M&M gears up to launch XUV500 in Italy, Australia, Chile

Source: Times of India After going slow on international launches of its sports utility vehicle to meet the domestic demand, auto major Mahindra & Mahindra is gearing up to introduce XUV500 in Italy, Australia and Chile soon.

"We plan to go ahead with our international launches of XUV. Italy and Australia are planned shortly. These are vehicles adapted to the needs of these markets," M&M Chief Executive, International Operations (Automotive & Farm Equipment sectors), Ruzbeh Irani told.

He said necessary adaptations to meet the norms in these markets such as emission and left hand drive in case of Italy have been completed.

Asked about the timeline for the launches, he didn't specify an exact date but said: "We are evaluating timing of launches in various markets - Chile and Australia are our priority. We will assess the overall capacity and domestic demand to decide on the launch timing."

In February, M&M President (Automotive & Farm Equipment sectors) Pawan Goenka had said the company was going slow on international launch of the vehicle to meet domestic demand.

"We were supposed to enter markets like Australia and are ready to launch XUV500 in many markets in terms of homologations and regulations. But we have decided to slow down to met domestic demand," Goenka had said.

He had also said the company will increase the output of XUV500 to 4,000 units by May from the earlier 3,000 units. Without specifying a timeline, he had also said the output would ultimately be taken up to about 5,000 units a month.

The company is in the process of delivering the bookings of 7,500 orders that were selected through a lottery following excessive demand.

On the need to launch the XUV in international markets, Irani said: "XUV is a global vehicle designed for international markets, it is important that we supply to international markets."

M&M exports XUV500 to South Africa.

Continue Reading »

An article by Mahindra FirstChoice No Comments

i-Gen i20: On the fast lane

Source: Business standard Hyundai Motor India has expanded the portfolio of its high-end compact car, the i20, which made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2008. The new i-Gen i20 (priced at Rs 4.73-Rs 7.67 lakh) is available in 12 variants now — seven petrol and five of diesel — and will compete in the Indian market with the likes of Skoda Fabia Diesel, Fiat Punto, Volkswagen Polo, Nissan Micra, Renault Pulse and Maruti Swift Diesel.

The new line-up will be supported by a 360-degree  marketing campaign touting ‘I live the uber life’. The campaign is based on the concept of life beyond the usual — something which everyone aspires to, but only a few can achieve. “Taking up from where its predecessor left, i-Gen i20 pushes the attitudinal edge further to enhance the aura of the car,” says Nalin Kapoor, group head, marketing, Hyundai Motor India.

 The i-Gen i20 has some first in class features such as rear parking camera with display in the cabin mirror, clean air-cluster ionizer for fresh air in the cabin, auto headlight control function (the lights turn on automatically when visibility drops) and rain sensing wipers, among others.

The i20 customer is the one “who starts a new trend and believes that the same cannot be followed by others.

The print and television commercials feature young, smart and aspiring Indian models representing the aspiration life that the car promises to usher in. Their personality traits portray them as people who dream big and spend lavishly on themselves. But above all, they are emotionally attached to their car. “One of the core elements of our campaign is to engage our target group with i-Gen i20 product attributes on ground as well as on the digital medium. We have an ongoing online contest called ‘I live the uber-life contest’ where visitors can upload their uber-moments. The best pictures are rewarded. The engagement activity provides them the opportunity to share moments which are unique expressions of their personality,” adds Kapoor.

According to the company sources, in the last six months the i20 has sold approximately 2 lakh units, growing at almost 20 per cent during this time. In 2011, Hyundai sold 3,73,717 units in the domestic market and 2,42,330 units in the export market, the total being 6,16,039 cars. The launch and campaign of i-Gen i20 is aimed at increasing Hyundai’s share in its segment.

Continue Reading »

An article by Mahindra FirstChoice No Comments

Mitsubishi Montero SUV now available with new features

Source: www.rushlane.com

​​​​Hindustan Motors Limited has launched Mitsubishi Montero SUV in India with new features.

