All-new Range Rover launched in India

New Delhi, Nov 30 (IBNS)

Automobile giant Land Rover has announced the launch of the all-new Range Rover in India, the world's most refined and capable SUV.

The fourth generation of the iconic Range Rover line, the new model has been developed from the ground up to provide the ultimate luxury SUV, following the innovative spirit of the original design from over 40 years ago.

The world's first SUV with a lightweight all-aluminium body, the new Range Rover takes the capabilities of the marque's flagship to a new level, with even greater luxury and refinement, enhanced performance and handling on all terrains, and significant advances in sustainability, said the company.

Rohit Suri, Vice President, Jaguar and Land Rover India, said: "The new Range Rover offers an unparalleled special blend of luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability.

"It's clever design and revolutionary lightweight construction will give Indian customers a product that will cope with the most difficult of terrains and provide a step change in comfort, refinement and handling."

At just under 5m long, the new Range Rover has a very similar footprint to the outgoing model, but with a smoother and more streamlines profile - the most aerodynamic Range Rover ever, with a drag coefficient starting from 0.34 - the roofline sits 20mm lower in access mode.

The All New Range Rover Launch

The new Range Rover's unmatched breadth of capability is also reflected in its strong structure with enhanced body geometry for all-terrain conditions, wading depth which has improved by 200mm to 900mm, and its position as the best towing vehicle in its class with a 3,500kg trailer capability.

Customers will have a choice of the 5.0-litre 510PS LR-V8 Supercharged petrol engine or the 4.4-litre 339PS SDV8 diesel engine, both which are now paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed automatic transmission.

The all-new Range Rover features a revolutionary all-aluminium monocoque body structure which is 39 per cent lighter than the steel body in the outgoing model.

This weight saving heightens the characteristic Range Rover sensation of effortless performance, but also improves efficiency. For example, the 510PS LR-V8 Supercharged model can now accelerate from 0-100 kmph in just 5.4 seconds.

--IBNS

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Mercedes-Benz India signals price hike

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IBNS)

Automobile major Mercedes-Benz India on tUESday indicated that prices of all its models will be revised upwards effective January 2013.

A constant increase in input costs and unfavorable exchange rates coupled with inflation has posed severe strain on margins, said the company.

Eberhard Kern, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, ?Significant level of cost escalations have been absorbed by us till now, but beyond a point we cannot continue to sustain such levels."

"We have made substantial investment in our India operations and are responsible for the growth of our employees and dealer partners."

"We aim for a sustainable profitable growth maintaining our premium appeal and hence, we are going to substantially increase the prices of all Mercedes-Benz cars from Januray 2013,? said Kern.

--IBNS

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Ford India to expand distribution, service network

Chennai, Nov 26 (IANS)

Car manufacturer Ford India, the Indian subsidiary of US auto major Ford Motor Company, plans to increase its customer touch points (sales and service) to 500 by middle of the decade at a time when it plans to launch eight new models, said the company's incoming chief.

"The leader might change. But the business plan has not changed. Eight new products by the middle of this decade will be launched in India. We will increase the customer touch points (sales and service points) to 250 this year and to 500 touch points by middle of this decade," Joginder Singh, who will take over as president and managing director of Ford India Dec 1, told reporters here Monday.

He said the company will launch its sports utility vehicle (SUV) EcoSport next year, the new plant in Gujarat is on track to go on stream in 2014 and global suppliers of Ford Motor Company have committed investment in India.

Singh said Ford Motor Company expects 70 percent of the growth to come from Asia Pacific region during the next decade and much of that will be contributed by China and India.

He said profitable faster growth is his vision for the company as the total investment in India will touch USD 2 billion.

According to Singh, the India growth story is valid despite the changes in the policy conditions.

Looking back at his nearly five year tenure at Ford India, Michael Boneham, the outgoing president and managing director, said he had completed his agenda.

He said the company launched Figo model-a segment accounts for 70 percent of the total car market. The capacity of the Chennai plant was expanded and a new plant in Gujarat was decided.

Agreeing that Ford India is still not a volume player, Boneham said the company is creating capacity ahead of the market.

--IANS

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Volvo to invest Rs 3800 Cr in India

Bangalore, Nov 15 (UNI)

Global bus and truck maker Volvo will invest Rs 3800 crore in the coming years in India to build its facilities to emerge among the top two position from the present third position, Volvo Group President and Chief Executive Officer Olof Persson said today.

Addressing a press conference here, he said that while Rs 2000 crore would be invested in building Volvo facilities including Manufacturing, Research and Development and other facilities, Rs 1800 Crore will be invested in the Joint Venture with Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturer Eicher Motors.

Mr Persson said that India was an important market for Volvo Group and in the expansion proposed the manufacturing facility near Bangalore will contribute to European market also. 'Over the next few years 30 per cent of the products will be exported from India to other countries,' he added.

Replying to a question, he said that Volvo is giving utmost importance to localisation of a product it manufactures and it helps the company in many ways.

Mr Persson said that the company has 60 per cent market share in heavy trucks segment and it had also made its mark in India in Bus sector and will continue to invest in India in manufacturing sector.

He said that the company would soon release a new Volvo truck to the India, Asia, South Asia and South East Asia markets.

'For this purpose the production capacity would be increased in the coming days at plants in Bangalore, Thailand and China,' he added.

--UNI

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