Honda sends legal notice to Maruti over SX4 ad

Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) has sent a legal notice to Maruti Suzuki over an SX4 ad published in a newspaper in Chandigarh in November 2008. According to Honda, the ad, which compares the Maruti SX4 with the Honda City, shows inaccurate data to make the City appear inferior to the SX4. The company claims that Maruti has misrepresented both the Honda City’s size and audio system details in the ad, which it says is an unfair trade practice. Maruti hasn’t yet responded to the notice.

Fiat launches Linea

Fiat India Automobiles Limited (FIAL) launched its very stylish mid-segment sedan, the Fiat Linea, yesterday. The Linea was first launched in Turkey, and is already being sold in over 50 countries across the world. It has received rave reviews from all quarters and even walked away with two awards at the UTVi Autocar Awards held in Mumbai last week. It will be available in four colours in India– Flamenco Red, Minimal Grey, Perla Champagne and Hip Hop Black, and will have both petrol and diesel variants. The Linea, being produced at Fiat’s Ranjangaon plant, is the first of the three cars that Fiat was to launch this year, the other two being the Bravo and the Grande Punto.

Fiat to launch low-cost car by 2012

Fiat India Automobiles Limited (FIAL) is planning to launch a low-cost, small car in India by the year 2012. The car will be produced at Fiat’s Ranjangaon facility near Pune, which also produces the Palio and the Linea. It will have the Tata Indica, the Maruti Suzuki Alto and the Hyundai Santro as competitors. Fiat is also considering adding the 1.6-litre Multijet diesel engine to its Ranjangaon assembly line (along with the already-in-place 1.3 litre Multijet).
The 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engine is currently being used in the Palio, the Linea and the Tata Indica Vista. Also, if reports are to be believed, it will soon be supplied to GM’s Talegaon plant, though Fiat’s representatives have refused to confirm this. Maruti Suzuki is already producing the 1.3L multijet at its Manesar plant as part of a licensing pact with Fiat.

HDFC Bank to lower interest rates on car loans

HDFC Bank has decided to lower interest rates on vehicle loans by up to 150 basis points, starting from today. While passenger car and commercial vehicle loans will be cheaper by 125 basis points, loans on two-wheelers will be cheaper by 150 basis points. The bank has taken the step in an attempt to provide a much-needed push to dwindling car sales.

Honda sends legal notice to Maruti over SX4 ad

Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) has sent a legal notice to Maruti Suzuki over an SX4 ad published in a newspaper in Chandigarh in November 2008. According to Honda, the ad, which compares the Maruti SX4 with the Honda City, shows inaccurate data to make the City appear inferior to the SX4. The company claims that Maruti has misrepresented both the Honda City’s size and audio system details in the ad, which it says is an unfair trade practice. Maruti hasn’t yet responded to the notice.

Porsche to bring Cayenne diesel to India

German luxury car maker Porsche is planning to introduce its new SUV, the Cayenne diesel, to India. The Cayenne will be equipped with a 3-litre V6 turbo diesel engine with a horsepower of 240. It is currently being produced in Leipzig, Germany, and talks are underway to bring it to Asian markets soon. The car will initially be available only in selected European markets.