Car Sales March 2020: Coronavirus Hits Maruti Suzuki's Volumes, Sales Down By 47%

Maruti Suzuki India today released the sales numbers for the month of March 2020, during which the company saw a decline of 47 per cent in overall sales. Last month, the country's largest carmaker,...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2UPp0ww

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R gets MotoGP-inspired livery

Last month, Suzuki unveiled a new livery for the GSX-RR race bike that should have been competing in the 2020 MotoGP World Championship. The white and blue scheme is inspired by the 60th anniversary of Suzuki’s first motorcycling world title and has now been showcased on its flagship sportbike, the GSX-R1000R.

The GSX-R1000R, in its MotoGP Ecstar-inspired livery, is on ‘display’ in Suzuki’s virtual motorcycle show, which also showcased two new colour schemes for the Katana. It’s very likely that we’ll see Suzuki make it available alongside the existing colour schemes and not as a replacement for any of them.

For 2020, the bike remains unchanged under the skin, with its 999cc inline-four cylinder engine producing peak output figures of 197hp at 13,200rpm and 117Nm of torque at 10,800rpm. 

This new generation of the GSX-R1000 was launched in India back in 2017, but it has since been taken off the website. Internationally, the bike is yet to be updated to Euro-5/BS6 norms and we could see Suzuki reintroduce the bike here only once that happens.

from Autocar India - Bikes https://ift.tt/3dQdJEX

Vivo S6 vs Vivo S5: What's the Difference?

The Vivo S6 is the company's newest addition to the Vivo S series of smartphones. It supports 5G and has an octa-core processor.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/3aKA057

WWE Network Is Coming to SonyLIV Thanks to New Five-Year Deal

WWE and Sony Pictures Networks India have renewed their partnership for another five years. That means WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, WWE NXT, and WWE specials will stay on Sony's bouquet of TV channels in...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2R1rK8Z

WhatsApp Moves Closer to Letting You Use Same Number on Multiple Phones

WhatsApp reportedly has been working on multi-device support for a while now. The feature was spotted in the beta version of WhatsApp for iPhone in November last year, and traces of it being in...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2R4mvFw

2020 Hyundai Verna Facelift Vs Rivals: Price Comparison

While the new Hyundai Verna 2020 gets an updated engine line-up along with cosmetic updates, the new-generation Honda City is yet to arrive and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is only available with a BS6...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3aArgOC

Tesla To Supply FDA-Approved Ventilators Free Of Cost In U.S.

Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Tuesday the company has extra FDA-approved ventilators that can be shipped free of cost to hospitals within regions where the electric carmaker delivers.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/39tG00l

New-Generation Rolls-Royce Ghost Spotted Testing

The new Rolls-Royce Ghost will be underpinned by a new bespoke platform that has been developed in-house, but will share quite a few components with the Phantom and Cullinan.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2UQMuRL

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Spotted Testing

Like the existing model, we expect the next-gen C-Class to also come in multiple body types.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3bFGzpp

Coronavirus Pandemic: MG Motor Supplies 100 ZS EVs To National Health Service In The UK

MG Motor UK has announced that it will be supplying 100 ZS EV SUVs to the National Health Service (NHS), in order to aid the relief operations against the Coronavirus pandemic. The cars will be...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/33Y7U3F

Bharat Forge And Group Companies Contribute Rs. 25 Crores To Tackle Coronavirus

As the situation with COVID-19 or the coronavirus gets more serious with each day, we see more and more help come in from the auto industry. The most recent contribution comes from Kalyani Group, the...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/33Y7TwD

Facebook Feature Lets People Reach Out for Help in Pandemic

Facebook on Tuesday activated a feature allowing people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic to reach out for help from their community.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2JwIJvs

Xerox Ends Hostile Bid to Buy HP Amid COVID-19 Uncertainty

Xerox on Tuesday dropped its unwelcomed bid to buy computer and printer maker HP for about $36 billion, blaming market turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2UyvfFW

From Money Heist to Modern Family, TV Shows to Watch in April

Money Heist season 4, Modern Family season 11 finale, Four More Shots Please! season 2, Fauda season 3, Panchayat TVF, Defending Jacob, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels,...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/3aCdL18

Vivo S6 With 5G Support, Quad Rear Cameras, 4,500mAh Battery Launched

Vivo S6 is official in China, and the phone comes with Exynos processor and a quad camera setup at the back. The phone has a waterdrop-style notch display, and it packs a large 4,500mAh battery...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/347III4

iPhone 9 could be made official on April 15, new rumor says

The upcoming Apple iPhone 9, the successor to the iPhone SE from 2016, has been rumored for a long time now, and it looks like we're finally getting very close to its official introduction. A few weeks ago a report talked about the phone being delayed indefinitely because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but apparently Apple may have had a change of heart. According to a new report, the company held an internal meeting to discuss how to proceed, and the conclusion of said meeting is that the iPhone 9 will get official on April 15. It will then become available on April 22. It's unclear if the...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/340DIVl

Musk Offers FDA-Approved Ventilators Free of Cost to Hospitals

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Tuesday the company has extra FDA-approved ventilators that can be shipped free of cost to hospitals within regions where the electric carmaker delivers.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2UQjHgj

Samsung Galaxy S20 series is already receiving the April security update

Samsung has recently had an interesting track record regarding Android security updates, which have at times come out before Google had a chance to release them for its Pixels. The situation is the same this time around. The Galaxy S20 family is now receiving an update that includes the April 2020 security patch level. So far the rollout is happening in Taiwan and Hong Kong, with Korean units set to receive it very soon. Aside from the new security fixes, the new software also packs some general camera improvements. The build number is G98x0ZHU1ATCT, where "x" is to be a different...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2UykUd6

Nokia 7.2 gets Android 10 update

Today HMD Global has announced the start of the rollout of the Android 10 update for the Nokia 7.2. This phone was released last September, running Android 9 Pie. Although it, like most other Nokias, is part of the Android One program, which in theory should ensure quick Android OS upgrades, obviously that's not working out as it should. Android 10 has already been out for more than six months at this point, and countless other handsets that aren't part of Android One have been updated to this version. Anyway, let's call it "better late than never". HMD's rollouts have apparently...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/340M2Ey

2020 Paris, Detroit motor shows cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

The 2020 Paris and Detroit motor shows are the latest international auto shows to be cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Paris motor show has been scrapped “in its current form” for this year, with organisers citing the uncertainty caused by the pandemic and its economic impact.

The biennial event was due to start on September 29 at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in the French capital. Alternating each year with the Frankfurt motor show, the event is one of the biggest on the motor show calendar, with more than a million visitors attending the 2018 event.

In a statement, event organisers said that the decision was taken due to the “unprecedented health crisis”, and the resulting “economic shock wave” it had caused for the automotive sector. Organisers cited the uncertainty over when movement and other restrictions would be eased, as a reason for the early decision.

While the main event will not run as a traditional motor show, organisers said that elements of the wider Paris Motion Festival – the Movin’On innovation and sustainability summit, the Smartcity show and a number of out-of-town events – were “not in question”.

Organisers added: “We will study all the alternative solutions. The profound reinvention of the event, with a festival dimension based around innovative mobility and a strong B2B component, could offer an opportunity.

“Nothing will be like before, and this crisis must teach us to be agile, creative and more innovative than ever.”

It remains unclear if organisers will attempt to run a full show again in 2022, or if the “profound reinvention” means the ‘traditional’ motor show element will not return. The organisers of the Frankfurt show have already decided to move it to Munich for its next running in 2021.

