Force India to get assistance in aerodynamics from CRL

Force India has signed a three year agreement with Computational Research Laboratories (CRL) owned by Tata Sons for developing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solutions. The CFD solutions get utilized in the designing of F1 cars. According to the terms of the agreement Force India will be entitled to a High Performance Computing ecosystem including hardware and application support to customized configurations.


Developing CFD designs for F1 cars is a very complicated process which requires the usage of very high computing powers in order to come up with absolutely correct results. Apart from engine power the aerodynamics play an important role in enhancing the overall performance of the car making it go faster.


Going through the various CFD solutions allows engineers to understand the various airflow patterns by viewing the ways in which air flows around the car virtually. This helps the engineers to set up an aerodynamically efficient car. The designs will now be developed and processed on Eka which is currently our country's fastest supercomputer which is also ranked as the fourth fastest computer in the world in 2007.

Speaking to the media after the fomal agreement was signed, Dr.Vijay Mallya, Force India owner and liquor baron said that the team needed the speed and accuracy of a supercomputer to develop its car as the performance of racing cars get measured in one-hundredth of a second. He further said that we are happy to have found a partner right here in India and this partnership with CRL will help us access the best of technology at a much lesser cost.He admitted that Force India always had tremendous straightline speed but the problem area were the turns and curves. Mallya is hoping his team to overcome that problem with CRL's high speed computing strength.

This deal with CRL will reduce the time taken by Force India team in aerodynamically enhancing its cars as the simulations will now be developed by a supercomputer. Basically engineers get a two week gap before the next race to sort out the car's problems. If the CFD designs are developed by a supercomputer in a short time then the guys get more time to play around with the other issues of the car like tyre worries, engine or gearbox issues etc.

When questioned by the media about the possibility of an Indian driver in the Force India team, Mallya first asked the reporters why the particular question is always their primary focus. He then calmly said that the possibility of an Indian driving for Force India can come true only by virtue of a systematized program. He admit that a mission to find people is on.


Voicing his opinion about that the continual flak that he and his team faces for not having an Indian driver on board, Mallya commented that had he done something rash like allowing an Indian to drive with an incapable then also he would have come under major criticism.

GM India to showcase 6 vehicles

General Motors India will display six productiona and concept vehicles at the upcoming Auto Expo to be held at Pragati Maidan between 5th and 11th of January, 2010. The six cars which will be showcased includes the Hybrid Option Volt, the Sports Car Chevrolet Camaro, WTCC Cruze, Captiva Extreme, Spark Electric and Aveo CNG. GM's latest entry, the Chevrolet Beat and some of the existing models like the Chevrolet Cruze, Tavera, Optra, Aveo U-UA and the Spark will also join in, with the new models at the ramp.

Commenting on the display of vehicles, Mr. P. Balendran, Vice President, General Motors India said, "The Auto Expo in Delhi is the most ideal platform in India to highlight our new product range that will showcase GM’s technological advancement and innovation. The theme of our stall entitled "Inspiration to advance" will have Chevrolet brand of vehicles displayed under three categories like Performance series, Mini series and the Green series. The recently launched Chevrolet Cruze, Optra Magnum, alongside a special preview of the Captiva Extreme will set the tone, with their inspirational technology, which has been modified to suit the Indian roads. The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Cruze will also be something to look forward to. The research and the technical knowhow exhibited through the demonstration of Cruze and beat engines at the stall alongside the vehicles will connote the brands promise to deliver world class service inspired by technology.

 Making the green statement will be the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Spark- LPG, all new Aveo CNG and Spark Electric prototype which is scheduled to make its commercial launch later this year. The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tail-pipe emissions. Also on display would be the fun, efficient and the 21st century sports car- The Chevrolet Camaro, which has recently been launched globally.

Nissan confirms 370Z launch In Jan 2010!

Yes! The news is official. Nissan Motor India has formally announced that it will be launching the 370Z in the country next month. The company will be launching the car in India through the conventional CBU route.

Speaking to the media, Suresh Rangarajan, spokesperson for Nissan, said that the 370Z will be introduced in India from January and shall be third in the series of fully imported cars launched here after the X-Trail and Teana. He also said that the company has plans to introduce a fourth model in India through the CBU route but is yet to finalise the model. He did not reveal any details about the pricing of its sports coupe.

According to Kiminobu Tokuyama, CEO and Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, Nissan has a global market share of 5.67% and targets to achieve 5.5% market share in India within 3-5 years post the launch of its upcomming plant in Chennai. He further said that the plant is expected to up and running by May 2010.

When quizzed further about how Nissan intends to utilize its Chennai plant, Tokuyama said that the facility shall initially be manufacturing premium hatchback cars in the B+ segment and shall be the hub for global sourcing. He also confirmed that Nissan has taken a decision to end production of its small car Micra at its manufacturinf facility in UK and shift its production at the upcomming Chennai plant.

