AutoblogGreen

Ford EcoSport bows at the Delhi Auto Expo

Zach Bowman — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST

Ford has officially unveiled the EcoSport ahead of the Delhi Auto Expo. The vehicle wears a CUV version of the company's Kinetic design language with a large octagonal grille and discreet headlights. Despite its concept looks, Ford says the vehicle could be in production in as little as six months.

Under the hood, the EcoSport boasts the smallest Ecoboost engine ever created. The turbocharged 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine is good for around 118 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque, though a small-displacement diesel option may bow in the future.

The EcoSport will be built in India and Brazil and is likely to play a large role in growing the Ford presence worldwide. The vehicle will head to 100 markets globally and is slated to be the second of eight new Ford products headed to India by 2015. That doesn't mean we'll be seeing the CUV on our soil anytime soon, however.

Ford EcoSport bows at the Delhi Auto Expo originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Ford EcoSport now playing at New Delhi Auto Expo

Chris Paukert — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, MPG, Ford, India

While we've been consumed with the ramp-up to next week's Detroit Auto Show, there's a more pressing matter on the international car events calendar - this week's New Delhi Auto Expo. Ford Motor Company isn't overlooking the burgeoning biennial show, and it's taking the opportunity to reveal its first-ever world debut at the show, the next Ford EcoSport.

Debuting with a sliver of show-only frosting (check out those glitzy headlamps), the tiny crossover is about the same size as the Fiesta five-door, and it's built on the Blue Oval's new global B-Car architecture. Ford isn't revealing much in the way of powertrain specifics for this thinly disguised model, but our sources tell us the EcoSport will see the first application of the company's new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine in India (yes, that means there will be an EcoSport EcoBoost), and presumably there will be an ethanol variant as well.

The upright CUV has been designed with emerging markets in mind, namely portions of Asia and South America, so we're unlikely to see it in North America (we'd be more likely to receive the B-Max MPV), though our sources tell us that an eventual European market appearance is not out of the question. Roughly 90 percent of cars in those markets are B-Segment or smaller, and the previous generation of the Brazilian-built EcoSport has sold some 750,000 units since hitting the market nine years ago.

While the original EcoSport sold almost exclusively in Brazil, the new model will spread its wings to take on a more global role as part of the company's One Ford agenda. To be assembled in both India and Brazil, the EcoSport represents the first time that Ford's team in Camacari, Brazil has taken the lead in conceiving a global product, another indication of the market's growing importance. The new EcoSport will be a lynchpin for the Blue Oval, who expect the Asia Pacific region to swallow up to one out of every three Ford vehicles sold by 2020 (it's just one in six today).

Want more proof of India's rise in importance? Officials tell us that Ford plans to treat the Delhi show as a first-tier show going forward, on par with Detroit, the Frankfurt Motor Show, and so on. Ostensibly, the show will replace a Tokyo Motor Show presence for the Dearborn automaker, as Ford was absent from last month's show in Japan.

Next Ford EcoSport now playing at New Delhi Auto Expo originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaris may sell electric vehicles in India

Danny King — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, India

Polaris, the all-terrain vehicle maker that acquired neighborhood electric vehicle maker Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) from Chrysler last year, may start selling electric vehicles in India as a way to benefit from the growing vehicle market in that country, automotive news website CarTradeIndia reported.

Polaris hasn't decided whether the EVs earmarked for India will be on-road or off-road vehicles, the website said, citing Polaris India Managing Director Pankaj Dubey. The company is looking to boost revenue from India to about 5 billion rupees (about $94 million U.S. at current exchange rates) by 2016.

By selling EVs in India, Polaris would be looking to benefit from demand in an Asia-Pacific region that's most likely to be the fastest growing when it comes to plug-in vehicle sales over the next few years. Globally, cumulative plug-in vehicle sales, including battery-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles, will surge to 5.2 million in 2017 from 114,000 in 2011, according to green-technology research firm Pike Research. The Asia-Pacific region will account for about 617,000 electric-drive vehicles sold in 2017, almost double North America's total, Pike Research Senior Analyst Dave Hurst told AutoblogGreen.

