Bangalore based electric car manufacturing company Reva (under Mahindra and Mahindra umbrella) is all set to launch an electric version of the Mahindra Gio cab, Mahindra already have the Gio cab get going on the city roads and Reva’s part in this new plan is to deliver powertrains for the same and the outcome will be an all new electric Gio cab.

Thanks to our close friends at Indianautosblog for clicking snaps of the upcoming Mahindra Gio EV. Looking at the images the vehicle has ‘Mahindra-REVA’ and ‘Electric Vehicle’ badges on its body and on the interiors as well. This means the motor, batteries and controller are sourced from REVA.

Reva is to supply powertrains for a number of existing vehicles which will go electric soon and with these spy shots it has been confirmed that Gio cab is among the first. The car seen above is a production ready prototype and has a top speed of 50 KMPH. Most of the components of Gio EV are derived from the Gio Diesel version and distinguishable features of this car are the Mahindra Reva and Electric Vehicle badges present on the exteriors and interiors as well.

“We have developed prototypes of Maxximo and Gio. However, we have not decided on launching them in the market,” Pawan Goenka, president, auto and farm equipment sector, M&M, told Hindustan Times.

Mahindra Reva has not divulged any details about the pricing and launch date of NXR. The Mahindra NXR launch may happen by end of this year. Company planning to sell more than 5000 units every year.

Lack of basic infrastructure is limiting future of electric vehicles in our market. Recently GM India had unveiled a battery powered Beat in New Delhi. GM has no plans to commercialize Beat EV due to absence of basic facilities.

India government has set up two bodies to look into this problem and suggest possible solutions. We sincerely hope that these apex bodies (National Council for Electric Mobility (NCEM) and National Board for Electric Mobility (NBEM)) will come out with suitable solutions to make electric vehicles popular on our roads.


Also see - Mahindra launches Gio Passenger Cab


More pictures of Mahindra Reva Gio Cab EV (Electric Vehicle) -

               


Source – Indianautosblog

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What we’re not sure of is if this is the 207 facelift or Xenon single-cab. We’ll assume that this is the Xenon single-cab version and pen the rest of this story.

At present, Tata Motors sells the Xenon XT in India, which is the dual cab version. Tata had displayed the single-cab version of Xenon at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2008. A blue vehicle was parked alongside other debutant models like the Sumo Grande, Indica Vista and Tata Nano.

Thanks to Anything-On-Wheels for having the spyshots of the Tata Xenon single-cab being tested near Pune. According to the same, there were 2 pickup’s being tested, the one shown in the pictures and the other, a slightly more upmarket version with full wheel caps and body-coloured bumpers. He says, it might well be equipped with air-conditioning and power windows too, like the top-end Genio DC VX version.

The front end is lifted straight from the Xenon and retains its mean and macho looks with those high-mounted headlights and the massive bumper. There are obvious signs of cost-cutting and commercialization like the black bumpers, grille and door handles and a single black rear-view mirror on the driver’s side. If you are a fan of the clean and rounded profile of the Xenon XT with its integrated cabin and loading bay, you will not like this truck as the loading bay, like all its other competitors, is separate and disjointed from the cabin. The wraparound taillights of the original Xenon are replaced with the trademark rectangular lights. There is no blaming Tata though as the customers in this segment does not look for style but only value utility and ruggedness.

At that projected number, the Tata Xenon has all the potential to eat into some fraction of the Mahindra Genio’s sales. A single-cab version of the Xenon will only cause additional headache for Mahindra.

It is highly unlikely that Tata Motors will use the same engine as the Safari, the 2.2 liter DICOR with variable geometry turbo, producing 140PS of power and 320 Nm of torque that powers the original Xenon XT. But, if it does, this new truck will be a hoot to drive with class-leading power and torque figures. So, the Mahindra Genio is not going to have the party all for itself for too long as this Tata truck seems to be directly heading against it. God bless competition!

Also see -Spied – Tata Xenon XT LHD in Pune
 
Source – Anything-On-Wheels

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Big rig semis are literally giant bricks on wheels with the aerodynamics of John Candy. That said, most trucks aren’t even lucky enough to break 4.25 kpl. And major part of that has to do with the airflow on the bodies of big rigs. So to pave the way for the future in efficient mass haulers, Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled their Aero Trailer concept that streamlines the traditional semi trailer for better aerodynamic efficiency.

Thanks to a front air dam, side trim panels with a rear diffuser and a tapered rear, the Mercedes-Benz Aero Trailer reduces wind resistance by 18%, offering up to a 5% decrease in fuel consumption when paired to the brand’s own Actros tractor.

Additionally, according to the brand’s estimates, a truck averaging 149,999 km a year will save on average of about 1999 litres per year.

Mercedes added that the cargo capacity is completely unaffected. However, because of its extended design from the bodywork, new legislation will be required to allow it to be road-worthy.