Nissan is also increasing its dealership network in the country. It recently unvieled a new dealership outlet in Gujrat increasing its total count in India to nine.

Nano Europa Details Revealed

What you see here in the photos is the comprehensively spruced-up version of the world’s cheapest car the Tata Nano. The Indian spec Nano is far too basic for developed markets like Europe. Hence Tata will give it a bunch of upgrades before its expected debut in 2011. Judging by the fact that maximum demand for Nano in India has been for the top end variant, Tata will most probably launch it in the home market as well.

The Europa is expected to retail for a base price of £4000 (Rs. 3.2 lakh) and upwards in the UK. It will be powered by a 60 bhp, 1-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine coupled to a 5 speed manual gearbox. It will feature an all-steel body, an all-independent rear suspension, ABS, traction control, electric power steering and twin airbags, to make it compliant with Europe’s stringent safety norms. The Europa might also get a rear door hatch to take care of the practicality issues. Back home, it will go head on against age-old rivals like the Alto, the Santro and the Spark. Stay tuned for more details…

Volkswagen-Suzuki to develop Alto replacement

Its only been a day since Volkswagen bought a stake in Suzuki but both companies have already started planning about how to make their partnership favourable for each other. Volkswagen-Suzuki is planning to launch a replacement for the Alto apart from developing small cars in the $4000-5000 range for the Indian and European markets.

Speaking to the media, R.C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, said that the company will need a car in the Rs. 2.5 lakh price range. He admitted that earlier it had the 800 and now the Alto but at some point a replacement will be needed for the Alto. He also said that the above price range comprises the entry-level segment for Indian car buyers and they can't ignore that segment.



Volkswagen is likely to launch its hatchback Polo in the country at the upcomming Auto Expo in January. Both the companies are also chalking out plans to develop electric and small cars for India and Europe which will be launched under both brands. They are specifically looking at developing a new car in the $4500 price range. Currently, the cheapest offering from the Volkswagen stables for Europe is the Up which retails for under $9000.
 
The spokesperson for Volkswagen, Fabian Mannecke, told the media that Volkswagen will be greatly interested in a car below the price segment of the Up and it is something that they will need to check in their future together with Suzuki.

Suzuki is interested in sourcing diesel engine technology from Volkswagen. Suzuki lacks behind other manufacturers in terms of diesel engines and currently sources the engines powering its cars from Fiat. The companies are also looking at developing common platforms for their future cars.

VW now owns $2.5 billion Suzuki stake

The world’s third largest auto giant known to us by the name of Volkswagen is all set to grow a bit bigger after the company reached a common understanding to establish a close long term strategic partnership. A framework has been signed today by representatives of both the companies today. The firm had already publicized its intentions to be the world’s No.1 auto giant with its team of 10 brands which include Audi, Skoda, Seat, Porsche and many more. The firm’s step will however be a give and take relationship between the German and Japanese firms. With this move, Suzuki will avail technological advances and Volkswagen will get better access and exposure into the small-car segment. According to a source with direct VW connections, the firm’s stake can easily rise to more than one-third in the future. The sources also added that the 20% stake would be worth about 250 billion yen ($2.80 billion) at current prices.



About six months ago, VW had revealed its interest in Suzuki due to its experience and dominance in the small-car segment. The move would also help VW to achieve its goal to be No.1 with the small-car segment being a key segment of competition in the present and future markets. On the other hand, Suzuki had announced that it would be very much happy to strike any sensible partnership. Before this announcement, Suzuki had lost its ties to General Motors Co. The Japanese firm initially took the GM support in the field of hybrid and next-generation technology. The firm, with the recent tie-up hopes to borrow Suzuki’s know-how for the development of s minicar platform for the Up! concept car.


Suzuki has well established its dominance in the Indian Market through “Maruti Suzuki”. On the other hand, it also dominates the unique 660cc minivehicles segment which is prevalent in its motherland, Japan. The firm is reported to have a market capitalization of $13.7 billion as compared to Volkswagen’s $45.7 billion. But however, Suzuki has been holding 20 percent of itself in treasury stock which it had bought back from GM during the years 2006 to 2008.


Volkswagen’s tie-up with Suzuki has not produced any kind of wave of surprise across the automotive industry. But however, the industry was left baffled after Suzuki Chief Executive Osamu Suzuki denied any talks of a tie-up just a month ago.

GM wants India to drive volumes

General Motors is planning to grab a larger pie of the Indian car market by expanding its product portfolio and entering new sgments. The American auto major has recently launched it's new saloon Cruze at a competetive price which is also the only diesel powered car in its segment. It is just weeks away from unveiling its small car for India- 'Chevrolet Beat'. The company has also stated earlier that it looking into the possibility of entering the light commercial vehicle segment by launching a few products from its Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation's (SAIC) stables.



