New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS): Hyundai Motor India on Thursday unveiled its concept multipurpose vehicle (MPV) -- Hexa Space -- at the 11th edition of Auto Expo here and said it expects single-digit growth in the Indian car industry in 2012.
"We are showing our new concept MPV Hexa Space for the first time. It is too early to say when it could come in the market but it will take three to four years," Arvind Saxena, director (sales and marketing), Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), told reporters.
Hexa Space is an eight-seater vehicle targeted at the growing urban class. The company also showcased a new version of Sonata priced in the range of Rs 16-17 lakh which is expected to be launched by February-end. The sedan is powered by a 2.4 litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) petrol engine.
Saxena also said he hopes to see a turnaround in the auto business in the second half of the calendar year 2012 adding that he is looking forward to some interest rate cuts through government intervention.
Nissan unveils multi-purpose vehicle Evalia:Nissan unveiled its multi-utility vehicle Evalia today on the first day of the 11th Auto Expo here.
"We want to show India the depth of Nissan's global offering and that expanding range of innovative cars underlines the strategic importance of India to Nissan's future growth plans," Nissan Motor corporate vice-president Gilles Normand said. However, the company did not divulge the price or the date of launch.
According to Normand, the company's bullishness regarding the Indian market was evident by the fact that Nissan would be opening a second production unit at its Chennai plant.
"Such is the demand for products built in India that we have brought forward plans to open a second production line at our state-of-the-art Oragadam plant near Chennai," Normand said. "The second line that will open in March will create 1,500 jobs at the plant."
The company, which is displaying its popular offerings like GT-R and Leaf, said that it is weighing the market for their launch in India.
Now, Harley Davidson bikes at slashed prices: American motorcycle giant Harley Davidson today launched two locally assembled models of FXDB Street Bob and FXDC Super Glide Custom, saying it was expanding its completely knocked down (CKD) production here. The two bikes were earlier offered as Completely Built-up (CBU) imports which will now be assembled at Harley Davidson's Bawal plant in Haryana. The company has also slashed the price of the bikes.
While Street Bob will be available for Rs 9.95 lakh against the earlier price of Rs 13.95 lakh, Super Glide Customs will be sold at Rs 11.5 lakh against the earlier price of Rs 15.45 lakh.
"This is the first time, bike riders across the country will be able to lay their hands on a 1600cc bike for under Rs 10 lakh," said Anoop Prakash, managing director, Harley Davidson.
Bookings for the motorcycles at new prices began today across all the seven dealership units in India, including the recently launched showroom in Chennai. The company also said it plans to expand its operations in Kolkata, Kochi and Jaipur. Currently over 1,000 Harley Davidson bikes are on the Indian roads.
Auto Expo:The 11th edition of the Auto Expo will go on till Jan 11. The event at the sprawling Pragati Maidan promises a slew of launches and first-time exhibits of vehicles in virtually every segment, and hopes to draw some 500,000 footfalls, said the organisers.
Held every two years, the event is being co-hosted by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA).
