British International Motor Show

The new-format British Motor Show will start tomorrow in London. Despite the huge space available at its previous home in Birmingham, the London venue is more likely to be seen as a serious international motorshow. The event will run from 20 - 30 July and no longer will it be held in Earl’s Court, instead finding itself in ExCeL Exhibition Centre in the Docklands London near Canary Wharf and London City Airport. A nightly post-show rock music festival called Dock Rock is also planned. According to the Top Gear website, Lightning Mcqueen (The star car from the Pixar film Cars which isn’t based off a real car) will be featured as a real car.

It appears that the car manufacturers are really taking this international show seriously, with plenty of world debuts as well as the first chance for the public to see many of the latest models going on sale later this year. There should be at least six world premieres, including an all-new Vauxhall/Opel Corsa, the Noble M15 supercar, the 3-door Honda Civic, Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and Lotus Europa S, so keep a close eye on this site for news about these novelties. As we will get more information about the event, new details will be unravel in the site. We will try to show new things that The British International Motor Show has to offer.

We also know that the following manufacturers will be exhibiting these cars:
· Alfa Romeo Spider - will be presented for the first time in the UK and will go on sale later in the year.;
· Aston Martin Rapide -UK introduction of Aston Martin DB9 with Sports Pack, fingers crossed for the new Aston Martin DBS, the next James Bond car;
· Bentley Continental Flying Spur Mulliner Driving Specification;
· BMW M6 Convertible - World debut - UK public debut of BMW Z4 Coupe (including M version),world debut of the BMW 730Ld Edition Exclusive;
· Cadillac - Full range will be on display, including BLS, CTS, SRX, XLR, STS and Escalade;
· Chevrolet Captiva-UK introduction, full line-up;
· Corvette - Corvette C6, Corvette Z06.
· Chrysler Sebring -Europe introduction;
· Citroen - will be displaying its full model line up and two concept cars like C Buggy and C AirPlay all of them making first time UK debuts;
· Daihatsu;
· Dodge Nitro - Europe introduction;
· Ford Focus coupe-convertible - UK introduction;
· Honda Civic concept called Type-R will also be on display. Honda Legend featuring ‘Super Handling’ four-wheel drive;.
· General Motors;
· Hummer;
· Hyundai;
· Jaguar -XJR Portfoliok, Jaguar XKR;
· Jeep;
· Kia C-segment model (codename ED) three models never seen before in the UK will shine on the Kia stand.,
· Land Rover Freelander2/LR2;
· Lexus GS 300 Limited Edition;
· Lotus - Lotus Europa S - UK introduction, Lotus Exige S - UK introduction, new Lotus Elise S;
· Mazda - World debut of the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe, featuring a retractable hard top, Mazda BT50 - UK introduction, Mazda Mazda3 MPS-UK introduction.
· MINI - MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP kit UK debut, MINI Concept Geneva;
· Mercedes-Benz;
· Mitsubishi “I” minicar - making its European debut, a vehicle created primarily for city based customers looking for a small, economical, yet hip car;
· Morgan;
· The NICE Car Company - World unveiling of a new electricity car.;
· Nissan - UK debut of the URGE sports car concept and the 2004 Japanese GT winning Nismo race car.;
· Noble - All-new Noble M15 supercar unveiling;
· Pegeout;
· Renault;
· Rolls-Royce 101EX,UK introduction;
· Saab 9-3 Convertible BioPower - will use the show to present the world’s first fossil fuel free hybrid;
· SEAT-SEAT LeónCupra world introduction, SEAT León FR, SEAT Altea FR;
· Smart Fortwo EV;
· Toyota - Yaris and RAV4 models will make their UK debut, the special exhibits will include the door-less/roof-less AYGO 4Sport, Yaris T sport, RAV4 Sport and a new flagship for the Avensis range the T180;
· TVR;
· Vauxhall Corsa 3-door and 5-door world introduction;
· VOLVO-Volvo S60, Volvo S80 UK introduction, Volvo XC90 UK introduction;

Jaguar Super V8 Portfolio

Jaguar will present the special and most powerful version of Jaguar XJ sedan on the upcoming international autoshow taking place in London. This automobile has received name XJR Portfolio, and its sales will begin in September of the current year at the price of 113350 U.S. dollars. By the way, in the Great Britain it is planned to sell only 100 such cars. Jaguar Super V8 Portfolio will be built as a special edition car, mainly for the US and Canada.