The new features of Mitsubishi Montero SUV include new muscular coloured key front bumper, new chrome radiator grille, new finish on power window panel and new stitch design on leather seats. While these changes have added a new dimension to the design of the premium vehicle, the newly introduced interior illumination colour has imparted a refreshed ambience to Montero. 

 Montero's other acclaimed features like 3.2 liter DOHC diesel engine with intercooler and turbocharger, 202 PS@3800 rpm power and 441 Nm@2000 rpm torque continue to provide the vehicle formidable power and thrust. The vehicle is available in solid white, black mica and cool silver metallic shades.

After the launch of Pajero Sport, Outlander 2012 and now the upgraded Montero, Hindustan Motors has also repositioned the price of Mitsubishi's sedan Cedia, a car with a strong rally pedigree, at Rs. 7.99 lacs, ex-showroom New Delhi, enhancing the value-for-money quotient for its numerous enthusiasts.

Continue Reading »

An article by Mahindra FirstChoice No Comments

Jeep all set to enter India

Source: The Economic Times

​​​It's one of the oldest names to grace the automobiles and definitely one of the most legendary and its finally coming to India. Get ready for Jeep India has always been the land of SUV's. Big on size, space and presence which is complimented perfectly by their ability to gobble up bad roads which make up the majority of the surfaces here in India, make them just the right vehicle for us. While we already have a horde of SUV's here in India, we finally have the big daddy coming in. The American icon Jeep is all set to drive us SUV buffs crazy.

Part of the Chrysler group, Jeep is being brought in by Italian giant, Fiat who now owns it since the last few years. While they have a range of vehicles in their portfolio, the ones slated for India are most likely the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler. 

The Grand Cherokee is now in its fourth generation and received a lot of updates for 2012. Muscle is what comes to your mind when you look at the Grand Cherokee. It's a brilliant mix of classic styling cues and modern design. Look beyond the signature seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel arches and you'll see thoughtful details that set Grand Cherokee apart. 

The cabin follows suite with a handsome cabin with a cleanly styled dash, tight seams, high-quality materials and consistent textures from door to dash. Quality is expected to be on par if not better than its Japanese/German/Swedish rivals. Comfortable seating is courtesy the large plush seat which is designed for plus sized American. However, the only drawback is that the Grand Cherokee is offered as a five seater and not a seven. The current Grand Cherokee shares components with Mercedes-Benz's ML-Class, DaimlerChrysler owned Jeep during this vehicle's early development so its premium look and feel is no surprise.  

The other entrant from Jeep will be the famed and go anywhere Wrangler. While the Grand Cherokee will be the premium luxury SUV, the Wrangler will be the tough, off-road lifestyle product. Like the Grand Cherokee, the Wrangler has been around since ages and was in fact produced by Kaiser-Jeep and then American Motors (AMC) and finally Chrysler.

The Wrangler too has received a lot of updates for the 2012 model and is pretty much in its most modern avatar yet. There are all new interiors which boast of higher-quality materials, the center stack has been redesigned, an all-new instrument panel and strategically applied sound insulation that makes this the quietest Wrangler ever. 

For off road and SUV enthusiasts this is indeed a brilliant piece of news. What remains to be seen is how well are the vehicles priced.

Continue Reading »

An article by Mahindra FirstChoice No Comments

Hyundai ramping up diesel Verna and i20 supply

Source: The Hindustan Business Line

​​​To match the sharply increased demand for popular diesel variants of the i20 hatch and the Verna sedan, Hyundai Motor India has increased the supply of such models by 50 per cent. 

This is expected to halve the waiting period on the diesel Verna, while bringing down the delivery date for new diesel i20 to a month.

“Increased supply will ease the waiting period substantially. Our customers have shown great patience, they have waited for many months,” Mr Arvind Saxena, Director, Marketing and Sales, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, said.

