Nissan to Increase Prices of Micra and Sunny

Nissan India is all set to increase the prices of its bestselling models- the Micra and Sunny, effective from January 20, 2012. Based on the model, the hikes can go up to 2.09% and while the variants of the Micra Diesel have risen by Rs 3000, the diesel variants will be an additional Rs 20,000. The Sunny will also witness a price hike with the petrol variants becoming costlier by Rs 5000 but the diesel variants remain unchanged.

Commenting on the price hike Managing Director of Nissan Motor India, Kiminobu Tokuyama, said, “The rising input costs and depreciating rupee have left us with no option but to revisit the prices of our models in order to maintain our business momentum. We have kept in mind the customer interest and attempted a very marginal hike. We are sure that our valued customers will appreciate our efforts to give them the global quality products at affordable prices.”

Despite the change in prices the diesel variant of Sunny will remain unaffected owing to the strong demand. Sunny is a very stylish, roomy sedan that racks up the highest sales figures in Nissan India’s model line-up. Since its launch in September 2011, until December, the brand has sold 3,663 units. Nissan is expecting the diesel Sunny to sell in considerable numbers and hence has deferred a price hike.

In the recent past, there have been reports of price hikes in the auto industry. Maruti Suzuki and General Motors will also announce a hike in prices which affirms that the other auto manufacturers will soon follow suit. Auto price hikes is definitely on the cards and how it will affect the consumer, time will tell.

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Mahindra Launches Scooter Duro DZ in India Priced at Rs 42,332

Mahindra Two Wheelers is a part of the USD 14.4 billion Mahindra group. It has announced the 125 cc scooter 'Mahindra Duro DZ', priced at Rs 42,332 (ex showroom Delhi). The all new Duro DZ will be a new addition to the company's existing range of 125 cc scooters, Rodeo and Flyte that cater to different consumer segments.

Commenting on the launch, Mahindra Two Wheelers Senior V P Strategy and Market Development Viren Popli said the Mahindra Duro DZ has been designed specifically for Indian road conditions. He added, “The Duro DZ is the result of our R&D team working closely with consumers and extensive testing."

The new Mahindra Duro DZ comes loaded with:

• A powerful 125 cc engine for improved instant pick-up and multi-terrain acceleration, making it easier for you to carry loads, even on steep inclines and in tough road conditions.
• Dual Curve Digital Ignition System for superior mileage as compared to other 125 cc scooters
• Advanced Telescopic Suspension for smooth ride even on the toughest terrain.
• Superior ground clearance for enhanced maneuverability over speed breakers and rough roads with ease and comfort.
• Long wheelbase and improved braking system offering better safety & stability on the road.
•A broad halogen lamp to provide wider range and depth in visibility.
•An under seat storage capacity of 20L which is apparently one of the highest in its segment. Besides, the Duro incorporates a built in front storage.
•Rear Brake lock lever for safety & parking on inclines

The company has roped in its brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor to promote the new scooter.

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New Mahindra XUV 500 Launched in India - A Style of Its Own

Mahindra and Mahindra, India's leading auto manufacturer has launched a new wave soft-roader, the Mahindra XUV 500. The Mahindra XUV 500 SUV epitomizes style and substance and takes the Mahindra Brand to new heights. The brand new SUV is available in three variants namely W6 2wheel drive, W8 2 wheel drive and W8 AWD available in BSIV versions. The new and refined mHawk 140, Direct injection diesel engine is powerful and generates 138 bhp of power and 330 NM of torque. The 6-speed transmission delivers the ultimate blend of performance and fuel economy.

Mahindra XUV 500 offers unmatched performance, style, technology, safety and features. The aerodynamic body static-bending projector headlamps, and LED parking lamps and racing-inspired twin exhaust are the other features. It is the best when it comes to owning a completely homegrown automaker as 90% of the vehicle is tooled out of India.

This is the first time ever that Mahindra's have tried the monocoque body construction and it is bound to be well received. The XUV has been tested for nearly 24 lakh kilometers and the auto giant went through 250 prototypes before finally launching it. The most interesting part for investors is that the amortisation cycle would be shorter if the vehicle is a hit. Mahindra XUV is the first major launch after Mahindra Xylo and how it fares in the Indian market, only time will tell.

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New Hyundai Sonata Forays in the Auto Expo 2012

Hyundai launches the all new Sonata at the Auto Expo. The Sonata will have Hyundai`s fluidic design. It looks similar to first gen CLS and sweeps upward in a graceful arc from the front to the rear bootlid. The centre console looks much like the Volvo design with somewhat similar button layout and air con controls. The other features include front and rear ventilation HID xenon lamps, cruise control, paddle shift, six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, rear view camera and smart key with push button start.

Hyundai Sonata will have a boot capacity of 463 litres and there will be 6-14 per cent improvement in performance a reduction of 3-5 per cent in fuel consumption. Moreover, it will have rain sensors and a 2DINstereo. The pricing will be in the Rs 16-17 lakh bracket. The new Hyundai Sonata is based on a new platform and it will be code named GDL. Engine is a new petrol with both manual and auto transmission options. There are no diesel plans at the moment.

The Hyundai Sonata will have a 2.4 liter engine called GDI not GDL, a direct injection, 4-cylinder inline engine with the highest power in segment with a power output of 201PS at 6300rpm and a maximum torque of 25.5kgm at 4250rpm. The new Sonata will have a six-speed manual gear box. It also follows the fluidic design philosophy and derives inspiration from the orchid flower. The side profile looks impressive, very rich and luxurious. The Hyundai Sonata is aptly positioned for the premium segment.

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Tata Motors to Launch Nano CNG This Year

Tata Motors, the auto giant known for cost effective and terrain friendly vehicles is set to launch CNG version of the Tata Nano. They will enter global markets such as Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The move will be taken following a sharp rise in the price of petrol in the Indian market. The company has plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore on capacity expansion and product development activities next fiscal.

Speaking to the reporters at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012, Mr. P M Telang, Tata Motors' Managing Director, said, "Nano CNG is clearly on the cards. We plan to launch it very soon. Hopefully, we should be rolling it out this year." He added, "We might look for an appropriate car for the European market. The current Nano, as it is introduced in India, would probably have different emission and safety specifications from that of the European market. So it has to be a substantially different car."

The company is working on a different version of the Nano for launch in the European market. Telang added, "We might look for an appropriate car for the European market. The current Nano, as it is introduced in the India, would probably have different emission and safety specifications”. Talking about the expansion plans he added, "Entering into markets like Bangladesh, Myanmar and other South-East Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia are on the cards. This is the blueprint for a year."

The all new Nano is likely to be first launched in Thailand.

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DC Design Announces Supercar Avanti At Auto Expo 2012

The much awaited super car slated for release by DC design is finally making its entry. The all new supercar is named after the Studbaker Avanti that appears in Tintin comics. Avanti means forward in Italian.

Speaking on the launch, DC Design Founder and Promoter Dilip Chhabria said: "We intend to produce 300 units of the Avanti in 2013-2014 and if all goes well, we could ramp up production to go into four figures per annum." He added, "We are extremely ecstatic to present the DC Avanti today... also as a calling card for our own capabilities, which have now progressed from mere styling in the early days to full prototyping and bespoke one-off manufacturing."

Supercar Avanti will come powered by a 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine from Ford, and eventually it will have a turbo V6 Honda engine. The 4-cylinder turbo petrol will make 265 hp, while the V6 engine will make 400 hp. The Avanti is expected to do a sub-seven second zero to hundred timing. These engines are mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission system!

The engines on offer are being tuned in the UK and shipped to India in crates and they will be installed in India. Much like the engines, most of the other components that go into the cars will be imported into the country. However, the body and interiors are being manufactured at DC's Talegaon plant in Pune.


The car was unveiled by actor and star Amitabh Bachchan. The car will be produced at the DC Design facility at Talegaon, near Pune. According to the company the proprietary parts from various car-makers will be utilized especially in the areas of the drive train and suspension of the car, which would be powered by a Ford EcoBoost 2.0-litre four-cylinder, dohc, and 16-valve engine. The cars will be available at the firm's self-owned and managed sales and service network in five major metros in the country and additional four outlets would also be opened in the 2012.

Though the bookings will start after the Auto Expo, the deliveries will begin from the last quarter of 2013.

