Sunday 24 February 2013

The Wild One

Ferrari becomes the world's most powerful brand


Brand Finance, a leading independent brand valuation consultancy has published its annual study that reveals the top brands worldwide on the basis of revenue a brand can generate and how strong its customer/fan base is. And interestingly Ferrari has topped the chart this year.

Understandably, Ferrari does not have the financial strength of the overall revenues of large multinationals. But according to the study, considering the Italian supercar maker’s other financial metrics, such as net margins, average revenue per customer, and advertising and marketing spend, as well as qualitative parameters, such as brand affection and loyalty gives Ferrari tremendous opportunity to generate revenue. And it is this potential that has placed Ferrari as the world’s most powerful brand. 

“It is always a pleasure to top any list and still more so when the competition includes some of the world’s most famous companies. This achievement proves that even in very tough economic times, Italy can still offer the world businesses of excellence,” commented Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo. “Behind this acknowledgement are exceptional products made by equally exceptional men and women. They made it possible and for that I thank them.”  

To get a deeper insight into the report it would be worth mentioning that the Brand Finance study measures a brand on three dimensions, namely, Inputs, Strength and Output. 

Saturday 23 February 2013

Mitsubishi opens dealership in Hyderabad


Mitsubishi is association with Hindustan Motors has opened its 42nd dealership in the country in Hyderabad. Spread over 3000 sq. ft the new Mitsubishi showroom is located in Hyderabad at 1-10/4, 1-10/4A & 1-10/4B, Madhapur. HM Mitsubishi has also setup a 12000 sq. ft service workshop located at Jai Hind Enclave in Madhapur that comprises of 12 bays along with a 300-sq. ft section for spare parts business. The workshop has the capability to service 25 cars in a day. 

P. Vijayan Chief Operating Officer and Strategic Business Unit Head of HM’s Chennai car plant said, “It is indeed a pleasure introducing world class Mitsubishi vehicles to this historic city which has over the years emerged also as a renowned hub of technology and business. We are confident that our vehicles will add a new dimension to the lives of Hyderabadis. No wonder, our latest vehicle, Pajero Sport, has as its tagline the phrase: Go. Play”.

Mitsubishi’s Hyderabad dealership will be showcasing the Pajero Sport, Montero and Outlander. The dealership employs five personnel for sales and 20 for service.

The Mitsubishi range of cars in India consists of the Cedia Sports, Outlander, Pajero Sport, Montero and the Lancer Evolution X. Prices for Mitsubishi cars in India range from Rs 8.24 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the Cedia Sport to Rs 50.23 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the Lancer Evolution X.

Wednesday 20 February 2013

47th Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally


Ford Endeavour Alterrain Edition Launched


Ford India has launched a new version of its Endeavour SUV called the Alterrain Edition to mark their collaboration with the National Geographic Channel for a new adventure driving series called MyEndeavouralterrain. 

Priced at Rs 23.20 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) the Ford Endeavour Alterrain Edition will only be available in the top-of-the-line 3.0 litre 4X4 automatic variant featuring cosmetic enhancements such as a nudge bar at the front, a roof rail tray, new alloy wheels, an external rear mounted reversing mirror, a chrome tipped tail pipe and a rear spoiler. 

As a part of the Ford-National Geographic Channel initiative, five Ford Endeavour Alterrain Editions will be driven across various parts of the country by five distinct personalities that include boxing Olympian Vijender Singh, film maker Nagesh Kukunoor, writer Chetan Bhagat, actor Gul Panag and actor Rajeev Khandelwal. 

Ashok Leyland Luxura Magical India bus introduced


Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland has introduced a nine seater luxury coach called the Luxury Magical in association with India automobile design house DC. 

The platform of the luxury bus has been provided by Ashok Leyland while DC has deigned the interiors for a luxury atmosphere. The interiors of the Luxura Magical India bus can seat nine people and is equipped with two LCD televisions, a stereo, reading lights, power sockets, a kitchen with a coffee machine and microwave, a bathroom and even an on-board spa area for two individuals with trained therapists. 

The Ashok Leyland Luxura Magical India bus is powered by a 228PS diesel engine that drives the rear wheels of the coach. The bus features air suspension for a comfortable ride to deliver that luxury experience. 

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Rynox Gear launches range of touring accessories and gloves

The biking scenario in our country has witnessed a sea of change. Initially biking only meant a mode of transport to commute from one place to another. But nowadays, biking isn’t a mode of transport but a channel to explore new destnations. But it isn’t an easy task to tour and travel long distances on two-wheels without proper touring accessories, since normal bags are bulky and aren’t designed to be loaded on motorcycles. To help bikers facing this dilemma, Rynox Gears have introduced its range of touring and riding accessories.

Friday 15 February 2013

Alfa Romeo 4C to premier in Geneva


The Alfa Romeo brand is one that has tingled the senses of petrolheads worldwide with their exotic and passionate vehicles in the yesteryears. As of now though, the Italian marque only produces two hatchbacks. 

Alfa is going back to its roots with the new two-seater, rear-wheel drive, 4C sports car. First showcased as a concept in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show the Alfa Romeo 4C was designed in-house with the objective of creating a modern performance car. 