According to Karl Slym, President, GM India, the company is expecting to end 2009 with sales of around 70,000 units. Revealing the company's future strategy, he said that they expect to cross sales of one lakh units in 2010 while their target is to cross 2 lakh units in 2012.



General Motors has its eyes set on India to help itself successfully recover from the economic slowdown. The company is expecting India and China whose markets are still growing to drive up volumes. Owing to its tie-up with SAIC, GM is in a comfortable position in China and wants to concentrate on India. Well, as long as GM launches good cars people will buy them increasing sales. Otherwise the manufacturer will remain in its current state. Best of Luck GM!

Rolls Royce for everyday use

Last week Rolls Royce launched the much talked about ‘Ghost’ super-luxury car, through its Mumbai dealership – Navnit Motors. The ‘Rolls Royce for everyday use’ is what the carmaker defines the Ghost as (sure!), is priced at Rs. 2.5-crore – quite economical, should you compare it to its elder sibling, the Phantom, which itself attracts a price tag of Rs. 5-crore. The launch comes in after almost a week of the Ghost’s launch in Delhi. And guess what, as the launch function was underway in Mumbai, the Delhi showroom had already accepted as many as 60 bookings for the Ghost – that’s the exact number of this model that Rolls Royce had allocated for India! Is our country progressing or what!?

A testimony to this fact comes straight from Collin Kelly’s (Asia Pacific Regional Director, Rolls Royce) mouth, as he was quotes “India will become one of the most important markets for the Ghost, as it is for Phantom in the Asia Pacific region. Rolls-Royce’s rich history in India, the brand’s return to the country in 2005 and strong economic growth has ensured that our business here has developed steadily.” The car, like most other Rolls Royce models will be made to order and for India the deliveries will commence by Q2 2010. With the allocated number of Ghosts for India already exhausted, Rolls Royce may soon need to jack up the production to meet the increasing demand in our progressing country!

VW Launches Beetle and Touareg in India

Volkswagen recently announced the launch of its trademark car Beetle alongside its SUV Touareg. The cars are a little more expensive than their close competitors as they are brought in as CBU's to the country. However they are very elegant and special to drive, and most importantly they are made by VW which in itself adds much value to the machine.

The beetle costs just over 20 lakhs (ex-showroom delhi) and the Touareg around 52 lakhs.

Look who's coming to Auto Expo 2010...

Toyota Motor Corporation announced the unveiling of the concept model of its compact car, for the Indian markets to take place next month at the annual Auto Expo show to be held in the capital, along with its hybrid variant, the Toyota Prius.

Toyota's Indian counterpart, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd, will start the compact car's production in December, next year at its second plant which is being built in Bangalore. TKM Deputy Managing Director Sandeep Singh said, "Both hatchback and sedan version of concept vehicle of the compact car will be showcased at Auto Expo in New Delhi from January 5th to 11th." "Production will start by December 2010. First year production plan is 70,000" he added.

In eleven year's of Toyota's existence in India, this compact car's project is believed to be the most ambitious and the company is betting big on this initiative to become a volume player. TKM will also be showcasing its hybrid variant, the Toyota Prius at the same event in the capial. "Prius, we are going to display and you can say we are talking about launch of the Prius", Singh said.

When asked about the price tag which will accompany the Prius, Mr. Singh declined to give any details. However, he said that the company is striving hard to convince the Government in granting some concession on duty for Toyota's Prius.

Toyota might launch the Prius along with its compact car

Toyota Kirloskar Motors is just a month's time away from showcasing its compact car for India. With the launch of its compact car Toyota wants to increase its market share by entering the small car segment which registers the higest sales in the country. The manufacturer is also planning to launch its hybrid car Prius in the country.

According to Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motors, itis a concept vehicle comming from Japan. He said that both hatchback and sedan version of the concept compact car will be showcased at the upcomming Auto Expo in January. He further said that production of the compact car is slated to begin by the end of 2010 and the manufacturer is plaanning to build around 70,000 units.

Toyota Kirloskar Motors will also be showcasing its Prius at the Auto Expo. When questioned about the possibility of its Prius being launched here, the company's Deputy MD commented that one can say we are talking about the launch of our Prius. Mr.Singh also revealed that the company is hoping the government to approve some consession for the hybrid vehicle otherwise the price of the car would be very expensive and it dosen't make sense in paying a high duty and selling it. He declined to comment on a likely price tag for the Prius.

 
The manufacturer is also vying to increase its dealer network to around 150 dealerships from its current 93 dealerships. A wider dealer network will help the company to attract more potential buyers once its compact car is launched.