India Siap Menjadi Raksasa Baru

India telah muncul sebagai pemimpin baru dalam penjualan mobil kecil, menyalip Jepang. Hal ini merupakan dampak dari penurunan permintaan mobil kecil di Eropa serta semakin kuatnya pertumbuhan industri otomotif di Asia.

Tak cuma India, China juga menonjok di Asia. Tahun depan negara yang tak lagi bisa disebut sebagai Tirai Bambu ini juga diprediski mengambil alih tampuk pimpinan Amerika Serikat sebagai penjualan mobil terbanyak di dunia.

Seperti diketahui, sejak 2007 Jepang telah menjadi negara terbesar yang memproduksi dan memperdagangkan mobil-mobil kecil. Dan apabila predisi itu terjadi maka ke depan India akan mengambil alih peran Jepang ini.

Ford, Nissan, Volkswagon, General Motors, dan China Shanghai Automotive Industries Corp yang telah mengalirkan investasi ke China bahkan mulai melirik India sebagai pusat industri mobil-mobil kecilnya.

Tak hanya untuk memenuhi kebutuhan pasar domestik India, merek-merek tersebut juga akan memusatkan India sebagai basis ekspor produk-produknya ke Asia.

"Secara prespekstif bisnis, India yang berada di tengah-tengah Asia sangat potensial dikembangkan sebagai pusat mobil kecil di Asia," kata pimpinan Ford India Michael Boneham, yang juga berencana melepas mobil kecil Figo pada kuartal kedua tahun depan.

Ford Motor Co telah menginvestasikan 500 juta dollar di India untuk pendirian pabrik di selatan kota Chennai India yang dapat membuat 200.000 mobil per tahun.

Menurut data JD Power and Associates, lebih dari 892.000 unit mobil kecil akan terjual di India hingga akhir tahun ini. Jumlah ini naik 14 persen dari tahun lalu atau diperkirakan melebihi penjualan domestik Jepang yang hanya sekitar 708.034 unit.

India yang populasi penduduknya kini menempati posisi kedua, secara total berada di urutan ke-10 dalam penjualan mobil dan truk di dunia. Tahun ini JD Power India memprediksi negara ini akan mengoleksi penjualan tahunan sebanyak 1,9 juta unit. Sedangkan China akan menembus angka total 12,3 juta unit.

Tidak seperti Cina, Rusia dan Brasil, di mana konsumennya membeli sejumlah mobil karena pertimbangan kemewahan, konsumen di India lebih menyukai mobil kecil yang harganya ekonomis.

Karena itu, hampir setengah dari mobil yang dijual di India merupakan mobil-mobil kecil, seperti Maruti Suzuki Swift, GM Spark dan Hyundai Santro. Orang India sendiri mengaku tak akan mau menghabiskan uang lebih dari 8 ribu dollar untuk membeli sebuah mobil. Bahkan untuk seorang sekelas pekerja eksekutif sekalipun.

Menhub Dukung GEA

Mobil ini merupakan mobil irit BBM. Untuk 1 liter premium bisa untuk digunakan dalam jarak tempuh 25 km hingga 30 km.

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Menhub Coba GEA

Menhub Freddy Numberi berkesempatan mencoba mobil nasional produksi PT Inka yakni GEA di pabriknya di Madiun

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Nasib Camry Setelah Ditinggal Menteri

Nama Camry semakin mencuat ketika resmi menjadi mobil dinas para menteri. Tugas Camry kini tergantikan oleh saudara semereknya Toyota Crown Royal Saloon. Lalu bagaimana nasib si Camry berikutnya setelah tidak terpakai menteri?

Diprediksikan, image Toyota Camry tidak akan terlalu berpengaruh setelah tidak digunakan menteri, karena biar bagaimanapun, Camry tetap memiliki popularitas di dunia, jauh sebelum para menteri menggunakannya 2004 lalu.

"Jangan samakan Camry dengan Toyota Crown, karena popularitas Camry tidak hanya di Indonesia, tapi hampir di seluruh dunia," ujar pengamat otomotif, Achdiat A Suhadi ketika berbincang dengan detikOto, Senin (28/12/2009)

Lihat saja bagaimana kiprah Camry di pasar Amerika, bahkan sampai di Arab Saudi. Varian sedan Toyota ini memiliki popularitas yang tidak kecil, apalagi dengan adanya varian hybrid dari Camry.

