Lexus coming to India.
| Source: AI Facebook Page Hormazd sorabjee's latest tweet Quote:
Good news for people waiting for Lexus to officially enter the Indian shores. Do you think Lexus will be able to compete with the likes of Audi, Bmw and Mercedes, considering that mostly their cars will be a CBU? |
ICML to launch new SUV to compete with XUV International Cars and Motor Ltd (ICML) and subsidiary of the Sonalika group is working on a brand new SUV which could see an 2012 launch and will compete with the likes of Mahindra's XUV 500, and Tata Safari. The company will display a concept vehicle in the Auto Expo in Delhi early next year. Sonalika had also shown a concept of an SUV long ago at the 2008 Auto Expo. The company had tied up the Rover group from Britain and also announced ambitious projects in collaboration with Italy's automobile design house for world cars. The company had said it was going to develop a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a passenger car with Pininfarina that would be positioned in the 'C' segment priced between Rs. 8-10 lakhs. With market growing both in terms of numbers and competition, ICML will need a very well planned strategy to create a niche and position for it self. The XUV currently has acquired the number one spot and the Tata's new Merlin is expected to be a bench mark for Tata Motors in terms of quality and features when is gets launched. Currently the sells the Rhino MUV in select market and is powered by a CRDi engine. The new SUV will be launched pan India and will have a new dealership network in place. The company plans to raise funds through a public offer in the next 3-4 years and looks at a IPO down the road. The 1989-incorporated ICML, functioning from Hoshiarpur, makes the Rhino series of multi-utility vehicles that can seat seven-eight passengers. They function both as taxis and private vars. Sonalika Group, has been into making farm equipment since 1969. They started making tractors in 1996, and entered the utility vehicle sector, which is slated to grow at 16 per cent in India. Rhino was launched in 2006. The company operates out of a manufacturing facility in Amb, Himachal Pradesh with a capacity to produce 24,000 units per annum.
| International Cars and Motor Ltd (ICML) and subsidiary of the Sonalika group is working on a brand new SUV which could see an 2012 launch and will compete with the likes of Mahindra's XUV 500, and Tata Safari. The company will display a concept vehicle in the Auto Expo in Delhi early next year. Sonalika |
Need Suggestions For Panvel-Rajasthan-Panvel Trip in Mid-December
| ** Doing this for a friend of mine. Planning to do Panvel-Gujrat-Rajasthan-Panvel trip this December Start Date: 17th Dec 2011 Duration: 13 Days Car: Ritz VDi Travellers: My Friend, His Wife, 5 Year Old Kid (Driving will be done by my friend alone) So guys here is the complete plan: Attachment 848074 I am attaching the Excel Sheet as well: Attachment 848075 1. Planning to have stay mostly at RTDC. However, if better options considering "Budget Stay", then please let me know. 2. Road Conditions considering the route. 3. Suggestions for sight seeing 4. Possible Good Fuel Refills 5. Famous Shopping/Eatery suggestions at stay locations Map is as follow: LINK: Panvel, Maharashtra to Panvel, Maharashtra - Google Maps Attachment 848084 Thanks in advance for your oncoming suggestions. |
Plan to recondition your old 800/Alto - Maruti does it in Rs.35k with new half engine
| Yesterday, I went to get the coolant hose pipe replaced of the swift at DD Motors (Peera Garhi), and while paying the bill, I came across a poster that said, transplant your Maruti's heart for longer life for Rs.10,000. I was a little surprised as I never expected it to be this cheap at ASC and asked the service adviser for the details. I was told that Rs. 10k is the cost of new half engine of 800/Omni and including other costs such as valves, guides, gaskits, lathe machine cost for head face etc, and labour; the complete rebuit of your 800 will cost you around Rs.20k. Now, one any ways get to pay 10-12k for complete reconditioning of the old 800/omni engine and paying Rs.20k to ASC is not bad at all when you get warranty on parts (Adviser wasn't sure how much warranty we get, he wil check and let me know today). Since, we have the now almost 12 year old 5-Speed 800, which has mostly