Polaris last year acquired GEM from Chrysler for a purchase price that wasn't disclosed. GEM, which was founded in 1998 and had about $30 million in revenue in 2010, sells six lines of neighborhood-electric vehicles. Those vehicles are legal on roads with posted speeds of 35 miles per hour or less, and are typically used by local, state and national government agencies and on closed campuses like resorts and universities.

Polaris in November also acquired closely held France-based Goupil Industrie SA, which makes commercial electric vehicles. Goupil, whose purchase price wasn't disclosed, generated $25 million in revenue in 2010. Through the first three quarters of last year, Polaris boosted revenue by 37 percent from a year earlier to $1.87 billion, largely on the jump in on-road vehicle sales from the company's acquisitions of GEM and Indian Motorcycle Co.

Polaris may sell electric vehicles in India originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bajaj RE60 may take World's Cheapest Car title from Tata Nano

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Natural Gas, India

The Tata Nano may not be the runaway sales success the vehicle's Indian manufacturers had hoped, but that hasn't stopped other automakers from eying India's blooming inexpensive vehicle segment. The country's largest manufacturer of three wheelers is set to dip a toe into the automotive manufacturing with an all-new vehicle. The Bajaj RE60 features a water-cooled 200cc engine with around 20 horsepower, and as a result, the vehicle has a top speed of just 43 mph. That may not be quick, but the company says there's room for up to four people indoors or up to 14.1 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seats folded flat.

The Bajaj RE60 weighs in at a mere 880 pounds, and the company plans to offer several fuel variants. Gasoline, liquid propane gas and compressed natural gas versions will all be available, though buyers won't be able to get their hands on an RE60 with a diesel engine. So far, there's no word on price, but we're guessing it'll have to undercut the Tata.

Hit the jump for the press release and check out the gallery of photos provided by our friends at Indian Autos Blog.

Continue reading Bajaj RE60 may take World's Cheapest Car title from Tata Nano

Bajaj RE60 may take World's Cheapest Car title from Tata Nano originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BRIC consumers ready to go with electric vehicles

Mark Sumner — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, South/Latin America, China, India

The BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are rapidly moving from stars of the emerging market to major players in any market you want to name. With that transition, automobile ownership in these nations is increasing rapidly, but will BRIC become the rising tide that lifts the electric vehicle boat?

Potential owners of automobiles in these countries are flexible when it comes to considering their options. The same Deloitte survey that showed that only a small number of Americans are willing to put up with the limitations of today's electric vehicles also showed that over 85 percent of consumers in Brazil, India and China are willing to consider electric vehicles for their next purchase. Consumers in these markets were also more satisfied with the capabilities of today's batteries and vehicles, and 50 percent considered a range of 100 miles acceptable. Considering the size of each market, electric vehicles could easily find millions of new homes.

However, the price of electric vehicles was much less acceptable to these potential owners. Even with subsidies, high battery prices put EVs out of reach for most of those interested. Without sharp reductions in costs, EVs could find themselves priced out of a large market willing to deal with current limitations.

BRIC consumers ready to go with electric vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda launches $8,018, 47-mpg Brio minicar in India

Eric Loveday — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:10:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Honda, Lightweight, India

The India arm of Honda Motor has officially launched its fuel-sipping Brio minicar, joining its Japanese rivals in the fight for a chunk of India's lucrative minicar segment. Toyota launched its Etios Liva in April of 2011 and Nissan rolled out its Micra in mid-2010.

The no-frills Brio starts at 395,000 rupees ($8,018 U.S. at today's exchange rate), compared with 390,000 rupees ($7,904) for the Liva and 398,000 rupees ($8,079) for the barebones Micra. Takashi Nagai, chief executive of Honda India, states:

We have been able to launch the Brio at a competitive price due to our concerted efforts to control costs, maximize production efficiencies and minimize impact of currency fluctuations. We have achieved this through pure localization.

On the fuel efficiency front, the Brio sports Honda's Euro 4-compliant 1.2-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine with 90 horsepower on tap. This high-revving mill returns approximately 47 miles per gallon (U.S.). The Brio joins Honda's Jazz, City, Civic, Accord and CR-V in India.

