Uber Lost and Found survey names India's most forgetful city

Uber has released its annual 'Lost and Found Index'. The survey lists the most forgetful cities in India, as well as the items that Uber riders forgot in the cabs. According to the 2024 edition of the Lost and Found survey, travellers in Delhi are the most forgetful, followed by Mumbai and Bangalore. Hyderabad is the 4th most forgetful city, followed by Pune in fifth place. As per the data, phones, bags, wallets, and clothing were some of the most common items that riders forgot, followed by items like water bottles, keys, spectacles and jewellery. Apple devices are the most lost items during festive days and Diwali. Besides the usual items that riders forgot in cabs, there were a few unique ones that stood out. These include a Ukulele, a coin collection, prasad and even a hair trimmer. Some riders also forgot their passports, bank and business papers in the cabs. The survey revealed that riders are most likely to forget their belongings in an Uber on Saturdays and in the evenings at around 7 pm.

Importance of RC transfer: Dead man found in my car that I sold in 2021

BHPian PrasannaDhana recently shared this with other enthusiasts. It is our responsibility to check if the car we sold has been transferred to the new owner's name. We have so many apps including Vahaan to check it. Let me share my own experience. I wasn't affected as I very firmly make sure my cars are name-transferred within 15 days of sale. I sold my Celerio in 2021 and made sure it was name-transferred. Later last year, I happened to have a chat with one of my friends who is a Sub-inspector of Police. He was sharing about a peculiar case where a car was spotted in the same place on an isolated river bank for 3 days, and when checked, they found a man dead inside. He was totally inebriated from the state he was found and they ruled it to be a suicide. When he proceeded to show the pic of the car, I was shocked. It was my Celerio. First thing the SI uttered was Luckily you transferred the ownership, else you would have faced problems. News link 1 and link 2 Always make sure your vehicle has been name-transferred, even if you exchange it through a dealer. We should get a delivery note as well as an Aadhar copy of the buyer attested by him. It's the only proof of sale that can legally help if some mishap happens. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

RE shooed me away, instead of fixing a minor issue on my new Hunter 350

BHPian abk98 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hello All, I bought a Hunter 350, Dapper Grey on the 2nd of February replacing my trusty Glamour for my daily commute to work. Booked the vehicle at the end of January and was told about a waiting period of 20 days for the colour, however, received a call 3 days later that the vehicle was ready to be delivered! Went to the showroom, completed all the formalities and ended up taking the delivery. Everything went fine, finished my first service at 500 Km and rode it until 1300 Km when suddenly the Clutch got so hard that during peak Bangalore traffic, my hands would hurt so bad that they would turn red and it took a lot of effort to engage the clutch. On my way back home from work is where the RE Service centre is located. I directly went there and showed them the clutch and to my surprise, the Service Executive told me that this is how a RE bike works and that I'll need to get used to the Hard clutch, even after I showed him a smoother clutch in one of the Hunter parked at the Service Center. Got mad, left the place and went to my trusty local garage where I would get my Glamour serviced, the mechanic held the clutch once and told me that it was abnormally hard for such a new bike and advised me to get the clutch cable replaced, to which I instantly agreed as my hands were shivering with pain from all the riding. This was a 2-minute job as he had the clutch cable in stock and cost me Rs. 250/-. The best 250 rupees I have ever spent! Why weren't the RE Service Center able to help me out with the repair, also shooing the customers away telling them that is how it is supposed to be? If this continues, I don't think RE is putting itself in a good spot in such a competitive market! So, I am still unable to diagnose why my old clutch cable got so hard at just 1300 Km. Currently, I have ridden about 150 Km on the replaced cable and have no issues. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

2023 superbikes sales in India: Here's the annual report card

BHPian CrAzY dRiVeR recently shared this with other enthusiasts. The low-volume market for Superbikes and Imports in the country doesn't allow for a meaningful monthly analysis of their sales data. However, the same over a longer period of a full year makes for a healthy discussion - and with that goal in mind, below is the 2023 Annual report and analysis of the premium two-wheeler market in India. 3311 premium motorcycles were dispatched in the year 2023 with the market seeing a 11% decrease in dispatches compared to 2022. Note: All data has been compiled from the data presented by Auto Punditz. These manufacturer-reported sales numbers are factory dispatches to dealerships. They are NOT retail sales figures to end customers. Manufacturers like BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Benelli etc are not included because the data is not available.2018 report can be seen here2019 report can be seen here2020 report can be seen here2021 report can be seen here2022 report can be seen hereClick any picture to open a larger higher-resolution version in a new window/tab. A sole Triumph breaks the Japanese monopoly in the Top-5!Kawasaki Z900 is (once again!) India's highest-selling premium motorcycle with 947 units dispatched in 2023. Kawasaki sold more Z900 motorcycles than the manufacturer with the second largest market share - Triumph!Triumph hit a jackpot with the all-new Street Triple 765RS, the motorcycle shooting to second place despite dispatches starting only by August 2023.Suzuki's all-time favourite hyperbike - the 3rd generation Hayabusa retains 3rd place - dispatching 271 units.Two Kawasaki 650 machines take up the 4th and 5th places. Surprisingly, it's their litre-class flagship that beats the sport tourers for a spot in the Top 5 this year - the mighty ZX10R dispatching 238 units.Versys 650 sales picked up last year post the facelift and the run continues this year as well - ends up in 5th spot with 191 units. Kawasaki had their best-ever year in 2023 - and increased their market share well above 50%. Excellent pricing, followed by the availability of most of their international models contributed to these figures.Triumph concentrated more on the launch of the 400s this year and it shows - the numbers are down even though they still retain second place with 29% market share. The Bajaj transition has not been very smooth either!Suzuki can do no wrong with the Hayabusa, even if they can't sell anything else!Harley Davidson continues to decline further, this time under the Hero distribution network - possibly due to the focus on the launch of the X440.Honda had their worst year - and almost no supply of big bikes throughout the year. Ends up with 1% marketshare.Continue reading BHPian CrAzY dRiVeR's report for more insights and information.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy drives auto while campaigning in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore

The FTC accuses Amazon of using Signals auto-deleting messages to erase evidence

According to a court document viewed by Engadget, the Federal Trade Commission accused Amazon of using Signals disappearing messages feature to conceal communications as part of its antitrust suit against the company . The FTC says the retailer continued to auto-delete its communications even after the agency notified it that it was under investigation and asked it to preserve them. Founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos and current CEO Andy Jassy are among the accused. For years, Amazons top executives, including founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos, discuss[ed] sensitive business matters, including antitrust, over the Signal encrypted-messaging app instead of email, the FTC wrote in the full document, acquired by (Bezos-owned) The Washington Post . These executives turned on Signals disappearing message feature, which irrevocably destroys messages, even after Amazon was on notice that Plaintiffs were investigating its conduct. The FTC wants a federal judge to compel Amazon to provide documents related to its data handling. The government agency says the retailer didnt disclose its Signal use until March 2022, ahead of a Wall Street Journal article highlighting the covert practice. Although the contents of deleted messages are impossible to recover, the app shows when a user turns the disappearing message feature on, off, or changes the timer for deletions, leaving breadcrumbs showing that Amazon executives deletions were widespread, the document reads. From the messages that were not deleted, it is apparent that Amazon executives used Signal to talk about competition-related business issues. The issue appears to be an increasingly common business practice in Silicon Valley. Last year, the DOJ accused Google of routinely destroying its internal chat histories , which it was required to preserve under federal law. In addition, before Elon Musk bought Twitter and changed its name to X, the company asked a judge to sanction the Tesla founder for using Signals auto-deletion to withhold messages sent through the app . In addition to Bezos and Jassy, The Washington Post reports that the full document names General Counsel David Zapolsky, former CEO of Worldwide Consumer Jeff Wilke and former CEO of Worldwide Operations Dave Clark as participating in the practice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ftc-accuses-amazon-of-using-signals-auto-deleting-messages-to-erase-evidence-205431161.html?src=rss

Tesla Autopilot feature was involved in 13 fatal crashes, US regulator says

Federal transportation agency finds Teslas claims about feature dont match their findings and opens second investigation US auto-safety regulators said Friday that their investigation into Teslas Autopilot had identified at least 13 fatal crashes in which the feature had been involved. The investigation also found the electric carmakers claims did not match up with reality. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) disclosed on Friday that during its three-year Autopilot safety investigation, which it launched in August 2021, it identified at least 13 Tesla crashes involving one or more death, and many more involving serious injuries, in which foreseeable driver misuse of the system played an apparent role. Continue reading...

US probes Tesla recall of 2 million vehicles over Autopilot, citing concerns

US probes Tesla recall of 2 million vehicles over Autopilot, citing concerns U.S. auto safety regulators said on Friday they have opened an investigation into whether Tesla's recall of more than 2 million vehicles announced in December to install new Autopilot safeguards is adequate following a series of crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it opened the probe after receiving reports of 20 crashes involving vehicles that had the new Autopilot software updates installed under Tesla's recall. The new investigation adds to regulatory scrutiny to Autopilot at a time when CEO Elon Musk is pushing for full self- driving, as Tesla is offering a month of free trials and plans to unveil its robotaxi on Aug. 8. The agency said it had concerns following those 20 crashes as well as results from preliminary NHTSA tests of updated vehicles. Also on Friday, the agency closed its nearly three-year defect investigation into Autopilot, saying it found evidence that Teslas weak driver engagement system was not appropriate for Autopilots permissive operating capabilities that result in a critical safety gap. NHTSA disclosed on Friday that during its Autopilot safety probe launched in August 2021 it identified at least 13 Tesla crashes involving at least one death and many more involving serious injuries in which foreseeable driver misuse of the system played an apparent role. NHTSA listed reports of 54 serious injuries in Autopilot crashes involving potential driver misuse. NHTSA noted Tesla's December recall allows a driver to readily reverse the software update. The agency said Tesla has issued additional software updates to address issues related to its concerns but has not made them part of the recall. Tesla said in December its largest-ever recall covering 2.03 million U.S. vehicles - or nearly all of its vehicles on U.S. roads - was to better ensure drivers pay attention when using its advanced driver assistance system. The new recall investigation covers models Y, X, S, 3 and Cybertruck vehicles in the U.S. equipped with Autopilot produced between the 2012 and 2024 model years. NHTSA said there were gaps in Tesla's telematic data reporting on crashes involving Autopilot since the automaker primarily gets data from crashes involving air bag deployments, which account for only about one-fifth of police-reported crashes. U.S. senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal on Friday urged NHTSA to bar Tesla from allowing the use of Autopilot on roads where it is not intended, asking the agency o take all necessary actions to prevent these vehicles from endangering lives. NHTSA also on Friday raised concerns that Tesla's Autopilot name may lead drivers to believe that the automation has greater capabilities than it does and invite drivers to overly trust the automation. Tesla shares were down 1.1% at $168.26 on Friday afternoon. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has said repeatedly that Autopilot does not make vehicles self-driving and is intended for use with a fully attentive driver who is prepared to take over and has hands on the steering wheel. In February, Consumer Reports, a nonprofit research organization, said its testing of Tesla's Autopilot recall update found changes did not adequately address many safety concerns raised by NHTSA and urged the agency to require the automaker to take stronger steps. Tesla's Autopilot is intended to enable cars to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within their lane, while enhanced Autopilot can assist in changing lanes on highways but does not make vehicles autonomous. One component of Autopilot is Autosteer, which maintains a set speed or following distance and works to keep a vehicle in its driving lane. Tesla said in December it did not agree with NHTSA's analysis but would deploy an over-the-air software update that would incorporate additional controls and alerts to those already existing on affected vehicles to further encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged. Since 2016, NHTSA has opened more than 40 Tesla special crash investigations in cases where driver systems such as Autopilot were suspected of being used, with 23 crash deaths reported to date. Tesla's software upgrade under the recall includes increasing prominence of visual alerts and disengaging of Autosteer if drivers do not respond to inattentiveness warnings and additional checks upon engaging Autosteer. Tesla said it will restrict Autopilot use for one week if significant improper use is detected. Tesla disclosed in October that the U.S. Justice Department issued subpoenas related to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot. Reuters reported in October 2022 that Tesla was under criminal investigation. Tesla in February 2023 recalled 362,000 U.S. vehicles to update its FSD Beta software after NHTSA said the vehicles did not adequately adhere to traffic safety laws and could cause crashes.

Foreign automakers eager for Chinese partners at Beijing auto show

Foreign automakers eager for Chinese partners at Beijing auto show Global automakers including Volkswagen and Toyota came to this year's Beijing auto show looking to catch up to surging China EV makers that are dominating the world's largest auto market. The show that started this week showcased a marked shift in attitude among some foreign automakers, industry executives said. After being impressed by the bold leaps made by BYD and other Chinese automakers at last year's event in Shanghai, foreign automakers are now avidly searching for Chinese partners and announcing new tie-ups, the executives said. Among the most active were European and Japanese automakers, with announcements coming from Toyota Motor that it would team up with Chinese gaming and social media giant Tencent on artificial intelligence and big data, and Volkswagen promoting its partnership with Chinese EV startup XPeng . An executive from Renault said on Friday it had pivotal conversations with Chinese EV maker Li Auto and Xiaomi, the smartphone maker that just introduced its first car, to explore EV and smart-vehicle technologies. Nissan, meanwhile, announced a tie-up with Chinese tech firm Baidu to carry out research on AI and smart cars. Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida visited several booths including that of Chinese tech giant Huawei, which is becoming a major auto supplier. European automakers sent much more senior management to visit the booth of LIDAR remote sensing technology supplier Hesai Technology this year versus last year, said Bob in den Bosch, senior vice president of global sales at the Shanghai-headquartered firm. They're looking for a partner to close the gap, he said. They came here with a plan and a mission. Foreign brands have dominated China's auto business since the 1990s and have brought extensive know-how to the Asian country. But last year, foreign brands' collective share of China's passenger car market fell to 48%, down sharply from 57% just two years earlier, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. GOING LOCAL German automakers including Volkswagen and Mercedes, in particular, emphasized their efforts to localize production and invest more in local partnerships, with Volkswagen saying repeatedly its goal was to remain the best-selling foreign automaker in China into 2030. Hildegard Mueller, president of Germany's powerful car lobby VDA, told Reuters that the German automakers are, in addition, exploring new marketing strategies to attract Chinese consumers. This includes partnering with the countrys army of car influencers, who promote and discuss new vehicle models and trends with their large followings on social media. Its huge (online) traffic and huge potential, she said. The market share in China of Toyota, the world's top-selling automaker, declined last year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Toyota's China joint ventures with GAC and FAW held a combined 7.9% of the Chinese auto market last year, compared with an 8.6% share in 2022, the CPCA said. Toyota has said it will include technology from Tencent in a China-made passenger vehicle the Japanese automaker will put on sale this year as part of a new tie-up. On Thursday, Toyota took care to emphasize the new tie-up, with its chief technology officer, Hiroki Nakajima, inviting a senior Tencent executive onstage to its auto show presentation. We want to, with Toyota, build products and services that are closer to consumers, to jointly build mobility solutions of the future and we look forward to the fruits of our cooperation, said Dowson Tong, CEO of Tencent Cloud and Smart Industries Group. PESSIMISM Some foreign auto executives were more pessimistic about their ability to fight back. Katsuhide Moriyama, president of GAC Honda Automobile, Honda's joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group , cited how China's leading EV makers have found ways to slash vehicle development time. Manufacturers should shorten the lead time to compete with those competitors, Moriyama said outside the automaker's booth at the show. But a two-year model cycle is too short for us. The number of American car executives paled compared with visitors from other foreign markets, noted Hesai's In den Bosch. The market share in China of major American brands including Ford and General Motors has plummeted amid declining gasoline-car sales and the shift from foreign to Chinese brands. Ford's chief financial officer, John Lawler, told reporters in the United States on Wednesday that the automaker wants to maintain its existing China presence but is not planning to invest more. We're not putting capital into China, he said.

