Category: Automotive

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  • Jaguar Land Rover India Announces The Above And Beyond Tour

    Jaguar Land Rover India Announces The Above And Beyond Tour

    What could be a better way to spend your day with a Land Rover than taking it off-road! Jaguar Land Rover India has designed the “Above And Beyond Tour” series of events to do exactly that. The series has been designed to give off-road drive experiences to customers on natural trails and demonstrate the advanced technologies that make Land Rovers a potent off-roader. The first event of the series started in Ahmedabad on April 12 across a number of cities in India.

    Speaking about the experiential event, Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India said, “Over the years, Land Rover events have become highly desirable. They are a perfect platform for us to bring the Land Rover brand closer to our customers by delivering experiences that they will remember for life.”

    ‘The Above & Beyond Tour’ is organised and delivered by a team of highly trained and professional Land Rover instructors. Customers will get an opportunity to off-road in the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque which are two of the entry models in the Land Rover line-up. The first Land Rover drive experience event was organised in India in 2013 and since then over 18,000 customers have shown at the events to experience these Land Rovers.

  • Audi To Showcase AI:Me Concept At The Shanghai Auto Show

    Audi To Showcase AI:Me Concept At The Shanghai Auto Show

    Audi will be presenting the AI:ME concept at the Shanghai Auto Show 2019. Beside this car, the company will also showcase the Q2L e-tron, which was designed especially for China and is built in the Foshan plant. The compact SUV, which will be delivered to the first customers in the summer of 2019, will make its world premiere in Shanghai.

    The body of the Audi Q2L e-tron is 33 millimeters longer than that of the basic model. The car is powered by an electric motor on the front axle that mobilizes 100 kilowatts and 290 newton meters. With a battery capacity of 38 kilowatt hours, it has a range of up to 265 kilometers.

    But the big concept car that will make its world premiere is the AI:ME concept car which shows the company’s vision for the future of urban mobility. The Audi AI:ME shows the ideas of Audi designers and developers for a compact car of the future. The show car offers a roomy, futuristic interior and capability for level 4 automated driving. This allows the occupants the freedom to do what they like with their time on board. The Audi AI:ME offers high-tech features for communication, entertainment, or simply relaxation.

    There’s just one design sketch of the interior and that shows an interesting layout. There’s a massive screen that dominates the cars instrument cluster and is placed behind the steering wheel and the wooden trims. Considering that the company says it is a level 4 autonomous car, the AI:ME gets a steering wheel too but we expect it to be retractable given the autonomous driving function of the car.

  • Maserati Levante Trofeo India Launch Details Out

    Maserati Levante Trofeo India Launch Details Out

    One of the most powerful production cars to come from Italian automaker Maserati, the Levante Trofeo SUV has been confirmed for India. We understand that the Maserati Levante Trofeo will be launched in India in June this year. Compared to the standard Levante that is already on sale here, the Trofeo packs in 590 bhp and a whopping 730 Nm of peak torque from its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 motor, and has a top speed of 300 kmph, bringing it close to the likes of the Bentley Bentayga Speed and the Lamborghini Urus. The performance SUV was first unveiled globally at the New York Auto Show in 2018 and will be produced in limited numbers.

    Adding an aggressive touch to the SUV, the Maserati Levante Trofeo gets a sharper looking front with the revised grille, full-LED headlamps and a functional bonnet vents. The car comes with carbon fibre inserts to the rear and a side skirts further adding to the aggressive appeal apart from being functional additions. The Levante Trofeo rides on massive 22-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels, which are not only lighter than the stock version but also the largest fitted on a Maserati car. Internationally, the car is offered with a matte paint scheme that could be offered in India as well.

    Inside, the Maserati Levante Trofeo gets red, black and tan leather upholstered seats, while the ‘Trofeo’ badging is a reminder as to why this model is special. The carbon fibre treatment has been extended to the cabin as well with a number of inserts including the paddle-shifters for the ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. Other upgrades include new variant-specific graphics for the instrument cluster and new design for the gear lever. The Levante comes equipped with a 1280 watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound audio system as standard, while the touchscreen infotainment unit supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car also gets Trofeo-specific ‘Corsa’ driving mode with a launch-control function and 50:50 weight distribution.

    Maserati claims an output/litre of 156 bhp/litre on the Levante Trofeo, which is the highest ever for any Maserati engine. As a result, the SUV can sprint from 0-100 kmph in just 3.9 seconds. The Levante Trofeo is produced at the automaker’s Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy. The model will be priced around the ₹ 3 crore (ex-showroom) mark.

