Car Blog

SRK brand ambassador of Kolkotta

2012-02-13T19:35:00.001-08:00

@SrBachchan was chosen brand ambassador of Gujarat. I was not entirely happy. Not because I have anything against the superstar or the govt.

Even now, when I see AB on TV, whether in a movie/ad/interview/news-bite, I get 'hooked', briefly though. When I get totally involved with the program, laugh (as it happened 2 days ago watching a scene from 'Sharabi'), my wife finds it amusing! Otherwise my natural disposition is not a 'smiley').
The angry young man was the hero, all along childhood & teens!

For Gujarat, I felt a better choice would have been a successful Gujju. But then, as always, AB brings an element of class to anything he does - whether it is performance in Chini Kum/Paa or KBC (I hardly watched though) or ads (ICICI bank/Pru or Titan or Reid & Taylor).

Now Kolkotta has gone a step further & roped in SRK. Now, he does not live there, naturally. He is not a Bong! Of course, he owns part of Knight Riders.(He just introduced a new logo, along with Juhi )
But, by 'mis-handling' the Prince of Kolkotta, he has as many cricket-fans against him, across the city & country.

Why this obsession with Bollywood ? BWood is an important, beautiful & integral part of India. But, we need to look beyond just Bollywood. Of course, beyond cricket too. Tendulkar can expect a call to represent Amchi Mumbai. Rajnikanth/MSD can expect a call from Chennai ( a new Tamil film is "Dhoni, not out") Of course, current CM & previous CM, both with their roots in Tamil cinema, may consider themselves the ultimate brand-ambassadors for Chennai !

Watch out for more city/state brand ambassadors !

gulfnews : Ford revs up for another year of robust growth

2012-02-12T19:17:00.000-08:00

Ford registered 50% growth in region.

The new Explorer is a big draw

Watch out Lincoln range - more action expected in near future

gulfnews : Ford revs up for another year of robust growth

Chinese Car Market Export

2012-02-09T08:50:00.001-08:00

China exported 850 K cars last year, up 50% !

While monthly sale of cars dropped to just above one million last month (1.5 million last year), exports are doing fine.

They have exported virtually across the globe. But major destinations include Russia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia

3 mores essential to entrepreneurship

2012-02-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Came across an inspiring report on the concluding session of GCF held here recently...

Delivering the keynote address, the former S Korean PM, Un-Chang said '3 mores were essential to creating a society of educated people who can aspire to a hopeful future'.

Some global brands emerged from the erstwhile chaebols - Samsung phone & TV, LG across consumer durables, Hyundai/Kia cars, to name a few... As such he has seen it all... and hence his views surely very relevant & also, appropriate, in the current situation.

1. More Open - open mindedness, along with knowledge, was critical to entrepreneurship. Society should be open to new ideas to emerge to create a climate of entrepreneurship !
2. Confidence - the 'right' sense of confidence... needs no elaboration at all !
3. Compassion - Mr Chung noted, 'the rational market, by its very nature, was not concerned with social justice and fairness. Capitalism should be rooted in sound ethics, but the economic system in the last couple of decades has not talked about ethics'... :(

Drop in practise of ethics, fairness and social justice have been the bane of most of ills of society. . .

Do What You Love

2012-02-08T19:40:00.001-08:00

Do what you love Vs Love what you do...

This is a nice story of an entrepreneur who gets to do what she loves !
Also, Eco friendly. Primary mode of travel, is not a car, but a bicycle :)

http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/how-to-do-what-you-love-for-a-living.html?nav=pick

Let us be responsible citizen !

Fourth Estate Times of India Vs The Hindu

2012-02-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

During my last trip to Amchi Mumbai, I had made the following comments...

Talking among newspapers, I still cannot understand why do Times of India has so many pages! They may consider it as a very hot product ! But, it is more 'humid', than that ! Fourth Estate deserves to maintain certain amount of consistent quality! Why waste paper/environment, reader's valuable time ( though he/she can choose... but do we choose really?)

But the soft copy version, was quite 'vulgar'! Once, few months into my life outside India/Mumbai, an Indian colleague commented looking at ToI website, 'people may mistake it for a porn site' ! That too from a newspaper which is a leader and has some great articles such as Speaking Tree... ( their sheer size of each edition, with its several Page 3's and beyond, would make it a serial-killer of trees!)

It is against this background I am very happy to note the entry of The Hindu to Mumbai. Yes, as a child it was not my favourite brand, as my fauji dad would insist I flip thru the newpaper, daily. Subsequently, he was critical I would start with sports page, but he was glad that I was getting hooked. But that has helped immensely, later in my life... Of course, English teachers would insist, 'read the editorial' !

I did try this out with my kid, but with very limited success :) Once in a while I would pick up the previous day's edition of The Hindu, from our newspaper vendor ( in Mumbai).

I am more delighted to see their TVC's (on NDTV). They have taken it head-on... no one, incl ToI would have expected that from Chennai's own TH !! Rajnikanth belongs there, 'mind it!!'

