Less than six months after Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president and CEO, revealed the new Figo to India, the first production model was driven off the assembly line today with Honourable Chief Minister of the State of Tamil Nadu D. M Karunanidi in attendance.

Dr. M K Stalin, Honorable Deputy Chief Minister; Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India; Raj Nair, Ford vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and Africa; Sandip Sanyal, Ford executive director of operations for India and nearly three thousand employees of the newly expanded facilities, were on hand to take part in the Job 1 ceremony.

“Less than six months ago, Ford Motor Company reaffirmed its commitment to transform the plant located here outside of Chennai into a regional manufacturing center of excellence,” Boneham said. ”It’s a great honor to have you with us as our projects and investments are turning to reality and the completion of our first Ford Figo off this assembly line.”

Following the Figo Job 1 ceremony, the group inaugurated the new engine facility that manufactures the exclusive 1.2L petrol engine for Figo.

“Figo is a great example of the role Ford will play in the future of India,” Shri. Karunanidi said.

The new compact car underscores the importance Ford has placed in the burgeoning India automotive market as well as throughout the region. While Figo will be manufactured primarily for Indian consumers initially, the new model also will be exported to other countries including South Africa, as early as middle of 2010.

The new, 40,000 square meter flexible engine line, also part of Ford’s nearly $500 million (USD) commitment over the past two years in the facility, will build both diesel and petrol engines side-by-side for the new model. Four cylinder engines in varying displacements up to 1.6 liters also will be produced for export at the Chennai facility.

“It’s exciting to see the first new Ford Figo’s coming to life for the India market,” said Nair, “We are totally committed to growing the India market under our ‘ONE Ford’ plan and Figo is an excellent example of utilizing our global assets and expertise to meet the demands of customers here and in future markets.”

The “Sub B” car category where Figo will be competing comprises more than 70 percent of India’s total new car sales. Figo is the sixth new Ford model that the automaker has introduced to Indian consumers.

Designed and engineered for the India and export, the new Figo is based on a proven global small car architecture. The vehicle will be equipped with a standard 1.2L petrol engine developed exclusively for the India market. Ford’s class leading, fuel efficient Duratorq 1.4L diesel engine also will be available. Both models will be equipped with manual five-speed transmissions. The chassis has been thoroughly retuned for the India market with a more compliant suspension tailored for local road conditions.

The exterior and interior styling of the new Figo are fresh and include bold interpretations of Ford’s kinetic design philosophy.

Both the car assembly and engine manufacturing facilities in Chennai have undergone a major expansion to establish Chennai as a major hub for the entire APA region. The facilities serve as the latest examples of Ford’s global manufacturing processes and have incorporated several new technologies for Ford and India. Created with a “best-in-class” approach, it has been benchmarked against other competitive facilities globally, as well as current volume manufacturers in the Indian market.

No where is this more evident than in the body and paint shop and assembly line. Sixty six robots have been added to ensure higher quality and a new Three-Step-Wet -Solids paint process applies a smooth, glossy finish without oven curing between coats. A first for India, the new process is environmentally-friendly and reduces volatile organic compounds by 20 percent.

“We’re confident that the new Ford Figo will be extremely attractive to Indian buyers,” Nair added. “It’s going to be very competitive with the current market leaders and will offer a tremendous value story for our consumers. This car is set to transform Ford from a niche player in India to vehicle for the masses.”

Relying more on Indian partners, 85 percent of the new Figo is expected to be locally contented. More than 700 new employees have been hired by Ford India at the expanded assembly and engine manufacturing facility in the past 12 months. Once full line capacity is reached, the manufacturing center is expected to provide additional employment.

Volvo India today launched the new S80 in India with twin-turbo diesel engine.

