Honda Plans to launch Compact SUV in Brazil

The compact SUV market isn’t just hot in India, it is the segment to be in, in Brazil as well. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that every major car maker, from Volkswagen to Nissan, it busy showing off compact SUVs or crossovers in Brazil, at the ongoing 2012 Sau Paulo Motor Show. While Volkswagen just pulled the wraps off the Taigun compact SUV based on the Up! platform, Honda will follow suit come 2014, when the Jazz based compact SUV will be launched in the Brazilian car market. The Honda Jazz based compact SUV is already under development.

2013 Honda Fit Twist Hatchback used as an illustration

Ford Figo hatchback’s next generation model

Here are a rash of new details about the Ford Figo hatchback’s next generation model that will debut in India during 2014. The car will replace the current Figo, which has been a best seller for Ford India. Codenamed the B562, the next generation 2014 Ford Figo will be built at the spanking new Sanand manufacturing facility of Ford India. The car is currently being developed by Ford Brazil and will be launched in the Brazilian market by the end of 2013. Like the current Figo, the next generation model is expected to be available with both petrol and diesel engine options.

Brazilian Ford Figo/Fiesta hatchback used as an illustration

Plans of Volkswagen to set up engine plant in India

Over the next couple of years, the Volkswagen group expects to build a range of engines to power a slew of brands within the group. This engine plant could come up by 2014, in Chakan, Pune, which is said to be the first choice of the VW group for setting up the new engine plant. However, the final decision on the location of the engine plant is yet to be taken as Volkswagen is not happy with the Maharashtra government’s VAT policy, which continues to be a bone of contention amongst almost all the automakers seeking to make fresh investments in the highly industrialized Indian state.

2012 Volkswagen Polo used as an illustration

Audi A3 Sedan Indian Launch expected in 2013

Audi’s entry level product aimed at attracting a new crop of younger buyers, the A3 sedan, is all set to hit international markets across the globe by the end of 2012. This very car will arrive into India too, sometime in 2013, even as arch rival Mercedes Benz has two entry level products lined up for the Indian market in 2012-13. In late 2012, we will have the Mercedes Benz B-Class sports tourer being launched while 2013 will see the A-Class sports hatchback. Both these cars are expected to be entry level models launched at highly competitive price tags.

2014 Audi A3 Sedan