NHTSA concludes Tesla Autopilot investigation after linking the system to 14 deaths

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has concluded an investigation into Teslas Autopilot driver assistance system after reviewing hundreds of crashes, including 13 fatal incidents that led to 14 deaths. The organization has ruled that these accidents were due to driver misuse of the system. However, the NHTSA also found that Teslas weak driver engagement system was not appropriate for Autopilots permissive operating capabilities. In other words, the software didnt prioritize driver attentiveness. Riders using Autopilot or the companys Full Self-Driving technology were not sufficiently engaged, because Tesla did not adequately ensure that drivers maintained their attention on the driving task. The organization investigated nearly 1,000 crashes from January of 2018 until August of 2023, accounting for 29 total deaths. The NHTSA found that there was insufficient data to make an assessment for around half (489) of these crashes. In some incidents, the other party was at fault or the Tesla drivers werent using the Autopilot system. The most serious were 211 crashes in which the frontal plane of the Tesla struck a vehicle or obstacle in its path and these were often linked to Autopilot or FSD. These incidents led to 14 deaths and 49 serious injuries. The agency found that drivers had enough time to react, but didnt, in 78 of these incidents. These drivers failed to brake or steer to avoid the hazard, despite having at least five seconds to make a move. Thats where complaints against the software come into play. The NHTSA says that drivers would simply become too complacent, assuming that the system would handle any hazards. When it came time to react, it was too late. Crashes with no or late evasive action attempted by the driver were found across all Tesla hardware versions and crash circumstances, the organization wrote. The imbalance between driver expectation and the operating capabilities of Autopilot resulted in a critical safety gap that led to foreseeable misuse and avoidable crashes. The NHTSA also took umbrage with the branding of Autopilot, calling it misleading and suggesting that it lets drivers assume the software has total control. To that end, rival companies tend to use branding with words like driver assist. Autopilot indicates, well, an autonomous pilot. Californias attorney general and the states Department of Motor Vehicles are also investigating Tesla for misleading branding and marketing. Tesla, on the other hand, says that it warns customers that they need to pay attention while using Autopilot and FSD, according to The Verge . The company says the software features regular indicators that remind drivers to keep their hands on the wheels and eyes on the road. The NHTSA and other safety groups have said that these warnings do not go far enough and were insufficient to prevent misuse. Despite these statements by safety groups, CEO Elon Musk recently promised that the company will continue to go balls to the wall for autonomy. The findings could only represent a small fraction of the actual number of crashes and accidents related to Autopilot and FSD. The NHTSA indicated that gaps in Teslas telematic data create uncertainty regarding the actual rate at which vehicles operating with Autopilot engaged are involved in crashes. This means that Tesla only receives data from certain types of crashes, with the NHTSA claiming the company collects data on around 18 percent of crashes reported to police. With all of this mind, the organization has opened up another probe into Tesla. This one looks into a recent OTA software fix issued in December after two million vehicles were recalled . The NHTSA will evaluate whether the Autopilot recall fix that Tesla implemented is effective enough. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nhtsa-concludes-tesla-autopilot-investigation-after-linking-the-system-to-14-deaths-161941746.html?src=rss

Global carmakers take on Chinese giants in EV showdown at Beijing Auto Show 2024

Global carmakers from Volkswagen to Toyota are introducing new models at the Beijing Auto Show 2024 with the help of Chinese tech companies in an effort []

Tesla autopilot probed after 20 crashes in months since recall

Despite complaints, Apple hasnt yet removed an obviously fake app pretending to be RockAuto

Apples App Store isnt always as trustworthy as the company claims. The latest example comes from RockAuto, an auto parts dealer popular with home mechanics and other DIYers, which is upset that a fake app masquerading as its official app has not been removed from the App Store, despite numerous complaints to Apple. RockAuto Co-Founder [] 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

US investigates if Tesla Autopilot recall ensures driver alertness

US investigates if Tesla Autopilot recall ensures driver alertness The US government's auto safety agency is investigating whether last year's recall of Tesla's Autopilot driving system did enough to make sure drivers pay attention to the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted on its website on Friday that it has concerns about the December recall of more than 2 million vehicles, nearly all the vehicles that Tesla had sold at the time. The agency pushed the company to do the recall after a two-year investigation into Autopilot's driver monitoring system, which measures torque on the steering wheel from a driver's hands. The fix involves an online software update to increase warnings to drivers. But the agency said in documents that it has found evidence of crashes after the fix, and that Tesla added updates that weren't part of the recall. This investigation will consider why these updates were not part of the recall or otherwise determined to remedy a defect that poses an unreasonable safety risk, the agency wrote. A message was left early Friday seeking comment from Tesla. NHTSA said that Tesla reported 20 crashes that apparently happened after the recall remedy was sent out. The agency has required Tesla and other automakers to report crashes involving partially and fully automated driving systems. NHTSA said it will evaluate the recall, including the prominence and scope of Autopilot's controls to address misuse, confusion and use in environments that the system is not designed to handle. It also said that Tesla has stated that owners can decide whether they want to opt in to parts of the recall remedy, and that it allows drivers to reverse parts of it. Safety advocates have long expressed concern that Autopilot, which can keep a vehicle in its lane and a distance from objects in front of it, was not designed to operate on roads other than limited access highways. The Associated Press reported shortly after the recall that experts said it relied on technology that may not work. Tesla, the leading manufacturer of EVs, reluctantly agreed to the recall last year after NHTSA found that the driver monitoring system was defective and required a fix. The system sends alerts to drivers if it fails to detect torque from hands on the steering wheel, a system that experts describe as ineffective. Government documents filed by Tesla say the online software change will increase warnings and alerts to drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel. It also may limit the areas where the most commonly used versions of Autopilot can be used, though that isn't entirely clear in Tesla's documents. NHTSA began its investigation in 2021, after receiving 11 reports that Teslas that were using the partially automated system crashed into parked emergency vehicles. Since 2016, the agency has sent investigators to at least 35 crashes in which Teslas that were suspected of operating on a partially automated driving system hit parked emergency vehicles, motorcyclists or tractor trailers that crossed in the vehicles' paths, causing a total of 17 deaths. But research conducted by NHTSA, the National Transportation Safety Board and other investigators show that merely measuring torque on the steering wheel doesn't ensure that drivers are paying sufficient attention. Experts say night-vision cameras are needed to watch drivers' eyes to ensure they're looking at the road.(AP) RUP RUP RUP

Maruti Suzuki registers highest-ever sales in FY2023-24

For the first time, Maruti Suzuki's annual sales surpassed the 2 million unit mark in FY2023-24. The company also registered its highest-ever exports, net sales and net profit. Maruti Suzuki sold 21,35,323 vehicles during the year, a growth of 8.6% compared to FY2022-23. The carmaker sold 18,52,256 units in the domestic market, while exports stood at 2,83,067 units. Maruti Suzuki registered net sales of Rs 1,349,378 million in FY2023-24, a growth of 19.9% over the net sales of Rs 1,125,008 million in FY2022-23. The company's net profit increased by 64% from Rs 80,492 million in FY2022-23 to Rs 1,32,094 million in FY2023-24. The steep rise in net profit can be attributed to higher sales volume, favourable commodity prices, cost reduction efforts and higher non-operating income. Maruti Suzuki's fourth-quarter sales increased by 13.4% compared to the previous year. Domestic sales stood at 5,05,291 units, and 78,740 units were exported. Net sales during the quarter stood at Rs 3,66,975 million compared to Rs 3,08,218 million in the same period of the previous year. Net profit also increased by 47.8%.

Kia Sonet: 4 lakh sales up in under 44 months

Kia Sonet sales have surpassed the 4 lakh unit mark. The carmaker achieved the new milestone in just under 44 months. 3,17,754 units of the Sonet were sold in the domestic market, while an additional 85,814 units were exported. According to Kia, 63% of customers opted for the variants equipped with a sunroof. The majority of customers chose the petrol version (63%), while 37% of the customers opted for the diesel. The sales figures also reflect consumer preference shifting towards automatic variants. Sales of the 7-speed DCT version of the Sonet have grown by 37.50% since its launch in 2020. Overall, automatic transmissions, which include the 7-speed DCT and 6-speed AT, contribute 28%, while the iMT makes up 23% of the total sales of the Sonet. Recently, Kia introduced new entry and mid variants of the Sonet. The compact SUV is now available in four new HTE (O) and HTK (O) variants in Diesel and Petrol engine options. While the HTE(O) gets a sunroof, HTK(O) offers a sunroof along with LED Connected Taillamps, Fully Automatic Temperature Control (FATC) and Rear Defogger.

China Says Tibet Talks Only With Dalai Lama's Reps, Rules Out Autonomy

China today said it will talk only with the representatives of the Dalai Lama and not the officials of the Tibetan government in exile based in India but ruled out dialogue on autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.

China says talks on Tibet only with Dalai Lama's representatives; rules out dialogue on autonomy

China on Friday said it will talk only with the representatives of the Dalai Lama and not the officials of the Tibetan government in exile based in India but ruled out dialogue on the highest Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader's long-pending demand for autonomy for his remote Himalayan homeland.

China Insists on Talks with Dalai Lama's Representatives, Excluding Autonomy Discussions

China Insists on Talks with Dalai Lama's Representatives, Excluding Autonomy Discussions China on Friday said it will talk only with the representatives of the Dalai Lama and not the officials of the Tibetan government in exile based in India but ruled out dialogue on the highest Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders long-pending demand for autonomy for his remote Himalayan homeland. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin was reacting to reports of the back-channel talks between the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Chinese government when he said China regards the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamshala as a separatist bloc. The so-called Xizangs government-in-exile is a completely separatist political bloc. It is totally against the Chinese Constitution and laws. It is illegal, Wang told a media briefing here. No country has recognised it. On Thursday, Sikyong or the political head of Tibet's government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, told a visiting group of journalists in Dharamshala, India, We have had back-channel (engagement) since last year. But we have no immediate expectations from it. It has to be a long-term (one). Insisting that the talks are very informal, the head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said, I have my interlocutor who deals with people in Beijing. Then there are other elements also trying to reach out to us. According to Wang, the Chinese government has two basic principles for contacts with this (Dalai Lamas) group. First, we will only have talks with the representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama instead of the so-called representatives of the so-called government-in-exile or the so-called administrative centre, Wang said. Secondly, the topics for talks will be only for the arrangements and not for the so-called autonomy of Tibet, the main demand of the 88-year-old Dalai Lama. They should have some self-introspection and refrain from all activities sabotaging the stability of Xizang and go back to the right way so that we can move towards the next step, Wang said without elaborating. From 2002 to 2010, the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese government held nine rounds of dialogue that did not produce any concrete outcome. The Tibetan side pitched for genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people in line with the Dalai Lama's Middle-Way Policy. No formal talks have been held since after 2010. In Dharamshala, another senior Tibetan leader indicated that the back-channel talks are aimed at reviving the overall dialogue process as it is the only way out to resolve the Tibetan issue. The 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 and came to India where he set up the government-in-exile at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

Living with a Mitsubishi Cedia after I broke my knee in an accident

BHPian SunnyBoi recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I had an accident a few days before Christmas this year and broke my knee. This meant I could no longer use my bike and had to use the Cedia for my everyday 50 km commute. I used the car for 6 weeks and racked up a lot more KMs than I did the past 1.5 years easily! Car had some hiccups but nothing critical. Posing in the fiery evening sky Meetup with Viddy and his Jimny at Madhus Tyre Centre Sigh, one of these failed, and changing gears became a massive headache. I somehow got the hang of it, drove it that way for a week, and finally, once I was back in my hometown, swapped over to the stock bushes Fancy an OZ wheel for a M2? No? oh okay... The car gets its first pressure wash in 5+ years. There's a massive stain on the roof thanks to water leakage in my parking spot. Sigh Of course, the paint on my alloys flew off with the pressure washer. I did a horrible job last time so I wasn't surprised. Some odo shots. Currently, the odo is at 1.26L KMs Punctured tyre. Second one in a month, RL first then RR. Got it fixed at Madhus for now. The car definitely needs new tyres soon - the P3STs have more than enough tread but the tyres have become hard. Car among hills ..and trees. By now I fixed that horrible stain on the roof. I've been getting stellar mileage lately, 16+KMPL on the highway and 12KMPL in the city with my everyday commute. I am very impressed! Well, that's it for now. I'll hopefully change the oil tomorrow if I don't get too lazy as I have a small drive coming up on the 25th of this month. That said, Cedia's replacement has been identified and might come home soon. I'm not very sure if I'll be keeping both cars or if the Cedia has to leave. I'm in no hurry though so let's see! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Like Germanys president, I love a good kebab. Cosying up to autocrats like Erdoan, less so | Fatma Aydemir

Germanys complicity with Turkeys repressive regime worries me more than its dner diplomacy Nazis eat dner kebabs in secret, must be one of the dumbest slogans I have seen at German protests against the far right. Yes, the popularity of the kebab in Germany has become something of a symbol of labour migration from Turkey after the second world war. And yes, Nazis get hungry, too. So what? If the consumption of ethnic-minority food was really an obstacle to the ideology of white supremacy, Germans would either be starved out by now or they wouldnt vote for Alternative fr Deutschland (AfD). Neither of these is the case: the kebab is the second most popular fast food among Germans, and according to polls, the AfD their second most popular political party . Still, for the German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, it seems to be a sign of cosmopolitanism to promote kebab eating, so his team thought it a good idea to send him to Turkey with a whole skewer full of meat as part of an official visit this week , the first by a German president in 10 years. Continue reading...

Stock market update: Nifty Auto index falls 0.28%

The Nifty Auto index closed 0.28 per cent down at 22111.55.

Imported a high-quality downpipe for my Abarth Punto: 53,000 km update

BHPian sidindica recently shared this with other enthusiasts.Update | 5.4 years | 53500 kms | Stage 2 I always like to add things patiently and slowly, so as to keep interest in the car. Since this car is meant to be kept for a long time, maintenance, periodic replacement of parts and incremental upgrades is the best way to not get bored of it.Changing the brakesThe car crossed 51,500 kms and the factory discs were nearing the end of their life, of course, this is not a car to be driven with light foot so it's always better to check and perform designated replacements along with pads. Replaced all 4 discs with OE replacement Brembo rotors (INR 12,500) and EBC Yellow stuff pads (INR 20k). Still feel this is the best balanced combination for my car.Changing the tyres:The earlier Pilot Sport 4s too were beginning to deteriorate so replaced them with a new set of PS4s (freshly available now) of 205/55 R16 size. Not cheap though at INR 11.4k/tyre.Service with fluids change:52,500 kms service was performed at Landmark, Okhla. Changed the oil (Selenia K), all filters (except air), brake oil, transmission oil with brakes being bled and serviced after my recent trip.Going for Stage 2:For a long time, I have been doing research on the pros and cons of adding a catless downpipe. Since all my parts on the car are international branded which are certified for this very car and platform, I had to take the same route with the downpipe. This was anyways my first car and first experiment with adding a catless downpipe, so TMC Motorsport UK launched their downpipe for IHI 60mm turbo (2.25 diameter) back in December 2023. Their appearance, build and overall quality looked top-class, so ordered the same in the beginning of April. The parcel came, and here was what it looked like: Quality does come at a price, which costed approx INR 34k (cost of DP+shipping+duties). Impressed with the high quality of construction of T304 grade SS, with proper weld marks and excellent finish, this was just what I was looking for. Installation was done at Fiat FNG (Jhalak) and it took 2 hours to do a neat installation by the mechs. As expected, this is a reversible bolt-on mod. The OE heat shield (bottom one) cannot be fitted as there is no provision so I had to go with Kool Wraps Australia Sourced Heat wrapping strip (Photo below) As expected, the O2 sensor error (P0420-CEL) appeared after 50 kms of driving, and I got it cleared by the scanner, though a proper map update by Wolf Moto is pending which will be done once they arrive next in Delhi. I got coolant changed as well since summers are at their peak also.Initial ImpressionsThe ECU took time to adapt to the DP and altered O2 parameters, once it adapted, the mid range grunt of the car improved, and the car felt more addictive with more consistent torque delivery throughout the torque band. Already the car was never meant to be driven with light foot, this will further add to the addiction. Haven't seen much difference in FE, have to do proper logging in days to come for this. I think overall the car feels more complete, just like what it should be, not gunning for just straight line acceleration and numbers, but better driveability, torque, and catalogued high-quality build. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

US agency is investigating whether the recall of Tesla Autopilot driving system did enough to ensure drivers attention

US agency is investigating whether the recall of Tesla Autopilot driving system did enough to ensure drivers attention