Sedangkan Toyota Crown, pria yang akrab dipanggil Dodo tersebut, sepertinya tidak melihat popularitas yang sama pada Toyota Crown. "Sepertinya hanya di Indonesia saja nama Crown berkelas," ujarnya.

Sehingga, Camry bakal tetap mendapatkan tempat bagi konsumennya, meskipun mulai tahun 2010 mendatang, sudah tidak digunakan lagi sebagai mobil menteri.

Note: Sayang mobnas ESEMKA belum ada yang produksi, bisa aja kan jadi mobil dinas menteri dan pejabat?

2010 Chrysler 300

300 Touring and 300 Limited are equipped with the 250-hp 3.5-litre V6, while 300C gets its motivation from the 360-hp 5.7-litre HEMI V8, and 300C SRT goes one better, with the 425-hp 6.1-litre HEMI V8.

Standard transmission is a 4-speed automatic. But optional on V6 models and standard on AWD and V8 models is the 5-speed automatic with Auto-Stick. Models equipped with this 5-speed debuted Chrysler’s fuel shut off technology (iDFSO), as a running change in model-year 2009.

Another recent Chrysler advance that debuted on the 300, is adaptive speed control, which uses radar to maintain a specific distance between the vehicle and the one in front of it.

This year 300 also gets a Fuel Saver Indicator (FSI), and Passive Entry. The latter is an enhancement to the remote keyless entry system, which allows you to lock and unlock the doors without having to press the transmitter lock or unlock the buttons.

Available on all Chrysler models for 2010 is the new uconnect Hands-Free Communication System, which allows you to place and receive calls over the stereo system (with your Bluetooth phone), and connect your i-Pod to the stereo via a factory-installed cable.

Pricing starts at $32,995.
Source

Porsche Announces 2010 Prices

Price-wise, one of the biggest movers is the Cayman S, which at $146,000 costs $11,300 less than the 2009 model. The entry-level 2.9 litre Cayman falls $10,400 to $114,000.

Like its Cayman cousin, the Boxster has also undergone some drastic price drops. The base Boxster now costs $105,000 (down $9800) and the 228kW Boxster S is $10,900 cheaper at $131,000. Optioning the dual-clutch PDK auto transmission on either Boxster or Cayman now costs $5300 rather than $5500.

The savings continue with the 911 range. The hard-hitting 911 GT3 undergoes the biggest price change by dropping $7700 to $273,900, while the Carrera S coupe has had $4200 slashed from its sticker price. The Carrera 4 and Targa 4 are both $3900 cheaper, and even the 911 Turbo has undergone a $900 cut in cost.

From the start of next year, metallic paint is a no-cost option across the Porsche 911 Carrera range. All prices do not include on-road costs such as dealer delivery and statutory charges.
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2010 Porsche Boxster

2010 Porsche Boxster S

# Type: Two-passenger roadster
# Price: $47,600
# Engine: 3.4-liter six-cylinder
# Horsepower: 310
# Torque: 266 pound feet
# Transmission: Six-speed manual or 7-speed PDK automatic
Brakes:
# Front: 12.52 inch disc
# Rear: 11.78 inch disc
# Steering: Power assist rack-and-pinion
# Wheels: 18-inch
# Suspension: Independent front and rear
Dimensions (inches):
# Wheelbase: 95.1
# Length: 172.4
# Height: 50.9
# Width: 70.9
Interior dimensions (inches)
# Headroom: 38.4
# Shoulder room: 51.7
# Hip room: 53.4
# Legroom: 41.6
Warranty
# Basic: Four-years or 50,000 miles
# Corrosion: 10-years
# Drivetrain: Four years or 50,000 miles
# Roadside assistance: Four-years or 50,000 miles

2010 Berger Chevrolet SS Camaro

Cost for the Berger Camaro package will run you $19,994 plus the price of a 2010 Camaro SS. Berger will produce twenty Camaros and one prototype for the 2010 model year of which they say half are already spoken for. Below I have posted photos of the official release with all the information.

