AutoQ is our weekly round-up of automobile stories.
1. Maruti Suzuki Eeco Gets a ‘Safety’ Upgrade With Airbag, ABS
Maruti Suzuki Eeco has been given a safety upgrade. This basic people and goods mover now gets a driver’s side airbag, ABS, parking sensors, and seat belt reminder for driver and passenger as standard fitment. Eeco also gets speed warnings at 80 kmph.
Eeco has been upgraded ahead of India’s new safety norms that take effect from April 2019, with Bharat NCAP crash tests also coming in by October 2019. Maruti Suzuki Eeco is likely to replace the iconic Maruti Omni, which isn’t likely to pass upcoming crash tests.
Incidentally, Maruti Suzuki Eeco earlier scored zero stars in Global NCAP’s crash tests. However, that was because it didn’t have any airbags.
Read the story here.
2. Want to Be a Pro Racer in India? Here Is the Basic Training Needed
Being an automobile journalist has its perks. Perks like getting to be a part of a one-day Young Media Racer Program organised by TVS Racing Training School. I just turned 30 and I don’t think I qualify as "Young", but I guess TVS has a different definition of the same.
The training session is organised to equip participants with the skills and the wherewithal they would need to be able to ride and race a motorcycle on a professional racing track.
All of this was to be achieved, in just one day! At first, I was skeptical. “Is that even possible?” But, considering I had 12 years of riding experience behind me, one day might just might be enough to cover the basics.
Read here to know everything about becoming a pro biker.
3. Toyota & Suzuki Finalise Deal to Produce Cars & Push EV Tech
Want to drive a Toyota Ertiga or a Toyota Ciaz or perhaps a Suzuki Corolla? No, that’s not a typo, but a part of the deal between Suzuki and Toyota on joint production and sale of cars.
Although this partnership involves both companies making and selling some of each others models, the brands will compete with each other in the market.
It’s a wide-ranging pact that the two Japanese companies have signed that include joint design and production of a vehicle for India, supply of hybrid and electric vehicle systems and also badge-engineering and reselling vehicles in other markets.
Read the story here.
4. Peugeot’s Sister-Brand Citroen to Debut in India on 3 April
Groupe PSA, also formerly known as PSA Peugeot Citroen, will be formally announcing the entry of the Citroen brand in India on 3 April. The company will also showcase its first model for the Indian market, which according to reports, will be the C5 Aircross SUV.
The Citroen C5 Aircross will compete with the likes of the Tata Harrier and Hyundai Creta, as well as the Jeep Compass. It will also have to reckon with competition from MG and Kia, who are likely to launch their SUVs soon.
The Citroen C5 Aircross will be imported in completely knocked down form (CKD) and assembled at the company’s plant in Hosur, with nearly 70 percent local parts being used to keep costs in check.
Read the story here to know more about the upcoming SUV.
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