Driven #30: TVS Jupiter Special Edition

Gearless scooter buyers in India are a happier lot these days. Never in the past have they been spoilt for choices as they do right now. The TVS Jupiter is one of the better choices available right now. Having showered a spate of “Scooter of the Year” awards on the Jupiter, critics would vouch for that. And with 500,000 units sold in just 18 months from launch, the public seem to be in agreement too. To celebrate Jupiter’s successful first anniversary and its status as the most-awarded scooter in India, TVS launched a ‘Special Edition’ earlier this year with some cosmetic add-ons, leaving the mechanicals unchanged.

We rode the Jupiter Special Edition extensively over the past weekend and came back impressed. Read on, to know why.

TO LOOK AT:

The Jupiter has been on sale since 2013 and this 'Special Edition’ is just a dressed-up version to make it look, err, special. Fact is those enhancements, though just a few, can't be missed.

For starters, the Special Edition wears an exclusive 'Stallion Brown' shade that looks different from every other scooter on sale in the country. It has a metallic brownish tinge to it and, believe us, the photographs just don't do justice to the hue. It looks far more appealing in person. Next up are the ‘premium’ beige panels. Premium they might be to look at but these panels are going to be a pain to maintain in the harsh and dusty conditions that our roads are famous for. There is also this 'Dura Cool' seat which, TVS claims, retains lesser heat compared to the regular seats by as much as 10 degrees. To top it all, there is a glossy 'Special Edition' emblem that sits proudly in the front apron.

In its regular form, the Jupiter is a stylish urban scooter that's designed to appeal to a wide audience. Be it mature middle-aged men or college-going youth, urban hipsters or rural folks, the Jupiter's styling would offend none. Of course, it won't turn heads either as the styling can at best be termed neutral. 

Viewed up front, the Jupiter looks sharp with the bold trapezoidal headlight taking pride of place at the top. It comes integrated with twin pilot lamps while the indicators are housed in the broad front apron. A central air intake finished in a contrasting black shade sits in between. Walk around and the edgy body panels adorned with the three-dimensional ‘Jupiter’ hologram impresses. Thankfully, the Jupiter is devoid of gaudy body graphics that, more often than not, end up spoiling the looks. TVS’ own Wego is a victim of that trend now. At the rear, the sleek rectangular taillight is accompanied by clear indicator lenses that curve up on either sides like wings. Right above is the fuel-filler lid finished in glossy black.

Adding a touch of sportiness to the overall package are the black five-spoke alloy wheels shod with tubeless TVS tires. The exposed engine parts and the exhaust canister get the nice ‘blacked-out’ treatment too while the rear grab-rail sticks out like a sore thumb in grey. The seat, with its contrasting white stitch pattern, looks great as well.

TO SIT ON:

Get astride the Jupiter and the first thing that strikes you would be its comfortable seat. It is wide, soft and has no qualms accommodating derriere of various sizes. At one point of time during the test, with two hefty adults on board, the Jupiter's seat was still comfortable and accommodating. TVS has got it spot on here.

While the nicely-designed and well-bolstered seat lets you get into a comfort zone, the familiar controls and instruments make life easier for your hands and eyes. The bold analogue instrument cluster has a white-on-black theme with chequered pattern in the sides. The large circular speedometer houses an age-old analogue odometer which frankly looks out of place in this otherwise well thought-out scooter. Apart from tell-tale lights for indicators, high beam and low fuel warning on top, there is a separate fuel level indicator to the right and lights for 'Eco' and 'Power' mode to the left. The switches are made of good quality and appear durable to last the distance. The absence of a storage compartment in front has liberated much-needed space in the footwell where the Jupiter scores over some rival scooters we know.

This being a Special Edition, TVS should have gone all out in making it stand out. That’s where we feel they have missed a trick or two. A digital odo and trip meter, if not a digital instrument console, would have been a nice feature to have. So would a warning chime when the side stand is deployed.

Nevertheless, we are smitten by the Jupiter’s high level of attention to details. The switches, for instance, have a dimpled texture in places where our thumbs come into contact and there is a neat 'pass' function integrated in the switch that lets us toggle between high and low beam. The rear brake has a locking mechanism that would prove handy with kids around and the external fuel-filler allows the rider to refuel without having to step out. The two hooks provided for hanging knick-knacks can be tucked away flush with the body when not in use and the underside of the seat has straps to hold documents in place. Heck, you can even opt for a charging point that would be retro-fitted by the dealer in the under-seat storage compartment. Definitely, lot of thoughts have gone into designing this!