ATM - had so many definitions? (I am going to share with my banker-colleagues/friends...)!!
what does UPA stands for...was hilarious
Ratan Tata's successor... :)

check out :
http://www.mutiny.in/2012/01/28/wake-up-to-the-the-hindu-times-of-india-ad-war/

BCCI now be sahara

2012-02-04T02:42:00.001-08:00

Sahara has opted out of cricket sponsorship, after 11 year old association with the game, at the top level in India. Cricket is the ‘sahara’ for the average Indian fan, with Sachin, Veeru, MSD etc being their idols. Sachin’s 100th ton is a more fascinating milestone for many than the team’s prolonged misery caused by a string of losses abroad. After Sahara, who ? This is a question among many of us, fans.. who are passionate, but more aware & responsible, perhaps!I was shocked to see KFC sponsoring Aussies in their T20 ( may be more?) match. It is their choise, surely.But in India, I hope a more responsible corporate takes over from Sahara, not a fast food or anything related, like KFC/Mc Donald or Pepse/Coke ( I am not picking up on foreign brands, but the category).We don’t want the youngsters to be more addicted to these unhealthy food options. Of course, we don’t want the entire team asking, ‘have I made it big?’ Though they made it big around world cup time, the tagline is also not relevant any more J ( Of course, Yuvi’s new Birla Sunlife ad would be more appropriate to the wounded Indian cricket-tigers!) On a serious note, BCCI should be aware of this responsibility to the game and its fans. Even at the loss of few crores, get the branding right ( at least !)

Mahindra and Mahindra ad

2012-02-02T09:42:00.001-08:00

The M & M ads continue to slide in quality. The earlier featured a popular photographer... Then, a sweet dog, thankfully...But the new ad for the mega hit XUV 5 'O' 'O' ( not Zero!!), was totally unwarranted.Perhaps M&M missed a golden opportunity to back up a hit product with an inspiring ad !!

Australian Auto Industry

2012-02-01T09:19:00.001-08:00

Australian auto industry does not have a big domestic market nor a big export market, esp with rising currency. But they still have the Govt support & perhaps a cooperative union/healthy work-ethic. But their failure to design deeper, beyond modified police car or pick up, will affect the industry in the long run.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16713690

ME car industry in 2012

2012-01-31T19:37:00.001-08:00

A concise report on GCC auto marketWith high oil prices & increased social spending by Govts, demand for cars expected to be strongVV, Ford, et al are planning to leverage with increased focushttp://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-31/arab-spring-auto-sales-rise-as-shaken-regimes-spread-money-cars.html

Drive Safely

2012-01-26T01:22:00.001-08:00

FB on MB !

2012-01-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

According reports, drivers of future Mercedes-Benz cars will be able to access certain functions of Facebook and other Web hubs from their dashboards !!!!

Is it not a bit too much distraction, in a world where roads are getting more dangerous, in spite of new safety features & improved technology ?

Audi growing fastest in India

2012-01-10T19:50:00.000-08:00

While in India, read a report India is fastest fastest growing market for Audi .

Audi may increase manufacturing presence in India

Cool !

General Motors to re-capture NO.1 ?

2012-01-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

GM likely to re-capture No. 1 position

That is a pleasant surprise! This is quite a great story, if it actually happens... a whopping 9 million cars! SSpecial Number, indeed !

'GM executives have consistently said they’re more focused on making money than outselling Toyota or Volkswagen. But it does boost employee morale and gives bragging rights to the winner.'

Hope they don't lose sight of quality & customer delight, at the expense of the No.1 slot... that will only sustain the Numero Uno position in the long run

Honda

2012-01-09T20:25:00.000-08:00

Honda Motor Co., like most other leading car manufacturers, is aiming to reverse a sales decline, introduced two new entry-level Acura models and outlined plans for a high-end sports car.

The Japanese company said it expects sales of Acuras in the U.S. to jump by 45% this year to 180,000 vehicles. That comes after a 7.7% drop last year to 123,299.

Cortesy - WSJ

Rolls Royce reports most sales ever for 2011

2012-01-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

Europe is in the midst of a economic crisis... But, Rolls Royce has reported its highest annual sales in its 107-year history for 2011.
This 'British brand',now owned by BMW is still considered as the best in its category.
There is always scope for the the smarter players... even though they may be selling a lot in markets such as China.

Courtesy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FsOjB0aHmI

Car dealers blamed for crashes due to defects in KSA

2012-01-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

The Land Cruiser went out of control in Hafr Al-Batin recently following allegedly ‘a technical glitch in the cruise control system’

Let us hope it is just a stray case… Landcruiser is perhaps the single most popular car model in KSA

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article560505.ece

Tough times ahead for global car industry -Audi chief

2011-12-26T11:43:00.000-08:00

He expects China’s auto market to grow at over 8 % and luxury at over 20 %
Audi is the market leader among luxury segment in China
US sells over 2 million luxury cars – BMW & Mercedes are the top selling models
He plans to make Audi no.1, world-wide, by 2015.

Tough times ahead for auto manufacturers, but interesting time for car buyer… Let us hope, while chasing the numbers, all auto mfrers do not overlook the safety and environment responsibilities

Toyota 's plans for 2012

2011-12-17T19:22:00.000-08:00

According to reports, Toyota likely to increase production targets to 8.65 million vehicles in 2012.

The previous record was 8.53 million in 2007.

This is expected to be over 20% above current year, when production was severely hampered by earthquake, tsunami in Japan and the floods in Thailand.

Let us hope 2012 will be a disaster free year !

Ford Middle East

2011-12-16T05:03:00.001-08:00

Nothing much to share.... Hence sharing this link of Ford - ME

Ford is making the right moves, with their new launches like Ford Explorer, already making the right vibes and they are making the right push for smaller cars, Figo/Focus etc

Among the big manufacturers, they seem on a strong ground to forge ahead in 2012...

http://www.me.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1137385092786&pagename=Page&c=DFYPage&site=FME

Ford Opens Office in Riyadh

2011-11-30T19:30:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Company recently announced plans to open a branch office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The company made the announcement at a ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of Al-Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co. Ltd. (Al-Jazirah), a distributor of Ford and Lincoln cars and trucks in the Kingdom.

