German auto major Volkswagen, which has been asked by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) not to sell cars with 'cheat devices,' denied the charge and claimed that its vehicles do not violate BS-IV emission norms.
"Volkswagen Group India has already intimated why it believes that its cars are not equipped with a 'defeat device'," a company spokesperson said, reacting to an order of the NGT, seeking a written assurance that vehicles sold in India would comply with all emission norms. "Volkswagen Group India will respond to the order from NGT by the deadline given."
On Wednesday, the NGT directed the company not to sell any diesel vehicle fitted with the 'cheat device' in India. The German automaker had admitted to using the 'defeat device' in 11 million diesel engine cars in the US, Europe and other international markets.
The device helped it manipulate emissions tests and improve results. The company could face a fine of up to $90 billion in the US. 
Volkswagen had last month announced .

Volkswagen denies NGT charge, says its vehicles follow BS-IV norms

BS-Motoring

In a major decision, the Indian government has decided to implement Bharat Standard - VI (BS VI) emission norms for by April 1, 2020, and altogether skipping the BS-V norms. BS norms are the equivalent of euro norms.
Union road, transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari described it as "a revolutionary decision.important to address pollution." According to him, along with Swacch Bharat, India should also become a pollution-free country.
"We have decided that we will move to BS-VI norms across the country directly from BS-IV norms by April 1, 2020," he said. The petroleum ministry would spend Rs30,000 crore for upgrading refineries to ensure clean fuel technology.
The minister was confident the auto industry would support the government's decision. "We will support them in the difficulties that they face but to control pollution, they also need to support us," he said. "Many auto companies already export car engines which support the BS VI norms. Moreover, we have given them time ..

Government decides to enforce BS-VI norms from April 2020, skips BS-V

Tata Motors will launch its hatchback, Zica on January 20. The car will offer a choice of two three-cylinder engines-a 1.2- Revotron petrol and a 1.05-litre Revotorq diesel engine.
The Zica features halogen headlamps and reverse parking sensors. The car has a Harman touch screen infotainment system, just like the ones featured in Tata Motors' other models, Bolt and Zest. The Zica is expected to sell at Rs3.5 lakh.
The safety features include driver and front passenger airbags, ninth generation anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and segment first corner stability control. The Tata Zica, which until recently was known as the Tata Kite, is likely to replace a dated Indica hatchback.

Tata Motors to launch Zica on January 20

French carmaker Renault will unveil new versions of the Kwid in February 2016. The company said a one-litre engine variant and an automated manual transmission (AMT) variant would make their debut at the Delhi Auto Expo in Greater Noida over February 5-9, 2016.
The AMT model will directly complete with rival Maruti's Alto and the Kwid with the one litre engine will rival the Hyundai Eon 1.0, Maruti's Alto K10, Wagon R and Celerio. Renault's one-litre engine model will feature ABS and dual front airbags. Renault is expected to bring in larger tyres, retractable seat belts and twin wipers on the new Kwid. 
The Alto is India's largest selling passenger vehicle and its closest rival has been from the Hyundai stable. Renault looks like it is about to alter that equation.
Maruti, for its part, will showcase a slew of vehicles at the Expo. It will launch the Ignis, a crossover, competing with the Mahindra KUV100. It will also showcase the Vitara Brezza, Maruti's first sub-compact SUV, which .

Car wars at the Delhi Auto Expo

As the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets ready for its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, scheduled on 11th January, the company has just released its official images.   The new E-Class (W213) takes itself to another level of luxury.

2017 Mercedes Benz E Class official images released

MotorOctane

Tata Motors in association with PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) today launched the Tata Motors Genuine Oil (TMGO) for its passenger vehicles range in the India market.  TMGO will be the first range of co-branded lubricants jointly developed by the Companies.

Tata Motors Genuine Oil will be provided by Petronas

Mahindra has announced that they are ready to launch a new automatic two wheeler in the Indian market soon. 

Code named the G108 it is expected to be the 125cc version of the Gusto.