Skoda Slavia's rear glass shatters due to metro work; Got compensation

BHPian audioholic recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I just completed the 2yr/30k kms service Apart from some random rattles in the roof liner area and a loose dashboard which was fixed, the car is running pretty flawlessly and does a 50:50 mix of city and highway runs. I had used the car for 12k kms after the last service and was not feeling good about the engine oil being used for so long. Apart from that, there were some updates and campaigns conducted on the car. The car is not very different compared to what it was before the service, so I expect that the oil didn't make a big difference which also proves how finely engineered the engine is. Service cost was covered under SMP so I only ended up paying for some consumables. What I am also surprised by from the last few thousand kms is thatthe FE has improved very much. Gone are the days when I used to get single-digit FE and now it's always in double digits, without much of a change in my driving habits. Even on the last Mysore expressway trip where I was pretty fast due to very light traffic, I ended up getting 16kmpl. My office commute returns between 10.5-12.5 depending on traffic. For statistic's sake, out of the 50-odd times I have done a tankful of petrol so far, I have used 91 octane only once, Shell V power twice, HP power 95 four times, and the rest being XP95 itself. Power 95 is somewhat smoother than XP95 with similar performance, but V power smoothens the drive but also results in a power drop due to it being 91 octane. One issueI have observed is with the tyre deflation warning which has given me false warnings twice with no explainable reason in the last 22k kms. As a reliability record that's pretty passable, but both times, I have had a spirited highway run(with tyre pressures accurately checked) and this warning pops up after I reach my destination town. I can't even calibrate the system and end up getting tyre pressures checked just to find they are not even 1 psi apart. It's almost two years but my Slavia 1.5 DSG has already crossed 22k kms, which was pretty higher than what I expected when I brought the car. But the car just begs to be driven again and again, longer and longer. So thanks to this feature, I have almost left the Crysta for my Dad's sole use and stick to the Slavia all the time.The other reason is that some changes in my personal life have added a drive to Tumkur as a routine in addition to my earlier drives to Kolar. Recently had been to Ooty and loved the car in those hairpin bends and the Mysore expressway as usual. Fantastic handling, braking(1.5), excellent NVH at high speeds and the tyres are keeping up at their half-life without any change in road noise, etc. The rear windshield got shattered due to metro constructiondebris falling on the car when I drove under it. This happened last Monday and was also the reason to advance the service by a month. As I drove back from work, I passed below the upcoming Bellandur metro station where there was construction going on overhead the traffic. There was one portion that did not have safety nets and something fell on the glass and within a second I realised the car got its first actual damage in the last two years. Due to it being a crowded area, I did not get an opportunity to stop right at the spot and create a scene. I parked a few meters ahead and tried to walk back to the place where the incident happened but couldn't find anyone at ground level to speak to. Hence I resumed my commute back home and immediately started working on the next steps. I needed the car by Thursday for an upcoming trip and the guys at Tafe especially Mr. Krishna went beyond their meansto get this fixed in no time and finish the periodic maintenance as well. The glass was not in stock at the dealership and as I called them right after the incident, they had placed an order for the part the same evening even though it was beyond the cutoff time. Kudos to them for a speedy fix. The order for the part was placed on Monday, I left the car on Tuesday, the part arrived Wednesday late afternoon and was immediately fixed that late evening, and I received the car Thursday afternoon which was wonderful. I was not so sure if they would fix it so soon since there was a room for lot of possible delays especially since the part had to arrive and then there was also a curing time required for the adhesive. Another advantage was not claiming insurance, because that would have added to the delays. The replacement cost 9200 and 2500 for interior cleaning since there were glass pieces everywhere in the cabin, boot as well as in the insides of the surrounding trim. The rear windshield itself cost 3800 and the adhesive being some 2500 and labour another 3000 odd. The Metro contractor refunded the entire amountwhich was a good ending to the story after I had reported this matter to BMRCL and had a tough word with them. As soon as I received the car, they had asked me to come to their site office for a meeting and I expected some sort of defense from their end and arguments but it turned out to very apologetic tone and an immediate refund without any bureaucratic or paperwork-related delays. The fact of the matter was that apart from a picture at the site of my car, there was nothing else to prove the entire turn of events. I couldn't even find the actual item that fell on my car due to the infamous Ecospace traffic jam. I am told that safety nets are always mandatory but in this case, one portion had its net removed to lift up something and that caused this issue. But all is well that ends well, and I would like to sincerely thank the Metro officials as well as the contractor for the immediate resolution, even though it would have been a serious incident had the same part fallen on a two-wheeler rider or even a pedestrian. I have a few planned mods on this car now for my own academic purpose - One is to upgrade the camera to a Highline RVC with dynamic guidelines, and then to add direct TPMS. While the latter is to get rid of the false alarms, the former is because I got the Highland RVC for peanuts and both these features are CAN bus-related changes which would be an experiment that would go both ways. Hence, if I am successful with the RVC, then I will be more confident to spend money on the TPMS setup. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

2024 Bajaj Pulsar 220F spotted at dealership; priced at Rs 1.40 lakh

Bajaj has launched the 2024 edition of the Pulsar 220F. The bike is priced at Rs 1.40 lakh (ex-showroom). The updated Pulsar 220F has started reaching dealerships. The bike carries forward the same fairing as the previous iteration but gets new graphics. It also has a semi-digital instrument console. The Pulsar 220F gets Bluetooth connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, new switchgear and a USB charging port. The Pulsar 220F is powered by the same 220cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 20 BHP and 18.5 Nm. It is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. Source:Autocar India/Ramaswami120

US probes Tesla's recall of 2 million vehicles over Autopilot safety flaw

US probes Teslas recall of million vehicles over Autopilot safety flaw

Confused between the Creta N-Line & Seltos DCT: Which one to pick?

BHPian vijay.s recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Need help in choosing between the Hyundai Creta Turbo Petrol DCT Automatic / Creta N-line N10 DCT automatic / Seltos GTX Plus DCT Automatic. The Seltos being relatively old is getting some handsome discounts to the tune of Rs. 40K plus basic accessories kit free. However, there are no such offers for either the regular Turbo petrol Creta or the N-line Creta released just this week. When compared to the Regular Creta Turbo Petrol DCT Automatic, there is a price difference of approx 50K and approx 1L when compared to N Line DCT automatic. Note this difference does not account for any accessories beside the basic kit for 6K being provided by Hyundai. However, In seltos, I am getting 25K worth of accessories free too which the dealer refused to convert to cash in addition to the 40K discount. Is the price difference worth going with Seltos. Reason I am asking this question is primarily from the standpoint of safety being emphasized by Creta. I could personally feel the heaviness when lifting the bonnet too and even in the doors of facelift creta. Anyone else caught up in similar confusion? Heard from the folks at Kia that there is a price rise in the first week of Apr (after FY2023 ends) and hence need to make my decision fast Here's what BHPian contentedbloke had to say on the matter:I have been through a similar confusion. The deciding factor and the deal breaker was the UV cut glass which is available in the Seltos but not in the creta. In Chennai, without this feature, getting into a car under the sun would be very painful. The second factor was ride comfort which based on reviews is better in the Seltos GT rather than the N-Line because of the stiffer suspension. The third criteria is that regular creta has light colour seats which will become dirty under my household usage, and hence I prefer only dark seats. Ruled out regular creta completely due to this reason. While N-Line is preferred due to all black interiors, I prefer the Seltos due to the UV glass and ride comfortHere's what BHPian 07CR had to say on the matter:I guess it's just the mindgames. In a Hyundai showroom the SAs have been trained to emphasize on better build quality because Creta lacks the equipment of Seltos. With repeated such quotes our mind starts thinking on same lines. Cross posting from other thread regarding BHPian's observation on both cars structure. With additional discounts and the additional equipment which Seltos carries over Creta/ Creta N line, it's a no brainer for me.Here's what BHPian crenthu123 had to say on the matter:I do not know, why people are not thinking about the safety aspect of the current Seltos, the car is really unsafe and I have several examples for that. New Creta hopefully will receive a 5 star like Verna as it feels much more solid than the older creta. So, please consider this before making a purchase decision or wait for the next generation Seltos 2025'/26'.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Financials, auto, pharma, and healthcare to drive Q4 earnings: Rahul Bhuskute

We have been seeing a really strong earnings narrative in this financial year. Going forward, definitely there will be a base effect that will pose a bit of a headwind.

A Brezza owner buys the Ertiga VXI BS-6: His unbiased impressions

BHPian jessie007 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Ertiga Vxi Petrol Manual (Mild Hybrid) BSVI 2024 - Features & brief review Colour: Arctic Silver (has a light bluish tinge in daylight) We have a 2019 diesel Brezza (BSIV) & an automatic Nano. We were in a market for a petrol vehicle with an ex-showroom price of under one million rupees. This was due to the fact that BSIV diesel vehicles are not allowed to ply in Delhi few days of the year when pollution level peaks, especially during foggy winters. Even though we were not necessarily looking for a 7 seater, but saw that the price of Ertiga was the same as the new Brezza's, which we were considering. Plus since we already have a Brezza, found the Ertiga to be a good option - since The family was used to having 7+ seaters - Sumos (the original one earlier, & then the Grande Mark II later, before the 10 year diesel ban rule forced us to sell the Grande, & later my Grande Punto too - really sad. Both vehicles were in good running condition & passed pollution norms as laid out by a govt agency itself). Will rant on this arbit govt policy in some other thread. Kia Carens was given a miss based on three factors:It was pricier by almost Rs 2 lakhs on-road (we were not ready to spend much above 10 lakhs). Ertiga already was coming to 11 lakhs on-road.It didn't offer a mild hybrid option which provides a stepping stone to hybrids and EVs, I believe. Plus the added advantage of a slightly better fuel efficiency (Ertiga ARAI is 20.51 kmpl; Carens has 17.9 kmpl for the comparative petrol manual variant) appealed to us, as we have mostly driven diesel vehicles giving decent fuel efficiency, and would shudder to think of driving a big vehicle giving just about 9 kmpl in the city with AC (which runs for atleast 9-10 months in Delhi) & running on the more expensive fuel i.e. petrol. Another point not going for the Brezza - its Vxi (Manual Transmission MT) does ot offer smart hybrid functionality. Only Vxi AT (Automatic) offers, or Zxi MT & AT.Read reviews on Team BHP about AC water leakage in the third row in the Kia Carens. Also we aren't easily swayed by flashy features. In any case our mind was also made-up to go for the Ertiga, so didn't even push for discount from Kia.XL6 was given a miss due to higher price, preference of bench seat (more practical for a family) over captain seats, no issues related to - MUV look or taxi image of Ertiga - used to having taxi image vehicles in the family - Maruti Van, Tata Sumo, Tata Indigo.I personally prefer base & middle variants of vehicles in which one gets 90% of the car & necessary features in approx 75% of the price (debatable %age). The case for base variants has become more compelling after dual front airbags and ABS became mandatory for all variants. For me personally, features like Automatic Climate Control (ACC), Touchscreen Infotainment system, Sunroof, Push button start, Auto headlamps & Wipers, DRLs, ADAS & even features like auto-folding ORVMs are some of the features, I can do without, if it shaves off a couple of lakh off the final price. Plus lack of gaudy chrome work is a plus too. Though miss seat height adjust, that is generally not offered in middle variants (it is there in Brezza Vxi though - more on it later). Price (Delhi)Ex-showroom: ~ Rs 9.85 lakhsOn-Road: ~ Rs 11:15 lakhsEngine: K15C Smart HybridCC / Cylinder: 1462 CC / 4 cylinderPower: 102 BHP @ 6000 RPMTorque: 136.8 Nm @ 4400 RPMWheel Rim: 15 Steel with wheel coversTyre Size: 185/65 R15 (Same size for spare - no cost cutting here)Tyre Make: Bridgestone Ecopia (Like Bridgestones, but these don't have an impressive contact patch. Believe this Ecopia range is geared for less friction & rolling mass, in the interest of marginally better fuel economy)Turning Radius: 5.2 m only (decent for a vehicle almost 4.4 metres long)Fuel Tank capacity: 45 LitresDecent sized fuel tank. Many vehicles are nowadays having smaller fuel tanks in the 37-42 litre range. (Eg. Renault Triber 40L; Honda City & Elevate 40L; Maruti Ciaz 43L). Range is another matter, which is a factor of fuel efficiency. Assuming approx 12 kmpl average in city with AC, we can expect a range of approx 550 kms, which is decent for a 7-seater petrol MUV. Obviously with a mix of highway & city run, the range will increase to almost 650 kms with say 14+ kmpl. (ARAI figure is a generous one for this mild hybrid 7-seater at 20.51 kmpl - higher than most petrol sedans & SUVs) Accessories Installed (MGA)Front Fog Lamps with switch on the inside (with LED indicator) - nicely fills the blank too, between the buttons for auto-start/stop & ESC.Following two accessories, family insisted - am not a fan of adding cosmetic accessories:Door protector strip (for 4 doors) - feels thick and of good quality with a chrome strip (don't know how this chrome part will hold in the long term).Visors for windows. Interestingly there is a neatly designed piece for the third-row fixed (non-openable) side-window pieces too - though don't like these plastic visors at all, as at highway speeds they often flutter, become loose and start rattling eventually. Let us see how these ones cope. Under-hood cladding for noise insulation (not that the engine is noisy in the first place) With all seats occupied, boot can accommodate luggage for 2-3 days trip: a) a medium-sized & a cabin-sized suitcase & perhaps a couple of soft bags. Need to remove lids covering storage area, so that the suitcase can go down further. Attaching image from company brochure for reference. OR b) a couple of cabin bags or haversacks, & some soft bags However with six people travelling, one seat in the last row can be folded and lot more luggage can be accommodated (including a large, medium & small suitcase & some soft bags). Mentioning all the features of this middle variant - some features might be considered common, but some are quite welcome inclusions for a middle variant of a 7 seater MUV with an ex-showroom price south of 10 lacks (lower tax bracket too) Features (has most necessary features & then some) Safety The Ertiga got a 3-star safety rating in NCAP testing. Not a very reassuring rating, would have preferred atleast a 4 star rated vehicle. The Brezza still remains the highest rated Maruti vehicle with a 4-star rating. The Grand Vitara might also get a decent rating. Although I believe as per BSNCAP (India specific) most vehicles, other than some tin boxes (Alto, Celerio, Ignis, Wagon R & the like) will manage a 4 star rating, especially with standard features set including ESP also now, which gives extra points I believe.Twin front airbags with ABSESP (Electronic Stability Program) - earlier available only in automatic variantsHill HoldHeight adjustable head-rests for front & rear seats, and two seats in the middle row (no headrest for middle passenger). Also lap belt only (not 3 pointed) for middle passenger in middle row. 04 rear parking sensors with graphic display in MID Mild Hybrid ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) & Li-ion battery under front passenger seat that aids in idle Start-stop (can be switched off), Torque assist on sudden acceleration, brake-energy recuperation - Maruti claims a higher ARAI of around 20.5 kmpl versus approx 17 kmpl in non-mild-hybrid variants. Torque Boost from the ISG shows in MID Hybrid graphic screen, when boost is being provided. Brake energy regenerationIdle start / stopISOFIX mounts on two seats in the middle rowInfotainment Infotainment system with Electrostatic touch control buttonsTotal 04 speakers installed in the 4 doorsSteering-mounted audio controls (including mute button)Steering-mounted recessed Bluetooth telephony controlsComes with a remote control too Seating Space is a subjective matter - but enough space for 7 average-sized Indians. The middle row can seat three adults, but is not very wide, as compared to say the Carens. Last row though spacious with adequate shoulder, head & legroom for two, but for longer journeys, more suitable for shorter adults or children.Reclining function for all seats (even last row)Fore & aft movement for all seats in the first & middle row60:40 split middle row seats with centre armrest (no cup-holders in armrest) Continue reading BHPian jessie007's ownership report for more insights and information.

Toyota launches 'T Gloss' car detailing brand in India

Toyota has announced its entry into the car detailing sector with its own car care brand 'T Gloss'. Starting May 1, 2024, T Gloss treatments will be offered at all authorised Toyota dealerships in India. Under the T Gloss brand, Toyota will offer a wide range of services, including ceramic coating, underbody coating, silencer coating, internal panel protection, AC duct cleaning and evaporator cleaning. The services will be undertaken by highly skilled and trained professionals. Mr. Sabari Manohar, Vice President of Sales-Service-Used Car Business at Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, T GLOSS is a one-stop-shop solution aimed at offering customers high-quality car care solutions that are tailored specifically for Toyota vehicles to ensure safety and upkeeping of vehicles ultimately designed to offer a peaceful ownership experience. This launch marks a significant milestone in our journey of delivering Toyota owners an all-encompassing car care solution that seamlessly aligns with our core values of quality, durability, and reliability (QDR).