The 17-liter under-seat storage compartment is good enough to stow away a full-faced helmet, albeit with a bit of effort. All it takes to deploy the center stand is a gentle push, with TVS’ patented ‘EaZy’ stand coming to the rescue here. That would make the women folk happier.

ON THE ROAD:

The Jupiter is powered by a 109.7cc, 4-stroke, single cylinder, air-cooled engine that churns out 7.8 horsepower and 8 Nm of torque. It continues with no change in the Special Edition too. This is the same engine that powers the Wego and Scooty Zest, two other popular TVS scooters in the market.

Though TVS claims a different tune in the Jupiter, it is still the same peppy unit that we  experienced before. Throttle response from standstill is adequate and the Jupiter gathers momentum at a brisk pace without letting us feel wanting. The midrange is especially good and the Jupiter zooms past slow-moving two-wheeler traffic comfortably. While doing so, the engine gets into Power Mode invariably with the orange light glowing in the console. Trying to stay in Economy Mode with the green light on significantly reduces pulling power. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) coupled with the engine gave us seamless shifts all through our drive and we couldn't help but smile at the overall levels of refinement on offer. Honda is a tad better in this aspect though.

TVS claims a 0 to 60 km/h acceleration time of 7.2 seconds and, going by its performance, the Jupiter should have no trouble attaining it. During its time with us, we pushed the Jupiter to 80 km/h on more than one occasion at which point the engine started showing signs of strain.

While the Jupiter proves that it is no slouch to the Japanese competition in terms of engine performance, it beats them fair and square when it comes to the suspension hardware. Telescopic forks up front and gas-charged rear suspension endows the Jupiter with superb ride quality that is far better than the popular Activa and Dio. Handling is good too with the TVS tubeless tires shod on 12-inch alloys providing adequate traction when cornering and braking. There is none of the nervousness that you might associate with scooters of years gone by. Though the Jupiter maintains composure under hard braking, both the front and rear brake levers feel spongy and respond only when pressed hard.

Again, TVS could have provided a front disc brake in this Special Edition but have chosen not to. For an otherwise feature-loaded scooter with contemporary hardware, front and rear drum brakes is a blip in the radar.

We rode the Jupiter for a little over 200 kilometers, coaxing and cajoling it in some stretches but also pushing it to the limits at times. Overall, it returned a little more than 48 km/l which should keep most owners happy. For its part, the Jupiter urges us to turn the ignition off when idling by flashing the orange light in the console after some 20 odd seconds, which is nice.

SPECIFICATIONS:

| Engine Type: 4-stroke, Air cooled, OHC |

| No of Cylinders: 1 |

| Displacement: 110 cc |

| Maximum Power: 7.8 bhp @ 7500 rpm |

| Maximum Torque: 8 Nm @ 5500 rpm |

| Transmission Type: Primary CVT & Secondary Gear Box |

| Tires: 90/90 R12, Tubeless |

| Brakes: 130 mm Drum (Front & Rear) |

WE VOTE FOR:

* Clean design and styling

* Good overall build quality

* Contemporary specs and features

* Balanced ride and handling

WE VOTE AGAINST:

* Absence of disc brake option

* Steady increase in price since launch

VERDICT:

After spending considerable time with the Jupiter, it is not hard to understand the reasons behind its success. It is a complete all-rounder that looks pleasing to the eyes, has enough grunt to zip along crowded city roads, offers a lot more than most other scooters in its segment, rides and handles admirably well and is backed by a competent after-sales network. We aren't surprised then that it has become the fastest scooter in the country to cross 500,000 units sales milestone.

If you are in the market looking to buy a 110 cc gearless scooter, there aren't better choices than the Jupiter available right now. If only TVS had sweetened this Special Edition with more exclusive features, the INR 2000 premium over the regular Jupiter variants would have been justified.

Photography: Bharath Rengaraj | Editing: Bharath Rengaraj & Aravind Ramesh

Hyundai ix25-based SUV seen testing in Chennai again

Hyundai might be very well-placed in India with a success ratio envied by many of its rivals but the South Korean brand is conspicuous by its absence in the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment. We know, the Santa Fe is there in the lineup catering to a niche clientele, but there is nothing for the mass market to compete with the likes of Ecosport, Duster or Scorpio. Given that vehicles of this type are all the rage in India now, the fact that the otherwise-proactive Hyundai has missed the boat for so long is glaring.