Mahindras G108 scooter to be launched soon

India's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki sold 111,333 cars in December, up 13.5 percent from 98,109 units sold in the same month in 2014. Hyundai, the second-largest player, sold 41,861 units, up 28.8 percent from December 2014 sales of 32,504 units.  
Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 1 percent increase in domestic car sales. Renault India recorded a huge jump in sales. It sold 10,292 cars in India in December, a whopping 160 percent more than it did a year earlier. Tata Motors, however, posted a four percent decline in car sales. 
Industry analysts believe the generally good turnout was due to large discounts and savings schemes offered by dealers as well as carmakers' thrust into rural India.

December car sales in India grew by eight percent year-on-year 

January 5, 2016: India's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki sold 111,333 cars in December, up 13.5 percent from 98,109 units sold in the same month in 2014. Hyundai, the second-largest player, sold 41,861 units, up 28.8 percent from December 2014 sales of 32,504 units.  
Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 1 percent increase in domestic car sales. Renault India recorded a huge jump in sales. It sold 10,292 cars in India in December, a whopping 160 percent more than it did a year earlier. Tata Motors, however, posted a four percent decline in car sales. 
Industry analysts believe the generally good turnout was due to large discounts and savings schemes offered by dealers as well as carmakers' thrust into rural India.

January 5, 2016: The district administration of Noida has convinced firms located in the city to phase out diesel cars and encourage their employees to use CNG vehicles or opt for carpooling. 
Given growing concerns about air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), which gets affected badly every winter, senior district officials in Noida have been urging companies located in the IT hub to phase out thousands of diesel cars. 
N.P. Singh, district magistrate, said besides asking companies to phase out diesel cars, he has also asked petrochemical units that use diesel to switch over to natural gas. IT companies operating in Noida control about 100,000 diesel cars. Phasing them out would help combat pollution in the NCR. 
IT industry sources said officials were also in talks with taxi operators to phase out diesel cars by March 31.

Noida officials urge IT firms to phase out diesel cars 

January 5, 2016: One reason for the lack of enthusiasm on the part of consumers towards electric and hybrid cars is the high cost of batteries. But things are likely to change, with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) joining hands with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre to develop batteries for passenger cars, sourcing technology that is used to power spacecraft. 
The Pune-based ARAI will design and develop car batteries and offer the technology to automobile firms for mass production. Indigenous manufacturing of batteries will lower the cost to less than a tenth of imported batteries. 
According to Rashmi Urdhwareshe, director, ARAI, the association will develop and test batteries for use in electric and hybrid vehicles, before offering to transfer the technology to producers for mass production. 
The central government offers incentives of up to Rs29,000 for electric and hybrid motorcycles and Rs138,000 for cars. It has also approved an initial outlay of Rs750 million 

ARAI joins hands with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre to develop cheaper batteries for electric cars 

January 4, 2016: Commuting in Gurgaon, India’s ‘millennium city’ will get a little better with the launch of yet another two-wheeler taxi service. Bikxie, a startup launched by three enthusiasts, began its bike services in the New Year, with senior officials of Gurgaon RTO being present. 
Commuters can hail the service through an app or also call for bikes on its toll-free number. The services will be available from five locations and will cover metro stations, prominent office complexes, residential colonies, malls and other places. 
According to Mohit Sharma, co-founder and CEO, Bikxie, commuters in Gurgaon face a lot of problems, especially last-mile connectivity from metro stations to their homes or offices. Drivers, who have been selected only after police verification, undergo rigorous training in safe driving, traffic rules and customer interaction. 
The app also has a safety feature that tracks every ride, and the company also provides comprehensive risk for both the driver ...

Gurgaon gets new bike taxi service 

January 4, 2016: In a bid to curb pollution, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada) has selected seven roads which will have cycling tracks. The roads will be widened up to 100 ft to enable cyclists to ride on the tracks.  
Mohali forms part of the Chandigarh tri-city along with Panchkula and Chandigarh. While Mohali has ambitious plans for cycling tracks, the experience of other Indian cities – including Chandigarh – have been disastrous. 
Chandigarh for instance has 70 km of cycling tracks, but most of it is ill-maintained. The authorities keep coming out with plans to encourage cycling, including giving out bikes on rent. However, most cyclists avoid the tracks as they are riddled with potholes and even huge craters. 
Many local bodies in India spend money on building cycling tracks, but very soon hawkers encroach on the path. Motorcyclists and auto-rickshaws also use the tracks. This is evident in cities such as Pune, which was once the cycling capital of India.

