Disney's Pixar previews the teaser of popular animated movie 'Cars 2' at Detroit Auto Show

Disney Pixar's 'Cars' sequel 'Cars 2' is back. Jay Schuster and Brad Lewis from Pixar Animation Studios, provided some hints of their coming film, “Cars 2,” which opens on June 24 while addressing an event at Detroit Auto Show.

Mr. Schuster is the film’s art director and Mr. Lewis, its co-director.

About their upcoming movie, they revealed one major new character, Finn McMissile, is based on James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 and a secret agent babe, body inspired by Jaguar. Finn is given voice by Michael Caine and secret agent babe's by Holley Shiftwell.

“Cars 2″ goes global, with cities like Tokyo and London where the racing-drama takes place. There is even a dramatic nighttime race inspired by the Singapore Grand Prix, Mr. Schuster said.

We will be seeing new look of The hero, Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, rendered sportier with a new flame-style paint job drawn for the studio by the independent designer Chip Foose. New set of wheels, spoiler package and ground effects are added to McQueen's collection.

The most exciting news may be that the film will offer new “villains” based on the AMC Pacer and Gremlin.

Scr: [NYTimes Blog]

Disney's Pixar previews the teaser of popular animated movie 'Cars 2' at Detroit Auto Show

Disney Pixar's 'Cars' sequel 'Cars 2' is back. Jay Schuster and Brad Lewis from Pixar Animation Studios, provided some hints of their coming film, “Cars 2,” which opens on June 24 while addressing an event at Detroit Auto Show.

Mr. Schuster is the film’s art director and Mr. Lewis, its co-director.

About their upcoming movie, they revealed one major new character, Finn McMissile, is based on James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 and a secret agent babe, body inspired by Jaguar. Finn is given voice by Michael Caine and secret agent babe's by Holley Shiftwell.

“Cars 2″ goes global, with cities like Tokyo and London where the racing-drama takes place. There is even a dramatic nighttime race inspired by the Singapore Grand Prix, Mr. Schuster said.

We will be seeing new look of The hero, Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, rendered sportier with a new flame-style paint job drawn for the studio by the independent designer Chip Foose. New set of wheels, spoiler package and ground effects are added to McQueen's collection.

The most exciting news may be that the film will offer new “villains” based on the AMC Pacer and Gremlin.

Scr: [NYTimes Blog]

France’s biggest car producer, Peugeot coming to India??

Peugeot, largest car makers of France, may soon be seen on India roads, if talks between the all goes well between the car makers and Govt of Andhra Pradesh, India.

The company, PSA Peugeot Citroen, is ready to invest about 2,000 crore during the first phase of its proposed assembly and manufacturing facility.

The company has shortlisted two site for its facilities. The company is in talks with chief of state and officials from the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of AP to avail the tax benefits and other incentives, the State offers.

The plant is expected to produce cars and support ancillary units. The facility is likely to encompass a dye manufacturing facility for car components, an R&D team for design, body-building shop, new technologies for a central-controlled room for regular functioning besides a testing unit.

Src: [Expressbuzz]

France’s biggest car producer, Peugeot coming to India??

Peugeot, largest car makers of France, may soon be seen on India roads, if talks between the all goes well between the car makers and Govt of Andhra Pradesh, India.

The company, PSA Peugeot Citroen, is ready to invest about 2,000 crore during the first phase of its proposed assembly and manufacturing facility.

The company has shortlisted two site for its facilities. The company is in talks with chief of state and officials from the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of AP to avail the tax benefits and other incentives, the State offers.

The plant is expected to produce cars and support ancillary units. The facility is likely to encompass a dye manufacturing facility for car components, an R&D team for design, body-building shop, new technologies for a central-controlled room for regular functioning besides a testing unit.

Src: [Expressbuzz]

Homogeneous Maruti car from India may be out by 2012

India's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India's 'Made in India car' i.e., totally developed and built in india will seen on roads by 2012 as the company is near to finalising the design within the next six months.

According to source close to this project for the car, the company will finalise the design, engine size and how to position it in the market within the next six months.

