Nano sales jump 18% as outlets triple

The number of Tata Motors’ exclusive Nano outlets have tripled to 240 in a year, helping the sale of the low-priced small car stabilise around 6,000 units a month. Though it is still much less than initial expectations, the Nano sales have risen 18% year-on-year following strong retail

initiatives.

Even as the company plans a diesel variant, a CNG variant and a bigger version of the Nano, it works intensely on its retail strategy. The company added 160 exclusive Nano sales points in 2012, mainly in small towns.
The company had earlier set a target of setting up 300 Nano touch points. However, Ranjit Yadav, the new president of Tata Motors passenger vehicle division, said the company does not follow such targets now.
“The existing Nano outlets have the potential to push sales up by 50%,” said Yadav. “We want to fully tap their potential. Expansion of exclusive Nano outlets will be determined by market demand.”
At present, Tata Motors has 1,000 car dealership outlets and 900 authorised service centres. In an effort to improve customer engagement, the company is revamping its showrooms. “We will revamp 4-5 dealerships in key metros this quarter. A significant investment is going into this effort,” said Yadav.
After launching three products — new Indigo Manza, Safari Storme and Aria Pure LX — in the last quarter, Tata Motors is planning a few launches more this financial year. The CNG version of Nano is likely to be launched in a month.
The number of Tata Motors’ exclusive Nano outlets have tripled to 240 in a year, helping the sale of the low-priced small car stabilise around 6,000 units a month.

QNX's Watson-connected Porsche 911, hands-on (video)

Remember that QNX-loaded Porsche 911 we sat down with (in?) at CES? Well, it's back and it learned a few new tricks en route to New Amsterdam York City. The car-friendly software company got its hooks into AT&T's Watson Speech API and used it to power a new voice-command system for it's own take on the "virtual assistant." Using the new speech recognition tool and Ma Bell's LTE network QNX was able to pull up websites, find a Starbucks (though, in New York City you'd have to be blind to not find one) and place calls. All in all, the demo wasn't too different from what we saw in Vegas in January -- in fact, we wouldn't be surprised to find out that Porsche was also utilizing Watson, long before it was announced. For a familiar, but still interesting demo, check out the video after the break.

QNX's Watson-connected Porsche 911

Ford Focus Electric test drive and MyFord Mobile hands-on

 (video)

This is the production version of Ford's Focus Electric for the US market, and we got the chance to take it for a proper test drive last week. Don't fret, though -- Engadget hasn't suddenly turned into a car site. While we'll be happy to share our driving impressions, we're mostly interested in how Ford interfaces the vehicle with our favorite mobile devices and social networks -- tech that we've covered before, known asMyFord Mobile. Hit the break for the details, including our hands-on video.

We enjoyed driving the 76-mile range Focus Electric -- our three-mile loop downtown San Francisco even included some of the city's famous hills. As you'd expect, the electric motor provides plenty of (computer-modulated) torque, even with four people on board. Behind the wheel, the car feels much less appliance-like than Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid and a bit more refined and engaging than the Chevy Volt. The cockpit layout shuns the sci-fi approach for a more traditional, driver-centric environment.

Steering and handling are the best we've experienced amongst mainstream EVs -- attributes that the Focus Electric likely inherits from its gasoline-engined twin. With some of the 23kWh battery pack's Li-ion cells under the trunk, weight distribution is supposedly close to 50/50, which is rare for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. As a result, Ford engineers have tuned the suspension to minimize oversteer during throttle lift-off. The dynamic character of the car doesn't detract from making it a comfortable ride, and the brakes get the job done without any regen weirdness.

As you'll recall, the Focus Electric features an embedded wireless data connection using AT&T's networkwhich enables remote vehicle monitoring and control. The MyFord Mobile app lets you connect to the car from your iOS, Android and BlackBerry smartphone (or from a Web portal) to check the battery status and range, to initiate charging (if the EV's already plugged in) and to adjust the climate control (to set cabin temperature ahead of time, while still on the grid). It also allows you to plan trips by taking into account the location of charging stations and by knowing your vehicle's current position.

In addition, the app also coaches you by providing feedback on your driving style (we managed to reclaim 74% of the energy we used during our test drive, despite our heavy foot). All this is complemented by a generous serving of social networking integration -- letting you share routes, driving scores and achievements with friends via Twitter, Facebook and email. The app also incorporates Microsoft-powered Value Charging which automatically refills your battery pack (in 3-4 hours at 240V) when the utility rates are the lowest each day.

