PIAGGIO VEHICLES PVT. LTD. LAUNCHES THE NEW APE XTRA DLX MODEL

April 24, 2015 – Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL), a 100 % subsidiary of the Italian Piaggio Group, European leader of the powered two-wheeler sector, and India’s leading manufacturer of light transportation solutions has announced the launch of new ape’ Xtra Dlx model, a launch confirming its commitment to anticipating customers changing needs and Piaggio’s core philosophy of continuous improvement. At PVPL, the emphasis has always been on value creation, be it product design or performance. The company has consistently gone to the market with its customers in mind.

While PVPL has already been marketing this vehicle successfully for some years, the new ape’ Xtra Dlx presents a series of enhancements in style and functionality, while continuing to offer exceptional reliability, fuel efficiency and comfort.

The changes introduced by PVPL on this successful vehicle reflect the evolving expectations of modern drivers. The ape’ Xtra Dlx sheet metal body provides strength and stylish lines, together with a smart dashboard, new headlamps and new handlebar switch.

The ape’ Xtra Dlx also features a new paint treatment for added gloss and better colour retention, as well as higher rust prevention, thus ensuring an even longer life for the vehicle. The initial response of customers to these eagerly awaited changes has been excellent.

Explaining the Company’s new initiative, Mr. Stefano Pelle, CEO of Piaggio India Pvt. Ltd.  said “Anticipating our New Age customer’s needs, ape’ Xtra Dlx has been conceived as a modern, stylish vehicle with many new features and yet delivering its core values of exceptional reliability, fuel efficiency and  comfort”.

With the new looks, style and features of ape’ Xtra Dlx, comes the same trust that over 19 Lacs customers have showered on the ape’ 3w passenger vehicles for more than 15 years. Today, the company is confident that apé Xtra Dlx in its new design would continue to enhance the lives of its customers and will help consolidate its leadership position in the 3 wheeler market.

About Piaggio Vehicles Pvt.Ltd.

Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.  is a 100% owned  subsidiary of Piaggio Group. The Company commenced operations in India in 1999 with the launch of the 3 wheeler brand ape' which was an immediate success and has grown from strength to strength over the years. PVPL created the market, grew it , and has sustained a dominant and leadership position in the Diesel 3 wheeler segment. Piaggio is a leading player in the light transportation industry with a complete range of 3 and 4 wheelers in Diesel, Petrol, CNG, LPG fuel variants. The Company’s products are not only endorsed by over 1.9 million satisfied customers across India but also exported to more than 35 countries worldwide.

Piaggio has a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Baramati in Maharashtra[, with an installed annual production capacity of over 300,000 three-wheelers and 80,000 four-wheelers]. It is also moving towards self-reliance with the completion of its advanced engines plant on the same campus. Piaggio has over 2500-strong work-force comprising experienced engineers, R&D specialists, plant workers, sales, service and marketing professionals.

Piaggio created and now leads the 3 wheeler Diesel segment with its apé 3-wheeler which has become generic of the category. The Company controls more than 33% of market in the 3 wheeler segment in India.

The all-new Audi TT Coupé drives into India Embodies dynamics, emotion and technology in their purest forms

• Driver focused, Innovative and Progressive – The futuristic Audi virtual cockpit sets high standards with brilliant graphics, 3D impression and highly detailed effects with MMI® navigation plus
•  quattro® permanent all-wheel drive system specially configured for the vehicle’s sporty character
•   0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h
•   45 TFSI® with an output of 169 kw (230 hp), mated to a six-speed         S tronic® transmission
• Prices start at INR 60,34,000/- ex-showroom Delhi and Mumbai

                                                                     

New Delhi, April 23, 2015 – Continuing with its quest towards bringing the best of luxury cars to the Indian customer, Audi, the leading German luxury car manufacturer has launched the all-new Audi TT Coupé today. A design icon, the all-new Audi TT Coupé embodies dynamics, emotion and technology in their purest forms – in design, the engines, chassis and the innovative operating concept. The sporty yet elegant Audi TT Coupé is priced at INR 60,34,000/- (ex-showroom Delhi and Mumbai).

“Re-engineered for more power, the all-new Audi TT Coupé blends dynamic aesthetics with innovative technology and inspired performance. A design icon, the all-new Audi TT Coupé combines classic TT DNA with that of the legendary Audi Sport models, truly embodying ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’. A pleasure to drive, the futuristic interiors with brushed aluminum inlays, finely stitched leather sports seats, and innovative Audi virtual cockpit truly embody the sportiness, progressiveness and sophistication of the Audi brand and is the perfect car for our young and dynamic customers in India,” said Mr. Joe King, Head, Audi India.