It surely is an interesting concept and in a world where abysmal gas prices are feared, every little step helps.

Also see - Spied – BharatBenz (Daimler) trucks near Chennai

See more pictures of Mercedes-Benz Aero Trailer Concept -

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India’s second largest carmaker Hyundai Motors, now announced their intention to launch new vehicles in the commercial market segment.  This is part of the company strategy to increase their market share in this segment.

Hyundai Motors which till date have only passenger vehicles in the compact category in India will be considering premium and top end commercial vehicles.  Speaking at the Tokyo Motor Show, Mr. J D Lee, Deputy General Manager – Commercial Vehicle Marketing Team at Hyundai Motor Company said that very soon the company will be launching these commercial vehicles in India.

Though no further details were revealed Lee felt that it was now time to move ahead from compact cars and onto premium trucks and buses which would ensure more profits for Hyundai Motors.  Since the company entered the Indian market, it has been providing low cost compact cars for which demand is high here. Now, with the decision to branch off into commercial vehicles, trucks and buses, the company would also have to think about service and other details which would take some more time to finalize.

Also see - Hyundai’s Sub-4 meter SUV Concept heads to 2012 Auto Expo

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Pune-based Force Motors, who was branded as a commercial vehicle manufacturer made a foray into the passenger car segment with its Force One SUV plans to launch more models in India. Now the company will use the 2012 Auto Expo to showcase the future models which the company plans to add in the next few years.

The company plans to bring two more variants of the Force One SUV at the 2012 Auto Expo. One variant includes the All Wheel drive “One 4×4” variant and the other equipped with ABS. Force One is powered by a 2.2 Litre common rail turbo diesel engine, an upgraded version of the OM 611, which is a Daimler product. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and suspension & Chassis has been tuned by the UK based Lotus.

Force One is the one with an amazing road presence with its imposing personality. If the two variants do carry what we think it would have, then there is going to be some competition in the SUV segment to look forward to. It will be interesting to see who takes the prize this time, the Force one or its closest rival Mahindra XUV500.

The bus will also have two variants, a luxury version which will have a 16-18 seater vehicle apart from a 26 seater vehicle to showcase at the Auto Expo. Firodia said these buses are targeted at inter- and intra-city needs with the luxury bus being a scaled down version of the standard-setting Volvo luxury coaches.

Prasan Firodia, managing director, Force Motors said “We will show a four-wheel drive and a concept luxury weekend getaway versions at the Auto Expo, with the latter having luxurious interiors. We will also show a new 26-seater monocoque bus which will go into regular production by April 2011.”

Apart from this the company is also planning to launch a facelifted variant of the Trax MUV. Force Motors will also show its Hybrid Traveller coach while it plans to offer CNG on its small commercial vehicle, the Trump, the report mentioned.

Also see - Force Traveller to get a minor facelift

New Force Trax expected to launch in mid-2012

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Ashok Leyland, the Hinduja Group flagship at 2012 Auto Expo introduced India’s first 37-tonne haulage truck with the highest payload of up to 27 tonnes. Built on the contemporary and future-ready U-Truck platform, the U-3723 H guarantees superior performance, durability and best-in-class operational efficiency.

One outstanding feature of the U-3723 H is its five axles – twin steerable front axles, two rear axles and a self-steerable pusher lift axle at the middle that enables the vehicle to carry more loads, far more efficiently. The auto-lift axle senses when the vehicle is running in an unloaded condition and will automatically lift the axle which translates into additional fuel saving. Engineered to deliver a faster turnaround and better gradeability, the U-3723 H is equipped with the fuel-efficient 225 HP ‘H’ Series engine and a 9-speed gearbox. Further, the 10×4 configuration makes for excellent maneuverability even in arduous operating conditions.

“The U-3723 H is truly the most efficient truck in the country and carefully engineered to meet certain specific customer requirements. With a more stringent implementation of rated payload on one hand and the availability of higher loads on the other, customers have been increasingly seeking higher capacity rigid trucks that can carry more loads translating into better operational economics. Market trends are clearly skewed towards the 31+Tonne category and thus our U-3723 H is perfectly positioned to meet the demands for higher payload capacity, faster turnaround time and better maneuverability,” Mr Vinod K Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland said.

The feature-rich sleeper cab is designed to address driver comfort and safety especially during long distance freight operations. Other features include an optional AC and parabolic suspensions with shock absorbers.

Fuel efficiency is further enhanced by the aero-dynamic cab and lower unladen weight. An optimized drive train and 11R20 tyres deliver improved driveability and effortless maneuverability. The deep section frames with bogie suspensions ensure better vehicle stability even at higher loads. A long loading span of 31 feet can easily take loads of any density and dimension. Strong aggregates, a robust chassis frame and suspensions reduce down-time considerably.