Organisers of the Detroit motor show also announced the cancellation of this year’s iteration of the show, along with announcing refunds for those who had already purchased tickets. The organisers cite the ongoing health crisis and the possibility that the venue for the show could be converted into a temporary hospital by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as reasons for the show being cancelled.

“Although we are disappointed, there is nothing more important to us than the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of Detroit and Michigan, and we will do what we can to support our community’s fight against the coronavirus outbreak,” said NAIAS executive director, Rod Alberts.

“With the more than 100 convention centres and facilities around the country being considered to potentially serve as temporary hospitals, it became clear to us that TCF Center would be an inevitable option to serve as a care facility to satisfy our community’s urgent health needs,” he said.

The 2021 edition of the Detroit Motor show is set to take place in June next year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation or postponement of most of the major motor shows due to take place this year. The Geneva motor show, scheduled for earlier this month, was cancelled, while both the Beijing and New York shows – due to be held in April – have been postponed.

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/2xCZAdy

UAE lifts ban on Google Hangouts Meet, Cisco Webex and other VoIP services

The global COVID-19 crisis has pretty much reverberated in every aspect of life around the world in one way or another. One thing most companies and governments have really started to re-evaluate and kick into full throttle is remote working. A new decision in the United Arab Emirates comes as a great example. Officials there have decided to lift bans on Google Hangouts Meet, Cisco Webex, Avaya Spaces, BlueJeans and Slack. All services previously officially unreachable from within the country. The connection between these is clear and this decision comes hot on the heels of another...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/39BIyts

Hyundai Verna facelift price, variants explained

The Verna facelift is Hyundai India’s third new model for 2020 (barring updates to meet BS6 norms), after the all-new Aura and Creta. With new Verna prices having just been revealed, we've put together a complete list of what features, safety kit and powertrain options will be available with each variant of this heavily updated midsize sedan, and at what price. Hyundai's Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid rival is available in a total of 11 versions – there are four trim levels and five engine-gearbox options on offer. First a look at the variant-wise prices:

2020 Hyundai Verna facelift prices (ex-showroom, pan-India)
Variant	Price
Verna 1.5 MPI MT S	Rs 9.31 lakh
Verna 1.5 MPI MT SX	Rs 10.70 lakh
Verna 1.5 MPI CVT SX	Rs 11.95 lakh
Verna 1.5 MPI MT SX(O)	Rs 12.60 lakh
Verna 1.5 MPI CVT SX(O)	Rs 13.85 lakh
Verna 1.0 Turbo DCT SX(O)	Rs 13.99 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi MT S+	Rs 10.66 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi MT SX	Rs 12.05 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi AT SX	Rs 13.20 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi MT SX(O)	Rs 13.95 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi AT SX(O)	Rs 15.10 lakh

Now, here’s what you’ll get on each of the new Verna’s variants:

2020 Verna S [Rs 9.31 lakh^]

• 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine with 6-speed manual gearbox

• Dual front airbags

• ABS with EBD

• Rear parking sensors

• Manual day/night inside rear view mirror

• Remote central locking with keyless entry

• ISOFIX child-seat mounts

• Halogen headlights

• Indicators mounted on the outside rear view mirrors (ORVMs)

• Front grille finished in chrome

• Wheel covers for the 15-inch steel wheels shod in 185/65 tyres

• Dual-tone beige and black interiors

• Analogue tachometer

• Adjustable front seat headrests

• Front- and rear-centre armrests

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and voice recognition

• Four-speaker Arkamys system

• Steering-mounted controls

• Power windows

• Manual AC with rear AC vents

• Cooled glovebox

• Front USB port

• Power adjustable ORVMs

2020 Verna S+ [Rs 10.66 lakh^]

• 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine with 6-speed manual gearbox

• 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in 195/55 tyres with wheel covers

2020 Verna SX [Rs 10.70-13.20 lakh^]

• 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine with 6-speed manual gearbox

• 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine with CVT automatic gearbox

• 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine with 6-speed manual gearbox

• 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine with 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox

• Rear camera

• Front projector fog lights

• Auto-dimming inside rear view mirror

• Automatic projector headlights with a follow-me-home function

• Smart key

• Rear defogger

• Height-adjustable front seat belts

• Cornering lamps

• LED DRLs

• LED tail-lights

• 16-inch grey alloy wheels with 195/55 R16 tyres

• Leatherette-wrapped gear knob and steering wheel

• Digital instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch multi-info colour display

• Driver’s seat height adjust

• Powered sunroof

• Hands-free boot opening

• Two tweeters

• Push button start

• Automatic climate control

• Wireless smartphone charging

• Cruise control

• Rear USB port

• Power folding ORVMs

2020 Verna SX(O) [Rs 12.60-15.10 lakh^]

• 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine with 6-speed manual gearbox

• 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine with CVT automatic gearbox

• 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine with 6-speed manual gearbox

• 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine with 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox

• Side and curtain airbags

• Electronic stability control

• Traction control

• Hill-start assist

• Tyre pressure monitor

• LED headlights

• 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels

• Leatherette upholstery

• Adjustable rear seat headrests

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with HD display

• Hyundai Blue Link in-car connectivity tech

• Tilt and telescopic steering adjust

2020 Verna SX(O) Turbo [Rs 13.99 lakh^]

• 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox

• Front parking sensors

• Rear disc brakes

• Blacked-out ORVMs, front grille and shark fin antenna

• All-black interiors with red highlights

• Paddleshifters

New Hyundai Verna prices undercut the likes of the current Honda City petrol; also, the all-new fifth-gen City will carry a relatively higher price tag than the current car’s Rs 9.91-14.31 lakh*. However, the petrol-only Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (Rs 8.32-11.10 lakh*) may continue to be the spacious and value-for-money option in the midsize sedan segment, while the Volkswagen Vento (Rs 8.86-13.29 lakh^) and Skoda Rapid – both with a new 110hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine – are expected to be positioned in the median.

With its extensive list of features, the promise of a sporty option, a rare diesel engine option in this largely petrol-powered segment and cosmetic updates, the Hyundai Verna facelift certainly seems to have the potential to upset the current status quo in the segment.

^Prices are ex-showroom, pan-India

*Prices are ex-showroom, Delhi

Also see:

2020 Hyundai Verna facelift India image gallery

India-spec Hyundai Verna facelift interior: first pics

Seven-seat Hyundai Creta takes shape

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/2WZ0zPC

Apple completes $200m investment into Japan Display

Apple has finalized a $200m investment into Japan Display that would be used to buy equipment. Up until now, Japan Display had collected $1.5b as a loan from Apple and paid off around $700m, leaving $800m to be paid. Adding to those the current $200m investment and Japan Display is back to a billion USD in debt to Apple. With Apple's $200m investment used as reassurance, Japan Display has managed to secure another $830m as an investment from an asset manager. JDI has been one of Apple's LCD makers and has been tasked with supplying Apple with OLEDs for the Apple Watch. Apple...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/3dMvNzo

Fiat Chrysler Executives, Salaried Employees To Take Pay Cuts During Coronavirus Pandemic

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV's top executives and salaried workers around the globe will take pay cuts in an act of "shared sacrifice" brought on by the coronavirus pandemic that has shuttered the...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/33XVKrg

Suzuki To Set-up Automobile Plant In Myanmar

Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced that it will be setting up a new manufacturing facility in Myanmar, under its subsidiary Suzuki Thilawa Motor. This will be the company's...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3dAlpL8

Coronavirus Pandemic: Amara Raja Group Donates Rs. 6 Crore To CM Relief Fund

Amara Raja Group will be donating Rs. 5 crore to Andhra Pradesh CM fund and Rs. 1 crore to Telangana CM fund.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/39oFSPS

Lamborghini's New V12 Track Car Teased

While the video primarily focuses on its razor sharp styling and bodywork, it is likely to get the 6.5-litre V12 engine that will put out close to 830 bhp.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2X2FXpE

Coronavirus Pandemic: Ola Offers 500 Cabs To Transport Doctors In Karnataka

Ola Cabs has offered 500 of its vehicles to the Karnataka government for transporting doctors for Coronavirus-related activities. Karnataka's deputy Chief Minister Dr. CN Ashwathnarayan confirmed the...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2UQRfKW

Coronavirus Lockdown Forces Government To Extend Validity Of Transport Documents

The Union Government has given relief to all vehicle owners and drivers whose certificates have expired recently or were due for renewal in the coming days or. These dates have been extended owing to...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3axof1z

Ford, GE Healthcare To Produce 50,000 Ventilators In 100 Days In U.S.

