The Odisha government has directed the police to ensure that the ‘no helmet, no fuel’ initiative of the government is implemented strictly across the state.
With growing instances of road accidents, the rule is gradually being introduced in different parts of the state. After Bargarh and Rourkela, the campaign has been extended to the state’s capital Bhubaneshwar.
According to chief secretary A.P. Padhi, the police have been asked to take up the ‘no helmet, no fuel’ initiative as a public movement and ensure its implementation.
Padhi also directed the works department to expedite repairs on major arteries to prevent accidents. The National Highways Authority of India has also been asked to take measures along ‘black spots’ on the highways and set up signages and signals within a month.
The chief secretary noted that road accidents could be reduced only if the police, transport and work departments work in close coordination to enforce rules.
The state government also planned to double 

Odisha to enforce \'no-helmet, no fuel\' rule 

BS-Motoring

“BMW India is committed to creating unparalleled customer delight and fascination for our most aspirational product portfolio to our discerning customers,” said Frank Schloeder, president, BMW Group India. “The appointment of Titanium Autos in Ranchi is part of our plan to establish a world-class dealer network in India. This facility will be instrumental in tapping the growing luxury car market potential of the city and cater to the increase in our customers in Jharkhand and Bihar.”
According to Bimal Singhania, managing director, Titanium Autos, BMW has a lot of growth potential in Ranchi. The new outlet features an ultra-modern 4S facility, which will be integrated with after-sales service workshop and will commence operations in the second half of 2016. 
The design of the showroom will be based on the Urban Street Display concept, which is a signature BMW layout with sales lounges close to the display area. The showroom will display nine cars indoors along with a special display ..

BMW India appoints Titanum Auto as dealer for Jharkhand, Bihar

British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph is all set to launch the Thruxton R in India at an event in Mumbai on 3 June, 2016.
The new Thruxton R is powered by an all-new 1200 cc, 8-valve, parallel twin engine that features ride-by-wire fuel-injection, and is fed by twin throttle bodies. 
The super bike gets an all-new 1,200cc parallel-twin engine which produces 96bhp@6,750rpm and 112Nm@4,950rpm. The engine gets a lighter crank, higher compression rate and a unique airbox, which not only increases the efficiency but also enhances the rideablity of the motorcycle. 
Among the other bits that are new, the Thruxton R also gets twin floating disc brakes upfront, Brembo monobloc calipers, adjustable Showa forks up-front, Twin Ohlins at the rear and is shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres. 
Other notable features (some optional) include a LED headlight, ABS, engine immobiliser, a USB charging socket, a unique flip-up ‘Monza’ fuel filler cap, Vance & Hines exhausts, a tinted fly ...

Triumph to launch Thruxton R in India on June 3

Maruti Suzuki is recalling 75,419 units of its premium hatchback Baleno to fix faulty airbag components and fuel filters. Along with the Baleno, the carmaker is also calling back 1,961 units if its compact sedan DZire with auto gear shift (AGS) technology to replace fuel filters."Maruti Suzuki will proactively and voluntarily recall 75,419 Baleno cars, both petrol and diesel, manufactured between August 3, 2015 and May 17, 2016, to upgrade the airbag controller software," the company said in a statement. 
The Baleno cars covered in the recall include 17,231 units that were exported. Besides, 1,961 DZire diesel cars with AGS transmission are headed for inspection and replacement of a defective fuel filter, Maruti Suzuki said.
As for the Swift DZire, it will only recall the recently launched diesel variant with AGS, which means customers with petrol and manual diesel variants will not be affected by this recall.
The software upgrade and the replacement of faulty fuel filter will be done 

Maruti Suzuki to recall over 77,000 Balenos, DZires to fix airbags and fuel filters 