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Bajaj Auto Unveils RE60- The Low Cost Passenger Car

Bajaj Auto Limited (BAL) announces the low cost 4 wheeler RE60. Managing Director of India's Bajaj Auto Rajiv Bajaj addresses media representatives that India’s second-largest motorbike manufacturer Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) is happy to announce the long-awaited compact passenger vehicle RE60, just two days before the start of the Delhi Auto Expo. The company, however, insisted it was not a car and was intended as a step forward for three-wheeler.

Commenting on the launch he said "We are not trying to make a car but a four wheeler meant to ferry people in cities," said Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, BAL. “It is not an incremental but dramatic improvement over a three wheeler. There are over 5 million Bajaj three wheelers in the country today. That is the market we are aiming for."

The brand new compact four-wheeler is powered by a pudgy 200cc engine that belts out around 20bhp power. The RE60 is the smallest four-wheeler ever built. Boasting of an eye-popping fuel economy of 35 kmpl, it is also environment friendly with a CO2 emission of 60 gm per kilometer, the lowest in a four wheeler anywhere in the world.

Bajaj Auto has not yet revealed the exact price but the buzz in the market is that the Bajaj RE60 is likely to be priced between Rs 125,000 and Rs 200,000. The pricing and competence will give tough competition to the Tata Nano which is the cheapest car in the world currently. Hence, going forward, Bajaj Auto could well revolutionize mass transportation in the country.

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Infibeam Ropes in Bharat Vijay As Technical Advisor

Infibeam.com is one of the leading B2C ecommerce company in India. The company announced the joining of Mr.Bharat Vijay as a technical advisor to work on its fast growing cloud based ecommerce platform.

Commenting on joining Infibeam, Mr. Bharat Vijay said, "I am glad and honored to be a part of the Infibeam team. As a user, I love the site and the products and have great respect for the founding team. I consider myself an old timer, some may say a pioneer in the Internet space and I look forward to contribute the best of what I have to take Infibeam to a greater level."

A graduate from University of California with honors, Mr. Bharat Vijaykumar Subramanian was one of the early employees of Yahoo! Inc in California having built and participated in the technology and innovation that led to Yahoo! having millions of users per day. He built Yahoo's first ad server and their data analytics platform. Previously he was the founding CEO of Yahoo! and then Amazon India creating strong product development centers for both companies. Later, he became the CTO of UGenie which built the largest bookshelf application on Facebook with millions of users which was later acquired by Lulu.com.

Commenting on welcoming Mr. Bharat Vijay, Mr. Vijay Subramanian, CIO, Infibeam.com said, "We are honored to have Bharat Vijay onboard and look forward to having his skills and experience help us enhance our technology systems and take Infibeam to an entirely new level in the eCommerce industry."

Today, Infibeam.com offers its technology and supply chain infrastructure to some of the largest retailers and brands. Recently, the company opened up its ecommerce platform Buildabazaar (www.buildabazaar.com) for entrepreneurs to setup an online ecommerce store under their own brand name within a few minutes. Users can take any digital product catalog from Infibeam and also upload their own products. In less than ten weeks since the launch of Buildabazaar, the company announced a new store being created every ten minutes.

http://www.infibeam.com/

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Avail Early Bird Discount & Exciting Offers for Christmas at Infibeam.com

Infibeam has introduced a wide range of wonderful gifts for this festive season. Infibeam’s Christmas gift store promises to provide the best selection of products at the lowest prices.

The online Christmas gift store has everything that a festival shopper can think of. It carries an array of gifts ranging from Christmas wine, cakes, chocolates and candles to a tall Christmas tree. The store has handpicked combinations of gifts with flowers, cakes and chocolates, which would fit the wallet of all and look rich while being presented.

Commenting on introducing the festive range of products, Mr. Anish Parikh, Vice President, Category Management, Infibeam.com, said, "We are excited to offer the new range of products specially introduced for the festive occasion. The widest range of selection of products has been put up on the store for our customers to spend on the variety of gifts for friends and family at the best prices. We look forward to delight our customers with a wonderful gifting experience this Christmas. Not to wait to make the most of the 10% early bird discount on the Christmas Store along with the least price benefit"

Infibeam plans to enhance its product catalogue with the widest range of gifting products for different occasions round the year. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

http://www.infibeam.com/Christmas_Gifts/

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Suzuki to Launch Electric Cars in India

Suzuki Motor Corporation, the Japanese small car major is contemplating the launch of electric vehicles in India. Though the initiative is one of a kind, the manufacturer identifies infrastructure as a big challenge. The ever- rising need for diesel cars in India is on an all time high and the company is looking forward to come up with new and pragmatic solutions to cope with the rising concerns on the ecological front.