The Super V8 Portfolio is a long wheelbase sporty sedan with new attitude both inside and out. Spectacularly defined by its muscular looks, powerful, modern character and unique interior and equipment features, the 2006 Super V8 Portfolio will take its place at the top of the Jaguar product range.

New Jaguar XJR is on 200 kgs easier than its predecessor who was issued five years ago. Like the XJ LWB on which it is based, it has the longest wheelbase and overall length in the large premium sedan class, but the lightest weight among its rivals. That kind of dimensions give to the passengers of this car alot of front leg and headroom and rear passenger space all of which are the best in this class. The XJ’s lightweight aluminium monocoque, even in long wheelbase form, contributes to fuel economy, emissions ratings and performance that are virtually identical to those of the standard wheelbase XJ sedans This automobile is equipped with 4,2-liter, 32 valve, AJ-V8 engine outputting 400 hp and connected with new six-step automatic gear box by the codename ZF. The magnificent sedan does 0-100km/h (0-60mph) in five seconds, and its maximum speed is artificially limited to 250km/h (about 155mph), proving that Super V8 Portfolio’s sporty character is not only about show, but also about go.

Besides XJR differs from a base sedan by more powerful brake system harmonized with adaptive suspension bracket called CATS (miau… just kidding ) and stability control, and also by special polished 20-inch light alloy rims fitted with sports tires. To distinguish the fastest Jaguar XJ it is possible also by aluminium power vents, placed on forward wings. XJR Portfolio will be painted only in special black colour, and furnished its interior with the ivory coloured leather, special grades of a tree and aluminium.

The Super V8 Portfolio builds on the XJ Long Wheelbase’s traditional image, and challenges it - with a 21st century attitude that makes the Super V8 Portfolio a different kind of XJ altogether.

Aston Martin Vantage V8 for the Nurburgring

Aston Martin Company has declared that is ready to sell sports car practically completely identical to racing V8 Vantage, which was taking part in 24-hour races in Nurnburgring (Germany), to individual clients and small teams. According to representatives of the British mark, the only limited number of such machines will be released. The reception of applications for these automobiles will begin this year in August.

Cars of a special series in the technical part are identical to base automobiles and are equipped with the same gearbox and the eight-cylinder engine. However the novelty has received race certified rollcage, fire-extinguishing system, racing petrol tank, sports seats and safety belts. Such machine will perfectly match wishes of fans, which want to run periodically on special racing tracks. Despite of all alterations V8 Vantage remains suitable for use on normal roads.

The new automobile will also become a competition for Porsche 911 RS, having similar ideology, and will cost about 89,5 thousand Euros (about 113 thousand US dollars) in Europe.

Karachi—The Auto Parts Manufacturing Industry is facing acute panic, fearing federal budget which is just few days away. Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) has conveyed its fears to the Ministry of Industries and Production for rejecting its proposed Tariff Based System (TBS) for automobile industry for the new budget.

According to informed sources PAAPAM Chairman, Razzak Ahmed, expressing PAAPAM’s dissatisfaction on the lists of importable parts provided by concerned authorities under TBS, has urged the ministry to reconsider their proposals before formal announcement in the budget.

Razzak, in his letter dated 25th May 2006 informed that PAAPAM was receiving numerous complaints from its Vendor members that a large number of components being manufactured locally were not included in the A-Max lists for cars, motorcycles, tractors, LCVs & LHVs. “Keeping in view the scarcity of time, we request you to please send us ‘C’ list of importable components of the above sectors for our study and review,” Razzak said.

It may be mentioned here that under the proposed Tariff Based System A-Max list comprises all the indigenized automobile parts, in case of import those parts should be liable to a maximum of fixed 50% rate of duty. On the other hand ‘C’ list includes all those parts which were not being manufactured in Pakistan, hence their import would be allowed by the government on about 30% rate of duty.

In this regard sources cited an example of a letter dated 24th May 2006 from fourteen vendors addressed to the Federal Minister of Industries and Production, and Chief Executive Officer, EDB, Ministry of Industries, Islamabad, in which they disclosed a number of locally developed parts of motorcycles erroneously put in ‘C’ List of TBS. They pointed out that shock absorber front and its components, shock absorber rear and its components,

switch assembly left/ right, neutral switch (isolating switch), ignition coil, and hardware were being manufactured and supplied locally by a number of vendors to the motorcycle OEMs.

