Weekly Wrap Up: Renault launches facelifted Duster; Honda rolls out Amaze facelift; Government hikes tax on vehicles in Budget 2016

The week started with not-so-good news as the government announced a new infrastructure cess on automobiles which resulted in price hike of car models. Various carmakers also released their sales report for the month of January. Renault surprised everyone with the sudden launch of Duster facelift. Honda too introduced a refreshed version of its sedan, Amaze. Maruti confirmed the launch date for its much awaited car, Vitara Brezza, as March 08, 2016. Volvo will also be coming up with S60 Cross Country on March 11, 2016.

Let’s check out some of the eye-catchers of this week!

Budget 2016: Additional 1% Tax to be Levied on Cars Over Rs. 10 lacs

As we are instantaneously bringing to you exclusive updates for the 2016 Union Budget, we have learned that prices for all cars, which are priced over Rs.10 lacs will be increased by 1%. This includes the likes of some of the most popular names in the industry, like the Renault Duster, Tata Safari Storme, Mahindra XUV500 and many others. This might not seem as a substantial increase in the overall cost, as the price hike roughly translates into an increase of Rs. 10,000 for cars featuring a price tag of Rs 10 lacs, but regardless it is not a good note on which the budget was kicked off on. Read More:

Statesman Vintage Car Rally stuns Delhiites

The 50th edition of “The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally” left the residents of the National Capital spellbound. Approximately 100 vehicles came to the show, which got everyone down to the Connaught Place (Delhi), where the rally was flagged off by Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of Air Staff. Read More:

Renault Duster Facelift Launched at Rs. 8.47 Lac

Renault has launched the much-awaited facelift of the Duster SUV at a base price tag of Rs 8.47 lacs. The top of the line variant is priced at Rs 13.57 lacs, whereas the AMT version of the car costs Rs 11.67 lacs. The vehicle was showcased at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo and received good response from spectators and critics. The car competes against its usual competitors that include the likes of Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-Cross, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra TUV300 and the soon to be launched Honda BR-V. Read More: 

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Launching on March 8

The most highly anticipated sub- 4 meter compact SUV offering from India’s largest automaker, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza has been slated to be launched on March 8. An earlier report speculated that the car was going to be introduced on 21st of March, but now reports claim that this date will mark the commencement of Brezza’s deliveries. It is expected that the car will be launched only in diesel variants and a range of petrol powerplants will be offered at a later stage of the car’s life cycle. Read More:

Mahindra Quanto Facelift might be called Nuvosport

Mahindra Quanto is waiting from long to get a facelift. Now the car has been spied and as per a new report, the vehicle might be called as ‘Nuvosport’. It was seen back in mid-2015 and that time, it was expected that the car will be named as ‘Canto’, but probably due to a busy year since then, the Indian carmaker has not been able to launch the same. Read More: 

Honda Amaze Facelift Launched at Rs. 5.29 lakh

The facelifted Honda Amaze has made its way to the Indian market today. Priced between Rs. 5.29 lakh to Rs. 8.19 lakh (Ex-showroom, New Delhi), this is the first refreshment for the compact sedan since its debut in 2013. Read More: 

Maruti Alto Reaches another High!

Appetite for success has no limits and Maruti Suzuki is aware of the same. Its most selling product Alto has yet again attained another milestone and set the wheels in motion for Maruti. The manufacturer has managed to sell 30 lac Alto cars. Yes! Within a period of approximately 15 years, India’s top selling car has been able to achieve this feat. Read More: 

Tata Tiago Set to Launch on 28th March

Tata Tiago, the highly anticipated hatchback from the homegrown manufacturer will be launched on 28th of March. The car is expected to take the company’s aspiration to revive its small car segment presence to a new height. Competing against the likes of Maruti Celerio and Hyundai i10, the Tiago is expected to be launched at a competitive price tag. Read More: 

Honda announces price hike across its range

Honda Car India, announced a price hike following the 2016 Union Budget. Shri. Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, Government of India had proposed a 1% to 4% infrastructure cess on automobiles in the budget. The price hike is across it’s model range and includes the Brio, Jazz, Amaze, City, Mobilio and the CR-V. Read More: