Uber launched its pilot bike-sharing service, uberMOTO, in Gurgaon on Tuesday, which is a ‘car-free’ day in the city. Customers can call for a motorcycle or scooter on the Uber app.
The base fare for the ride is Rs15, with Rs3 for every kilometre and Rs1 per minute. Earlier this month, Uber and its Indian rival Ola had launched a similar service in Bengaluru. But road transport authorities cracked down on the services, claiming that neither of the companies had got approvals.
uberMOTO services will be available in Gurgaon between 7.30am and 9.30pm. The customer has to wear a helmet before sitting pillion. The American taxi-hailing service provides GPS tracking of the bikes and customers can share the trip with others. 
According to Gagan Bhatia, general manager, Uber Delhi, uberMOTO will help commuters save time and money on short trips. It will also provide last-mile connectivity to and from metro stations.
Driving from Gurgaon to Delhi, Noida and other parts of the National Capital .

Uber launches pilot bike-sharing service in Gurgaon

BS-Motoring

Motor third party liability insurance premiums will become costlier from April 1, with insurance regulator IRDAI hiking premium rates by as much as 40 per cent for 2016-17. While rates will go up by 40 per cent for all private cars with engine capacity under 1,500 cc, it will go up by 25 per cent for cars with a higher engine capacity.  
Every year, the IRDAI revises premium rates, taking into account the number of claims made and loss ratios for insurers. Motor third-party insurance is mandatory for all vehicles and covers liability arising from third-party claims due to accidents. The regulator has also cautioned insurers against denying or refusing to provide third-party covers for any vehicle.
IRDAI, in its circular, said the cost inflation index had increased by 5.57 per cent year-on-year, from 1,024 in FY15 to 1,081 in FY16. 
For cars below 1,000cc (like Alto, Nano and Kwid) the premium has risen by 40% to Rs. 2,055, while for compact or B segment cars (1,000-1,500cc) the ...

Motor third party insurance premiums hiked by up to 40%

India's first ever luxury festival, to be held from April 1 to 3 in Delhi, will showcase luxury cars including Rolls Royce, Maserati and BMW. Vintage and classic cars belonging to a bygone era will also be adding a dash of character to the festival.
More than 33,000 luxury cars – including those of the three German brands, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW – were sold in India in 2015. Demand for luxury cars continues to remain strong in 2016.
The three-day fest has been jointly organised by Quintessentially Lifestyle Services India and GroupM (a WPP Company) with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the trade partner. 
Amit Dutta, managing director of Quintessentially Lifestyle India said, "A dramatic change is underway around the lifestyle aspirations of affluent Indians,” said Amit Dutta, managing director, Quintessentially Lifestyle India. “The new mind set is influenced by growing self-confidence, expanding consumerism, and increased spending power, greater access to ...

Three-day luxury festival to showcase Rolls Royce, Maserati, BMW

Tata Motors will finally launch the much-awaited hatchback 'Tiago' on April 6. Earlier named as Zica, it was expected to be launched around the Auto Expo 2016 which concluded in the first week of February.
However, the company had to drop the name 'Zica' after the deadly virus 'Zika' surfaced and made headlines around the world. It is said that the similar sounding name forced the Indian automobile giant to delay the launch as well.
Available in both petrol and diesel engine options, the petrol version of Tata Tiago is powered by a 1.2 litre 3 cylinder all-aluminium engine that Tata calls Revotron. It produces an 85 PS @ 6000 RPM and 114 Nm of torque @ 3500 rpm.
The diesel is 1.05 litre 3-cylinder Revotorq engine, which produces 70 PS power @ 4000 rpm and a maximum torque of 140 NM @ 100-3000 RPM.
The car is expected to be priced between Rs. 3.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Tiago is expected to compete with Hyundai i10 and Maruti Celerio.