Ford Motor Co said on Monday it will produce 50,000 ventilators over the next 100 days at a plant in Michigan in cooperation with General Electric's healthcare unit, and can then build 30,000 per...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2JqC3yX

Hero Group contributes Rs 100 crore towards COVID-19 relief efforts

The Hero Group has announced that it will contribute Rs 100 Crore as aid for the ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts in India. Half of this sum, Rs 50 Crore, will be contributed to the PM CARES Fund and the remaining Rs 50 crore will be spent in other relief efforts.

Distribution of masks, sanitisers, gloves and 100 ventilators will also be undertaken by the company. In addition to this, Hero has promised to distribute more than 10,000 meals every day and is offering to deploy modified motorcycles as two-wheeler ambulances in rural areas.

The Hero Group (BML Munjal family) companies contributing to this fund include Hero MotoCorp, Hero FinCorp, Hero Future Energies, Rockman Industries and Hero Electronix. Hero Enterprise and AG Industries have also contributed to this fund.

Dr Pawan Munjal said, “Our country, and indeed the entire world, is currently facing an unprecedented challenge in the form of COVID-19. In such critical times, it is of utmost importance and urgency that we all come together and support the marginalised sections of the society, along with those who are in dire conditions. I also urge the citizens of our country to support the Hon’ble Prime Minister and local authorities by staying home and help in stopping the spread of the pandemic coronavirus.”

Also see:

TVS announces Rs 30 crore package to tackle COVID-19

Bajaj Group announces Rs 100 crore COVID-19 relief package

from Autocar India - Bikes https://ift.tt/3dL4HZQ

Honor 30S With Kirin 820 5G SoC, 64-Megapixel Camera Goes Official

Honor has launched a new phone called the Honor 30S that packs a quad rear camera setup and is powered by the new Kirin 820 5G SoC.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/3bCoMiT

Internet Curbs in Kashmir Hamper Coronavirus Fight

Dr Suhail Naik, president of the main doctors' association in Kashmir, said education drives seen elsewhere in India about the symptoms of the virus are impossible to run in the region.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2UuPnbZ

Netflix Renews Castlevania for a Fourth Season

Netflix renewed its video game series adaptation Castlevania for a fourth season, just over three weeks after the release of the third season earlier in March.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2w0an0O

Microsoft Says Skype Users Surge 70 Percent Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

The number of people using Microsoft's Skype video calling system has surged by 70 percent in a month to 40 million people presently, as more individuals stay home due to the coronavirus outbreak, the...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/348zFGV

Microsoft Is Replacing Office 365 With Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 will replace Office 365 on April 21, the Redmond company announced through an online briefing on Monday. Microsoft also announced Teams for consumers and a Family Sharing app.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/39x1xoS

New Honda City gets 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating

The all-new Honda City has just been awarded a 5-star crash test rating by ASEAN NCAP. The rating marks the third time that a Thailand-spec Honda City has been awarded the maximum number of stars by the ASEAN safety agency. The third-gen and fourth-gen City were given a 5-star rating by ASEAN NCAP in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

The new City secured an overall score of 86.54 out of a maximum possible 100 in the full frontal offset impact and side impact tests, along with an evaluation of safety features available on the car. The new City got a score of 44.83 for adult occupant protection (AOP), 22.85 for child occupant protection (COP) and 18.89 points for safety assist tech (SATs).

The Thai-spec Honda City put to the test comes with G-CON (G-Force control body structure), six airbags, ABS, EBD, vehicle stability assist (VSA), hill-start assist, emergency stop signal and a multi-view reverse camera. Given the ASEAN NCAP’s stringent requirements for a 5-star rating, the new Honda City should also perform well in Global NCAP’s crash test protocol.

While the new City for India will look similar to the Thailand version, there will be a long list of India-specific cosmetic and mechanical changes. The new City that will come to our market will be slightly longer than the Thai-spec car and will also sport higher ground clearance.

Under the hood, the new City for India will come with a BS6-compliant 119hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine coupled with 5-speed manual and CVT automatic gearbox options. Additionally, India will also get a BS6-compliant diesel– the Honda Amaze’s 100hp, 1.5-litre powerplant.There are talks of adding a 1.5-litre petrol with mild-hybrid tech to the City line-up, though that’ll only arrive a little later.

For India, the new City will come with features like full LED lighting, a sunroof and 16-inch alloy wheels. The market launch of the City was earlier expected to take place around April this year. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the price announcement of the new City could be delayed. Key rivals to the new City include the likes of the heavily updated Verna, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Rapid. 

Also see:

2020 Honda City image gallery

Honda WR-V facelift bookings open

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/3dMKq6b

Astro Slide 5G Transformer smartphone comes with a slide QWERTY keyboard

In a world where smartphone hardware keyboards are next to extinct, a bunch of enthusiasts decided to try and shake up the market a bit with the Astro Slide 5G Transformer. This is a 5G handset that has a slide QWERTY keyboard, just like the beloved 10-year-old Nokia E7. The form factor is the most intriguing part here since specs-wise it is more of a midranger - the chipset is Mediatek Dimensity 1000 and Even if the people behind this device call it "the fastest 5G device to be announced to date". The gadget brings a single 48MP camera, a 6.53" screen with unknown ratio or...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/3bBC6nK

Isuzu pushes BS6 model launches to second-half of 2020

At a time when India is reeling from setbacks caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and is observing a 21-day lockdown, vehicle manufacturers have ceased production and are having to change future plans. Isuzu is one of them, and the maker of utility vehicles has announced it has pushed the launch of its BS6-compliant range due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Isuzu – which retails the D-Max pickup for commercial buyers and the V-Cross pickup and MU-X SUV for private buyers – is a niche player in the Indian market (1,404 units sold between April 2019-February 2020), and has only had BS4 models on sale so far. Now, the company has confirmed that BS6-compliant versions of its utility vehicles will only be launched sometime in the second quarter of FY2021 (between July and September 2020).

Only BS6-compliant models can be registered in India post April 2020, and having already cleared all BS4 stocks, Isuzu will not have any models on sale here till the BS6-compliant range is launched later this year. The UV manufacturer has previously said prices of the BS6-compliant V-Cross and MU-X will be higher by up to Rs 3-4 lakh. For now, the company will focus on exports, a source told Autocar India.

Additionally, for existing owners of its vehicles, Isuzu will also extend the validity of warranties and services due to expire between March 15 and April 15, to May 31, 2020.

Last year, Isuzu launched a midlife update for the V-Cross pickup in India and revealed the next-gen V-Cross internationally.

