Audi India race talent and Indian GT racing star Aditya Patel is all geared up to replicate his success at the Audi R8 LMS Cup over the weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit in China.
Set to participate with team Absolute Racing, Aditya will be driving the all new Audi R8 LMS cup car, a sophisticated embodiment of the German carmaker’s lightweight design expertise and highest safety standards in a roll cage stressed steel body. 
Aditya, with the support from Audi India, JK Tyres and Jubilant Motorworks participated in the 2015 edition of the championship and produced some impressive results to ultimately finish fourth in the championship standings. 
The Chennai based racing wizard scored multiple podium finishes and ended his championship campaign with the win at the final race in Shanghai. 
“Last year was a very positive year for me,” said Aditya. “Yes, I did have a few bad races which dented my hopes of fighting for the top three spots in the championship, but we still ...

Aditya Patel to compete in Audi R8 LMS Cup for second year in a row

BS-Motoring

Rockford Fosgate, a leading American car audio system manufacturer, is entering the Indian market with Blaupunkt as its exclusive distributor.
Three of its products – The Prime, Punch and Power series – will be available in India. The first two are premium products, which will be sold through select Blaupunkt dealers. The Prime series, its budget range, would be available across all Blaupunkt dealers.
Premium dealers will be appointed by invitation only after Blaupunkt Indai conducts a thorough audit of their capabilities. 
“India is an exciting market lending a wide and diverse audience base for our products,” said William R. Jackson, president and CEO, Rockford Coporation. “It is great to have Blaupunkt India on board, a brand that has built strong credibility in the country, as our trusted partner in our journey to establish Rockford Fosgate as an indomitable brand with Indian consumers.”
According to Pankaj Jagwani, director, Blaupunkt India, consumers here would respond well to ..

Rockford Fosgate car audio systems to be sold by Blaupunkt India

Maruti Suzuki has announced that the Alto 800 now comes with a more attractive front design, fresh interiors, vibrant colours, higher fuel efficiency and new features.
The new Alto 800 is a lot more fuel efficient, delivering a superior fuel efficiency of 24.7 km/l of petrol, around 9 per cent improvement over the earlier version. In the CNG mode the Alto 800 offers a mileage of 33.44 km/kg an improvement of around 10 per cent.
“The new Alto 800 is technologically advanced with the latest convenience and class leading safety features,” said R S Kalsi, Executive Director Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India. “The new stylish looks, fresh classy interiors and addition of two new colours make it trendy and vibrant.”
Alto’s attributes like its sleek design, good manoeuvrability, low cost of ownership and attractive price point make it a popular car among India’s first time car buyers. It has remained India’s top selling model for more than 12 years in a row. 
Alto is the only Indian ...

Maruti upgrades Alto 800

Two-wheeler manufacturer Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IndusInd Bank offering retail finance to its customers on all its models.
Elaborating on this partnership Yadvinder Singh Guleria, senior VP (sales & Marketing), Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, "In the two-wheeler industry, retail finance penetration is increasing and more and more customers are looking at various finance options. Riding on the aggressive network expansion plan and increased product portfolio, we will continue to create options that will enable customers to buy their favourite two-wheeler. Driven by this partnership with IndusInd Bank, we aim to further grow Honda's retail sales." 
Customers can not only buy a Honda two-wheeler at an attractive rate of interest, but can reap benefits up to Rs. 7,500 through this retail finance scheme.
Customers can avail loans up to 90 per cent of the product value, with a repayment period of 36 ...

HMSI signs MoU with IndusInd Bank; aims to expand retail sales

In order to expand its network reach across the country, Renault India plans to increase its dealership network from the current 208 facilities to 240 by the end of this year.
This expansion plan is aimed at making the company’s products accessible to more people across the country with an equal focus on growing its presence in metros as well as in the hinterlands of India.
Sources said that all the upcoming dealerships will be designed according to the Renault Store concept. The concept is a new generation of dealerships which have been conceptualised to address the needs of customers by highlighting the value of the brand, products, services and accessories in a modern and more effective manner.
Renault is working at achieving a 5% market share by this year. With more dealership launches in the pipeline, the company is focusing on moving closer to its customers and providing them with an enhanced ownership experience.