Tata Tiago to be launched on April 6

TVS Motor Company launched its new, four-stroke moped, the XL100 in Maharashtra on Monday. The moped is priced at Rs28,843 (ex-showroom Maharashtra).
The TVS XL100 is powered by a 99.7cc four-stroke engine, which delivers 4.2 PS of power, ensuring a smooth ride and instant pick up. The moped offers a best in class mileage of 67 kmpl.
Built on a rugged chassis, it also features heavy-duty shock absorbers to ensure comfortable rides. The gearless vehicle also ensures hassle-free riding.
Other features include easy kick-start, bigger tank and stainless steel brake cable for effective braking. The moped comes in five colours – black, red, green, blue and grey.
According to J S Srinivasan, vice-president, sales and service, TVS Motor Company, the four-stroke moped has been designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s customers. “It is one of the most affordable, reliable, easy to ride, powerful multi-utility two wheelers in the market,” he said. “We are confident that TVS XL 100 will ...

TVS XL100 launched in Maharashtra

Zoomcar, the Bengaluru-based car rental firm, has launched what it claims is India’s first autorickshaw rental service. Greg Moran, co-founder and CEO, Zoomcar, said the company had launched a pilot scheme renting out autorickshaws in Bengaluru and a few other cities.
The company hopes the service will become popular in congested cities as clients would be able to negotiate busy roads while driving an autorickshaw. Zoom Auto, as it has been branded, will be available at a rate of Rs10 per hour. 
Zoomcar offers car rental service in Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Chandigarh. 
The self-drive car rental service enables clients to rent vehicles by the hour, day, week or month. The company offers hatchbacks at Rs60 to Rs80 an hour (from Mondays to Thursdays) and Rs80 to Rs140 an hour (Fridays to Sundays and peak season).
It also offers sedans at prices ranging from Rs110 to Rs190 an hour, SUVs at Rs110 to Rs250 an hour and luxury cars from Rs220 to Rs430 an hour.

Zoomcar launches autorickshaw self-drive service

Maruti Suzuki, which launched its very first premium crossover in the form of 'S-Cross' in India, is planning to add more value to the model by offering an optional petrol engine.
S-Cross is exclusively available through the company's Nexa dealerships across India. 
Currently, Maruti Suzuki offers the S-Cross only with diesel engine options. An option between a 1.3-litre MJD engine and a 1.6-litre one is offered to customers. Now the S-Cross could get an optional petrol engine as it is available in international markets as well.
The S-Cross is offered with two petrol engine options internationally. Customers in India are most likely to get either the 1.4-litre K-Series petrol engine or the highly acclaimed 1.0-litre BoosterJet petrol engine, according to company sources. 
In order to improve sales of the S-Cross, the Japanese car manufacturer recently slashed the price of all S-Cross variants in India. The company also refunded some money as a sign of trust and honesty to the previous 

Maruti Suzuki\'s S-Cross may get optional petrol engine 

DSK Motowheels, which opened its DSK Benelli showroom in Chennai a year ago, has delivered its 300th superbike and has total bookings of over 400 units. 
According to the company, this is the shortest time ever, wherein a superbike brand has achieved such a milestone in Chennai. DSK Benelli is celebrating this achievement by organising a success ride with the owners of its superbikes. 
The brand also celebrated its 500th bike delivery in Bengaluru recently. The two milestones further strengthen the company’s market leadership in southern India.
“DSK Benelli has received a truly phenomenal response in Chennai,” said Shirish Kulkarni, chairman, DSK Motorwheels. “There is a vibrant superbiking culture in the city, and its people have embraced DSK Benelli superbikes with great enthusiasm.”
The DSK-Benelli showroom in Chennai, under the dealership of Power Super Bikes, showcases the entire range of DSK Benelli superbikes available in India including the TNT 25 – single cylinder 250cc ...

DSK Benelli sold 300 superbikes in Chennai in first year 

Mercedes-Benz India, which is aggressively expanding its presence in the country, opened a facility in Vijayawada on Monday. 
The Mahavir Motors Vijayawada outlet is spread over 20,000 sq ft and has four service bays which can service up to 90 cars a month. Mercedes-Benz now has 83 outlets across 40 cities in India and another 10 are expected to be opened by the end of the year.
The German luxury carmaker has said it will be launching 12 new models in India this year. Last week, it launched the C-Class 250d. The Mercedes-Benz S400 is scheduled to be launched shortly.
“Vijayawada is an established industrial city and is fast developing into an emerging market with a strong growth potential for luxury cars,” said Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India. “The increasing customer base for Mercedes-Benz in Vijayawada reiterates our confidence in the market, resulting in the creation of a world-class luxury dealership like Mahavir Motors.”
According to Yashwant ...