Honda launches $8,018, 47-mpg Brio minicar in India originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pike Research predicts 68% jump in global CNG vehicle sales by 2016

Eric Loveday — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:46:00 EST

Filed under: Natural Gas, India, USA, Middle East

Annual worldwide sales of natural gas vehicles will jump 68 percent to 3.2 million vehicles in 2016 from 1.9 million in 2010, according to Pike Research. The surge, says Pike, will be driven mainly by fleets looking to cut petroleum dependency and reduce operating costs.

In the U.S., annual natural gas vehicle sales will almost quadruple to 33,000 vehicles in 2016, up from an estimated 8,400 in 2012. Among individual countries, India will overtake Iran as the world's leading user of natural gas vehicles by 2016. Oil-rich Iran will apparently turn more and more to natural gas as a fuel because using petroleum means that the nation would turn less profit from selling the crude to foreign countries.

Even if the U.S.' use of natural gas does quadruple, it will continue to account for a near-meaningless percentage of worldwide natural gas vehicles. This, says Pike, is due to a lack of infrastructure. As of September 1, there were an estimated 946 operational natural gas fueling stations in the U.S., compared to 3,200 public-access electric vehicle charge points and nearly 125,000 gas stations. Lack of infrastructure aside, the fact that only one production passenger vehicle sold in the U.S. is capable of burning natural gas - the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas - is quite a bottleneck.

Continue reading Pike Research predicts 68% jump in global CNG vehicle sales by 2016

Pike Research predicts 68% jump in global CNG vehicle sales by 2016 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From London to New Delhi in a rickshaw?

Eric Loveday — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:50:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Lightweight, UK, India

A three-wheeled, 175-cc rickshaw hardly seems adequate for the 6,338-mile trip from London to New Delhi, India, but that's precisely the type of vehicle Sanjay Sharma, a 44-year-old IT professional from the UK, choose for his epic journey.

Dubbed the Flying Rani - a black and yellow rickshaw purchased by Sharma in 2008 - the three-wheeler forged up steep hills and over countless potholes with only one minor mishap: a flat tire.

Sharma's journey was attempted, at least in part, to prove that rickshaws are a cheap and reliable alternative to four-wheeled taxis. But the true goal of Sharma's trek was to raise money for cancer patients.

Setting out on July 14, Sharma and two others plotted a course from London to India's capital city of New Delhi. Although Sharma's quest left him with a sore bottom, he expects to raise nearly four million rupees ($81,800 U.S. at the current exchange rate) - and perhaps become the holder of a rickshaw world record. We suspect few others have the time and dedication needed to best Sharma's 6,338-mile trip.

From London to New Delhi in a rickshaw? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gasoline vehicles soon to be overtaken by CNG, diesel in India

Eric Loveday — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Natural Gas, India

At a time when gasoline prices frequently fluctuate, cheap compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel have started to climb the fuel-of-choice charts over in India.

According to The Times of India, CNG is so hot that it will soon overtake gasoline as the fuel that powers the majority of vehicles in India. Of course, CNG's rise to the top is not related to saving the environment but to the fact that it's far cheaper than gasoline.

The Times of India reports that a growing number of vehicle owners convert their gas-fueled automobiles into CNG-burnin' machines out of necessity to save a couple of dollars per fill up. Automakers have taken note of this trend towards CNG and diesel in India and have responded by flooding the nation with small vehicles - including India's most fuel-efficient sedan, the 54-mpg diesel-sipping Tata Indigo e-CS - that burn the now-popular alternative fuels.

Gasoline vehicles soon to be overtaken by CNG, diesel in India originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rajasthan, India offering free Tata Nano in exchange for your sterilization

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:54:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., India, Tata

2011 Tata Nano - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a 2011 census, India has a population of 1,210,193,422 people. That's 17.47 percent of the world's population living on just 2.3 percent of the planet. The only place more crowded is a new In-N-Out at lunch time. Health officials in India are looking for novel ways to drum up interest in sterilization clinics, and one in particular has resorted to prize giveaways. The top draw? A new Tata Nano.

