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Promoting TATA commercial vehicles:

HNB joins DIMO

Hatton National Bank (HNB) joined Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) to promote TATA commercial vehicles.

Through this initiative, buyers of TATA commercial vehicles will get an attractive tailor-made leasing package from HNB Leasing.

HNB Leasing will offer attractive leasing packages for TATA Buyers through its network of 193 customer centres in the country. In addition to this a life insurance cover of Rs 1.2 million and a HNB credit card free of the joining fee will be offered.

DIMO has more than 70 years of experience in the automobile and engineering industry. Dimo is offering a valued service to its customers through the islandwide sales service and spare parts network and the 24 hours road side assistance that is offered to all customers.

With a number of development projects planned to be initiated in the island there will be a greater demand for good quality commercial vehicles. This demand can be successfully met through such attractive tailor made leasing packages.

All set to conquer the state's tough terrain:

Scorpio Getaways to Punjab Police

Punjab Police recently added 150 new Scorpio Getaways to its fleet of vehicles. The keys to 30 Scorpio Getaways were handed over to Punjab Directorate General of Police P.S. Gill by Mahindra and Mahindra officials in the presence of Senior Officials of Punjab Police.

The event took place at the Punjab Police headquarters in Chandigarh. The remaining 120 vehicles will be delivered soon.

Powered by the world-class 2600 cc common-rail diesel engine, the robust and stylish Scorpio Getaway delivers 115 bhp at 3800 rpm and 28.3 kgm torque at 1800 rpm, resulting in greater pulling power, even in lower gears, making it ideally suited for the police force.

The Getaways can also be customised with required armoury. Panjab Director General of Police P.S. Gill said, "We are all set to induct 150 Mahindra Scorpios, of which 30 have been delivered and rest 120 will be delivered in days to come. We chose M&M Scorpio because it is a multi-utility vehicle, sturdy and durable. We were impressed by the on-road performance of the vehicle."

Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, Automotive Division Senior Vice President Vivek Nayer said, "We are extremely proud to be associated with the Punjab Police who are known for their reputation in placing duty before self. The unique characteristics of the Scorpio Getaway-ruggedness, power and the inherent ability to conquer all kinds of terrain - will find synergies with this brave force."

Launched in India in 2007, the Scorpio Getaway is based on the Scorpio platform and sports a grand deck that can carry a great deal of equipment and gear as per requirements.

The cabin offers luxury, comfort and loads of space. It utilizes a rack and pinion steering mechanism. Power steering is also standard and the steering column can be adjusted to fit each driver's unique driving position.

The Scorpio Getaway has a relatively tight turning circle radius of 5.6 meters which makes it easily manoeuvrable.

The Getaway utilizes ventilated brake discs in front, and drum braking in the rear. The vehicle offers independent front suspension, as well as a torsion bar with stabiliser. Rear suspension consists of progressive leaf springs and hydraulic shocks. It has a five-speed synchromesh manual gearbox.

Ford announces second engine plant in China

US auto giant Ford Motor Company said Saturday that it signed an agreement with Chinese officials to open a second engine plant in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

Plant construction is set to begin in 2011, with engine production scheduled to begin in 2013, the company said in a statement. The $ 500-million- investment will be funded entirely by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Ltd (CFMA) a three-way joint venture involving Ford, Changan Motors and Mazda Motor Company and located in Chongqing's New North Zone.

"With the additional capacity of 400,000 units at the new plant, CFMA is more than doubling its existing engine capacity of 350,000, to 750,000 engines annually," Ford said.

"This new engine plant will help power our ambitious expansion plans here in the world's largest automotive market," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president for Asia Pacific and Africa.

"The growth potential in this part of the world in the next 10 years is astounding," Hinrichs added.

China's auto sales hit 13.64 million units last year, overtaking the United States as the world's top car market, while sales this year are forecast to hit 15 million units.

As of the end of 2009, there were 76.2 million vehicles in the country, according to government figures.

In early September Ford said its sales in China rose to 44,047 units for August a 24-percent increase over the same period the previous year.

Ford has said it expects 70 percent of its growth to come from Asia Pacific and Africa regions in the next decade.