Honda Siel Cars Limited will be exporting the just launched Honda Brio car to countries around India such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc where the same right hand drive configuration works. Honda is looking to exports for the bolstering of the company’s operation in India and increase its profitability. Honda does not have a diesel engine in India and thanks to sky rocketing petrol prices, there has been a big shift towards diesel which is sold at subsidized prices. Honda is developing small diesel engines but by then diesel could be decontrolled.
Yearly Archives: 2011
First of all let us tell you that the new 4008 SUV from Peugeot is not coming to India. Now that that bit is out of the way let us get on with describing the new SUV that will soon hit European markets. It is based on the 4007 platform and is a wee bit shorter despite maintaining the long wheel base. It will come with a selection of 4 engines and in two and four wheel drive formats. Europe is likely to get only diesel options, at least for now.
The Tata Group owned Land Rover company in the UK is all set to introduce the fourth generation Range Rover that will take the said vehicle to a new level of technological advancement. The styling of the vehicle will have cues from the Range Rover Evoque; the face of the new Range Rover and the slightly backward slanting new roof are the dead give away. The Range Rover will use an aluminium monocoque which makes the SUV lighter than the existing Range Rover despite it being significantly bigger. There will be a range of petrol and diesel engines that will have the V6 and V8 configurations with the top end petrol V8 even having super charging to bump up power and torque. The new Range Rover will share crash structures and electrical architecture with sister group Jaguar’s new XJ. The interiors will have comfort and craftsmanship of the best British iconic cars such as the Bentley. The new Range Rover will go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2012. And since Tata brings the Range Rover as a CBU in India launch will not be very far away as well, especially with the Range Rover Evoque all set to come before the end of this calender year.
Picture Courtesy: Autocar India.com
Sanjeev Bhushan writes:
I had posted a review on the ever growing social networking website about one of my more preferred stores for purchasing value, comfort and performance adding parts for my car. What do you know, a day later, I send a batch sms to my colleagues asking for a hang-out. And this guy texts me asking if I would do a write-up on the experiences I have had with this dealership or should I say, brand-name. I was more than willing to write about the brand, the store, the people, the facilities, the choices, the quality, the trust and much more that was attached to a place named Siremull Hirachand’s Tyrestore.
I was a small kid back in the late 1990s when my dad had a trusty old Amabassador that was done up to the level it is being sold today by HM. All it lacked was a good set of rubber to keep her feet steady on the road. We had roamed around Bombay(Now Mumbai for most people. I still prefer to call it Bombay) for a good set of tyres that was demanded by the powerful Isuzu 2.4 litre engine that was retrofitted. We had to roam around for a week to find good tyres. We owned four more ambys, a Contessa and a Ford Escort before moving on. MRF’s ZVTS were good enough for the Escort and we were too attached to the MRF brand image to move on. So when we got ourselves the next non-amby car in the early 21st Century, we were worried on finding the right store for the new babe in the garage. The only two changes were the car make and the city. Madras was not among the auto-hubs in 2000. The Opel Astra Club 1.7 TD with Intercooler was one beauty of a vehicle and a beast inside the hood. A true car enthusiast who loves driving would definitely quote it in one of the best cars of its age. After a couple of days, we finally dropped in on Greams Road to give it one last shot. First thing we noticed was Siremull Hirachand’s Tyrestore. So my dad said that we would check if something fitting was available to replace the MRFs that were on her at the same time be good enough to handle her power. We were recommended to change over to a set of Michelins. The first thing we noticed on the highway drive was the reduction in road noise as described by the people at Tyrestore and that was the start of a relationship between us and Tyrestore.
A decade later, the air is filled with friendly selling methodology, a educative description of the options and the choices one has, a demonstration if need be, the best in technology, the best in quality direct from the manufacturers of the best tyres you could dream of for your baby, and the only thing that has changed to date, is the location of the store from times I’ve known.