Also see:

BS6 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, MU-X to cost Rs 3-4 lakh more

2019 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Z-Prestige review, test drive

Isuzu MU-X gets free 3-year extended warranty for its powertrain this month

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/2xzoHxJ

Coronavirus Could Force GM To Delay Its Redesigned 2021 SUVs

General Motors told suppliers on Monday it is postponing work on at least half a dozen future models to conserve cash during the coronavirus pandemic and suggested it could delay the planned launch in...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3axtGgT

Money Heist, Extraction, The Departed, and More on Netflix in April

Money Heist season 4, Chris Hemsworth in Extraction movie, Ana de Armas on Netflix, The Departed, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Vir Das' Hasmukh, Yours Sincerely, Kanan Gill, Mindy Kaling's Never Have I...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/3aqWPKN

Google makes the Pixel 3a even cheaper in the UK until April 21

With the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps buying a new smartphone isn't very much on your mind these days. But then again, what if your current phone broke in some way? You might not want to splurge on the thousand-pound devices out there, so Google has a deal for you. Starting today and until April 21, the already decently priced Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are getting even cheaper. The smaller model can be yours for £299, while the XL version is now £369. In both cases, the price is £30 lower than before. Not a huge amount of savings, this, but hey, every penny counts in these...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2WVi17S

Autonomous emergency braking systems will need India-specific changes, finds Bosch

In a bid to reduce the event of road accidents, the government is working to make electronic stability control (ESC) and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) mandatory on all cars on sale in India in 2022-23. However, as German component conglomerate Bosch’s research has found, adapting AEB for India will come with its challenges. And one of those challenge will be to develop a system that can process and react to certain behaviour peculiar to pedestrians in India.

RASSI (Road Accident Sampling System – India) data formulated by JP Research, an independent accident research organization, shows that passenger vehicles were involved in 28 percent of the pedestrian crashes, while two wheelers accounted for 31 percent of the accidents. Almost half of the mishaps occurred with pedestrians attempting to cross the road, with 22 percent of the collisions involving people halting in the middle of the road while crossing. And it is this last metric that requires special attention, because it highlights a road user behaviour which, according to Bosch, is unique to India.

AEB is a driver assistance system that relies on a network of radar sensors mounted behind the vehicle's front grille or windshield to gauge the surroundings and monitor basic driving conditions such as speed, acceleration and proximity to obstacles. If the risk of an accident is detected, the system prompts the driver to brake by providing audible and visual warnings. If the driver fails to react in time, then AEB is even capable of braking autonomously to prevent an accident altogether, or at least reduce the impact of collision. The catch is that the radar sensors on existing systems are only calibrated to detect and react to moving objects, including pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road. According to Bosch, the radar would fail to sense a stationary subject like a person standing in the middle of the road, thereby rendering AEB ineffective in almost a quarter of the pedestrian crashes in India. The component major believes that the radar tech will need to be recalibrated for these unique conditions. A possible solution is to use a more sophisticated setup comprising radar as well as vision systems or cameras but that would drive up costs significantly.

The case for AEB going mainstream in India cannot be highlighted enough. As per data presented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), India witnessed an appalling 4,67,044 road accidents in 2018 which translated into 1,51,417 casualties. Of these, 78,974 accidents involved pedestrians, with 64,997 of road users getting injured and 22,656 pedestrians losing their lives. 

Pedestrian safety has got attention over the past couple of years with all new cars launched post October 2018 required to comply with new pedestrian protection norms. The norms will be expanded in scope to include all cars on sale by October 2020. In the past, car-crash safety watchdog Global NCAP had also revealed that AEB and ESC will become requirements for a 5-star rating in the future. At present, AEB is a qualifying requirement for five stars in many NCAP programmes abroad.   

Also see:

Road safety initiatives in India highlighted at 10th annual RASSI meet

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/33YEwKy

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R launch postponed due to COVID-19

Kawasaki has been forced to postpone the launch of the Ninja ZX-25R, its highly anticipated quarter-litre sport bike. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R was supposed to be launched on April 4, 2020 in Indonesia, the beginning of the Kawasaki Bike Week in the South Asian country. However, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and measures such as social distancing in place to prevent large gatherings of people, the event had to be called off. This is a big blow for the Japanese manufacturer, as Indonesia is one of its biggest markets. 

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R was first showcased at the 2019 Tokyo Motor show and recently, Kawasaki released a teaser video, showing WSBK champion Jonathan Rea putting the sport bike through its paces during testing.

Some of the key highlights of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R include a 249cc, in-line-four motor with a screaming 17,000rpm redline, traction control, quickshifter, Showa SFF-BP (separate function fork – big piston) and power modes.

While the delay of the launch is sad news, postponement of such events has become common in the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Triumph India also postponed the launch of the new Street Triple RS (originally scheduled for March 25) due to the coronavirus situation in the country.

from Autocar India - Bikes https://ift.tt/2WSabvH

Hyundai Verna facelift gets 8 segment-first features

The Hyundai Verna’s mid-cycle facelift has been launched. with prices starting at Rs 9.31 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India). The updated Verna gets revised exterior styling, and offers four trim levels and five engine-gearbox combinations for buyers to choose from.

2020 Hyundai Verna facelift prices (ex-showroom, pan-India)
Variant	Price
Verna 1.5 MPI MT S	Rs 9.31 lakh
Verna 1.5 MPI MT SX	Rs 10.70 lakh
Verna 1.5 MPI CVT SX	Rs 11.95 lakh
Verna 1.5 MPI MT SX(O)	Rs 12.60 lakh
Verna 1.5 MPI CVT SX(O)	Rs 13.85 lakh
Verna 1.0 Turbo DCT SX(O)	Rs 13.99 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi MT S+	Rs 10.66 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi MT SX	Rs 12.05 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi AT SX	Rs 13.20 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi MT SX(O)	Rs 13.95 lakh
Verna 1.5 CRDi AT SX(O)	Rs 15.10 lakh

The Verna facelift gets three new BS6-compliant engine options – two petrol and one diesel. The 115hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit is shared with the new Creta, and can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox. The second petrol unit is the 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Venue that is exclusively paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox. The diesel on offer is a 115hp, 1.5-litre unit coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. It also comes with the option of a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

Apart from the mechanical and styling updates, the Verna facelift also gains more equipment to give it an edge over the competition.

Given below are the segment-first features that are part of the Hyundai Verna facelift list:

1.     Blue Link telematics system

After the Venue, Elantra and Creta, the Verna facelift is the latest model to feature Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity suite with 45 features, including voice commands for in-car functions, remote engine and air-con operation (automatics only). The Blue Link system also lets owners access certain in-car functions via their smartwatches.

2.     Digital instrument cluster with 4.2-inch MID

The Verna facelift becomes the first midsize sedan to feature a fully digital instrument cluster. It also gets a 4.2-inch multi-information display in the centre of the instrument cluster.

3.     Wireless charger

A feature that is becoming increasingly common in Hyundais, the Verna facelift too gets wireless charging functionality. The wireless charging pad is situated in the space ahead of the gear lever.

4.     Rear USB charging point

While a rear 12V power outlet is not new in the segment, the Hyundai Verna facelift comes with a segment-first rear USB charging point. 

5.     Ventilated front seats

Like the previous model, the Verna facelift also has the distinction of being the only sedan to get cooled front seats in this segment. This feature will be much appreciated by owners during the summer months.

6.     Hands-free boot opening

The Verna facelift comes with hands-free boot opening functionality that’s dubbed ‘Smart Boot’ by Hyundai. This feature opens up the boot automatically when it senses that the key fob is near the boot. 