"It is likely that the made in India car will be positioned along with MSI's its best selling model Alto," a source said.

It is know fact that Maruthi Suzuki India some how depends on Suzuki for its future model design and development programme. Spending about Rs. 1,500 crore over the next 3-4 years at its R&D centre at Rohtak, Suzuki’s only such significant centre outside Japan to scale up its vehicle development programme and become self reliant.

It is said that this 'Made in India' car has been developed keeping in mind rival Hyundai Motors India's small car that is also likely to be unveiled in early 2012.

- PTI Inputs

Homogeneous Maruti car from India may be out by 2012

India's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India's 'Made in India car' i.e., totally developed and built in india will seen on roads by 2012 as the company is near to finalising the design within the next six months.

According to source close to this project for the car, the company will finalise the design, engine size and how to position it in the market within the next six months.

"It is likely that the made in India car will be positioned along with MSI's its best selling model Alto," a source said.

It is know fact that Maruthi Suzuki India some how depends on Suzuki for its future model design and development programme. Spending about Rs. 1,500 crore over the next 3-4 years at its R&D centre at Rohtak, Suzuki’s only such significant centre outside Japan to scale up its vehicle development programme and become self reliant.

It is said that this 'Made in India' car has been developed keeping in mind rival Hyundai Motors India's small car that is also likely to be unveiled in early 2012.

- PTI Inputs

After dip in sales, Tata Nano to come with four-year manufacturer's warranty.

After noticing a decrease in demand for the world cheapest car, nano, Tata Motors said it would offer a four-year manufacturer's warranty on Nano cars and it would be extended to all existing customers of the vehicle.

Tata reported that sales of the Nano, plunged by 85% in the November compared with a year earlier, despite other models surging ahead in Indian auto market.

Media reports of a handful of spontaneous fires, difficulty getting financing to purchase the cars and rising prices have spoil-sported the sales of the Nano.

-Reuters Inputs

After dip in sales, Tata Nano to come with four-year manufacturer's warranty.

After noticing a decrease in demand for the world cheapest car, nano, Tata Motors said it would offer a four-year manufacturer's warranty on Nano cars and it would be extended to all existing customers of the vehicle.

Tata reported that sales of the Nano, plunged by 85% in the November compared with a year earlier, despite other models surging ahead in Indian auto market.

Media reports of a handful of spontaneous fires, difficulty getting financing to purchase the cars and rising prices have spoil-sported the sales of the Nano.

-Reuters Inputs

Car sales in India increased by 21 percent.

According to the data revealed by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), car sales in India jumped 21 per cent in November from a year, sales last month climbed to 161,497 cars from 133,703 a year earlier.

But the number of cars sold was down from October, when car sales rose 38 per cent year-on-year to 182,992 units, the highest ever monthly total, buoyed by the religious festival season, when buying is considered auspicious.

SIAM forecast passenger car sales for the fiscal year to March 31 should grow by at least 25 per cent - far higher than the group's initial forecast of growth of 12-13 per cent.

Sales of commercial vehicles jumped by 18.26 per cent to 48,314 units from a year earlier.

The Indian market, Asia's third-largest, is projected to triple over the next decade to six million cars a year from the current two million, according to industry estimates.

- AFP Inputs

Car sales in India increased by 21 percent.

According to the data revealed by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), car sales in India jumped 21 per cent in November from a year, sales last month climbed to 161,497 cars from 133,703 a year earlier.

But the number of cars sold was down from October, when car sales rose 38 per cent year-on-year to 182,992 units, the highest ever monthly total, buoyed by the religious festival season, when buying is considered auspicious.

SIAM forecast passenger car sales for the fiscal year to March 31 should grow by at least 25 per cent - far higher than the group's initial forecast of growth of 12-13 per cent.

Sales of commercial vehicles jumped by 18.26 per cent to 48,314 units from a year earlier.

The Indian market, Asia's third-largest, is projected to triple over the next decade to six million cars a year from the current two million, according to industry estimates.

- AFP Inputs

Increase in demand for Volkswagen Polo, Vento in India.