The U-3723 H is best-suited for such applications like construction, Ready Mix Concrete, boom pumps and stone marble.

Also see  - Ashok Leyland to be renamed Hinduja Leyland

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Mahindra and Mahindra unveiled the world’s first hydrogen fuelled 3-wheeler, the HyAlfa at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi.  This vehicle is a part of the $1 million DELHY-3W project that has been funded by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (UNIDO-ICHET), taking nearly three years to complete.

Air Products USA is also a project partner who provided the hydrogen fuelling station for this vehicle.  Currently they have setup a hydrogen refuelling station in Pragati Maidan. Mahindra and Mahindra aim to reduce pollution by using hydrogen – which is free of car­bon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of sulphur and particulates. Mahindra claim that with 1kg of hydrogen, the HyAlfa gives around 80km of mileage.

“Mahindra is aiming to provide alternative fuel technology solutions and the HyAlfa is part of its mobility initiatives. We have prepared 15 vehicles for integration of the optimised engine, storage system, fuelling system and safety features for this hydrogen fuel enabled vehicle,” Dr. Pawan Goenka, president of automotive and farm equipment sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra said.

Also see - Spied – Mahindra Reva Gio Cab EV (Electric Vehicle)

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Pune based automobile company Force Motors unveiled its much touted Force One SUV 4X4 variant of their premium SUV, the Force One at the 2012 Auto Expo held at New Delhi. There is a belief that Force One is expected to come with dual airbags for the front seats in due course of time although it is unclear whether the 4X4 version will feature airbags at the time of its launch.

The Force One 4X4 will be the top end variant of the SUV range and is expected to be priced by around INR 75,000 to 1 Lakh more than the two wheel drive version. The standard 3 year, 100,000 kilometer warranty will be applicable on the 4×4 version as well. So, the middle of 2012 it is when Force Motors will launch the 4X4 ABS version of the Force One SUV.
 
See more pictures of Force One 4X4 unveiled at 2012 Auto Expo -

Apart from Force One, they also displayed the Traveller-26, the world largest monocoque van, priced at about Rs 11.5 lakh along with hybrid variant, the Traveller Hybrid has been developed in partnership with Ricardo PLC and Locomotive Technologies Ltd, UK. The Traveller Hybrid has waste exhaust heat regeneration, regenerative braking and is claimed to reduce fuel costs by 30 per cent. It also put on display Traveller Luxury, a 15-seater van with a price tag of Rs 14 lakh.

The Force Motors pavilion had Mr.Prasan Firodia, MD Force Motors answering all the queries related to the Force One SUV. Mr. Abhay Firodia, Chairman Force Motors and self claimed “Van’s Specialist” was present too but only to answer anything and everything about the Traveller vans.

Force Motors also displayed CNG versions of the Traveller and one-tonne delivery vehicle Trump.
 
See more pictures of Force Traveller range unveiled at 2012 Auto Expo -

Also see - Force Traveller to get a minor facelift

Force to showcase 2 more variants of Force One SUV at Auto Expo

Image Credit - Team-bhp

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Daimler Truck’s subsidiary Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) revealed the new BharatBenz brand heavy-duty truck and its product strategy for the Indian market at the Auto Expo. With its first ever made-in-India truck, BharatBenz will enter the promising Indian market for medium heavy-duty and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. India has become the world’s third-largest truck market in recent years, boasting a volume far above 3,00,000 units in 2011.

To emphasise the importance of this commercial vehicle premiere for his division, Andreas Renschler, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses, said, “Our strategy focuses on profitable growth. We want to boost our sales in existing markets as well as new ones. Our strategy for the new growth markets is to operate as globally as possible, on the one hand, and as locally as necessary on the other.”

According to Renschler, this strategy is reflected in the new BharatBenz trucks. “The trucks are based on existing Daimler commercial vehicle platforms. Indian specialists developed the trucks for the local market, where they are also built,” he said. “This is the most effective way for us to participate in the growth of India’s volume segment. Our product range focuses on quality, reliability, and efficiency and particularly targets the modern domestic segment, which shows huge growth potential and reflects the growing demands of Indian customers.”

On March 2, 2012, BharatBenz will unveil its entire truck line-up in the six- to 49-tonne range. The BharatBenz heavy-duty truck will be built on the Mercedes-Benz Axor platform, and the future light and medium-duty trucks will be based on the Fuso Canter and Fighter series. The new trucks will meet India’s BS III emissions standard [comparable to Euro III].

Marc Llistosella, CEO of DICV, stated that the all-new plant at Oragadam, near Chennai, will start production in the first quarter of this year and will be inaugurated on April 18. While initial production capacity will be 36,000 units, DICV has the option of doubling it to 72,000 units.