7.     Emergency stop signal

Hyundai has also equipped the Verna facelift with an emergency stop signal. This feature flashes the hazard lights under hard braking to prevent a rear-end collision.

8.     Arkamys audio system

Hyundai has also equipped the Verna facelift with an Arkamys premium sound system, and it is available right from the base S trim itself.

Much like its predecessor, the Hyundai Verna facelift  competes with sedans like the Honda City, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, the Volkswagen Vento, the Skoda Rapid and the Toyota Yaris.

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/2vZ0nov

One UI 2.1 might not be headed to the Galaxy S9 and Note9 after all

Earlier this month we found out that Samsung was apparently readying the update to One UI 2.1 for the Galaxy S9, S9+, and Note9. The information came from a company representative posting on the company's official Korean forum. Now though, a different post on the same forum by another representative strongly implies that at the time Samsung has no plans to bring One UI to its flagship models from 2018. Of course such plans might change in the future, but given how the company only focuses on security updates after two years pass from a phone's initial release, we wouldn't hold our...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/3dHrlCc

Yamaha warranty and services extended owing to COVID-19 lockdown

Yamaha has announced that it will be extending its warranty and other services for its two-wheelers in India. The Japanese brand has said that it feels that some of its customers may struggle to get their vehicles serviced on time or avail warranty benefits which may expire during the country's current lockdown.

Hence, as a part of the ‘Yamaha Lifetime Quality Care’ approach, it will extend its services for an additional 60 days (till June 2020) from date of expiry. Free services expiring between March 15 and April 15 will be extended until June. Normal and extended warranties expiring between March 15 and April 15 will be extended till June as well.

Those who have annual maintenance contracts expiring between March 15 and April 15 will get an extension till June too.

TVS has also extended service support to two-wheeler owners in these hard times. Owners with motorcycles or scooters with scheduled free services or an annual maintenance contract (AMC) service falling between March and April 2020 can avail of the service until June 2020. Click here to know more.

from Autocar India - Bikes https://ift.tt/2yjDCfX

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000RR Showcased With MotoGP Livery

The Suzuki GSX-R1000RR has now been unveiled with Suzuki's special 60th anniversary MotoGP-inspired blue and silver replica livery.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2UvLXG5

Coronavirus Pandemic: TVS Pledges Rs. 25 Crore to PM Relief Fund For Battling COVID-19

TVS Motor Company will be donating Rs. 25 crore to the PM Relief Fund (PM-CARES) in a bid to continue the fight against Coronavirus pandemic, which has gripped India and the world.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3atIcGp

OnePlus Confirms It Will Bring Always-On Display Feature

OnePlus has assured users that it will be bringing Always-On display as a feature for its devices in future software updates. It could also be seen on the OnePlus 8 series of devices, expected to...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2UrBMSB

Celebrities, Please Stop Spreading Misinformation on Social Media

The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading like wildfire around the world, so too has the misinformation and fake rumours about the disease on social media platforms.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/3dOs30C

WhatsApp Limits the Length of Status Videos to 15 Seconds in India

WhatsApp has implemented a cap of 15 seconds for videos users can upload and share as their status story in India.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2WRPdgl

Watch the trailer for TVF's Panchayat, out in April on Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video and The Viral Fever (TVF) have revealed their second series collaboration in Panchayat. Amazon has announced an April 3 release date for Panchayat and unveiled a trailer for...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2wLWZxL

Apple Watch Series 6 Tipped to Feature Touch ID, Blood Oxygen Detector

Apple's rumoured device, the Apple Watch Series 6 will reportedly come with blood oxygen detectors and Touch ID. It will also come with watchOS 7 but that the aforementioned software will not be...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2xv8mKD

ZTE's 5G-packing a1 ZTG01 coming to Japan, specs revealed

ZTE just released its Axon 11 5G smartphone, and now it is preparing another Snapdragon 765G-powered phone with 5G capabilities. It will be called ZTE a1 ZTG01 and will arrive in July, but its specs were already revealed by the Japanese carrier au. The phone will have four shooters on the back, sitting in a square setup in the upper left corner and a flat screen with a punch. The Snapdragon 765G chipset of the ZTE a1 ZTG01 is coupled with 6GB RAM, 128 GB storage and you also get a microSD slot for up to 1TB of expansion. The phone is built around a 6.5" LCD with Full HD+...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/3avSTZd

Trump's Attack On GM Over Ventilators Quickly Turns To Praise

GM will also begin producing surgical masks at a plant in Michigan this week and expects to produce 50,000 a day by mid-April.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2WR0DB6

Coronavirus Lockdown: Maruti Suzuki Announces Service And Warranty Extensions

Maruti Suzuki is not the only carmaker to take these steps, in fact companies like Yamaha, TVS, Hyundai, Tata Motors and more have announced these offers for their customers.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3auLsBs

OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8 Specifications, Colour Variants, and More Leaked

OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro specifications have leaked suggesting 30x digital zoom for the OnePlus 8 Pro and a triple camera setup for the OnePlus 8.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/39s0nv3

Hero assures dealers not to worry about BS4 stock

Even as the Supreme Court gave a reprieve of sorts to the automobile dealer fraternity by allowing sale of 10 percent of all unsold BS4 stock/inventory for 10 days from the end of the all-India lockdown (April 14), except in Delhi and NCR, Hero MotoCorp has assured its dealers that it will take care of the remaining BS4 inventory lying with them.

As per a PTI report, the company, which is India's and the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, told its dealers not to worry about BS4 stocks. Addressing around 1,000 Hero MotoCorp dealers in an interactive digital town hall meeting recently, the chairman, Dr Pawan Munjal, said dealers would not have to suffer due to the unsold inventory of BS4 vehicles. The company's expansive dealer network across the country is understood to have an estimated stock of over one lakh BS4 motorcycles and scooters.

"I stay firm on my own personal commitment and that of the organisation – to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of each one of you," Dr Munjal told dealers.

A company dealer, who attended the town hall meeting, confirmed the assurance given by the chairman. The company, however, did not issue a formal note on the meeting and neither offered a comment on the event.

Munjal told dealers that the company's teams are working diligently and tirelessly to find ways and means to absorb or utilise the stocks and they will connect with the dealers soon on this. "We are all in it together and we shall overcome this together."

According to the PTI report, the Hero MotoCorp chief also asked company dealers to utilise the current period to bring about innovation and improvements to the business models. "Be considerate to your staff, we will support you during the lockdown period, not just in business, but also in the up-skilling of your staff," said Dr Munjal.

While supporting the 21-day lockdown by the government due to the coronavirus pandemic, he asked the dealers and their staff to follow social distancing. "I am aware of the difficulties that this may be posing to a lot of you. I want you to know that during this time we are together with you," he reassured the dealers at the Town Hall, which was also attended by the company's leadership team.