This partially-camouflaged test vehicle, spotted testing in Chennai earlier this week, is the big-ticket entry that Hyundai is placing its bets on. Compared to the last time we spotted it testing, the upcoming Hyundai has shed some camouflage. Clearly visible in these shots is the vehicle's tipped-forward stance and the upward-sloping windows. Look closer and the prominent shoulder line running from the front wheel arch to the taillight can be noticed too. The sporty alloy wheels painted in what appears to be a dark grey shade can't be missed either. Currently on sale only in China where it is badged ix25, this SUV will get a new nameplate for the Indian market when it debuts later this year.

Measuring more than four meters in length, the ix25 won't qualify for excise duty concessions offered by the Indian government. Good news is, the engine displacements would not be restricted either. Expected to carry over the engine and transmission options from the Verna sedan, the ix25-based SUV would have the 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines under its hood. Both manual and automatic transmission options are likely to be available while a cheaper 1.4-liter diesel variant can't be ruled out either. 

Sporting the second iteration of the brand’s famous ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy, the ix25 looks sharp and futuristic with a stance that’s not much different from that of a Santa Fe. Though Hyundai might bring in a few India-specific design touches like additional chrome bits here and there, we don’t expect the Indian version to look much different. Interior quality, fit and finish would easily be close to the best in segment, a fact that existing Hyundai customers would vouch for. If their form in recent launches like i20, Xcent and Grand i10 is any hint, expect the ix25-based SUV to be loaded with features too.

This upcoming Hyundai SUV seems to be ticking all the right boxes for a successful run in the Indian market, provided the pricing is right. Over to you, Hyundai.

Kwid it is, Renault's newest entry-level model for India

This is it, folks. The all-new sub-compact car from Renault is out. And it’s not ‘Kayou’ as was widely speculated. It is christened ‘Kwid’ and has what it takes to be a big-seller in India. When we spotted this testing last week, we placed a big 'if' on it's design and styling. But now, after seeing the real deal, we are super excited! Here’s why.

Indians love Sport Utility Vehicles and crossovers. The more rugged a vehicle looks and the more presence it has, the better. That’s where the Kwid scores a perfect ten. Or should we say a nine out of ten as the puny wheels shod with thin tires spoil the show? Ignoring that aspect, the Kwid looks cool with a stance that could easily pass off for a mini SUV. Plastic cladding all around, beefy wheel arches, high ground clearance, short overhangs and what not? The Kwid could easily teach a lesson or two to all those pseudo-crossovers out there.

What appears to be another plus for the Kwid is its interiors. Though a bit drab and old-school, the Kwid’s cabin is neatly-designed and looks to be made of good quality stuff. A digital speedometer housed in a rather cheesy instrument cluster and a 7-inch MediaNav touchscreen system integrated in the center console pushes the segment’s boundaries while the Duster-like piano black garnishing adds to its aesthetic appeal. Its tall and boxy design liberates a lot of space and that should easily make the Kwid one of the most-spacious vehicles in its segment.

Following in the footsteps of the Duster facelift that debuted internationally earlier this year, the Kwid sports a structured grille flanked on either sides by sleek headlights with Renault’s new signature C-shaped chrome trim inside. The silhouette is defined by upward-sloping windows and large gaps in wheel wells while the rear features attractive wraparound taillights. When the Kwid goes on sale later this year, it would be Renault’s most-affordable model not just in India but across the globe. Looking at the pictures, that is evident. A single windshield wiper, three lug nuts holding the wheels and gaping wheel arches hint at cost cutting, which is par for the segment the Kwid targets.

When Carlos Ghosn, Chairman & CEO of Renault Group, unveiled the Kwid today in Chennai, it became the French brand’s first-ever model to have debuted outside Europe. India would be the first market to get the Kwid with Renault-Nissan’s joint venture facility in Chennai being its manufacturing location. To be powered by a 3-cylinder 800 cc petrol engine and with an indicative price tag of INR 3 - 4 Lakhs, the Renault Kwid might just be that ‘next big thing’ in the Indian automotive industry.

