Among the many car manufacturers who are launching both the hatch and notchback segments of their cars is Toyota. The car makers is coming out with Toyota Etios which was displayed as a unique concept car at the Auto Expo in New Delhi. In a country that is spoilt for choice by car makers Toyota is only launching the 1.2 litre and 1.5 litre petrol engine. The production of the diesel variant is on hold for now.




The notchback segment of the car is expected to be launched three months before the hatchback by 2010 end. Toyota Etios is expected to have a DOHC 16-valve engine with a 1200cc displacement. But its catch would be its price that has been dettermined keeping in mind Etios's closest competitors Maruti Swift and other premium hatchback cars like Fiat’s Punto, Hyundai’s i20 and Skoda Fabia.


Toyota has been trying to cement its position in the Indian car market for a long time and with Toyota Etios the verdict is in Toyota's favour. And Toyota Etios is not all, Toyota has a lot of good models to offer to the Indian auto market. Some of Toyota's brands like Toyota Corolla and Toyota Qualis have been major successes. The cars offered by Toyota in India include Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Innova.

Ford Figo, much-awaited compact hatchback in India, will be launched in March 2010. The news is confirmed by a senior company official on the sidelines of launching production ready Ford Figo in Chennai, recently. The Ford Figo will be pitted against other small hatchback in India such as Maruti Swift, Maruti Ritz, Fiat Punto, Hyundai i10 and Hyundai i20. At present, small cars in India contribute to over 70 per cent total new cars sale. The US auto major has invested around 500 million dollor in the Chennai based facility. All Ford Figo hatchback's would be manufactured here only. Still investment is to be done in new engine facility that will have a production capacity of 2.50 lakh powertains per annum. Raj Nair, Ford VC, operations (Asia Pacific and Africa), told reporters here that the Ford Figo will be pitted against the likes of Maruti Swift and Hyundai i10 which are the largest selling small cars in India. However, he and Ford India MD and president Michael Boneham, did not disclose the price tag of Ford Figo. The car will be manufactured here for domestic and export purpose. Mr Boneham informed the media that the new engine plant will cater to the requirements of the Indian auto market. The best of engine producing practices would be used for developing world class powertrains at here. He added that 1.4L diesel and 1.2L petrol engine will be produced in the new engine facility. He further mentioned that sixty per cent of the petrol engine and seventy per cent of diesel engine components are being produced here in India only. The official claimed that the company will launch a series of new vehicles in the time frame of one and half year from now. Nevertheless, these yet-to-launch auto products would fall in compact car segment.

According to information received by us, the much-awaited compact
hatchback Ford Figo is going to be rolled out tomorrow in India from company's Chennai plant. The stylish and sporty looking car is expected to be available in petrol and diesel variants in India. It is reported that the company is going to start production of Ford Figo in its Chennai plant from tomorrow onwards. It suggests that the display purpose car models will be sent to showrooms across India by two weeks.

As far as the price tag of the Ford Figo is concerned, it would be between Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Due to its competitive price and compactness, it will be pitted against the like of Maruti Ritz, Maruti Swift, Hyundai i10, Hyundai i20 and Fiat Punto. The petrol variant of Ford Figo is believed to be loaded with a 1.2-liter Duratec petrol engine and a 1.4-liter Duratorq diesel power mill. The petrol engine might produce 70-75 bhp of peak power while the diesel mill generates up to 68 bhp of top power. The diesel engine will be borrowed from Ford Ikon and Ford Fiesta.

The stylish new Ford Figo bound to India is expected to be equipped with next generation features. The bonnet of the car is much impressive with its wide nose which houses slim grille, headlight, fog lamp and wider lower grille. The design is done by Ford Australia and eye-catching. Tyre covering is awesome and seems sporty. The rear of the car is as sexy as the front one. Taillights and rear hatch are fitted with perfection.

The Ford Figo is likely to possess advanced passive and active safety features to name a few are two airbags for front passenger and driver, ABS with EBD, seatbelt warning indicators, door-ajar warning, belt tensioners and belt force limiters.