Renault India to increase its dealership network across the country 

After a long wait, finally Jeep has set foot into India.  Fiat Chrysler India had announced the entry of the Jeep brand in India at the Auto Expo 2016 and the official launch is just around the corner.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Review   Exploring The Legend

MotorOctane

Leading global brand in high-performance audio systems, Rockford Fosgate have announced their association with Blaupunkt India as their distribution partner for the country.  The Prime, Punch and Power ranges of products will be available via the exclusive distribution agreement.

Blaupunkt India is now a distributor of Rockford Fosgate

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz has put on hold its investments into India following the Supreme Court ban on the sale of high-end diesel vehicles and SUVs in Delhi and the NCR.
The company, which launched its new SUV, the GLS 350 d on Wednesday, said the apex court ruling had put a question mark on India’s credibility as an investment destination.
Roland Folger, managing and director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, who launched the new SUV, described the ban on high-end diesel cars and SUVs in Delhi as “a lost opportunity for India.” 
The new GLS will be locally manufactured at its production facility in Pune. Folger had described this as “yet another illustration of our vision of ‘Make in India’, and gives us the opportunity to provide the newest products for our elite customers here.”
However, later speaking to the media he warned that the company’s investments would be affected in the long-term if the apex court ban continued. “Most of the decisions are postponed rather than ...

Mercedes-Benz puts on hold investments into India

Mercedes-Benz puts hold on investments into India

Mercedes-Benz India launched its new GLS 350 d on Wednesday at a price of Rs80.38 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune).
“Popularly known as the S-Class of SUVs, the introduction of the GLS underscores Mercedes-Benz’s dominance in the luxury SUV segment in India,” said Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India. “The GLS is the epitome of exemplary engineering that cleverly combines unmatched space, with delightful driving pleasure on any terrain. With the launch of the GLS, we are glad to provide the most comprehensive luxury SUV portfolio in the country to our discerning customers. India has a growing penchant for the SUVs and at 100% growth achieved in 2015, it was the highest growing segment for us.”
According to him, the GLS is a distinguished and versatile SUV, as it performs effortlessly as a dynamic sports car, a luxurious cruiser or even a fully-fledged off-roader. “The GLS has contributed to the success of our SUV portfolio in a significant way,” noted Folger. “India ..

Mercedes launches its new GLS 350 d at Rs80.38 lakh

Rajiv Bajaj, the managing director of Bajaj Auto has slammed Global NCAP stating that its stand on vehicle safety is beyond his "limited comprehension". 
It may be recalled that Global NCAP, a UK-based entity that aims to support the development of new consumer crash test programmes in emerging markets,  had given one-star rating for quadricycles to Bajaj Qute, stating that the vehicle does not perform well and there is a "likelihood of severe or fatal head and chest injuries.”
This latest statement from Bajaj has added a fresh salvo to the spat between the two over crash test result of Qute . 
Bajaj, who was invited to be a speaker at an automobile safety conference at Faridabad in which Global NCAP was one of the organisers, said it amused him no end that while the UK-based outfit had apparent misgivings about quadricycles with respect to safety, Qute was called 'a global example and a vehicle of the future' in the invitation to the event.
The other organisers of the conference were 

Bajaj Auto slams Global NCAP

In a telling statement on safety standards adopted by Indian car manufacturers Global NCAP, a UK based entity that aims to support the development of new consumer crash test programmes in emerging markets, has found that all seven models tested by it have failed. 
It was the third round of tests conducted by the global body and models such as Renault Kwid (three models), Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Maruti Suzuki Eeco, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Eon were tested. All cars have received zero stars for safety in the tests. 
Says an industry expert: “The simple truth here is that to pass these tests vehicles must carry some basic safety equipment - dual airbags is a mandated requirement. The fact that none of these cars have airbags as standard, means that like in the previous tests, they failed even before they could be crashed. Of course the structural integrity of the car's body shell is also tested, and here too many performed poorly.”
India is the world's sixth largest automobile market, 