The office is expected to open in the second half of 2012.

"Ford is the fastest growing automotive brand in Saudi Arabia, with a record 47,000 car and truck sales projected for 2011".

History of Ford Logo : http://www.muscularmustangs.com/database2/fordlogo.php

Peugeot in KSA

2011-11-22T19:55:00.000-08:00

Peugeot has a new dealer in KSA - HHA

Surely this arrangement will help Peugeot to get into a niche segment in one of the biggest auto markets in this region. Car manufacturer stands to gain immensely by this - HHA is one of the better dealers in process excellence & customer satisfaction.

With Renault's success through the new dealer, Volvo still finding its feet, Peugeot will be an interesting competetion in this competetive market

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20111123112603

Audi launches approved used car locator in Mideast

2011-11-20T19:17:00.000-08:00

Audi is making it even easier to purchase an approved used car from its model range in the Middle East, with the November launch of its new web-based Audi Approved Vehicle locator for Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE.

The online locator is developed on a new platform that can be accessedfrom audiapproved.com and is integrated within the dealer and Audi Middle East websites.All vehicles on the Audi Approved Vehicle locator have prices and specification details including interior and exterior imagery.

check out their website : http://www.audiapproved.com/

Luxury Cars market UAE

2011-11-16T09:24:00.000-08:00

http://www.thehansindia.info/News/Article.asp?category=1&subCategory=2&ContentId=17973

Informative article.. some industry update on luxury cars & overall TIV of UAE

Porche dealer of UAE is NO.1, world wide - Cayenne is top selling model

I happened to watch a good report on CNBC autoshow aboard Jet Airways - the acnhor drove the ultimate SUV on the Himachal Pradesh roads, 'one of the toughest'. Well executed program, that was !

Luxury segment in UAE exp to hit 9% of TIV at 25 K cars, 32 % jump (16% in 2010)
Overall TIV exp to jump by 15 % to 273 K cars ( 6% in 2010).

TIV exp to grow by a healthy 13 % in 2010

new restrictions on import of used car parts

2011-11-14T03:51:00.000-08:00

perhaps this should surely improve the safety standards

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article533301.ece

Happiness

2011-11-12T19:14:00.001-08:00

"There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something" - Henry Ford

But it surely does not lie in acquiring latest cars/mobiles & other gadgets... for, happiness lies within, not outside us.

I write this seeing increasing number of cars of higher segments on Mumbai-roads... traffic getting more aggressive & less considerate about others... that is not the spirit of Mumbai

Porche (also BMW) in cruise mode

2011-10-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

Ø Luxury German sports car maker Porsche :

o profits jumped 25 percent during the first nine months of 2011.

o operating profit between January and September rose to 1.51bn euros ($2.14bn) from 1.21bn euros in the same period in 2010.

o Porsche’s turnover rose by 20 percent with sales increasing by 26 percent to 85,872 vehicles. Porche may cross the psychological figure of 100 K vehicles this year

o Growth was spread across all regions but with the largest increase being posted by China, with vehicle sales up 82 percent to 17,683 units. Total sales in the Asia/Rest of the World region, which includes the Middle East, rose by 54 percent to 31,954 vehicles.

Ø BMW also has reported positive results, with the capacity utilization at a whopping 110 % !!

VW may surpass Toyota as global No.1

2011-10-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

VW’s sales, third among carmakers in 2010, will probably rise 13 percent to 8.1 million vehicles this year, based on the average of three analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. GM sales will gain about 8 percent to 7.55 million, while Toyota will drop 9 percent to 7.27 million, according to the survey.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-24/vw-likely-to-surpass-toyota-as-biggest-carmaker-this-year.html

Global Car Sales Trend

2011-10-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

Global car sales will rise 8.5 percent to 80.7 million in 2012, according to researcher JD Power & Associates. Demand is being led by developing nations, which will expand 6.1 percent next year, compared with 1.9 percent for advanced economies, the International Monetary Fund predicts. For owners of car carriers, that means profit at a time when freighters hauling commodities are losing money.

“Who’s buying cars? That’s Brazil, that’s Russia, that’s India, that’s China,” said Ole Stenhagen, an analyst at SEB Enskilda AS in Oslo, whose recommendations on shipping companies would have returned 71 percent for investors over the past three years. “As long as you’ve got fleet growth under control, you’re set for a significant increase over the next three to five years.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-24/car-carriers-profit-from-record-global-demand-as-shipping-slumps-freight.html

How Ford jumped from No3 ( in 2008) to No 1 ( 2011) in Canada? Interesting analysis

2011-10-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

Market share jumped in three years from 12 % to 17.9%

· Ford’s global strategy to invest and to focus on small cars seem to have paid off, apart from the constraints faced by key competetors.
· Human element seems to be a key factor – whether at Allan Mullaly’s global strategy or Mondragon’s local tactics.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/mondragon-leaves-ford-canada-in-top-spot/article2213605/

Car Joke - Quattro Vs Uno...

2011-10-19T13:11:00.001-07:00

Five Germans in an Audi Quattro arrive at the Italian border. The Italian Customs Officer stops them and tells them "It'sa illegala to putta 5 people in a Quattro."