Nissan Motors India, a 100 percent owned subsidiary of Japan based Nissan Motor Co., is all set to flood its product portfolio with nine new cars models by year 2012. In these 9 car models 5 will be made in India and remaining will be imported from Japan. Nissan Motors India's managing director and CEO Mr Kiminobu Tokuyama indicated in a statement that by year 2012 there will be nine new cars model in the Nissan's portfolio which currently consists only three car models Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Teana and Nissan 370Z.

Mr Tokuyama further elaborated that among the four new cars which will be imported in India as a CBU (completely built-up units), three models are already there in company's portfolio; Teana sedan, the X Trail sports utility vehicle and the sports car Nissan 370Z. Nissan X-Trail and Nissan Teana was among the first models of the Nissan Motors in India. The Nissan X trail, a compact SUV was introduced in India in year 2005 and the Nissan Teana was introduced in year 2007.

Five new cars which will be made in India includes a compact hatchback, a sedan version of the same hatchback and three 3 new compact models based on Nissan's New global compact car platform. According to the company the hatchback model will be launched by the month of May from company's Chennai plant which will be followed by a sedan version of same variant next year.

Nissan is in the process of building a manufacturing capacity of 2,00,000 cars at its Chennai Plant and the company announced the investment of about Rs 4500 crores along with its partner Renault in the Indian operations. The same platform will be used by French car manufacturer Renault that has a 44.4 percent stake in Nissan motors. Renault recently announced that it will revitalize its Chennai manufacturing facility with maintaining a shared capacity of 4 lakh units per year. However the Renault could fully use its manufacturing capacity for its Indian operations.

Ford is all set to launch its upcoming sensation in small car segment the Ford Figo in India. With the launch of the Ford Figo model in India the company is all set to make its position stronger in rapidly growing small hatchback segment. The Figo model has been specially manufactured for Indian market and company will launch it in both diesel and petrol versions after taking into consideration the Indian road conditions. Where the petrol version of the Ford Figo model will be loaded with a 1.2L engine, the diesel engine will be powered with Fiat's trademark 1.4L, Duratorq diesel engine which is already available in Ford's one of the most popular models, Ford Fiesta and Ford Ikon.

Ford Figo model has been designed with breathtaking Kinetic design of the company which is already there in models like Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo. As the model has been designed and Manufactured by the Ford Australia, makes it unique for Indian customers. The Interior of the car hasn't been displayed yet but as per the company officials the model will be launched with a completely fresh interior packages including completely fresh instrument panel, seats, gear knobs and trims. The all new exterior of the Ford Figo model includes body colored bumpers with fog lamps, slim upper grille and large lower grille. Besides this to make this model more aggressive and sporty the it has been decorated with sporty head lamps.

From the safety's point of view the car Ford Figo model is claimed to be a much safer small hatchback model compare to other cars of this segment. The model is expected to be launched with a range of new generation safety features like ABS (Antilock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution), Dual Front Airbags that offers safety in case of front collision. Besides these major safety feature the model will possibly be loaded with safety features like Belt tensioners and Belt Force limiters, Door-ajar warning and Seat belt warning indicator.

The Ford Figo model will be launched in India with a competitive price tag to make it affordable for a vast Indian middle class. Though there is no official conformation from the company's side about the price of the Ford Figo model but the model will possibly be launched with an exciting price tag to shock its competitors as the model will be competing with some of the most popular models in this segment like Maruti Swift, Maruti Ritz, Hyundai i20, Fiat Punto. The company has targeted Hyundai i10 price as its benchmark for the petrol variants, in the range of 3.5 to Rs 3.6 lacs. Wile the Diesel version is expected to be in the range of Rs 4.5 to Rs 4.6 lacs. With this unique design and exciting price tag the the Ford Figo model is expected to register a good start in India.

US based car manufacturer Ford has launched a new variant of its popular entry level sedan Ford Ikon In India. The new model is coming with some stylish features at exterior as well as a slightly modified interior. The new Ford Ikon plus model is coming with all new sporty seat covers and a new music system. Besides this new generation features like alloy wheels and central locking has also been added to the new model. A Chrome deck-lid handle at the rear boot is another additional new feature in this model.

