Honda Motorcycles launched the new 110cc Honda Aviator with new features like Combi-Brake where front and rear brakes get activated jointly when the left lever is applied, telescopic front suspension to achieve smoother handling, lower vibration and more stable high-speed control.

The 110cc Aviator also has features like viscous air filter which needs less maintenance. A maintenance free battery is also part of the package along with the patented Tuff Up Tube tyres.

You can catch the entire press release by visiting this link.

If you can’t see the slideshow above, visit the Honda Aviator 110cc Image Gallery directly.

Mahindra creates a new category by launching India’s first Compact Truck

Mahindra creates a new category with the launch of Mahindra Gio, India’s first 0.5 ton Compact Truck: Mahindra Gio – An entry level 4 Wheeler Cargo carrier offers unmatched mileage of 27 kmpl at an unbeatable price of Rs 1.65 lakh.

The New Compact Truck – Mahindra Gio

Mumbai, Maharashtra, October 28, 2009 — Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), a leading player in the small Commercial Vehicle segment in India, today launched the Mahindra Gio, India’s first 4 wheel 0.5 ton Compact Truck. A category creating vehicle in the cargo commercial vehicle segment, the Mahindra Gio combines the style, status, comfort and safety of a four wheeler with the low operating and maintenance cost of a three-wheeler. The Mahindra Gio is available at an amazing price of Rs. 1.65 lakh, ex showroom BSII; BSIII price is Rs 1.68 Lakh. Equipped with a high performance 9.1 HP Kohler engine, from Kohler, USA, the Mahindra Gio gives best-in-class mileage of 27 km per litre.

“With the launch of Mahindra Gio, we have created a new Compact Truck category in the commercial vehicle segment. The Mahindra Gio is the first of its kind entry level 4 wheel cargo vehicle, and is all set to change the dynamics of the small CV segment. As city limits gradually expand and distribution needs increase, the Mahindra Gio presents a high earning potential for customers who will benefit from its high mileage, low maintenance cost, optimum utilization of space and low acquisition cost,” said Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

The Mahindra Gio has undergone rigorous test runs and has been validated on all performance, safety and reliability parameters. This brand new offering from Mahindra’s commercial vehicle stable also boasts of several class leading features, including the best-in-class fuel efficiency, ‘car like’ controls and features, and a trendy & stylish look. This value for money load carrier scores highly on various parameters, including affordability, space, comfort and safety. It is also the most economical vehicle in the small CV industry, making it ideal for intra city operations.

The Mahindra Gio is being manufactured in Mahindra’s Haridwar plant and is being launched in a phased manner. It will be available initially in West, North and select Eastern states and shortly thereafter in the rest of the country.

Perfect for intra city movement

The Mahindra Gio is most suitable for intra city operations. Its compact 0.5 ton cargo box ensures maximum utilization of space. A small turning radius of 3.8 metres, dashboard mounted gear shifter and ‘car like’ steering wheel allows this nifty 4 wheel load carrier to negotiate the narrowest of roads with ease.

Exceptional value for money

India’s first Compact Truck is powered by a high performance 9.1 HP Kohler engine, from Kohler, USA, which provides class leading mileage of 27 Kmpl. The Mahindra Gio also offers exceptional value for money with a low maintenance cost which is as low as that of a three wheeler. These features, coupled with an attractive price tag and better load optimization make the Mahindra Gio a great purchase.

Cares for your comfort and safety

Mahindra Gio offers greater comfort even on long trips. This stylish Compact Truck boasts of several class defining features, including adjustable cushioned bucket seats, roll down windows offering more ventilation and a car like Macpherson front suspension, ensuring comfortable ride and handling.

A tall and wide cabin with extra leg room allows easy entry and exit, adding to overall comfort. Easy to operate car like controls and an easy to read instrument panel enhance the Mahindra Gio’s driving pleasure.

A semi-forward cabin with a crumple zone makes the Mahindra Gio a safe vehicle, while a balanced structure provides more stability leading to a safer drive. Multi focal reflector halogen lights, side indicators and bigger rear view mirrors offer optimum visibility.

Strong performance

A strong gear box – 4 forward and 1 reverse –, coupled with the powerful Kohler engine gives the Mahindra Gio good pickup & load carrying capacity, while spring leaf suspension with a rigid axle enhances load stability. The load body comprises of a fully corrugated 5ft cargo box which is strong and long lasting.