"Vot do you mean it's illegal?" asks the German driver. "Quattro meansa four" replies the Italian official. "Quattro is just ze name of zefokken automobile" the German says unbelievingly. "Look at ze dam papers: ze car is designed to karry 5 persons" "You canta pulla thata one on me!" replies the Italian customs officer. "Quattro meansa four. You have five-a people ina your car and you are thereforea breaking tha law."

The German driver replies angrily, "You idiot! Call your zupervisor over. I vant to speak to someone viz more intelligence!" "Sorry" responds the Italian officer, "He can'ta come. He'sa busy witha 2 guys in a Fiat Uno"

Tata 407 is 25 yrs youngs... Wow

2011-10-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

Tata 407 Celeberates Silver Jubilee....

Thousands of Indians have been part of that beautiful journey... truck operators to financiers ( yours truly included)

UAE automobile sales set to reach 275,000 units in 2011

2011-10-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

UAE automobile sales set to reach 275,000 units in 2011

Chinese cars set to invade Saudi market target=

2011-10-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

Chinese cars set to invade Saudi market target=

3000 cars to enter ME !

Car & Bike Show on NDTV

2011-10-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

Yet another interesting episode .... great effort by the team.

I feel C&B is a lot like this humble blog. Auto news from the perspective & expectation of a common man... these days, car is considered an essential, by the common man ! For that price and with those features, if the vehicle performs well, M&M has a sure winner.

Inspired by Cheetah ! cool...

Great effort by team M & M - let Cheetah surge ahead

Mustang Customiser

2011-09-28T12:15:00.001-07:00

Ford Mustang Customizer

http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/customizer/

Crown Victoria - Long Live !

2011-09-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

http://gulfnews.com/life-style/motoring/long-live-the-ford-crown-victoria-1.869609

Impact of Japan's quake on Middle East auto industry- a report

2011-07-28T10:00:00.001-07:00

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/28/gulf-autos-idUSL6E7IS1C020110728

While Japanese brands struggle to keep up the demand, Hyundai also seem to be behind schedules, as some markets have reported shortages

Chevrolet starts the 100 day countdown to its centennial celebrations

2011-07-27T22:05:00.001-07:00

http://www.albawaba.com/chevrolet-starts-100-day-countdown-its-centennial-celebrations-384431

BMW releases music video shot on production floor

2011-07-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Car ads are getting more techie... If Toyota, for one of their dull brands are going social networking sites, BMW has this music video shot on shop-floor !

As for this innovative initiative, the official version is:

“The appeal of the work was to develop a viable, independent, recognisable composition that only makes use of vehicle sounds, such as the blinkers, GPS voice, closing noises, seat belts, doors, safety alarm, to name but a few. The visual resolution at the end shows clearly that the percussive elements such as the bass synthesizer, the vocals and the melodies were produced by the vehicle itself,” says Bill McAndrews, Head of Communication Strategy, Corporate Communications, at the BMW Group.

Good idea... but could have been executed better, I feel !

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/videos/bmw-releases-music-video-shot-on-production-floor--410305.html

Toyota Sequoia TV Commercial Campaign launched on social media

2011-07-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Toyota is going techie, for sure....
The brand needs all channels in their efforts to rub-off the negative impact of PR fiasco !

But why ad in Dubai ?! :)

http://www.ameinfo.com/270738.html

Audi in ME

2011-07-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

A friend here ( in Middle east) says, if you drive an Audi, you can not drive any other car.

In my spiritual pursuit, I am trying to go beyond brand, luxury, et al !

Frankly I am scared to ‘upgrade’ to Audi. Don’t want to get hooked to one more brand in life !

Another friend tried to get out of ‘Apple’ addiction, IPhone, ITouch, IPad.. But was not able to & conceded defeat, with humility. Apple a day would have kept doctor away, partially at least J

Some numbers on Audi's performance, for Middle East, comprising 12 markets:

· 3725 cars sold in H1-2011

· 1531 in UAE, 681 in KSA

· Best selling models : Audi Q7 (863 units), A8 L (613 units) and Q5 (588 units), followed by A4 and A6

Source : http://www.ameinfo.com/270795.html

Android application for the Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) Toyota Fleet.

2011-07-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

Interesting, though small, developments !

http://arabnews.com/economy/article471533.ece

Hyundai Veloster to roll in Saudi Arabia & UAE soon

2011-07-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

As the market is facing shortage of popular cars from key brands, here is a key brand expected to launch another sleek machine, VELOSTAR !

If these reports are right, perfect timing indeed... as the demand may see an upswing during the Ramadan month & not many high profile launches either....

Interesting times ahead for car-enthusiasts surely!

Hyundai Veloster to roll in Saudi Arabia & UAE soon

Lexus to lose its 11-year luxury top spot in US target=

2011-07-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Lexus to lose its 11-year luxury top spot in US target=

Lexus' loss may be gain for BMW & others...

Believe it not, we are driving less, says a report

2011-07-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

According to a report in The Age, 'Peak car use - which is measured as vehicle kilometres travelled per capita - had occurred in all major Australian cities in 2004 in line with the world trend, the authors noted. In 2004, Melbourne's car use peaked at 12,410 passenger kilometres per capita. In 2009, that had dropped to 11,050'

That is quite 'GO Green' !!

http://www.theage.com.au/national/believe-it-or-not-were-driving-less-than-ever-20110709-1h7zq.html

gulfnews : Cars leaving UAE with worn tyres will be stopped

2011-07-08T00:53:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : Cars leaving UAE with worn tyres will be stopped

This is a very good initiative... Very thoughtful to check vehicles leaving the border too...

