Industry updates...

Indian automobile market performed better than the expected levels in August, 09 by clocking over 120 K units, a 26% jump compared to same month last year

This when some of the other leading asian markets continued to show lower numbers :
China, S Korea, Thailand... etc.

Suzuki, Hyundai will not be complaining !

Managing car dealership business

MD Johnson Inc and Compli will host a complimentary webinar on Buying, Selling and Valuing Automobile Dealerships in today's market, on Wednesday, September 9th. Mark D Johnson, President of MD Johnson Inc, will present the program and Lon Leneve, President and CFO of Compli, will host and moderate the presentation. Space is limited to 1000 participants and is strongly subscribed as of September 3rd. The webinar will include proprietary buy/sell checklists from MD Johnson Inc.

Source : Fox Business (http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/mark-d-johnson-president-md-johnson-compli-present-webinar-september---buying/)

Chevrolet Tahoe ranks top in Saudi Auto tests

Chevrolet’s full size Tahoe has been named as the 'Editor's Choice' in the latest issue of Saudi Auto, better than even Toyota Sequoia.

The Editor's Choice is a monthly comparative test drive feature conducted by Saudi Auto's expert editorial team involving both static and dynamic evaluation criteria.
Bakur Azher, publisher and editor in Chief of Saudi Auto, said: “In a closely fought contest, the Chevrolet Tahoe wins the editor’s seal of approval as the full size SUV of choice. Its ability to combine all its attributes together with excellent value puts it ahead of the competition.”

The Chevrolet Tahoe is available as…
•LS, LT and LTZ, with two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive option.
•With six speed transmission and 5.3-litre V8 engine with 355 hp at 5,200 rpm.

Some good news for GM, Middle East

Kia Offer

Kia dealer in KSA is making an 'irresistible offer' to their prospective customers for the Ramadan season.
They will match up to 25% of down payment or two lease rentals
Also other freebies such as insurance, road side assistance, extended warranty...

Is that a huge marketing budget or heavy discount ? What would be the re-sale value of these cars one year down the line ?


we will get to see lot more of Kia, principal sponsor, Fifa world cup at South Africa
Kia official website: http://www.kiamotors.com/

Toyota Fortuner

Toyota is planning to launch this model in India, shortly.

I wonder why ? It is one of the rare Toyota models, which has failed to catch the imagination, esp in Middle East (ME),!

Toyota entered India thru Qualis. It was a great vehicle, no doubt. But, the entry could have been with a better vehicle.

Innova was a good car. But, like qualis, the brand has been hijacked by the taxi/tour operators. Camry is a luxury car in Indian market, but a popular limousine in ME. In spite of big number of Camry sold in ME, this model suffers from the tag of being a taxi!

But, the plan to launch Fortuner is surprising! The vehicle can not boast of the legendary Toyota pedigree in terms of style as well as performance. The model may still succeed, but why the world no. 1 car brand is being quite negative about the Indian auto market/car buyer, which surely will become one of biggest soon...
A RAV4 would have been a lot better proposition. Lastly, if high tax structure is a constraint, Toyota need to find ways to make better offerings to the India buyer. That is Car Innovation



http://www.edmunds.com/suv/2009/recommended.html

General Motors outperforms industry in key Middle East markets in first half of 2009

This is a classic press release !!!

The entire article talks only in percentage, an old way to camouflage the absolute nos.
Check out the article and you will find it hilarious! All beating around the bush ! Read between the lines if you can !

VW Takeover of Porsche!?

I am passionate about brand-Porche...
So, the cover feature of Porche CEO on Fortune issue Feb09, is proudly displayed in my office. But in a matter of few months, he has been eased out.
Indeed,we are living in interesting times !

This may pave the way for creation of a new car giant... the brands under Porche/VW enjoy tremendous equity. Let us hope this turn out to be truly synergetic and the consumer benefits, as much as the automobile industry, employees/other stakeholders.