Also see:

TVS announces Rs 30 crore package to tackle COVID-19

Bajaj Group announces Rs 100 crore COVID-19 relief package

from Autocar India - Bikes https://ift.tt/2UMD1uQ

2020 Hyundai Verna Facelift Listed On Official Website

After launching the new generation Hyundai Creta SUV in India, the South Korean auto major is now planning to launch the refreshed version of Hyundai Verna. The mid-sized sedan was expected to launch...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2JBmbKl

Watch a Rick and Morty Anime Short as You Wait for Rest of Season 4

While the second half of Rick and Morty season 4 still doesn't have a release date, Adult Swim gave us a surprise short film over the weekend called "Samurai & Shogun", which as you can expect,...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2WP0XAp

SoftBank-Backed OneWeb Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Plan, Cuts Jobs

OneWeb, the satellite operator backed by Japan's SoftBank Group, said it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to pursue a sale of its business and and has cut its workforce amid the coronavirus...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/2xBMcpL

Samsung Galaxy M11 is official with Infinity-O display and three cameras

Another week, another new smartphone from Samsung - say hello to the Galaxy M11. The phone is officially on the website of the UAE division of the company, revealing all key specs. It is also available to purchase at various retail stores across Abu Dhabi, but pricing is yet to be revealed. The Samsung Galaxy M11 has a 6.4" LCD panel with HD+ resolution and a punch-hole in the top left corner for the selfie camera. The Korean company does not reveal its chipsets, so we know the Galaxy M11 comes with an octa-core CPU, going as high as 1.8 GHz. RAM is 3 GB, while storage is 32 GB, but...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2WSpGUn

Twitter Removes Two Bolsonaro Tweets Questioning Virus Quarantine

Two tweets by Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in which he questioned quarantine measures aimed at containing the novel coronavirus were removed Sunday, on the grounds that they violated the social...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest https://ift.tt/33St9DY

The right way to clean your riding gear

Nearly the entire world has come to a standstill due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we’re all doing our part by staying indoors to curb the spread of the virus. And now, confined to our homes, there’s no better time to prep our riding gear for when the curfew lifts and we can get back on our motorcycles.

Riding gear can be broadly classified into two categories – mesh and/or textile, and leather – with two very different approaches to how they should be cleaned. In this guide, we’re going to run through the basics of cleaning for both.

Textile gear:

Our riding conditions and temperatures mean that textile/ mesh riding gear is much more commonly used than leather.  The conditions we ride in also mean that they’re going to pick up on dust, dirt and grime a lot quicker than you’d like. So to keep them clean and prolong their life, here's what you need to do.

Check the instructions:

While dumping your gear into a washing machine may be the simplest way to clean it, it isn’t the most ideal. Your riding gear will have a tag sewn on to the inner lining that will tell you the best way to go about washing your gear - hand or machine-washed - and what kind of substances you should refrain from using. To keep your gear in great shape, it’s best you follow these instructions.

Remove the armour:

Irrespective of whether your gear is about to be hand-washed or machine-washed, the first step is to remove the armour – shoulder, elbow, knee and hip inserts – from their inner pockets. If this is your first time cleaning your gear, you can mark the inserts so you know where they have to go back. You can then proceed to check all the other pockets, empty them and close all zippers. Sometimes, the armour can't be removed, so in that case, just wash the gear as is.

Clean out tough spots:

Examine the exterior of your gear and look for any prominent spots or grime. Use a clean, damp cloth to try and wipe off any such marks. You may have to repeat this step a few times, and don’t run it into the fabric. If it's a tough stain, use a mild detergent and a soft toothbrush. Bug stains can be particularly hard to deal with as they stain as they disintegrate into the fabric. If you’re satisfied with how clean your gear is after this step, use a damp cloth to clean the detergent off the fabric.

Washing the gear:

Like we mentioned in the first step, you want to follow the instructions that the manufacturer has provided. But just like with every rule, there are a few exceptions. Some washing machines are capable of a very gentle wash cycle that may even be better than you scrubbing the gear down in a tub. Put your gear in the machine and use a light detergent that doesn’t contain bleach or a fabric softener as these can damage the fabric. Baby shampoo does the trick too! You also want to ensure that you don’t let the machine dry the gear

If hand-washing your gear is your only option, fill a tub with water and mix it with a light detergent. Soak your gear in it for a couple of minutes and use a cloth and soft brush to clean out stains. Be gentle on the inner lining and breathable fabric that most riding gear today comes with. Once you’re done, rinse the jacket or pant in a tub of clear water. Repeat this step until there’s no detergent left and the water runs clear when you dip your gear in it. Once that's done, resist the temptation to wring your gear dry.

Drying your gear

The ideal way to dry your gear is to put it on a hanger and let it air-dry. Do not wring it dry with your hands and avoid spin-drying it in the washing machine. If you’re short of time, the most you can do is to leave it under a fan.

Once it’s fully dry, reinsert your armour and liners, and your clean gear is ready to go.

Leather gear:

Cleaning leather gear is completely different from cleaning textile gear. Taking care of leather doesn’t just keep it clean, but also helps it last longer.

Cleaning the interiors:

If you're lucky, your leather riding jacket, pant or race suit will come with a removable liner that is machine-washable. If so, all you have to do is toss it in for a wash and skip to the second step. If not, sunlight is your best friend. Let your leather gear breathe and air it out in the sun to remove odour after heavy usage. Keeping your leather gear healthy also has a lot to do with how you maintain it. It’s best that you let it air out, and don’t tuck it away immediately after a ride. This will keep sweat from seeping into the leather or the inner liner. If you can get your hands on a desalter, spray the inside of your leathers with it and let it dry on its own.

Cleaning the exterior:

The second step is to get some leather shampoo or leather cleaner and a clean microfibre  cloth to remove bug stains and grime. Unlike with textile gear, tossing it into a machine or immersing it in a tub with soapy water will do more harm than good, so be patient and take your time with cleaning the exterior.

Conditioning:

The third step is the most important but it's one that a lot of us tend to overlook. Keeping the leather moisturized will allow it to perform at its best and will also let it stretch better, letting you move around more, improving comfort. Brands that sell leather gear like Dainese make their own leather cleaning kits that include a conditioner, and these will be your best bet at the job. You can also use the leather conditioner you’d use for your car seats or couch. Apply the conditioner with a clean microfibre cloth and rub it into the leather. Let your piece of gear sit out for a while for the conditioner to be absorbed.

And there you have it. Your riding gear should be as clean as possible and ready for when you can get back on your motorcycle. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments section below!

In our next article, we’ll tell you all about cleaning your helmet. 

from Autocar India - Bikes https://ift.tt/3byWQwo

Is it advisable to buy a used Fiat Punto diesel?

Will it be wise to buy a used Fiat Punto diesel now, considering that the company has shut shop in India? I plan to keep it for the next five years. Will spares be an issue?

Jitupon Gogoi, Guwahati

AAA - The Punto diesel is quite a hardy car, so if you have found one in good condition, it should last you for another 4-5 years. With the Fiat brand shut down, parts will be harder to come by, but not impossible. The good thing is that Fiat dealers haven’t shut down with the company and still continue operations with the Jeep brand. So, finding a competent workshop won’t be an issue but you do have to consider the parts availability in the long run.

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/2ygGKJn

Bestselling scooters in February 2020: Activa retains top spot

Do you know that by end-February 2020, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) was 23,698 Activas short of crossing the 25 lakh Activa sales mark in FY2020? Considering that the company is averaging 7,500 unit sales a day of the popular scooter, this milestone would have been crossed in the first three days of March 2020 itself. In the 11-month April 2019-February 2020 period, HMSI sold 24,76,302 Activas, which translates into 2,25,118 units every month or 7,503 units every day for the past 11 months. But this figure is still 13.41 percent down on year-ago sales (April 2018-February 2019: 28,60,093). Blame it on the adverse market and consumer sentiment, and the prolonged economic downturn.

At 2,22,961 units, the Activa remains unsurpassable at the top of the Top 10 bestsellers list and will remain so in the foreseeable future. The yawning gap to No. 2 is simply too much to be filled in a hurry.

Suzuki Access now the regular No. 2

Suzuki Motorcycle India, which has a scooter doing all the good work for it, is riding high on the success of the Access 125. Amid all the red ink that lies splattered across the domestic market sales numbers of the Indian two-wheeler industry due to a multiplicity of growth-impacting issues, there is one company which is firmly bucking the slowdown: Suzuki Motorcycle India. And it has the Access 125 to thank because this bestselling 125cc model has single-handedly given Suzuki a new charge in the market.