The Korean car maker has been encouraged by the Government’s move to not put an additional tax on diesel cars in the Budget last month despite pressures. It is thus increasing the supply of the diesel versions of the two models together to 10,500 units a month, from the current 7,500 units by ramping up diesel engine imports from South Korea.

Continue Reading »

An article by Mahindra FirstChoice No Comments

Volvo bullish on growing luxury segment in India

Source: Hindu Business Line

​​The slipping of Mercedes Benz in ranking in the Indian luxury car market has given Swedish car-maker Volvo a glimmer of hope. 

Currently, German majors – BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz – have a stranglehold on the luxury car market in India. They are followed by Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover and then Volvo. 

The March-quarter numbers show Audi overtaking Mercedes to grab the number 2 slot which Mercedes had held since 2009. (Mercedes was leading the pack till BMW displaced it in 2009). 

This shows there is intense competition at the top, said Mr Tomas Ernberg, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India. 

It also shows there is space for everyone to grow and gives us the confidence to fight for bigger market share, he said. 

Volvo currently has a small footprint in India; its cars have been here only since 2008. But it believes the country will become its “focal point” in the coming months. 

Last year, the Swedish car-maker sold 320 cars in the country; this year it expects to deliver over 1,000 units. This is of course a far cry from its German peers. 

“Under a relatively new owner (Ford sold Volvo to Chinese carmaker Geely in 2010) and a new CEO globally, the company has now put India in perspective – as one of the most promising markets in the world.”

The luxury car segment in India accounts for just one per cent of the overall volumes of 2.5 million cars. 

Volumes 

By 2020, car volumes will touch 5 million – the luxury market will be three per cent of that at 1.5 lakh units. Volvo is gunning for 15 per cent of this segment by then. “The income of middle class families is growing and the country is getting richer.” Volvo has eight showrooms and seven dealerships in India.  

“We will double showrooms and dealerships by 2013. We will also launch a slew of new products,” said Mr.Ernberg, during the launch of Chennai's first Volvo car showroom. 

“We expect Chennai to start delivering 500 units next year.” 

Diesel cars 

Volvo's cars in India are skewed towards diesel. It recently launched the new D3 diesel engine variant of the S60 and S80 salons and XC60 SUV. 

A new car is slated for launch in the beginning of next year. 

The company recently increased retail prices by an average of Rs 1 lakh across the board, to cushion the excise duty hike.

Continue Reading »

An article by Mahindra FirstChoice No Comments

Maruti Ertiga receives 11000 bookings in just five days

Source: www.rushlane.com

​​India's largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki India launched Ertiga earlier this month with a base price tag of Rs 5.89 lacs and along with it, announced their entry into the MUV segment of the Indian auto industry. Within just 11 days of Ertiga's launch, Maruti Suzuki has registered over 11,000 bookings for their all new MUV (Multi Utility Vehicle), which they call as LUV – Life Utility Vehicle.

Maruti Suzuki India has launched Ertiga in an attempt to amplify their declining market share in the Indian car market. Maruti Suzuki, as of today, has a market share of 39% in the Indian auto industry, which is also their lowest ever. Maruti has launched Ertiga as an MUV so that they can compete in a segment where they have entered for the first time.

MUV segment captures 14% of the Indian auto industry and the top sellers in the segment are Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo. Mahindra Xylo costs between Rs 7.30 lacs to Rs 10 lacs while Innova is available between Rs 8.5 lacs to Rs 12 lacs. Xylo and Innova do not have a petrol option whereas Ertiga offers thee trim petrol variants. Ertiga Diesel is available in the range of Rs 7.30 lacs to Rs 8.45 lacs.

Maruti Suzuki, which never competed for this 14% of the Indian car market, will now want to grab a big chunk and increase their overall market share in India's car industry. Maruti Suzuki aims to sell 70,000 units of Ertiga this year.

Continue Reading »

An article by Mahindra FirstChoice No Comments

Mahindra FirstChoice Wheels inaugurates First Authorised Dealership in Kottayam

April 12, 2012, Kottayam: Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd., India’s largest multi-brand pre-owned car company, today inaugurated the showroom of its Authorized Dealership in Kottayam. Jewel Motors is located at VC building, opposite Heera Apartment, on MC Road. 