Working in combination with a six-speed S tronic® transmission and quattro® permanent all-wheel drive, the 2.0 TFSI® engine, with its 230 hp, accelerates the all-new Audi TT Coupé from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.

“Both our product launches of 2015 - the limited edition Audi R8 LMX and the all-new Audi TT Coupé have a strong sporty flair. This highlights Audi’s heritage in sportscars, our leadership in this segment in India and our seriousness towards this ultra-luxurious and indulgent market space. Having said this, we are gearing up with other thrilling surprises on the product front and our Audi fans will surely be spoilt for choices this year,” added Mr. King.

With the all-new Audi TT Coupé, the Audi designers have delivered a modern interpretation of the unmistakable lines of the original Audi TT enriched with numerous dynamic facets. Unveiled at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show, the first-generation Audi TT came to the market in 1998 and became a design revolution – it’s strictly geometrical, formally coherent design language made it a design icon with huge charisma. With the Audi Space Frame® technology, the second generation Audi TT became known as an award-winning, agile and responsive drive and made a name for itself as a design icon similar to its predecessor.

At a glance: The all-new Audi TT Coupé

Concept, exterior design and chassis

o 2+2-seat Coupé, 305-liter luggage compartment

o Length 4.18 meters, wheelbase 2.51 meters, short overhangs

o Athletically dynamic design with hints of the first-generation TT

o LED or optional Matrix LED headlights

o Composite construction body of steel and aluminum

Drivetrain

o 2.0 TFSI® engine generating 169 kw (230 hp) and 370 Nm of torque

o 0-100 kmph in 5.3 seconds

o Top speed of 250 Kmph

o Six-speed S tronic® transmission

o quattro® permanent all-wheel drive with Audi Drive Select. Dynamic mode increases rear bias

Chassis

o Elaborate suspensions with aluminum components at the front axle

o Dynamic steering

o Audi drive select dynamic driving system

o ESC stabilization control

o 18-inch lightweight wheels

Interior design, operating concept and equipment

o TT designed Flat Bottomed Multifunction Plus Steering Wheel with Paddle shifters

o Flowing, lightweight lines in the interior, slender instrument panel, uncompromising focus on the driver, newly developed lightweight sport seats and optional S sport seats

o Digital Audi virtual cockpit and newly designed MMI®terminal, plus improved voice control, air conditioning controls in the Jet Turbine shaped air vents

o Numerous infotainment modules, including MMI® navigation plus, and Bang & Olufsen sound system available as an option

o Improved electronics architecture with second-generation modular infotainment platforms- Aux, USB and SD card

o Revised range of colors and materials

o Auto hold assist

o AC vents with integrated adjustment for temperature, air flow settings and positioning

The Audi model range in India includes the Audi A3 Sedan, Audi A3 Cabriolet, Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A7 Sportback, Audi A8 L, Audi Q3, Audi Q5, Audi Q7, Audi S4, Audi S6, Audi RS 5 Coupé, Audi RS 7 Sportback, all-new Audi TT Coupé, Audi R8, Audi R8 Spyder, Audi R8 V10 plus and Audi R8 LMX.

Grand Legend Furniture Opens Showroom in Kochi

• The 10,000-sq ft showroom in Kaloor displays sofas in more than 65 varieties and bed sets and dining tables in 25 varieties each, manufactured at the company’s Rs.25-crore, 60000-sq .ft. facility at KINFRA Park, Kazhakoota
• Grand Legend, which recently launched its products in the domestic market after a successful year in exporting, is the forward integration project of Overseas Air Travel group, which has years of experience in timber trading and import

Kochi: Grand Legend Furniture, which recently launched its products in the domestic market after a successful year in exporting, opened its exclusive showroom in Kaloor, Kochi. The 10,000 sq ft showroom at the Holy Tuesday Shopping Mall was inaugurated by Tony Chammany, Kochi Mayor while Anathalavattom Anandan, State President, CITU, made the first sale. The new showroom in Kaloor displays sofas in more than 65 varieties and bed sets and dining tables in 25 varieties each, manufactured at the company’s Rs.25-crore, 60000-sq. ft. facility at KINFRA Park, Kazhakootam. As an inaugural offer the company has announced 20% discount on all products till May 14.

