Car News - Latest Indian Car News & Views | CarWalehttp://www.carwale.com/news/Latest news updates on Indian car industry, expert views and interviews exclusively on CarWale.Copyright 2012 CarWaleCarWale RSS Generator7542<![CDATA[New Renault Fluence – is it better than the Corolla, the Cruze and the Laura?]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7542-new-renault-fluence-is-it-better-than-the-corolla-the-cruze-and-the-laura.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7542-new-renault-fluence-is-it-better-than-the-corolla-the-cruze-and-the-laura.htmlCarWale Team5/23/2011 5:30:00 PM8905http://img.carwale.com/ec/7542/img/m/7542_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7542/img/m/7542_lIn a market dominated by the Japanese (read Corolla Altis) and increasingly the German/Czech combo of Skoda and Volkswagen, there’s finally a new kid on the block that brings with it a fresh take to the segment. To begin with, the just launched Renault Fluence has a design and style that’s very different from what’s currently available. It might not be pretty in the conventional sense, but it sure is attractive. And honestly, it’s a car you would like looking at every morning when you come down to take it to work.
It’s also refreshing on the inside, and packs in a lot of comfort features as well. The petrol gets climate control, keyless start and cruise control among other things. The Fluence is also spacious and has a comfortable ride. But the question is how does it compete with the current best seller, the Toyota Corolla Altis as well as other cars that are doing well in the segment, namely the Chevrolet Cruze and the Skoda Laura?

]]>In a market dominated by the Japanese (read Corolla Altis) and increasingly the German/Czech combo of Skoda and Volkswagen, there’s finally a new kid on the block that brings with it a fresh take to the segment. To begin with, the just launched Renault Fluence has a design and style that’s very different from what’s currently available. It might not be pretty in the conventional sense, but it sure is attractive. And honestly, it’s a car you would like looking at every morning when you come down to take it to work.
It’s also refreshing on the inside, and packs in a lot of comfort features as well. The petrol gets climate control, keyless start and cruise control among other things. The Fluence is also spacious and has a comfortable ride. But the question is how does it compete with the current best seller, the Toyota Corolla Altis as well as other cars that are doing well in the segment, namely the Chevrolet Cruze and the Skoda Laura? Here’s how –

Quick comparisons

Fluence vs Corolla –

Between the Corolla and the Fluence, the Fluence is better looking. It also has plusher looking insides and though it might not have a lot more equipment compared to the Corolla, it still feels more solidly built. The ride quality is better on the Fluence and it’s also pretty easy to drive – the front visibility is good and the steering is light to use too.
As for the Corolla, it is the most proved product in this segment. And honestly, one can’t really go wrong with it. Moreover, apart from feeling as solid as the Fluence, the Corolla is pretty close to the Renault in almost every other area.

Price Index - Avg Ex-Showroom Price      

Petrol
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8 J          - Rs. 10,45,292
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G          - Rs. 12,16,296
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G L        - Rs. 13,53,624
Renault Fluence                              - Rs. 14,40,000
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8V L AT    - Rs. 14,54,557

Diesel
Toyota Corolla Altis J Diesel    - Rs. 11,39,909
Renault Fluence                           - Rs. 12,99,000
Toyota Corolla Altis G Diesel    - Rs. 13,24,030
Toyota Corolla Altis GL Diesel   -Rs. 14,28,698

Fluence vs Cruze –
The Cruze, obviously, is only available with a diesel engine. So, if you want petrol, the Fluence is the default choice. However, if it’s a diesel you want, the Cruze has a lot going for it. It has the more powerful engine here, which is fun to drive. It also then has the option of a manual and an automatic gearbox, while the Fluence is only sold with a manual.
The Cruze is also a style icon, it has more road presence and when on the move, it looks purposeful. It’s a car that conveys youth for its owner, way more than the Fluence. However, it’s not as spacious as the Fluence. And the Fluence also blends the comfortable ride and good handling balance better than the Cruze. And as with the Corolla, the Fluence feels better put together than the Cruze.