Eider Motors, which has announced the expansion of its product portfolio for India, is now looking on expanding its dealership network across the country. Currently based out of Hyderabad, the company is looking to set up 30 new dealerships in India in the next two months.
Eider Motors, which sells a range of low-cost Chinese two-wheelers from lesser known CFMoto, Peda and Loncin brands, is gearing up to push its operations to the next phase. At present, the company is retailing six products and has opened bookings for eight more through its Hyderabad dealership.
The company plans to open 80 showrooms across the country of which 30 of them are set to be inaugurated in the next six months. In its initial phase of expansion, the firm will cover Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Jharkhand, and Kerala. Some of these dealerships are in the final stages of completion.
Meanwhile, the company is reportedly said to have eight models coming up 

Eider Motors plans expansion of 30 new dealerships within two months

Renault India inaugurated a state-of-the-art, multi-brand, pre-owned car outlet in Whitefield, Bangalore, on Thursday.
Renault Selection, the new pre-owned brand, will provide a transparent and reliable platform for customers wanting to buy, sell and exchange certified, pre-owned cars of all brands. It also offers optimum deals on finance, insurance, warranty and road side assistance.
“Renault is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy in India and we are entering new businesses in the automotive space to best serve the Indian customer,” said Sumit Sawhney, country CEO and managing director, Renault India. “The pre-owned car market in India has steadily gained momentum over the past decade, spurred by new model launches, quicker upgradation cycles by customers and rising income levels.”
According to Sawhney, the used car market in India is bigger than the new car market and over the next five years, it will be double in size.
Renault has partnered with Trident Auto for setting up the ..

Renault inaugurates multi-brand, pre-owned car outlet in Bangalore

Hyundai Motors launched the special edition of the Grand i10, commemorating 20 years of its foundation in India.
“The Grand i10 has been a trendsetter and India’s most loved hatchback winning many awards including the most coveted Indian Car of the Year 2014,” said Rakesh Srivastava, senior vice-president, sales and marketing, Hyundai Motor India. “Introduction of the Grand i10 special edition will further enhance the value proposition of the product and aims to achieve the highest customer satisfaction.”
The Grand i10 special edition will feature Rear Spoiler, Stylish Body Graphics and B-Pillar blackout on the exterior for enhanced sporty looks. The interiors will include 6.2”Touch Screen Audio Video system and Red & Black interiors for a refreshed and premium feel. 
The special edition will also come with‘20th Anniversary Special Edition’ emblem. It will be available in Sports Trim with both petrol and diesel variants in pure white color option.
The petrol, 1.2 Kappa Dual VTVT ...

Hyundai launches special edition of the Grand i10

It will be mandatory for public vehicles with seating capacity of 23 or more to have CCTV cameras, vehicle location tracking devices and panic buttons from next month.
The ministry of road transport and highways will issue a notification on June 2 to ensure all public vehicles follow the new rules. Vehicles with a seating capacity of less than 23 will be required to have vehicle tracking devices and emergency buttons. The ministry has already issued a draft notification in this regard.
According to Nitin Gadkari, the minister of road transport and highways, certain unfortunate incidents in the recent past have forced the government to take this step, so that women travelling in buses will be more safe. 
The CCTV cameras, vehicle tracking systems and especially panic buttons will enable the police to know the exact location of the bus and provide prompt assistance. Gadkari said that buses in the future should be manufactured along with these features.
The minister also launched a ...

CCTV cameras, vehicle location tracking devices mandatory for public vehicles with 23-plus seating capacity

Renault India announced the launch of Renault selection in Bangalore today with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art facility  Renault selection Whitefield.  Renault selection is the pre-owned car brand of Renault India which provides customers a transparent and reliable platform for customers interested in buying, selling and exchanging certified pre-owned cars of all brands with optimum deals on finance, insurance, warranty and Road Side Assistance (RSA).