BharatBenz, Daimler Trucks’ fifth brand, which was unveiled in February 2011, will launch 17 products by March 2014 and all products will be launched with a minimum localisation level of 85 percent. Llistosella added that 75 percent of the 450 suppliers to the project are totally new to Daimler, which sources about 15 billion euros worth of components every year. The truckmaker will now look at increasing sourcing from India for its global operations.

On the dealership front, he said that DICV has received 465 letters of interest for dealerships to cover 70 locations in India. By the end of 2012, Daimler plans to have dealerships in 110 points. DICV also plans to hold its own exhibition in Hyderabad in March 2012.

Also see - Spied – BharatBenz (Daimler) trucks near Chennai

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The commercial vehicle maker Man Force Trucks has announced its foray into the bus segment and said the company is eyeing a 50 per cent jump in overall sales at 6,000 units this year. The company, which recently launched ‘Man Airobus’ at the 11th Auto Expo here, said bookings for the Rs 60 lakh priced bus have started and it plans to sell around 250 units by the year-end.

“Entering into the bus segment is an extension of our product portfolio as we try to become a full-scale commercial vehicle manufacturer. The bus segment is a growing market in India,” Man Force Trucks Managing Director, Sudhir Mehta said. He added the ‘Airobus’ is placed in the market between the premium bus and rear-engine bus. The new product is a 45 seater inter-city air-conditioned coach powered by 220hp diesel engine. It is being manufactured at the company’s facility at Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, where it has production capacity to make 24,000 trucks a year.

According to reports, Mehta said, “Last year, we had around 4,000 trucks. This year, we plan to sell around 6,000 units including the bus.” Besides, the company said it has lined up three-four trucks to be launched this year. It was reported that last year, Pune-based Force Motors had announced to exit the joint venture by selling 5.58 lakh shares for €150 million (over Rs 1,050 crore) to the Germany-based MAN. “We are still in the process of exiting from the joint venture. The exit will not have any impact on the quality of the existing products,” Man Force Trucks Chairman, Abhay Firodia, said. Force Motors and MAN formed the joint venture company in 2006. At the time of formation of the JV, the Indian firm was the majority partner with 80 per cent stake, which became a 50:50 partnership in 2008, mentioned in the reports.

Also see - Spied – MAN’s new front engined bus in Pune

See more pictures of Man Airobus -

Image Credit – Team-bhp

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Asia Motor Works (AMW) unveiled two new trucks and its bus at the 2012 Auto Expo held in Delhi. The trucks are 4928 TR tractor, 2528 TP tipper while the new bus is a 14.3-metre long, front engined one called the Magnus.

The 4928 TR tractor is a 49-tonne tractor gets a new cabin and is powered by a 270PS, common-rail, electronically controlled, Cummins diesel engine, mated to a nine-speed Eaton gearbox. The 2528 TP tipper also gets a new cabin and the same engine as the 4928 TR tractor with the same power but with a 9-speed ZF transmission.

The cabin of both these vehicles has been made by Stile Bertone in Italy. AMW claims that with a length of 2307mm, width of 2435mm and height of 2913mm, it is one of the largest cabins in the market. Similar to European trucks, both these vehicles have GPS navigation system, LED screen for entertainment and sleeping berth for the driver.

AMW has an integrated manufacturing facility at Bhuj, Gujarat with a planned capacity of 50,000 commercial vehicles per annum.

Also see - Hyundai India plans to launch commercial vehicles soon!

Image Credit – RiotEngine

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Volvo Buses showcased their hybrid bus the Volvo 7700 Hybrid at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi. This bus has been in operation in 20 cities across the world after its production began in May 2010. It has seen savings of up to 37 per cent in fuel costs and over 50 per cent reduction in hazardous emissions.

Present at the launch of its new range of multi-faceted coaches at the 2012 Auto Expo was Akash Passey, Managing Director & CEO, Volvo Buses in South Asia, who said, “The Volvo Hybrid is very much the solution cities & environmentalists have asked for. We are ready. All we await is the demand & the direction from the authorities, so that we can apply this solution specifically to Indian needs. The Volvo 7700 Hybrid has been unveiled to showcase our intent and readiness for India.”

The Volvo 7700 Hybrid has a small diesel engine and an electric motor, which can be used either independently or jointly. The battery that drives the electric motor is charger through re-generative braking. Just like the start/stop technology seen in larger executive sedans for conserving fuel, the diesel engine in the 7700 also switches off completely, which also helps create a silent and exhaust-free environment at bus stops.

Another distinct feature of this clean environment friendly new age passenger coach from Volvo is that it isn’t only efficient in highly congested city traffic, but functions equally well when there is a greater distance between bus stops

Also see - Volvo B7R chassis : Ultimate Luxury on wheels

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PACCAR brought down the DAF brand of trucks to the 2012 Auto Expo held at Delhi. The Netherlands-based DAF had the CF truck on display in India. The CF comes powered by a TX-6 180 hp engine from APIT Cummins and an AMW body. DAF also has a technical centre with APIT Cummins in Pune where new parts and components are being designed for the entire PACCAR group.