Mohali plans cycling tracks 

While the SUV war in the Indian market is heating up and there are several launches lined up for the coming year, one of the most popular Indian SUVs - the Tata Safari Storme has also got a new upgrade, in order to keep up with competition and offer something new to customers for the new year.  We find out what this upgrade is all about.

Tata Safari Storme 400 Review

Chevrolet has plans to launch the new Prisma in India and this will be the companys new sedan that will be competing with the Honda City.  The Prisma is sold in the Brazilian car market and this new sedan will be making its way into India.

Chevrolet Prisma coming to India   Honda City competition

My school uniform was a white shirt accompanied with white trousers, white socks, a navy tie and black shoes.  Considering I went to a private school, the style"as youd call it was - formal.

 The SUV Capstone   Range Rover Sport SVR Review

Jeep, the authentic and original 4x4 SUV brand, which has been enthralling customers worldwide since 1941, revealed its new brand mark in India today. 

A pre-launch website for the Jeep in India was unveiled today offering the first glimpse to customers and fans of its bestselling models  the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler Unlimited  and positioning the brand ahead of its official reveal in India in February.

Jeep to be launched at 2016 Auto Expo

Audi today confirmed that it will be showcasing new new products at the 2016 Auto Expo.  These are as follows:

New R8

o   The 2nd generation, sporty spearhead all new Audi R8 will be unveiled at Auto Expo

o   Faster, powerful and even more dynamic, the new Audi R8 V10 is the brands new sporty top model

o   Made to race, the new R8 shares around 50% of its parts with the racing spec R8 LMS

o   Coupled with the standard quattro® all-wheel-drive, performance is enhanced and road-holding is simply impeccable

o   Audi Virtual cockpit standard

Audi A8 L Security

o   Showcased at IAA 2015, Audi armored security sedan is now even more robust, Vehicle certified to the requirements of resistance class VR 9

o   Tested for resistance to explosive charges in accordance with the ERV 2010 guideline.

Audi to showcase three products at 2016 Auto Expo

Kawasaki have launched the Versys 650 tourer motorcycle at INR 7. 26 lakhs (on-road). This is the lower capacity version of the currently sold Versys 1000 in the country.

Kawasaki Versys 650 launched at INR 7 26 Lakhs  on road

The new year should begin on a good note and one such thing to support it would be the Ford Endeavor.  Ford's all-new Endeavour has been the buzz for quite some time now and it looks like the wait for this marvelous SUV will be over soon.

All New Ford Endeavour launch on 19th January

Auto News: Find the latest auto mobile industry news, launches of car & bike news on Business Standard. Explore now for more auto news from India and around the world.

Page 339 - Auto

Volkswagen denies NGT charge, says its vehicles follow BS-IV norms

Government decides to enforce BS-VI norms from April 2020, skips BS-V

Tata Motors to launch Zica on January 20

Car wars at the Delhi Auto Expo

2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class official images released

Tata Motors Genuine Oil will be provided by Petronas

Mahindras G108 scooter to be launched soon

December car sales in India grew by eight percent year-on-year

December car sales in India grew by eight percent year-on-year

December car sales in India grew by eight percent year-on-year

Noida officials urge IT firms to phase out diesel cars

ARAI joins hands with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre to develop cheaper batteries for electric cars

Gurgaon gets new bike taxi service

Mohali plans cycling tracks

Tata Safari Storme 400 Review

Chevrolet Prisma coming to India - Honda City competition

"The SUV Capstone"- Range Rover Sport SVR-Review

Jeep to be launched at 2016 Auto Expo

Audi to showcase three products at 2016 Auto Expo

Kawasaki Versys 650 launched at INR 7.26 Lakhs (on-road)