Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Sanjay Chamria, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Magma Fincorp Limited said, “Magma is committed to serve its wide base of customers and offer customized solutions in asset financing in India. The tie up with VECV is in sync with our growth trajectory and we are looking forward to a successful partnership. We will finance VECV’s world-class medium and heavy-duty Eicher range of commercial vehicles through our network of 153 offices pan India.”

Magma Fincorp has a strong infrastructure in semi urban and rural India. Magma offers finance for new and used Commercial Vehicle, Passenger Cars and Utility Vehicles, Construction Equipment, Tractors etc. The company also provides SME Finance apart from Insurance facilities, thereby providing single window facility to the customers.

Mr. Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “VECV has recently launched its new range of Eicher heavy-duty trucks – the ‘VE series’, and is gearing up to achieve its wanted position of a 15% share of the Indian heavy-duty truck market by 2015, while growing its light and medium-duty market share to beyond 30%. We now have a very strong line-up of trucks and buses supported by a dense sales, service and spare-parts network across India. This tie-up with Magma will be extremely beneficial for us as we would be able to extend our reach across India’s semi-urban and rural areas to create a distinct demand advantage for the Eicher range and such market penetration will visibly enhance our market share.”

Boasting breakthrough packaging and small-car engineering, the all-new, fourth generation Nissan Micra (known as March in Japan) is on course to create a whole new set of industry standards. Unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show, the Micra has consistently won praise and success for in Europe, Japan and other markets, gaining a reputation as a reliable, stylish, accessible compact car enjoyed by a wide cross-section of customers. The new Micra has been designed to build on that trend – in 160 countries.

“Combining 25 years’ experience of designing compact cars for city driving…with a totally new, versatile platform and Nissan production know-how…and the result is a modern, simple and destined to be a serious competitor on the world stage, “ said Carlos Ghosn, during the car’s reveal.

Nissan Micra at a Glance:

• Spacious interior allied to compact exterior dimensions
• All new 3-cylinder petrol engine including supercharged and direct injection version with emissions of 95g/km to be added to the line up later
• New Continuously Variable Transmission with world-first technology
• All new Versatile platform conceived to be light weight
• New Micra to be sold in 160 countries and manufactured in four different plants

Developed and built on Nissan’s all-new V-platform, which was developed under a comprehensive new production engineering process, the new Micra was designed and tested in Japan to be built in at least four overseas locations, and fine-tuned to meet the differing tastes and needs of customers in 160 countries worldwide. Breaking with traditions that focused on launching production in established markets like Europe and Japan, Nissan will base production of the new Micra at overseas manufacturing sites such as Thailand, India, Mexico and China.

Says, Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India Private Ltd (NMIPL), “It is a victory day for Nissan and all Indian customers. The moment that we all at Nissan India have been waiting for has finally arrived. The all-new Nissan Micra will be our first ‘Made-in-India’ compact car and it will be manufactured at our soon-to-be inaugurated plant at Oragadam, near Chennai. The fourth generation Micra has been designed in line with the discerning needs of the Indian customers and we believe that it is the right product at the right time. We are on track to start production of this car in May 2010 and the sales would commence in July 2010. We will also be exporting the Micra to more than 100 countries including 35 countries in Europe from Sept 2010”

Design

“The car has to charm a global audience,” comments Makoto Yamane, Associate Product Chief Designer. “Its face had to look stylish and have an air of sophistication to it.” A unique design feature of this car — its double-layer integrated grille — meets these requirements. But the car’s classic shape was also crucial. That’s why it also employs a stylized version of the distinctive arched side window line, something that is central to the Micra’s heritage, identity and appeal in Europe and Japan.

Retaining its compact dimensions, the new car is slightly longer and marginally lower, while its longer wheelbase enables a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance, the main reason behind the Micra’s roomier interior. The boomerang-shaped grooves on the roof have a clearly defined purpose too, continues Yamane. Aiming to create the same sense of exterior style inside the car, Nissan has employed a ‘connected cocoon’ design featuring a dashboard design which takes on a ‘twin bubble’ theme. This refers to the circular instrumentation binnacle and the similarly shaped glovebox compartment on the passenger side.

All-new Engine and CVT

In Europe, a simple engine line-up sees just two engines options – both are variations on Nissan’s all-new naturally aspirated HR12 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. Inheriting its DNA from the HR16 4-cylinder engine powering the Note and Qashqai, the new engine employs valve-timing control (VTC). Power is rated at 59kW (80ps, while torque output is 108Nm. At only 115g/km, CO2 emissions for this version are world-class.