Mercedes-Benz forays into Vijayawada

With increasing numbers of 'unapproved e-rickshaws' plying on the national capital's roads, the Delhi Transport Department has decided to launch a special drive against "illegal dealers" selling such vehicles.
“Unapproved e-rickshaws by unauthorised dealers often cause a threat to life of commuters as well as road users in the national capital,” a senior government official said.
"All Motor Licensing Officers have been directed to launch a special drive against the unauthorised dealers selling e-rickshaws and take appropriate action including filing of complaints with Delhi Police for lodging FIR against them," the official said.
The decision to crack down on such illegal dealers was taken after a representative of the e-rickshaw association raised the issue of sale of unapproved e-rickshaws by some unauthorised dealers in a meeting with Transport minister Gopal Rai earlier this month.
Last month, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had launched a subsidy scheme for e-rickshaws under which 

Delhi Transport Department to crack down on illegal dealers selling unapproved e-rickshaws

Kia Motors, a subsidiary of Korea-based Hyundai Motor Company, is all set to enter India.
The company, which sells cars such as 'Sportage' compact SUV, 'Soul' cross-over and 'Rio' hatchback across Europe, China, the US and in its home market Korea, feels that entry into India is critical as the country gains volumes and races towards becoming the third-biggest car market globally by 2020, as forecast by many agencies.
Kia is already in the process of identifying land for its factory and is looking at possible models and suppliers. According to sources, Kia’s factory may even be used by Hyundai to manufacture some of its models.  Hyundai is about to reach peak output at its factory near Chennai and has been cutting back on export shipments to make space for new models.
Kia, which sold a little over three million vehicles last year, has been eyeing the Indian market for many years and has also completed a detailed feasibility study. However, it had refrained from making any investments .

Hyundai\'s subsidiary Kia Motors to set foot in India

Nissan unveiled the new 2017 GT-R at the New York International Auto Show, highlighting both inside and out, as well as major driving-performance enhancements and key new features.
The Japanese company, which plans to launch the car in India in September, had unveiled it at the Auto Expo. And last month, Karun Chandhok got behind the wheels of the legendary car at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida.
The GT-R is expected to cost about Rs2 crore when it is launched in India. The new model unveiled at the New York show represents the most significant changes made to the model since it was introduced in 2007.
The new GT-R’s exterior gets a complete makeover across the front end. The new chrome matte finish “V-motion” grille represents one of Nissan’s latest design signatures. It has been enlarged to provide better engine cooling and  features an updated mesh pattern. 
A new hood, which flows flawlessly from the grille, has been significantly reinforced, contributing to ...

Nissan unveils 2017 GT-R at New York International Auto Show

Toyota Mirai was declared the 2016 World Green Car today at the New York International Auto Show.
“Just as Prius changed the world nearly 20 years ago, the hydrogen-powered Mirai is ready to make history,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division.  “With a range of over 300 miles per tank, a refueling time of under five minutes, and emissions that consist only of water vapour, Mirai is leading the world forward toward a more sustainable future.”
The Mirai was chosen from an initial entry list of eight new vehicles from all over the world. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle's environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration.
The World Car Awards programme is now in its 12th year and Toyota has won many awards. The Toyota Prius (2010) earned “Top Three in the World” status for both the World Green Car and the ...