Hence, they requested to shift these parts to the A-Max List rather than the ‘C’ List of TBS. These parts have already been deleted and being procured by the OEMs from the local vendors under the deletion programme of EDB. This will help the vendors as well as revenue collection by the CBR, the affected vendors concluded.

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - “Emerging Economic Realities of the International Automobile Industry-A Global Perspective” is the topic of a lecture on Thursday, May 25, at 6:00 p.m. in the Milliken Auditorium of the Dennos Museum Center, Northwestern Michigan College. This program is the seventh in a seven-part series sponsored by the International Affairs Forum; this year’s theme is “How Big Is Your World?”

The speaker for the May 25 lecture is G. Mustafa Mohatarem Ph.D., who has been chief economist of General Motors since March 1995. As such, he serves on GM’s Public Policy Center and its European advisory and corporate risk management committees. The economics team he heads assesses worldwide economic developments and provides advice on economic policy and competitive issues. Mohatarem is an expert on trade issues and heads the corporation’s Trade Team. He interacts regularly with officials from the U.S. and other countries on trade-related issues. He was the lead contact for GM with the United States and other governments during Uraguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotions, as well as the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement, and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Mohatarem was born Oct. 15, 1953, in Quetta, Pakistan. He received an undergraduate degree in economics and mathematics from Denison University, Granville, Ohio, in 1976. He earned an M.B.A. and a doctorate degree in economics from the University of Chicago in 1979 and 1982, respectively.

The International Affairs presentations begin with a reception in the Sculpture Court of the Dennos Museum at 5:15 p.m. and are followed at 6:00 p.m. by the lecture and a discussion period in the Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased in advance or at the door as available. All current educators and students are admitted free of charge. For tickets or information, call NMC Extended Education at 231-995-1700.

LAHORE: The Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan launched the country’s first Euro-3 compliant car Honda City-2006 at a ceremony held on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Motohide Sudo, the Honda Motors Co Japan director, said that the automobile industry was rapidly evolving in Pakistan, which was an important member of the Asia-Oceania region. He assured that the company would continue to contribute to the economy of Pakistan.

Yusuf H Shirazi, the chairman of the company, said that the government had reduced incentives for localisation from 100 percent to as low as 50 to 65 percent. Furthermore, the government has also relaxed rules pertaining to the import of used cars through several schemes. He said that at a time when the automobile industry had started gaining confidence to make major investments, any shift in policies might have a dampening effect on the investment climate. He said that if the industry continued developing, it would not only be a foreign exchange saver but also a foreign exchange earner, which would turn Pakistan into a hub of investment, production and export.

The new Honda City offers refined interior and exterior and it would be available with its unique 1.3L cc I-DSI engine in both manual and automatic transmission and Vario options. The company has also launched the new City with 1.5L VTEC engine and Steermatic function for the first time in the country. pr