The Suzuki Motor Corporation Representative Director and Executive Vice-President, Executive General Manager (Corporate Planning Office), Mr Toshihiro Suzuki said, “It is under consideration to launch electric vehicles in India.” When asked for details, he added, “We cannot tell you what are the specifications. There is possibility, but the only problem is infrastructure in terms of electric plugs.” However, Mr. Suzuki declined to comment on the possible timeline for introducing the electric vehicle saying, “When the time comes, we will introduce.”

Going by the analytics, pertaining to the infrastructure problems faced with CNG and LPG models, the automaker says that the electric vehicle poses an even bigger challenge. He said, “Even in CNG models, there is limitation in the number of gas stations. So, it is more difficult to introduce electric vehicles in India, but we will introduce at the right time and it is under consideration.”

Asked about the possibility of introducing more diesel cars in India as the demand is much higher due to price difference with petrol he said: “We are trying to line up more diesel engine cars...When we are introducing more models in India, we will put more diesel engines.”

The company also showcased Swift electric vehicle hybrid, new version of Alto — Alto Eco, which the company claims to have a fuel efficiency of 30.2 km per litre. Besides, SMC also showcased its new Swift Sport and a concept electric scooter.

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Tata Nano Forays With A Bouquet of New Features

Tata Motors announced a wide range of features for the all new Tata Nano. The bouquet of features includes new colors, brand new interiors, improved powerful gasoline engine and greater fuel efficiency of 25.4 kmpl.

The revamped Tata Nano is more desirable as the car’s 624cc engine has an impressive 38PS of power (earlier 35 PS) and 51Nm of torque (earlier 48 Nm). The fuel efficiency, already a high point with Tata Nano owners, is now at 25.4 kmpl (earlier 23.6 kmpl) as certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

The high fuel efficiency, with a low kerb weight of 600 kg, ensures that the Tata Nano at 92.7 gm / km has the lowest CO2 emission among cars in India. It has a top speed of 105 km and ability to negotiate inclines with a grade ability of 30%, and a class-leading turning radius of just 4 meters. The revamped Tata Nano is a perfect combination of power and performance.

The ride and handling has also gotten better with a revised suspension set-up, including an anti-roll bar at the front, and a steering mechanism made even easier. The cabin is quiet but a racier sounding exhaust note now gives the Tata Nano a more assertive road presence. The brakes are booster-assisted, and although they were present in the Nano CX and the LX, they have been added to the Nano Standard as well. The Nano CX and LX now have tip-tap mirrors on both the driver and passenger sides. For the Nano Standard, which already has a driver side mirror, the passenger side one can be installed as an accessory.

The interiors are completely new with enhanced premium look. It now has the luxurious beige in the Nano LX, rich black in the Nano CX and stunning medium graphite in the Standard version. Moreover, the exteriors are now a veritable vibgyor of 10 colors and eight of them namely Pearl White, Rouge Red, Aqua Blue, Neon Rush, Serene White, Meteor Silver, Mojito Green, Papaya Orange, Sunshine Yellow, and Champagne Gold are new. That is not all; the exterior is accentuated by the new half or full wheel caps.

The modifications are bound to enthrall users in more ways than one. The Tata Nano, known for its superlative performance and affordable price is all set to make its foray and vroom into the Indian market with panache.

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M&M and Yamaha India to Join For A Two-Wheeler Busines

Mahindra & Mahindra, one of the largest auto manufacturers is gearing up to join hands with Japanese automobile manufacturer Yamaha in the two-wheeler segment of India. The initiative is witnessed as M&M’s bid to mark an aggressive comeback in the two-wheeler segment.

The utility vehicle giant Mahindra & Mahindra has marked its debut in the two wheeler business in year 2008, with the acquisition of 80 percent stake of Kinetic Motor Company Limited for a sum of Rs 110 crore. According to industry sources, the joint venture between Indian and Japanese firm is believed to be a technical one, as Mahindra lacks technology for the two-wheelers.