  • Range Rover Evoque Scores 5 Stars In Euro NCAP Crash Test

    Range Rover Evoque Scores 5 Stars In Euro NCAP Crash Test

    The second-generation Land Rover Range Rover Evoque was recently crash tested by the Euro NCAP and results are finally out. The new 2019 Range Rover Evoque has bagged a 5-star rating in the crash test, scoring 94 per cent for adult occupant protection and 87 per cent for child occupant protection. Furthermore, for pedestrian protection and safety assist features, the 2019 model has scored 72 and 73 per cent rating, respectively. The second-generation Range Rover Evoque was unveiled last year in November and in addition to updated design and styling, the SUV comes with a host of advanced safety and comfort features.

    According to the Euro NCAP report, in terms of safety, the new Range Rover Evoque has made major progress in the area of vulnerable road user protection with the adoption of an active bonnet and AEB for pedestrian and cyclist detection. Commenting on the SUV’s improved safety standard, Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says, “It is encouraging to see the continued widespread deployment and improvement of advanced technologies such as AEB and lane support. It is good news that some of the basic driver assist technologies will finally be mandated from 2022, but thankfully most vehicle manufacturers are already way ahead of the curve today.”

    The highlights of the new Range Rover Evoque’s safety features include – auto emergency braking (AEB) function for pedestrian, cyclist, city and Intra-urban. The SUV also comes with active bonnet function, speed assistance and lane assist system. These, of course, are in addition to features like dual front, side, and curtain airbags, seatbelt pretensioner with load limiter, seatbelt reminder, ISOFIX child seat mount, and airbag cut-off switch.

    The Euro NCAP tested the SUV for front offset impact, full frontal impact, rear whiplash impact, and lateral impact. In all these scenarios, the results showed that for adult occupants the protection levels always either good or adequate, except for rear whiplash impact where protection for the rear seat passengers’ necks was recorded as just marginal. On the other hand, in terms of child occupant safety, the protection levels were always rated good. The NCAP test also proved that in city driving condition, the vehicle’s Auto Emergency Brakes (AEB) was rated Good in all three test scenarios – left offset, right offset and no offset.

  • Evoke Motorcycles Unveils New Electric Power Cruiser

    Evoke Motorcycles Unveils New Electric Power Cruiser

    Evoke Motorcycles, a Beijing-based electric motorcycle manufacturer, has unveiled a new electric power cruiser, called the Evoke 6061. The name is derived from the “Twin Plate Frame” which uses precision laser cutting process from solid T6-6061 aluminium billet pieces. The rear swingarm uses the same twin plate design and sports dual coil-over rear shocks. The Evoke 6061 employs a 120 kW (160 bhp) motor with a chain final drive, and provides over 272 Nm of torque. While the company hasn’t revealed the top speed of the 6061, it says that the new motor and batteries offer a higher top speed than the previous 130 kmph with Evoke’s Urban Series electric motorcycle.

    What is also unique is that Evoke will be using its latest Gen 2 battery modules which are capable of attaining a 0-80 per cent charge in just 15 minutes. The Evoke 6061 will be packing 6 of these batteries for a combined 15.4 kWh of energy capacity. But fast charging and the six battery packs will also mean the need for a good heat management system.

    So far, there’s no word on actual range of the batteries, but most estimates put city range in the region of 300 km on a single charge. Evoke Motorcycles intends to have the 6061 on the road by June 2019, so it’s not very far from where we will can see how the bike eventually performs, although there’s no word yet on if the 6061 will be introduced in India. What is confirmed though is that Evoke Motorcycles is planning to make its debut in India. Evoke also has two models, the Urban S and Urban Classic in its portfolio, but for the Indian market, an all-new entry-level electric motorcycle is expected to be launched.

  • New Sketch Shows Hyundai Venue’s Dual-Tone Dashboard

    New Sketch Shows Hyundai Venue’s Dual-Tone Dashboard

    Hyundai Motor India is all set to introduce the Venue Subcompact SUV later this year and the company is releasing details on the new offering ahead of its global unveil on April 17, 2019. While Hyundai released sketches of the exterior and interior a few days ago, the company has now posted a new sketch of the dashboard providing more details on the upcoming offering. The new Hyundai Venue will be offered with a dual-tone dashboard, while the sketch also showcases the large 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with an automatic transmission.