Sanjeev with his Silver Aerion
A decade earlier, we owned a Lancer and as usual, we went to Tyrestore for a tyre change. We were advised to fit Michelin Pilot Preceda Tyres, a luxury back then. Being told that the performance and comfort was better than other tyres, my dad and I were ready for experimenting. Comfort has no value. A few hundreds above the norm was not a parameter to pull people who like their cars down. And there went the love affair with Michelin to the next step. Deepak, his dad and Tyrestore played cupid. Now, fifteen years and twenty cars later, every vehicle that I buy, the first thing we do, get the vehicle across to Tyrestore, fit on the most appropriate Michelin tyres that we can get. Every brand has its own image promoters and Michelin has the best with Tyrestore.
The first store to get Nitrogen air for filling tyres in India, the first store to get a automated tyre fitment machine, wheel balancers, alignment done to perfection, etc; you name it, you get it at Tyrestore. I felt a little off my comfort zone buying car-care products outside with other people but now, I can get them here as well.
If ever you need some new tyre specification that is not available in India but elsewhere, you know the place to get it down here, delivered with utmost care and courteousness.
From Ambys to Rolls Royce, from Tata to MAN-FM, from Bajaj to Harley-Davidson, if ever you wanted something that has rubber on it and your vehicle needs it badly, Tyrestore is the best place to be at.
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Riot Engine would like to thank Sanjeev Bhushan for his time. If you you’ve had a different experience with this business, or any other brand, dealer, service center, please do send us a mail at feedback[at]riotengine.in
Sebastian Ogier’s good form this season that saw him capture the Rallye de France victory from Dani Sordo of Mini is now possibly headed to create a headache within team Citroen. Ogier has benefitted not just from the victories brought by his good form but also from the misfortunes of the favourite son of Citroen – the other Sebastian- Sebastian Loeb. In the Rally of France, Loeb’s Citroen suffered an engine blow out and only with two rounds left in Spain and Wales, the World Rally Championship is poised for an exciting finish.
Bruno Spengler of Canada who was the runaway points leader in the DTM series early in the season has said that it was the damper failure in the Oschersleben race that cost him the title. Spengler who drives for HWA Mercedes team has been gracious in defeat and has now said that he will concentrate on becoming the runners up for this year by doing his best at the finale that is coming up later this month at Hockenheim. Spengler’s analysis of his problem has been supported by Mercedes Motorsport chief Norbert Haug.
Dario Franchitti has refused to believe that he is the favourite for the 2011 title despite his having an eighteen points lead over his nearest rival Will Power. Will Power’s last race was marred by a pit lane collision and he finished nineteenth. However, the complex points system of the Indy Car racing league also has points for leading the most number of laps in a race. Will Power will have to finish first and lead the most number of laps and Franchitti will have to finish below second position at the up coming Las Vegas finale, for the former to gain the title. However, Franchitti says that as long as something is mathematically still possible one should not rule that possibility. If Franchitti wins the title it will be his third straight triumph and fourth overall.
The governing body of NASCAR racing in America has reached an agreement which extends its collaboration with Goodyear tyres till 2017. The understanding as per the agreement is not only the providing of tyres for races but also for in season testing at various specified venues. Goodyear was involved with Formula1 racing till well into the 1990s before it pulled out.
Japanese drivers Hiroki Yoshimoto and Masaki Kano are set to make an appearance in the Suzuka round of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). While the former will drive a SEAT Leon for team SUNRED the latter will drive a BMW prepared by the Engstler squad. The Suzuka round is to be held later this month.
Rubens Barrichello has said that he is the best option available to the Williams F1 team for next year. He believes that Kimi Raikkonen who has been linked with Williams for 2012 will not be in a position to do a better job than he, Barrichello is capable of. He also said that taking on inexperienced pay drivers would be a myopic option that will destroy Williams more rather than make it better. Barrichello also said that thus far the team has not said anything about him bringing money into the team but if it were to say so, he is willing to scout for some sponsors.