Price Index - Avg Ex-Showroom Price      

Petrol
Chevrolet Cruze LT    - Rs. 12,03,006
Chevrolet Cruze LTZ   - Rs. 13,60,315
Renault Fluence           - Rs. 14,40,000


Diesel
Renault Fluence                       - Rs. 12,99,000
Chevrolet Cruze LTZ AT        -Rs. 14,44,688
 
Fluence vs Laura –
The Laura might not be the selling car in this segment, but it sure is the best product. It’s built like a tank, has a lovely combination of ride and handling, and has spacious interiors and a fantastically large boot. It also has the better engines here, both petrol and diesel. Not only are these great fun to drive hard, these work well even for those who are not car nuts.
But apples to apples, the Laura just isn’t as well equipped as the Fluence. The Fluence in comparison shouts value for money when compared to the Laura and that we believe is a big advantage for the Renault. The thing is you get European built cars in both the Laura and the Fluence. You also get spacious sedans with comfortable seats if you choose either. And finally you get decently high snob value with both. Of the two though, the odds seem in the Fluence’s favour, mainly on account on its better pricing.

Price Index - Ex-Showroom Price      

Petrol
Skoda Laura 2009 Classic 1.8 TSI         - Rs. 12,57,771
Skoda Laura 2009 Ambiente 1.8 TSI     - Rs. 13,62,852
Renault Fluence             - Rs. 14,40,000

Diesel
Renault Fluence             - Rs. 12,99,000
Skoda Laura 2009 Ambiente 2.0 TDI             - Rs. 14,08,465
Skoda Laura 2009 Ambiente 2.0 TDI AT        - Rs. 15,20,802
Skoda Laura 2009 Elegance 2.0 TDI             - Rs. 15,59,517
Skoda Laura 2009 Elegance 2.0 TDI   AT      - Rs. 16,59,994
Skoda Laura 2009 L&K 2.0 TDI AT               - Rs. 18,40,158

]]>6634<![CDATA[Toyota Kirloskar Motor announces Price Hike of Key Models]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6634-toyota-kirloskar-motor-announces-price-hike-of-key-models.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6634-toyota-kirloskar-motor-announces-price-hike-of-key-models.htmlCarWale Team10/1/2010 11:46:54 AM5386http://img.carwale.com/ec/6634/img/m/6634_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6634/img/m/6634_lToyota Kirloskar Motor announced an increase in prices of its key models, effective October 1, 2010. The price increase of the Innova, Corolla Altis and Fortuner will be upto 1.50 per cent.The price of the Toyota Innova will increase by Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 17,000. The Corolla Altis on the other hand will also see a rise in price of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 14,000 and the Toyota Fortuner will be witness to a price hike of around Rs. 29,000.

]]>Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced an increase in prices of its key models, effective October 1, 2010. The price increase of the Innova, Corolla Altis and Fortuner will be upto 1.50 per cent.The price of the Toyota Innova will increase by Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 17,000. The Corolla Altis on the other hand will also see a rise in price of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 14,000 and the Toyota Fortuner will be witness to a price hike of around Rs. 29,000.

The price hike does seem to be across the board when it comes to car manufacturers in India. We will hopefully notice a wave of change in the sales of these cars. But then again lets hope for the best.

]]>6189<![CDATA[Toyota Kirloskar Motor's July 2010 Sales Grow by 36%]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6189-toyota-kirloskar-motor-s-july-2010-sales-grow-by-36.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6189-toyota-kirloskar-motor-s-july-2010-sales-grow-by-36.htmlCarWale Team8/2/2010 12:18:40 PM1343http://img.carwale.com/ec/6189/img/m/6189_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6189/img/m/6189_lToyota Kirloskar Motor India Limited registered a growth of 36% in sales in July 2010, compared to the same period last year. It sold 6835 units in July 2010 against 5007 units in July last year. A growth of 69 % was recorded for the period January to July 2010, over the same period last year.