Toyota's Recall Saga

2011-07-01T00:12:00.000-07:00

Toyota is to recall more than 110,000 hybrid vehicles over concerns about a problem with the power supply circuit. The Japanese carmaker said the recall involves the Highlander hybrid and Lexus RX400h models globally. Lexus did well on JD Power rating released recently

According to experts 'rapid expansion' is considered to be the main reason for the recalls ! What a tragedy... Toyota was considered to be synonymous with quality!

Hyundai/Kia June report

2011-06-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

Hyundai & Kia duo, World's No 5 auto manufacturer registered good growth in June, 11.

While Hyundai grew by 12.3 %, Kia went up by 22 % !

Indeed, when the global auto market is coming out of a recession, people are looking for value for money. If that comes with higher style quotient, esp the new Sonata & Kia launches, buyers 'feel better'!
With US demand also looking good, an interesting H2 ahead. But there have been reports of shortage of Hyundai cars in Middle East

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/01/hyundai-sales-idUSL3E7I104M20110701

Car Re-exports

2011-06-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Car re-exports stage a quick revival

some update on re-export of cars from Middle East

JD POWER NEW RATING

2011-06-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

Quality check

J.D. Power and Associates rates these as having the fewest complaints in the first 90 days of ownership:

Subcompact

1. Honda Fit
2. Kia Rio
3. Hyundai Accent

Compact

1. (tie) Honda Civic
1. (tie) Honda Insight
3. Toyota Prius

Compact sporty

1. Mazda MX-5 Miata
2. Volkswagen Eos
3. Volkswagen GTI

Compact premium sporty*

1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet/Coup

Entry premium

1. Lexus ES
2. Acura TSX
3. Lexus IS

Midsize premium

1. Lexus GS
2. Jaguar XF
3. Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan/wagon

Midsize sporty*

1. Dodge Challenger
2. Chevrolet Camaro

Large premium

1. Lexus LS
2. Hyundai Equus
3. Porsche Panamera

Midsize

1. Honda Accord
2. Subaru Legacy
3. Toyota Camry

Large

1. Ford Taurus
2. Buick Lucerne
3. Nissan Maxima

Compact crossover/SUV

1. Honda Element
2. Honda CR-V
3. Toyota FJ Cruiser

Compact MPV*

1. Chevrolet HHR

Entry premium crossover/SUV

1. Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
2. Acura RDX
3. Volvo XC60

Midsize crossover/SUV

1. Honda Accord Crosstour
2. (tie) Dodge Durango
2. (tie) Subaru Outback Wagon

Large crossover-SUV

1. Chevrolet Tahoe
2. GMC Yukon
3. Chevrolet Suburban

Midsize premium crossover/SUV

1. Lexus RX
2. (tie) BMW X6
2. (tie) Infiniti FX-Series
2. (tie) Volvo XC70

Large premium crossover/SUV

1. Cadillac Escalade
2. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
3. Lincoln Navigator

Large pickup

1. Ford F-150 LD
2. Toyota Tundra
3. Chevrolet Avalanche

Midsize pickup

1. Honda Ridgeline
2. Nissan Frontier
3. Ram Dakota

Minivan

1. Chrysler Town & Country
2. Honda Odyssey
3. Dodge Grand Caravan
*No other model in this segment performs above the segment average

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110624/AUTO01/106240387/Ford-s-quality-ranking-plummets-in-J.D.-Power-survey#ixzz1QDf9IoaH

World car industry

2011-06-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110621035349

World car production to be 90 million by year 2018...(60 million in 2010)!!

Wow"...... But what about pollution

Dubai's car market

2011-06-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Dubai's auto market for 2010

Valued at AED 20 bn
Re-exports AED 9 bn

Courtesy - arabian business

IPhone & other ads in India

2011-05-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

I am no ad expert... Hence comments from a common man's perspective!!

I was pleasantly surprised to see an IPhone 4 tvc !! Why do they need to advertise at all. The product sells by itself. It gets the best advt thru word of mouth.

Me & a senior colleague felt we Iphoners have no privacy & face huge risk in future. We tried out competing phones. Recently he confessed, 'Iphone is addictive!'

Punch line says it all

gulfnews : 'You have to be in emerging markets'

2011-05-27T02:38:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : 'You have to be in emerging markets'

An interesting conversation with an auto expert from ME... about the situation arising out of tsunami @ Japan, in terms of supply of cars & spares... also, how they are moving in to other markets such as Saudi Arabia & India.

Tata Delight

2011-05-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Tata has launched DELIGHT, a loyalty program for commercial vehicle industry!
That is great news. This is an industry which is always low on 'sophistication-quotient'.
At the same time, hope it is simple enough for an average truck owner.
Great effort...TATA

gulfnews : Work hard and save money, Saudi magnate tells youth

2011-05-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Valuable pieces of advise for all, young & old :

......'Al Rajhi advised the 1,000-plus youths packed in the RCCI hall to work 14 hours a day if they wanted to succeed.

"If you save the money you consume in excessive use of electricity, you can buy a flat after 20 years," he said. "In the beginning my wife did not respond to my advice on power saving, but when I told her the money saved from it would be given to her, she used to put off the lights I had left on."

"It is not wise to give your children pocket money.....'

gulfnews : Work hard and save money, Saudi magnate tells youth

TOYOTA to stay on in Japan

2011-05-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

Toyota plan to continue to manufacture cars at Japan, in spite of the devastation & disruption to production. It may take a long time to get things back on track, or 'assembly line/just in time' ! Even the rising input costs or shortage of power or even unfavorable rate of Yen will not make them change them to move production out of their country. Their own CFO says, '...current environment makes it very, very difficult' !

