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Czech car maker Skoda — part of the Volkswagon Group — is getting ready to pump up its presence in the Indian car market by launching an all new small-sized SUV in the country in early 2010. Skoda has been mandated within the VW Group (which includes the other mass market brands like VW and Audi which are also in India) to tap all newer markets in the developing world as the group’s entry level marque.

 This pleasing crossover embraces a wraparound windscreen, coated windscreen side-pillars (which in the automotive lexicon is normally termed the A-pillar ), and the characteristic roof covering which Skoda is noted for.

The Yeti [to be launched soon] will bridge the gap in the Skoda lineup between the Fabia and the Octavia and it would be the ideal ticket for those who wish to ply the Indian roads.

 
The Yeti would predominantly be built with a front wheel drive configuration for the masses while the all wheel drive version would employ VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive gear, having specifically been made to cater to all VW group offerings with transversely mounted engines. More of a crossover than an SUV, the Yeti’s compact nature will ensure that it would be the preferred option for those who dote on SUV-styled vehicles but didn’t either have the money or were daunted by the sheer mass such vehicles sport.

The Skoda Yeti would be priced just around Rs 10 lakh and likely to make its debut at Auto Expo in Delhi next January . The Yeti would be built at the Aurangabad plant as a CKD operation using kits shipped in from Skoda’s Kvasiny plant in Czech Republic.

Tata Motors has begun gearing up its distribution network, to aggressively support its future car launches, especially the high-profile Nano. Tata Motor also proposes Xenon, a premium lifestyle pick-up vehicle for personal usage, will be launched this month followed by the Rs 1-lakh Nano before the end of the financial year. Tata dealers have been asked to gear up and prepare for the launches, would be needed for more efficient customer service.

However, the company is still hush-hush on exact details of the Nano launch, officials close to the development said.

The first lot of Nanos will roll out from Pantnagar (Tata Motors’ manufacturing plant). The company has officially stated that Nano will focus on semi-urban and rural markets. Dealers say bookings will start at the end of this month and deliveries will begin by March 2009. The company’s current dealer network for passenger cars will also be tapped for distributing Nano.

 
The initial bookings for Nano are being done to gauge the demand for the vehicle. The base version will be without an AC. Company Officials indicate that Tata Motors may be able to stand by its promise of launching Nano at Rs 1 lakh. Officials close to the project said there may not be too many takers for the base version of Nano and most consumers may opt for the AC version, which would retail at around Rs 1.4 lakh. It is learnt that Tata Motors Finance is considering various financing packages through SBI and HDFC to offer competitive interest rates.

Ford’s new-generation global small car was first seen in concept form as the Verve at last year’s Frankfurt motor show, but now Ford has taken the wraps of the production version. It is expected that Ford India is going to launch the all new Fiesta Hatch and Sedan in coming months.

New Fiesta hatch has reasonably engaging lines, making for a fun, youthful image. The interior, a strong point of the Verve Concept, remains true to original designs as well, with a futuristic center stack that was inspired by mobile phones.

A large-screen display and control panel houses buttons for audio, in-car phone, and vehicle settings; while an array of modern technological features are included, such as Bluetooth integration, auxiliary media player connectivity, and red-tinted ambient lighting.

Also, to counter the new launches in the C-segment, Ford has launched added few more features to its mid-size sedan Fiesta ZXi variant.The new Fiesta (both petrol and diesel variants of ZXi) would have additional features including.  Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), advanced audio system, front fog lamps. All these exciting features are offered at no additional cost, Currently, Ford Fiesta petrol ZXi retails at Rs 6.34 lakhs and Fiesta Diesel ZXi retails at Rs. 7.32 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi).