Category Archives: Automobile

What are the Forthcoming Challenges to the Automotive Industry?

The Automotive Industry Today

 

In order for any industry to grow there must be evolution and change. This requirement holds for the automotive industry as well. As the global automotive industry grows it must continuously evolve and transform into a new avatar. According to estimates, global manufacture figures will hit “100 million light vehicles per year” by 2019. However, for automotive companies to have a share in this pie they will need to change. It is these changes that pose to be the forthcoming challenges that global automotive companies must overcome.

 

The Need for Innovation to be Accelerated

 

As mentioned, innovation will ultimately drive sales figures for the automotive industry. The automotive manufacturing companies will post larger sales figures provided they opt for improved components in the newer models. However, the catch is obvious. Ushering in changes and opting for new components naturally means that the assembly lines will also need to change and this means greater costs. This is one of the major changes facing the automotive industry, one that the industry has to face squarely in order to survive the competitive market.

 

Meeting Customers’ Demands

 

Over the years automotive manufacturing companies are forced to offer models with diverse options for customization. For the same model, customers may opt for automatic transmission or manual transmission, different types of seating capacity and hence the types of seats and with or without a sun roof. Given that there are probably around 200 different models and each of these has diverse options for customization, you are talking about “hundreds of trillions of possibilities”. But, the real challenge lies in managing all these options within the same production line.

 

Reducing Costs and Wastage

 

While there is a pressing need for offering different methods of customization, the challenge lies in staying ahead in the race by keeping the cost under check. So the need is to innovate, add attractive features and yet ensure that the price remains competitive. The other complexities thrown as additional challenges include the need to achieve the government targets in CO2 emission so that the carbon footprint is kept in check. The problem is made more acute due to the fact that the increase in costs owing to product development cannot be passed onto the customer. One of the preferred options is to cut costs by reducing wastage and innovating production techniques.

 

Globalization

 

Globalization is here to stay. However, this is another challenge since globalization means greater competition. This naturally calls for both the automobile and automotive component manufacturers to increase the efficiency of production.  This increase will hopefully be adequate to offset the decrease in the margin of profit.

 

Excess Capacity

 

Excess capacity manifests itself when the automotive manufacturer invests his resources into the production line and builds the planned number and discovers that there was no need to produce so many vehicles to begin with. This causes damage to the cash flow and wastage. Proper planning is the only answer besides leaving a scope for midcourse changes.

 

The Need to Attract the Right Talent

 

Since there is a pressing need to grow and innovate there will always be a challenge to hire the best talent, the kind of talent that will enable the automobile manufacturer to change with the times and continue to grow.

 

What the Urban Customer Wants

 

If the automotive manufacturer wants to sell his products to the urban customer he will always have to keep in mind what the customer wants. He/she wants a vehicle that is small and compact, one that is more maneuverable and that has a good mileage. This challenge will always drive a growing sales figure.

 

 

 

Taking a look at the Hyundai Creta anniversary edition

The Hyundai Creta anniversary edition was slated for a launch in India by mid-2016. This exciting piece of news was unveiled by the general manager marketing and group head, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., Puneet Anand, during an interview with GaadiWaadi.com. The Hyundai Creta Anniversary Edition is unlikely to receive any mechanical updates; however, it will get exterior styling updates and some additional features.

 

When it comes to cosmetic upgrades, in all likelihood, the Hyundai Creta Anniversary Edition will get similar bits as the Elite i20 celebration edition which received body graphics and a contrasting color for the roof. On the inside, the buyers will be treated to special seat covers and floor mats, illuminated doorsills and even aluminum pedals.

 

 

Hyundai could even offer a car refrigerator as standard. The cosmetic upgrades are in line with the Hyundai Grand i10 and Xcent anniversary editions launched recently. Reportedly, it will also get a 6.2 inch Blaupunkt touch-screen infotainment system.

With no mechanical updates as such, it will have the same options as the regular Creta – a 1.4 litre diesel, a 1.6 litre diesel, and a 1.6 litre petrol engine. All three engines get mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Only the 1.6 litre diesel is offered with the option of a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The 1.6 litre VTVT petrol engine will churn out 121 bhp and 151 Nm of torque, while the 1.6 litre CRDi diesel engine develops 126 bhp and 259 Nm of torque.

 

The less powered 1.4 litre CRDi diesel unit churns out 89 bhp and 220 Nm of torque mated to a six-speed manual transmission only. However, the market is still in darkness whether the Creta Anniversary Edition will be offered on all three engine variants. As the name implies, the Creta Anniversary Edition will be introduced to celebrate the models first anniversary in India.

 

 

The Hyundai Creta has enjoyed bookings made by over 1 lakh customers since its launch in July 2015. Expectedly, the Hyundai Creta price will be around Rs. 30,000-35,000 more than regular versions. It is also being speculated that Hyundai may sell the special edition in limited numbers.

 

 

The 1st anniversary special edition version of the Creta was unveiled on Thursday, and the first unit has been gifted to the ace badminton player of India, Saina Nehwal, for her victory in the Australian Open Championship.

 

 

Car enthusiasts are sure to be fascinated by its stripe styled body decals in red and greyon the sides and rear of the SUV. It also boasts 17 inch diamond cut alloy wheels and 1st Anniversary Edition badge on the C pillar. On the interior, the seats have got dual tone treatment in red and black. Hours before its official launch in the country on July 7, the new edition had made its online debut through a spy shot, which also intrigued automobile enthusiasts.

 

This article is in collaboration with IBB. Stay in touch for more information automotive market.

Compact SUVs emerge as dominant segment within UVs – Renault Duster vs Nissan Terrano

Ever since its launch, the Renault Duster has created an overwhelming stir in the Indian car market, which was not seen in recent times. The Duster was such a smash hit that Renault had to triple its production capacity within first few months of the car launch.

 

DusterThe new Duster comes with ‘Anthracite’ alloy wheels and darkened head light clusters which look great. It has also been given a redesigned chrome accented grille. The interior seating comfort and cabin retains the same qualities. The console at the centre has been given piano black shade, and the AC controls have been restyled with touch screen. Enormous space inside the car along with an amazing boot capacity of 410 litres makes it ideal for comfortable trips. The Renault Duster with manual transmission system is available across all five models in both petrol as well as diesel. The 2014 Renault Duster comes with a 1.6 litre petrol engine delivering maximum 102bhp, while the diesel model comes in two versions generating 83bhp and 108bhp. The 102bhp is offered with an optional six speed AMT and a standard six speed manual transmission, while the 83bhp comes with a five speed manual transmission. Duster claims to offer mileage of 13.06 kmpl for the petrol, 19.87 kmpl for the 83 bhp and 19.6 kmpl for the 108 bhp diesel engines – in both manual and AMT models.

 

Nissan Terrano is a practical elegant and compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that looks very similar to its French cousin, the Renault Duster. But the Terrano has stayed true to its Nissan roots by a generous dose of chrome on its front grille.

 

Nissan Terrano

Dimensionally, the Nissan Terrano measures 4.33 m in length and 1.83 m in width with an overall height of 1.67 m. It comes with a wheelbase of 2.67 m which adds more space to its interiors which is already quite spacious, and it has a ground clearance of 205 mm. The side profile of this car has angular lines which make it look bold. It is made to appear very sporty with its flared wheel arches that make the Terrano take on an aggressive stance. Coming to the security features of this car, the top model of the Terrano is loaded with safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), along with brake assist and a stability control module. The Terrano is driven by a 1.5 litre diesel engine that generates a peak 108.5bhp output, and offers a fuel economy of 19 kmpl, while the diesel engine which generates 83.8bhp returns a mileage of 20.5 kmpl. On the other hand, the petrol version is a 1.6 litre Multi Point Fuel Injection (MPFI) based motor that offers a mileage of 13.2 kmpl.

 

 

You can get the on road prices of both the cars i.e. Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano by visiting your nearest showrooms or any online automobile dealers.

