Proton coming to India soon…

Malaysian auto major Proton is all set to start its journey in India. According to latest information from the company sources, the plans would be publicly announced in 3-4 months.
Proton has a whole array of 10 models starting from the entry level hatch Savvy to the premium sedan Perdana and MUV Exora.
According to group managing director Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, “Since 2008, we have conducted a series of customer surveys and road tests in order to thoroughly understand market requirements and customer behaviour. We believe that our range of products is capable of satisfying the needs of the Indian market.” Proton would initially enter the market through contract manufacturing with other OEM partners in India and may shift to inhouse production at a later stage. It is known that the contract manufacturer has been shortlisted and discussions are in the final stage.
Apart from contract manufacturing, Proton might also be looking at sourcing diesel engines also for its models, as currently Proton does not have diesel engine technology under its belt, which has become highly essential for any model to succeed in India.

Proton Models’ Specifications

Chevrolet reveals Cruze hatchback ahead of Geneva Motor Show-2011

Chevrolet has pulled the wraps off the hatchback version of the Cruze prior to the its first public appearance at the Geneva show.

The new car was previewed by a concept at the Paris motor show last September, but the final production model will be on Chevrolet’s stand in Switzerland.

The Cruze shares its platform with the Vauxhall Astra, and will get a new range of engines to go with its improved practicality.

The manufacturer expects the five-door variant to make a bigger impact in the UK than its compact saloon sibling, and is hoping to take advantage of a wider appreciation of the Cruze name since Jason Plato won the British Touring Car Championship as part of the new Chevrolet team.

“The Cruze Hatchback will give us a huge opportunity in the UK,” said managing director, Mark Terry. “Motor sport is part of Chevrolet’s DNA – what we learn on the track is passed down to our road cars, and this latest incarnation of Cruze proves that.”

Short front and rear overhangs, plus the sweeping roofline give the car a much sportier stance, while the rear hatch means there will be an even bigger loading space than the saloon – although exact dimensions are yet to be confirmed.

A new choice of engines will also be offered, including the range-topping diesel engine already installed in the Orlando MPV. With 161bhp and 360Nm of torque, the 2.0-litre oil-burner is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Cruze hatchback, which goes on sale this summer in UK with prices to be confirmed, will join four other new Chevrolet models in 2011 – these include the Orlando, Captiva, Aveo and Camaro

GENERAL MOTORS TO LAUNCH SIX NEW MODELS OVER NEXT TWO YEARS

Upbeat on India’s automobile industry growth, General Motors (GM) plans to launch six new models in the domestic market over the next 24-months besides substantially hiking its marketing spend to boost sales, a top company official said.

The auto major already sells eight products such as Spark and Beat (mini cars), hatchbacks like Aveo UVA and sedans like Aveo, Optra and Cruze in the luxury segment. It also has the Tavera in the SUV segment.

“We are quite optimistic about the Indian auto sector and as a major player we are present in almost all the segments from mini cars to SUV. However, we feel we need to extend our products in the utility segment and we are planning to launch one product in the next 18-months,” GM India’s Vice-President (Sales and Marketing), Sumit Sawhney, told media on the sidelines of a company event here on Tuesday.

GM also announced Asha Bhosale as its goodwill ambassador for its music awards, to be conducted on November 10. Earlier, the US-based car-maker had announced that the company will be investing close to USD 100-million to manufacture Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs).

These uitility vehicles, a passenger carrier and one goods carrier, would be manufactured from the company’s Halol unit in Gujarat, that makes all its current models except Spark and Beat, which are made at Talegaon in Maharashtra.

GM would be making these utility cars, which can be compared with Maruti’s Elco or Tata’s winger , in a joint venture with top Chinese auto firm SAIC Motor Corp. Asked about its plans to enter into the electric car segment, Sawhney said GM would be launching 5 more models over the next two years.

“We are exploring all opportunities to enter into all the segments that would make us a market leader in the country. We will be showcasing GM’s first electric car Volt early next year, Sawhney said, adding that Volt would be launched globally in December.

He, however, refused to divulge any further details. On the marketing and promotional activities, Sahwney said the company’s focus going ahead would be on tier III and IV cities for the sale of its mini cars and hatchbacks.

“We see a tremendous potential in these cities and we have already launched mobile showrooms in 10 such cities. We will soon ramp-up the number. This campaign is to make people aware about the brand and we have got a good response from these stores. Our dealers have seen a 100 per cent jump in the volumes this month,” he added.

The company, that has gone for a brownfield expansion at Talegoan, will start production of its power train engines from the unit from November 12, he said, adding that the manufacturing capacity would be 16,000 units per annum and would be expandable.

The Economic Times (Web & Print Edition)