Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Maruti Suzuki launches new Estilo sans Zen prefix
According to Maruti, Estilo has established itself as a brand and did not need the crutches of "Zen" to its name.
"Estilo is a brand in itself and is very different from the Estilo we launched in 2006 or the Zen in 1993," said Mayank Pareek, Maruti's managing executive officer in-charge of marketing and sales.
The new model is equipped with a 998 cc, three-cylinder petrol engine. According to the company, it is not only more powerful compared with the earlier version but also better in terms of fuel-efficiency, besides being compliant with the latest emission norms.
The hatchback will be manufactured at the Gurgaon plant where the company's "A-Star" and "Ritz" models are produced, Shinzo Nakanishi, managing director and chief executive of the carmaker, said at a glittering event in New Delhi.
"The car delivers a superior fuel efficiency of 18.2 km per litre," Nakanishi said. The event included a ballet dance, performance by a gynmnasts' group and a percussion recital by a set of three drummeRs
The company plans to invest Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500 crore to build its first research and development centre in the country, to be built over 700 acres in Rohtak in Haryana. The land was handed over to the company last week.
The new Estilo is available in eight colours, including four new ones - ecru beige, emerald Blue, dusky brown and quantum orange - apart from the existing silky silver, superior white, bright red and midnight black.
The company expects to sell about 3,000-4,000 units of this new model per month.
Though the older version is also being sold almost the same number of units, "incremental increase in sales is expected after this new launch," Nakanishi said.
Maruti is also confident that the company will come out of its financial woes in the upcoming festival season as sales are expected to shoot up.
"Last year was a disaster, but we expect better sales this year," Nakanishi said.
On exports targets, Nakanishi said Maruti was planning to sell 100,000 units of its small car A-Star in the overseas markets.
It has set a total exports target of 120,000 units for the current fiscal.
The company's signature model "Maruti-800" will be available only in tier-II cities once the emission norms are implemented from April 2010.
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Starship Enterprise
A new reader of the blog who goes by Mingal sent an email and included some photos.
Chris....feel free to post it... the guy I bought the photo from , said that the owner of the body work had brought it around to the local H-D shop and they displayed it for a week, trying to get some sales for it.
The captain is ready for blast off!
I've seen similar pictures that describe it as an "Enterprise" and I think it was from 1961. Just thought you might get a giggle out it for your blog, which I might ad, is very well done.
Here's another cool photo, taken of me on a 1969 Honda Mini-Trail with a mid 60's 650 Triumph engine in it. Starts on the first kick, makes a lot of noise and grabs a lot of attention.......yeah, it's "only" a single carb. :)
I'm surprised how well the engine fits. In addition to the down tubes and lower frame rails, I'd guess the backbone is also stretched some. -C.K.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
For Irish Rich, Elvis' Liberator
This shot was taken at Graceland. I believe it's a '76. Yup, that's a Stutz. The King had impeccable taste.
I believe it's now on display at a Harley dealer.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Chevrolet Agile first official image
The first official image of the Chevrolet Agile looks stunning. No seriously, let us remind ourselves this no luxury sedan. It is merely a replacement for the low cost Aveo, and for that price, it looks slithery and well built.
When the Argentinian division of GM got in touch with us, they confirmed the first job was to ensure demands are met in the South American markets. They told us there were no immediate plans to bring it to Asia, but in the future, it could happen.
From the outside, the triple creased bonnet, sharp edged headlamps and puffed up wheel arches are so unlike a low cost car. The interiors however, leave a lot to be desired as the steering wheel and center console are low rent.
Maruti’s Zen Brand to Go Off the Road!
India’s one of the oldest models Maruti Zen will be going off the road, after the launch of Maruti Suzuki’s Zen Estilo on 25th August’09.