In February 2020, the Access 125 sold 50,103 units, a 3.8 percent year-on-year growth (February 2019: 48,265). But the real growth is seen the cumulative 11-month numbers: 5,44,422 units, which marks 11.27 percent YoY growth (April 2018-February 2019: 489,248). This performance has helped Suzuki increase its scooter market share to 11.61 percent from 8.83 percent a year ago. All the six other OEMs have shown negative sales. In terms of market share, Suzuki has taken over Hero MotoCorp (7.08 percent) and is now third in the pecking order, after leader HMSI (56.64 percent) and TVS Motor Co (18.61 percent) 

TVS Jupiter is No. 3 but down 35 percent YoY

 

Sales of the TVS Jupiter, the flagship scooter for the Chennai-based manufacturer, are slowing down. In February, the Jupiter sold 31,440 units, down 35 percent on year-ago sales of 48,668 units, and much lower than January's 38,689 units. This trend is also reflected in the product’s sales in the April 2019-February 2020 period – 5,74,544 units – which is 22 percent down on year-ago sales of 7,34,993 Jupiters.

On November 27, 2019, a day after it rolled out its first BS6-compliant two-wheeler, the Apache RTR, TVS expanded its BS6 product range to its Jupiter, which is now equipped with ET-Fi (Ecothrust Fuel injection) technology. The BS6 TVS Jupiter Classic ET-Fi is priced at Rs 67,911 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Launched in 2013, the Jupiter remains the bestselling TVS scooter and crossed the million-unit sales mark 30 months after launch. It has a customer base of over 3 million customers.  The TVS Jupiter is available in four variants – Base, ZX (Disc and Drum), Classic, and Grande.

Honda Dio sales down 41 percent YoY

Like the TVS Jupiter, HMSI too has its work cut out for it with the Dio. This scooter, which takes the 4th spot in the Top 10 rankings, sold 26,494 units in February 2020, which is a sizeable 41 percent decline over year-ago sales of 45,017 units. However, seen over an 11-month period, the sales decline is not sharp. At 4,10,271 units sold in April-February 2020, the numbers are down 6.65 percent YoY.

Improved performance from Yamaha Fascino and TVS NTorq

At No. 5 and No. 6 are the Yamaha Fascino and TVS NTorq, respectively, both of whom have bettered their year-ago sales numbers last month.

The Yamaha Fascino, with 25,709 units sold in February 2020, has shown robust 72 percent YoY growth. While cumulative 11-month sales at 1,52,058 units are still 18.46 percent down YoY (April 2018-February 2020: 1,86,488), the introduction of the 125cc model in December has given the model a new charge. The Fascino is powered by a new 125cc, fuel-injected, air-cooled engine that produces 8.2hp at 6500rpm and 9.7Nm at 5,000rpm. These figures are pretty much in the same ballpark as the Activa 125 BS6, but are considerably lower than the 125cc scooters from TVS, Suzuki and Aprilia. What helps the Yamaha is its low 99kg kerb weight, resulting in a higher power-to-weight ratio of 82.82hp per tonne.

Prices for the Fascino 125 begin at Rs 66,430 for the standard, drum brake version, and go up to Rs 68,930 for the top-spec, disc-brake-equipped Deluxe version. The prices are extremely competitive, and the top model is Rs 5,560 less than the top-spec Activa 125. That said, the Activa 125 does offer a much longer feature list and is backed by a larger service network.

The NTorq, once the talk of the town, is still doing decent numbers albeit TVS would have hoped for more. At 22,804 units last month, sales are 39.30 percent up YoY (February 2019: 16,370). For the first 11 months of FY2020, the NTorq has 2,55,865 units to its credit, 31.61 percent better than year-ago sales of 1,94,482 units.

The scooter market, like the motorcycle market, is feeling the heat of the prolonged slowdown and the country-wide lockdown. In the fiscal year to date, scooter sales are down 16 percent (53,02,858 vs 63,13,878) in line with the 16 percent sales decline of the overall two-wheeler market: 1,65,59,770 vs 1,97,39,254.

Given the ongoing 21-day, all-India lockdown, sales numbers will be quite muted in March and in April. From the looks of it, the first sparks of revival can only be expected around the festive season.

from Autocar India - Bikes https://ift.tt/3bBFr6h

Top 10 trending phones of week 13

We thought week 12 was eventful, but it has nothing on the past seven days, which brought by far the most dramatic change to our trending chart ever. Only three members of last weeks' top 10 make it to the new edition with the highest placed being fifth. Huawei is by far the biggest winner, its newly announced P40 Pro and P40 Pro+ taking the top two spots. The final position on the rostrum goes to the surprising arrival that was the Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G - the most affordable smartphone to support the next-gen networks in western markets yet. Fourth position goes to the Redmi Note 9S...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/33SgRvk

New Skoda SUVs for India – What’s coming and when?

Skoda has had a quiet few years in India but 2020 is the year of change. The carmaker’s limited-run Octavia RS245 has already sold out and it’s also opened bookings for the updated Rapid that will sport a new 1.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine. There’s going to be action on the SUV front through 2020-21 too.

Read on to know which Skoda SUV is coming and when.

Skoda Karoq
Skoda has opened order books for the Jeep Compass-sized Karoq SUV. In a nutshell, the Karoq is the long-awaited follow-up to the capable Yeti crossover. However, the ingredients will be different. Where the Yeti was only a diesel-manual model, the Karoq for India will be offered in a single petrol-automatic spec. Power will come from a 150hp/250Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The buzz is that Skoda will go the distance, loading the Karoq with lots of goodies. The sole version on offer will get a panoramic sunroof, Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, nine airbags and more. What remains a question mark is its pricing. The Karoq will be brought to India as a completely built-up unit and could, hence, be pricey for its size.

Coming: April 2020
Engines: 1.5P
Price: From Rs 25 lakh

Skoda Kodiaq petrol
With the roll-out of BS6 emission norms on April 1, 2020, we’ll bid adieu to the Skoda Kodiaq diesel SUV. In its place, Skoda will bring in a petrol-powered version; and the numbers sure seem promising. The new BS6-compliant, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine makes 190hp and 320Nm of torque. Potential buyers who weren’t sold on the old diesel’s 150hp output figure will surely see some merit in going petrol here. Barring the new engine, there won’t be any other changes made to the Kodiaq. A panoramic sunroof, Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, and a large touchscreen infotainment system are some of the features you’d get on the top-spec L&K variant. The Skoda Kodiaq petrol will compete with other luxury soft-roaders like the recently launched Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, the Hyundai Tucson and the Honda CR-V.

Coming: May 2020
Engines: 2.0P
Price: Starting from Rs 33 lakh

Skoda Vision IN

This is the SUV that could change Skoda’s fortunes in India. Shown as the Vision IN concept at Auto Expo 2020, the made-for-India SUV will be the first model under the carmaker’s ‘India 2.0’ program. The SUV will also be the first model to be built on the India-spec MQB A0 IN platform and will be unlike any Skoda before it, with up to 95 percent localisation. Skoda knows keen pricing is vital in the midsize segment, where the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta currently reign supreme.

The Skoda SUV won’t be the largest SUV in its segment but will sport rugged styling that Indian buyers like. A relatively long wheelbase promises fair room on the inside and you can expect a high level of quality in the cabin too. Other things to expect include digital instruments, drive modes and a panoramic sunroof.