“India is one of the largest and fastest growing truck markets in the world. The AutoExpo event offers an excellent opportunity to exhibit our industry-leading DAF product to Indian commercial vehicle customers,” said Dan Sobic, PACCAR executive vice president. As of now there have been no plans to assemble or launch the CF truck in India as DAF is currently focussing on more short term goals that involve the technical centre.

The DAF CF truck comes in a series of two, three and four axle options. They also come as both single cabs, double cabs, rigids, tractor trailers, tipper and more. Globally these trucks have eight, nine, twelve and sixteen speed transmissions and engine options ranging from 220 to 510 hp.

Also see -  Sweden’s Scania to set-up their plant in Karnataka

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Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. showcased its widest ever product portfolio displaying 27 vehicles from Mahindra, SsangYong, Mahindra Reva, and Mahindra Navistar brands during the 2012 Auto Expo held at Dehli. Mahindra Navistar Automotives Limited (MNAL) also marked its presence with its new customised truck applications at the event.

MNAL’s line-up at the Expo included MN25 (6×4) Transit mixer, MN25 Refrigerated van, MN31 Bulker, MN31 Haulage Tipper, MN25 HD Tipper and Tourister 32-seater CRDe Bus refresh. Dr. Goenka and Nalin Mehta, Managing Director, MNAL introduced these vehicles at the mega show.

Talking about how Mahindra Navistar is dedicated to its customers, Nalin Mehta, said, “The new integrated solutions that Mahindra Navistar has launched at the Auto Expo 2012 will further strengthen our brand promise of ‘Outperformance’. The trucks, nearly 3000 of which are on the roads and have clocked more than 50 million kilometres across the length and breadth of the country, are already helping several customers earn more through better turnaround time and through benefits of the efficiencies that have accrued through a superior cabin and sturdy aggregates. The new applications will add a new dimension to this success story. This will be supported by a 940 touch-point strong service network, which has been put in place in a relatively short span of time.”

The manufacturer presently has a network spread across the country, which comprises 48 dealerships. The company is looking to add 52 more dealers in the come 1-1½ years in order to raise the total number of domestic dealerships to 100. Along with these, the company has also set up a network of 940 touch-points, which include 24×7 NOW Expert assistance on-call, 208 authorised service centres, and 658 roadside assistance points. These are based at the most frequented routes in the country, so that trucks can be serviced easily in case of breakdown.

While commenting at the event, Troy Clarke, President, Asia Pacific, Navistar Inc., USA, said, “Since its launch at the last Delhi Auto Expo in 2010, Mahindra Navistar has created a significant position for itself in the Indian trucking industry with its superior product performance and sound value proposition. With the launch of these 5 fully built Application trucks, Mahindra Navistar has taken a step towards becoming a complete Integrated Trucking Solution Provider for its customers and I am confident that over a period of time, it will emerge as the most trusted CV brand in India which is its stated vision”.

Also see - Mahindra launches its unique ‘Mobile Seva’ across Southern India

Image Credit – RiotEngine

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Tata Motors unveiled the Tata Ultra 714 and 1017 LCV and ICV and the Tata LPT 3723C 5-axle rigid truck at the Delhi Auto Expo. These vehicles will be available from March 2012.

The Tata Ultra range of LCV and ICV trucks powered by an all new advanced DICOR 3 & 5 litre, 16 valve engine with higher aggregate life, longer service intervals and low NVH levels,   delivers an efficient and smooth ride. Radial tyres, parabolic leaf springs and tuned shock absorbers add to the comfort of the driver and ensure safe transit of goods. High Strength Domex 650 Steel rolled chassis frame with high tensile strength and straight long member construction gives flexibility of multiple wheel base at multiple payload points.

The all new elegant sleek look, walk through steel cabin with a dash mounted cable shift gear, hydraulic cabin tilt mechanism ensures the driver feels at home. Ergonomically designed mechanically suspended seats with integral head rest, tiltable, telescopic and collapsible power steering gives him the best of driving experience and stress free long rides. The Tata Ultra sports a new generation instrument cluster which displays live and trip fuel mileage, and offers clutch and brake wear indicators, seat and door ajar warnings, water in fuel indicator, neutral position, economy assistance, single key operation and host of other delighters. Disc brakes for the first time in this category ensure effective braking at high speeds and loads. New stylized clear lens head lamps and LED tail lamps make the vehicle ideal for all-weather night driving.

The Tata Ultra range offers future ready LCV & ICV trucks, ranging from 5 tonne to 14 tonne GVW. Thus, making them business assets that will give the customers a competitive edge always.