Looks like for the first time the German Auto-maker Vw is enjoying success in India with it latest model Polo(Hatchback/wagon) and Vento(sedan).

German Auto-maker Volkswagen said that there is an increase in demand for its Polo and Vento models in India due to which the waiting period for these two models had gone up to 2-3 months.

In order to cater this demand, company plans to ramp-up production at its Chakan facility in Maharashtra.

"At present, we have at least two to three months of waiting period for the Polo and Vento. We are ramping-up capacity at our Chakan facility to meet demand," Volkswagen Group Sales India (Passenger Cars) Director Neeraj Garg said.

Volkswagen sold 4,613 units of Polo and Vento in November this year. It sold over 26,000 units across models from January-November this year.

- PTI Inputs

Increase in demand for Volkswagen Polo, Vento in India.

Looks like for the first time the German Auto-maker Vw is enjoying success in India with it latest model Polo(Hatchback/wagon) and Vento(sedan).

German Auto-maker Volkswagen said that there is an increase in demand for its Polo and Vento models in India due to which the waiting period for these two models had gone up to 2-3 months.

In order to cater this demand, company plans to ramp-up production at its Chakan facility in Maharashtra.

"At present, we have at least two to three months of waiting period for the Polo and Vento. We are ramping-up capacity at our Chakan facility to meet demand," Volkswagen Group Sales India (Passenger Cars) Director Neeraj Garg said.

Volkswagen sold 4,613 units of Polo and Vento in November this year. It sold over 26,000 units across models from January-November this year.

- PTI Inputs

India become third largest Rolls Royce's market in Asia Pacific.

Britain super luxury Auto maker Rolls Royce has said India joined China and Japan in selling its vehicles which are priced up to 4.25 crore rupees, making it third largest seller in Asia Pacific region.

Rolls Royce sold less than 10 units in 2009, expects to sell up to 70 units in 2010 in India.

He said the China tops the list in the region with eight dealerships that sell "hundreds" of cars of the brand. Japan follows with two dealerships.

Globally, the company has sold 2,007 units during January-October period this year compared to 531 units in the same period last year. It has sold 1,002 units in 2009.

- PTI Inputs

India become third largest Rolls Royce's market in Asia Pacific.

Britain super luxury Auto maker Rolls Royce has said India joined China and Japan in selling its vehicles which are priced up to 4.25 crore rupees, making it third largest seller in Asia Pacific region.

Rolls Royce sold less than 10 units in 2009, expects to sell up to 70 units in 2010 in India.

He said the China tops the list in the region with eight dealerships that sell "hundreds" of cars of the brand. Japan follows with two dealerships.

Globally, the company has sold 2,007 units during January-October period this year compared to 531 units in the same period last year. It has sold 1,002 units in 2009.

- PTI Inputs

World cheapest car, people's car Tata Nano sales are drastically down.

World cheapest car produced by Indian Car maker Tata's Nano popularly know as 'one lakh car', sales plunged by 85% in November compared with a year earlier, TATA has said.

They say that difficulty in acquiring loan is the reason behind the plunge.

But car analysts says that above might not be the reason for plunge. They think its the series of fire catching incidents in the Nano, as well as price rises are the cause of concern for the affected sales.

It had sold just 509 Nanos during November 2010.

Tata offered free safety upgrades for the model, which went on sale last year.

This came after much media frenzy behind the fire catching incidents which were reported by six owners.

World cheapest car, people's car Tata Nano sales are drastically down.

World cheapest car produced by Indian Car maker Tata's Nano popularly know as 'one lakh car', sales plunged by 85% in November compared with a year earlier, TATA has said.

They say that difficulty in acquiring loan is the reason behind the plunge.

But car analysts says that above might not be the reason for plunge. They think its the series of fire catching incidents in the Nano, as well as price rises are the cause of concern for the affected sales.

It had sold just 509 Nanos during November 2010.

Tata offered free safety upgrades for the model, which went on sale last year.

This came after much media frenzy behind the fire catching incidents which were reported by six owners.

GMs Chevrolet's Volts gets official EPA ratings, Comparison between all electric and all gasoline.