    The dual-tone treatment will also extend to the seats and the door panels, while rear AC vents are also likely. The big takeaway from the upcoming Hyundai Venue will be the Blue Link connectivity features that will be a first for the automaker in India. The system will come with a dedicated smartphone app and an eSIM from service provider Vodafone-Idea for in-car internet connectivity. The new connectivity system will have 10 India-only features with a total of 33 connectivity features including geo-fencing, speed alerts, SOS, panic notifications, destination sharing, and road-side assistance and so on.

    Poweron the Hyundai Venue will come from the 1.0-litre T-GDi Turbo petrol engine along with the 1.4-litre turbo diesel on offer. Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic, while there will also be the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic available as an option.

    The new Hyundai Venue is slated for launch on May 21, 2019 and will take on a host of offerings including the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and the Mahindra XUV300. While the Vitara Brezza has been the sales benchmark in the segment, it will be interesting to see if the Venue will be able to attract similar volumes.

  • 2019 Porsche 911 India Launched

    2019 Porsche 911 India Launched

    The new-generation 2019 Porsche 911 went on sale in India today and we have all the highlights from the from the launch here. The eighth-generation Porsche 911 coming to India was internally codenamed 992 and retains the iconic silhouette that is distinctive to the Porsche 911 family. Furthermore, the car also comes with a heavily revised, more powerful range of six-cylinder turbo petrol engines. In India the new Porsche 911 comes in two variants as of now – Carrera S and Carrera S Cabriolet, priced at Rs. 1.82 crore and 1.99 crore respectively, very close to what we has expected.

    The eighth-generation Porsche 911 gets an extensively re-engineered platform that uses generous amounts of aluminium in its construction in its rear section, for improved weight distribution. Under the hood, the Porsche 911 Carrera S is powered by the extensively 3.0-litre flat-six, turbo petrol engine that makes an additional 30 horses. The total power output now stands at 444 bhp.

    The 0-100 kmph sprint time has been dropped under 4 seconds, with the new Porsche 911 Carrera S reaching 100 kmph from standstill in just 3.7 seconds. The 911 Carrera 4S does the same run in just 3.6 seconds and it also comes with all-wheel drive. The optional Sport Chrono Package further reduces the sprint by 0.2 seconds. The top speed on the Carrera S is rated at 308 kmph, while that on the heavier Carrera 4S is 306 kmph.

  • BMW 620d Gran Turismo Launched In India

    BMW 620d Gran Turismo Launched In India

    Adding a new entry-level variant to the 6 Series GT line-up, BMW India has introduced the new 620d in the country. The new BMW 620d Gran Turismo is priced at ₹ 63.90 lakh and is available in the Luxury Line design scheme. The 6 GT is already available in the 630d GT diesel Luxury Line and M Sport trims, and the new 620d GT joins the model at the automaker’s Chennai-based production facility for local assembly. The new model is now available for bookings at the company’s dealerships and BMW says it diversifies the 6GT’s diesel portfolio. Despite being the more affordable version, the new 620d GT is loaded on all the essential electronics and creature comforts that the German models are known for.

    Speaking on the launch, BMW Group India – President, Dr. Hans-Christian Baertels said, “With the launch of the first-ever BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, we created a new segment in the Indian luxury car market. Its distinctive vehicle concept, which fuses the long distance comfort of a luxury sedan and modern functionality in an alluring coupé style, has proven to be an instant hit in this class and has become a trend-setter. The BMW 620d Gran Turismo featuring an exceptionally efficient entry level diesel engine further strengthens the portfolio of the first-ever BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo.

    This is for the first time that the BMW 620d Gran Turismo variant is being sold in India. The model can seat five in comfort and gets a host of features including a two-part panorama glass roof, electrically operated adjustable rear seats with electrically operated sunblinds for rear side. There is also a rear-seat Entertainment Professional system with two 10.2-inch colour screens mounted behind the front-seat backrests, a BluRay player, HDMI connection for mobiles, as well as various connections for MP3 players and gaming consoles.

    The design language on the BMW 6 Series GT line-up was updated last year and the model 620d Gran Turismo continues to come with the frameless windows, distinctive coupe roofline, and an automatic tailgate. The wide kidney grille continues to bring the imposing stance and is complemented by the wide Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam and cornering lights. The 620d GT also comes with an Active rear spoiler, while the Luxury Line trim adds a dash of chrome to the package for a premium appeal.