]]>Toyota Kirloskar Motor India Limited registered a growth of 36% in sales in July 2010, compared to the same period last year. It sold 6835 units in July 2010 against 5007 units in July last year. A growth of 69 % was recorded for the period January to July 2010, over the same period last year.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director-Marketing, TKM said, “We are very happy with the consistent growth in sales, especially the response that the Corolla Altis Diesel has got since its launch on the 21st of July. We have already received 1035 bookings in 11 days and have dispatched 620 cars to our dealers across the country. We would like to thank all our customers for reposing their faith in us and our products for all these years.”

Bookings for the Fortuner were reopened between the 1st and 31st of July which got the company an additional 3004 bookings, taking the total number of (remaining) customer orders to over 6056. The backlog will be cleared by the end of this year, and bookings with reopen again in January 2011. With the Corolla Altis Diesel joining the bandwagon, Toyota will sure look to end the year on a high.

Read the Corolla Altis Diesel Roadtest here.

]]>5929<![CDATA[Pete's Automotive Launches Bilstein Shock Absorbers for the Toyota Fortuner]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/5929-petes-automotive-launches-bilstein-shock-absorbers-for-the-toyota-fortuner.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/5929-petes-automotive-launches-bilstein-shock-absorbers-for-the-toyota-fortuner.htmlCarWale Team7/21/2010 4:05:04 PM5859http://img.carwale.com/ec/5929/img/m/5929_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/5929/img/m/5929_lPete's Automotive launched the Bilstein shock absorbers for the Toyota Fortuner in a function held on 20th August 2009 in Kochi. Martin Hyar, Regional Sales Manager Asia, Africa, Oceania of ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Tuning GmbH and Peter K Chacko, Managing Director, Pete’s Automotive Products Pvt Ltd were present on this occasion.

]]>Pete's Automotive launched the Bilstein shock absorbers for the Toyota Fortuner in a function held on 20th August 2009 in Kochi. Martin Hyar, Regional Sales Manager Asia, Africa, Oceania of ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Tuning GmbH and Peter K Chacko, Managing Director, Pete’s Automotive Products Pvt Ltd were present on this occasion.

Since their inception over 135 years ago, Bilstein has been a unique and driving force in the automotive suspension industry. Bilstein is well-known, not only for its string of successes in motor sports - the suspension manufacturer has now been voted No. 1 for the fifth time in succession in the Best Brand reader survey organised by the magazine 'auto motor und sport'. In the category of sports suspensions, springs and shock absorbers, Bilstein gained 66.2% of all votes.

Bilstein is a wholly-owned subsidiary company of the EUR 48 Billion ThyssenKrupp Group. Bilstein suspension systems are available throughout India through Pete’s. Bilstein presently have suspension systems for most Indian cars including the Maruti Swift, Gypsy, Honda Jazz, Accord, Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta, Mahindra Logan, Toyota Corolla, Innova, Mitsubhishi Pajero, Montero, Mahindra Scorpio, Bolero, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Skoda and Porsche.

]]>5922<![CDATA[Toyota Launches the Corolla Altis Diesel]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/5922-toyota-launches-the-corolla-altis-diesel.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/5922-toyota-launches-the-corolla-altis-diesel.htmlCarWale Team7/21/2010 12:17:41 PM7565http://img.carwale.com/ec/5922/img/m/5922_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/5922/img/m/5922_lToyota Kirloskar Motor has just launched the much anticipated and awaited Corolla Altis Diesel. The Corolla Altis Diesel looks all geared up to set new benchmarks in the segment with its technology and pricing. The Altis Diesel starts at a very competitive Rs. 10,95,000 and goes up to 13,75,000 lakhs (Ex-Showroom price Delhi). This is really competitive pricing that can shake the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze, Skoda Laura and the Volkswagen Jetta which are the BS IV oil-burners in the segment.