Even Hyundai, with all its might and the stylish Eon, couldn't pose a challenge to Maruti-Suzuki Alto’s stronghold in the Indian market. With the Kwid, Renault is taking a completely different approach towards the same target. This time, Alto might have reasons to worry. A few years down the line, we might be seeing a lot of these Kwids on Indian roads. Watch this space.

Upcoming Mahindra SUVs (S101 & U301) seen testing together in Chennai

Mahindra is in a state of bother right now. From being in a strong third position only behind Maruti-Suzuki and Hyundai, the Indian brand is now jostling for space with Honda while Toyota isn't far behind either. The cause of this slide is clear for all of us to see. Mahindra has more duds than hits in its lineup. The Bolero, Scorpio and XUV 500 might be going as strong as ever but the Xylo, Quanto, Verito ad Verito Vibe are occupying precious showroom space yielding nothing.

All that could change once the two new models in pipeline goes on sale later this year. We have caught both these models testing in and around Chennai separately but, for the first time ever, both were caught testing together last evening. As evident from the spy-shots, both the upcoming models are Sports Utility Vehicles to quench the evergrowing thirst of SUV-loving Indian populace. 

The smaller of these two, codenamed S101, is a compact SUV that would slot in at the bottom of Mahindra's UV lineup. Measuring under four meters in length and with Mahindra said to be developing petrol and diesel engines under 1.2 and 1.5 liters respectively, this SUV should qualify for the excise duty concessions offered by the Indian government. As with other Mahindra SUVs, aggressive styling elements and a butch stance lie hidden under the thick camouflage. When launched, the S101 will lock horns with the only other grounds-up compact SUV in the market, the Ford Ecosport.

Codenamed U301, the other, relatively-bigger SUV is touted to be the successor for the hugely-successful Bolero. Expected to get a long-overdue makeover inside and out along with a planted stance and plusher Scorpio-based underpinnings, the Bolero will finally come of age against its modern competitors. Two variants of the U301 are said to be under development, one of them under four meters in length to take advantage of excise duty concessions. Known for its robust build and abuse-friendly mechanicals in its current avatar, these additions are only going to make Mahindra's best-seller even stronger.

Mahindra has been testing these two SUVs extensively in public roads for more than a year now and the launch shouldn't be far away. If Mahindra gets the design and pricing of these models right, the future is looking really bright for them.

A new 'Dawn' beckons, from Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce needs no introduction. Manufacturing what are, arguably, the finest, the most opulent and the most prestigious cars on earth, Rolls-Royce is considered the pinnacle of automotive luxury and the sort of stuff dreams are made up of. Cruelly, for a brand that commands such awe, respect and snob value, the lineup didn't extend beyond a couple of models for most of the last decade. Of course, Wraith debuted in 2013 and expanded the portfolio. The wait for the next new model, thankfully, isn't going to be long.

Rolls-Royce is so choosy about its nameplates and, joining the Phantom, Ghost and Wraith would be a new two-door, four-seat convertible dubbed ‘Dawn’. The British super-luxury brand, owned by BMW Group now, showcased the new model earlier this week at the 2015 World Dealer Conference in Los Angeles, California. As with all other nameplates, the forthcoming Rolls-Royce model revives a rare yet popular name first used in 1949 but applied to just 28 special drophead bodies between 1950 and 1954. The Dawn, to be launched in the first quarter of 2016, is said to be inspired by the gracious 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn pictured above.

“Our new Rolls-Royce Dawn promises a striking, seductive encounter like no other Rolls-Royce to date. Dawn is a beautiful new open-top motor car with a name that suggests the fresh opportunities that every new day holds – an awakening, an opening up of one’s senses and a burst of sunshine. It will be the most social of super-luxury motor cars for those beautiful people who wish to bathe in the sunlight of the world’s social hotspots,” said Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

If you are one of those privileged super-affluent few with pockets running deeper and wider than a sinkhole, just know that a new Dawn awaits you! As for us, do you hear a collective sigh in the distance? Yup, that's us!