Attractive style

The Mahindra Gio doesn’t just deliver on performance and economy. It is also one of the most stylish vehicles in its class. The signature Mahindra front grille on the flat front cabin adds a distinctly macho look to this smart Compact Truck. Five youthful shades – Peacock Blue, Royal Red, Golden Yellow, Diamond White and Sporty Green ensure that the Mahindra Gio cuts a striking figure on city roads.

Mahindra Gio Image Slideshow

If you’re not able to view the slideshow above, view the images in the Mahindra Gio Image Gallery

Here are some of the details discussed during the launch -

- Zotye began their operations in China in the year 2005

- Premier will bring more Zotye products in the future into India as CKDs

- The Rio is expected to return a fuel economy figure of 16-18kmpl

- 500 vehicles will be assembled in the company’s facility every month

- Premier is using a 1,500cc diesel engine, adopted from Peugeot, that delivers 65bhp.

- The company will sell the car in BS3 spec till the regulations come in next year, which is when it will upgrade satisfy demands.

Premier Rio Interior and Exterior Image Slideshow

If you’re not able to view the slideshow above, visit the Premier Rio Interior and Exterior Image Gallery directly

Oct 28 2009

Premier launches compact SUV in India

Premier (formerly known as Premier Automobiles) India’s pioneering car maker has re-entered the Indian passenger vehicle market with a compact SUV named RiO. The Premier RiO aims to cater to the segment between mid-size passenger cart and larger utility vehicles.

The RiO seats 5 people comfortably and is powered by Premiers 1489cc turbo diesel engine based on Peugeot technology delivering close to 65BHP and a fuel efficiency of about 16 kms per litre. The vehicle, based on a Dalhatsu model, will be sourced from China through a component supply agreement with Zotye Group, the Chinese manufacturer that sells close to 100,000 units per annum of this modal from its modern plant near Shanghai, China.

Premier win assemble the RIO at its Pune plant and sell it through its dealer network in a phased roll out starting with West and South India. The Company currently has 30 dealers that it is expanding to 100 in the next 8 months thereby creating an all India network. Premier is beefing up its sales and service support and will be offering a 3 year warranty for the RIO.

The RiO will retail in 3 versions with the base model priced as around Rs. 5.25 lacs and the deluxe model at Rs 6 lacs, both prices are ex-showroom Pune, making it nearly Re 1.5 lacs cheaper than other SUV5 on the Indian roads. Initially, the RIO will be available in red, while, silver, black and blue colours. All models come equipped with power steering, front powerwindows, central locking and CD / MP3 player. There will be both A/C and non-A/c versions. Higher models will have additional features like anti-clock breaking system (ADS) and alloy wheels.

The RiO comes with foldable split rear seats thereby providing multiple seating configurations and its unique feature is a very high ground clearance enabling it to comfortably operate on all types of roads. Premier will commence deliveries in December 2009. The initial production has already commenced and the first cars are expected to hit selected dealer showrooms in the first week of November for customer reply.

Premier Rio Powerpoint presentation Image Slideshow

If you can’t view the slideshow above, visit the Premier Rio Powerpoint presentation Image Gallery.

Rio-Gio — Some coincidence.

We’ll be updating the blog with all the images and information obtained from these launches. Apart from the press release, answers to questions we posed to the heads of the companies will also be sent through. Updating will begin shortly.

Indian Autos Blog will not be updated on Wednesday (28th October) as we will be at the Premier-Zotye Rio launch in Mumbai. Following this launch, in the afternoon, we have been invited to attend a Mahindra product launch also. We don’t know what the product is, we’re told its not the refreshed Renault Logan, Sandero or other Renault products.

Some of us are hoping that it will be the world SUV displayed above. What we really don’t want to see is a taxi variant of Xylo or a Scorpio variant with airbags. Mahindra has not created any hype regarding this unveil, so we don’t know what really to expect.

We will come back from both the launches and post high quality images with first hand information.

These days countries like Norway and Australia are stressing on the road safety through innovative road safety videos. I feel that similar campaigns should be started in our country as well as the message sent out from the video is very simple and has a strong recall.

This kind of awareness campaign is very important in our country considering the number of two wheelers we have here. Everyday we add thousands of two wheelers on our roads. But how many of the riders are aware about road safety and the dangers awaiting them?

Through videos such as this one, people should be educated on the importance of safety and riding safely.