    Inside, the BMW 620d Gran Turismo gets a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, ambient lighting with exclusive colours and fine wood inserts across the cabin. The pearl chrome finish also highlights the exclusivity of the variant.

    With respect to the powertrain, the BMW 620d GT uses the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Twin Turbo diesel engine tuned for 188 bhp and 400 Nm of peak torque available between 1750-2500 rpm. The 620d Gran Turismo is fast and can propel from 0-100 kmph in 7.9 seconds. The motor is paired with an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and gets cruise control, as well as multiple driving modes – Sport, Comfort, Comfort+ , Eco Pro and Adaptive. The car comes with an adaptive 2-axle air suspension with automatic self-levelling for improved ride comfort and also sharpens the driving dynamics.

  • Tata Altroz Spotted In India Sans Camouflage

    Tata Altroz Spotted In India Sans Camouflage

    The upcoming Tata Altroz premium hatchback was recently spotted in India sans camouflage. The spy photo posted by the forum Supercharged is claimed to have been taken at Tata Motors’ plant, and thus we can also see a few Tata Harrier SUVs around it. The car appears to be production ready and comes in the same Yellowish-Gold shade that we saw on the Altroz showcased at the Geneva Motor Show. Expected to be launched around mid-2019, this photo indicates that the carmaker might soon be ready to begin full-scale production of the Tata Altroz.

    Visually, the car appears to be identical to the Tata Altroz unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, which could mean that the India-spec model will be similar to the global-spec Altroz. The model seen here appears to be the top-spec variant, and it seems to come with LED lightings like – LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs, electrically operable ORVMs with turn lights, and LED taillamps. However, the car gets a different set of alloy wheels, compared to the show cars seen at the Geneva Motor Show.

    The Tata Altroz is built on the company’s new ALFA Agile Light Flexible Advanced (ALFA) Architecture and will be the first model to get the underpinnings of this new platform. Furthermore, the design and styling are a part of the company new Impact Design 2.0 philosophy, which was also used for the Tata Harrier. While we do not get to see the cabin of the car in these images, similar to the exterior, the interior too is likely to remain identical to the car showcased in Geneva. Expected features include a floating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a semi-digital instrument cluster, multi-functional steering wheel, and a host of other premium creature comforts.

    Under the hood, the Tata Altroz will borrow its powertrain options from the Nexon, featuring the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, along with the option of both, a manual and an automatic transmission. Upon its launch, the car will rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Honda Jazz, and Hyundai i20.

  • MG eZS Electric SUV Unveiled Globally

    MG eZS Electric SUV Unveiled Globally

    MG Motor or Morris Garages took the wraps off its new pure electric SUV, the MG eZS. MG says that the international launch will happen soon and India will be getting it too before 2019 draws to a close. The MG eZS will be one of the first ever fully electric SUVs in India when it is launched. It will subsequently be launched in some other markets like the UK, Germany, Australia, Thailand and the Middle East. The eZS will be MG’s second launch in India after the upcoming MG Hector, which should be launched in the country in the next couple of the months.

    “With a modern design and advanced technology, the MG eZS will herald a new chapter in environment-friendly solutions in India. While the petrol version of the MG ZS had already become a popular choice globally, we are confident that its zero-emissions electric equivalent will bring accessible electric motoring to the customers in India upon its launch by the end of this year,” said Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India. The company further shared that its electric vehicles would have over-the-air (OTA) technology and would go over 250 km in a single charge.

    By the end of 2019, MG Will have a total of 120 sales and service outlets across India and the company said it will also reach out to Indian target audience and educate them about electric vehicles and look to address issues such as range anxiety and charging infrastructure. Like the MG Hector, the eZS will also feature MG’s iSmart Next-Gen connected technology.

    Connectivity will be an important part of all MG vehicles and the upcoming MG Hector will come with a new advanced connectivity system called i-Smart next-generation system, a complete integrated solution that combines software, hardware, connectivity, services and application. The system has been developed in collaboration with several technological partners like Cisco, Unlimit, and Microsoft among others. The iSmart connectivity system comes with advanced technology, smart application, built-in Apps, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Features, Voice Assist, and Infotainment.

  • Benetti Launches Three Yachts in the Class Category

    Benetti Launches Three Yachts in the Class Category

    While at the Livorno shipyard the first phase of the Benetti Giga Season came to an end with the launch of a remarkable three giga yachts in just 100 days, most recently the 108-meter Benetti fleet flagship FB275, in Viareggio three Class category yachts have been launched in less than ten days: a Delfino 95, a Classic Supreme 132 and a Mediterraneo 116.

