Senin, 08 Agustus 2011

HM Launches a new vehicle

HM has just lauched the Veer. It reminds me of HP Veer. Apart from the sealed fate both do not have much in common.





HM has recently reported to BIFR as reported by me here. http://boyracer.blogspot.com/2010/05/hindustan-motors-reports-to-bifr-as.html Since then, the Managing Director resigned and company got in Mr. Manoj Jha as replacement.

The rein holder definitely wanted to make some noise and HM announced an Ambassador Redesign. Rumours were spread that HM was getting help from Studios in Italy. Fact was HM only visited a domestic company named 'Onio' designs.

After months of wait for HM supporters HM has finally launched the HM Veer. The sad part is Veer looks nothing more than a redesigned Hindustan Porter



It shouldn't be much of surprise how HM is moving towards commercial vehicles segment with the launch of HM Veer and Shifeng sourced Winner. But The sad part is the ill developed product. Mahindra and Tata both have succesfully capture the single cab pickup and double cab pickup markets with vehicles like the Tata Xenon, Tata TL4x4, Mahinra Getaway and Mahindra Camper. These vehicles also had a limited niche market appeal. Sadly, HM Veer falls in the no mans land.

With a focus on the commercial vehicle segment, ailing auto maker Hindustan Motors (HM) is expecting a revival of fortune in another three years' time, a top company official said on Monday. The vehicle priced at 3.3 lakh (ex showroom Kolkata) is built on the Ambassador platform of the company's Uttarpara facility in West Bengal.“We have honoured our commitment by launching Veer. Four new vehicles will also be launched this year. These will come both from our Uttarpara and Chennai plants,” he said.

It was speculated that HM might launch a sub 4 metre sedan/hatch aka the Verito or Indigo CS. But Hindustan Motors has instead decided to go for a commercial passenger segment with the next product being a 7-9 seater Van again based on the Ambassador.


The company sold 10000 units of the Ambassador last fiscal and with the launch of the variant of the same platform it is hoping to sell 50000 units. Sadly, for enthusiasts, the company does not have plans to relaunch the Contessa or upgrade the Ambassador platform to compete in the retail customer segment. Neither is there a cash strapped plan to build a seventh generation lancer derived Hatchback to compete with the Toyota Etios/Liva and Mahindra Verito. The company has also lacked the vision to study how Lincoln Town car and Austin LT cabs kept the companies alive while they built on their brands using newer platforms.

 Priced at 330000 INR, the vehicle retains the same engines used on the Ambassador.

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