Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), one of the big two-wheeler companies, has sold 5,26,998 units last month. This is the highest level of sales for the company in any month of the current financial year. Its sales have increased by about two percent compared to the same period last year. HMSI’s exports in September stood at 35,196 units with an increase of about 19 percent. The company has updated its motorcycles to comply with BS6 Stage 2 norms. Apart from this, it has also launched some new products. The company has launched limited edition of Activa in two colors. Its 109.51 cc single-cylinder engine has been retained. It follows BS6 OBD2. Its maximum power is 7.37 bhp and peak torque is 8.90 Nm. Last month the company launched SP125 Sports Edition motorcycle. Its price is Rs 90,567 (ex-showroom, Delhi). It will be available at Honda Red Wing dealerships across the country. Booking for this has started. This motorcycle has been given better tank design, matte muffler cover and new graphics than before. It will be available in Decent Blue Metallic and Heavy Gray Metallic colors. It has bright LED headlamp, fully digital instrument console. Mileage related information is also available in its instrument console along with gear position indicator. The SP125 Sports Edition has a 123.94 cc, single cylinder BS 6, OBD2 compliant PGM-FI engine, which can generate 8 kW of power and 10.9 Nm of torque. HMSI is offering a special 10-year warranty with this motorcycle which includes three years standard warranty and seven years optional warranty. Earlier the company had launched Hornet 2.0 motorcycle. There have been some improvements in it compared to Hornet. This motorcycle has an OBD2 compliant engine. It has a 184.4cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine, which generates maximum power of 17 bhp at 8,500 rpm and peak torque of 15.9 Nm at 6,000 rpm. This motorcycle also has a new assist and slipper clutch which makes upshifts easier. Price of Hornet 2.0 starts from Rs 1.39 lakh (ex-showroom).
Tag: automobile
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All Hyundai models will get 6 airbags, new Verna gets five-star rating in safety
South Korean automobile company Hyundai has announced to make six airbags available as standard in all its models in India. Apart from this, the company will also make other safety features like three point seatbelt and seatbelt reminder available in all variants. 10 out of 13 Hyundai models will be offered with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) as standard across all models and variants. The company has said that Advanced Driver Aids System (ADAS) will also be provided in five of its models. Hyundai’s new Verna has received a five-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test. The company’s Managing Director and CEO, Unsoo Kim, said, “Hyundai’s efforts will continue to increase the safety standards of vehicles in the country. This will make the country’s roads safe for everyone.” The company has also welcomed the Bharat NCAP crash test which recently started in the country. It has announced the initial inclusion of three of its models for this test. India NCAP is an important step towards improving road safety in the country. Under this, safety standards have been increased for motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. The Road, Transport and Highways Ministry has said that this will make it easier for car buyers to assess the crash safety of motor vehicles available in the automobile market. Under Bharat NCAP, car makers will be able to voluntarily get their cars tested. Star ratings will be given based on the car’s performance in crash tests. Before buying a car, customers will be able to compare the safety standards of different vehicles by looking at these star ratings. The demand for safer cars may increase after the implementation of new safety regulations. This will also encourage car makers to follow Bharat NCAP for manufacturing safe cars. The ministry hopes that with higher safety standards, the demand for domestically made cars will increase in the international market. Two airbags are already mandatory for passenger cars. Adding four more airbags will increase the cost of automobile companies. In many countries, the rule of six airbags in passenger vehicles is already in force. -
Maruti Suzuki made highest sales in a month on the basis of SUV
The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki has achieved its highest monthly sales in a month in September. Last month the company has sold more than 1.81 lakh units. This is an increase of three percent compared to the same period last year. The demand for the company’s SUVs and other utility vehicles has increased rapidly. Maruti’s Grand Vitara and Brezza are getting good response from customers. The company’s sales in this segment have increased by more than 80 percent. Maruti has the first position in the SUV segment. Its models like Fronx and Jimny also have strong demand. Last month the company’s sales stood at 1,81,343 units. Out of this, more than 1.50 lakh units have been sold in the country. This is an increase of two percent compared to September last year. Sales in the country have crossed 10 lakh units in the first six months of the current financial year. This is the first time that Maruti has crossed the sales mark of 10 lakh units in six months of a financial year. Apart from SUVs, the company also sells MPVs like Ertiga, XL6 and Invicto in the utility vehicle segment. Its sales in this segment have increased by about 82 percent compared to the same period last year. The company has sold 59,271 units in the utility vehicles segment. For this, Brezza and Grand Vitara were the best selling models in this segment. However, the company’s sales in the small and compact segment have declined compared to September last year. Maruti’s exports have also increased last month. The company exported 22,511 units in September. It was 21,403 units in the same period last year. Recently, Maruti’s compact sedan Dzire achieved the sales figure of 25 lakh units in 15 years of its launch. The company claims that the sales of any other compact sedan competing with it have not reached 10 lakh units in the country. Its price ranges between Rs 6.53 lakh to Rs 9.39 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The compact sedan segment includes Hyundai’s Aura, Honda’s Amaze and Tata Motors’ Tigor. -