Got my stolen phone back within 24 hrs: GoPro & Team-BHP to the rescue

BHPian RohanMahantesh recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hello EveryoneTL;DRI was on my bicycle on the way to work, when two thieves on a bike snatched my phone from my backpack. This incident was recorded on a GoPro, using which the vehicle number and the images of the thieves were obtained. With the help of my colleague, a fellow Team BHPian, and a thread on the forum, we were able to obtain the information of the vehicle owner. The owner was contacted, who had lent his bike to a supposed friend when the incident occurred. The vehicle owner cooperated with the police and helped them track down the thieves. The phone was retrieved back in less than 24 Hours! The complete incident is shown in the video above. To start, I am a final-year engineering student from Bangalore. Apart from my love for automobiles, I have a keen interest in photography. This led to me purchasing various camera gear and having read several posts on the forum about the importance of a dashcam in one's car and having been involved in several incidents before, I made it a point to record even the short rides on two-wheeler and bicycle on my GoPro (This was the first thing I bought off of my first stipend at my internship! Best purchase ever!). I also realised that I could upload the footage on YouTube under the POV (Point of View) Driving category, which gave me another reason to drive all the vehicles at home with a GoPro mounted onto me. Oh, and if you are wondering, no I do not intend on making any money off of it on YouTube, it's just for the sheer pleasure of recording the drives, and looking back at it a few years down the lane to relive the moments, the traffic, the roads and the surroundings. The firm that I am interning at, is about 6km from my residence, as a result of which I utilise a scooter or my bicycle to commute. It was about 10:30 am on the 15th of March 2024, when I was on the way to the office on my bicycle. The railway crossing on the way was shut, as a result of which, I took out the phone from my bag and started scrolling. The next thing I knew, the railway crossing was open, and I had to hurry, as a result of which I ended up keeping my phone in the bottle holder of my backpack (A Stupid and Silly Mistake ). As I was crossing the railway track (I was pushing the cycle, rather than riding it to not lose balance), a guy in a blue bike overtook me from the extreme left, which was very suspicious to me at first, but I didn't bother about it, thinking it was normal. After crossing the railway track, I hopped onto my bicycle and started riding it. Amidst this, the guy in the blue bike picked up another person. This seemed completely normal. I didn't think much about the stares that they gave me, as it is very common to have a lot of people look at you driving with a GoPro attached to your head or chest. I was on the extreme left lane of the road, and about 100m later, out of nowhere, the two people on the blue bike overtook me from the left side (A lot of things could have gone wrong during all of this!) the pillion (The guy he had just picked up) took the phone out of the bottle holder of my backpack and before I could realise it, it was too late! I was terrified and almost froze! This was the first time that I had encountered a situation as such. I sped up (on the bicycle!) and tried looking for their bike, but realised that it was already too late and there was no way I could catch up with the thieves. The first thing I had to do, no matter what, was to track/erase data/log out of the phone and I rushed home. Using the other device at home, I couldn't track it, as they had switched off the phone. I ended up signing out of all my accounts and erasing all the data from the phone (All of the data was backed up). I was concerned about my sim, as without it it would be impossible to call people, receive SMS or make payments. I extracted all the footage from the GoPro and saved it for reference to note down the vehicle number and the images of the thieves. I immediately called up my colleague and told him about the incident, and that I would be late to the office as I had to visit the nearest police station. He asked me to calm down and offered to accompany me to the police station. We reached the Gangamma Gudi Police Station (Abbigere) and filed an e-lost complaint on the Karnataka State Police app with all the required details of the phone, This generated a lost e-report for the phone, using which I could obtain the duplicate SIM. Parallely, I blocked the IMEI number using the CEIR website. I met the officers at the police station and made it a point to show them the footage captured, which they gladly circulated among the various WhatsApp groups of which they were part. The police asked us to be rest assured and that they would get in touch with us in case of any updates. My colleague tried to gather information about the owner of the vehicle using mParivahan, but we couldn't get much information. We then got back to the office and went about our day. 20 minutes into the office, my colleague, remembered coming across the Karnataka PUC Website and the loopholes it had in this thread. We obtained the information of the owner and obtained his phone number using the same. My colleague immediately called the owner and cooked up an excuse to have him meet us at the police station. The owner of the vehicle was a person who was working in the Armed Forces and was worried about the consequences of having a police case against him. We met up at the police station, where we explained what happened. He had lent his bike to a friend that morning, and he immediately recognised the people from the footage. He cooperated with the police and provided them with the contact information and address of the thieves. The police were able to catch hold of one of the thieves (In Blue Shirt) on the very same day, and he accepted the theft but did not have any information about the phone. It was about 8 pm and we were assured of getting the phone back. The next morning, at about 11 am, the police contacted me asking us to visit the police station. Me and my colleague visited the police station, and we were handed over the phone by the officer. He narrated the incident as to how the second thief was caught in the wee hours of midnight. The thieves had thrown the SIM card away. The police gave the thieves a taste of their medicine (you know what I am referring to). I immediately unblocked the IMEI. Thank You Team BHP and Bengaluru Police for helping me retrieve my phone! I regretted the absolutely silly mistake of mine which led to all of this, but I am happy that GoPro and Team BHP helped me retrieve the phone back. I urge all of you to please keep your belongings safe when in public. I learnt my lesson the hard way. Hope this was helpful to everyone out there! Cheers! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Volkswagen Tayron SUV unveiled at Beijing Motor Show

Volkswagen has taken the wraps off its new Tayron SUV at the ongoing 2024 Beijing Motor Show. The new Volkswagen Tayron is essentially a 7-seater version of the latest-gen Tiguan revealed in September 2023. The new Tayron carries forward many elements from the 5-seater Tiguan, including the rounded-off styling. Starting with the front, the Tayron gets an aggressive-looking front bumper with a contrasting black finish. It also comes with flared wheel arches, a well-sculpted tailgate, wrap-around LED taillights connected by an LED light bar and a blacked-out rear bumper. The Volkswagen Tayron SUV measures 4,735 mm in length, 1,859 mm in width and 1,682 mm in height. For reference, this is 197 mm longer, 17 mm wider and 43 mm taller than the 5-seater Tiguan. The Tayron also has a 111 mm longer wheelbase than its 5-seater sibling. Inside, the Volkswagen Tayron is identical to the Tiguan. The SUV comes with three screens: a digital instrument cluster, a main touchscreen infotainment unit and a separate display for the front passenger. The car also features backlit physical buttons and switches to control the various functions in the cabin. Other features include wireless charging, 10-point massage seats with heating & ventilation, a 360-degree camera, dual-zone climate control, a head-up display and an ADAS suite; to name a few. Globally, the Volkswagen Tayron will be available in multiple powertrain options, including petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid. The Volkswagen Tayron could make its way to India as well. The India-spec Tayron will get a single engine option - a 2.0-litre TSI unit producing 184 BHP and 320 Nm, paired with a 7-speed DSG gearbox as standard. Reports also suggest that the Volkswagen Tayron will be assembled in India via CKD kits from 2025. Once launched, it will take on the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq & Jeep Meridian. Source: AutoHome

Hyundai to launch its first made-in-India EV in 2025

Hyundai has confirmed that it plans to launch its first made-in-India electric SUV by early 2025. It is likely to be the Creta EV. Hyundai's first all-electric model for the Indian market will be manufactured at its Chennai facility. The carmaker has also confirmed that production will begin at the end of this year before it goes on sale in early 2025. The Creta EV has already been spotted testing on Indian roads. It is expected to feature the same design as the ICE version with minor changes, including a blanked-off grille and aero-optimized alloy wheels. Inside, the electric version will have the same dashboard design but will sport a few unique touches as well. Spy images have revealed a 2-spoke steering wheel with a drive mode selector stalk mounted on the steering column. The Creta EV is also expected to get features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS. Reports suggest that the Creta EV will share its electric powertrain with the entry-level Kona EV. It is likely to be powered by a front-mounted electric motor and a 45 kWh battery pack. Source: HT Auto

Ayrton Senna's personal Honda NSX is officially on sale

A 1991 Honda NSX, once belonging to 3-time F1 world champion Ayrton Senna, is up for sale. The car is listed for sale in the UK with an asking price of over 5,00,000 GBP. This Honda NSX was personally driven by Ayrton Senna and housed in Portugal during his ownership. The car is said to have 39,000 miles on the odometer, although it is unclear as to how many of those miles were contributed by Senna. The Brazilian F1 driver stayed in Portugal due to his F1 testing and travel schedule. The NSX was given to Senna by Honda, with whom he had a commercial partnership. The car became famous after being photographed multiple times in Portugal. It was also featured in a 1992 documentary. The car stayed in Portugal post the unfortunate demise of Senna in 1994 before being purchased by the current British owner back in 2013. The owner stated, I first bought the car in 2013 during a trip to the Algarve in Portugal and have owned it ever since, where it has sat proudly at my estate in East Sussex. He further added, It's been a real pleasure owning what is one of the most famous cars belonging to a true sporting legend, and the thrill of driving Senna's car never goes away. The Honda NSX comes with a 6-cylinder 3.0-litre engine producing 271 BHP. Honda claims a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph. The current owner also confirmed that the car will be on display at the Senna Exhibition at Silverstone in August. Source: AutoSport

Visited the iconic Payana Vintage Car Museum: Here's my experience

BHPian Amyth_Prabhakar recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Payana - From Cart to Car - The Vintage Car Museum. This place has gained a lot of popularity ever since it opened for public last week and has become the most admired landmark along the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway, inundated by throngs of visitors including social media content creators who are in fact popularizing it to a greater extent by flaunting their videos and reels on YouTube. This place can be added to the ever-growing list of Places to visit in and around Bengaluru for a Weekend Getaway. This place has now become an ideal destination for a day trip and the new 6 lane highway makes it hassle free to visit and come back. I visited this place last week and here's my share of experience. Here are some videos. Watch them in 4K. Video 1 About the Vintage Car Museum: This museum has decent collection of vintage cars, collected by Dr. Veerendra Heggade and is an extension of the Manjusha Museum located in Dharmasthala near Managalore. Video 2 Location: Payana, is located on the Bangalore-Mysore Express way, and appears approximately about 7-8 kms before Mysore city and can be entered through the service road. Road connectivity is excellent, and the new highway makes it possible to maintain 3-digit speed and it takes about two hours or less to reach from the starting point of Bangalore-Mysore Expressway. Big advertising hoardings, promoting the museum can be seen a few kilometres before the destination along the highway and there is no way one can miss this. Depending on where you stay in Bangalore, it can either be a day trip or a half day trip, as the time to reach the expressway from different parts of Bangalore will have to be factored in. Work in Progress: Note that the work at the museum is still in progress (at the time of penning down this blog) and might take a month or two for this museum to become fully operational along with the restaurants. A small theatre construction was underway inside the museum and soon they might screen some vintage audio-visual shows. Open air amphitheatre was ready but there was no sign of any kind of entertainment . Seeing the demand, things might move even faster than expected and there is a high chance of the museum getting upgraded with more historic and iconic cars for display in future from around the world. The Look and Feel: The eye catchy construction, designed with ramps and a tyre shaped faade is what attracts and welcomes everyone passing by on the highway and makes one to stop over and have a glance or even click photos against the picturesque architectural backdrop. Timings and Entry Fee: The museum timings are from 9 AM to 8 PM on all days with a nominal entry fee of 50 rupees for adults and free for children below 7 years. There is a big parking lot at the entrance and can easily accommodate quite a good number of cars of the floating population. The entire place is very clean and well maintained. Eateries In and Around: The restaurant inside is not functional yet, however, there is nothing to worry as there are good and decent hotels located on the service road in close proximity to the museum and there is also one diagonally opposite to the museum, again on the service road. Visitors for now will have to travel a kilometre or two and take a U turn to get to the hotels located on either side of the highway. Since it is very close to Mysore, visitors can also find a lot of hotels on the Banni Mantap Road in Mysore and can have lunch/dinner at a restaurant of their preference. Photo and Videography: There is no separate fee collected for photography. However, professional videography with tripods and flash photography with pro cameras for commercial use is prohibited and requires prior permission. Shooting with drones also need prior permission. However, filming through cell phones, action cams like GoPro, Insta 360 and Vlogging cameras for personal use are allowed. Still photos with DSLR and Mirrorless cams are also allowed. Our Experience: We started at around 12 PM from Basavanagudi in Bangalore after a heavy brunch, hit the expressway through the NICE road and reached there by 2.15 PM, obviously at the wrong time of the day and it felt very hot. Initially I thought of carrying my gimbal, DSLR and Mirrorless cameras to shoot videos but later decided not to as moving around with heavy equipment in a hot weather is not easy, less flexible, drains energy faster and is prone to dehydration. Finally, we managed to shoot everything with our handy and compact cameras namely Samsung Ultra S24 and Xiaomi 13 Pro. Although it was noon, we decided to pay a visit first and then have some refreshments later as our stomachs were almost full with no complaints. We clicked a few pictures at the entrance and headed to the reception counter, bought the tickets, and began our journey back in time at the museum. It starts off with a Herald car that was used by Dr.Veerendra Heggade during his prime time along with a poster of his alongside the car, followed by the evolution of wheels and a display of Internal combustion engine and its associated parts. Then starts the display of carts followed by cars. Most of the cars looked like big trucks to me. It normally takes about 30-45 minutes to cover the entire museum but if you are a photo freak like me, quite a good amount of time can be spent by taking pictures of cars in all possible angles. This place is not air conditioned and the only source of cool air circulation are from the huge fans attached to the ceiling. Because of the spikes in temperature especially during this summer season, it felt hot and humid inside. The museum is thoughtfully designed as there are ramps to all levels of the museum, making it easier for people having physical disabilities to move around effortlessly and also makes it less strenuous to people of all age groups to visit the entire museum Most of the cars are I guess bought from the descendants of original owners, second and third owners or picked up from scrap car garages. Some of the cars looked like they had been repaired, repainted, and restored. Cars like, BMW, Benz, Chevrolet, Buick, Opel, Datsun, Mazda, MG, Ford, Citroen, Daimler, Willys Jeeps, trucks, Fiat, Hillman, Studebaker were found. I did not come across any Audi's or Jaguar's and a few other popular and expected brands. Along with them were our Indian cars like Standard 2000, Contessa, Ambassador, Maruti Zen, Fiat Palio, Reva, Matiz, Dolphin etc. and I was surprised to see the Hyundai Verna (previous to fluidic generation) and the sturdy old Hyundai Sonata as we grew up seeing them. There were also some placeholders for cars that were yet to come in to the museum. There were some two wheelers (scooters and bikes) as well. Out of all, Hero-Honda-CD-100 is what stood out for me as my father had the same model and most of my childhood and in fact pre university college days were spent on that bike. With heavy heart he sold that bike in 2018. Bonus Section: There is a huge collection of ancient artifacts as well at the basement. Conclusion: Shot this just before I left in the evening at around 5.30 PM with more even lighting. It was around 4 PM by the time we came out. I took a few aerial shots with my drone and finally went to a nearby hotel (Hari Govind, which is on the Bandipur road), had some food and finally headed back to Bangalore.It was fun, informative, and educative in some cases. Overall, it was totally worth visiting it. No more bugging. I will let the pictures to do the talking!! The entrance: A couple of photos taken at the entrance with different zoom lengths! Entrance Ticket: An old double Decker bus can be seen in the parking lot! The Journey Begins: An army truck parked at the entrance: Continue reading BHPian Amyth_Prabhakaran's review for more insights and information.

Grab-backed Superbank introduces auto-savings product in Indonesia

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Mahindra XUV 3XO could be offered in four variants

Mahindra is gearing up to launch the XUV 3XO on April 29. If the latest reports are anything to go by, it could be offered in four trims, similar to the XUV700. According to a media report, Mahindra is likely to offer the XUV 3XO in MX, AX, AX5 and AX7 with L (Luxury Pack) and Pro versions for the top-spec trims. The XUV 3XO will feature a completely new design. The SUV gets a redesigned front end featuring new LED headlamps, dual-tone alloy wheels and more. It has a totally new rear fascia with C-shaped LED taillights connected by an LED light bar. Inside, the XUV 3XO will feature a larger free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster and other features like a Harman Kardon sound system, automatic climate control and a panoramic sunroof. The XUV 3XO will carry forward the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. The SUV will be capable of sprinting from 0-60 km/h in 4.5 seconds and will have an ARAI-certified mileage of 20.1 km/l. Source: Carwale

Emmforce Autotech IPO Allotment Today: Here's How You Can Check Allotment Status

Emmforce Autotech IPO received an overwhelming response, subscribed 365 times on the final day, attracting bids for 1,33,27,10,400 shares against 36,57,600 shares on offer.

Plug-in hybrids emit 3.5 times more CO2 emissions than advertised

A new study with a data sample of 6,00,000 cars indicates that the real-world CO2 emissions of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid vehicles are much higher than the indicated official values. The study shows that the real-world CO2 emissions of conventional petrol and diesel vehicles are 20% higher than their indicated value. However, what's surprising is the average real-world CO2 emissions of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which reportedly are 3.5 times higher than their test values. Reports state this could be because PHEVs aren't charged and driven in full-electric mode as often as assumed. While a difference in the test values and real-world emission figures is expected, as a laboratory can't replicate exact real-world conditions, the 3.5 times higher real-world figures are too high. To counter this, the Commission is already said to have introduced changes to the calculations, which will be applied from 2025. Apart from the CO2 emission figures, WLTP tests also found a discrepancy in the fuel consumption figures of vehicles. As per reports, the*WLTP tests overestimate fuel efficiency (WLTP test overestimates ICE cars fuel economy by over 23%, says EU Report)*figures of petrol, diesel and PHEV vehicles by up to 23%. Source: European Commission

Stock market update: Nifty Auto index advances 0.27% in a weak market

The Nifty Auto index was trading 0.27 per cent up at 22234.3.