According to a company statement the New Ford Ikon Plus model will be available in both Diesel and petrol versions. As statement given by Mr. Nigel Wark, Executive Director, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford India "The new variant is a follow up to the response witnessed on the Ikon iKool last year." The new Ford Ikon model has been priced in the range of Rs 5.17-5.77 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi). The price difference between the previous Ford Ikon and the new Ford Ikon Plus is about Rs 33,800.


Last year the company launched a new variant of Ford Ikon named as Ford Ikon I-kool. In that variant too many new features was provided to the customers including some new generation safety feature like ABS. Currently the Ford Ikon model is quite popular in India and it is giving tough competition to its competing cars like Maruti Swift Dzire and Tata Indigo Vista.

World’s leading auto manufacturers planning to launch their new cars in the Indian auto market in 2010. Indian auto market is dominated by the small hatch back cars despite this auto majors going to launch their sedans and SUVs over the next 18 months. These new cars will fall in Rs 8 lacs to 1 crore price bracket. Auto majors including Tata, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, Skoda, Renault, Jaguar, and Mahindra plan to hit the Indian road with a set of new big wheels.

World’s largest auto manufacturer, Toyota looking to capture more market shares in the Indian auto market. The company plans to launch new cars in India in 2010. The company plans to launch Toyota Etios, Toyota Prius and Toyota Avanza in the Indian auto market. Toyota Etios is a premium sedan model which will be priced lower than the 10 lakh price mark and after the launch it will compete with Honda City. Toyota Prius is a hybrid model that will be launched by the end of this year and will be available with Rs 20 lacs price tag. Third one is Toyota Avanza, an MUV (Multi Utility Vehicle) model that will lower sized in comparison to Toyota Innova and will be priced in the range of Rs 7 to 9 lacs.


Mercedes has been facing tough competition to maintain its top position in luxury cars segment from its German rival BMW and Audi. The company plans to launch new cars in the India auto market including Mercedes S500 L which would be priced at around Rs 1 crore and will be the most expensive car that will be assemble in India. The company also plans to launch the coupe version of its luxurious E-Class model which that would be priced in the range of Rs 58 to 62 lacs.


Leading luxury car manufacturer Audi also plans to launch the newer version of its popular Audi A8 sedan model. The newer version of Audi A8 will compete with Mercedes S-Class range.


Tata Motors has also unveiled the Jaguar XJ at Auto Expo. The company has already launched it at overseas market but in India it will be available from June 2010. Jaguar XJ will be priced near by Rs 1 Crore.


Auto major Renault plans to launch number of new cars in the Indian auto market including its premium sedan model Renault Fluence and Renault Koleos. The car will be launched in the second half of 2010 and its price will fall in Rs 10 to 12 lacs price bracket.




And if all other passenger car manufacturers are ready for action on sedans, how the market leader Maruti Suzuki can sit behind. Maruti Suzuki plans to launch its much awaited premium sedan model Maruti Kizashi by the end of this year. Maruti Kizashi will be priced in the range of Rs 12 to 15 lacs.


Skoda also plans to launch its luxurious SUV model Skoda Yeti in the Indian auto market. The company has displayed Skoda Yeti at Delhi auto expo and plans to launch it by the mid of this year. The company, however, not disclosed the exact prices of Skoda Yeti but it is expected that it will be priced in the range of Rs 12 to 15 lacs.


Mahindra and Mahindra is also working very aggressively to launch another SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) in premium segment. This new Mahindra SUV will be placed over its popular model Mahindra Scorpio.

Luxury car manufacturer BMW is also going to launch another model BMW X1 in premium SUV segment by the end of this year. BMW X1 will be priced below Rs 25 lacs.


India’s largest auto manufacturer Tata Motors also does not want to be behind in action. The company has lined up the Tata Aria which will be equipped with a 2200cc diesel engine and will be launched in the Indian market in the second quarter of 2010. Tata Aria is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 12 to 15 lacs.