]]>Toyota Kirloskar Motor has just launched the much anticipated and awaited Corolla Altis Diesel. The Corolla Altis Diesel looks all geared up to set new benchmarks in the segment with its technology and pricing. The Altis Diesel starts at a very competitive Rs. 10,95,000 and goes up to 13,75,000 lakhs (Ex-Showroom price Delhi). This is really competitive pricing that can shake the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze, Skoda Laura and the Volkswagen Jetta which are the BS IV oil-burners in the segment.

The Corolla Altis Diesel is powered by a newly developed 1.4Litre in-line four cylinder D-4D Common Rail Diesel Engine. This oilburner comes with a variable nozzle turbo and intercooler and  produces just a shade below 88bhp of power and a peak torque of 205Nm between a rev range of 1800-2500rpm. The Corolla Altis Diesel comes with a 6-speed manual transmission which is a first-in-segment offering, providing for a flat torque curve so that there's less need to shift between gears and it will also help with fuel efficiency. Toyota Kirloskar India claim a fuel efficiency figure of 21.43 kilometers per litre as tested and certified by an independent agency. However, stay tuned to our roadtest page when we get behind the wheel and give you a real world evaluation.

The key differentiator on the exterior on the new Corolla Altis Diesel is the sportier mesh grille and the badging, of course. Toyota also claim that the Altis Diesel has the best-in-segment ground clearance as well as NVH characteristics. The new Corolla Altis Diesel will be available in seven colours – Silver, Champagne Gold, Dark Red, Pearl White, Light Blue (all metallic) and White and Black (solid colours). The car will be sold in three variants – J, G and GL, and will be equipped with dual airbags and ABS (for safety). With the launch of the Corolla Altis Diesel today, Toyota Kirloskar Motor have just made the segment war even hotter than before. And now that there's a 1.4Litre diesel engine on offer,  it may just be a smart thing for Toyota to put this under the Etios' bonnet as well, so that they have a competitive edge.

]]>4232<![CDATA[All is Not Well at Maruti too; Recalls A-star for Fault in Fuel Pump]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/4232-maruti-recalls-a-star-for-fault-in-fuel-pump.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/4232-maruti-recalls-a-star-for-fault-in-fuel-pump.htmlCarWale Team2/24/2010 1:51:03 PM2405http://img.carwale.com/ec/4232/img/m/4232_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/4232/img/m/4232_lSeems like this is the season of recalls. After the huge fiasco in international markets over Honda and Toyota's recalling of its highest selling cars Accord, Prius and now latest being Corolla; Maruti - the largest Indian car manufacturer has recalled its flagship export brand A-star due to a fault in fuel pump.

]]>Seems like this is the season of recalls. After the huge fiasco in international markets over Honda and Toyota's recalling of its highest selling cars Accord, Prius and now latest being Corolla; Maruti - the largest Indian car manufacturer has recalled its flagship export brand A-star due to a fault in fuel pump.

Maruti is recalling around 1,00,000 cars from the Indian market to recitify the glitch. When contacted, the company said in a statement, "The fault was present in the cars manufactured till August 22, 2009. We realised the fault by November and immediately began contacting the customers."

Describing the fault, the statement said: "When the fuel is filled up to brim, beyond fuel auto cut off position, a possible fuel leakage from fuel pump mounting area may take place."

However, as a proactive step, the company decided to check all vehicles from the lot, around 1 lakh units including those exported overseas.  It said that the company would be changing the fuel pump gasket and O ring at no cost to customer.

Barely a month back, Honda had decided to recall 8532 'City' sedans manufactured in 2007 from India for a part replacement of power window switches that had the potential to catch fire.

With Maruti Suzuki's recall, whether a dent will be cast on the image of Japan as a manufacturer of high end safety cars is to be seen. Surely, all is 'not' well in Japanese camps.