According to The Times of India, Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan is offering a variety of prizes for men who come into their clinic and put the clamps on their own private ball state swim team. Besides the Nano, prizes include motorcycles, TVs and kitchen stand mixers.

[Source: The Times of India | Images: Photos copyright 2011 Rex Roy / AOL]

Rajasthan, India offering free Tata Nano in exchange for your sterilization originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors shows off electric Chevrolet Beat in India

Eric Loveday — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:09:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, India

Earlier today, General Motors showcased a battery-powered version of the Chevrolet Beat in New Delhi, India. The electrified Beat is part of an ongoing demonstration project focused on studying the feasibility of electric vehicles in major metropolitan areas.

Let's have a look at the electric Beat's specs. The battery-powered minicar boasts a range of 130 kilometers (81 miles) and takes approximately eight hours using a 240-volt outlet to recharge from empty. The Beat makes use of a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack that tips the scales at 595 pounds and is rated at 20 kWh. The electric motor cranks out 45 kW (60 horsepower), which is directed to the wheels via a single-speed drive unit.

Currently, GM has no definitive plans to launch the electric Beat anywhere, but with its battery pack a modified version of the unit found in the Chevrolet Volt, we'd like to think that this vehicle - unlike the electric Chevy Spark that never entered production - will, at some later date, become more than just a prototype. Hat tip to Shrawan!

[Source: IndianAutosBlog, General Motors]

Continue reading General Motors shows off electric Chevrolet Beat in India

General Motors shows off electric Chevrolet Beat in India originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford investing $72m to increase Duratorq diesel engine production in India

Eric Loveday — Sat, 28 May 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Ford, India

Ford Focus Econetic with 1.6-liter Duratorq diesel engine - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford will invest $72 million to expand its powertrain facility in Chennai, India, bringing the automaker's total investment in India to more than $1 billion. When expansion is complete in mid-2012, the plant's diesel engine production capacity will jump from 250,000 to 330,000 units per year.

This investment is part of Ford of India's transformation into a major global export and manufacturing hub. Both the 1.6-liter TiVCT and the 1.4-liter HC Duratorq diesel engines will be exported from the country.

Back in March, employees at Ford's Chennai plant celebrated the production of the facility's 100,000th engine - a milestone achieved just 14 months after the factory opened its doors. Currently, Ford of India ships engines to Thailand and South Africa, and future plans call for the exportation of India-built gasoline and diesel engines to more markets.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford investing $72m to increase Duratorq diesel engine production in India

Ford investing $72m to increase Duratorq diesel engine production in India originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 28 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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India set to reveal stringent CAFE standards of 40.7 mpg (U.S.) by 2015

Eric Loveday — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Legislation and Policy, India

Maruti Suzuki Alto

India's government is expected to officially reveal stringent fuel efficiency standards that will go into effect in 2015. According to the Hindustan Times, India's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards will require automakers to increase fuel economy of gasoline-burning vehicles from the current average of 14.1 kilometers per liter (33.2 miles per gallon U.S.) to 17.3 km/liter (40.7 mpg U.S.) by 2015. In addition, automakers will be required to boost the average fuel economy rating of diesel-burning vehicles from the current level of 36.6 mpg to 46.8 mpg by 2015. Within the new guidelines, vehicles will supposedly be labeled with one to five stars depending upon their overall fuel economy rating.

The Hindustan Times explains that India's:

Draft fuel efficiency standard, based on CAFE, will be notified in May. The draft standard will be CO2 emission of 135 grams per kilometer for entire fleet in 2015. In 2010, the average CO2 emission was 165 gm/km. The draft also provides for further improvement by 2020.

Apparently, some environmental organizations want even stricter standards. For example, Anumita Roy Chowdhury, associate director at India's Centre for Science and Environment, wants India to follow Europe's lead by shooting for 110 g/km of CO2 emission by 2020.