Renault enters pre owned car market with Renault Selection

MotorOctane

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), which has started testing the Tucson in the country, is likely to bring the SUV to the Indian market around September this year.
Currently in its third generation, the Tucson has been spied testing on Chennai roads. First shown at Auto Expo 2016, the SUV will be positioned between Creta and the Santa Fe SUVs in Hyundai's portfolio. 
The new Tucson gets Hyundai’s large, new hexagonal grille up front, elongated headlamps that stretch all the way from the grille to the fenders, and heavily stylised fog lamp enclosures that contain two individual lighting elements.
Unlike the stand-up and square proportions of the Creta, the new Tucson’s silhouette is full of curves and confidently drawn slashes. This is evident when you look at its side profile. The long bonnet curves down gently, the A-pillar is visually ‘disconnected’ from the bonnet to accentuate the length, and the heavily sculpted side looks more sports coupé-like than Sports Utility Vehicle.
The .

Hyundai Tucson to be launched in India in festive season 

After implementing the odd-even rule, the Delhi government has embarked upon another new initiative to curb pollution and strengthen public transport by allowing an app-based premium bus service to ply in the city. 
The app-based air-conditioned premium bus shuttle service with Wi-Fi will be launched from June 1. It allows people to book their seats in buses through their smartphones. This premium service offers a more comfortable and convenient transport service to the residents. These buses will also use CNG as the fuel.
As per the scheme, participating companies like Ola and Uber will determine the routes and notify the users about the same on their apps. Users can book their seats in advance and use the service. 
To get a license from the transport department, the aggregator companies will have to have at least 50 running buses in their fleet. The license would not allow a bus to be using more than three aggregator services at a time.
Unlike regular bus services, there won't be ...

Delhi to allow app-based premium bus services from June 

Maruti Suzuki's all-new Suzuki Super Carry light commercial vehicle (LCV) will be launched in South Africa by Suzuki Auto SA in June. The price of the LCV start from 129,900 Rand (Rs. 5.58 lakh).
Manufactured in India by Maruti Suzuki, the Super Carry is powered by the 1.2-litre GB14 four-cylinder petrol engine with multi-point fuel injection, good for 72 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 101 Nm of torque @ 3,000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. Claimed to be the “most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class”, the Super Carry comes with a 3-year, 100,000 km warranty.
The Super Carry has a payload rating of 750 kg, while measuring 3.8 m in length and 1.56 m in width. The load deck measures 2.18 m length and 1.49 m in width.
Ground clearance stands at 175 mm and the turning cycle is pegged at 8.6 m. The LCV rides on an independent front suspension featuring MacPherson struts and coil springs while a rigid axle and leaf springs suspend the rear.
The Super .

Made-in-India Suzuki Super Carry LCV to be launched in South Africa 

Drive smart

Fitted with smart tech, the Ford Figo Aspire is a great option for the workaholic

Business Standard

Nearly half of all automotive dealers in India expect to be profitable in the 2016 financial year as the India passenger-car market begins to recover from an economic slowdown, according to the J. D.

Toyota ranks highest in Dealer Satisfaction with Automotive Manufacturers

Tata Tiago Vs Maruti Celerio Vs Hyundai Grand i10 Comparison

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has launched the updated Activa-i in the country at Rs. 50,255 (ex-showroom, Mumbai). 
The new Honda Activa-i will feature three new colours - Pearl Trance Yellow, Candy Jazzy Blue and Imperial Red. The first two colours will be offered on the standard variant, while the latter will be offered only in the Deluxe variant. There are new decals as well, while the scooter does not get a price hike.
Besides the new colours, the standard variant of new Activa-i will also be available in Pearl Amazing White, Orchid Purple Metallic and Black.
The 2016 Activa-i, which is the same as 2015 model, is powered by the 110cc HET engine (Honda Eco Technology) for fuel efficiency and generates 5.84 kW of power (8 BHP @7,500rpm) and maximum torque of 8.74Nm at 5,500 rpm. The motor is paired to a V-Matic transmission. 
Yadvinder Singh Guleria, senior vice president - Sales & Marketing, HMSI said, "In line with our strategy to surprise our customers by adding ...