Finally the U.S. government has rated the much hyped GM's electric baby Chevrolet Volt.

Though the EPA fuel economy label is going to look a little different from the ones used on other cars since, it can run on electricity, gasoline, or a combination of both.

Because of the complexity of how the Volt operates, the fuel economy label will contain a host of other numbers so consumers can at least try to figure out what their own fuel economy will actually be.

The Volt, according to a preliminary Environmental Protection Agency label presented by GM, will get an estimated 93 miles per "gallon-equivalent" when driving under electric power only, 37 miles per gallon when burning gasoline and, over the long term, is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving.

According to the EPA label, the Volt can drive an estimated 35 miles on electricity stored in its battery before a gasoline engine comes on.

The 60 mpg figure, however, combines the miles-per-gallon figure, when running on only gasoline, and miles-per "gallon equivalent" number, when running on only electricity. Depending on how and how much they drive, consumers could actually be using considerably less gasoline than the 60 mpg figure would indicate.

GM executives said the label that will appear on early versions of the Chevrolet Volt is preliminary. The way the figures are displayed on the label may change in the future.

Src: [CNN]

Mahindra & Mahindra's SsangYong acquisition is almost done, pays $ 463 million for 70% authority

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Indian leading SUVs maker on 23 Nov said it has signed a definitive agreement with Korean(South) Automaker SsangYong Motor Company (SYMC) to acquire 70 percent stake for $463 million which include $378-million of new SsangYong stocks and $85-million of SsangYong bonds.

M&M said it acquisition may be done by end of March 2011.

Recently, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has received a green signal from the court in Seoul and the company has also reached to an agreement with the SsangYong labour union.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has signed a tripartite agreement that contains provisions for employment protection, long-term investment and commitment for no labor dispute. SsangYong is likely to retain Korean management after the acquisition.

"The coming together of Mahindra and SsangYong will result in a competitive global UV player. Together with its financial capability, Mahindra offers competence in sourcing and marketing strategy while SsangYong has strong capabilities in technology," M&M president (automotive & farm equipment sectors) Pawan Goenka said.

He said there was also an opportunity to introduce a premium portfolio of SUVs in the Indian market, providing a new growth avenue for SsangYong and "further strengthen our dominant position in the UV segment".

SsangYong Motors is a major manufacturer of sports utility vehicles (SUV) and recreational vehicles (RV), thus giving Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) a wide market to make mark.

Src: [NDTV]

Tata to hire 1500 engineers for its UK Jaguar plant

TATA's Jaguar Land Rover, come with good news as the company has started recruiting for new posts.

It has already announced 1500 new UK posts. But three times that number may be needed if the company's strategy goes to plan, The Telegraph reports.

During recession, JLR was set to close one of its three UK manufacturing plants. That has now been shelved.

The company says, it has received 13,000 applications for 1,500 new jobs.

The latest, smallest and most fuel-efficient Range Rover will be built at the Halewood plant on Merseyside.

- ANI Inputs

US Govt plans to set new fuel efficiency rules for Trucks.

For the commitment to the Greener world, the Obama administration is preparing a draft for proposed fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks that would begin in 2014 and extend through 2018, according to a some media report.

In May, President Barack Obama signed a memorandum directing the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to co-write the first-ever fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

"I believe it's possible in the next 20 years for vehicles to use half the fuel and produce half the pollution that they do today," Obama said at a White House ceremony at the time.

Margo Oge, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said an announcement would happen “soon,” The Detroit News reported today. The newspaper said details could be released as early as Monday.

In US Heavy-duty trucks account for a large percentage of emissions which consume more than 2 million barrels of oil every day and has an average of 6.1 mpg and emit 20 percent of the greenhouse gases.

This new proposal could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 250 million metric tons over five years, The News reported.

Under the new medium- and heavy-duty truck rules, manufacturers would be encouraged to replace old diesel engines with new, cleaner diesels. The government already has spent $200 million on the effort since 2005.

New diesel engines emit 90 percent fewer environmental pollutants, including those that contribute to smog, compared with engines made 20 years ago, Reuters reported.

- Autonews Inputs