China Market 2012 Volkswagen NMS Unwrapped?

Chances are you've already seen a set of pictures, supposedly depicting the U.S. market version of the 2012 Volkswagen New Midsized Sedan (NMS), floating around on the web-o-sphere this week. As always, we looked around and tried to find the original or one of the original sources of the photos. Turns out that these pictures originated from a Chinese car site called Autohome. If we are to believe the report, what you see here is the China-market version of the NMS. Even so, we would like to note that we're not entirely convinced of their authenticity as the photographs could very well be fabricated.
Either way, it won't be long before we find out what the North American market spec NMS looks like as Volkswagen recently confirmed that the car will get its world premiere at next month's Detroit Motor Show, with U.S. sales to begin in the third quarter of 2011.

Source: Autohome

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Toyota Tries to Break Indian Market with New Low-Cost Etios Sedan

The world's largest automaker, Toyota Motor Corp., is eyeing emerging markets with a new low cost model that was unveiled this week in India. The production version of the 2010 New Delhi Show Etios Concept is available at launch as a four-door sedan model, but will be joined by a five door hatchback called the Etios Liva in April of 2011.

The company said the Etios has been developed specifically for Indian customers and will be built at a plant in Bidadi, near Bangalore. However, Toyota eventually plans to offer the small sedan in other emerging markets such as China, Brazil, Thailand and possibly certain regions of South America.

The 4.265mm (167.9-in.) long sedan boasts a rather large boot with a luggage space of 595-liters and is powered by a newly developed 1.5L, 16V DOHC engine coupled to a 5-Speed manual transmission. The Etios sedan will be available in four variants, J, G, V and VX, with prices ranging between 4.96 Lakhs and 6.86 Lakhs making it the company's most affordable offering in India.
Commenting on the launch of the Etios, Mr. Akio Toyoda, President TMC said: “India is a key market for our overall strategic growth plans, and the launch of the Etios is definitely a milestone not only for Toyota in India but for Toyota globally."
"We at Toyota believe, ‘the road makes the car’ and the Etios is a product of real-world testing on roads across India. Our testing has covered a hundred thousand kilometers on every kind of road that Indian drivers encounter, from Kolkata to Mumbai, from the Himalayan foothills to the tip of the Indian peninsula
According to JD Power, Toyota sold a little over 60,000 cars in India through October, compared to 870,000+ sales from Marutti Suzuki, which is the market leader in the country.

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Honda Brio Prototype Previews New City Car for Asian Markets

As a follow up to the New Small Concept model showcased this past January at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi, India, Honda revealed the pre-production version of its new small city car called the Brio at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo (press day: November 30, public days: December 1-12.).
Developed for Asian markets and scheduled to be introduced in Thailand and India in 2011, the Brio has a small footprint measuring just 3,610mm in length, 1,680mm in width and 1,475 mm in height. Even though the Brio keeps the basic styling theme of the concept car, the pre-production prototype's design has been watered down with the new grille looking like a last minute addition and a not very attractive one at that. 


The mass-production model, which will be an entry-level car in newly emerging markets, Honda will develop unique versions for Thailand and India to reflect different customer needs in those markets.
Honda said that the Thai model is scheduled to be introduced in March 2011 with a starting price of approximately 400,000 baht or about US$13,300. It will be powered by a more fuel efficient engine returning a combined consumption of less than 5 lt/100km [47.0 mpg US].
For the Indian model that is planned to be introduced within 2011, the Japanese automaker said the engine choice will reflect the need for "a good balance between vehicle performance and price."
“Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in Thailand, India and other Asian countries through the introduction of a new small vehicle with compact and highly efficient packaging by utilizing our own experiences cultivated by motorcycle business here in Asia,” said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.

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All-New Buick GL8 Minivan Fully Revealed, Only for China

After selling more than 330,000 units of the original Buick GL8 since 1999, General Motors unveiled an all-new version of its MPV model featuring several key improvements and innovations, destined exclusively for the China market. Built by the firm's Shanghai GM joint venture, the new GL8 is said to offer an "unmistakable Buick experience" - always according to the automaker.
“The new GL8 was developed by Shanghai GM in cooperation with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai with the specific needs of our customers in mind”, said Terry Johnsson, Shanghai GM Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “It offers everything that consumers have come to expect from Buick, including a dynamic, smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Like its predecessor, the new GL8 is the right product at the right time.”

Based on the 2009 Buick Business hybrid concept model and boasting the “classic waterfall grille”, the GL8 features several sharp edges running from front to rear, giving it a modern look. Large, tear-shaped headlamps cut into the fenders, while LEDs incorporated into the tail lamps and rear bumper.
With a wheelbase measuring 3,088 mm (122 inches), the MPV provides a spacious cabin for up to 7 passengers. Being a luxury oriented people carrier, the GL8 features all the usual amenities such as genuine leather seats, panorama sunroof, electric sliding door and lift door, high-quality Bose sound system, 7-inch touch screen up front and 10.2-inch HD display for the next two rows. OnStar is also on the menu.
The engine range kicks off with a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-pot and tops out with a 3.0-liter V6 SIDI direct injection powerplant. A six-speed automatic is standard on all variants.
For enhanced safety, ESP will do its best to prevent accidents and certain models can also be specified with 6 airbags.
The new GL8 will hit the Chinese market in January 2011, for a retail price of between RMB 288,000 and RMB 388,000 [US$43,300 - 58,300]. In parallel, Shanghai GM will offer an updated 2011 model of the current generation, featuring the 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic, targeting the upper-medium segment. General Motors claims that this dual-model strategy will result in better market coverage.

By Csaba Daradics

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