I wonder... !

Toyota is placing their country above the interests of the shareholders. Is it fair ? Also, they want to create jobs in Japan, in these bad times... Very patriotic..!
May be they want to ensure they produce in Japan to ensure quality, esp in view of their recent recalls?? They may still pull off on cost-front with better inventory .... can it be 'better', as they are already very good ??
Higher input cost may mean the end-customer may not be getting the 'best' price...
Other key players, Nissan & Honda, seem to be making more 'prudent' business decisions..

As a global brand, should they not be focussing on giving the best quality, at best price and creating jobs where they can ensure same ?

These are the questions a customer will have... not in Japan, but in other key markets, including Middle East, where they enjoy dominant market share...

Why do we buy Luxury cars ?

2011-03-25T02:54:00.000-07:00

I always wondered why we spend extra money ( also loan-installments/interest) to buy a luxury car, when a much lower segment can fulfill the purpose.
Safety is definitely one of the reasons why we buy expensive cars. But, not just safety...

check out : http://www.livemint.com/2011/03/24221653/The-curious-economics-of-luxur.html?atype=tp
The linen shirt from Adam Smith is an good example.
NDTV recently carried a report how our neta (of 'aam admis'!) sport a Mont Blanc pen!

Why ?? for the 'social' reasons/peer pressure/et al ! ( blame it elsewhere!)
But it works as a Marketing Placebo... it enhances out performance, born out of our superiority complex!!
Interesting... !

PS - all the more reasons for the world to practice 'Ceiling on Desires, to Live SSpiritually!

Sale of cars - On Line

2011-03-11T00:49:00.000-08:00

The future of managing distribution cost... GO ONLINE, even for Car Sales...

Check out Renault plan :

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-03/renault-plans-to-start-internet-sales-to-fight-peugeot-s-low-cost-offers.html

Be Inspired

2011-02-21T10:25:00.001-08:00

If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.

- Henry Ford

Social Media Marketing Group News | LinkedIn

2011-02-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

a well compiled report...

as expected, Facebook is the most preferred for every brand!

Social Media Marketing Group News | LinkedIn

UPDATE 4-Toyota may build cut-price car for Asia in Indonesia | Reuters

2011-02-16T21:44:00.000-08:00

Auto Industry... Future Trends

UPDATE 4-Toyota may build cut-price car for Asia in Indonesia | Reuters

IndiansinKuwait.com - 22 Car dealerships: Kuwait one of world's largest auto markets

2011-02-16T21:42:00.000-08:00

A small note on Kuwait auto industry...

IndiansinKuwait.com - 22 Car dealerships: Kuwait one of world's largest auto markets

IBM's "Next Five in Five"

2011-02-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

It was interesting to note the Next Five...

Beaming up your friends in 3D - which means we will spend more time on-line ==> less time off line, more obesity, et al... !
Batteries that breathe air to power devices - we desperately need better battery technology to minimise the pollution
Computers helping energising cities
commutes that are personalised...
but what caught my attention was ORDINARY PEOPLE SAVING THE PLANET

This is most urgent need of the hour. If we depend on orgns, governments or media to dictate the pace ( or lack of it) implementation, we may need to migrate to another planet sooner than we imagined. The common man has to take the responsibility and the initiative. Each one of holds the future of our planet.

A Fund for Vintage Cars !

2011-02-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

A fund for vintage cars...not sure

But a fund for art... may work.

Both these being physical assets, still better than all the paper-chase that caused the credit crunch.

But we definitely need a fund to GO Greeeeeen.. !

» A sexy alternative – Kippreport.com

Nissan GT-R 2012 VVIP edition now in UAE & GCC | Drive Arabia : Dubai / Abu Dhabi [UAE, Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman & GCC]

2011-02-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

VVIP edition !!

Nissan GT-R 2012 VVIP edition now in UAE & GCC | Drive Arabia : Dubai / Abu Dhabi [UAE, Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman & GCC]

General Motors sees 54% surge in Saudi car sales - Energy - ArabianBusiness.com

2011-02-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

A small update on GM, ME..

yet again all indicators in percentage ! :(

General Motors sees 54% surge in Saudi car sales - Energy - ArabianBusiness.com

Ha'il Desert Challenge hits the road today - Arab News

2011-02-07T20:15:00.001-08:00

Hail Rally

Ha'il Desert Challenge hits the road today - Arab News

2011-02-07T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hail Rally

Ha'il Desert Challenge hits the road today - Arab News

BBC News - What will cars be like in the future?

2011-01-30T20:08:00.000-08:00

BBC News - What will cars be like in the future?

Toyota unveils car design contest for Saudi kids

2011-01-30T09:13:00.000-08:00

A small, but a good CSR initiative from Toyota dealer in KSA - ALJ.

Toyota unveils car design contest for Saudi kids

Ford’s GCC sales grow 28% in 2010 | AutoMiddleEast.com

2011-01-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

Ford’s GCC sales grow 28% in 2010 | AutoMiddleEast.com

interesting article on trends... trend only, as no absolute numbers !!

Qatar wealth fund to raise capital stake in Porsche - Funds - ArabianBusiness.com

2011-01-22T20:07:00.000-08:00

Qatar wealth fund to raise capital stake in Porsche - Funds - ArabianBusiness.com

Traders report surge in car sales across Gulf in 2010 - Transport - ArabianBusiness.com

2011-01-13T06:53:00.000-08:00

Middle East showing signs of recovery in Auto Sales... great news for 2011

Traders report surge in car sales across Gulf in 2010 - Transport - ArabianBusiness.com

Goutham Parekh to drive in ME series

2011-01-11T09:36:00.001-08:00

Gautham to kick off @ REEM, Riyadh! Cool !