The showroom was inaugurated by Honorable Minister for Finance, Kerala state, Sri K. M. Mani, in presence of Honorable Minister of Revenue, Kerala state, Sri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Honorable Member of Parliament, Sri Jose K. Mani,.Honorable MLA Sri Suresh Kurup, Honorable MLA Sri Mons Joseph, Honorable Municipal Chairman, Sri Sunny Kalloor, Honorable Sri Thomas Chazikadan, Ex-MLA, Honorable Sri V. N. Vasavan, Ex-MLA and Honorable Municipal Councillor, Sri T. C. Roy. Sri Punnoose Unnithan, Vice President & Zonal Sales Head, HDFC Bank Ltd. was also present on the occasion. The inaugural lamp was lit by Mr. Sharad Agarwal, National Head - Franchisee Operations, Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd.

Speaking on the occasion,. Honorable Sri Mani said “I am very happy on inaugurating this showroom which will expand the organized pre-owned car retail industry in Kottayam and in Kerala”. 

Mr. Sharad Agarwal said “Jewel Motors is a well respected name in Kottayam. Their expertise in the region, coupled with our value proposition of trust, transparency and wide choice will ensure that Mahindra FirstChoice is well poised to tap the vast potential of the pre-owned car market in the region,”  

“We are delighted to partner with Mahindra FirstChoice in Kottayam. Jewel Motors will function as a one-stop shop for all those wishing to either buy or sell a car. The showroom will display all varieties of car brands. Customers in Kottayam can also avail of an array of services under one roof. These include purchase and sale of pre-owned cars, car finance and insurance, fitment of car accessories and assistance with paperwork and documentation,” said Sri Shaiji Kuriakos, Managing Director, Jewel Motors.

Mahindra First Choice Wheels is the country’s preferred pre-owned car mart and is India’s number 1 multi-brand pre-owned car player, with 160 outlets in over 85 towns across India. The company plans to expand this number to more than 350 outlets in the next three years. This implies that customers will soon be able to choose from a range of certified pre-owned cars throughout India, including the metros and tier-2 towns and cities. 

Tremendous attention to detail is required to ensure that each pre-owned car meets a high level of quality. Before purchasing the car, a trained engineer thoroughly inspects the vehicle and also sees to it that all papers are in order. After purchase, every car is refurbished and undergoes an extensive 118 point quality check by a trained engineer, as part of the company’s robust certification process. The objective behind the care and diligence exercised is to present the customer with a car in good condition. 

In short, buying a pre-owned car from Mahindra FirstChoice offers several advantages, including quality assurance, safety and a hassle-free driving experience. 

Mahindra FirstChoice also offers warranty and 24x7 Road Side Assistance on certified pre-owned cars. The warranty, subject to specific terms and conditions, covers the important parts of the car. The 24x7 Road Side Assistance, subject to specific terms and conditions, assures the certified pre-owned car buyer that should the car break-down, he will be provided assistance. This warranty and road side assistance gives tremendous peace of mind to buyers of Certified Pre-Owned Cars.

Mahindra FirstChoice also has retail finance relationships with major banks and NBFCs in the country. 

Mahindra FirstChoice also has a website – www.mahindrafirstchoice.com – which offers consumers the luxury of buying and selling pre-owned cars from the comfort of their own homes.

About The Mahindra Group

The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.  

A USD 14.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 144,000 people in over 100 countries.

In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.

In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.

For further information, please visit www.mahindra.com

Connect with us on www.facebook.com/mahindragroup

For further enquiries please contact:

Ms. Roma Balwani                                          

Senior VP & Group Head - Corporate Communication                            

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd                                            

Phone: (+91-22) 24975176                                             

Email: balwani.roma@mahindra.com           

Continue Reading »

An article by Mahindra FirstChoice No Comments