2010 Berger Chevrolet Camaro SS Parts:

1. 6.2 Liter V8 Supercharged 550HP, 475fp Torque

2. Chambered Stainless Cat Back Exhaust System

3. Forgeline 3 Piece Modular Wheels 20X9.5 Front, 20X10.5 Rear,
Custom Machined Center W/2010 SS Logo

5. Pirelli P Zero Tires 275/40X20 Front, 305/35X20 Rear

6. Revised Suspension Including New Progressive Rate Springs

7. Urethane Radius Rod Bushings

8. Urethane Rear Subframe Bushings

9. Hurst Billet/Plus 2 Short Throw Shifter

10. Custom Painted Rally Stripes

11. Custom Painted Blacked-Out Tail Panel

12. Custom Painted Blacked-Out Inner Grille Area

13. SS Fender Badges Featuring 2010 SS Logo

14. Custom Styled Unique Front Grille

15. Retro Blue Front & Rear Bowtie Emblems

16. Berger Numbered Dash Plaque

17. “Prescribed Power by Berger” Engine Compartment Decal

18. Chrome by Berger Rear Emblem

19. Berger “Prescribed Power” Emblems

20. Berger SS Floor Mats

21. Fitted Berger SS Car Cover
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Toyota Planning New Hybrid Car

Toyota, the world’s biggest car manufacturer, and probably the most famous car maker in the green world (best known for their model Prius), is planning to expand its hybrid cars franchise by creating a new model which is smaller and more acceptable to people than the popular Prius. They will present the concept of the model in January on the North American International Auto Show. Toyota officials have refused to talk about the model’s specifications, but insiders came out with information that the new model will go into production in 2011.

Toyota Recalls Lexus

Some 43,000 Toyota cars in China are being recalled due to defects on their engine that may cause oil to leak, according to the Japanese carmaker.

The recall announced Friday by Toyota Motor Corp. spokesman Yuta Kaga covers Lexus ES 350, the Lexus RX 350, the Highlander sports utility vehicle and the Previa minivan. The recall is to start on Dec. 30.

The announcement caused a 0.8 percent drop in TMC stocks in the Nikkei on Friday. Share price fell to $41.17.

It was the latest recall made by TMC on its cars in China. Some months ago, the company recalled 688,000 cars with defective electric window system.
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Peugeot RCZ HYbrid4

Although the RCZ HYbrid4 is a concept for now, the French manufacturer has wasted no time in transplanting the all-wheel-drive diesel-electric powertrain from its forthcoming 3008 HYbrid4 five-door hatch – which is based on the same platform as the RCZ – into its all-new image-leading four-seater coupe.

Full specifications of the diesel-electric powertrain are still to be announced, but based on basic details released this week – and recent concepts such as the 2008 Prologue and Citroen Hypnos – PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s HYbrid4 system is known to include a conventional 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, with an electric motor at the rear axle powering the back wheels.

2009 Kia Borrego

2009 Kia Borrego first drives video:

F1 Mercedes-Benz TV commercial

F1 Mercedes-Benz TV commercial - fernando Alonso, Hamilton, Mika Hakkinen




Take a look on http://www.mercedes-benz.tv for more Information about the film incl. Making of

The song calls "I can do anything you can do better", originally performed by ANNIE OAKLEY and FRANK BUTLER

2011 BMW M5 Spy Shoot

The 2011 BMW M5 was spied undergoing testing at the Nordschleife.



BMW had introduced the next generation 5-Series sedan earlier this year. Now its M division, is concentrating on developing the flagship version of the series, the M5.


The highly anticipated M5 will debut a year after the standard 5-Series will make its first public appearance at the 2010 Geneva Show on March next year.

Source

Top 10 Cars On Sale In 2009 (2010 Model)

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid: Mercedes is now fully in the hybrid game, with more to come.


2010 Toyota Prius: The best-selling hybrid in history is better and more refined in every way.



2010 Acura ZDX: This crossover is the best-looking Acura in years.


Audi R8: A super, super car.


Mazdaspeed3: A high-powered pocket rocket in the low-$30,000s – it is both fun to drive and comfortable for the long haul.


2010 Chevrolet Camaro: Chevy did a tremendous job in reinventing the muscle car of the 1960s and early ‘70s


2010 Porsche Panamera: The four-door Porsche drives like a dream, though the controversial styling is creating some interesting comments in the blogosphere and elsewhere.