Tata Motors Ultra 714 truck -

Powered by a DICOR 3L engine, the Tata Ultra 714 truck delivers 138 HP and torque of 360 Nm. The truck comes loaded with features like a roof hatch, 12V utility socket, music system, digital clock, cab tilt lock indicator, low fuel level indicator lamp, brake lining wear indicator, air filter service electrical indicator, water in fuel indicator, door ajar lamp and leather finish dashboard.

Tata Motors ULTRA 1017  truck-

The Tata Ultra 1017 truck comes with a DICOR 5L engine, delivers 168 HP and a torque of 590 Nm. The truck offers HVAC, cruise control, ABS, suspended driver seat, 12V utility socket, music system, power window, electrical mirror, centralised locking, Tachograph Telematics (GPS), digital clock, cab tilt lock indicator, low fuel level indicator lamp, brake lining wear indicator, door ajar indicator, air filter service electrical Indicator, water in fuel indicator, alloy wheels, low washer fluid indicator and leather finish dashboard.

Tata Motors LPT-3723 truck -

The Tata LPT 3723 is the first 5 axle rigid truck in the country and will be the next big game changer in the Indian commercial vehicle industry. This truck can carry 4 tonnes more than the existing 31 tonne MAV segment. As a result, it is all set to radically change the economics of transportation in multiple segments by reducing the cost per Tonne-Km of transportation. The increased payload will make this vehicle ideal for the movement of goods like cement and steel coils. This will translate into better returns for transporters and could potentially drive down the transportation costs of core goods such as steel and cement.

Powered by the Cummins 6BT 5.9L engine, with a maximum power of 154 kW at 2500 rpm, this 10X4 rigid truck has twin steerable front axles, a twin drive axle and a tag-lift axle at the rear. This is the only truck in the industry today to have this technology which helps transporters reduce tyre and fuel costs. This is also the first rigid truck in India with a 9 speed gearbox. With a GVW of 37 Tonnes, this vehicle has an increased payload of 25 tonnes. The Tata LPT 3723 comes with 10R20 – 16 PR (Rims 7.50X20.00) tyres and a minimum turning circle diameter of 21.9 m making it easily manoeuvrable as compared to tractor trailers.

The Tata LPT 3723 has a new-look cabin with stylized headlamps, new bumper, air deflectors at the sides and other features which lend it a refreshing external appearance. The cabin interior features include a HVAC system, music system, mobile charger, a restyled dashboard with provision for a Telematics unit, fully electronic instrument cluster, a smaller ergonomic 470 mm diameter soft touch steering wheel and improved interior trims as compared to conventional cabins. Designed to take drivers to the next level of ride quality and comfort, these features will play a major role in helping drivers increase the distance covered every day.

Passenger vehicles on display -

Other passenger vehicles on display includes, the Tata Nano Concept car; Tata Nano CNG Concept car; Tata Pixel Concept car; Tata Indica Vista Concept S2, Tata Indigo Manza Hybrid Concept; Tata Indigo Manza Nova Concept; the Tata Aria AT Concept; Tata Sumo Gold and Tata Xenon Concept.

Other commercial vehicles on display -

Other commercial vehicles on display at Delhi Auto Expo 2012 included Tata Prima 7548.S Concept, Tata Prima 3138.K AT; Tata Starubus – Fuel Cell (Hydrogen) Concept; Tata Paradiso – G7 Multi Axle Coach; Tata Magic IRIS CNG; Tata Venture Ambulance; Tata Ace Refresh and Tata Super Ace – LHD.

Tata Motors Prima 7548.S Concept -

Tata Motors Paradiso-G7-Multiaxle coach -

Tata Motors Fuel Cell Starbus -

Also see - Tata Prima Construck range

Tata Motors launches luxury coach ‘Divo’ & citybus ‘Starbus ultra’

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Ashok Leyland unveiled two new LCVs at the 2012 Auto Expo. The one which catches our attention the most is the Ashok Leyland Stile MFV (Multi-Functional Vehicle). The Stile is nothing but a Nissan NV200 (Nissan Evalia) van underneath and will be sold by Ashok Leyland as a commercial vehicle (Nissan will sell the passenger version). The Stile will be available in both CNG and diesel and will fit the bill for taxi services, hotel shuttles, courier services, ambulances, panel vans, etc. Unlike the Toyota Innova, the Stile uses a monocoque body and hence is lighter. A dual tone dashboard dons the interiors, while Ashok Leyland plans to offer 2 and 3 row seating configurations to buyers. Launch of the Stile is in 2013.

The company also unveiled the Partner, which a new 6-tonne platform is taken from Nissan. Powered by a ZD30-DDTI common rail diesel engine which is BSIV compliant, the Partner produces 120 bhp of power and 32.4 kgm of torque. The Partner will also go into production in 2013.

The Partner has a Gross Vehicle Weight of 6-tonne, multiple load body options. The Partner on display at the Auto Expo was a refrigerated container that had a capacity of 10.7 cubic metres and broad temperature controls of -25 deg C to 10 deg C.

