Ford Commences Exports from Chennai Port

Ford India had exported about 170 cars to South Africa from the Chennai port. The Ford company that’s based in Chennai, found it cheaper to export from the Chennai port rather than the Mumbai port, from where its earlier exports took place. The Chennai port lacks a few facilities, as per the Ford officials, but soon they will be fulfilled by the early 2010. The Chennai-based automaker has plans to launch it’s a new small hatchback for the India car market. The Ford means serious business in India. It has future plans to add about 20 more dealers to its current Indian network of 93 dealers

Mercedes Launches Special Edition C-Class

Following the Special Edition E-Class, Mercedes-Benz has now launched a Special Edition C-Class, available with the option of the powertrain from the C200K or the C220 CDI.

Among the changes are a new grille with louvres, redesigned air intakes, fog lamps with chrome surrounds, and the same 17″ split-spoke design that can be found on the Special Edition E-Class. What is a real first for Mercedes, though, is the USB-compatible audio system, which can also be paired with a phone, iPod or iPhone. The Special Edition will retail at Rs 28.46 lakh for the 200K version, and Rs 31.3 lakh for the 220 CDI version (ex-showroom, Delhi.)

Suzuki to invest Rs 1,500cr for a R&D hub in India

Suzuki will invest about Rs 1,500 crore in the coming 6-7 years to set up a research and development centre at Rohtak in Haryana. Maruti Suzuki will complete the 700-acre plot in two phases by 2015.

Shinzo Nakanishi Managing Director and CEO Maruti Suzuki India (MSI),”This facility in Rohtak would be a big step forward in building the R&D capability of Maruti Suzuki, and enable us to offer superior products to our customers in the future as well.”