2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R: The Outback wagon and Legacy sedan are driving Subaru to record sales in Canada.



2010 Ford Fusion Sport: Ford successfully reinvented its mid-size sedan and created an excellent gasoline-electric hybrid version, as well.


2010 Volkswagen Golf: VW's best-selling model is not the cheapest car in its segment, but it has the best seats and the most refinement.
Source

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is Red Pictures

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is Red Edition

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is Red Side View

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is Red Rear View

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is Red Interior

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is Red Machine

2010 Aston Martin Carbon Black Special Editions

2010 Aston Martin Carbon Black Special Editions

2010 Aston Martin Carbon Black Special Editions Interior

2010 Aston Martin Carbon Black Special Editions Wheel View

2009 Hyundai Genesis Interior Picture

2009 Hyundai Genesis is a great highway has quiet interior, comfortable ride quality and solid V6 power.
Don't worry with your long distance...

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

base price $19,734

Powertrain
engine 16-valve DOHC I-4
displacement 2.4 liters (146 cu in)
horsepower 185 hp @ 6500 rpm
torque 170 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
transmission type 6-speed manual
drive Front-wheel

Chassis
steering Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
suspension, front Strut-type, coil springs
Suspension, Rear Multilink, coil springs
brakes f/r Vented discs/discs, ABS
tires Dunlop SP Sport
tire size 215/60VR-16

Measurements
L x W x H 183.1 x 71.7 x 58.3 in
wheelbase 106.3 in
track f/r 61.6/61.6 in
weight 3241 lb
FUEL mileage 21/31 mpg (est.)

The Chevrolet Volt Dance

GM's official dance routine performed at the LA Auto Show and set to the official song "Chevy Volt and Me." To learn about and follow the Volt, go to http://gm-volt.com.
So yo think you can dance? Just watch the video below

AXA Launches Car Insurance Claims App

As just a third of drivers admit to knowing what to do should they be involved in an accident, AXA Insurance, one of the UK's largest insurers, has this week launched a motor insurance claims iPhone app to help.

The application, available now from the Apple iTunes app store, will help motorists involved in an accident get through the stressful and often confusing process of dealing with details at the scene of the crash as well as help the whole claims process run more smoothly.

The innovative and easy to use app is one of the first of its kind in the UK and is available free to both AXA customers and non-customers. It can be used to store personal and policy information, capture photos of any damage following an accident, enter details of any witnesses and exchange details with other drivers. Using GPS technology, the app will record key information about the accident such as the location and the time.

For AXA customers, it has the unique feature of locating and contacting the closest approved repairer to come collect the customer and their vehicle if it is un-drivable. Customers can also notify the claim there and then by emailing the info to the claims team who will then call the customer back within 2 hours (during normal office hours). For those interested in obtaining insurance with AXA, the app also has a quote function.

Understanding the claims process

Consumer research from AXA shows that motorists are confused about the correct procedures following an accident with only 34% claiming to be confident they know exactly what to do.

Around a quarter of drivers (27%) would not think to swap name, address and phone number with the other driver or take down their registration plate.

Although 84% say they would swap insurance details with the other driver, in reality this is less likely to happen with only 15% of drivers having their insurance details on them. A worrying 3% of motorists admitted to not having insurance.

Around 13% would apologise to the other driver - something insurers advise against - and 5% said they would automatically blame the other driver!

Two thirds (66%) of people would think about getting witnesses to the accident, while just over a third would phone the police.

When it comes to the detail of the accident, which can help settle a claim quickly and effectively:

Only two thirds (68%) would consider noting the date and the time

Less than half (45%) would note the weather, visibility, lighting conditions

Just 57% would take photos of the accident

Less than half (41%) would get the name, address and phone numbers of any passengers
Source

Car Insurance A High Price To Pay For Drink Driving This Christmas

Motorists who are convicted of drink driving could find themselves unable to get car insurance in the future, so they should avoid driving after a festive tipple this Christmas, moneysupermarket.com has warned.

If being convicted of driving having had too much to drink does not leave the driver completely uninsurable, then they could find that their car insurance premiums double, the price comparison website said.

As many as one in eight drivers admitted to driving after drinking what they thought was 'over the limit', a study from the Home Office found.

Some of the UK's biggest car insurance companies will still offer cover to convicted drink drivers, research carried out by moneysupermarket found, but they will pay the price for their crime as the average car insurance premium of a convicted drink driver increases from £300 to £578 a year – a £278 difference for the sake of having that drink.

Meanwhile, other car insurance providers said that they would refuse to even offer a quote to drivers who have been caught drink driving, and others will not cover motorists for five years after they have been banned from driving.
Source

2010 Audi S4

The redesigned 2010 Audi S4 is longer, wider and more aggressive than the last S4 offered in 2008.

For 2010, Audi has rethought the S4, opting for a supercharged 333-horsepower 3.0-liter V6, lengthening the wheelbase 7 inches and the car 5 inches overall, and cutting the price by $4360 to $46,725. The new design has also moved the engine back so it is centered over the front axle, not far out in front of it. The car is still a bit nose heavy, with 55 percent of the weight up front, but it feels much better balanced.

One turn behind the wheel revealed the new S4 is far more fun to drive than its predecessor (last offered in 2008). The steering is simply marvelous. Though a tad light, it offers immediate response and lots of road feel. The car turns in impressively well, handling like a car much smaller than its 4000 pound curb weight. It gathers itself quickly in fast changes of direction, and remains very flat in hard cornering.



Inside, the 2010 Audi S4 comes with aluminum trim, an S4-badged steering wheel and a black headliner. The optional 505-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system rocks.
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2010 Senner Audi R8 Super Sport

2010 Senner Audi R8 Super Sport Front Angle View

2010 Senner Audi R8 Super Sport Rear View

2010 Senner Audi R8 Super Sport Side View

2010 Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line

2010 Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line Front View

2010 Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line Rear View

2010 Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line Interior View

Hyundai to Set Up $400 Million Joint Venture

Hyundai Motor Co. said Sunday that it will set up a joint venture next year with a Chinese auto maker to better meet rising demand for commercial vehicles.

Hyundai Motor and Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer Baotou Bei Ben Heavy-Duty Truck Co. will invest a total of $400 million to set up a 50-50 joint venture and the Korean car maker said it aims to sell 100,000 units of heavy-duty trucks in China in 2014.

"Our business in China will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our global sales target of 200,000 units in commercial vehicles by 2013," Choi Han-young, Hyundai's vice chairman, said.
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Volvo C30 On The Road

This C30 Concept car from Volvo is, as you can see, totally electric. It only has a range of 93 miles, top speed of 81 miles per hour, and it will take eight hours for a full charge.



Volvo has built versions of the C30 with efficient diesel engines, plug-in hybrid powerplants, flex-fuel ICEs, and pure electric drivetrains. It's the all-electric version that will get some extra attention at the Detroit Auto Show next month with Volvo's announcement today that it will build at least 50 versions of the all-electric C30 hatchback. The cars will be made next year and are due to start real-world tests in 2011.

Volkswagen Launches Touareg TDI BlueMotion in Europe

Volkswagen has been introducing low CO2-emitting variants of several of its mainstream car models under the BlueMotion banner. The latest addition to that lineup is the big Touareg SUV which is getting some tweaks to reduce its fuel consumption. Like its smaller siblings, the Touareg.

The 225 hp 3.0-liter V6 diesel earns a 28.3 mpg (U.S.) rating on the EU combined driving cycle. That’s a 10 percent boost over the standard Touareg TDI with the same engine. That’s also an improvement over the 26.1 mpg (U.S.) of the recently demonstrated Touareg hybrid. Europeans will be able to get the Touareg TDI BlueMotion for €50,450 effective immediately.
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2010 Volkswagen GTI

2010 Volkswagen GTI: The perfect blend of performance, handling and even luxury.
More pictures at here

Volkswagen Move On DAX

Volkswagen will replace the company's ordinary on Germany's DAX stock index, effective Dec. 23, the company said Friday.

Deutsche Bourse made the move following Qatar Holding's announcement that it raised its stake in the German car maker to 17% from 6.8%, part of a long-term strategic investment by the sovereign fund.

2010 Volvo C30 BEV Pictures

2010 Volvo C30 BEV Front View

2010 Volvo C30 BEV Side View

2010 Volvo C30 BEV Rear View

2010 Volvo C30 BEV Interior View