Moreover, industry analysts believe that this tie-up can be valued between Rs 200 to 300 crore with Mahindra bringing 51 percent share of the capital and Yamaha investing 49 percent investment. Besides, the partnership terms are most likely to be similar to the recent Hero - Honda Pact, wherein Yamaha will continue to use its independent labels on its bikes.

The total sales of Yamaha increased from 26.82 per cent to 47,240 units. In the calendar year 2010, Yamaha India managed to sell 3.2 lakh units of its bikes. It has plans to take this figure to 5.2 lakh units this year. Yamaha is looking to gain from M&M's distribution and dealership network.

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Launch of ABP Shopping Online Exhilarates Bengali Readers

Infibeam powers the official online shopping store of ABP, bringing in a wide range of literary work especially in Bengali language, making it available all across the country. It is a very unique initiative, bringing a large set of unique selection of Bengali books online.

Commenting on powering ABP shopping, Mr. Sachin Oswal, Co-Founder and COO, Infibeam.com said, Getting ABP online is a significant milestone for the e-commerce industry in India as it specifically caters to making that genre of literature available which is not easy to find and procure. Their conviction strengthens the prevalence & authority of the platform we have built".

Mr. Kaushik Banerjee. Vice President at ABP & ABP Digital commented saying "One of our focus areas and strength for the time to come is going to be on our E- commerce initiatives in order to get consumed in our digital bouquet. We are happy to partner with Infibeam to make a large set of unique selection of Bengali books just a click away for our valued customers"

Mr. Sachin Vashishta Head, Business Development, Sales & ECom, ABP Digital, commented saying, "We chose Infibeam.com for it being the biggest player in e-Retailing; banking on their vast experience in online shopping for the past 4 years with the largest selection of books. They have provided a great platform and we look forward to growing this line of business."

Infibeam plans to add on more languages and range of books on the platform and make maximum authors, publications and genres of literature available on the site. Infibeam successfully runs Crossword (http://www.crossword.in/) and is a host to many other bookstores on its e-commerce platform.

http://shopping.anandabazar.com/Books/

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Tata Nano Diesel Variant to Launch Soon

Petrol prices are rising at an alarming rate and with the gap between prices of petrol and diesel fuels increasing by the day, a large number of car buyers are looking at different fuel options. Tata Nano, the most sought after common man's car is perhaps also the much awaited diesel car of the decade. Gearing up for a March launch, Tata Nano Diesel will have multiple upgrades.

In addition to the diesel engine, the Tata Nano Diesel variant will have better interior seat cushioning and upholstery, along with new color combinations. Exciting color options at exterior, anti-roll bar, enhanced suspension system and power steering are the options included.

The all new diesel variant of the Tata Nano will be showcased at the upcoming Delhi international auto expo in January 2012 and is spruced up to drive high volume sales in the Indian market.

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Participate in Infibeam Ad-vent Contest & Show Your Creativity On National Mass Media

After a huge success with IIMA organized "Kings of Advertisements" where students from B-schools across India create video advertisements and compete for top spot, Infibeam today announced the start of "The Ad-vent" contest, making participation open for all, and not restricting participants.

Aspiring artists may now make short advertisements using ideas & scripts provided by The Viral Fever, a young Creative Agency for Digital Marketing & Branded Entertainment. The participants may also come up with their own script. The winning entry will get telecast coverage on Television nationally and winning artist will receive cash prize.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Manu Midha, VP, Infibeam.com said, "We are very glad to see the amazing response of the entries received from artists and look forward to some wonderful piece of work from one and all".

"In the age of YouTube, when every consumer can act as a creator, there is nothing better than to open our eyes to, consumers' interpretation of our Brand Story. We are kicked to collaborate with infibeam, who like us, believe in such Creative Experiments. It doesn't get better than this. The viewer becomes the creator!!" said, Mr. Arunabh Kumar, who calls himself the Creative Experiment Officer (CEO) at The Viral Fever.

The thought behind reaching out to people for advertisements is to work with aspiring artists and provide a platform to have their creative work visible on national television. To date, the company has not done any mass media branding and this initiative is a huge bet to have work of aspiring artists showcase on mass media. Infibeam has always tried using such innovative ways of engaging with its customers and using technology for creating new opportunities. Recently, Infibeam was ranked amongst the top ecommerce sites in using social media to reach out to people. This sort of a 'Campaign for a Campaign' is a first by any Brand in any category in India.