Versys 650 owner rides the NX500: Shares 10 observations on Honda ADV

BHPian Legal_Eagle recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I can see a lot many members going gaga over NX500. Rightly so, the product is a Honda. I have a Versys 650 presently, which I feel is heavy in everyday conditions. Was looking for a more manageable bike, ideally for a one-bike garage. So I headed straight to test ride NX500 at Bigwing, Lavelle Road, Bangalore. Had booked an appointment via a phone call before visiting them at 6.15 PM. First things first, I was really disappointed with Bigwing customer service. I was their only customer at that time and nobody was interested in talking (probably because I had been in an Activa wearing simple formals and flip-flops, never mind) I then went to the reception counter after checking out the black NX500 and requested a test drive. I was asked to fill out a form showed them my DL and entered a few details in the form given. I was handed over the keys to a red NX500 parked outside. I took it out for a short spin. Before going further, I would like to state that I have always loved Honda products for their over-engineered engines which can last a long long time.Here is my first impression of NX500:I have owned two CBR250Rs in the past, that being said, the fit and finish are average for a CBU. Especially the plastics are strictly average, and flimsy for a bike that costs an arm and a leg. What I would call top-notch is the build of Transalp which was parked outside, though it costs your kidneys. The plastics on the Versys650 feel like it is built to last.The ride was quite disappointing as well. I felt the suspension on Scrambler 400x to be more plush, H450 is in a different league altogether. The 400x is so sprightly and sorted at city speeds (don't know about highway performance), and the H450 is vibey but it makes up with its beautiful suspension. The suspension on NX500 feels out of sorts at the front especially when exiting sharp ruts on the road, and there is some dive under braking. Adv390 has adjustable WP apex suspension, and Versys has adjustable Showas, I just feel that Honda could have tuned it better.The power on tap is not too exciting, the Adv390 felt more lively as well as the scrambler 400x. No ride by wire. But the NX500 felt much more sorted at low speeds than the H450 and Adv390.The toggle switch is tactile but I guess it will be difficult to operate with gloves. Braking is on par with what you expect from a Honda, with adequate feedback and stopping power.The biggest positive is how easy the NX500 is to ride. It just feels so natural and nimble. You can weave in and out of tight spots in the traffic, very easy to manoeuvre. You don't feel like you are riding an ADV in the city, all the controls fall into place naturally. The clutch is super duper smooth. Comparatively, the Versys650 feels like riding an elephant.The engine is typical Honda, smooth, tractable, very low NVH, linear power delivery. But my point is, that the power delivery is too predictable, boring, and sedate.Honda's record in India with respect to CBU bikes is quite scary. Either the parts are not readily available or they will stop the model abruptly. The bikes from Honda as such do not demand much apart from regular maintenance but in case of a fall or accident, you have a pretty long lead time for spares.The accessories for NX500 are exorbitantly priced, and with not many encouraging signs in the aftermarket accessories space, the owners shall be left shortchanged. I feel there is no point getting the front frame bracket at around 35k when you can actually replace the damaged side of the frame at much lower than half of what the bracket costs.But is the on-road price of Rs.7.53 lakh justified? Let's see what we can get at the same price, you can get two interceptors, two adv390x, two H450s, two scrambler 400x, two Yezdi adventure, a pre-worshipped 2021-22 Versys650, Vstrom 650, etc. Is the NX500 twice as good as any of the above-mentioned bikes? It is ultimately for us to decide. If you ask me, it's an emphatic NO. All the above-mentioned bikes are fairly reliable, simple to maintain, have vast dealer service networks and are comparatively quite affordable.In conclusion, I feel that, for the package it offers, NX500 is rather poorly priced and Honda being Honda, can pull the plug anytime. It may be a logical investment if you are planning to keep NX500 for a considerable amount of time but if you get bored soon which I definitely feel you will, your ROI may go for a toss. I feel that this is not a viable upgrade for those who already own a 40+ HP ADV bike, the only saving grace being refinement from the Honda Twin.Local manufacturing along with price correction will go a long way, maybe Honda should take a leaf out of Aprilia's RS457 pricing, but for those who don't mind paying 7.5 big ones for a 451cc twin, well, I hope that your faith is paid back with interest! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

1 killed as auto-rickshaw hits covered van in Gazipur

A man was killed and four others injured when a speeding CNG-run auto-rickshaw hit a parked covered van from behind in Gazipur's Konabari early today

Air India post Tata takeover: An aviaton veteran's blunt feedback

BHPian V.Narayan recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Used Air India for a Delhi-London leg and then two weeks later the London-Delhi leg. The aircraft on both flights was a Boeing 777 leased from I think Delta airline. The seats were in business class and here are my points based on my observations and conversations with the cabin crew. On both sectors the cabin crew of 5 serving a business class of 32 pax took, hold your breath, 4 hours plus from take-off to complete the drinks+lunch service. I spoke to them and understood that all were new recruits with less than 6 months on the job. I quizzed them, in a nice avuncular way, with my grey hair, about the procedures and sequence they have been trained with and in my assessment, they are getting woefully weak training. My background in my ex-business gives me a very strong insight into cabin crew training and these young people in their 20s have clearly not received the training needed to run a galley efficiently and on time. Worst of all they were surprised when I told them that the entire service from drinks and nuts to cheese and crackers should take no longer than 2 hours and 15 minutes at the most. Mind you these were young people, enthusiastic, eager to serve and courteous unlike the rudeness or condescending tones one could encounter on Air France or United or British Airways. But they were clueless. The old more experienced Air India crew from the PSU days were in the first class and economy class cabins with the new raw recruits in the business class with no adult supervision. Training & testing followed by more training and testing is at the heart of aviation which is what makes it not only the safest mode of transport but also the most integrated industry in the world. I think someone forgot to tell Air India this. The seats and space were sub-par but I won't go there as the main point that hit me is the lack of training all around of the new cabin crew. God forbid if this lot had to deal with an emergency!! Two odd years after the Tata takeover Air India is still struggling to find its way out of a brown paper bag. Rather sad. I'm still willing to be patient and give the Air India management time to sort themselves out. But when training curriculum is so weak it tells me all is not well with the new Air India leadership's approach. It is one thing to order 400+ airplanes and quite another to get your working crew upto scratch. Here's what BHPian RunGaDa had to say on the matter:My experience from a big IT company. The company I was working for was taken over by another bigger company. The new company laid down their Do's and Don'ts. It was pretty clear within a month that most if not all the old staff will be replaced. This is required if they want to wash out the old company way of working. Tata should do a complete purge. Set the process right. Have penalties for every violation. Then set benchmarks. No other way.Here's what BHPian handsofsteel had to say on the matter:I travelled to Heathrow in Jan this year for a tournament that my son was participating in. Onwards was a combo of indigo+qatar (with a layover at Doha) and return was via air india as I wanted a direct flight. The Air India flight itself was a nightmare. More than half the screens of the in-flight entertainment were not working. The call button for the cabin crew was not operational in a single seat! People were compelled to walk up to the crewing station and request for basics like water. My son was asked to take extra cups of juice when he went to request the crew to have a look at the in-flight entertainment!! Water was being doled out in 75 ml small styrofoam cups meaning, a person like me would have to make 5 trips just to quench my thirst. Despite being a desi carrier, the food paled in comparison to the meal on the Qatar flight, both in terms of spread and the taste. The clincher? The Air India flight, being direct, was more expensive than the Qatar+Indigo one. The worst part... An aged Aussie couple, seated next to me, was trying their best to navigate the in-flight entertainment, one of which was stuck and the other blank. after a while, they sought my help. Despite my best efforts, when it couldn't be made operational, the lady turns towards her husband and says,I told you, the guide books said that you have to expect these with Air India. My complaint on return elicited the cliched response, We are sorry for your experience, but better days are ahead as we have ordered 400 new aircraft.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Man was shot 13 times in Chicago where cops fired nearly 100 rounds: Autopsy

Man was shot times in Chicago where cops fired nearly rounds Autopsy

Bajaj Auto Stocks Live Updates: Bajaj Auto Closes at Rs 8734.90 with Weekly Return of -1.22%

Toyota will spend $1.4 billion to build electric 3-row SUV in Indiana

This is a different new 3-row EV from the one Toyota will build in Kentucky.

Trending Today: Automesse Peking 2024 greenstart Forum Mobilkommunikation Net Zero Industry Act

Abseits von Finanzierungsrunden, Neugrndungen, Startups und Wirtschaft erreichen uns tglich zig kleinere Meldungen, denen wir knftig hier in unserem Ticker eine Bhne geben wollen. Egal ob []

Emmforce Autotech IPO Oversubscribed 365 Times On Final Day

Emmforce Autotech IPO receives overwhelming response, subscribed 365 times on final day, attracting bids for 1,33,27,10,400 shares against 36,57,600 shares on offer.

Tom Brady accused of ruining collectibles with shoddy autograph at $3,600 event: 'It's horrible'

Best Evil Robot You Can Buy: Robosen's Megatron Auto-Transforms via Voice Commands - CNET

The iconic Transformers villain comes to life in a self-converting robot that turns into a tank. It's a killer toy.

US: Airlines Will Now Be Required To Give Automatic Cash Refunds For Canceled, Delayed Flights

Airlines still will be allowed to offer another flight or a travel credit instead, but consumers can reject the offer

My cat Norbert gives this automatic wet food feeder two paws up

The Petlibro Polar wet food automatic feeder helps keep your pet's eating schedule on time, even when you're away.

Bajaj Auto, Exide Industries among 5 stocks with top short covering

Short covering signals a shift in view on security from extreme bearishness to bullishness.

Threads Is Testing an Automatic Post Archive Feature to Let Users Hide Old Posts

Threads is testing a new feature that will allow users to archive posts automatically after a certain period of time. The new feature was confirmed by Instagram head Adam Mosseri who also heads the X (formerly known as Twitter)-styled platform. He highlighted that users will have the choice to both auto-archive posts as well as manually hide them from their profile.

E-Autos: sterreichs BEV-Markt bricht leicht ein

Nach dem rasanten Rekord-Wachstumskurs im Jahr 2023 bremst sich der E-Auto-Boom in sterreich vorerst etwas ein. Der Absatz von reinelektrischen Fahrzeugen (BEVs) wies im ersten Quartal []

50,000 km with my Maruti XL6: Service, part changes, DIYs & more

BHPian Leoshashi recently shared this with other enthusiasts. 50K PMS: The XL6 crossed 50k mark on the ODO and I got the PMS50 done. Nothing except the usual oil change and the amount was Rs. 3433. Paid just Rs. 633 and for the rest amount, I redeemed the accumulated MSR points. Headlamp Assemblies changed: I was noticing very mild deposits/marks inside the headlamp assemblies and it was NOT condensation, although it looked like one. I had never observed fogging/condensation and thus it was something else. It looked like oily deposits on the inner side. It was minor but disturbing enough for me, pushed for a warranty claim and got it approved under Goodwill. I've been told that there has been a revision of PN(72S02) and these are the latest ones with all updates. Apparently, this was a known issue internally and they had made slight updates. Also, the RHS DRL was sometimes flickering and after ascertaining that it wasn't a contact-related issue, they replaced it. Upgraded to Polk Audio Components DB6502 DB+ at Front and Polk audio Coaxials DB652 DB+ for rear: While the rear coaxials were a direct fit, the front components needed a bit of simple wiring for tweeters and crossovers. Also uniquely mounted crossovers. There existed a piece of thermocol on the door pads, and I made grooves in them so that the crossover could sit in snugly. Absolutely hated when installers pasted them on front doors using double-sided tapes or even worse, drilled into the panel. As expected, clarity has gone up significantly and that's what I personally prefer. DIY gear oil change: Got the Suzuki Ecstar 75W gear oil from Japan and replaced the oil at the 50k mark. Since MASS wouldn't undertake this as MARUTI calls it lifetime fluid, decided to do it on my own and I'm glad I did. The old oil had turned black and significantly thick. This 75W grade isn't in supply in India till now from Ecstar, however, an alternate exists in Shell, priced around Rs. 900/L. DIY Spark Plugs, coil and brake system clean: Soaked the plugs in cleaner overnight and cleaned the plugs comprehensively. Also removed the coils, dismantled them carefully and cleaned the insides. The springs had minor rusting and that affects proper energy transfer. Thus it's important to clean them. Tyre Health: The Conti UC6s are now 30K old and have around 5.2-5.3mm of tread left. Excellent experience till now with them. Periodic tyre rotation is also helping. Upgraded wipers to those of Toyota Fortuner: I always loved the Hybrid shape wipers on the Crysta. However, the Crysta used larger size wipers than the XL6. Thankfully the current Fortuner uses the same spec as XL6, 22/16 and I ordered them instantly via Boodmo. Wipe quality is top-notch, and for future replacements, I'll just need to change the rubber element and not the entire assembly. Signing off with few pics of the XL6, along with BHPian Madtiger's White XL6, aka Snow white: Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Beijing auto show showcases electric vehicles and digital advancements

Beijing auto show showcases electric vehicles and digital advancements Global automakers and EV startups unveiled new models and concept cars at China's largest auto show on Thursday, with a focus on the nation's transformation into a major market and production base for digitally connected, new-energy vehicles. Toyota and Nissan both announced tie-ups with major Chinese technology companies as they strive to meet customer demand for AI-enabled online connectivity in cars, from social media apps to autonomous driving features. Electric vehicles accounted for about a quarter of all auto sales in China last year. Hybrids, which have trailed EVs, are expected to be a growing segment going forward. China's largest EV maker, BYD, showed off two dual-mode plug-in cars that can run either solely on electricity or as hybrids. The other is a hybrid off-road SUV from its luxury Yangwang brand in the 1 million Yuan-plus (USD 1,40,000) range. China's EVs, represented by (BYD's) Qin and Han series, have successfully realized the large-scale replacement of traditional fuel cars, and this trend is irreversible, said Lu Tian, the head of sales for BYD's Dynasty models. The cars are named after former imperial dynasties. An executive from Chery, a more traditional Chinese maker, offered a more moderate perspective. Li Xueyong, a deputy general manager, said they envision a future of 40 per cent fuel vehicles, 30 per cent hybrids and 30 per cent electric. The company plans to develop both fuel-powered and new-energy cars. BYD has been expanding rapidly into overseas markets, launching its low-priced Dolphin Mini, sold as the Seagull in China, in Latin American markets this year. It's building a factory in Brazil on the site of a former Ford plant that closed when the US maker left the country. Two other Chinese automakers including Chery already have factories in Brazil. BYD accounted for 41 per cent of EV sales in Brazil in the first three months of this year, though the overall number is still relatively low. In Mexico, Chinese vehicles went from about 2.6 per cent of the market in 2021 to 19.2 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Most of those were gasoline-powered vehicles, as there are few charging stations and the cost of electricity makes it expensive to do so at home. Chinese makers are making inroads in Europe too, raising concern in some countries that they pose a potential threat to European automakers and jobs. The EU is weighing whether to impose tariffs on China-made EVs because of government subsidies that drove the industry's growth. A proliferation of EV makers, encouraged by tax breaks as well as green-energy subsides, has prompted a fierce price war that is expected to lead to a shakeout and consolidation of the industry in the coming years. For foreign players aside from American EV maker Tesla, it has challenged them to accelerate the development of new electric car models to stay competitive in the world's largest auto market. No other region of the world has a transformation of the automotive industry that is as fast-paced as in China, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said Wednesday at an event previewing its appearance at the auto show. This market has become something of a fitness center for us, he said. We have to work harder and faster to keep. Other automakers expressed similar sentiments. Japan's Nissan sent many top executives to the Beijing auto show to feel first-hand the pace of change in China, company President Makoto Uchida said. Nissan was going to sign a memorandum or understanding with Baidu, a Chinese search engine and AI company, later Thursday. Uchida said Nissan needs to meet the needs of Chinese customers and the speed at which the market is changing. If we cannot do these two aspects, it will very difficult to keep our business in China, he said. Toyota announced a tie-up with Tencent, the maker of the widely-used WeChat messaging and e-payment app. Volvo, the Swedish brand bought by China's Geely group, stressed a simpler approach to the digitalization of its cars. Likely aiming at a somewhat older audience, the company said its new EX30 electric SUV has an audio system and tablet screen that are easy to operate and uses sustainable fabrics in its interior. We believe that technology should be measured by its utility, not just its novelty,'' said Xiaolin Yuan, Volvo's Asia-Pacific head. The EX30 will sell for 2,10,000 to 2,60,000 Yuan (SUD 29,000 - USD 36,000) in China, the company announced. American brands at the show included Lincoln, Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet. Ford presented a muscular look tied to its history, telling the story of the Mustang and Bronco - which it described as a sports utility vehicle when it was launched in 1966 and showing the latest versions of those models.

Vehicle retail sales up by 3.14% in March 2024

According to the data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), vehicle retail sales grew by 3.14% in March 2024 compared to the same month last year. Overall sales for the month of March 2024 stood at 21,27,177 units, compared to 20,62,409 units in March 2023. Tractor sales were down by 3.33%, from 81,148 units in March 2023 to 78,446 units last month. Two-wheeler sales went up by 5.44% to 15,29,875 units from 14,50,913 units in March 2023. Three-wheeler sales were up by 17.13% in March 2024. 1,05,222 units were sold, compared to 89,837 units in March 2023. Passenger vehicle sales went down by 6.17% compared to the previous year. 3,22,345 units were sold last month, compared to 3,43,527 units in March 2023. Commercial vehicle sales also decreased by 5.87%. 91,289 units were sold in March 2024, compared to 96,984 units in the previous year. FADA has also released the vehicle retail data for FY2024, which shows an overall growth of 10.29% compared to the previous fiscal. Passenger vehicle sales stood at 39,48,143 units, up by 8.45% compared to FY2023. The 2-wheeler segment also registered a growth of 9.30% with 1,75,17,173 units of sales. The LCV category saw a nominal degrowth of 1.09%. Team-BHP's detailed analysis of the March 2024 sales figures.