Ashok Leyland claims the partner has features like low NVH levels, plenty of utility space, a spacious cabin, power steering, air-conditioning, a car like gear knob and a fully tiltable cabin.

The Dost LCV was also showcased in its CNG avatar and will be launched in the later half of the year. Ashok Leyland is looking at setting-up different dealerships to sell the Stile, in addition to its dealerships for HCVs and LCVs.

Also see -  Ashok Leyland launches Dost at Rs 3.79 lakhs

2012 Auto Expo – Ashok Leyland presents India’s first 37-tonne haulage truck

Source – Motorbeam

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At the 11th Auto Expo held in Delhi, Tata Motors showcased three new models, expanding its product portfolio in the commercial vehicles segments, based on existing platforms.

Tata Ace Refresh EX Mini Pick-up Truck facelift -

Tata Ace Refresh EX Mini Pick-up Truck facelift showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo. Its front end gets a new headlamp and integrated turn indicator design. The front grille also gets a makeover and the wheels now get smart looking wheel caps. The interior of the Ace also gets a big makeover, and this time the makeover is quite functional in nature. Redesigned fabric seats and an ergonomic repositioning of the steering to greatly improve driver comfort are the most important feature of the new interiors.

The dashboard too sees a redesign. A mobile charging point, a stereo system and a digital clock also make it to the refreshed Ace. Mechanically though, the Tata Ace Refresh EX  remains the same, with the indirect injection twin cylinder, water cooled diesel engine producing 16 Bhp of peak power and 38 Nm of peak torque.

Tata Magic Iris CNG Passenger Carrier -

Tata Magic Iris CNG showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Tata Magic Iris CNG is not a dual fuel variant and instead will feature a dedicated single cylinder CNG engine that displaces 611cc and produces power-torque figures of 13 Bhp and 37 Nm. The CNG tank in the Magic Iris will have a capacity of 9 Kg and will provide a range of 220 kilometers per tankful. The Magic Iris comes with a hauling capacity of 4 to 5 passengers depending on the variant. The on-road cost of the Magic Iris in CNG mode is expected to exceed 2 Lakh rupees at the time of its launch.

Tata Venture Ambulance -

Tata Venture Ambulance showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo. Its powered by a same 1.4 Litre turbo diesel engine delivering 70 PS power, with best in class fuel efficiency among diesel MPVs. Yep, It is integrated with power steering & side impact beams protection. Onboard capacity is 2 at the front, and 1 doctor + 1 assistant at the rear. The auto-loading patient stretcher runs 6 feet in length. There is a 12V electric connection for medical equipment & provision for an oxygen cylinder. The rear seats & stretcher are washable.

Also see - 2012 Auto Expo – Tata Motors unveils Ultra range LCV & ICV trucks, commercial vehicles line-up

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Scania Commercial Vehicles India is what we’ll refer to the company as from now on but they have been operating in the country since 2007. At that time, the Swedish commercial vehicle makers partnered with Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Scania made an investment related announcement to the tune of Rs 150 crore ($30.1 million) to set up a manufacturing facility in India in a year’s time.

The proposed Narasapura Industrial Area (Bangalore) plant would be responsible for production of 1,000 inter-city buses and coaches, and 2,000 heavy haulage trucks and over the next 5 year period. Henrik Fagrenius, Scania Managing Director had this to say. “This investment furthers Scania’s commitment to the Indian market and this is the right moment for us… This unit will enable us to shorten our lead times and enhance service levels to our customers. ” “Scania foresees a number of benefits with establishing the new plant… This will also go a long way in sourcing of components locally from India. ” “The manufacturing of complete trucks locally in the country means that we can cut lead times further and broaden our product offering. Our service to customers will also be improved by having a parts depot in the country.”

He further added, “There is increasing demand for vehicles and engines of the quality and performance delivered by Scania, together with services that guarantee customers high uptime and low operating cost. We will concentrate on broadening our existing offering of trucks to the mining industry but also in other areas of the construction segment, as well as trucks for heavy special-purpose road transport. In the bus segment we see potential for sales of buses and coaches, both for city traffic and long-distance intercity services.”

Estimates see the Indian commercial vehicles segment record an 8-10% growth rate in 2012, which gives this segment a positive outlook. The first truck from Scania Commercial Vehicles India will be rolled out in 2013. Details regarding component sourcing plans haven’t yet been divulged. Phase I of operations will see plant function as a completely knocked down (CKD) assembly unit for truck and bus chassis’. On a later date, bus body-building and service workshops for trucks and buses at the facility will be operational. The plant will be responsible for bodywork and outfitting of trucks and buses, and there will be a parts depot in India. When the Bangalore Scania Commercial Vehicles India plant is fully operational, employment for up to 800 people is foreseen in the next 5 years.

