Suzuki to unveil Concept A Star in India

IT is an A-segment five-door hatchback reflecting a focus on world-class environmental compatibility and comfort, as claimed by Suzuki.

Thanks to a newly-developed Euro 5-compliant 1.0-litre aluminum petrol engine with CO2 emissions lower than those of European competitors (target: lower than 109g/km). And like the already-launched Suzuki world strategic models, it will prove that sporty and exciting performance can be enjoyed together with outstanding fuel economy.

The production model that inherits some of the design themes of the Concept A-Star will be manufactured at Maruti Suzuki India Manesar plant, to be marketed mainly in Europe and other countries including India. The start of production is scheduled in October 2008. Substantial production for Europe is targeted to start in December 2008, followed by expansion to other markets around the world.

The new 1.0-litre aluminum engine will be produced by Maruti Suzuki India, and a manual transmission for it will be manufactured by Suzuki Powertrain India, an SMC subsidiary that based beside Maruti Suzuki India Manesar plant.

Suzuki Powertrain India produces a 1.3-litre diesel engine, but SMC does not plan to use it in the new production car since the new 1.0-litre petrol engine is environmentally superior. SMC is ready to study options for small diesel engines from Suzuki Powertrain India in future.

Given the importance of India to the Suzuki world strategy, it is planned to invest ¥200 billion for plants in India from 2007 to 2009. Also, it plans to expand Maruti Suzuki India production capacity to 960,000 units per year by March 2010 in line with growing demand in India and a vision of exporting the new world strategic model from India to markets around the globe.

The Concept A-Star is the first concept car in which designers from Maruti Suzuki India research-and-development division have been involved from the initial stage for its styling, the company said.

Suzuki has been early to recognise India potential, it partnered with the Government of India to establish Maruti Udyog Limited (now named Maruti Suzuki India Limited, an SMC subsidiary), whose Gurgaon plant began producing cars in December 1983. But, have they invested enough in India?? Have they done enough for the market, in spite of being a dominant market-leader ? A question to ponder.

Ladies Driving School ( exclusive)

The Emirates Driving Institute has launched an exclusive ladies driving institute, the first of its kind in the GCC and Middle East, in Dubai.

The institute boasts a full training yard for conducting training on parking, garage, and uphill. Also fitted with devices and aides for holding courses and lectures, in addition to simulators enabling trainees to emulate driving on roads in changing weather conditions, and other related aspects such as crossing light signals, intersections, detours, and overtaking vehicles in front, aided by three-dimensional screens fitted to the device.

For kids accompanying their mothers, there is a play area too...

These initiatives will surely 'Safe Driving

Audi

It has been a truly excellent year for Audi, claims the German car manufacturer. Not only have sales figures gone up at a rapid rate, the media and the general public have rained awards on the company – six in all, an official spokesman added.

The winning streak of awards started with the “Manufacturer of the Year” award presented by Car Middle East magazine and was followed by the Audi R8 being voted “Car of the Show” at the ninth International Middle East Motor Show with more than 10,000 voters. But the main surprise was yet to come. At the most coveted awards of the region, the Autocar Middle East Awards held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Audi had already collected the “Premium Luxury Car of the Year” trophy for the Audi S6.

After three days of testing the independent judges had determined the R8 as the overall winner with 1,086 of 1,295 possible points covering the areas of handling, safety, ergonomics and driving pleasure among others.

“Being a German car manufacturer, the truth for us generally lies in numbers – sales numbers and customer satisfaction indices. But to receive such support from the public and the media with the People’s Choice Award and the Car of the Year Award is just tremendous! Thank you everyone for your support,” said head of marketing at Audi Middle East, Bernd Rosenbichler.

Toyota

Toyota Motor expects its global production in 2008 to expand to about 9.9 million vehicles, about 500,000 units more than the projection for this year, the Nikkei business daily reported.

The expected growth in global output is due to continuing robust sales in China, the Middle East and other emerging economies, the paper said.

Toyota is set to unseat General Motors as the world's biggest car maker by sales volume this year.

Islamic Car

A car to be made by Iran, Malaysia ( Proton) will be launched in 2011, the head of the Middle East's biggest carmaker and partner in the project, Iran Khodro, said yesterday. Chief executive and president of the partly state-owned Iranian company Manouchehr Manteghi said Islamic countries would be behind all the investment and production.

The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf. The idea came during a visit to the Middle East by a delegation of Malaysian politicians and businessmen.

Malaysian press reports say officials in Iran originally suggested the idea. Safety features or fuel economy is one way of selling a car, but Proton thinks vehicles designed specifically for Muslims across the world represent a huge gap in the market.

Riyadh Motor Show contd

ON day2 at RMS, it was a pleasant evening. The venue had just the right number of visitors, not over-crowded but not empty either... an air of peace descended over the place during the evening prayer, when the crowd thinned at the venue. The parking slot was quite insufficient. with the parked-cars spilling over to the roads. The visitors were busy shooting pictures of some of the best cars on display, collecting brochures and picking up freebies at some of the counters. One thing that usurped the attention a lot of people was the sound of a chinese gong ! This was by every customer at Al Rajhi Bank, who executed a deal at the counter.

Riyadh Motor Show

After Dubai M S and Jeddah M Show, it is the turn of Riyadh to host its own Riyadh MShow. This prestigious show starts tomorrow and goes on till 13th Dec 07. All key participants of Jeddah, Toyota, Hyundai, GMC, Nissan/Infinity & Mitsubishi are participating. Isuzu, Kia and Skoda also are putting their own stalls. Al rajhi Bank and Arab National Bank are two key banks present. This show is also sponsored by Al Rajhi Bank...

With the weather getting very pleasant, time is just right for the Mega Event.. stand by for more updates ! Happy Driving !!