Goutham Parekh to drive in ME series

2011-01-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

Gautham to kick off @ REEM, Riyadh! Cool !

Goutham Parekh to drive in ME series

BBC News - Rolls-Royce sales surge 'set to continue', carmaker's chief says

2011-01-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

BBC News - Rolls-Royce sales surge 'set to continue', carmaker's chief says

Ford Figo goes on sale in KSA | CarMiddleEast.com

2011-01-03T06:39:00.000-08:00

Made in India, for Middle East Market

Hope the car can handle the heat of ME and the A/c powerful enough

Ford Figo goes on sale in KSA | CarMiddleEast.com

Top international brands to take part in first Qatar Motor Show

2011-01-02T23:52:00.000-08:00

A quick update on Qatar Motor Show...

This year, the motor shows are generally low key, courtesy aftermath of the downturn in auto industry world wide..

with lesser models showcased, the interest or hype is low too

Top international brands to take part in first Qatar Motor Show

Local Press: Why do we evade Saher? - Arab News

2011-01-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

Saher is a great beginning... it may have its on shortcomings, as it is at an early stages of implementation.

As the author rightly mentions, world over authorities are struggling to control the havoc created by drunken-driving. Something we don't need to worry in KSA. But here our challenge is the 'intoxication' of over-speeding !

We should not look at it as something imposed on us, but something for our safety.

Everyone of us who gets behind the wheel has to be responsible - to himself, his family and most importantly, the society.

Local Press: Why do we evade Saher? - Arab News

CSR by a Car Dealer

2010-12-27T10:24:00.000-08:00

Glad to share this news report...Inspiring stuff... Worth emulating by all dealers...

Kudos to Gargash Enterprises...

Car Showroom to display paintings by autistic pupils

gulfnews : Cadillac working on luxury electric car

2010-12-27T10:18:00.000-08:00

gulfnews : Cadillac working on luxury electric car

Car prices in Qatar highest in region

2010-12-26T11:31:00.000-08:00

With the economic development, esp around FIFA related development, this may further deteriorate !

Qatar should take the lead ( in Middle East ) to encourage shift to greener options, including gas-based ....

Car prices in Qatar highest in region

Saudi plans $500 million car manufacturing company | Reuters

2010-12-26T10:51:00.000-08:00

That is great news... a Saudi brand of car ! With a Korean tie up..

Such a vibrant car market deserves a local brand...

Saudi plans $500 million car manufacturing company | Reuters

United Installment Sales Co. Ltd.,UIS,Abdul Latif Jameel,Toyota,Lexus,Daihatsu,Rent a car,Instalment,Lease.

2010-12-24T07:21:00.000-08:00

Special Offers on Camry 2011

United Installment Sales Co. Ltd.,UIS,Abdul Latif Jameel,Toyota,Lexus,Daihatsu,Rent a car,Instalment,Lease.

Hyundai, VW top insurance industry safe car list - Yahoo! News

2010-12-24T07:16:00.000-08:00

This is some news... While no surprise on V W, folks @ Hyundai must feel very relieved & Kia, pleasantly surprised !

Hyundai, VW top insurance industry safe car list - Yahoo! News

Hyundai Centennial (2010 - 2011) - Prices & Specs - Drive Arabia >> UAE (Dubai / Abu Dhabi), Saudi, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait & GCC

2010-12-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

Participated the test drive event at the REEM International Circuit .

Great car to drive. BMW 7,Lexus and Merc S class watch out!

This car has loads of features and value for money. If they market with the right finance package, more customers will definitely follow !

"The styling is conservative and the naming is derivative," as per expert comment :)

Check out

Hyundai Centennial (2010 - 2011) - Prices & Specs - Drive Arabia >> UAE (Dubai / Abu Dhabi), Saudi, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait & GCC:

Planet Land Rover - News - Land Rover Owner International magazine

2010-12-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

JLR update...

Planet Land Rover - News - Land Rover Owner International magazine

Crossover Cars

2010-12-20T10:29:00.000-08:00

For all car fans, esp cross overs !

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Luxury-Crossover-SUVs/

Toyota Making a Comeback Among New Car Shoppers | Internetbits - Net News

2010-12-16T01:44:00.000-08:00

When the going gets tough....

Toyota, after all the PR disasters, may eventually win over the trust for being honest about recall !

Wonder and hope other car makers are honest about it !

Driving home, just saw a group of locals pushing a Carnival ( Kia) on the road! Hence, more conscious about the safety!!

Toyota Making a Comeback Among New Car Shoppers | Internetbits - Net News

Toyota Leads Carmakers on Way to European Union Carbon Goals, Study Shows - Bloomberg

2010-11-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Toyota Leads Carmakers on Way to European Union Carbon Goals, Study Shows - Bloomberg

Bugatti launches Rs 16-crore Veyron

2010-10-29T05:34:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen-owned Bugatti Automobiles is set to launch their Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport (http://www.bugatti.com/en/grand-sport.html), super-premium car with price starting at Rs 16 crore, costliest in India till date.
Assembled by hand at Molsheim in France, 150 units would be produced of the car powered by a 16-cylinder engine. ( almost 1 CR per cylinder J!)