The Skoda SUV will be a petrol-only model, at least initially, and will be offered with a 115hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine as well as the more powerful 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol unit. A CNG option could also be rolled out later.

Coming: April-June 2021
Engines: 1.0P, 1.5P
Price: From Rs 10 lakh

(All prices estimated, ex-showroom)

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/3bEVhNz

Realme 6 in for review

The latest Realme to-be bestsellers were revealed earlier this month and are already available for purchase at Flipkart and Realme's own web store. We just got the Realme 6 with us and we are about to start work on its full review. But before we get into the testing process, here are some early impressions. The phone was initially announced in two colors - Comet White and Comet Blue, and we have the latter with us. The paint job really looks inspired by a comet, hurtling through space. The front is also intriguing - Realme 6 is the first phone by the young brand with a single...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/3atirGj

Week 13 in review: Huawei P40 lineup, Redmi K30 Pro duo are here

The final full week of March brought us a bunch of high-profile phone announcements and a number of high-profile leaks. Huawei unveiled The P40 Pro, the P40 Pro+ and the regular P40 and here's the quick rundown - all of them pack premium 50MP main cameras with the biggest smartphone sensor around, they use the 5G-ready Kirin 990 chipset and lack Google Services. The Huawei P40 Pro+ is a true pioneer with a 10x optical-zoom periscope camera, which delivers the longest optical zoom on a phone these days - 240mm. The P40 Pro+ also has the fastest wireless charging at 40W. The Huawei P40...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2wOAIPI

Seven-seat Hyundai Creta takes shape

Hyundai has begun road-testing the 7-seat iteration of the latest-gen Creta, with the first set of spy shots emerging from Korea. This is the first time that the Creta will be seen in a three-row, 7-seat configuration, and we had reported about this development back in November 2016. 

 

While the test mule is covered, there are quite a few differences visible. First up, the grille inserts are different and sport a more premium design, with chrome studs that are similar to some Mercedes-Benz models. The bumper also sees minor alterations, along with the addition of front parking sensors that are not seen on the 5-seat version. From the sides, the 7-seat Creta looks quite similar to the standard car, but a closer look reveals that the roof is flatter, the C-pillar is slimmer and there is the presence of a rear quarter glass as well, which is covered in the spy shot. 

 

The 7-seat Hyundai Creta will most likely have a 20mm longer wheelbase (at 2,630mm, compared to 2,610mm of the 5-seat version) and will also have a 10mm longer rear overhang, making the SUV longer by 30mm than the standard model. In India, it will rival the likes of the Tata Gravitas and the 7-seat iteration of the MG Hector, which is known as the Hector Plus.

 

The 7-seat Creta will sit above the 5-seat version and below the yet-to-be-revealed next-gen Hyundai Tucson in the brand's global line-up. The next-gen Tucson, previewed last year as a concept, will grow in size and will also come with a three-row layout, as reported by us back in 2018.  

Image source: Palisade Owners Club Korea

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/2WQrLA5

The new devices of the week

The smartphone world had an eventful week, with plenty of new phone being introduced - the P40 flagship family is finally official, Redmi revealed some rebranded smartphones and Xiaomi launched the Mi 10 lineup outside China. The week began with the ZTE Axon 11 5G - although it is a follow-up of the flagship Axon 10 flagship family, this one actually runs on Snapdragon 765G, so it doesn't qualify for the overall top tier of smartphones. It still looks intriguing and is likely to appear elsewhere in the upcoming months, just like its predecessor did the same time 12 months ago. ...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2UMX4Jl

2020 Detroit Auto Show Cancelled; Venue To Be Used For COVID-19 Hospital

Organizers canceled the Detroit auto show on Saturday citing the coronavirus pandemic, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency set to tap the convention center venue into a temporary field...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3dznB5P

Coronavirus Pandemic: Yamaha India Extends Warranty & Service Period For Customers

Yamaha will honour normal and extended warranties, annual maintenance contracts and free services that were set to expire amidst the nationwide lockdown.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/3dAW9EA

Nissan Trademarks New Company Logo

Nissan has trademarked a new 2D monochromatic corporate logo that will replace the existing three-dimensional chrome logo as a sign of evolution for the brand.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2Jra95O

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Spied Undisguised; Confirms New Nameplate

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is likely to be a replacement to the Thunderbird 350 and will be based on the new J1D platform, scheduled to go on sale in a few weeks.

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2UHR1WM

Flashback: Huawei Ascend P6 showed promise, but had much to learn

Huawei was one of the first companies to adopt Android - the U8220 was unveiled just months after the T-Mobile G1. But for this article we wanted to focus on one of the phones that laid the groundwork for what Huawei phones are today (and if you want to know more about the company's history, we recommend this Counterclockwise article). Huawei Ascend P6 official pictures The Huawei Ascend P6 was the thinnest mass market smartphone when it launched in June of 2013. It wasn't the thinnest, of course, there was a model from a little-known company called "vivo" that was even...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2WMRYzE

Coronavirus Pandemic: Pitstop Offers Free Vehicle Service To Essential Services Workers

Bangalore-based doorstep car service and repair company - Pitstop has announced that it will be offering free vehicle service to the essential services workers. The new campaign is aimed to recognise...

from NDTV Auto - Latest https://ift.tt/2UIzqxQ

Weekly poll: the Huawei P40 phones are so good, but can you love them with no GMS on board?

It's that time of the year again - Huawei is pushing mobile photography forward with the launch of its new Leica-equipped P40 family of phones. The company even unveiled its own voice assistant, video chat and Cast protocol, but the question remains - would you buy these phones and leave the Google ecosystem behind? Huawei P40 • Huawei P40 Pro • Huawei P40 Pro+ First, let's consider why it's so tempting to do so. The Huawei P40 Pro brings the brand's first high refresh rate display (90Hz) and reworks the complicated hardware above the screen - the IR face scanner, ToF and...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2JotXac

Weekly poll results: the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is the clear favorite, Note 9 Pro is in its shadow

The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is the one to have, based on the results of last week's poll. The Max model proved significantly more popular than both its sibling and its predecessor. The most common reason to pick it over the Redmi Note 9 Pro seems to be the camera, though many appreciate the faster charging as well. The small price difference between the two models may have condemned the 9 Pro to be a distant second best to the 9 Pro Max. Just over a fifth of voters are not happy with either Redmi Note 9 Pro option, usually because there's no high refresh rate screen. Many wished for a...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/33RZkDq

2020 Suzuki SV650 unveiled

Suzuki has unveiled the updated SV650 and the changes that it brings for 2020 are minor in the form of new colour schemes. Internationally, the bike is available in three variants – the base SV650, an SV650 ABS and the SV650X, each with its own colour scheme.

Mechanically, the motorcycle remains identical to its predecessor and is powered by the 645cc V-twin engine that we’ve experienced on the V-Strom 650 XT on sale in India. Suzuki hasn’t revealed the engine output details of the 2020 SV650, but the V-Strom 650 XT on sale here has peak output figures of 71hp and 62Nm torque. The SV650 also misses out on electronic aids like traction control and switchable ABS that the V-Strom offers.

The international Suzuki website has prices for the 2020 SV650 ABS starting at USD 7,499 (Rs 5.61 lakh). For reference, the V-Strom 650 XT costs USD 9,299 (Rs 6.96 lakh) on the same website and is priced at Rs 7.57 lakh here in India. With this in mind, we could expect to see the SV650 priced between Rs 6.20-6.40 lakh if it does make its way to the Indian market.

from Autocar India - Bikes https://ift.tt/2UCFwzy