Exploring the Volkswagen Ameo

Ameo is the latest product from the house of the German car maker Volkswagen. Volkswagen Ameo is a compact sedan model that is engineered in German techniques with an Indian heart. This German car maker has entered the compact sedan car market in India with the Ameo which is the compact version of the Volkswagen Polo. The Volkswagen Ameo is particularly targeted at the Indian consumers, in order to make the most of the tax benefits of cars under the 4 metre length as imposed by the government.
Volkswagen has played safe with the designs of this compact sedan, but the Ameo has still got the good looks of the Polo with an identical radiator grille, head lights and front bumper. Although the Volkswagen Ameo comes with 16 inch wheels, but if rumours are to be believed, then it is said the production model of this car will probably come with 15 inch alloy wheels. Stepping inside, the interiors of the Ameo are very aesthetically made with a highly elegant design. But it is somewhat disappointing that it comes with fabric upholstery instead of a leather option. But the leather wrapped steering wheel along with the premium quality of plastic used, does add an enhanced look to the interiors of this car.

 

Volkswagen AmeoThe infotainment system is also a brand new one and is great both in terms of the touch screen hard ware as well as the user interface. In fact, we can definitely say that this is the best touch screen control unit in the sub 11 lakh price range. The Ameo also gets the best in class automatic climate control system. Coming to the leg space, the Volkswagen Ameo is just not as spacious as its competitors namely Honda Amaze and the Ford Figo Aspire but it is definitely much more spacious than the Volkswagen Polo. It quite looks like the Volkswagen Polo with a boot which is well integrated with the car design and does not look abrupt. In fact the boot is quite spacious – the rear seats can be folded further in order to provide a larger storage area.

 

The Ameo is powered by both a petrol 1.2 litre engine and a 1.5 litre diesel engine. Both engines will come mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. The Volkswagen Ameo is expected to be launched during the latter half of 2016. Experts say that this car is going to be a promising one, because Volkswagen is going to deliver value for money to its customers.

The Maruti Ritz- Capable & Comfortable Alike

The Maruti Suzuki Ritz is loaded with Maruti’s family look. Maruti Suzuki India is the most trusted brand in cars and has always been the common man’s best friend in the Indian car industry. When it comes to making great cars that are affordable by all sections of the society, Maruti is the pioneer. A superb attempt made by this company is to create a one of a kind combination to get all the possible comforts in a hatchback, which has been achieved successfully, was launched in a package that is identified as the Maruti Ritz model.

 

The entire structure of the Ritz is built keeping in mind the need to accommodate tall people which is addressed by the company in the form of a unique tall boy design. The overall dimensions of this car are 3775 mm length, 1680mm width and 1620 mm height. This car has got a wheel base of 2360mm which is quite remarkable and a ground clearance of 170mm. The Ritz has also got a good turning radius of 4.7 meters. There is a uniquely styled spoiler at the rear end which lifts up the look from its back. The top trim looks stylish and modern with alloy wheels. Ritz is built on the platform of the Swift, but being a tall boy offers ample space on the inside. The fit and finish of the plastic used also looks decent. It comes well equipped with several features that make this a comfort car to own. The first comfort element is the reverse parking sensors assisted with a digital display and sound alerts as well. Then there is an AC unit with the vents placed well dispersed in the cabin to regulate the temperature. Then the audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel and support the CD player, speakers and radio tuner as well. This car has a fuel tank capacity of 43 litres. The boot space is good at 236 litres which can be further increased by folding the rear seats.

 

Maruti Suzuki Ritz

The Ritz is available in both diesel as well as petrol variants which are in compliance with the BS-IV emission standard. It is driven by a 1.3 litre diesel engine that has four cylinders. This motor generates a maximum of 73.97bhp at 4000rpm and generates a peak torque output of 190Nm at 2000rpm. The 1.2 litre K-series petrol engine also has four cylinders which can displace 1197cc. This motor can deliver a maximum of 85.80bhp at 6000rpm and has a potential to generate a peak torque output of 114Nm at 4000rpm. With an integrated multi point fuel injection system, its petrol version offers mileage of 14.7 kmpl in the city. The automatic version returns 13 kmpl in the city. The diesel model comes with a common rail direct injection fuel supply system that offers a mileage of 18.6 kmpl in the city roads. 

 

You can check it’s On Road Price in Your Own City.

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