In addition to the new normally aspirated engine, Nissan will also offer supercharged 1.2-litre direct injection iteration with a start-stop system fitted as standard in Europe. These technological innovations – stop-start reduces CO2 by six per cent – combine to offer spirited performance, with outputs of 72kW (98PS) and 142Nm of torque. Emissions will be just 95g/km, an exceptional achievement for a petrol engine.

Both engine options in Europe are available with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or Nissan’s all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Employing a world-first sub-planetary gear, allowing wider gear ratios, this CVT employs a smaller pulley making it 10% lighter than any previous Nissan CVT. The wide gear coverage enables the 1.2-litre engine to achieve the economy of a 1.0-litre as well as brisk acceleration.

Not satisified merely improving performance levels, engineers excelled in developing ride and handling characteristics which combine agility, refinement and poise. Mounted onto Nissan’s new signature V-platform, the suspension has been designed to be both compact, minimizing intrusion at the rear for maximum trunk space, but not at the expense of the car’s on-road dynamics. Particular attention has been paid to bump absorption, meaning that the Micra will ride serenely over challenging road surfaces, not suffer from wallow or float, and cruise effortlessly at highway speeds.

Comfort, function and equipment

In contrast to its high speed capability, the car also has superb visibility and a class-topping turning radius of 4.5m and several new technologies that assist with minimizing CO2 emissions and mileage while at the same time making parking easier.

Globally, equipment levels differ by market, but the new Micra is available with some key technological innovations which are designed to simplify day-to-day life for its owners.

The new Micra is available with reversing sensors and a new ‘parking space measurement’ (PSM) device with three skill levels (amateur, normal and expert) to lessen the burden of parking in tight spaces – a unique feature in this segment, and likely to be a popular innovation in Europe where ‘touch parking’ is a way of life.

It also offers an Intelligent Key, Nissan Connect, Nissan’s accessible touch-screen combined audio and satellite navigation system, glass roof, automatic wipers, speed sensitive volume on the audio, a push button start-stop system in addition to a drive computer which supplies drivers with real time fuel economy information, cruising range and outside temperature. On the security side, the car is also fitted with a speed-sensitive automatic door locking system.

Safety

The incorporation of the V-platform is one major factor contributing to the car’s improved impact safety. The car is designed to absorb the forces of a frontal impact, thanks to the sophisticated crumple zones, while maintaining cabin integrity due to its highly reinforced body shell. In Europe, the Micra will be fitted with ABS, dual front airbags, curtain and side airbags, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and pretensioner seatbelts as standard equipment.

Simon Thomas, Nissan’s European Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, said: “The new Micra will continue to be the benchmark city car in Europe. Its appeal will be enhanced by its unique combination of compact exterior dimensions, with roomy interior, small and efficient engines, and user-friendly technology. Its continued icon status is destined to be reinforced in its fourth generation.”

Sales of the new Micra will start in Thailand in March, in India in July and European sales will begin in November this year.

When Tata Nano EV is launched, it will expand the company’s electric vehicles portfolio, which already comprises the Tata Indica Vista EV.

Mr. Ravi Kant, Vice Chairman, Tata Motors, said, “Electrification will be an integral part of our initiative to launch environment-friendly vehicles. The Indica Vista EV will be introduced in select European countries, beginning this year. We will progressively introduce electric vehicles in all relevant markets.”

The Tata Nano EV offers the practicality of a real car, compromising nothing in the pursuit of providing environment-friendly personal transportation for the modern consumer.

It will seat four individuals comfortably in its spacious interiors, which the Tata Nano is known for. It will have a predicted range of up to 160 km and an acceleration of 0-60 kmph in under 10 seconds.

Tata Motors continues its innovative approach with the Tata Nano EV, using super polymer lithium ion batteries, as in the Tata Indica Vista EV, which provide superior energy density to conventional batteries.

The company has already displayed the Tata Nano Europa at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and expects to launch it in select European countries in a couple of years. Meanwhile, in India, the Tata Nano, now being delivered to the first 100,000 chosen customers, has received rave reviews. It has won the 2010 ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) Award, an award instituted jointly by six auto publications. It has also been individually declared as the Car of the Year by three other auto publications/television channels.

The Tata Indica Vista EV, based on the award-winning new generation Tata Indica Vista, is also a more practicable option for the consumer capable of carrying four individuals and adequate luggage space. Its super polymer lithium ion batteries provide a predicted range of up to 200 km and acceleration of 0-60 kmph in under 10 seconds.

Also on display are the Tata Aria, a mid-range Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with the all terrain assurance and premiumness of an SUV, premiered in January in India and first shown as a concept at the 75th Geneva Motor Show, and the Tata Indigo Manza, the recently launched new generation sedan.