According to Volvo, the 2010 Volvo S80 has an even tougher and exclusive design than before and the new D5 Twin-Turbo diesel engine takes performance, fuel efficiency and refinement to entirely new levels.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Paul de Voijs, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India, said, “Sometimes a subtle ‘hum’ is more powerful than a roar. With the new S80, we’re placing the bar at the highest level when it comes to exclusiveness, quality and driving properties. Our mission was to develop a modern diesel engine – with the benefits that go with them – which also meets the emission EURO 5. This is yet another step in our determination to reduce the combustion engine’s environmental impact, at the same time as we give customers a truly quiet and sophisticated engine with excellent performance. However, the refreshed S80 should not just be seen, it has to be experienced.”

The D5 engine has several advanced technical features. With the latest Twin Turbo and Peizo high-pressure technology, the five-cylinder state-of-art engine will be high on performance and low on fuel consumption.

A maintenance free diesel particulate filter effectively reduces soot particles in exhaust gases and advanced emission control contributes to low nitrogen oxide level. The new D5 already comply with stringent, upcoming Euro 5 exhaust emission requirements.

Comparison between old and new Volvo S80 engine

2010 Volvo S80 would be priced at Rs. 37 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) and according to ARAI, would deliver 13.09kmpl fuel efficiency. Here are a few more features of the new S80:

All-new five-cylinder diesel engine: The driving experience in the refreshed Volvo S80 has been elevated with an entirely new twin-turbo five-cylinder 2.4-litre diesel. The new D5 engine offers 205 horsepower, 420 Nm of torque over a very wide range of engine revs. The Fuel consumption and CO2 emission for the car stands at 13.1 kmpl and 203gms/km respectively. This state-of-the-art engine delivers a plush drive.

Design: With complete chrome detailing on the air intakes, lower part of the door moldings, exhaust and under the tail lamps, the exterior changes give the car a more distinctive and dynamic design with a striking face. The interior design offers a distinctive blend of intelligent, elegant and unpretentious Scandinavian style characterized by clean surfaces, harmonious lines, exciting contrasts and smooth function for a dynamic and harmonious interior atmosphere. Developed with ergonomic specialists, the seats in the Volvo S80 are among the most comfortable in the automotive world.

Features and Accessories

• Dolby Pro Logic II Dynaudio surround system
• Integrated GSM phone – allows you to make calls from your pre-programmed telephone book using the steering-wheel integrated controls
• Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) Dual DVD Screen – to enjoy a film, watch digital TV or play games
• Road and Traffic Information (RTI) – Available as an accessory, Volvo’s GPS based RTI navigation system offers both voice guidance and graphic navigation
• Park Assist Camera – aids the driver in reversing and parking

Safety Features

• IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System) – to help avoid distractions during critical driving situations
• Personal Car Communicator (PCC) is an advanced control centre in pocket format
• ABL (Adaptive Brake light) – active at speeds above 50km/h, this feature can sense the difference between normal and panic braking
• RAB (Ready Alert Brakes) – reduces the braking distance further during an emergency braking
• DSTC (Dynamic Stability Traction Control) – is a stability control technology that helps prevent spinouts and roll overs
• WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) – cradles the front seat occupants in a controlled manner to help prevent whiplash injuries
• SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) – helps distribute the crash forces across the car’s body, away from the occupants
• Like the rest of the Volvo range, the Volvo S80 features a transversely installed engine

The environment and air quality: The Volvo S80 is built and equipped to impact as little as possible on the global environment, and to provide a clean and healthy in-car environment. Volvo IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) effectively reduces the amount of particles, pollen, gases and certain unpleasant odours in the air that enters the passenger compartment. To further reduce usage of environmentally hazardous solvents all Volvo exterior colours are water-based.

Mahindra and Mahindra is all set to launch the Mahindra Scorpio in United States of America.

For the US launch, M&M is teaming up with its JV partner, Navistar Inc. of US, with whom it recently launched Trucks in India.

Mahindra Scorpio would go on sale in the US in April or May of this year and would initially be exported from India as a fully built unit, till its production begins in US.

According to Mahindra and Mahindra, they are fully geared to meet the demand in US and are in the process of getting regulatory approvals. Once launched, Mahindra Scorpio would go head to head with other international and domestic players, which currently sell utility vehicles in America.