Volvo launches the new XC90 luxury SUV in India

The luxury car segment in India might not possess significant volumes compared to developed markets but, in terms of revenue and profits, it is up there amongst the best offering fat margins. That's probably why luxury car-makers waste no time launching their newest models in India. A slew of launches from the 'German Luxury Trio' notwithstanding, Swedish car-maker Volvo launched its luxury SUV XC90 in India earlier this week. The vehicle is available in two trim levels with a whopping INR 13 Lakhs separating them. While the ‘Momentum’ variant retails at INR 64.9 Lakhs, the ‘Inscription’ variant is priced at INR 77.9 Lakhs. Both the prices are ex-showroom Mumbai without octroi.

The XC90 holds significance as it is the first all-new Volvo to have launched under the brand’s new Chinese ownership. It also debuts Volvo’s new SPA (Scalable Platform Architecture), a new lineup of economical 4-cylinder engines and a fresh design language that will underpin next generation modes. Featuring the Swedish brand’s latest signature T-shaped “Thor’s Hammer” Daytime Running Lights incorporated in sleek swept-back headlights, the XC90 is a bold new beginning for Volvo. Though it retains the overall shape and proportions of its predecessor, the new XC90 manages to look bold and futuristic. That’s partly due to the large radiator grille that looks menacing with those twin vertical slats. The profile is big, clean and similar to the previous generation model while the rear, with those familiar vertical taillight clusters that are much sleeker now, is typical Volvo stuff.

The interiors are clean, uncluttered and offers a luxurious ambiance befitting the XC90’s price tag. A highlight in the cabin is the large 9-inch touchscreen-enabled central display that integrates most of the car’s functions with ‘Sensus’ software and lends the cabin a classy look. As one would expect, luxurious features abound including a 1,400W Bowers & Wilkins sound system with 18 speakers and an air-ventilated sub-woofer, panoramic sunroof and 4-zone climate control. Top notch safety is a given with any Volvo and the new XC90 is no exception. With a host of technologies under ‘Intellisafe’ branding like ‘Safe Positioning’ that detects the vehicle running off the road and tightens the front safety belts to keep the occupants in position and energy-absorbing functionality between the seats and their frames to prevent spine injuries during hard landing, the XC90 promises to be a safe haven on wheels.

Powering both variants of the XC90 is a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder diesel engine dubbed ‘D5’. With 222 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque on tap, this engine is capable of pulling the XC90 to an electronically-limited top speed of 230 km/h. A 8-speed automatic transmission, All Wheel Drive and air suspension on all four wheels are standard too.

With pretty much everything covered to appease the SUV-loving Indian populace, the Volvo XC90 sure is a tempting proposition. But, will high-paying Indians overlook the bragging rights of 6-cylinder engines and the snob value offered by its German rivals? Wait and watch!

Maruti-Suzuki rolls out 15 millionth car on Indian soil

Maruti-Suzuki, India's largest car manufacturer, added yet another feather to its cap today. By rolling out its 15 millionth car, Maruti-Suzuki became the first-ever car manufacturer to achieve this milestone on Indian soil. The 15 millionth car was a Swift Dzire VDi with chassis number MA3FJEB1S00740865 and it took the company 31 years and 5 months to reach this landmark. The first car, a Maruti 800, rolled out from the same Gurgaon facility in December, 1983.

It wasn't until 1994 the one million landmark was breached but since then, it has been a whirlwind ride for Maruti-Suzuki. The fifth and tenth million milestones were surpassed in 2005 and 2011 respectively, effectively putting the company in fast forward mode. Needless to say, there are quite a few models that have contributed to this success.

With a tally of 3.1 million units, Alto has been the biggest contributor. Of course, that number includes the Alto K10 and Alto 800 variants too. The now-defunct Maruti 800, the car that originally put India on wheels, comes next with 2.9 million units. The dated Omni, with 1.7 million units, rounds off the podium. The Wagon-R, Swift and Dzire follow adding 1.6, 1.3 and 1.0 million units respectively to the kitty. 

It is interesting to note that the newer models like Swift and Dzire have contributed almost as much as the older models like 800 and Omni, which bodes well for Maruti-Suzuki's future. 

Dedicating the milestone to the Company’s customers, partners and employees, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, Executive Director, Production, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “Maruti Suzuki’s journey has been one of Kaizen and continuous improvement. Our people on the shop floor make enormous contribution so that we can offer more and better to our customers, and fulfil their needs and aspirations. Of course, we want to get to 20 million in good time, by making quality products with the help of capable and motivated people”.