[Source: Hindustan Times via Green Car Congress]

India set to reveal stringent CAFE standards of 40.7 mpg (U.S.) by 2015 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 May 2011 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: some compressed natural gas (CNG) conversions not helpful to enviornment

Jonas Dalidd — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:50:00 EST

Filed under: Natural Gas, India

Way back in 2003, New Delhi, India converted 90,000 buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws to compressed natural gas (CNG). It was an ambitious program for its day, and perhaps too ambitious for its own good. A recently released study by the University of British Columbia found that the 5,000 auto-rickshaws using 2-stroke engines that were converted to CNG exhibited only minor reductions in emissions. Even worse, the types of emissions that affect climate change actually increased after the conversion.

The problem here is not the fuel type, it's the engine. The study found that there were high emissions of methane coming from the 2-strokes because as much as a third of the CNG is sometimes improperly burned. Methane is a greenhouse gas and has a global warming potential significantly higher than CO2. In addition, unburned lubricating oil in these engines produces substantial high particulate matter emissions.

The study also tested 4-stroke engines, and these had significantly lowered emissions across the board. In fact, according to the researchers, it would have been better for the environment - and cheaper overall - to simply upgrade the 2-stroke engined rickshaws to the cleaner gas-burning four-stroke models. Well, now we know.

[Source: Science Daily | Image: Carol Mitchell - C.C. License 2.0]

Study: some compressed natural gas (CNG) conversions not helpful to enviornment originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maruti Suzuki fires up dual fuel Wagon R Duo website

Eric Loveday — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Suzuki, India

Maruti Suzuki, one of India's leading automakers, has launched a website dedicated to its upcoming Wagon R Duo, a dual fuel model that burns either gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Maruti's site highlights the model's factory-fitted LPG tank and its unique dual ECU setup, which allows the vehicle to seamlessly switch, by pressing a dashboard-mounted button, between gasoline and LPG.

Modifying the Wagon R's 1.0-liter K-Series engine to run on both fuels required replacement of some parts that could not cope with the corrosiveness of LPG. Additionally, the Wagon R Duo is outfitted with an LPG filling nozzle, which is incorporated into the vehicle's main filler cap.

Maruti Suzuki claims that the Wagon R Duo returns a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 33.9 miles per gallon in LPG mode and 44 mpg when burning gasoline, though it's unclear which testing methods Maruti used to calculate those numbers. The Wagon R Duo's release date has not been officially announced. Hat tip to Shrawan!

[Source: Indian Autos Blog, Maruti]

Maruti Suzuki fires up dual fuel Wagon R Duo website originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet launches LPG-fueled Beat in India

Eric Loveday — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM, Natural Gas, India

2010 Chevrolet Beat for India

Late last month, General Motors of India announced the launch of its 1.2-liter Smart-Tech engine. Less than a week after debuting that downsized mill, GM announced that is has been wedged in between the fenders of the Indian-market Chevrolet Beat. The subcompact Beat, officially the first vehicle to utilize the 1.2-liter Smart-Tech Engine, incorporates a multipoint sequential liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) injection system that allows the subcompact to run on either LPG or gasoline.

The Beat's on-board LPG tank holds 6.9 gallons of fuel and, when combined with the vehicle's gasoline capacity, allows the Beat to ramble down the road for up to 621 miles before refueling. The Beat is designed to automatically switch from LPG to gasoline if the fuel level drops too low. Furthermore, Chevrolet claims the LPG kit, which consists of a fuel tank, high-pressure pipes and a sequential injection system, does not reduce the Beat's interior space. The dual-fuel Beat puts out a tick less than 80 horsepower and a reasonable 77 pound-feet of torque. Hat tip to Shrawan!

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

Chevrolet launches LPG-fueled Beat in India originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maruti Suzuki SX4 to feature Fiat-supplied 1.3-liter turbodiesel

Eric Loveday — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Suzuki, India

Maruti Suzuki, India's leading automaker, announced that its SX4 sedan will be offered with an optional 1.3-liter turbocharged diesel engine starting early next year. The oil-burning mill, supplied by Fiat, is expected to be one of the most fuel-efficient engine options ever offered in a production SX4.