2016 Honda Activa-i introduced in three new colours 

Nissan Motor India has opened its first-ever dealership in the Northeastern region of India by opening 'Orange Nissan' in Shillong, Meghalaya. With this, the carmaker is targeting a sales growth of around 20 per cent in the North-East during 2016-17.
Currently, Nissan India has a nationwide network of 219 outlets across 166 cities. The company is aiming to expand its network with 300 sales and service centres across the country by the end of March next year. 
The Northeastern region contributed around 3-4 per cent to the company's domestic sales of 42,000 units last financial year. The company is now looking at ramping up its sales outlets in the region during the fiscal and expects around 20 per cent growth in its sales. 
The high-tech Orange Nissan showroom is spread across 3240 sq. ft with an ample space to display up to five cars. The service centre is situated at Shillong, Jowai Road.
“The automobile market in the Northeast region of India has increased exponentially over the ...

Northeast market looks promising for Nissan India

Indian Motorcycle has launched the all new 2016 Scout Sixty in India at Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). 
The Scout Sixty, which will be available from July 2016, comes in three colours - Thunder Black, Red, and Pearl White.Positioned just below the Scout, the Scout Sixty shares almost everything with its elder sibling barring the engine. It gets a 999cc V-Twin engine that pumps out 76bhp of power and 88.8Nm of torque at 5,800rpm. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed transmission.
Commenting on the launch of the All-New 2016 Indian Scout Sixty in India, Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India said, "I am quite sure that the introduction of the All-New 2016 Indian Scout Sixty in the Indian market will help us grow in terms of volumes in the fast-growing luxury commuter category." 
"The Indian Scout has been a stunningly successful introduction for us, with balance, performance and maneuverability that appeals to a broad swath of riders here in America and around the globe," ...

Indian Motorcycle launches all new Scout Sixty at Rs 11.99 lakh

While the Indian government is keen to move to BS-VI emission norms bypassing BI-V norms by 2020, analysts feel that the fuel needed for this move may not be available by then. 
"Given the past experience with respect to delays in availability of BS-IV compliant fuel, the availability of cleaner fuel by 2020 on a nationwide basis may also become a bottleneck," says a report by rating agency ICRA. 
The Government of India in February decided to skip the BS-V emission standards and directly move to more stringent BS-VI norms by April 2020, four years ahead of the earlier schedule.  
ICRA said that the transition may not be smooth as industry players will have numerous challenges to deal with. "We believe while availability of technology is not an issue, the key challenge for OEMs will be adapting the available solutions to Indian market conditions in a relatively short time frame, in a cost-effective manner," says ICRA. 
The report also suggested that OEMs with higher dependence on ...

Question mark over availability of cleaner fuel for jump to BS VI norms 

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) has sought clarification from the government about the new clause in the finance bill that makes it compulsory to collect tax at source on sale of a vehicle costing over Rs.10 lakh. 
The budget had proposed levying a one per cent tax on luxury cars priced above Rs.10 lakh; the dealer would have to collect the tax. However, according to Siam, while the budget speech referred only to passenger vehicles, the tax is now applicable on trucks, buses, two-wheelers and cars sold by manufacturers, exporters and dealers. 
Automobile dealers fear that they too may have to pay the tax and not just the consumer. Even individuals selling their old cars for a price above Rs.10 lakh will have to collect the one per cent tax from the buyer and pay it to the government.

Siam seeks clarification from government on 1 per cent additional tax on luxury cars

The cumulative figures for global sales of Toyota’s hybrid vehicles crossed the 9 million-mark on April 30, according to the Japanese automaker. The latest million-unit milestone was achieved in just nine months. 
“This is a phenomenal achievement for Toyota globally as we firmly believe that environment-friendly vehicles can only truly have a significant positive impact if they are widely used,” said N. Raja, director and senior vice-president, Toyota Kirloskar Motor. “Although hybrid technology is still at a very nascent stage in India and caters to a very niche segment, the Camry Hybrid has received an overwhelming response from our customers and the market alike.” 
According to him, the success of Camry hybrid indicates the willingness of the market to accept alternative fuel technology like hybrid which not only benefits the environment but also conserves fuel. 
“We would like to thank the government for encouraging our efforts to promote hybrid technology in India by introducing 

Overwhelming response for Camry Hybrid: Toyota India executive

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