KARACHI - Automobile industry has made remarkable progress during the last few years. Despite low indigenous base, it has attracted almost Rs 100 billion investment. Rs 52 billion has come in direct manufacturing and Rs 35 billon in ancillary industry. If we add all the money put forth by the dealers throughout the country, the figure reaches benchmark and we can say that automobile is a billion rupee industry.
This is the only sector, which has received maximum foreign investment. Japan, Korea, U.K. China and the few other countries at a minor level have come to Pakistan and have invested in a big way in auto cars and other heavy vehicles. The foreign equity is about 50 per cent if seen on average context. Some people have said that the car glut is going on in the city.
A senior engineer of Pak Suzuki Motor Company said that Pakistanis are best human resource expert in technical and they are most economical when compared with labour of other countries.
With bonanza in car financing business, the sale has multiplied. Every month 3,000 cars are added into main stream only in Karachi. Equal number is also sold in other parts of the country.
The market strategy has been that all type of makes and models are offered for each class of people. Ranging from 800cc Suzuki small car to 2700cc to 2400cc car of other makes. Mercedez and
BMW have also got their own cliental.
Big show rooms around Shara-i- Faisal, Korangi Road, Rashid Minhas Road are filled with most modern model of the cars. When you pass these areas and have a look it seems that Pakistan is not a poor country but that it is a country of the rich, though few in numbers.
Every month at least according to the reports, 25,000 motor cycles are sold in the market throughout country. Chinese motor cycles are eyeing the market in a big way.
Karachi and Lahore have developed as hub for the manufacturing and assembling. Pakistan started as assembler in early 70’s. It was Mr Bhutto who encouraged the local production. After nationalization this was the first significant step. First came Bedford Motors with National Motors which became famous for transportation of goods. Later Suzuki Motor Company took over Awami Motors and started assembling small cars of 800 cc. A time came when every one was driving Suzuki cars.
People did not call half ton pick up, they called it a Suzuki. Till date the Suzuki Motor Company is at its zenith. Every year more than 60,000 cars are marketed. From next year the figure could exceed 100,000 per annum.
In show rooms most stylish and sturdy vehicles are displayed, At Park Tower Clifton we come across sports cars up to Rs 1000,000. A visitor said that in Karachi billion of rupee cars lie on road side. Seeing the car population one cannot say that it is a city of poor where 30 per cent live below poverty line.
Such as KIA motor’s 4WD Turbo, these days is on display with colours such as cosmos black and aspen silver making people relish the need for a cool jeep. Hyundai’s Sherzore is a big four wheeler more of a pickup, with seat belts and seat frames as a standard feature. But, the all time favorite of the people was none other than the Santro of Hyundai which is the trademark of Dewan Farooque Motors Limited. It has by now highly acclaimed better market place; with many people willing to afford the car. If you move around you see the Defenders, which is a Land Rover introduced by the Sigma Motors. This product was exclusively launched for the army personnel since 1994, but this year in August it was floated out for the general public. This vehicle has been assembled in Pakistan but brand is from the UK. It has two models namely 90SW and 110SW. According to Mr. Asim Qureshi, Assistant Manager Sigma Motors “ the prices cannot be curtailed because the vehicle has the latest dependable technology, which of coarse was not available in the specific models a few years back.”
Suzuki Motor Company is busy manufacturing brand new product Liana and to be marketed soon. This would be another success success story like the Suzuki Baleno which is still in the limelight on the streets of Karachi, said a dealer in DHA talking to the Nation. .
Chinese are also eyeing the market in a big way. The Karakoram Motors has projected their Chinese assembled product, at a low price. The cars were even named after the scenic places of Pakistan, such as Gilgit 800cc, Kalam 800cc and Kalash 800cc. The vehicles are fitted with cabin ventilation. The product is cheap and has been exclusively made for Pakistan.
Indus Motors has introduced Toyota’s Camry. Mr. Anwarullah Siddiqui, Assistant Manager, Indus Motor Company said that Toyota is a family car in Pakistan.

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan’s second biggest automaker Nissan said it will return to the market in Pakistan after five years, saying the country had a fast-expanding appetite for cars.

Nissan Motor exported cars for assembly in Pakistan from late 1996 until 2000, when it pulled out due to political uncertainties and a market perceived to be lacklustre, a company official said.

However, by Nissan’s figures, the market there has since boomed, with nearly 115,000 vehicles sold in Pakistan in 2004, up 51 percent from 2003 and more than triple compared with 2000.

“We are very excited to be part of the rapidly growing automobile market in Pakistan,” Yasuaki Hashimoto, vice president of marketing and sales for overseas markets, said in a statement.

Nissan Motor said it will export from Japan four models for sale in Pakistan — the Sunny and Cefiro sedans and the Patrol and X-Trail sports-utility vehicles.

Nissan’s initial sales target in Pakistan will be a modest 100 vehicles a month.

Pakistan has shown signs of coming out of a decade of economic doldrums with 6.4 percent growth last year. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has forecast growth will rise to 7.0 percent this year.

ISLAMABAD, February 03 (Online): Renald group of French investors companies will invest in automobile sector and review the situation to establish cars manufacturing unit in Pakistan, delegation of Renault group told Wasim Haqqie, Chairman Investment Board.
A high level delegation comprises four investors of Renald group met Chairman Investment Board here on Wednesday to review investing situation automobile sector in Pakistan.

Investors team include Director World Program for Logana, Director Project of Gerald Indiasilven Balen, Senor Manager Corporate Finance Stephen Sanaphelet and Chief World Purchase for Logana Gulsy Dalfer.

Chairman Investment Board told the delegation that atmosphere for investment in Pakistan is cordial, as policies have been formed to provide all type of facilities to foreign investors.

He said that investors should snatch the opportunity of investment in Pakistan because of its rapid economic progress.

The delegation appreciated investors friendly policies in Pakistan and said that economy of Pakistan is stabilizing and it will invest here.