The Volkswagen Group owns a 70.94% voting stake (equity) in the truck manufacturer Scania, making VW AG Scania’s biggest shareholder. Scania Commercial Vehicles India also looks forward to selling engines to vehicle manufacturers in the country. The company had this to say. “Scania is also preparing to sell engines to its OEM customers. These engines are more compact, resulting in lesser fuel consumption, leading to lower emissions. ” “Scania’s direct presence will further boost the company’s sales, service, greater variety of models sold and shorter availability time. ” In India, Scania currently operates via sales and service points through L&T. The latter has till date distributed over 600 Scania heavy trucks in the country and this association will be continued.

Also see - Sweden’s Scania to set-up their plant in Karnataka

Scania Truck Manufacturer to set up assembly plant in Bangalore

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Pune based two-wheeler maker, Bajaj Auto is eyeing to replace the notorious auto rickshaws with the RE60 four-wheel passenger carrier which was first showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo held in New Delhi. Now we have the firstever spy pictures of Bajaj RE60 emerge, thanks to Anything-On-Wheels reader Guru for the snaps. This test-mule was spotted doing trial runs in the popular Chakan locality of Pune where Bajaj’s manufacturing facility is located.

Though the vehicle is heavily camouflaged it confirms that the Bajaj RE60 four-wheeler will make it into production anytime soon and sources also claim that a late Diwali launch is scheduled for the same. But Bajaj Auto did not give any official statement about the launch. This dominant player of the auto industry has been pretty secretive about the launch of RE60 four-wheeler, but this information has been confirmed by the vendors that supply parts to Bajaj Auto.

The RE60 is an attempt from Bajaj Auto which aims at the replacement of the omnipresent autorickshaw. The company constructs its three-wheelers at its Aurangabad’s plant and the Bajaj RE60 4-wheeler is also expected to be manufactured there only. With an approximate price of Rs. 1 lakh, the RE60 would emerge as an unmatchable product and would undercut the prices of autorickshaw by a huge margin.

According to the company, the RE60 cannot be considered as a car but it can be considered as a passenger vehicle that can perfectly accommodate four adults. The Bajaj Auto will be offering this neoteric product in two variants – one as an entry level and another with more comfortable features.

Initially the RE60 will derive power from a 200cc, liquid cooled, single cylinder petrol engine that delivers a good 20 bhp peak power. Besides the mouthwatering price tag, a spectacular 35-40 kmpl fuel-economy is also a major selling point for the new cat. This four-wheeler is also claimed to produce the minimum amount of emissions which stand at 60 grams of CO2 for every kilometer. The RE60 is claimed to be as easy on pocket to maintain as an Auto Rickshaw.

Bajaj Auto is also expected to launch a CNG version of the same as time progresses. Nissan, Bajaj and Renault started a project together known as Ultra Low Cost (ULC) car project and the RE60 has been developed under it. As per an earlier plan, Bajaj was supposed to develop the car and Renault and Nissan were supposed to sell it with their name tag. But the two stakeholders Nissan and Renault have not provided any confirmation on whether they would sell this product under their brand name or not. Meanwhile, Bajaj Auto is also expected to launch goods version of RE60 four-wheeler.

See more details of Bajaj RE60 -

• Light weight monocoque metal polymer hybrid structure
• Length: 2,752mm
• Width: 1,312mm
• Height: 1,650mm
• Seating Capacity: 2+2 or 1+3
• Turning circle: 3.5m
• Max speed: 70kph

Also see - Bajaj Auto India launches RE60 four-wheeler

2012 Auto Expo – Surprisingly no bikes at Bajaj Auto, RE60 unveiled

Source - Anything-On-Wheels

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Mahindra and Mahindra will launch the electric version of its commercial vehicle Maxximo was the rumor since a couple of years. The electric variant of Mahindra’s mini-truck Maxximo that was first unveiled at the 2010 Auto Expo held in New Delhi. Also not forget in October last-year, we brought you the spied images of Mahindra Reva Gio Cab EV (Electric Vehicle).

Now thanks to folks at Motor Vikatan who has managed to snap the electric Maxximo hard top minivan at toll booth in Bangalore and according to the same the electric version of its Maxximo minivan will be out on-sale by October this year. At moment nothing much is known about the electric Maxximo Minivan but all we can say is a result of joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra and Bangalore based Electric Vehicle maker Reva.

Previously in 2010 at the unveiling of Mahindra’s electric Maxximo mini-truck, Dr. Pawan Goenka, President (Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors), Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) said -

“Electric Maxximo will be as practical as any other commercial vehicle of its size. It has the capacity of going up to 90 kilometers per full charge of 8 hours. The savings will be high on this vehicle, but it will depend on the price per unit of electricity in different states.”

Also see - Spied – Mahindra Reva Gio Cab EV (Electric Vehicle)

Source - Motor Vikatan (on Facebook)

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