The Tata Aria blends the functionality and comfort of a mid-range MPV with the all-terrain assurance and premiumness of an SUV. Its unique design and construction makes it robust, elegant and comfortable. The interiors, with three rows of theatre style seating, present a luxurious world of premium features comprising 3D surround sound, dimming roof lamps, in-dash built-in GPS, a state-of-the-art infotainment system, multifunctional steering wheel, dual air conditioning with automatic climate control and cruise control.

The Tata Indigo Manza is an altogether new car with a feline aggressive appearance. A complete new body on a new platform houses an all new interior. The spacious right inclination rear seats with a centre armrest, allow one to sit back and relax, in a living room like comfort and ambience. The tilt adjustable power steering with a height adjustable driver seat allows a comfortable driving posture. The driver information system on top of the central console provides information on fuel consumption and ambient temperature, while the sporty instrument cluster shrouded in the swoop of the soft-feel dashboard completes the styling statement. A 2 DIN Music System offers connectivity with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity through the Blue5.

Tata Motors is also displaying at Geneva this year the Tata Xenon Double Cab pick-up vehicle and the Tata Indica Vista. The Xenon Double Cab is available in Italy, Spain, Poland, Thailand, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and several countries in Africa. The Tata Indica Vista has already been launched in South Africa, and will be introduced in the company’s European markets. The other new generation cars of the company on display will also be launched in international markets in a phased manner.

This also means that government hasn’t yet accepted the demands of petroleum companies, who have been requesting the government to raise the price of petrol and diesel for quite some time now and would continue to do so for the foreseeable future i.e. there can be another fuel price hike on the horizon.

New prices will be applicable from midnight tonight.

While the 1.2 liter petrol engine of Polo produces 75bhp @ 4500rpm and 110nm of torque @ 3750 rpm, the 1.2 liter diesel engine develops 75bhp @ 4200 rpm and 180nm if torque @ 2000 rpm.

Here are the price of different variants of Volkswagen Polo:

VW Polo with 1.2 liter Petrol engine

Trendline*: Rs. 4.34 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

Comfortline**: Rs. 4.83 (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

Highline***: Rs. 5.72 (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

VW Polo with 1.2 liter Diesel engine

Trendline*: Rs. 5.32 (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

Comfortline**: Rs. 5.81 (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

Highline***: Rs. 6.70 (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

*Trendline – Front power windows, power steering AC, body colored bumpers, central locking standard, 14 inch steel wheels

**Comfortline – Height adjustable driver seat, 60/40 split rear seat, all power windows, 14 inch steel wheels

***Highline – ABS, dual airbags, keyless entry, 15 inch alloys, MP3 player, front fog lamps, rear defogger.

Relio Quick Auto Mall is the largest multi-city automobile expo in India and at Mumbai it will host some of the best automobile brands in the country, along with automobile accessories and services. This exhibition will be further complemented by a Premium Lounge for display of Luxury Cars and Bikes, Vintage Cars, modified cars and bikes.

“We are absolutely delighted to see the enthusiasm of our proud XYLO owners and my congratulations to all the winners. The XYLO has been a runaway success since its launch over a year ago, reflecting high customer satisfaction levels. This Mileage Marathon is a unique customer-centric effort which will not only give the owners an idea of the vehicle’s fuel efficient nature but will also help them understand their XYLO experience better,” said Mr. Vivek Nayer, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

The event format saw XYLO customers top up their fuel tanks before driving their cars on a pre-determined 108 km route. The aim of this exercise was to ascertain the best fuel consumption figures in both city and highway operating conditions. Winners were adjudged on the basis of the best mileage figures attained during the drive.

Mr. Kundan Lal Khattar registered the highest mileage figure of 27.7 km/litre of diesel. He received a 4 nights 5 days trip to Bangkok. Mr. Gaurav Puri and Mr. Anil Kumar came tied for second place with a mileage figure of 27.6 km/litre. In addition to this, 97% of the participants achieved fuel efficiency figures of over 15 kmpl, 70% of the vehicles returned fuel efficiency figures greater than 20 kmpl and the overall fuel average of the entire group was 21.43 kmpl.

It was also an occasion for the families to enjoy a special entertainment programme which included karaoke, dance performances and games for the children present at the event.

Perhaps the most complete car with luxury comforts to enter the Indian market, the XYLO has achieved great success since its launch in January 2009, with sales in the first year alone crossing 30,000 units. The XYLO boasts a wide array of unique features including Flat Bed front seats, Digital Drive Assist System (DDAS), foldable flight trays, Reverse Park Assist and surround cool dual ACs. This has led customers to perceive it as an ideal alternative to premium sedans.

