Rising Demand of Indian Cars in The Overseas Market

Demand for Indian cars in the overseas market is on the rise. Indian car makers are expanding their overseas presence more fiercely than ever, and that too at a time when global automakers are busy buffering themselves against soaring fuel prices. This has been reflected in the exports figures of the recently ended fiscal report. Export of Indian cars witnessed a robust 33.23 per cent growth.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), export of Indian cars from the passenger car segment touched a figure of 4,41,710 units in FY10 against 3,31,535 units in the previous financial year. The increase was primarily driven by the demand for Indian cars in the small car category in the European nations, which offered handsome incentives to those buying new cars in exchange of their old ones under a “scrappage incentive program.”

Indian car makers who reaped the maximum benefits from this incentive program included Hyundai Motor India and Maruti Suzuki India. On an overall basis, export of Indian cars grew by 17.90 per cent at 18,04,619 units in 2009-2010, which was at 15,30,594 units in 2008-09.

However, in a not-so-interesting recent turn of events, the scrappage incentive program got withdrawn from the European nations, and now the Indian auto industry experts and car manufacturers fear that this will hit the export of Indian cars to the overseas market rather badly. Another reason that is being sited for the prospective slump in the export of the Indian cars is the recent rise in demand for Indian cars in the domestic market.

Indian car market is poised to grow by an impressive 12-15 per cent this year, and the production facilities of the major car manufacturers are already in stretch and are struggling to meet the rising domestic demand. Now, whether the car majors are successful in living up to the demand of Indian car market while delivering a decent export figures at the same time, only time will tell.

Audi Introduces R8 GT – The Fastest Road-Going Supercar

Weight loss + power gain = lightning pace is the new equation for the recently unveiled Audi R8 GT. After the phenomenal launch of Audi R8 in 2006, Audi R8 GT is now here to enthrall car lovers across the world with a fantastic blend of functionality and everyday practicality.

The all new GT version of Audi R8 has shed loads of weight. It is lighter than the previous version by 100 kg, and at 1,525kg, offers a better road performance with 552bhp and 398lb/ft of torque. The V10 engine configuration is capable of producing an amazing speed of up to 320 kph, and an acceleration of up to 0-100 kph in 3.6 seconds. No wonder, it is said the fastest road-going Audi ever! The supercar also boasts of a state-of-the-art R-Tronic sequential manual transmission.

Coming to the bodywork, Audi engineers has left no stone unturned to make this V10 powered coupe look stunning. They have put in some top-class sinister touches to it, and added the new carbon fiber ‘sideblades’, carbon-fibre splitter, and customary rear diffuser to rightfully set it class apart. Revamped side air ducts, smaller mirrors, and a superbly reworked rear design with a fixed wing and larger diffuser are some of the other striking features of this new Audi R8 GT car.

Audi R8 GT will be available in the following four colors:

- Samoa Orange metallic
- Suzuka Grey metallic
- Ice Silver metallic
- Phantom Black pearl

For the time being, only 333 units of the new GT version of Audi R8 will be made available to the markets worldwide. So, car lovers be on your toes. Grab a GT for yourself before they fly off the (t)racks!

Transform Your Car with Trendy Car Graphics

A sophisticated no-fuss look works great for traditional car lovers, but why go all bland when there is so much to do with your car's looks and finish? New-age car lovers are going gaga over the newest trend in car makeover – car graphics, the ultimate way to transform a car into a stylish, ravishing machine.

Car graphics, unlike most other car accessories, give your car a distinct identity. The moment you take your motor out from your garage, an aura is created that is so very unmistakable. Car graphics and decals if taken well care of, lasts you for long. There are modern techniques that make car graphics more durable and resistant to the sun's UV rays and any kind of harsh weather conditions. But if you are in interested in trying new things after every few months, then there's always an option.

Car graphics and car stickers come in a wide range of colors, styles and designs. They vary from car lettering to stripes to digitally printed car wraps. Car graphics are normally of very high resolution, and are designed to give you car a more stylized and personalized look. The most popular car graphics include shred, flames, dragon, tribal, car decals in the shape of a dragon, blade series, logos for the entire side, tear or shred car decals, specific car decals, hood car decals and full color car graphics.

Car graphics in the theme of hunting and racing are more popular amongst men, while women generally prefer scenery based and floral car graphics. Nature inspired car stickers are also an all-time favorite with the girls who are crazy about cars. But if you want to tread off the beaten track, then go for car graphic messages. Messages written on the car body serve as a great way to flaunt one's creativity. Besides, there are reflective car graphics and car stickers that are helpful in preventing any kind of mishap at night.

Following are the three major types of car graphics:

- Race Car Graphics: The ultimate desire of the sport aficionados.
- Custom Car Graphics: Perfect for those who want to do it in their own way.
- Vinyl Car Graphics: The most effective and easy-to-install car graphics.

Indian Auto Industry Sales Report for April 2010

After a stunning year-end performance in March 2010, Indian auto industry once again recorded an impressive growth in April 2010. Despite the recent price hikes and discontinuation of some car models in 13 big cities across the country due to BS 4 implications, all major car makers managed to increase their sales during this period. Almost all of them posted double digit growth figures that took the total sales of the domestic car market to a new height altogether.

Maruti Suzuki India reported a significant growth of 29.70% in total sales at 93,058 units as compared to 71,748 units sold during the corresponding period last year.

Tata Motors registered a 52.47% increase in total vehicles sales at 57,202 units, as compared to 37,518 units in the same month last year.

April 2010 total sales for Ford India witnessed a three-fold jump at 7,509 units. The company cited the good response to its small car recent launch Figo for this growth performance. It sold 2,034 vehicles during the corresponding period last year.

Hyundai Motor took its total sales figure for April 2010 to 52,020 units from 44,370 units in the same period previous year, which is a growth by 17.24%.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the Indian subsidy of Toyota registered a growth of 77.23% at 6,001 units against 3,386 units in the corresponding period previous year.

In the two wheeler segment, market leader Hero Honda put up a plateau performance. It managed to sell only 3,71,652 units as compared to 3,70,575 units in April 2009.

Suzuki Motorcycle India reported a growth of 53.22% in sales in April 2010. It sold 20,771 units compared to 13,556 units in the same period last year.

TVS Motor Company posted a 27.91% rise in sales at 1,44,689 units compared to 1,13,119 units in April last year.

Finally, India Yamaha Motor, regardless of premium pricing of its motorbikes, registered a growth of 42.01% in sales. It sold 24,960 units as compared to 17,576 units in the same month last year.