Participants can view the rules of the contest here - www.infibeam.com/static/advent.html and are required to send their entries to advent@infibeam.com by 25th of November 2011. They may also upload the video on Youtube and send the corresponding link to us by email.

http://www.infibeam.com/static/advent.html

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Skoda Rapid to Vroom into India

Skoda, the Czech car maker is all set to start commercial shipping of cars produced in India. They will make their presence with the much awaited Rapid sedan, scheduled for a November 16th release. Hopes are pinned high for the Rapid as experts believe it will be the best selling car in the country.

Commenting on the launch, Skoda Auto India Marketing Head Tarun Jha said that this car was particularly designed for the Indian roads. The set up will be a global one for the car. Later, it may even be introduced in various markets throughout the world.

At present, the manufacturer doesn't transfer any of its models abroad from India. This may be a record breaker of sorts for Skoda. It will be a competitor for the best selling car Fabia, which currently sells 1,200-1,500 Fabia units in a month. The company will also focus on expanding its dealership network in the Tier II and III cities to meet the ever changing demands.

The Czech car maker has announced that it will start production of Rapid at the VW Group’s Chakan plant near Pune. A capital of 580 million euros has been made on the plant, with yearly production capability of 1.1 lakh units.

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Infibeam Sponsors Confluence 2011, An International B-School Fest

India's leading shopping portal Infibeam.com is happy to be associated with IIMA's Confluence 2011, an international B-school fest in Asia Pacific, held between 25-27th November, 2011. Infibeam has been one of the prominent recruiters at IIM Ahmedabad in the past couple of years and is proud to be associated with Confluence 2011.

The competition to be held is known as the 'Kings of Advertisement'. It is an advertising and marketing contest. The main theme of the contest is "Fostering Change, Championing Excellence." Confluence is the largest B-school meet in India and attracts participants from across the world. It provides a platform for budding managers of tomorrow to apply their skills in different competitions and case contests, designed to challenge the brightest minds in the world.

The participation will be in teams, comprising 2-3 students, who will have to submit short advertisements for Infibeam and follow up with submitting the complete Integrated Marketing and Communication plan for Infibeam in Round 2. The initiative will prove beneficial for Infibeam, a pioneer in providing innovative solutions in the ecommerce platform.

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Ferrari Launches FF Supercar in India

The world's most popular car maker Ferrari has launched the FF super car in India for Rs. 3.42 crores. The launch was held at the newly opened showroom in Delhi. The FF is the Italian carmaker's first car to get four comfortable and spacious seats along with a rear hatch.

The FF is designed to cater to the needs of Ferrari's customers especially those that are accompanied with a family. Being the perfect family car, the FF has two extra seats and rear hatch door for increased luggage. The interior has been tastefully fitted with top quality leather and carbon fiber. The FF will be a perfect long distance tourer with pace, space and power.



The Ferrari FF has replaced the 612 Scaglietti, another V12 powered grand tourer. Powered by a massive 6.2-litre V12, the engine can easily churn out 660bhp and 682 Nm of torque. The FF is also the Italian carmaker's first four wheel drive car. This enables it to handle several challenging road surfaces with ease. Ferrari showcased this ability by driving the FF on the tough slopes of the European Alps.

Ferrari has developed the four wheel drive system specifically for the FF and it can be said to be a grand success. The car has been inspired from the 458 Italia while designing the FF's frontal design. It is lighter than conventional four wheel drive systems by 50 per cent and this allows a higher top speed. The FF is touted to have reached a mind boggling top speed of 335kmph and can accelerate to 100kmph within just 3.7 seconds.

The all new FF behaves like a genuine Italian sports car. However, it can carry four passengers in reasonable comfort. Though the car is two doors, the seating arrangements are comfortable making it the perfect family car.

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Infibeam Reaches Out to students for Its Advertisements; Sponsors Confluence 2011

Infibeam, one of the major recruiters at IIM Ahmedabad in the past couple of years and is proud to associate itself with Confluence 2011, through the competition 'Kings of Advertisement', an advertising and marketing contest. The theme of Confluence this year is "Fostering Change, Championing Excellence."

Confluence is the largest B-school meet in India and draws participants from all over the world, providing a platform for budding managers of tomorrow to apply their skills in various competitions and case contests designed to challenge the brightest minds in the world.