Honda Cars delivers 200 Elevate SUVs in a day in Chennai
Honda, one of the big automobile companies, has delivered 200 units of Elevate SUV in Chennai in a day. This mid-size SUV was launched recently. Its price is Rs 10,99,900 to Rs 15,99,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi). It has been made available in four variants. The company has delivered 200 units of Elevate SUV in a mega event. More than 90 percent of its components have been locally sourced. Its manufacturing is being done in the company’s factory at Tapukara in Rajasthan. A lot of space has been given in its interior. Apart from this, Elevate has 458 liters of cargo space. It has been made available in Phoenix Orange Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Golden Brown Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic colors. Honda Elevate has a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine. It generates power of 119 BHP at 6,600 rpm and torque of 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm. It has six speed manual transmission and CVT option. It competes with Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser. It has features like 10.25 inch touchscreen system, electric sunroof, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 7 inch semi-digital instrument cluster, wireless charging. Apart from this, ventilated front seat, door-panel mounted ORVM, LED headlights, connected LED lights are provided. For safety, Elevate has features like six airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, hill descent control, advanced driver assistance system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and high beam assist. Sales in the SUV category have increased rapidly in the country in the last few years. Because of this, many automobile companies are launching their models in this category. Recently, South Korea’s Hyundai launched micro SUV Exter. The waiting period for some of its variants has reached up to one year. However, for the rest of the Exter variants it is around six months. Hyundai has made it available in seven variants. -
Luxury car makers Mercedes and Audi expect strong sales during the festive season.
The demand for luxury cars has increased rapidly in the country in the last few years. Luxury car companies like Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus are expecting strong growth in sales during the festive season. These companies may achieve their highest volumes this year. India is becoming a major source of growth for these companies. Mercedes-Benz says that the festive season is looking better this year compared to last year. The company has started the festive season on a positive note with Onam. Mercedes has achieved its highest ever sales in India in the first half of the current year. The company has sold 8,528 units during this period. This is an increase of about 13 percent compared to the same period last year. The company has dominated the luxury car market of the country for the last several years. The launch of new and updated models has helped Mercedes in increasing the pace of sales. Apart from models with petrol and diesel engines, the company also has electric vehicles (EV). Earlier this year, the company had said that it would focus on top-end variants. The company is getting strong demand for these variants. In this category, Mercedes has vehicles like AMG SL55 Roadster, AMG GT 63 SE Performance and G-Class. Audi, one of the big companies in the luxury car market, is getting strong demand for models like A4, A6, Q3 and Q5. Audi said that in the first half of the current year the company has sold 3,474 units. This is an increase of 97 percent compared to the same period last year. Audi’s SUV sales are up 217 percent and performance cars are up nearly 127 percent. The company expects the sales momentum to continue during the festive season. Lexus also expects strong demand to continue in the luxury car market. The company has introduced limited editions of its sports coupe, LC 500h, for the festive season. It has also started booking for its new multipurpose vehicle LM. This is a new category for Lexus in the country. -
Manufacturing of semiconductors will start soon in the country, Micron is setting up a plant in Gujarat.
In the last few years, many industries are facing difficulties due to shortage of semiconductors. Due to this, production in the automobile sector has also been affected. The central government has also announced incentives for semiconductor manufacturing in the country. American company Micron Technology may soon start manufacturing semiconductors in the country. Micron Technology is preparing to set up an advanced semiconductor assembly plant in Sanand, Gujarat. Tata Projects will construct this plant. This plant will be in 93 acres. “This is the largest project under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM),” Tata Projects said. This plant is to be started by the end of next year. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and Non-Volatile Flash Memory (NAND) will be tested and assembled in this plant of Micron Technology. Tata Projects said that this plant will be designed as per the LEED Gold Standards of Green Building Council. Electronics and Information Technology Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the construction of the country’s first semiconductor plant is starting in Gujarat. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced to provide 50 percent financial assistance from the Central Government to those setting up semiconductor manufacturing units in the country. He had said that his government has provided many facilities for the semiconductor industry. Modi said that there will be strong growth of semiconductor industry in the country. In the Semicon India conference, Modi had said that an ecosystem is being created for the semiconductor industry in the country. He had told that 300 colleges have been identified to start courses on semiconductor design. Modi had to say that behind every industrial revolution in the world were the ambitions of the people. Along with this, he had said that he believes that the reason for the fourth industrial revolution will be India’s ambitions. Reliance Industries also plans to enter semiconductor manufacturing. With this, the increasing demand for semiconductors in the country can be met. This company, which does business from energy to telecom, is in talks with foreign chipmakers for technology partnership. -