    On March 28, in Livorno, the Shipyard celebrated the christening of 108-meter giga yacht FB275, following closely on the heels of the March 21 launch in Viareggio of BD105 M/Y “Baya”, the fifth unit of the elegant and classically styled 29-meter Delfino 95. The generously spaced and welcoming interiors of the yacht are decorated with innovative combinations of marble, polished brass inserts and ash, eucalyptus and tay wood, creating an interesting alternation of textures and colour tones.

    The exteriors designed by Giorgio M. Cassetta provide a cue for interesting plays of light in the interiors through extensive glazed surfaces. The owner’s cabin on BD105 M/Y “Baya” has a bed adorned with sophisticated leather-upholstered headrests and a spacious bathroom fitted with tub, shower and mini bar. The two 1,000 hp Man V8 engines provide a range of about 2,400 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 10 knots. And when time is of the essence, the yacht has a top speed of 14.5 knots.

    April 3 then saw the launch of BS012, the twelfth unit of the 40-meter Classic Supreme 132 with exteriors by Stefano Righini. The interiors are by Benetti’s Interior Style Department, which chose the decorations and furnishings based on the owner’s instructions and requests. To give the boat more character, they feature leathers with an iridescent metallic appearance and richly veined varieties of marble: Port Laurent,Sahara Noir and Rino White.

    The juxtaposition of light-coloured smoked eucalyptus against the dark tones of matte-finish tay wood is clearly dominated by lighter colourways to give the settings a brighter atmosphere and the yacht an eclectic, modern feel. The social side of BS012’s character can be seen in the decision to put a teppan griddle in the centre of the table on the Fly Deck. In a first-of-its-kind solution for thimodel yacht, guests eat their food directly from the griddle on which it is cooked. Extensive outdoor spaces, particularly on the Sun and Upper Decks, are perfectly reconciled with the yacht’s streamlined contours, while the big full-height windows on both the Main and Upper Decks translate into brightly-lit interiors. Forward of the Pilot House, a Jacuzzi offers a spectacular vantage point from which to enjoy the sea view.

    Then on April 6, M/Y “Big Five” was launched, 35.5 meters long and the fifth unit of theMediterraneo 116 model. In this case too, the exteriors are by Giorgio M. Cassetta. The decor concept combines light-coloured matte-finish woods with other varieties in shades of grey and dark ash, creating a sophisticated and contemporary look. The use ofOlimpico Striato and Zebrino Apuano marble contributes to creating a sophisticated atmosphere. A huge forward section of the Main Deck is dedicated to the owner, with a private studio secluded from the areas set aside for socialising. The full-beam suite is flooded with natural light through panoramic windows, while the bathroom area, also full-beam, is split into his and hers areas, with a big shower cubicle set off by a marble-clad bench seat.

  • Fiat Chrysler Auto Expands India Footprint

    Fiat Chrysler Auto Expands India Footprint

    Fiat Chrysler Auto is in the process of expanding its India business and it recently opened its 82nd point of sale in India. At present, FCA has its presence in 70 cities and town in India which include all-brand showrooms that sell Jeep, Fiat and Abarth vehicles along with Jeep Connect showrooms, which are premium retail outlets that cater to potential customers in satellite cities and towns. The company recently inaugurated two all-brand showrooms in Bengaluru along with a new all-brand showroom in Panjim, Goa along with two new Jeep Connect showrooms in Ajmer, Rajasthan and Patiala, Punjab. Along with sales points, Jeep is also increasing its after sales touch points in India. At present, the company has 84 Mopar (mobility and parts) workshops.

    Kevin Flynn, President and Managing Director, FCA India said, “Our vision was to have a growing retail and after-sales network which could strategically complement our growing volumes in the market. With 82 retail outlets in 70 towns and cities we are covering a significant amount of landmass and customer base. We have grown over 50 per cent in our retail network since the Jeep Compass launch in August 2017. Our effort has been to maintain consistency in our network expansion and ensure excellence in customer experience along with improved service coverage.”

    The company’s last launch was the Jeep Compass Sport Plus Variant, which is priced at ₹ 15.99 lakh and is positioned above the base Sport variant, getting more features. Jeep has two new products coming up in India which are the Trailhawk variant of the Jeep Compass and the new-generation Wrangler Unlimited.