Stock market update: Nifty Auto index advances 1.27%

The Nifty Auto index closed 1.27 per cent up at 22174.05.

Made-in-India Kawasaki Versys-X 300 launch by year-end

According to a media report, Kawasaki plans to launch a localized version of the Versys-X 300 by the end of this year. A prototype of the made-in-India Versys-X 300 was spotted testing in February. At the time, it was not clear as to what Kawasaki was up to. As per the latest report, it was the localized version that was being tested. The Versys-X 300 will be the third Kawasaki to be manufactured in India, after the Ninja 300 and W175. We can expect a revision in the prices of the Versys-X 300 once it's launched later this year. The Versys-X 300 is expected to be powered by a 296cc parallel-twin engine shared with the Ninja 300. In the Ninja, this motor is tuned to produce 39 BHP and 26.1 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The India-spec bike is likely to feature a conventional telescopic fork at the front and a mono-shock at the rear. The brake setup will consist of disc brakes at both ends supported by dual-channel ABS. The Kawasaki Versys X 300 will compete with the KTM 390 Adventure and BMW G 310 GS, among others. Source: Autocar India

Keerthy Suresh's fun auto ride with Varun Dhawan

Keerthy Suresh's fun auto ride with Varun Dhawan

How a Tata Nano came into our lives in 2014: Long-term ownership review

BHPian cheeku recently shared this with other enthusiasts. This review is of our *now-sold* Tata Nano 2013 LX - nicknamed Mooshak since this was one of the first cars that I had learnt driving in and I spent a long long time behind the wheel as well as maintaining it during a ~10-year period. Somewhere on the country roads of Kolar where the nano felt right at homeHere is a quick summary of the ownership tenure:Year of birth at the Tata factory: 2013Year of Welcoming It Home: 2014Year of finding a new home and bidding goodbye: 2023Variant: LX (The 2012 facelift that was officially reviewed by Teambhp over a Lonawala drive) - Non-power steeringKMs driven at the time of being sold: ~25,000Prelude to the purchaseWe were on the lookout for a second car for the household starting in 2012 since there was a need for a car that could do the in-city runabouts with fair ease and be light on the pocket as well.RequirementsSmall footprintGood mileage, preferably ~15 in the city with the AC onPetrolHad to be available in whiteThat was about it, and we had begun our search.Showrooms visitedTata Motors for the Nano - Test driving the Nano was an underwhelming experience, the test drive vehicle didn't have its AC functioning and had rattles. We understood this may have been a one-off but we continued the search.Maruti Suzuki - The Alto 800 didn't impress us with its looks and it was rejected right there without a test-drive. I didn't mind it though but it was vetoed.Enter Hyundai, Residency road for the i10, Eon - We loved the way Eon looked, felt and drove, the D-lite model was booked right away with the awareness that it lacked a power steering. We just needed a car, and I was okay with anything that was new and drove.A couple of days passed by after the booking and after some good long family drama over the lack of power steering, instead of upgrading to a higher variant, the booking was cancelled. The search continued for another car that fit just right both to our budget and requirements (but we did end up buying an EON a few years later and it has been a joy to own) After the unsuccessful search in 2012, came a 2 year period when there wasn't really a need to have a second car around due to low usage and changing work commitments. Come 2014, I was preparing for my entrance exams when suddenly I noticed momentum in the automobile discussions at home with the word Nano being thrown around often. I didn't think much of these discussions until one fine day my father randomly asked for the keys of the Nano from my brother's friend to test-drive it. It was a yellow colour one from the very first batches and he had driven it for more than 50,000 kilometres by then. He came back happy from the drive but we didn't know that smile would transpire into a purchase in the next few weeks. The only statement I remember hearing was Iss gaadi mein toh power steering ki zaroorat hi nahi hai (There is no need for power steering in this car at all!). In the next month or so, when I was innocently preparing for my exams, doors closed in my study room, the decision had been made and I was informed that a new Tata Nano was on the way already. Wait, where was it bought from? Neither had anybody visited the showroom, nor any finance-related discussions took place at home. As it turns out, this was from unsold dealer inventory of December 2013, a few months old by then and we had received word of this deal via someone who was known to handle the vehicle fleet at my parents' workplace. Questions I asked at home when I helplessly heard this purchase taking shape: Q: How will it arrive home? Will we have the ribbon to cut? That big key handover like in the Girias / Pai newspaper ads, do I get to be part of it? A: It will be driven home by the fleet owner, he is driving it from a far away yard, you can cut the plastic covers from the seats and take the keys directly from him. Q: Wait, what about the smell of a new car? A: We have told him to clean the car, and since this has been in the yard for a few months, there may not be any of that lucrative new car odour. * My heart sank here * Q: Which colour? Not yellow, please? Top-end right? A: It's white, and yes it's the LX. * A bit happier * The car arrives in a few days and the usual formalities are completed in the next few weeks. This was a direct delivery from the dealer and was more of a spinny-type delivery of recent times when the car was handed over at home.Initial ownership period of 2014-2017Accessories addedICEBlaupunkt audio system - single DINFront speakers - BlaupunktRear speakers - SonyConvenienceSunfilm within the legal limit of visibility (I was told that ) for a completely glass area since the Nano had the steering right under the windscreen and I didn't want to use up all the sun-screen at my home every day protecting my arms.InteriorLeatherette seat covers, pre-stitched and fitSteering coverThings that impressed us during this timeThe mileage - Owning it alongside a WagonR F10D that returned 8-10kmpl in the city, this was a surprise, it returned a steady 15-18 kmpl with the AC on during our normal usage conditions.The footprint and manoeuvrability - Could fit in anywhere without a sweat.The suspension - We were regular users of bad roads in the city, and the Nano's suspension handled them well every day. The faster over those uneven patches, the better it handled.Things that didn't impress us much during this timeThe brakes - good in the city but beyond 60, braking to a halt needed a heavyweight press and the brake bite felt wooden, got them checked and it was diagnosed to be a brake cylinder issue. The part was changed.The ergonomics : Power button windows needed a bend down to be operated, the wiper stalks had a weird order of control, the passenger side seat adjust was towards the driver consoleThe small fuel tank of 15 litres - We realised the importance of a large fuel tank once we used the vehicle more often in the city, a usual week's drive sometimes consisted of 300-350 kms and it needed a refuel stop mid-week.Things that fell apart during this 2-year periodThe hazard light switch - It had the weirdest design where one had to pull the knob up, it fell apart in a few months and when we requested the service centre to fix it, they mentioned they needed to change the whole assembly. This was fixed later.The rubber clamps that held the parcel shelf at the back.Things that went really wrong during this timeOil pump failure and radiator malfunctioningLeft us stranded mid-way home at a traffic signal. We had to let the car cool down every couple hundred meters, covered the last 4 kms in moderate traffic with many stops. There were symptoms of failure earlier during a drive to Nandi Hills in September 2014, when the car switched off during a bumper-to-bumper jam uphill and refused to start. Luckily, there was a parking space right behind the spot where it had stopped and used the downhill momentum, we could parallel park it. 2 hours later, it started up just fine and we drove 70 kms without a hiccup. Looking back, it would have been a good idea to record the symptoms and show them to the service folks. The oil pump assembly was replaced along with a few other parts.AC malfunctionThe AC had its own mind, the compressor would sometimes switch on and sometimes it wouldn't. After a couple of ignition cycles, it would start working and would stop. This issue could never be fixed by Tata's service centre, the folks just failed to diagnose it. This was fixed much later in 2019 (covered in the later part of this review)Some pictures during this period Enroute to Nandi Hills On a rainy day in traffic ( Oh, how I miss the rain in Bangalore now! Continue reading cheeku's ownership review for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

Ordered Showa sequential taillights for my Maruti Jimny from Japan

BHPian ShivC recently shared this with other enthusiasts. A Whimsical Tale of Jimny Showa Sequential Taillights Introduction:In the charming town of Bangalore, with its chock-a-block traffic and concrete structures along with a smattering of some trees for its landscape, lived a peculiar car enthusiast named Shiv. Shiv had a deep love for his trusty Maruti Suzuki Jimny, a compact 4X4 SUV that had faithfully accompanied him on countless adventures. However, he often felt that his Jimny lacked a touch of uniqueness that would truly make it stand out on the road. Little did he know that his quest for individuality would lead him on a whimsical journey involving Showa Sequential Taillights. The Discovery: One sunny afternoon, while browsing through a global website on Jimny products, Shiv stumbled upon a product that piqued his interest. It was the Showa Sequential Taillights, a revolutionary lighting system known for its mesmerizing sequential pattern. Immediately captivated by the idea, Shiv embarked on a mission to acquire these intriguing taillights for his beloved Jimny with a little help from DHL Express. The day of reckoning came - the Showa Tail Lights (which had traversed a long way from Japan to Bangalore ) were delivered by a trusted old friend - DHL Express. The Installation: With the Showa Sequential Taillights in hand, Shiv eagerly set out to install them on his Jimny. However, what was supposed to be a straightforward process turned into a comical escapade. Armed with a toolbox and a can-do attitude, Shiv dove headfirst into the installation, only to find himself tangled in a web of wires and confused by an instruction manual that seemed to be in a language only known to aliens. The Unexpected Outcome: Despite the initial setbacks, Shiv's determination remained unwavering. With the help of his trusty garage CarMed, a trusted lovable bunch of car experts, they ventured into uncharted territory. With each failed attempt, their frustration transformed into laughter, creating a bond that went beyond mere car enthusiasts. The Transformation: After hours of tinkering and tweaking, the moment of truth arrived. As Shiv turned on the ignition, a wave of anticipation washed over him. Suddenly, the Jimny was illuminated by a mesmerizing dance of lights. The Showa Sequential Taillights came to life, casting a spellbinding glow that transformed the ordinary SUV into a magical chariot. The Envy of Bangalore: Word of Shiv's eccentric modification spread like wildfire throughout the town. Curious onlookers would gather in awe as the Jimny gracefully maneuvered through the streets, leaving a trail of enchanting lights in its wake. People couldn't help but smile and wave as the whimsical spectacle brightened their otherwise mundane daily routines. Epilogue:Shiv's Jimny became a symbol of creativity and individuality in Bangalore. The installation of the Showa Sequential Taillights not only added a touch of fun to his beloved SUV but also brought joy and laughter to the entire community. From that day forward Shiv and his Jimny would forever be remembered as the pioneers of whimsy, reminding everyone that sometimes, a little touch of humour can truly make the world a brighter place. The Final Look - The Final Look - 2 The Final Look - 3 Start of Installation Hoisted with Old Tail Lights Work on the bumper including installation of switch for change between normal and sequential lights Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Tesla teases upcoming self-driving ride-hailing services

According to reports, Tesla is said to be working on its own self-driving ride-hailing functionality. The EV carmaker teased the ride-hailing services alongside the release of its Q1 2024 financial results via screenshots. The ride-hailing service will be positioned to rival the likes of Uber & Waymo. The screenshots showcase the app with all the standard features available on a ride-hailing service. However, there are also a few additional features like summons, adjusting temperature and playing music, which are specific to self-driving vehicles. Reports also confirm that Tesla will not have a separate app but rather introduce its ride-hailing functionality into the 'Tesla App' itself. The company stated, We are currently working on ride-hailing functionality that will be available in the future. We believe the Tesla software experience is best-in-class across all our products, and plan to seamlessly layer ride-hailing into the Tesla App. Tesla, though, is yet to announce the timing of the service's release. Company CEO Elon Musk recently took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce the debut of its 'Robotaxi' on August 8, 2024. Source: Electrek

2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon : Our observations after a day of driving

Driving the Jeep Wrangler RubiconThis generation of the Wrangler (JL) is available only with a 2.0-litre petrol engine in India that is shared with the Grand Cherokee, albeit in a different state of tune. Internationally of course there are multiple powertrains including a V6 petrol, a 4-cylinder diesel, a plug-in hybrid and even an all-electric Wrangler. There's also a 6.4-litre hemi-V8 powered Wrangler that has a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. As of now, we have to make do with the 2.0-litre engine that makes 268 BHP @ 5,250 rpm and 400 Nm @ 3,000 rpm. Right off the bat, this engine seems like a perfect fit for Indian driving conditions. It strikes a good balance between on-road and off-road driving. We got to drive the Rubicon primarily off-road and also on regular roads for some time. Let's start with the on-road driving part first and we'll move on to the off-roading part after that, so keep reading. Start the engine and you will notice that the cabin is quieter than the pre-facelift car thanks to the improvements in the NVH package. Release the brake pedal and the Wrangler moves off the line smoothly. The power delivery is smooth and the Wrangler isn't in a hurry to get a move on. With a light foot on the accelerator, the car crawls in a relaxed manner. The throttle inputs are smooth and unlike the Grand Cherokee which feels a bit eager, the Wrangler treads carefully. Driving smoothly at city speeds shouldn't be an issue. The turbo kicks in linearly and you get a strong surge of power which should take care of the quick overtakes in the city. Out on the highway, the Wrangler manages to get by. The strong mid-range means that you will reach highway speeds with ease. We were in the rural areas of Punjab, so we couldn't push the car above 100 km/h. At high revs, the engine sounded strained and not something you'd like to hear. On kickdown, the gearbox is responsive and drops gears instantly to give you a strong surge of power. The claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 8.1 seconds. The 8-speed automatic gearbox is one of the nicer units. The shifts are smooth while driving on the road and also off the road.Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH)The MY2024 Wrangler comes with a noise-reduction cabin package. This includes acoustic laminated front door glass and acoustic front seat carpet area. The dashboard also gets PUR wrap which claims to reduce 50 decibels. Has all of this made a difference in cabin NVH? Yes, it has. In comparison with the pre-facelift Wrangler, the cabin is noticeably quieter. The engine is loud on the outside, especially when in 4L, but a lot of that noise is eliminated in the cabin. The mud tyres on the Rubicon variant make a lot of noise at high speeds.Mileage & Fuel economyIf fuel economy is a priority, then this lifestyle off-road turbo-petrol car may not be for you. Jeep claims that the Wrangler Unlimited has a fuel economy of 11.4 km/l while the Rubicon variant has a fuel economy of 10.6 km/l. The car is equipped with auto start-stop technology to improve fuel economy. 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine makes 268 BHP @ 5,250 rpm and 400 Nm @ 3,000 rpm. It's mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission: SuspensionRide ComfortThe Jeep Wrangler is a body-on-frame off-road SUV that doesn't get an independent suspension setup like most SUVs today. It remains one of the last SUVs to have rigid axles at the front and rear. These are some of the key reasons why the Wrangler is so good at off-roading. Of course, there's a compromise to having rigid axles, which is seen in the on-road driving dynamics of the Wrangler. The ride is not as comfortable as your usual on-road cars. The suspension system transfers most of the bumps and potholes on the road inside the cabin and it can get a little bumpy. On the flip side, the suspension is extremely abuse-friendly. You can go through any pothole without ever worrying about it damaging your car.Handling & DynamicsAs you gain speed, the ride gets slightly better, but it's not exactly planted. We could go only up to 100 km/h on the rural roads and the car stayed fairly stable for a big off-road SUV. There was vertical movement at speeds and we'd suggest staying under the 100 km/h mark especially due to the mud terrain tyres on the Rubicon variant. Twisty roads are also best taken at safe speeds as the Wrangler is no corner carver. There's plenty of body roll and you'll notice the traction control kicking in to cut the power. There's not enough grip from the mud terrain tyres on the road as well.SteeringThe Wrangler is equipped with an electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS). The steering weight is light at slow speeds and weighs up as you build up speed. The turning radius isn't tight and you will end up taking 3-point turns at places. It doesn't feel very connected, but that's something we see quite often with off-road cars. The Wrangler comes with a steering stabilizer which is essentially a small shock absorber on the steering linkage. It helps stabilize the unwanted side-to-side motion of the front tyres up through the steering system: BrakingYou get all-wheel disc brakes on the Wrangler. We drove the Rubicon variant which was equipped with mud terrain tyres and the braking performance on the road wasn't great. If your driving primarily involves on-road driving, do consider the Unlimited variant which gets highway terrain tyres. Braking off the road was much better. The brake pedal feel was progressive, but not too sharp.Continue reading the discussion on theJeep Wrangler Rubiconon our forum.

70% of all cars in Europe will be pure EVs by 2030, says Bosch

Bosch recently concluded its annual press conference for Q1 2024. The automotive company laid out its future roadmap, while also giving its forecast on the future of the global automotive industry. Bosch forecasts that by 2030 nearly 70% of all new cars in Europe will be pure electric. This prediction is slightly lower in America & China, with figures ranging between 40% to 50%. In addition to this, Bosch also anticipates sales volume of hydrogen technology to be worth 5 billion euros by 2030. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management, Bosch, stated, China will likely be leading the market for the time being. We don't expect to see major growth in Europe and North America until the next decade. Bosch is also said to be working on an injection technology for a hydrogen engine, which will be on the road in India as early as this year. Source: JustAuto

Two serious issues I found on our Virtus: Still finding a fix!