To add to the blindfolded faith people repose in 'Brand Maruti' when it comes to entry-level cars, Maruti-Suzuki finally broke its premium car jinx with the runaway success of Ciaz last year. With all bases covered, the deck is now cleared for more milestones to be breached. Let the party begin!

Hyundai celebrates 30 years of Sonata, more than 7.3 million units sold

​Much of its rise to stardom might have happened only in the last decade or so but many of Hyundai’s nameplates have been around for much longer. One such nameplate is the Sonata that’s now celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. Since making its debut in South Korea in 1985, the Sonata has played a pivotal role in establishing Hyundai’s presence globally in the highly-competitive midsize segment. That's no mean feat given that biggies like Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima and Ford Fusion slug it out in the same space.

The Sonata, together with the Elantra that has already etched its name in the list of all-time best-selling automobiles with sales over 10 million units, best represent the remarkable evolution and growth of ‘Brand Hyundai’. With over 7.3 million units sold across seven generations, Sonata has been through the thick and thin and survived.

The first-generation Sonata was a rear wheel drive sedan and one of the first cars designed completely in-house by Hyundai. It was also the first single model line in Korea to cross one million units in sales. With the debut of the second-generation model five years later in 1988, the Sonata changed track to become a front wheel driven car. It also ditched the ruler-designed boxy design of its predecessor for a more organic and angular design. 1993 saw the launch of the third-generation Sonata incorporating several advanced features of its time like automatic side motors and Antilock Braking System at a price point much lesser than it's rivals.

The fourth-generation Sonata was a coming-of-age model for Hyundai in many aspects. Debuting in 1998 much before Hyundai came to be known as a top-quality automaker, this iteration of the Sonata surprised critics and customers with much-improved quality, fit and finish that was on par with rivals. For the first time, the car also had an engine developed in-house and Hyundai's Intelligent Vehicle Electronic Control (HIVEC) transmission. This generation of the Sonata is also remembered for a facelift that courted controversy for its Mercedes-inspired front and Jaguar-inspired rear.Come 2004, the fifth-generation model consolidated Sonata's position further and, with its strong European influence, started to be mentioned in the same breath as its rivals from Toyota and Honda.

The year 2009 saw the launch of the most-stylish and the most-successful Sonata ever. Sporting Hyundai's 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language, the sixth-generation Sonata YF was a hot property in the mid-size segment the world over. The swoopy design with cuts, curves and creases all along stood out from the rest of the mundane-looking crowd churned out by rivals and sales soared. For the first time, a Hybrid variant was added to the Sonata lineup in 2010. The seventh-generation model that's on sale currently made its debut in 2014 wearing a toned-down version of 'Fluidic Sculpture' that looked sharper. Powertrain options expanded to include naturally-aspirated, turbocharged, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

So, how long is it going to take for the Sonata to cross the 10 million sales mark and get into the big league? Not very long, we bet!

General Motors crosses 500 million units production milestone

Milestones don't get bigger than this. General Motors, currently the world's second-largest car-maker and the largest in the world for much of its 106-year existence, has officially crossed the 500 million unit production milestone. Yes, that's a half-billion vehicles rolled out from GM's plants worldwide. Needless to say, no other automaker ever has achieved this so far and it is going to take long, really long, for others to even come close.

It took until 1964 for General Motors to cross the first 100 million production mark. Interestingly, the subsequent 100 million marks were breached in 1978, 1991 and 2003, much earlier than it took to cross the first hundred. At present, GM operates more than 170 sites spread across 31 countries employing around 190,000 employees.

Speaking on the occasion, GM CEO Mary Barra said, “During 2015, we expect to sell more than 1,000 new vehicles per hour, 24 hours per day. This adds up to nearly 10 million vehicles, the most in our history. I look at this extraordinary volume as 10 million opportunities to prove what kind of company we are and to say thank you.” GM also announced a spate of investments and plant upgradations as part of the celebrations to mark this truly remarkable milestone.

With a strong palette of brands that include Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Opel, General Motors enjoys an enviable position in China and USA, the two largest markets in the world in terms of volume. Ironically, the General is hardly putting on a show in India, churning out flop after flop and struggling to find favour in our market. With a spate of models apparently getting ready for launch in India, let's hope their current situation in India changes towards the better.

Regardless of that, it is time for us to take our collective hats off for what GM has achieved. Not many car-makers would be privileged enough to cross this mark.