  • New-Gen Volvo S60 Coming To India

    New-Gen Volvo S60 Coming To India

    Volvo Auto India has had a great 2018-19 Financial Year. The company recorded a 25% growth during this time. However, the company had grown by 30% in the last financial year, this time around the rising input costs and low buying sentiment added to the company’s worries. No matter. The company is bracing the new year with equal confidence and wants more cars to come to the country and of course the new Volvo S60 is all set to be launched in the country. Speaking to carandbike Charles Frump, Managing Director – Volvo Car India said “I think with the S60, we are all excited that it’s coming to the country. The car is currently being produced in the United states and we are looking at the possibility of bringing it to India. Chances are that now it’s going to be in 2020 rather than 2019. But certainly that car will be coming”

    Volvo India had already announced that it will be introducing 4 new electrified cars in the country in the next 3 years. In its commitment towards the environment and electrified future, Volvo Cars plans to slowly phase out conventional powertrains and focus only on electrification. This announcement places electrification at the core of Volvo’s future business. It also paves way for the complete phase-out of combustion-engine-only models. The company has already committed to a goal of featuring some form of electric propulsion in its models from 2019 onwards and now India too is part of this plan. Every new Volvo from 2019 onwards will be electrified.

    Frump said, “If we look farther out into the future then we have a line up of plug-in hybrids coming. So we’ll start with the XC90 and that will happen this year, it will be locally assembled and then we’ll locally assemble a range of plug-in hybrids. The next thing that we’re thinking about is pure electric cars and that’s clearly a direction that the Indian government and Volvo is heading towards. By 2025 we want to have a million electric vehicles on the road.”

    The decision to move to electric vehicles couldn’t have come at a better time for Volvo as it readies its EVs and PHEVs for launch in the country and the support of the Government of India is of utmost importance. “We had great news just before the budget where they took the customs duty, if its assembled in India, from 30% to 15% and that has really improved the business case for us. The moment that happened, I got on to a phone with Sweden, asking them, how can we make this happen even quicker. It’s had a big impact and it’s very much appreciated by us.”

  • Tata Motors Group’s Global Wholesales Down By 5%

    Tata Motors Group’s Global Wholesales Down By 5%

    Tata Motors has officially come out with its global wholesale numbers for the month of March 2019, and the company has reported a 5 per cent de-growth. Last month, Tata Motors’ total wholesales, including Jaguar Land Rover sales, accounted for 1,45,459 vehicles, compared to the 1,53,114+ units sold by the company during the same month in 2018.

    The company’s passenger vehicle wholesales for the month stood at 88,314 units, witnessing a decline of 9 per cent, as against the 97048 vehicles sold during the same month last year. This also includes the combined global wholesales of Jaguar Land Rover and CJLR (JV between JLR and Chery Automobiles) which sold 70,171 vehicles in March 2019. CJLR contribution to this was 4,812 units. Furthermore, Jaguar wholesales for the month were 20,985 vehicles, while Land Rover wholesales for the month were 49,186 vehicles.

    On the other hand, global wholesales of all Tata Motors’ commercial vehicles and Tata Daewoo range in March 2019 reached up to 57,163 vehicles. The company bagged a marginal growth of 1 per cent in commercial vehicle sales, compared to the 57,740 vehicles sold in March 2018. As for the company’s performance in India, Tata Motors’ CV and PV sales combined, accounted for 68,709 units, witnessing a drop of 1 per cent, against the 69,409 units sold in March 2018.

  • Ford Might End Its India Business

    Ford Might End Its India Business

    News has emerged that Ford India could end its India business as it looks to sign a new deal with Mahindra. According to a Reuters report, Ford could enter into a new joint venture in India in which it will hold 49 per cent stake, while Mahindra will own 51 per cent. The American carmaker could transfer most of its India business to the joint venture including its assets and employees.

    carandbike reached out to Ford India for a comment and the company responded by saying, “We do not comment on speculation. Ford remains committed to India. On the strategic alliance with Mahindra, teams from both companies continue to work together to develop avenues of strategic cooperation that help us achieve commercial, manufacturing and business efficiencies for the future.” Mahindra hasn’t confirmed the news either and has refrained from commenting on speculations.

    Ford and Mahindra entered into a strategic alliance in 2017 under which they will share platforms and build new models together. Mahindra Electric, a completely owned subsidiary of the Mahindra & Mahindra which expertise in electric vehicles will lead the alliance by providing the technology to develop new electric vehicles. Mahindra Electric will supply the electric powertrains, battery packs and software technology while Ford will share platforms with Mahindra.