Watch our hands-on video above in which Bill Frykman demos the MyFord Mobile app right after we took the car for a spin. The Ford Focus Electric is available now for $39,200 plus a $795 destination charge.

flying car Pal-V One

Is it a car? A helicopter? A plane? Actually, the Pal-V One ($TBA) combines elements of all three. This three-wheeled gyroplane drives like a sports car on the ground — with an 8-second 0-60 time and 112 mph top speed to prove it — but in just minutes, the single rotor, propeller, and rear wings extend, enabling the vehicle to take off and land in very tight spaces, while travelling up to 4,000 feet under the power of the flight-tested gasoline engine, and flying up to 300 miles away. Hitting the friendly skies near you in 2014.

Renault Duster

Expected: early-2012 Price: Rs. 7-10 lakh

The Duster is a flashy new mini-SUV from Renault that will be out on our roads sometime in early-2012 and is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 7-10 lakh. Available in 1.6 litre petrol and a 1.5 litre diesel engine options, the Duster will be a sub-10 lakh rupee soft-roader which can take a fair bit of rough terrain but not serious off-roading.

There will be two diesel engines on offer, one with 90 horses while the other one will be the more powerful 107 version for the enthusiasts. The Duster is based on the same platform as the Logan and the highlights of the car include impressive cabin space, good ride quality and respectable performance with solid built quality. For more beef on Renault's second SUV offering for India, check out our special feature that highlights all the salient features and well-defined proportions of this light, but very capable SUV

Mahindra Ssangyong Korando

The mid-sized SUV from the Ssangyong-Mahindra stable is expected to be in the country by mid-2012 with an expected price to be around Rs.15 lakhs

After the successful launch of the much awaited global SUV from Mahindra, the XUV 5OO, Mahindra will launch a mid-sizer with its south Korean partner, Ssangyong, the Korando. The Korando is expected to be available in the country with a two liter, four cylinder in line with a variable geometry turbo option for a diesel version. The maximum power output of the Korando is expected to be around 175 PS at 4000 rpm and 360 Nm of torque at 2000 to 3000 rpm. Both automatic and manual should also be available.

Chevrolet Sail coming your way in mid-2012

GM India has confirmed the launch of the Chevrolet Sail small car around the July to September period this year

In 2011, we spotted the next-generation Chevrolet UV/A that will be called the Sail, testing in India. The car was later unveiled at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. General Motors India (GMI) has now confirmed its plans of launching the Chevrolet Sail during the third quarter of 2012. The launch is set to take place sometime between July and September this year. 

Expect the Sail to hit the market with the same 1.2-litre petrol engine that does duty in the Chevrolet Beat to take advantage of the excise duty cut for sub 1,200cc. This means the new Sail will take on the premium hatchback segment and go head to head with the likes of the bestselling Maruti Suzuki Swift, the Maruti Suzuki Ritz, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 and Fiat Grande Punto. 

Chevrolet is also likely to plant the 1.4-litre petrol engine from its Aveo sedan in the Sail for those who seek more power. But if more power is the idea, then the 1.6-litre petrol engine from the Optra Magnum would have been a more lip-smacking  alternative. If such a thing happens, then the 1.6-litre variant of the upcoming Chevrolet Sail will take on the 1.6-litre versions of the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia. 

GMI has confirmed their plans for a diesel motor for the Sail and have said that they will lay emphasis on diesel variants of the car. However, considering the near 50 percent demand for diesel passenger vehicles in India, Chevrolet will have to rummage through the massive General Motors global portfolio to source a diesel motor under 1,500cc to plonk under the hood of the upcoming Sail hatchback. 

As can be seen from the pictures here, the new Sail is not a bad looking car with its sharp styling features, and that wide front grille reflects the current Chevy design language. Although, it keeps up with the times, a few more progressive design cues like those on the Beat would be appreciated. 

Another key criterion for the Sail to succeed in India will be its interiors and trim levels. While the current Aveo UV/A may have  an extremely spacious passenger cabin, however, it is not attractive in anyway. It would do Chevrolet good to spice up the interiors with dual-tone upholstery, chrome detailing and better plastics as well as fit and finish. Also, the new car should come loaded with equipment at par, if not more, than its rivals.

If Chevrolet takes care of all the details, big and small, the upcoming Sail with its spacious cabin and attractive design language can be a serious competitor in our potent premium hatchback market.  

Chevrolet’s other plans for India includes launching the new Captiva and a Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in 2012. GMI is also planning to increase the current 6.5 percent market share of Chevrolet in India.

“The high interest rates and the rise in fuel prices had made the market sluggish but we expect it to improve shortly. We hope to increase our market share significantly," said Managing Director L.C. Paddock.