'Kings of Advertisment' is a unique event where the participating students are required to submit short advertisements for Infibeam and follow up with submitting the complete Integrated Marketing and Communication plan for Infibeam in Round 2.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Mr. Manu Midha, IIM-A alumnus and VP Strategy and Planning, Infibeam.com said, "Infibeam today offers the biggest online retail selection, most attractive pricing and cash on delivery in India. We are excited to have the biggest
upcoming talents come up with advertisements and get this message across to the masses".

Excited of the upcoming event, Mohammad Salman Sunny, student coordinator said, "We are very eager to present 'Kings of Advertisement' to the student community and already have huge number of participants for this event. Furthermore, Infibeam may go live with student created advertisement on mass media channels which is a huge draw for the competition. We thank Infibeam to support us with such an amazing opportunity and platform".

Infibeam continues to attract the best talent and build its relationship with top colleges of the country. Recently, Infibeam opened up its technology platform for small retailers and individuals to create their own online store without any upfront investment and self service (www.buildabazar.com). The company already has more than 2200 stores live in less than six weeks of launch. With such large retail selection coming online, Infibeam is encouraging change by allowing buyers to discover and shop online.

http://www.infibeam.com/

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Infibeam Launches Infibeam Logistics; Its In-House Last Mile Logistics Delivery Service

Infibeam announced that it has developed and launched its own Transportation Management System platform to track and deliver products to Customers. For all packages delivered using Infibeam Logistics, customers can continue to expect an easy, timely and assured delivery of orders with detailed package tracking system along with the cash on delivery facility.

Since launching this service, Infibeam Logistics has already delivered thousands of packages to customers in Delhi and NCR region and the company continues to build up on the last mile delivery network by hiring more delivery agents and expanding to other cities across India.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Sachin Dalal, Office of the CEO said, "We have seen optimistic results since the launch of in-house logistics in Delhi and surrounding regions. We continue to build on our logistics platform and plan to extend this service to ten additional cities in the coming months including Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and more".

Infibeam Logistics provides delivery, payment collection and other value added services to customers ordering on Infibeam.com.

Infibeam Logistics Software platform is developed for its in-house logistics requirements. At a later date, Infibeam will selectively open up this logistics software platform as a service to small and medium courier companies to manage and track packages for their own clients.

http://www.infibeam.com/

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Renault Unveils the Compact Hatchback Renault Pulse Today

Renault Pulse is perhaps the most awaited compact cars in India. The good news is that the hatch, codenamed B58 makes its foray into India today. The Renault Pulse is the third India portfolio model of the French car maker.

Renault marked its reentry in the Indian market with the launch of the premium sedan Fluence, which was followed by luxury compact sports utility vehicle – Renault Koleos. The Renault Pulse will be produced in the same Chennai plant as the Nissan Micra and will be Renault's best selling model in India.

The Renault Pulse will be powered by the K9K engine. The K9K engine is the same 1.5-litre dCi engine as the Logan. It will be based on the V platform that underpins the Nissan Micra hatchback. Interestingly the French carmaker has been on an overdrive with the much in news Fluence and Koleos. The all new hatch is most likely to be Renault's most aggressive car yet, pitting against the best sellers in the market.

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Infibeam Pioneers VIP Bags Online Presence

Infibeam powers the official store of VIP Bags, bringing in a wide range of suitcases, kits & bags, online, making it available to the customers within the country in 2 to 4 days of placing order.

Commenting on getting VIP onboard, Mr. Kartik Jain, Co-founder, Infibeam.com said, "After powering a list of prominent brands and retailers, VIP is a significant implementation on our platform. Their trust reinforces the power & primacy of the platform we have built".

VIP comments on a satisfactory remark of being powered by infibeam, "We chose Infibeam.com for their expertise and leadership position in e-Retailing. We look forward to exciting oppurtunities in the e-commerce space and hope to add other brands of VIP Industries Ltd in due course."

http://shop.vipbags.com/

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Maruti Unveils Limited Edition Alto Xplore

Maruti, India's largest small car manufacturer has announced the launch of Alto Explore, a limited edition of its highest selling brand. The all new Alto Explore will be loaded with 10 new features. The launch is timed for the festive season, as families look for exciting offers during Diwali. The new Xplore edition will be available only in the top variants – Alto Lxi and Alto-K10 Vxi.