All seven Indian car models fail Global NCAP\'s tests

India is all set to join the group of matured global automotive markets with its own new car assessment programme (NCAP), likely to be called Bharat NCAP. 
According to Abhay Damle, joint secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), the details of Bharat NCAP are expected to be finalised in a week and be made public in the next 10 days.
“Bharat NCAP will be more broad-based than any other NCAP at the time of introduction. It is proposed that the features of the programme will remain same for some time,” A V Mannikar, senior deputy director, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) said during a presentation at the Indian Automobile Safety Conference co-hosted by Institute of Road Traffic Management and Global NCAP. 
The proposed speed for offset frontal crash testing vehicles under Bharat NCAP is 56kph.  That is lower than Global NCAP’s proposal of 64kph. The global watchdog’s argument is that crash testing a vehicle at 64kph is equivalent to two vehicles ...

India to introduce new car assessment programme soon

Vroom Technologies has launched Autoyaar.com, an online marketplace for automobile servicing, providing, listing and booking for two and four wheelers. The company is contemplating to expand its footprint across Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi soon.
Autoyaar.com, launched by four friends Amisha Shah, Abhishek Gupta, Sunil Gupta and Bharat Ostwal, is a first of its kind aggregator platform and a one-stop solution for all automobile service needs. It claims to save 30-50 per cent of your service costs, providing unified service experience with its verified network of service providers. 
“Autoyaar is unifying the unorganised automobile service industry into a single organised platform. It has more than 1,000 automobile service providers listed, out of which 63 are handpicked and verified for online bookings basis a pre-defined criterion and checklist of selection which include infrastructure, service capacity, technology, automobile experience and much more to ensure that quality of services .

Vroom Technologies launches online automobile service marketplace, Autoyaar.com

TVS Motor Company has launched the new 'Chocolate Gold Edition' of the StaR City+ motorcycle, priced at Rs. 49,234 (Ex-Showroom Delhi). The new Chocolate Gold edition of the motorcycle is a combination of gold, brown and tan.
The new Chocolate Gold edition of the TVS StaR City+ comes with golden alloys and will be available along with other premium colours like Matte Titanium Grey Edition and the Gold Edition model.
"The new Chocolate Gold Edition leverages the popularity of the matte brown colour while taking the ante of style further up with gold, to provide a stylish yet bold look to the motorcycle,” said Arun Siddharth, Head of Marketing -  Motorcycles, TVS Motor Company. “We believe colours are a testament to the rider's personality and play a significant role in the purchase decision. With this new edition, we aim to reach out to the stylish yet pragmatic riders who are looking for a dash of style in their ride experience." 
The Chocolate Gold edition motorcycle will come with ..

TVS Motor launches StaR City+ Chocolate Gold Edition at Rs. 49,234

Autorickshaw hailing platform Jugnoo, which secured $10 million funding in Series B round from Paytm, Snow Leopard and Rocketship.vc, has restarted hyper-local delivery and has termed its service as Fatafat. 
The service is currently restricted to delivering only vegetables and fruits through the company's network of autorickshaws. Says Jugnoo's founder Samar Singla: "The idea is to have a complete end-to end integration. We will buy from the mandis in the morning and store in our warehouses. The products will then be delivered by autorickshaw drivers who are not taking a ride or are sitting idle.”
Currently, Jugnoo claims to have a network of 10,000 auto-rickshaw drivers across 20 cities in India that is growing at a steady rate across the country. Fatafat is already clocking 100 deliveries a day and the model seems "unit-economics positive," he said. 
The service started in Chandigarh and will be expanded to other cities, beginning with Gurgaon one month, Jugnoo first started the ...