Made mainly of scientifically-treated, imported timber, Grand Legend offers a series of premium home and office furniture primarily targeting at the upper strata of the market. M. Parijathan, Managing Director, Mega Exports, which is the promoting company of Grand Legend, said that more than 200 people experienced in the most modern furniture manufacturing practices are working at their Kazhakkoottam factory in the three divisions including manufacturing, joinery and upholstery. The factory has a production capacity to make 20 luxury sofa sets a day. Parijathan said the company’s own R&D and joinery divisions teamed up with a group of designers are well equipped to design and manufacture furniture as per unique customer requirements and trends.

Grand Legend is a forward integration project of the Thiruvananthapuram-based Overseas Air Travels group which has been operating in the travel industry since 1981 and in timber imports and trading for the past 6 years. Teak, mahogany, mpingo and pincoda, the main types of timber used in furniture manufacturing are imported from Malaysia, Burma, Africa and Central America. Parijathan said that even though around 25% of Kerala is covered with forests, timber obtained from the Department of Forests satisfies only a quarter of the demand it has in furniture making in the state. Teak, made available through auction by the Dept. of Forests, comprises the major chunk of the domestic supply. While the domestically available teak costs around Rs.4000 per cu ft, hardwood mpingo, imported from African countries, at par with teak in quality and finishes, costs only less than Rs. 1500 per cu ft. Mpingo also lasts long for many years.

In the estimated pan Indian furniture market of Rs.70,000 crores per year, Kerala is ruling the roost with its high standards of living and unique lifestyles, with an annual market size of Rs.10,000 crores.  The growth of Kerala’s upper middle class has also turned out to be a fillip for the state’s furniture market which is showing a growth of 25 to 30% per annum. Considering these, Grand Legend is expecting a commendable growth in the state.

For more details, please visit www.grandlegend.co.in

‘Hrudaya Sangamam 2015’ on April 19; The Social Excellence Award goes to Mammootty

• The meet at Lisie Hospital, to be attended by around 600 patients who underwent heart surgery, will be inaugurated by Cardinal Mar George Alencherry
• There is a misconception in the society that patients who have undergone heart surgery have to lead an inactive life, doing no work. The motive behind the Hrudaya Sangamam is to enlighten the patients and their familes and empower them to lead a normal life

Kochi, April 14, 2015: ‘Hrudaya Sangamam 2015’, jointly organized by Heart Care Foundation and Lisie Hospital will be held in Kochi on Sunday, April 19. The meet to be held at the Lisie Hospital auditorium will be inaugurated by Cardinal Mar George Alencherry. In the inaugural function, actor Mammootty will be presented this year’s Social Excellence Award, constituted by the Heart Care Foundation. Dr. Jose Chacko Periapuram, Chairman of the Heart Care Foundation  said the award is given to people who have rendered yeomen services in various fields. Mammootty has been selected for his services in lessening the burdens of the less fortunate in the society, in his role as the patron of various organizations like Pain & Paliative Care Society, Care & Share International, Jeevan Jyothi, Kazhcha, Akshaya Kanivu etc. It may be also recalled that Mammootty has earned world attention through his ‘My Tree Challenge’ campaign and the measures taken for the propagation of organic farming. The award, that was constituted five years ago in memory of C. V. Shanmughan, the former trustee of the foundation, was earlier given to K.J . Yesudas, Uma Preman, V. J. Kurien IAS and Dr. Beena IAS.

Around 600 patients who underwent heart surgery and their kins are expected to attend the Hrudaya Sangamam. Educative programmes led by doctors and paramedical staff of the Cardiac Services will be held as part of the function. Eminent Cardiac Specialists like Dr. Rony Mathew Kadavil, Dr. Joe Joseph, Dr. Jacob Abraham, Dr. Rafeeq A.k, Dr. Jeevan Thomas, Nutritionist Dr. Nisha Vikraman and      Physiotherapist Dany Jose will lead the interactive session.

There is a misconception in the society that patients who have undergone heart surgery have to lead an inactive life, doing no work. Due to this, they are forced to lead a life with lots of limitations put forth by their family and the society as well. The motive behind the Hrudaya Sangamam is to enlighten the patients and their familes and empower them to lead a normal life, said Fr. Thomas Vaikkathuprambil, Director, Lisie Hospital.

For more details, please contact: 98470 06000