Volvo on Thursday unveiled its city bus in India, Volvo B7RLE, developed on the Volvo 8700 platform.

The new city bus, that is likely to be priced at Rs 70-80 lakh (Rs 7-8 million), will first be seen on Bangalore roads where the state transport corporation has placed order for 25 units.

Chhabria showcases 3 remodelled vehicles

Dilip Chhabria Designs today showcased three of the re-modeled vehicles built on the existing range of Toyota Innova, Bajaj Tempo Traveller and Honda Accord.

A company executive said even while customising the products, special packages were offered, with price tag depending on how much built-up space the customer demanded.

'Maruti's price lower in 2006 than in 2001'

India's largest car-maker Maruti Udyog [Get Quote] Limited's managing director today said at the Auto Expo that prices of the company's popular models, Zen, Esteem and M800 were lower in 2006 than in 2001 if one were to take inflation into account.

Visitors resent long walks at venue

Even as the Auto Expo claims to be the largest in Asia, in terms of the area, some exhibitors are unhappy with its expanse. If one has to go from, say, Hall No 1 to Hall No 14 and has no time to wait for the shuttle, one has to walk close to a kilometre. An exhibitor was heard commenting how foreign auto shows have most things under one roof.

HM launches Lancer's Cedia

Hindustan Motors [Get Quote] today launched Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia. "Cedia, loaded with power and aerodynamic enhancements, will be well received in the high performance compact sedan car market in India," said Hindustan Motors Chairman C K Birla at the Auto Expo.

The models, priced at Rs 9.87 lakh (for both Lancer Cedia and Lancer Cedia Sports), are being manufactured at Hindustan Motors' Chennai plant.

Tax cut or not, Khattar says he does not mind

Even as the expectation of tax cuts on small cars in the budget rises to a crescendo, Maruti, which is the market leader on the strength of its small cars, remains realistic. "We are happy even today. When you have no option, you learn to be happy,"said MUL managing director Jagdish Khattar.

Honda Motors may divest in Indian arm

Japanese auto giant Honda Motors has said it is willing to divest stake in Honda Siel Cars India Ltd to its domestic partner Siel Ltd [Get Quote].

"We are talking with the Siel group for a positive collaboration," HSCI president and CEO M Takedagawa told reporters at the auto expo here.