Facebook Pixel Code

Auto Expo 2014 Day 1: Ford Fiesta, Audi A3, Honda Mobilio, more

While Maruti and Tata get hearty welcome, international players too, are making their presence felt.

Automobile manufacturers gave a thumbs-up to the Auto Expo 2014, as the show kicked off on Wednesday in a very business-like manner in a new venue in Greater Noida, a

little far off from New Delhi. Here are the highlights of the launches in Day 1 of Auto Expo 2014:

Ford unveils new Fiesta, Figo Concept

US auto major Ford Motor on Wednesday unveiled its all new mid-sized sedan Fiesta and compact sedan Figo Concept. Ford India executive director, marketing (sales and services) Vinay Pipersania, said the new Fiesta will hit the market later this year. ?The 2014 Ford Fiesta takes our strongest global name plate to the next level,? he added. Ford India president Nigel Harris said the Figo

Concept is also targeted at first-time buyers.

Fiat India introduces three cars

Fiat Group Automobiles India on Wednesday unveiled three cars ? multi-purpose vehicle Avventura, hatchback Abarth 500 and new version of sedan Linea. ?The introduction of the new products in the Indian market is in line with the our long-term strategy, which puts us in a strong position to penetrate into the Indian market,? Nagesh Basavanhalli, president and MD, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Indian operations), said.

Audi?s A3 sedan launch in Q3FY15

Audi unveiled what it calls the ?next big Audi? ? the A3 sedan ? at the Auto Expo 2014. Audi India head Joe King said that the A3 has the potential to be the largest selling luxury car in India. ?We will launch the A3 in India in the third quarter of this year,? King said. He said that the A3 will be priced slightly higher than the small luxury cars like Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 series. Audi also showcased the Audi RS 7 Sportback and the Audi R18 e-tron quattro. The company also displayed special versions of its SUVs ? the Audi Q3, Audi Q5 and Audi Q7.

Renault unveils concept car KWID

Renault made the global launch of its concept car KWID besides introducing new variants of models Fluence and Duster. ?This is the first time we have chosen to reveal a concept car outside Europe and this is eloquent sign of our commitment to India,? Gilles Normand, senior VP and chairman Asia Pacific Region, Renault, said. The KWID has been designed with inputs from Renault Design India and is targeted at meeting the needs of young customers, Sumit Sawhney, country CEO & MD, Renault Operations in India, said.

Tata, JLR to work jointly on engines

After the recent launch of the Revotron turbocharged engine, which emerged from synergies between Tata Motors and its subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the company plans to continue focusing on developing more engines in the 1.2-2 litre space, Tim Leverton, head ? Advanced & Product Engineering, Tata Motors, told FE. ?There is a lot of discussion on engines. The 1.2 l turbocharged Revotron is the first from that family. The second engine that will come out will be more elaborate and will be of critical focus because of its size,? said Leverton.

No more Chinese cars in India: GM

General Motors has decided to not launch any more models developed in its joint venture with China?s SAIC in India, a top GM India official told FE. It currently sells the Sail hatchback and sedan, and the Enjoy MPV, in India ? all cars developed under its Chinese joint venture. ?We do not plan to launch any more models from our Chinese venture with SAIC in India. We realise that Indian customers have different expectations from Chevrolet than our customers in China. That has hurt our brand here,? the GM official said.

Honda to launch two cars in FY15

Japanese auto major Honda on Wednesday said it would launch two models in the country during the next fiscal. Honda Cars India unveiled its mid size multi-purpose vehicle ?Honda Mobilio? and the all-new third generation ?Honda Jazz?. ?India is one of the most important markets for global Honda,? Honda Motor Japan president and CEO Takanobu Ito said.

M&M to come up with 3 new platforms

Mahindra & Mahindra will come up with three completely new vehicle platforms, including one for a compact sports utility vehicle, between 2015 and 2017 as part of its programme to strengthen products range. The company, which is showcasing a hybrid version of its SUV XUV5OO, said the vehicle will be ready for commercial launch in one year.

JLR pushes back China production

Tata Motors?s Jaguar Land Rover unit said production at its Chinese venture with Chery Automobile will begin next year, later than initially expected, because of delays getting machinery and equipment. ?2014 was in principle when we expected to begin production but it was never meant to be big production,? CEO Ralf Speth said. ?We may do some test building in 2014 to get the workers trained and ready. 2015 is when the production for sale will begin.?

Isuzu unveils D-MAX Space Cab

Japanese automobile maker Isuzu has unveiled its D-MAX Space Cab. With a specially built in cabin space of 1.5 feet behind the driver?s seat, the D-MAX Space Cab offers multi-utility capability to the pickup truck. The Space Cab is targeted at the owner-driven customer, the largest and fastest growing segment in India. Takashi Kikuchi, president and MD, Isuzu Motors India, said, ?In India, the pickup truck segment is one of the largest and fastest growing segments in commercial vehicles (CV), accounting for 35% of the total CV market. We estimate India to be the world?s largest 1-tonne pickup truck market by 2023.?

Suzuki unveils Rs 14.95-lakh bike

Aiming to double its market share in the country, Japanese Suzuki Motor on Wednesday unveiled four new products, including about Rs 15-lakh V Strom 1000 bike and a 110 cc scooter ?Let?s?. The company also launched 250 cc Inazuma and 155 cc Gixxer, its flagship model for the Indian market. While the scooter would be launched in April, Gixxer will hit Indian roads in July or August. India vice-president Atul Gupta said. However, V-Storm (priced at R14.95 lakh) and Inazuma with a sticker price of Rs 3 lakh will be available in the market with the Wednesday launch, he said.

Harley launches Street 750 for Rs 4.1 lakh

Harley-Davidson India has launched the anticipated Street 750. Priced at Rs 4.1 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the new Street 750 makes Harley-Davidson more accessible to a new generation of urban young adults. The Street 750 will come fitted with Zapper tyres from MRF designed for Harley-Davidson and the motorcycle will also be built and exported to select international markets at the company?s assembly facility in Bawal, Haryana.

More from Auto Expo 2014

Get live Share Market updates, Stock Market Quotes, and the latest India News and business news on Financial Express. Download the Financial Express App for the latest finance news.

First published on: 06-02-2014 at 09:05 IST
Market Data
Market Data
Today’s Most Popular Stories ×