The Alto Xplore model will be available in 6 Colors in both models and will sport an advanced double-din stereo with USB and Bluetooth. The seats exude Luxury and the car sports new body graphics, body colored bumpers, ORVMs and door handles along with the Sporty Roof Spoiler.

Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Chief General Manager – Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Alto has been the favorite hatchback for Indians. With the upcoming festive season, customers look forward for exciting offers. With the introduction of this limited edition we will cater to this need of Alto buyers.”

The Maruti Alto has sold over 1.48 lakh units this financial year. Maruti Suzuki launched Alto-K10 in August 2010 which gave a boost to the sales of India’s best selling model Alto. The car is targeted at wide spectrum of buyers with its low price and high performance criteria. The all new Alto is set top make waves in the auto world. The Diwali offer is surely something to look forward to.

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BMW Mini Cooper to Vroom Into India Next Year

The German luxury car maker BMW is all set to launch its “Mini” brand of cars by next year. The Mini Cooper series of cars will be priced over Rs 25 lakh and will be sold in the Indian market through various showrooms. The company is also looking at setting up a network of 12 dealers for this brand in the coming years. They will be imported in India as completely built units.

Talking to reporters, BMW India President Andreas Schaaf said, "I am pleased to announce that the Mini will be introduced in India in 2012. Currently, the BMW team is evaluating which version to be launched in India from the entire Mini family." While further speaking on the expected pricing of the car, he said, "We have not finalized the price of the car yet, but it is a premium brand and a premium car. Of course, the entry price will be more than Rs 25 lakh."

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Kruger remarked that, “A lot of Indians who have studied abroad are familiar with the brand. They are our potential customers… they perhaps drove the Mini when they were abroad and will miss it when they are back in India. While Mini in the rest of the world is an ageless brand, in India, we think it will have a huge potential for the young people. It can be driven for an evening dinner out or to a sports event or as a city runabout.”

The introductory price of the Mini Cooper shall be Rs. 23 lakhs. The company is looking forward to the launch and is quite optimistic. The manufacturer does not want to meet the same fate as Volkswagen Beetle and Fiat 500, the two premium cars which did not do very well in the Indian market despite their lower pricing.

To begin with, the company will start with two dealerships in the Indian market and one each in Delhi and Mumbai. In the year 2013, about 3 to 4 dealerships will be added to the Mini’s sales network.

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Exclusive Diwali Gift Items Available At Infibeam

Festivals are an integral part of our culture and they chart the spiritual progress of an individual. Diwali- the festival of lights, surpasses religious boundaries and stands as a testimony to the solidarity of the nation. Streets, shops and homes are geared up for the celebration and Infibeam joins in the revelry by introducing a new range of exclusive Diwali gift items coupled with users friendly delivery options.

Speaking on the introduction of new products at the store, Mr. Anish Parikh, VP, Infibeam.com said, "Diwali gifts hold a special meaning for revelers. They exude inimitable panache and a festive aura. Since gifts express unspoken sentiments, we at Infibeam have introduced a wide range of novel Diwali gifts". He added, "The free shipping across India and hassle free delivery options to countries like USA and Canada is bound to receive an overwhelming response".

Diwali heralds the beginning of all things auspicious and business communities get cut off from the rest of the world to lap up the festive spirit. Exchanging gifts and greetings takes the central stage for the celebration. Infibeam.com has a variegated selection of gifts ranging from sweets, mithai, flowers, express diwali gifts, chocolates and combo gifts. Exquisite diyas, candles and lamps along with handcrafted puja thalis and special gifts for occasions like Dhanteras, Laxmi Puja and Bhaidooj are included. Besides, contemporary gifts like gift vouchers and customized gifts make up the miscellany.

The contemporary gifts also make great corporate Diwali gifts making the gifting event all the more special. Gold and silver coins, dry fruit platter, electronics and other home appliances make great corporate Diwali gifts. Besides, the express delivery feature offers quick deliveries on all gifts. Shoppers may additionally avail free shipping across India and to countries like the U.S.A and Canada.

The assorted selection of gifts, great discounts and impressive delivery features are certain to enthrall shoppers. This Diwali light up the gifting occasion with Diwali gifts from Infibeam.com.

http://www.infibeam.com/Diwali_Gifts/

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