BHPian valve_float recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hi All, This is my first post on this forum and the singular issue I'm facing with our 1.75-year-old Virtus warrants my active participation! Background of the car My dad bought the Virtus (1.0 Comfortline) in September 2022 in Chennai when I was working in Mumbai (I transported our Ameo and used it there once the Virtus was bought). A few months ago, I moved back home to Chennai and have since sold off the Ameo since our combined usage of both cars was not more than 200 kms in a month so it didn't make sense having the Ameo sitting in the Sun. The first issue Anyway, so since I started using the Virtus post the Ameo's sale, I've first noticed that the speaker system is faulty since none of the four speakers in the rear doors works and doesn't show up in the balancer/fader settings window as well. I've been meaning to get it checked with the ASS hoping that there would be some solution under warranty if the issue is more than improperly connected wires. On top of it, the Bluetooth connectivity is a pain since the visibility toggle sometimes just gets stuck in Off mode if say I stop at a shop and resume the journey. When this happens, it doesn't connect to any phone including the one which was connected mere minutes ago. The issue doesn't go away until I start the car the next day or so. The second (more serious) issue On top of the two aforementioned issues, I've faced this more serious issue twice so far. The head unit becomes unresponsive to volume controls and power off, and the radio just keeps playing even when I turn off the ignition, remove the key, walk out and lock the car! Have appended a video to understand the issue better. (Note: I was stuck in horrible traffic and was at a red signal so it was safe to take the video since I didn't know if I could replicate the issue again). Whenever I try to mute or adjust the volume, an error pops up that reads Please select valid source. I think it's a serious issue since it has the propensity to drain the battery as it keeps playing music even after exiting the car and locking it! Will visit the ASS soon but in case anyone has faced this or has a solution, please do let me know. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Amazed by Tesla's useful tech integration in its EVs & customer service

BHPian svsantosh recently shared this with other enthusiasts. A senior colleague in my UAE office has a 2023 Tesla Model Y. He has owned it new from the Dubai Sheikh Zayed road showroom for the last 6 months and put in about 10,000 Kms on it. A very happy customer indeed. Last week he got a call on his mobile and the person on the line identified himself as a Tesla Roadside Assistance mobile mechanic and said 'Sir your rear right tail lamp is not working and I need to come to your location now to change it'. Obviously, we are not used to such kinds of calls and my colleague went blank for a few seconds. He agreed to receive him in the next 30 mins and the person arrived in his fully decked-out service van. In 15 mins he changed the full assembly and off we went. Now... See the level of tech integration Musk has pulled off with a few satellites and the internet. Sitting at a laptop in the A.S.S, a mechanic saw a tail lamp failing on his customer's car and came in an hour and gone! I cannot even begin to describe the WOW factor I have as a car owner or petrolhead to imagine this kind of 'useful' integration of tech and cars. Between 2016 and 2022, I was associated with IOT & M2M projects in the conventional mechanical engineering industry, linking large turbines to one's mobile phone and giving real-time data on Pressure, Power, RPM, Kw, Temperature, Oil life, etc. Now I am seeing that kind of tech coming full circle. Now that's called Customer-Centric Service. Kudos to Tesla! Here's what GTO had to say about the matter: Great story, thanks for sharing. That is really exemplary service. Not just the call to fix the light (a safety issue), but also the offer to come to the customer's home / office to fix it. For everyone who is excessively worried about privacy, drive this (or any older non-connected car): Use this phone: And don't ever connect to the internet, or use Google services, or social media, or online shopping: Truth is, privacy is a myth today. Here's what BHPian Night Raven had to say about the matter:Somehow I am more horrified than excited about this. If this happens to me I will be uneasy every time I sit in that car because I don't know what all information the technicians at the service centre can access about my car. If my location can be continuously monitored by some stranger, how safe should I feel?Here's what BHPian Fuldagap had to say about the matter:It's exciting to read this experience. But I'm curious to know how a mechanic 'saw' the taillight is not working. Did the car 'inform' the service guys? Did the owner get a notification too via any app or email that his taillight wasn't working prior to receiving a call from the service personnel? One day a car will 'calculate' it is idle for hours, the owner sleeping at home or working at the office and would say to the owner, hey my tail light isn't working, I'm off to get it done by the time you need me. I'll be back in a couple of hours.Here's what BHPian poloman had to say about the matter:Some one other than you keeping track of your possessions is called creepy behavior. Nothing to get excited about. The fault should be flashed to the owner and he should take a call to fix it or not.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Volkswagen's new design language for its SUVs unveiled

Volkswagen has unveiled its new ID.Code Concept at the ongoing Beijing Auto Show. The new Volkswagen ID.Code concept previews the brand's future design language for its SUVs, especially for the Chinese market. The concept SUV is said to have been designed by teams in China & Europe, keeping the demands of Chinese customers in mind. As seen from the images, the ID.Code concept features clean, minimalistic styling with a sloping coupe-like roofline. The concept though does also incorporate a bit of VW's heritage with the D-pillars inspired by the Golf, while the sculpted fenders seem to be borrowed from the ID2.all concept showcased last year. Other details include slim LED light bars that span the entire width of the car at the front and rear. The lights come integrated with AI, which allows them to interact with other road users. Moving on, the front bumpers conceal a screen, which when activated, displays messages. Moving inside, the ID.Code concept features a full-width display on the dashboard, with a second free-standing screen at the centre. The VW ID.Code concept is said to get Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, which means that the steering wheel can retract and the seat can be rotated 180 degrees to face other passengers. Other details include sustainable materials all around the cabin, ambient lighting and climate control systems and a transparent roof with photovoltaic cells; among others. Thomas Schafer, CEO of Volkswagen, stated, The ID. CODE provides a glimpse into VW's future in China: featuring a new design, cutting-edge technology, and a comprehensive brand experience tailored to the needs and desires of our Chinese customers. We're ushering in a new era of mobility in China, hand in hand with our Chinese partners. Volkswagen also confirmed that the ID.Code concept will eventually enter production in the form of a fully-electric SUV in the Chinese market. The carmaker also hinted that all future VW products in China will take inspiration from the concept SUV. Source: Autoblog

BMW i5 M60 xDrive electric sedan launched at Rs 1.20 crore

The first-ever BMW i5 electric sedan has been launched in India. It is available in the top-spec 'M60 xDrive' variant and is priced at Rs 1,19,50,000 (ex-showroom). The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is based on the eighth generation of the 5 Series. On the outside, the EV features a wider blanked-out kidney grille which has an illuminated ring around it. The car gets adaptive LED headlamps with twin boomerang-shaped LED DRLs, a sporty body kit with M-specific design elements, 20-inch M light alloy wheels with red brake calipers and an M rear spoiler. Inside, the BMW i5 features a free-standing dual display, integrating a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. Other features include a panoramic sunroof, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system and an M leather steering wheel. The Sport seats get active seat ventilation and are wrapped in Veganza and Alcantara upholstery and carbon fibre interior trim. Powering the BMW i5 M60 xDrive are two electric motors that generate 593 BHP and a peak torque of 795 Nm, allowing the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The car uses an 83.9 kWh battery with a range of 516 km on a single charge (WLTP cycle). The i5 M60 xDrive is equipped with ADAS, offering features like cruise control, Attentiveness Assistant, Parking Assist Professional with remote parking via smartphone and Reversing Assistant. The optional Drive Assist Professional adds features like Distance Control with Stop & Go function, Steering and Lane Control Assistant. Adaptive Suspension is offered as standard, while Adaptive M Suspension Professional with Active Roll Stabilization is an option.

Paid for a fancy number but got a normal one instead: How I got it back

BHPian dmaheshkumar recently shared this with other enthusiasts. As we all know, while buying a new vehicle some people opt for a number either in the running series (next 1000 numbers) or anything beyond that too by paying to the Government. My friend too booked a car (TATA Punch EV) and opted for a fancy number in the next 1000 numbers. He went to the RTO broker directly and booked a number by paying via PariVahaan. However, the receipt was not received and the car dealer was informed about the same. While moving the papers to the RTO, this can be informed and they will process it separately after checking the system with the transaction details. Here TATA showroom normally brings the car to the RTO office for registration and there will be a separate broker from the RTO side who does it for that particular showroom. My friend clearly informed both the sales advisor and the driver who was bringing the car that we booked a fancy number but the receipt was not yet received and he shared the transaction details. But the broker moved the file for normal registration and sequentially the system generated a number for his car. After some time this was informed to my friend and he was shocked to hear this as he had already paid for that number. He was checking with the dealer as to why it was not informed to its RTO broker and there was a huge communication gap. Now my friend was clearly saying that he needed the number which he booked and not the sequential number which was generated. But the sales executive, the RTO broker and even our RTO broker clearly stated that this can't be changed as the vehicle is already registered. He was not interested in taking the delivery with the allotted number and was very furious when he heard that the amount he paid for the number would not be refunded either. He went directly to the RTO office and met the RTO and informed him about this whole ordeal. RTO said it was not informed to him by the dealer and the number can't be changed now. My friend was completely shattered and felt very stressed on hearing this. One of our relatives knows an RTO officer in Coimbatore Central and told him about this entire circus. He clearly understood things and calmly told him that there was an option to change the number even after it got assigned. Every one of us was very happy to hear this as we saw some light in this darkness. Adding to this he called the Unit office RTO and helped with the steps on how to perform it in the system and also informed that these steps can be only done until the card is generated. It may take 2 to 3 days to generate the card and once it's done then nobody can change the number. So finally he got the same number which he paid for and it was a very happy evening after all the issues were sorted out. Here's what BHPian It's Magic had to say about the matter:Thank you for your post. I was also not aware that the number can be changed after registration (till the card is created). Wonder if this information is available in the public domain.Here's what BHPian anjan_c2007 had to say about the matter:It was a sort of nightmare for your friend. Not receiving a receipt even after making payment for the fancy number was the causative factor due to which the misunderstanding happened and a communication gap was created. Had there been a receipt, providing its copy to the dealer and his RTO broker would have not created the issue. But it seems that even after informing the SA and the dealer they had failed to act and help your friend. And it's only because you had a relative who knew an RTO officer that the nightmare of your friend had a happy ending. Wishing you happy driving with your new car.Here's what BHPian raptor_diwan had to say about the matter:I'm glad it's resolved. If not, I can't imagine how your friend would feel driving the car with financial loss or regrets right from the registration day.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

2024 Jeep Wrangler launched at Rs 67.65 lakh

Jeep has launched the 2024 Wrangler in India. The SUV is available in two variants - Unlimited and Rubicon, priced at Rs 67.65 lakh and Rs 71.65 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively. The updated Wrangler carries forward the same rugged design, albeit with subtle changes. It features a revised 7-slat grille at the front with circular LED headlights on either side and a chunky front bumper that houses a pair of fog lamps and fenders with thin LED DRLs. The Wrangler now comes with a Gorilla Glass windshield. Inside, the updated Wrangler is equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The SUV also has features such as 12-way power-adjustable front seats, TPMS, 6 airbags and ADAS. Powering the Wrangler is a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 268 BHP and 400 Nm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and the brand's Slec-Trac 4WD system. The Rubicon variant is equipped to take on extremely rough terrain. It features a Dana 44 HD full-float solid rear axle, Rock-Trac part-time transfer case with 4:1 LOW ratio, Electronic front sway-bar disconnect, Tru-Lok front- and rear-axle lockers and 17-inch aluminium wheels with BFGoodrich mud-terrain tyres. Customer deliveries of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler will commence in mid-May.

Renault-Nissan mulling Creta-sized electric SUV for India

According to a media report, Renault-Nissan is planning to develop a C-segment electric SUV for the Indian market. It could compete with the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV and the Maruti Suzuki eVX. The report states that Renault-Nissan had initially planned to introduce an entry-level A-segment EV in India. However, it has been cancelled in favour of a Creta-sized electric SUV. It is expected to be based on the CMF-B EV platform. The CMF-B architecture will not only be heavily localized to support models like the Renault Duster and its Nissan derivative, but will also be tweaked to support EV powertrains. Localization will be the key as the company has set a target price of Rs 15-20 lakh. Technical details of the CMF-B-based electric SUV are still unknown, but reports suggest that it could be powered by an LFP battery, offering a range of around 300 km on a single charge. Renault-Nissan's new electric SUV is expected to go on sale in 2026-27. It would also ensure that the automaker's future CAF targets are met. Source:Autocar India

Multiple niggles on my Scorpio-N: Mahindra's QC frustrates me

BHPian wooka recently shared this with other enthusiasts. This is the second time I've had the issue of the 4xplore Knob simply failing to be lit up or engage no matter what's pressed. Rebooting the car doesn't help. There seems to be a recurring assembly / harness failure point. Today I drove from Noida to Dehradun with a slightly increased transmission noise, zero acceleration/movement when making a three point turn despite being in drive, and general lethargy. Also the tyres skidded doing 1 kmph while turning on gravel near my destination. And then I just knew. I flipped the fuses for the 4Xplore actuation and the knob, both. No dice. I phoned up MnM and got the COTEK to, very kindly, give me a video of opening the center console 30 minutes later. By then I'd already done so myself and attached the harness. It clicked reassuringly into place. How in the world can this come loose by itself? Video of the 4x4 switch not working Now this is strange. This happened once months ago, previously, and the service guys said it's fixed and that the harness was 'loose'. How? Doesn't it click into place? I had last given the car for a silver box replacement (which has indeed fixed my wireless android disconnection issues), then how did the harness come apart again? Was it engaged by someone, and then physically disconnected? Cause nothing else adds up - why would the car be in 4x4 mode if the module was disconnected? What has been damaged as a result? Driving 300 kms on hard tarmac in a part time transfer case 4x4 at over 100 Kmph? This could have happened to someone else. Once previously my Thar had a broken 4x4 switch on the lever and I got stuck in the sand when I had given the car for a gear shifter boot replacement. And just three days back my Thar refused to crank despite a charged battery after stopping for tea near Udaipur. I flipped every fuse and relay only to disconnect and reconnect the battery, at which point the car cranked. It was simply ignoring the cranking position of the key before that (no reaction from the instrument cluster.) What this makes me worry about is why so frequently, when will things improve, and what QC is performed. Forgot to add, my cruise control is also broken. As is my TPMS. It's beyond me when they'll shore up their act. Their customer service is really good but their QC leaves much on the table. Good engineering marred by a lax overall approach. Video of the cruise control not working Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

New rules require airlines to automatically refund consumers for cancelled flights in US

US Department of Transportation mandates automatic refunds for flight changes, impacting low-cost carriers. Seaport Research highlights potential consequences. Airlines for America underscores commitment to consumer protection and affordability.

2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Review : 8 Pros & 7 Cons

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ProsA timeless design with loads of characterOne of the best offroaders on the planetGood build quality and abuse-friendly natureHighly customizable. You can go crazy with modificationsPunchy 268-BHP 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is refined and smooth8-speed ZF automatic gearbox is competent and does the job well on / off-roadLoads of off-road tech (locking differentials, sway bar disconnect, full-float rear axle, etc.)Features list includes ADAS tech, front camera, new 12.3-inch touchscreen, 9-speaker Alpine sound system, heated steering wheel & front seats, 12-way powered front seats, and moreJeep Wrangler Rubicon ConsLack of engine options. No diesel engine on offer, nor a larger petrol (available internationally)Ride quality is too bumpy for this Jeep to be your daily driverBackseat isn't comfortable over long distances. Also, best for 2 adults and not 3A 1-star Euro-NCAP safety rating is a dealbreaker for most buyersOn-road dynamics are poor, more so with the stock MT tyres (Jeep should've given AT tyres). Best to stick to safe speedsDriver footwell is cramped and will get uncomfortable over long drivesMissing features like auto wipers, auto folding mirrors, a dead pedal, a 360-degree camera and ventilated seatsRead Team-BHP's detailed Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Review

Stock market update: Nifty Auto index advances 0.22% in an upbeat market

The Nifty Auto index was trading 0.22 per cent up at 21945.65.