]]>4222<![CDATA[ToyotaRecall Will Not Affect India ]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/4222-toyota-recall-will-not-affect-india.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/4222-toyota-recall-will-not-affect-india.htmlCarWale Team2/24/2010 8:12:32 AM1816http://img.carwale.com/ec/4222/img/m/4222_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/4222/img/m/4222_lToyota very recently came under crisis after the company announced recall of its one of the best selling products - Corolla, from its stable, after receiving complaints about problems in its power steering.

]]>Toyota very recently came under crisis after the company announced recall of its one of the best selling products - Corolla, from its stable, after receiving complaints about problems in its power steering.

However, officials from Indian office said that there isn't any problems in the Indian market and that suppliers for both the markets are different and so Indian cars did not face any issue. The Corolla has been assembled in India and the suppliers come Japan and Thailand.

The official said that if there were any problems it was with vendors with the North American region and that it has nothing to do with India.

Earlier when Toyota recalled another highest selling car the Prius for braking problems, Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director, Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motors had told CarWale.com that there won't be any change in plans for Prius in India and that everything is normal in the Asian region for the car.

Meanwhile in the US, the president of Toyota's US operations,  James E. Lentz III, acknowledged to skeptical politicians that the company's recalls of millions of cars may "not totally" solve the problem of sudden and dangerous acceleration.

]]>3693<![CDATA[Toyota Models To Become Dearer from January 2010 ]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/3693-toyota-models-to-become-dearer-from-january-2010.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/3693-toyota-models-to-become-dearer-from-january-2010.htmlCarWale Team12/7/2009 3:58:57 PM3089http://img.carwale.com/ec/3693/img/m/3693_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/3693/img/m/3693_lToyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced its plans to hike prices of its key models - Innova, Corolla Altis and Fortuner. The price increase will be in the range – 1.5% - 2%. The price hike will be effective from 1st Jan, 2010.  

]]>Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced its plans to hike prices of its key models - Innova, Corolla Altis and Fortuner. The price increase will be in the range – 1.5% - 2%. The price hike will be effective from 1st Jan, 2010.  

Commenting on the increase, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing, TKM, said, “So far, we have absorbed the increase in total costs – owing to the unfavourable exchange rate and increasing input costs – however, now we are compelled to pass on, a part of it, to the customer. We will continue to provide value for money and quality products to our customers, in line with our philosophy of “Customer First” ”.

]]>274<![CDATA[A Global Fiesta]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/274-a-global-fiesta.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/274-a-global-fiesta.htmlGeneral Disarray2/15/2008 10:57:57 AM3974http://img.carwale.com/ec/274/img/m/274_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/274/img/m/274_lA Global FiestaIt appears that Ford is learning the Toyota way, and has stated that the new Fiesta will be a global model, unlike its cars to date. For example, the Fusion that is sold in Europe (and India) is a large hatch/MPV-like car, whereas the US market Fusion is a traditional front-engined, rear wheel drive three-box sedan. The new Fiesta was displayed at various auto shows as the Verve concept car, and it certainly has a lot of that. It has also grown up quite a bit, and will compete with the likes of the Civic and Corolla. We already have the older generation Fiesta, in the form of the Ikon, selling alongside the current-gen Fiesta. Does this mean we'll have not two, but three generations of the Fiesta selling in the Indian market, come 2010 when it will be produced here? We'll have to wait and see.More on Ford Fiesta:

]]>A Global FiestaIt appears that Ford is learning the Toyota way, and has stated that the new Fiesta will be a global model, unlike its cars to date. For example, the Fusion that is sold in Europe (and India) is a large hatch/MPV-like car, whereas the US market Fusion is a traditional front-engined, rear wheel drive three-box sedan. The new Fiesta was displayed at various auto shows as the Verve concept car, and it certainly has a lot of that. It has also grown up quite a bit, and will compete with the likes of the Civic and Corolla. We already have the older generation Fiesta, in the form of the Ikon, selling alongside the current-gen Fiesta. Does this mean we'll have not two, but three generations of the Fiesta selling in the Indian market, come 2010 when it will be produced here? We'll have to wait and see.

More on Ford Fiesta:

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