Alfa Romeo will be displaying the final production version of the 4C at the upcoming 2013 Geneva Motor Show. One of the key criteria while creating the 4C sports car was keeping the weight down and the 4C is said to have a power to weight ratio of 4kg to 1PS for maximum agility and performance. 

Royal Enfield to hike production in 2013


it's good news for all of the country's thumper fans as Royal Enfield has announced its eagerness to increase the production capacity of its motorcycles in 2013. With demand for its bikes at an all time high it was necessary for the Chennai based two-wheeler manufacturer to boost its production. For this very reason the company has invested Rs 150 crore in a new facility in Chennai and anticipates production to start within three months. With the addition of new facility Royal Enfield expects to increase its production capacity beyond 1.5 lakh units per annum. 

Speaking on the occasion, Siddarth Lal, MD & CEO (Eicher Motors Ltd) said, "With our new plant at Oragadam (near Chennai) coming on-stream within the next few months, in 2013 we will have a total combined capacity of 1,50,000 units. We are already working to increase it beyond that by 2014."

Wednesday 13 February 2013

BMW to launch its face-lifted X1 model in early 2013


The BMW X1 in its short tenure has proved to be a fairly successful experiment for the Bavarian car maker and has undoubtedly helped it muster domestic sales both in India and overseas. With newer crossover models from miscellaneous car brands lining up for 2013, BMW has made its ambitions quite clear and this involves introducing a face-lifted version of the present X1 model sometime in February.

The refreshed model isn’t all that different from the 2012 model, but as you can see does indeed clad a more distinctive crossover profile. A new headlight design with LED accent lights, new fog lamp surrounds and subdivision of the apron, bumper and underguard are the most prominent changes. Side indicators integrated into the exterior mirrors, new exterior colours and alloy wheels are among other changes you can expect to see on the new X1 for 2013.

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Nissan Sunny special edition Launched


Nissan has introduced special edition variants of the Sunny mid-size sedan in both the diesel and petrol models. The Sunny special edition models are essentially the top-of-the-line XV variants with minor cosmetic tweaks to the exterior that include a boot lip spoiler, chrome plated trunk detailing and body coloured side mouldings. 

On the inside, the Nissan Sunny special edition gets new leather upholstery and a touchscreen Kenwood infotainment system that can play DVDs and is also equipped with Bluetooth, USB and aux connectivity. The special edition car also comes with a rear-view camera hooked to the Kenwood display unit. 

The Nissan Sunny special edition XV petrol has been priced at Rs 8.60 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the diesel Sunny special edition has been priced at Rs 9.69 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The petrol special edition Sunny has been priced at Rs 71,000 over the standard Sunny XV petrol while the diesel special edition Sunny has been priced at Rs 74,000 over the standard Sunny XV diesel. 

The move to introduce additional equipment such as infotainment systems and other technological features has become a market trend in the mid-size sedan segment as most car makers are either adding more equipment to top-end models or introducing limited/special edition vehicles.  

The average Indian young car buying customer is in tune with the times and is fairly tech savvy, an opportunity which car makers are capitalising upon. In the process, giving us better equipped cars. 

Sunday 10 February 2013

Chevrolet Sail Sedan launched at Rs 4.99 lakh


This is the first of an entire entry-level saloon barrage that is headed India’s way in 2013. With badge sharing now taking a breather, it is platform sharing that will now see mass market car manufacturers reload their arsenal for deeper penetration.

After drawing first blood with the launch of its very spacious Sail UVA hatch in November last year,Chevrolet has now flagged off the ‘hatchback with boot’ trend in the new year with the launch of its Sail sedan at a starting price of Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The width and the wheelbase are exactly the same as the Sail UVA, and as a result so is the space. Certain advantageous features on the Sail sedan like its spacious interiors, oodles of boot space (370 litres), comfortable ride quality and efficient power plants in both petrol and diesel guise will make it a strong consideration over most in the entry-level mid-size sedan segment (Read : Chevrolet Sail Sedan First Drive).

Sunday 3 February 2013

Audi A3 sedan India bound in 2013

The A3 has been Audi’s premium hatchback offering for Europe since way back in 1996 and has seen many evolutions since then. But the car that should have all Indian buyers excited is the sedan based on this hatch. First shown off in concept form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the production version of the A3 sedan has been spotted undergoing final testing across Europe recently and it looks like it will break cover next year. Keeping in line with Audi’s (relatively) aggressive plans on expanding in the Indian market, there’s more than a chance that this car will hit land on our shores very soon after its international debut. Slotted a segment under the Ingolstadt based company’s entry level sedan in India, the A4, expect the A3 sedan to be priced similar to the Q3 baby-SUV. There would likely be multiple engine options available on launch, but it’s safe to assume that the company’s ‘meat-and-potatoes’ 1.8-litre TFSI mill would be on offer as well.

Friday 1 February 2013

2013 Kawasaki Z250

The Z250 will be the street version of its faired Ninja 250R and will be powered by the same motor as on the baby Ninja – a parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC 250cc unit with 8-valve and will be mated to a six-speed transmission

The digital instrument cluster with analogue tachometer is easy to read and sporty in design