Maruti Suzuki managing executive officer, M. M. Singh, told a news agency in India that production of the diesel-fueled SX4 is scheduled like this:

The production of a 1.3-liter diesel engine with turbo charger is going on and we will start assembling it in SX4 once our plants reopen on January 3 next year. After the annual weekly maintenance shutdown.

In addition to the launch of a diesel version of the SX4, Maruti Suzuki is reportedly considering dropping an oil-burner in its multi-purpose vehicle concept, the R3, and may debut that diesel-fueled model by the end of 2012.

[Source: The Economic Times]

Maruti Suzuki SX4 to feature Fiat-supplied 1.3-liter turbodiesel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahindra trying to back away from another U.S. deal?

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, India, USA

After Mahindra notoriously backed out of a deal with a U.S. supplier, Compact pickup fans are still licking their wounds over the news that the company's trucks won't be coming to our shores anytime soon. As it turns out, Global Vehicles USA may not be the only American company to have been wronged by Mahindra. According to The Post-Standard, electric car start-up Bannon Automotive LLC has filed a law-suit against both Reva Electric Car Company of Bangalore, India and Reva's parent company, Mahindra & Mahindra. Bannon Automotive claims that the two broke a deal that gave Bannon exclusive rights to both build and sell the vehicle here in the states.

As part of the suit, Bannon Automotive is seeking to force the Reva Electric Car Company to give the American manufacturer a license to build the NXR electric car and to prevent any other company from doing the same. Bannon had previously said that the NXR would be able to travel up to 120 miles on a single charge and would cost somewhere between $17,000 and $25,000.

Bannon had signed a memorandum of understanding with Reva in October, but after Mahindra bought the company, it was made clear that the NXR wasn't ready for manufacture here in America. Meanwhile, Bannon is convinced that Mahindra is planning to make or sell its own electric car in the U.S. without its former partner. Thanks for the tip, Christian!

[Sources: Mahindra Planet, The Post-Standard]

Mahindra trying to back away from another U.S. deal? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reva-i model will sell in India for equivalent of $6,785 U.S.

Eric Loveday — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Lightweight, India

Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Ltd. (MREVL), makers of battery-powered cars mainly sold in the Indian market, has announced that it's ready to launch its next-generation Reva-i electric at a starting price of just Rs 3.10-lakh ($6,785 U.S. at the current exchange rate). The Reva-i, sold as the G-Wiz in the UK, is a battery-powered micro car that's classified as either a neighborhood electric vehicle or a quadricycle, depending upon where its sold.

MREVL anticipates that the Reva-i model, along with other vehicles that are expected to launch soon, will boost annual sales and assist the company with its goal of branching out into additional markets. MREVL is looking to expand its dealership network from the ten that exist in India today, to more than 100 in over 60 Indian cities by the end of 2012. In addition, the company is working on a four-seat electric that it plans to roll out by the end of 2011.

[Source: Car Trade India]

Reva-i model will sell in India for equivalent of $6,785 U.S. originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahindra Reva hopes to sell 2,500 electric cars in India in 2011

Eric Loveday — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, India

Reva NXR - Click above for high-res image gallery

At the end of May, Mahindra and Reva announced that they would team up, forming a new outfit called Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Company. The tie-up granted Mahindra a 55.2 percent stake in Reva and gave the company access to Reva's electric powertrain technology. Turns out, a whole slew of Mahindra vehicles like the Bijee and Maxximo mini-truck and "other M&M vehicles" were chosen as potential candidates for Reva's electric package.

Now, more than half a year after the signing, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles has come forth with its battery-powered production plans. The Economic Times reports that a top official at Mahindra Reva revealed that the company is intent on selling 2,500 electric cars in India by the end of 2011, moving 1,200 by March. Mahindra Reva's new plant in Bangalore, India, which is scheduled to come online next April, has capacity to produce 30,000 units per year, so future production targets may increase substantially.

Gallery: Reva NXR

[Source: The Economic Times of India]

Mahindra Reva hopes to sell 2,500 electric cars in India in 2011 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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