Ford EcoSport
- BMW is creating buzz in India about soon to be launched new 3-Series through social networking websites. BMW India Facebook page has put up a teaser along with a competition related to the 3-Series F30 – the winner will be invited to the launch of the F30 3-Series in India. We expect BMW to launch the all new model in India by the end of this month.
- With the Duster, Renault has their first successful mass production model in India. However, the company is worried about losing some business due to lack of those two-extra seats as third row, which are offered in almost every SUVs and MUVs in the segment. Renault is now planning to solve this issue by offering seven-seater variant; simply by fitting two jump seats in the rear. These seats will not be company fitted, but will be available with dealer as an accessory.
- BMW Mini Cooper range is brought to India as CBU (Completely Built Units) and the prices are quite high, even after considering the fact that these are lifestyle products. Mini has still received decent response in India, with sales crossing 100 units within first month of the launch. The iconic brand wants to make the range a bit more affordable in India and will start assembling certain models here, at the BMW Chennai facility, soon.
- Our friends at Team-Bhp have caught Volkswagen’s new global small car, the Up!, in India. The German car maker had earlier confirmed that they will conduct a feasibility test in India to determine the possibility of the launch and we think that these cars are here for the same purpose. The VW Up! will be altered a bit for India roads, with the expected launch date around June 2013.
- On Saturday we reported about the double digit growth seen in the second hand car market – the growth is expected to continue at the same rate due to high number of new models being launched every year. Mahindra First Choice plans to take full advantage of this and plans to launch 350 new outlets by 2015 for an investment of Rs 350 crore.
- Ford has revealed the prices of the new EcoSport for Brazil, with the official launch expected on 3rd or 4th August. The EcoSport is priced starting BRL 53,490 (Rs 14.47 lakh) in Brazil. Although the prices are very high, these are not relevant to Indian market; the five-seater compact SUV will be assembled here and attract lower taxes with the length of less than 4-meters.
- PSA Peugeot Citroen announced their comeback in India last year, followed by displaying the range of models at the 2012 Auto Expo. However, the alliance sales have dipped considerably in Europe and PSA is reconsidering its strategies. The French group has put there India plans on hold for now – in spite of the fact that they had initiated work to build a new facility in Gujarat. New times and revised plans of Peugeot and Citroen for India are expected to be divulged soon.
- Even as we report about BMW’s online campaign for the launch of the new 3-Series, Team-Bhp members have spotted the publicity cars in Chennai, along with ongoing preparations at a mall where the 3-Series might be displayed.
- Nissan plans to use social media websites like Pintrest and Facebook to develop future products after interacting with its prospective buyers. Nissan will soon ask its followers what sort of vehicles and technologies they expect to see in market in 10 years. Depending on response further and more specific queries may be put forth.
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