Affordable Bajaj Chetak e-scooter leaked ahead of launch

Bajaj Auto is gearing up to launch a new entry-level variant of the Chetak e-scooter next month. But images of the affordable variant have already leaked online. At first glance, the affordable variant of the Bajaj Chetak looks similar to the standard model. It is likely to be offered in a range of vibrant colours, including the bright blue seen here. It has a black apron, seat and grab handle and rides on black steel wheels. The entry-level variant of the Chetak gets a physical key with open cubbies on either side and a monochrome LCD instrument console. Disc brakes have also been replaced with conventional drum brakes. Interestingly, despite being the affordable variant, this scooter doesn't have a hub motor. That being said, it is likely to offer slightly less power than the Urbane and Premium variants and could use a 2.9 kWh battery pack. Source:Autocar India

Compact SUVs under 17 lakhs: Best options upgrading from 2016 WagonR

BHPian ash22 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Good Day People, One of my extended family members is looking to upgrade his 2016 WagonR AMT with a strict budget is around 17 lakhs, Chennai (on-road). Requirement:C-SUV.Petrol & Automatic onlyEasy on Maintenance.Will keep it for the next 10 years.Use case:Mostly with a daily commute of 20 Kms office commute within the city.Once a month a drive to native around 300 kms to&fro from ChennaiSuggested Vehicles:I suggested Elevate V CVT and Grand-Vitara Delta AT.We did a test drive of both recently which caused more confusion for him rather than conclude..Both look good and drive good for his requirements and driving feedback.Since he is upgrading from his WagonR AMT, He loves both these cars and cannot conclude which one to go with.Need Recommendation: Out of these two cars, What will be that one deciding point that will help him to conclude between the two? However, I suggested Elevate since the latest V CVT comes with 6 airbags too. Decision is still open and Members can also suggest a better car based on this requirement. Planning to book the car in the next 2-3 weeks. Here's what BHPian DCEite had to say on the matter:I would add another option here: Hyundai Creta S(O) IVT. Keep in mind it has the highest waiting periods, so if you want something quicker, strike it out. But personally, I would prefer the Creta. For its proven brand image, a more lively engine (even with the CVT/IVT gearbox), a more refined cabin compared to the GV and Elevate, better fit and finish of the interiors and exteriors, Panoramic sunroof (makes a world of difference to the cabin's sense of space and feel good factor), good safety kit (6 airbags, auto hold et el), and Hyundai's after-sales service which is only next to Maruti. Personally, I would stay away from GV (no offence to any owners) as I find the engine to be too laggy for my liking and the cabin quality of materials is not what you would expect from a 17-lac car. Finally, the Elevate ticks most of the boxes but doesn't have the wow factor and it's just a practical point A to point B machine that gets the job done. I wished Honda provided more creature comforts, for example, a panoramic sunroof, a wider cabin, a more refined driving experience which is missing and did some work on NVH levels, and a better-sounding Music system, and better front seats, to name a few.Here's what BHPian SixPistons had to say on the matter:Seltos IVT drove slightly better than the Elevate CVT in my case, both tested at the nearest dealerships to my place. The only difference is that Seltos is smooth and linear all throughout the power band and additional drive/traction modes to choose from. Both carry the same power more or less, with Elevate being higher by 5 BHP. Elevate sounds slightly more roary when you push it and a lot of sounds make it into the cabin. NVH is better in the Seltos. Handling was better in the Elevate. Ride quality was more or less similar in both. Tech-wise, the Seltos HTK+ IVT is more loaded if willing to consider 18.5 Lacs on-road. The cabin in the HTK+ also feels like a more fun place to be than the V in the Elevate at that price point. Otherwise, like DCEite mentioned above, Elevate ticks most boxes but lacks the WOW Factor, which I find with the Seltos.Here's what BHPian Asoon had to say on the matter:Go for Elevate - It gets the job done without any fireworks. It's a trusted, reliable and smooth IVTEC Honda City engine under the hood, one of the best naturally aspirated petrol engines in the segment. Well put together, the build is better than GV / Hyryder, has more complications than turbo options available with Hyundai and has a better road presence than the competition.Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:I second the initial opinion. The Creta CVT and Seltos IVT are the cars to beat if you want a premium and reliable C-SUV for daily city use. The overall package feels a lot better on the inside than the Honda. Elevate suffers from plenty of obvious cost-cutting, which is not the case with the Hyundai/Kia. GV loses out on account of its weak, insipid engine.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Ethical dilemma of re-selling a lemon car: Is it fair to the buyer?

BHPian MadinMumbai recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Lemons are a part of life. If you are unfortunate enough to get one it can be quite frustrating. Often these are discussed here and invariably the advise is to sell the lemon and move on. I can't help ponder the moral dilemma - when you sell a lemon doesn't the buyer get the short end of the stick? Or does the buyer, because it's a second sale, and possibly a lower set of expectations, factor in the compromised product? Does one tell the prospective buyer about the problems s/he are about to adopt? Of course everyone has their own take on morality, but is there a fair practice or are no rules applicable? It would be fascinating to know how people deal with this particular type of misfortune. Here's what BHPian raptor_diwan had to say on the matter:What's considered a lemon to us may not necessarily be the same for others. Here's my personal experience to this point. Few years ago, I purchased an Interceptor with high hopes, but soon noticed troubling signs such as engine noise and gear issues. Despite consulting mechanics who dismissed these concerns as normal, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Dissatisfied with the vehicle, I found myself avoiding rides and preferring my other bikes ( Dominar ). Eventually, I made the decision to sell the bike. I felt there was an issue with the engine, and I didn't like the vehicle. It always felt like I was riding a repaired product. I posted it on fb Marketplace, and a guy, a college student, reached out. He was passionate about motorcycles and seemed to have a collection of vehicles. I told him engine noise is there like timing chain issue or tappet adjustment kind but it is nothing to worry about, He wanted to test drive. During the test drive, he noticed something off with the engine, and the mechanic he brought along identified the issue and assured him it could be fixed. He relayed the problem to me, and I shared my concerns as well. In fairness, I dropped the price significantly for him. Overpricing a defective product without disclosing its issues would indeed be considered unfair and unethical. In this case, after disclosing the problem and adjusting the price accordingly, the deal was closed fairly. The buyer took the vehicle, fought with the RE service center, and claimed warranty with my assistance and replaced some parts & he fixed the issue ( Which I coudln't do, I didnt have enough time in my hand to visit service centre every now & then ) but for him it was a hobbie and he is happy on working on such issues and He has more and more time on his hands. Now, he's enjoying the bike on numerous long rides, fulfilling the dreams I once had. Riding to the destinations like Chennai to Goa, Mumbai, and Siliguri. His WhatsApp status reflects his genuine love for the bike. However, for me, the situation was quite the opposite. I couldn't find any joy in riding this particular bike; instead, it caused me irritation every time I took it out. This experience taught me a valuable lesson - what may seem like a lemon to one person can hold untapped happiness for another. In the end, fairness and honesty ensure that both parties can find satisfaction in their transactions.Here's what BHPian Asoon had to say on the matter:Every thing has a price and a product at multiple conditions during its life stage becomes attractive to different set of customer cohorts depending on their perceived value vs the price it is offered to them For example - If person X is paying 40L for a used Fortuner (lets say 2022 model) he would expect it to be in pristine condition with not loose ends, but if the price is 30L (2022 fortuner) then torn seats, couple of dents, silencer with holes is ok, if the price is 20L (2022 fortuner) then structural damage from the rear side (dicky) is acceptable (in repaised state), and if the price is 12L then structural damage in A or B or C pillar is ok and you will find buyer who can pay for a Total loss Car. Alteast you will definitely find X, Y , Z buyer at each state and price pointHere's what BHPian anjanc_2007 had to say on the matter:Yes lemons are in many cases inevitable and those cursed owners who feel they own a lemon, can always advertise it on any media as for sale. However, concealing the defects from the buyer is unethical. And a price cut based on how sour the lemon is, for awareness of the buyer should be the norm. Lemon sellers who are unethical and think they have fooled someone could be in for an unpleasant surprise when some upright buyer sends a court's notice for compensation.Here's what BHPian ajmat had to say on the matter:I have owned two lemons A Tata Sierra - kept breaking down. I ensured it was in proper working condition without any faults although anything could happen Sold it via a dealer who was playing dirty so I guess the car took revenge. Skoda Octavia vRS - It had niggles, kept throwing an engine check light now and then. Agreed to a sale which took a while. I actually identified and resolved the fault during this period and it started running sweeter than when I owned it. The only fault was the climate control which would not blow hot air which I disclosed. My take is - selling a lemon in proper working order, disclose all faults if any but dont play fortune teller. If you cannot sell in working order, be upfront and expect a haircut. Ensure you solve or disclose a fault. I also sold a 90k Swift in good condition with full service history. Unfortunately, 3 months later, it needed an engine rebuild. I felt sorry for the person but he accepted it was bad luckHere's what BHPian SmartCat had to say on the matter:Not worth thinking too much about this. Sell to Cars24 or Spinny and just be done with it. Disclose the problems you have faced (they will ask) and take the lower price offered. When we call a car a lemon, it just means the authorized service center could not identify & fix the problem(s). But hypothetically, replacing the correct components will fix any car problem. Now if somebody like Cars24/Spinny is making an offer despite your disclosure, it probably means they have reasonable confidence to fix the problems to a large extentHere's what BHPian DudewithFiat had to say on the matter:I was once sold a lemon by, of all the people, a BHPian and, of all the cars, a 2006 Toyota Corolla. I had bought the car, paid slightly above market rate, without seeing the car for two reasons: 1) It was a BHPian in a respectable profession, with whom I had exchanged lots of messages over WhatsApp, though never met. I trusted the guy. 2) It was a Toyota. The car was dropped to my place by his driver. AC was very weak from Day One of my ownership. The previous owner apparently didn't maintain the car very well. The car itself kept running, but niggles kept appearing (power windows, locks, wiper etc). It wasn't a very enjoyable ownership and finally I decided to sell the car and posted the car in OLX. 1) One young guy had come to buy the car. I told him of the issues, who was okay to buy it, but didn't have the heart to sell it to him because he wouldn't have afforded fixing all the issues. 2) Then, I sold it to a colleague with a full disclosure of the history and issues. It was obviously sold at a price below the ongoing market price of a Corolla.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Parse Biosciences Launches Laboratory Automation Provider Program, Collaborates with Hamilton, Opentrons Labworks, SPT Labtech

Business Wire India Parse Biosciences, a leading provider of accessible and scalable single cell sequencing solutions, today announced it has launched its Laboratory Automation Provider Program, enabling automation providers to readily support the adoption of Parses Evercode single cell products. By combining powerful automation with the Parse Evercode platform, customers will have unprecedented access to high-throughput single cell sequencing, enabling them to rapidly generate insights for large-scale studies. Parses Evercode single cell technology has enabled researchers to scale their projects to millions of cells or nuclei and has been widely adopted across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, basic research, and drug and target discovery. To facilitate scaling up these projects and to help researchers generate insights more quickly, Parse has developed automation-friendly workflows for high-throughput sample fixation, single cell barcoding, and library preparation. As key providers in the new Laboratory Automation Provider Program, Hamilton, Opentrons, and SPT Labtech will each collaborate with Parse to automate Parses Evercode Whole Transcriptome and Whole Transcriptome Mega workflows on their respective liquid handling platforms. These customized scripts will allow users to purchase application-ready instruments and empower existing users to more easily adapt Parse workflows in their labs. Parse is focused on providing complete, end-to-end solutions at unprecedented scale. By joining with some of the industry's top automation providers, we are giving customers more extensive choices, said Parse Biosciences co-founder and CEO Alex Rosenberg. This approach is fundamental to our core belief that single cell RNA sequencing provides valuable insights that should be available to all scientists, whether they're in basic research or in a high-throughput drug development environment. Hamilton, Opentrons, and SPT Labtech provide versatile liquid handling platforms that support many workflows, in addition to Evercode, providing flexibility and economy to customers who run other protocols in their labs. The companies aim to have automated protocols for the Evercode platform available in coming months. About Parse Biosciences Parse Biosciences is a global life sciences company whose mission is to accelerate progress in human health and scientific research. Empowering researchers to perform single cell sequencing with unprecedented scale and ease, its pioneering approach is enabling groundbreaking discoveries in cancer treatment, tissue repair, stem cell therapy, kidney and liver disease, brain development, and the immune system. Founded based on a transformative technology invented at the University of Washington, Parse has raised over $100 million and is used by over 1,700 labs across the world. Its growing portfolio of products includes Evercode Whole Transcriptome, Evercode TCR, CRISPR Detect, Gene Capture, and a software tool for data analysis. Headquartered in Seattle, Washingtons vibrant South Lake Union district, Parse Biosciences recently opened a 34,000 square foot headquarters and state-of-the-art laboratory. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240424893659/en/

Assam: UGC Grants Autonomous Status To Sibsagars Bir Lachit Borphukan College

In a significant acknowledgment of its academic excellence and as a fitting tribute to Bir Lachit Borphukan, University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted Autonomous Status to Bir Lachit Borphukan College in Sivasagar, Assam. This prestigious recognition was officially announced by Assams Education Minister, Ranoj Pegu, who extended his heartfelt congratulations to the colleges Principal, faculty,... The post Assam: UGC Grants Autonomous Status To Sibsagars Bir Lachit Borphukan College appeared first on Northeast Today .

Airlines must now pay automatic refunds for cancelled flights

The final regulations released Wednesday outline the circumstances where passengers are entitled to refunds for all travel to, from and within the US

New rules for US airlines to automate refunds to passengers for cancelled flights

New rules for US airlines to automate refunds to passengers for cancelled flights

Bajaj Auto Share Price Today Live Updates: Bajaj Auto Closes at Rs 8697.1 with 6-Month Beta of 0.6979

US Airlines To Pay Automatic Refunds For Canceled Flights News Karnataka - News Karnataka

US Airlines To Pay Automatic Refunds For Canceled Flights News Karnataka News Karnataka

Getting autos a pain in Bengaluru, union bats for strict enforcement

BENGALURU: With the government fixing metre fares in autorickshaws and auto drivers not being able to refuse rides or go against the metre reading, they have begun shelling out extra money from passengers every time they commute. The fleecing has forced travellers to complain against auto drivers who charge exorbitant amounts even during non-peak hours and when there is no traffic jam. They urged the police to conduct drives to fine erring autos. Banumathi, a septuagenarian, who resides in Kumaraswamy Layout said, I regularly visit my relatives, attend family functions, go for shopping, and visit the hospital for health checkups. Because I am not accustomed to using auto-booking apps, I usually head out of my flat and depend on autos that ply on the road. In majority of the rides, auto drivers do not go by the metre. They randomly demand money, which is nearly double the metre. Banumathi is not the only one facing the situation but throughout the city, people of all age groups who depend on autos for commutation. General Secretary of Autorickshaw Drivers Union (ARDU) Rudra Murthy, who accepted that many auto drivers are refusing to go on rides or follow the metre said, After the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), autos are the largest public transport provider. Despite the city having more than 1.5 lakh autos, people are not able to rely on them. He, however, said the situation can change if the state government opts to revise auto fares annually. Annual revision of auto fares is a common occurrence in the worlds major cities. Drivers refuse rides and demand excess money as the fares do not align with the price increase. In the last decade, auto fares have been revised only twice. He said, We want the government to hike the fare from the existing Rs 30 for the first 2 km to Rs 40 and the current Rs 15 for every subsequent kilometre to Rs 20. We urge the government to hike fares annually according to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). While the price hike alone will not help improve the situation, educating and sensitising auto drivers to follow rules and a strict enforcement of laws by the police against erring ones will help, he remarked. Replying to complaints by customers that the ride-hailing app Namma Yatri, with whom ARDU is associated, is allowing bookings only after a tip is given to the driver, Murthy denied it. He said, It is up to the passenger to pay a tip or not. Irrespective of the tip, their bookings will be accepted. Joint Commissioner of Traffic Anucheth was not available for comments.

Cant use different registration numbers on ride-hailing autos, says Karnataka govt

BENGALURU: It is a common sight to see autorickshaw drivers putting up additional registration number plates printed on paper, laminated and displayed on their autos, referring to the numbers for multiple ride-booking apps like Ola and Uber. I recently booked an auto to head home. An auto arrived at the location and was waiting for me. When we booked a ride, the vehicle registration number was shown to us. But the vehicle that arrived had a different registration number, said Megha, a college student. However, I could see the registration number shown on the app displayed at the front and back of the auto. I got into the auto, shared the OTP and reached my destination, she added. Transport Department officials said this might be happening in case the auto drivers are using a different auto with their ride-hailing account. This shouldnt be taken lightly as the ride-hailing apps request the passengers to check if the registration number on the vehicle and the one booked are matching. In case of a mismatch, passengers shouldnt be boarding the vehicle as this might risk their safety. When TNIE took up the matter with Additional Commissioner of Transport (Enforcement) Mallikarjuna, he said, It is illegal to operate autos using multiple vehicle registration numbers. A vehicle must have only one registration number and it should be affixed in the front and back of the vehicle as per law. Only the vehicle registered with the ride-hailing app should be used and auto drivers should not have multiple vehicle registration numbers. He said that both the transport department and traffic police are empowered to take action against such autos. After the Lok Sabha elections, the department will start a drive against such autos using multiple registration numbers, he added.

US: New rules require airlines to automatically refund consumers for cancelled flights

Biden administration's new rules require airlines to give automatic refunds and disclose fees upfront, saving consumers over half-a-billion dollars yearly, part of a broader effort to lower costs and protect passengers from surprise charges.