Toyota Mirai declared 2016 World Green Car

The Audi R8 Coupe has been named ‘2016 World Performance Car in the World Car Awards at the New York Auto Show.
With a total of four awards, the Audi R8 is the most successful model in the history of the World Car awards. The predecessor to the R8 had already taken home two World Performance Car awards and a World Car Design of the Year award in the prestigious competition. 
Now the second generation of the high-performance sports car from Audi was able to win over the international jury of 73 leading automotive journalists. This makes the Audi R8 a winner – on the road as well as on the racetrack.
“With its distinctive design, its driving dynamics and its closeness to racing, the R8 is one of the strongest calling cards for the four rings and is the flagship car from Audi Sport,” said Dietmar Voggenreiter, board member for sales and marketing, Audi AG. “The first generation of the R8 paved our way toward becoming a premium brand and raised the aura of Audi to a new level. The new R8 .

Audi R8 Coupe declared 2016 World Performance Car

The south Delhi municipal corporation (SDMC) has decided to raise the one-time parking fee on new cars by between Rs5,000 and Rs1.2 lakh in a bid to curb the sharp increase in vehicles.
The north Delhi municipal corporation had also raised one-time parking fees by two to 15 per cent of the value of the car recently. The east Delhi municipal corporation is also expected to raise the fees.
“The move will hopefully decrease the rate at which vehicles are sold in Delhi and help us in our battle to make it greener and cleaner,” said Ashish Sood, leader of the house, SDMC. “Also the move is essential to create funds for the construction of modern parking facilities required to de-congest public places and bring orderliness in parking in the city.”
About 1,500 new cars are registered in the national capital every day. The metropolis has nearly nine million cars. It is also one of the most polluted cities in India.
The SDMC decided to increase the one-time parking fee by Rs5,000 to Rs1.2 lakh 

South Delhi residents to pay more for cars

A working group headed by minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari is evaluating the possibility of India making the transition to 100 per cent electric vehicles by 2030.
“This programme is going to be on a self-financing model and will look at monetising savings that consumers have on petroleum products,” said Piyush Goyal, minister of state (independent charge) for power, coal and new and renewable energy. Goyal was addressing the Conference on Young Indians on ‘Making India a global economic superpower.’
India could become the first country of its size to be running 100 per cent of electric vehicles, he said. The government is working on a scheme that would enable consumers to buy electric cars on zero down payment and people can pay for it out of savings on petroleum products. 
“Innovation is possible, it just needs an open mind,” said Goyal. “You need to think of scale and be honest. We don't need one rupee support from the government. We don't need one rupee ...

India could become first country to have 100 per cent electric vehicles by 2030: Piyush Goyal

Click on graphic

The New York International Auto Show (on till April 3) is offering some stellar machines this year. Among the biggest draws: Nissan and Koenigsegg supercars, the first Maserati SUV, and a gull-winged Lincoln. Here are the best-in-class revelations

The New York Auto Show: The show-stoppers

Bloomberg

Chevrolet has launched the Cruze 2016 with prices starting at INR 15. 5 lakh (on-road, New Delhi).

Chevrolet Cruze 2016 comes with burnt coconut colour for Holi

MotorOctane

There is an increase in taxes for registration of new cars and bikes in the Maharashtra.  Both car and bikes will see a hike in prices due to registration.

Maharashtra increases taxes for cars and bikes

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the all new C 250 d.  The C-Class which is offered in C 200 and C 220 d variants, remain one of Mercedes-Benzs highest selling models and a key product in its unmatched offerings in India.

Mercedes Benz C250d launched for INR 48 5 lakhs  on road

March 23, 2016: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), the leading SUV manufacturer, on Wednesday revealed the name of its new SUV as 'NuvoSport'. To be launched in the first week of April, the company also unveiled the images of the NuvoSport.
Based on the same new generation platform as the Scorpio, NuvoSport is an SUV with bold and aggressive styling. The NuvoSport derives its name from its sporty styling and its innate ability to enable an active lifestyle, said the company. The SUV is targeted at those who lead an active, outdoorsy lifestyle and have a bucket list of experiences to tick off regularly during their lifetime. 
“Mahindra enjoys the strongest equity in the SUV segment in India,” said Pravin Shah, president and chief executive (automotive), M&M Ltd. “Being a customer centric organisation we identified a need gap in the market and designed the NuvoSport to meet the needs of those customers who lead an active lifestyle and are looking for a sporty and fun to drive ...

Mahindra to launch NuvoSport SUV in April

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