Mahindra’s Scorpio-N becomes costlier, know the new price
Mahindra and Mahindra, one of the big automobile companies, has once again increased the price of its SUV Scorpio-N. This is the third time this year that its price has increased. Scorpio is the best selling model for the company. Its starting price has been increased by Rs 21,000. The price of its entry level manual transmission Z2 petrol variant has increased to Rs 13.26 lakh (ex-showroom). The Scorpio-N is made available in five variants – Z2, Z4, Z6, Z8 and Z8L. All these variants are available in both petrol and diesel options. The price of its entry level manual transmission diesel variant Z2 will be Rs 13.76 lakh. The price of its top diesel variant Z8L 4WD with automatic transition has increased by Rs 2,000 to Rs 24.53 lakh. The six-seater top petrol variant of Scorpio-N, Z8L with automatic transmission, can be purchased for Rs 21.78 lakh. This SUV is available in 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol engine and 2.2 liter diesel engine options. Its petrol engine generates maximum power of 197 bhp and peak torque of 380 Nm. Recently, the company had offered a huge discount of Rs 1.25 lakh on its electric SUV XUV400. Earlier this year the company launched XUV400. Its range on a single charge is a little more than 450 kilometers. This discount will be available till the end of September. The XUV400 competes with MG’s ZS EV and Tata Motors’ Nexon EV. This is the second time in two months that Mahindra is offering discounts on its only electric vehicle. This is a cash discount and does not include any other benefits. However, there is no discount on its variants with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The XUV400 has two variants – EC and EL. The company may launch a new version of it soon. XUV400 can be bought for less than Rs 15 lakh with this discount in September. Last month the company updated XUV400 with new features. It will have features like electronic stability program, tire pressure monitoring, cruise control and fog lamps. -
Citroen launches C3 Aircross in India, will compete with Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos
French automobile maker Citroen has launched the new SUV C3 Aircross in India. Its price ranges from Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 12.10 lakh (ex-showroom). It has been made available in five and seven seat variants. However, customers will have to pay extra for the seven seater variant. Bookings for the C3 Aircross have started from September 15. Its booking can be done through the company’s dealerships or online portal by paying Rs 25,000. Its delivery will start from October 15. It is the first SUV in the compact segment with three-row seating. It will compete with Hyundai’s Creta, Kia’s Seltos and Maruti Suzuki’s Grand Vitara. It has been made available in three variants You, Plus and Max. For its seven seater Flexi Pro version, customers will have to pay an additional Rs 35,000. It has a 1.2 liter turbo petrol engine and six speed manual gearbox. It can generate maximum power of 108 bhp and peak torque of 190 Nm. The company claims that its mileage is 18.5 kmpl. The company can also introduce its automatic version. The width of the C3 Aircross is 1,796 mm, length is 4,323 mm and height is 1,669 mm. Its front is almost identical to the upgraded C5 Aircross. It will be available in four single and six dual tone colors. The company has kept its interior simple but it has a lot of space. It has a 10.23 inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Citroen Connect. The C3 Aircross also has 35 smart connected features. However, it does not have sunroof or automatic climate control. Earlier this year, the company had introduced the eC3, the electric version of the C3 hatchback in the country. This was the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) in the country. It has a 29.2 kWh battery. The company had claimed its range to be 320 Km. It has a 10.2-inch infotainment system, four-speaker audio system and height adjustable driver seat. It can reach the speed of 0-60 kmph in just 6.8 seconds. The company has limited its top speed to 107 kmph. -
Big success of Maruti Suzuki Dzire, 25 lakh units sold in 15 years
The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki’s compact sedan Dzire has achieved sales of 25 lakh units in 15 years of its launch. The company claims that the sales of any other compact sedan competing with it have not reached 10 lakh units in the country. Dzire is priced between Rs 6.53 lakh and Rs 9.39 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The compact sedan segment includes Hyundai’s Aura, Honda’s Amaze and Tata Motors’ Tigor. Maruti’s Dzire can be purchased in Magma Grey, Bluish Black, Oxford Blue, Arctic White, Phoenix Red, Splendid Silver and Sherwood Brown. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) of the company said, “The company is committed to offering benchmark products with global quality standards across all segments. Dzire is a testament to the customer preference for the company’s products. We are proud of its 25 We thank our customers for achieving the milestone of selling one lakh units.” It has a 1.2 liter petrol engine. It is available in both manual and AMG variants. The company has offered huge discounts on its cars sold through Arena dealerships in September. A discount of up to Rs 60,000 is being given on eight models of Maruti. Recently, Maruti’s Arena dealerships had crossed the sales of 70 lakh cars. The benefits offered by the company include cash discount, corporate discount and exchange bonus. A cash discount of Rs 35,000 and exchange bonus of up to Rs 20,000 can be availed on WagonR, one of Maruti’s best-selling cars. Along with this, a corporate discount of Rs 4,000 is being given by the company. Its CNG variant is getting a discount of Rs 54,000 including a cash discount of Rs 30,000. On purchasing the company’s Swift hatchback, you are getting cash benefit of Rs 35,000 and exchange bonus of Rs 20,000. Apart from this, a corporate discount of Rs 5,000 is also available. Maruti expects the sales of passenger vehicles to be more than 10 lakh units in this festive season. The company earns 22-26 percent of its total sales in a year during the festive season.