Autorickshaw hailing platform restarts hyper-local deliveries

The Supreme Court’s decision to ban the registration of large diesel vehicles in the National Capital Region has had its desired impact – petrol is increasingly becoming the fuel of choice for buyers of utility vehicles. 
This has traditionally been a bastion of diesel that has better pulling power and fuel economy. Diesel powered vehicles had prevailed despite the government scrapping subsidies associated with it. 
While the ban only covered Delhi and the NCR its impact is being felt all over the country as people believe that the ban could encompass their cities soon due to growing concerns over pollution in India's cities. 
Sales of petrol powered versions comprised as much as 13% of total utility vehicles sold in the country in the last financial year. This might seem a fraction of the diesel vehicle sales but compared to the figures five years ago that were 2% of total utility vehicle sales it represents a huge leap for the petrol powered vehicles. The domestic market for utility 

Petrol becoming the fuel of choice for UVs

American motorcycle manufacturer UM Motorcycles has re-opened the bookings for its Renegade range - Renegade Commando and Renegade Sports S - in India. The new bookings will commence by August.
Unveiled at the Auto Expo 2016, Renegade Commando will cost Rs. 1.59 lakh while Renegade Sports S will be priced at Rs.1.49 lakh (both ex-showroom, Delhi). Meanwhile, UM plans to bring the Renegade Classic to India as well. 
UM Motorcycles has entered into a strategic 50:50 alliance with UP-based Lohia Auto. Production of the motorcycles is already underway at Lohia Auto's Kashipur facility in Uttarakhand for which the company has made an investment of over Rs. 250 crore. 
The company is also working on exporting these India-made motorcycles to other markets, establishing India as a production hub.
Both the cruisers are powered by the same 279cc, single-cylinder, water-cooled engine that develops a maximum power output of 25bhp at 8500rpm and 21.8Nm of peak torque at 7000rpm mated to a 6-speed .

UM Motorcycles re-opens bookings for Renegade range in India 

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has announced that all its vehicles will be equipped with Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) gearboxes by 2018.
The car maker, which recently celebrated 20 years of its operations in India, is confident that the addition of AMT gearboxes will turn out to be a beneficial step for the company. The gearboxes are touted to be self-manufactured and will come equipped on mid-level hatchbacks and entry-level sedans.
The AMT technology, which offers the advantages of lesser cost, rider flexibility and better fuel economy, has become very popular among Indian customers and the demand for AMT cars is going up considerably in recent times. 
In 2014 Maruti Suzuki launched the Celerio with AMT gearbox and received good response from buyers. This was followed by the Tata Zest and facelifted Maruti Suzuki Alto K10. From then on, many manufacturers came up with AMT variants of their cars and now many more vehicles are in the pipeline. No wonder the demand for AMT cars .

Hyundai cars in India to have AMT gearboxes by 2018

DSK Motowheels, part of the diversified DSK Group, forayed into the niche superbike segment in 2012. Shirish Kulkarni, chairman, DSK Motowheels, discusses the company’s achievements and its plans for the future in an exclusive interview with BS Motoring:How many Benelli superbikes have you sold nationwide since the launch of the Italian brand in India? Which are your major markets?
We have sold around 2,200 bikes since we launched the DSK Benelli range in India. 
We see widespread potential from across the country. With a strong presence through 16 sales and service outlets across all metropolitan cities, we are increasing our footprint further by entering tier II and tier III cities pan-India. In fact, non-metro cities are showing immense potential. As per our research, demand for powerful superbikes in these markets has gone up by 60% in the last four years. Consequently, we are looking at widening our footprint in these lucrative geographies in a major way. 
What kind of growth do .

Interview: Shirish Kulkarni, chairman, DSK Motowheels

Renault India has suspended the production of its latest hatchback Kwid due to engine problems at its Oragadam plant in Chennai.
According to vendor and dealer sources, the French car maker is learnt to have scrapped 1,500 engines due to high noise levels and not a single Kwid car, which has a waitlist at the consumer end of at least five months, has been produced since May 11.
Sources in the company said that the production stoppage was part of "regular maintenance" and that the delivery of the Kwid will not be impacted by the stoppage of production.
However, according to Renault filings with the Tamil Nadu state government, the planned shutdown is only from May 21-29 whereas Kwid production has stopped from May 11 onwards.
Launched in September 2015, the hatchback had registered over 1.25 lakh bookings in India with waiting periods stretching from 5-10 months.
The Kwid is a critical car for Renault which has been trying to ramp up production to meet demand. The company clocked a ...

Renault India halts Kwid production due to engine problems

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