It can hit a top speed of 407 km an hour and reach a speed of 100 km in a little over two seconds. ( on which stretch of Indian road??? No clarification yet !)

The delivery time period for the car would be 6-8 months... Happy driving !

http://www.bugatti.com/en/veyron-16.4.html

VW on course to reach the summit

2010-10-27T23:35:00.000-07:00

VW is set to hit the no 1 slot, in sales and profitability by 2018 - DAS AUTO !

They are set to hit a new high, much more than last years record 6.29 mn cars & SUV

They will have to scale up their volumes in key markets such as India and Middle East (ME). Recently I checked with few friends here in ME about the newly launched 2011 Touareg. The response was on the familiar lines, low on re-sale value, popularity, et al... Toyota/Lexus is way ahead of the competition here.

In India too, VW has a token presence, as of now. To take on Suzukis/Tatas/Hyundais, lot of hard work....!

VW closing in on Toyota - Courtesy ET, India

PS : Volkswagen means "people's car" in German. Its current slogan is Das Auto (in EnglishThe Car). Among its largest owners are the Porche family, the Emirate of Qatar and the state of Lower Saxony ( Wikipedia)

Art from Car Parts

2010-10-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

Continuing with 'Art in Auto'...
Here is an artist who uses automobile parts to create his beautiful pieces ...

James Corbett Art from Auto Parts

Toyota loses, Honda & Nissan gains

2010-10-26T12:25:00.001-07:00

September stats

Toyota :

· The market leader is weighed down by the recall crisis… over 11.5 million vehicles, world wide..many experts feel a PR disaster! ( They still have the guts to recall, not brush under the carpet!)

· Expected overall loss – over 2 bn USD !

· Toyota’s total number dropped by 1.3 % to 672 K vehicles

Nissan Motor - global production soared 27.0 percent to 395,658 units

Honda - worldwide production rose 9.2 percent to 328,368 units

Japanese automakers, although enjoying strong sales, are struggling to cope with the yen's advance against other currencies, which erodes their overseas revenue when repatriated.

Made in India car from Maruti Suzuki

2010-10-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

India's No. 1

Saw this press report…

‘MADE IN INDIA’ Car from Maruti Suzuki, finally ! – bahut der kardee?! Should have been done much earlier considering India is one of the key markets for Suzuki and the power of Indian brain!
As a part of the company's strategy to develop and design future models in India- “the company is yet to fix a specific timeline for it," let us hope the timelines finalised so that we can see the project fructify and we can drive a Made in India car, not only in India, but here in Middle East & beyond
recruited top engineers from US auto companies in Detroit- power of Indian brain…reverse brain drain. Hope they come back with strong environmental consciousness!

The R & D centre-the first outside Japan-is coming up at Rohtak at an investment of Rs 1,500 crore. Spread over 700 acre of land, the first phase of the project is estimated to be completed by 2012. The company had stated in August 2009 that Maruti Suzuki is going to design and roll out a car that would be totally developed in India – Wow ! I hope they would come up with something closest to a zero pollution vehicle!

Ford results

2010-10-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

Ford Middle East sales rose nearly a third during the first nine months of the year, with sales in Saudi up nearly 50 percent, the US-based car marker announced on Sunday.

Sales in the GCC increased 31 percent between January and September 2010, compared to the year-earlier period, the company said.

Passenger models rose 34 percent, propelled by the introduction of the new Fusion and Taurus brands. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury SUVs and trucks remained popular, with sales up nearly 27 percent.

Saudi Arabia, the Gulf’s wealthiest state, proved the strongest market for Ford, with sales up 50 percent in the first nine months. By comparison, UAE sales were up ten percent.

“2010 has proved to be a good year for Ford,” said Larry Prein, managing director, Ford Middle East. “The strength of our product line-up is being recognised here in the region.”

Art Exhibition by Renault

2010-10-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

IT WAS INDEED A
UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE EVENT... THANKS TO RENAULT

Renault is a company that is incredibly aware of the societies around it, and it takes great care to interact with societies in other ways than simply on an automotive level. One of these ways is the art world. Renault takes pride in its history of cooperation with the art world. As a brand, it has helped to sustain and promote artists and their creations, as well as helping to position French culture in the public eye.

By being proactive in the art world, Renault sees this as an ideal way of expressing its French values and origins worldwide. Renault has fostered relationships with contemporary artists over the last 20 years, leading to the organization of a unique art exhibition from the extensive Renault Art Collection.

The exhibition demonstrated the richness of western creativity during a pivotal period in painting. Exhibiting the main abstract tendencies in western art during the 1960s - 1980s period, the event had a wide selection of almost 40 paintings from artists such as Victor Vasarely, Henri Michaux, Julio Le Parc, Juan Miro, Roberto Matta, Dominique Thiolat, and Pierre Alechinsky.

http://www.renault.com/en/renault-en-images/renault-on-video/Pages/collection-art-renault.aspx

One may think why an art exhibition by a car company ? But, is n't driving more than mere commuting ? It was an elevating experience ! As such Renault would have won over a few hardcore Toyota cusotmers too...!

There is an artist in everyone of us... There is a manager in every artist :)

‘He, who every morning plans the
transactions of the day, and follows that
plan carries a thread that will guide him
through a labyrinth of the most busy life"
- Victor Hugo

Looking for KSA’s oldest Suburban | CarMiddleEast.com

2010-10-22T04:52:00.000-07:00

Suburban is one of the most preferred brands, in this region, for families' use

Looking for KSA’s oldest Suburban | CarMiddleEast.com