the same engine as Alto (apart from few minor modifications in Alto), I enquired about the cost of the rebuit of the 5 Speed 800/Alto engine. And again I was surprised to know that the total cost of reconditioning including a new half engine will be near Rs.35k. Now, I was expecting somewhere around 18-20k for complete overhaul of the engine and paying 35k for complete thing is not a bad idea.. We have done over 1.7 lac kms on our car in last 12 years (without an overhaul) and tell you what its still a delight to drive. We plan not to sell the car ever (after a small thought of trading it for used esteem CNG- now discarded) and hence, plan to bring the car back to its pristine condition sometime next year. So, whats the better way than getting an almost new heart which can run for the rest of the car's life easily as this car now runs only 5k kms a year. Just an effort to save the 800 - a CAR that put India on wheels..:) |
Nearly finalized a Linea MJD E Pk, last minute soul searching
| I've been planning to buy a diesel sedan for quite some time and accordingly, I had test driven the Verna Fluidic, the Vento and the Ford Fiesta. (Both the Petrol and Diesel versions, though I had no intention of buying a petrol) The first Vehicle I test drove was the Volkswagen Vento: Pros: Powerful Engine. German Build. Competent and capable after sales. Cons: Looks don't appeal much to me. A*S*S expenses are unknown and going by past experience, likely to be expensive. Next Hyundai Verna Fluidic: Pros: Good looks. Powerful Engine Hyundai A*S*S, though regularly engaging in daylight robbery, is marginally competent. Cons: Felt extremely uncomfortable driving the car, couldn't wait to return it back to the showroom and get away. The seating position was uncomfortable and the steering was all over the place. Hyundai A*S*S regularly engages in daylight robbery. Next was the New Ford Fiesta Pros Good looks. Nippy in city driving. Engine has adequate power. Excellent handling, after all it is a ford :) Really enjoyed the TD. Ford A*S*S is a known quantity and not particularly expensive anymore. Cons: Overpriced, very. I was pretty much sold on the Fiesta but sometime last week, while waiting to get the driver's side mirror of my Indica Turbo replaced, I suddenly felt the urge to go and TD the Linea. We took a long TD, nearly 30kms, highway, inner city and industrial district. Fiat Linea MJD Pros Great looks. Great handling with hydraulic power steering, you do feel connected to the road, felt at home in the driver's seat. In fact, the advisor was surprised when I told him I had never driven the Linea before. I'm used to dealing with Tata A*S*S. Cons Availability of spares, though the dealership informed me that since there is demand due to sufficient no. of Lineas on the road, spares like mirrors etc. are usually in stock. Dunno whether Fiat will still be around 2-3 years down the line. Anyway, I decided to follow my heart and I intend to book a Bossa Nova White Linea MJD E Pk tomorrow for 9.28 on road. I've been through ownership reviews here and on Teamfiat as well as talking to the one friend I have who owns a Linea. However, before I finally book the car, I would like to know of any reasons why I shouldn't. |
Heavy vibration on steering wheel in low idle condition
| Hello guys, I needed some advice to rectify a problem in my Zen that i've been experiencing for 3 months now. The problem is, when i crank the engine and leave it in idle condition, i experience a heavy vibration on my steering wheel, it becomes periodically intense and i suspect its something got to do with the engine rpm, because when i rev up the engine, all the vibrations disappear. I think the problem could be solved if i were to change engine mounts or is there anything in the steering assembly that needs to be changed (bearings, mounts etc.) Mine is a 2000 model Zen Vxi. It has run over 1 lakh km. Currently its at my home town and I intend to bring it to Chennai next month. Kindly pour in your thoughts. |
Mini to enter with 3 models, Auto Expo debut
| BMW's retro brand of cars MINI will make its official debut at the 2012 auto expo with car delivery to start by Jan to March. MINI will launch three new models in India: The iconic three-door Cooper Hatch, the Cooper convertible and the Countryman SUV. BMW is currently setting up new dealerships and the first |
