow two wheelers have escaped the environmentalists radar and for an SUV manufacturer that is good news.Also Mahindra could look at targeting its own UV customers with its two wheelers.But the biggest beneficiary would be present kinetic motors dealers and suppliers since unlike Kinetic Motors,Mahindra will put them to good use.

But kinetic motors needs a huge makeover if it has to come anywhere close to its two wheeler rivals.Just like Tata's jaguar deal this too would be a huge gamble one which is really difficult to predict if mahindra would be able to pull off successfully,the only plus point would be it would a much smaller gamble as compared to Tata.

Fiat to launch the Grande Punto in 2009

As predicted earlier fiat are all set to launch the Grande punto in India only after the Linea launch.The linea should be available in the Indian markets by September 2008 while the Grande punto would be out in the early part of 2009.

The grande punto would be competing in the premium hatchback category and would be priced on the lines of the Skoda fabia if not a notch higher.Maruti swift should continue to remain the cheapest offering in the segment for some time to come.

What this also means is that just like NDTV predicted the Linea would be competing more with D-segment sedans in terms of pricing atleast since Fiat will not price the Grande Punto and the Linea at around the same price tag otherwise nobody would head towards the Grande Punto.

It would be interesting to note how people accept Fiat as a premium brand in India but whatever happens its Tata who shall be the winner once again with Fiat cars not competing with Tata in the economy segment and Tata ensuring a presence in the premium segment with the help of Fiat.

For people interested in the future of the Palio,the Palio is going to be around atleast for a year or two and fiat plan to launch a CNG version by next year.

[Source:Sify]

Toyota's new UV by end of the year

The Toyota Avanza


There are unconfirmed reports about a new Utility vehicle code named NVX being launched in India by the end of the year[2008].Remember it is around the same time Toyota would face competition from the Mahindra ingenio and the Tata MPV.

Toyota being Toyota have denied the development and so more details about the vehicle is unknown.

The new vehicle is going to be based on the innova[IMV] platform.Their is a good possibility the vehicle could be the avanza given that the avanza is a much cheaper offering.The avanza is a smaller vehicle than the innova and is a seven seater.I have a feeling it could be the avanza since a toyota dealer had informed me of a qualis replacement just a few months back and infact toyota may even consider the possibility of stopping production of the present innova .

Another possibility ofcourse is an all new innova.

However since the fortuner too is based on the innova platform don't rule out the possibility of the fortuner launch either.

Since everything is so unclear my suggestion is if you are looking for a vehicle in the UV segment,please wait till the end of the year or atleast till diwali[2008].

[Image source:bucksdigger.com]

My wish,how about a seven seater Dahatsu terios/Toyota rush

Update:
The latest is that Toyota plan to launch the fortuner only by 2009[between june-september to be precise],pricing expected within the range of Rs.16-20 lakhs.

Tata motors plant rolls out first Tata Nano

The first Tata nano has rolled out from a Tata Motors plant in Uttarakhand and not singur as expected.

But don't just rush to the Tata dealer yet.These cars will not be for sale but are test vehicles for Tata.Tata will now use these vehicles for extensive testing to see that the vehicle is able to meet the harsh conditions that the Nano would have to face,after all this vehicle is expected to cater to the most diverse segment of consumers.

Tata also want to make sure that the Nano does not become a laughing stock when it is launched.However like the Indica launch before I expect the initial batch to have its niggles and expect better quality from the Nano v2 onwards.The indica experience would however ensure that Tata are in a better position now.

As for singur the first test vehicle s would be launched from that plant from june/july.

[Source:Sify]

Classics-Tata Indica ad

One of my all time favorite car advertisement from Tata Motors.Was looking out for it and finally found it.Thought I should share it with everybody.

Roewe's new MPV

Update:
There seems to be a mixup as far as the manufacturer is concerned.Unlike originally reported this MPV is from Roewe and not GM.So much for the new Tavera dreams.

When it rains it pours,I had not even finished posting about the possibility of Tata and Mahindra competing with Toyota and we have another competitor in the foray and this time its GM.

The spy photographers have some documents from GM which indicate that this would be sold as a Chevrolet MPV in markets across the world and that includes the US.The R&D work for this vehicle has been done in Korea by GMDAT.

This is supposedly a global mass market MPV which can seat seven passengers built on GM's global delta platform. And that is precisely why I feel there is a possibility that this MPV could make it to the Indian markets too as a replacement for the Tavera possibly since the Tavera looks way too outdated in front of its competition.However unlike the Chevrolet BEAT this MPV may not be here in a hurry.

For more pictures of this MPV please visit the Winding road website:
Here

[source,image source:Winding road]

Also read:
Chevrolet Tavera -The difference between GM and Toyota

Coming soon :Tata's new MPV.

Tata are looking at going one up on mahindra once again.They are all set to launch an MPV rival for the Toyota innova and the Mahindra ingenio just before the ingenio hits the Indian markets.


Although the car is being manufactured in India ,Tata has an eye on the european markets and is supposedly designing the vehicle along with London based Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC). Remember worldcar fans had caught a Tata Car testing and passed it off as the new Tata Safari somehow I have a feeling it is this new MPV in the pictures[spy picture above].


There is a possibility this new MPV could be based on the Tata Xover concept.Though there is no official confirmation on this. Toyota surely have their work cut out now they will have not one but two rivals to worry about and the new MPV may just match the standards[or come very close] to the offering from Toyota since the Tata MPV is designed keeping in mind the european markets.Tata say the new vehicle offers the comforts of a luxury car with the features of a sports utility vehicle.

Plans are to start trial production of the crossover in June-July and commercial production for a October- November[2008] launch," said one vendor of Tata Motors.

Sumo grande or the Xover,I'd prefer the Xover anyday.

[source:Autoindia]

[image source:dancewiththeshadows,worldcarfans]

Also read:
Mahindra ingenio details

Tata to now manufacture aircrafts

Like I mentioned before the tagline impossible is nothing is more apt for the Tata house.Now Tata is all set to manufacture aircrafts in a JV with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer,Embraer.

Embraer is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jets of up to 120 seats.In fact it is the only manufacturing firm that makes commercial 120-seater jets.

Although talks are at the initial stage Tata is being considered a serious player for the JV and should in all likelihood bag the deal.

For Tata the sky is the limit or wait do I see Tata entering into space exploration next.


[source:Sify]

Ajanta wants to tick off Nano customers

Clock maker Ajanta is looking at spoiling the party for tata's nano by bringing out an even lower priced car[approx rs.85,000].

What would also add to tata's problems would be that the car would not consume any petrol and solely run on battery power[electric vehicle like the reva/g-wiz].

They are already into the manufacture of such kind of two wheelers and would have to scale up a bit for the four wheelers making them very competitive in terms of cost.However nothing concrete has developed yet and everything is in the planning stage only with the R&D team looking at the viability of such a project.

Ajanta are hoping everything will work out with clock like precision.

[Source:Times of India]