The XYLO recently also received several prestigious awards from the automotive media, including MUV of the Year from the NDTV Profit Car and Bike Awards, UV of the Year from the CNBC TV 18 Overdrive Awards and MPV of the Year from the Zigwheels Car and Bike Awards.

While refusing to give definitive deadline for the phase out of Ford Fusion, Mr. Michael Boneham, MD and President Ford India said, “We will discontinue the Fusion and our focus in the small car segment will be exclusively on Figo in the Indian market. The Fusion was also giving us a relatively small volume and we hope to do well with the Figo.”

Ford Figo would go on sale in the month of March and Ford India is planning to introduce a new car every 12-18 months.

The new retail stores bring Ford’s dealership total to 164 facilities located in 97 cities across India. In the past two years, the number of cities with a Ford outlet has jumped more than 30 percent.

Of the 28 new outlets, 14 offer full 3S (Showroom, Sales and Service) facilities, while seven of the new facilities are service workshops, providing a full line of mechanical services. The remaining new outlets are sales showrooms, where visitors will find a full line-up of Ford vehicles.

As part of the company’s intensified business development efforts supporting the launch of the new Figo, Ford has set out on an aggressive growth strategy, particularly in Tier II and Tier III¹ cities.

“Growing our dealership base, building strong business fundamentals and getting closer to our customers are areas of high priority as we gear up to launch our new Figo and enter this high volume segment in 2010,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India.

”Tier II and III cities are significant for Ford. We have opened new facilities in 13 Tier III cities today, and more than 40 percent of Ford service outlets are now located in secondary markets,” added Boneham.

Placing dealerships in close proximity to city centres – where they are conveniently located for customers – has been a core focus area for Ford as the company continues to broaden its product portfolio.

”As we expand, we are making sure that our low cost of ownership message is heard by people making buying decisions,” said Boneham.

Both the existing and new Ford dealerships are committed to offering customer-friendly after-sales support and efficient service. Various packages, including Total Maintenance, Extended Warranty, Roadside Assistance and Scheduled Service Plans are offered by Ford India outlets.

Enhancing the ownership experience is Quick Service, a unique vehicle servicing process that allows routine service to be performed in less than 90 minutes. Quick Service bays are available in 45 dealerships across India.

All the newly-inaugurated showrooms are Brand@Retail² dealerships built according to Ford’s global standard to improve the ownership experience and ensure a long-term association with the Ford brand.

Customers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the vehicles, receive demonstrations from sales consultants and take test drives of their favourite Ford vehicles, enabling them to make a well-informed purchase decision.

Ford India has been working with its dealer body to ensure facilities meet specific requirements. Dealer staff members are trained according to Ford’s global guidelines to provide higher standards of professional service to customers. To meet the demands of increased volume selling, Ford India has tripled its dealer sales consultant staff from 480 in 2009 to nearly 1500 this year.

In the past two months, over 1700 dealer personnel from 97 cities have attended in-depth training sessions on Ford Figo.

New facilities have opened in New Delhi, Sangrur, Haldwani and Gwalior in the North; Durgapur, Dhanbad and Guwahati in the East; Hyderabad, Chennai, Warangal, Vellore, Salem, Vijayawada and Malappuram in the South; and Bilaspur and Mehsana in the Western region.

Also as part of the expansion is a new showroom in the East Delhi Metro Rail Station. This new showroom provides visibility and convenience in a high traffic location and makes it more convenient for customers to shop for Ford vehicles. This is the first Ford showroom located in a Metro Rail Station in the Asia Pacific region.

New showrooms and workshops also are now located in Jaipur, Thane, Ahmednagar, Pune, Vapi, Ahmedabad and Cochin.

While the new Sports Edition of Mercedes M-Class is priced at Rs. 55 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi) and comes with sporty instrument cluster, sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs and Leather Steering wheel, Luxury Edition of 2010 M-Class is priced at Rs. 60.9 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi) and comes loaded with Harman Kardon surround sound system, wood/leather multifunction steering wheel and Thermotronic 3-zone automatic climate control.

Speaking to the media at the launch of 2010 M-Class, Dr. Wilfried G Aulbur, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “We expect a good year in 2010 and we are hoping to build on the momentum of 2009 when we sold 140 M class, which was double the sales compared to 2008.”

Mercedes-Benz is planning to invest Rs. 200 crore in revamping the network in terms of creating new showrooms, upgradation of showrooms and facilities and entering new cities. It is also planning to launch a new Benz center in Delhi with 26 car display, a 12-car display in Hyderabad and a 16-car display in Chennai.