Here are the latest launches from the 2nd day of the Delhi Auto Expo 2014:
Maruti launches Celerio at Rs 4.96 lakh
Aimed at strengthening its compact car segment position, Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday launched the Celerio, priced between Rs 3.9 lakh and Rs 4.96 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). ?Given the congestion on Indian roads, the demand for auto mode is no brainer. Presently, cars with automatic transmission are less than 5%,? MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said. The manual transmission models (four) are priced between R3.9 lakh and Rs 4.96 lakh, while the auto gear shift variants (two) are priced at R4.29 lakh and R4.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Celerio Auto Gear Shift variants will have the flexibility of both manual mode and auto drive mode in the same car.
Toyota unveils crossover Etios Cross
Toyota Kirloskar Motor on Thursday unveiled its first crossover, New Etios Cross, targetting young customers. Available in 1.5 and 1.2 litre petrol engines and a 1.4 litre diesel engine, the crossover would be launched in May this year but the company has already started taking bookings. The price of the model will be revealed in May. Crossover vehicles are built on a car platform but combines some of features of a SUV. TKM deputy MD Sandeep Singh said it would cost more than the Etios Liva series. Etios Liva models are available in the range of Rs 4.23-Rs 7.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new model will expand the Etios series with existing models – the Etios, the Liva and the Liva 1.5 TRD Sportivo.
Triumph pitches Daytona against rival Harley
Close on the heels of Harley-Davidson launching a ?small? 750cc bike, Triumph Motorcycles India unveiled the Daytona 675 ? priced at Rs 10.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). ?The demand generated after the introduction of our international models in November and the customer feedback thus received has fuelled this launch,? said India MD Vimal Sumbly. Seven stores will be opened over the next three months and bookings will commence in Delhi and Chennai from February 6. Paul Stroud, director, sales & marketing (global), Triumph Motorcycles India, added, ?… this is an opportunity for us to grow further. We are looking at a target of 500 motorcycles in the first six months, 1,000 by year-end and 1,500 by mid-2015.?
Mahindra Reva showcases electric sports car Halo
Mahindra Reva, the electric mobility division of Mahindra & Mahindra, on Thursday unveiled its concept electric sports car Halo which it expects to launch commercially in the next three years. The company said depending on the support from the Indian government for electric vehicle, the Halo will be introduced in the country but it could very well hit overseas markets first. ?There is a plan to commercialise the Halo, we are working on a bigger powertrain and a final design. It will take about three years to be production ready,? ED and president (Automotive and arm Equipment sectors) Pawan Goenka said. He, however, said the car could hit overseas markets first.
Refurbished M&M Mojo by June 2014
Two years after it first showcased the its sports bike Mojo, Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday finally showcased a completely refurbished version of the bike. Armed with a worked upon engine the company aims to launch the 300-cc, six-speed transmission bike, later this year. Sources inform the production version of the Mojo will be ready for commercial launch by June 2014. M&M President (two-wheeler segment) Anoop Mathur said the Mojo is currently undergoing validation and could hit the market this calendar year. The company did not announce the price of the bike but said it will be revealed during the commercial launch.
JBM?s low-floor city bus debuts
Auto component-maker JBM Group on Thursday launched a low-floor city bus Citylife, with a project investment of about R500 crore. The bus will be manufactured in the company?s Faridabad (Haryana) and Kosi (UP) facilities. These plants have the capacity to deliver 2,000 units per year. The company declined to give the price of the newly launched vehicle but said ?price of the bus will depend on customers because we have various features?. ?But, I will assure that our product will be competitive in the market,? JBM Group executive director Nishant Arya said. He said the bus is ready for the market. He also said the company has invested Rs 500 crore in the last two years for the bus.
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