Wheels galore at LA Auto Show

As the automobile industry is aiming to sell affordability and environmentalism in an attempt to recuperate from more than a year of economic crisis, the Los Angeles Auto Show kicks off Friday with an unspoken theme: Less is More.


In Photo: The 2011 Mazda 2 debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009. (AP Photo)

krishan gopal verma
pgdm -3rd sem
section -A

FORD FIESTA / MAZDA 2 HATCHBACK

In India by: late 2009. Will cost: Rs 8-12 lakh
If there is one car that Ford India needs in its portfolio to have a well-rounded catalogue, it is a good family hatchback. Already seeing success with its ally Mazda’s Mazda2 and its own international Fiesta which is based on the same platform, Ford is likely to step into the hotly contested Indian hatchback space this year. Last we heard, the company was contemplating bringing in the Mazda2 as a CKD from its plant in Thailand (much like its Endeavour SUV), which would make the car only marginally more expensive and also take care of production pressures for Ford India.

NEW CHEVROLET AVEO U-VA

krishan goapl verma
pgdm-3rd sem,
sec-A

NEW MAINI REVA

After their first attempt at an all-electric car, Maini is all set to launch an improved, larger version of the REVA later this year. The new electric bug promises more features, improved battery life and flexible seating, which would mean the car could probably accommodate 4 people. The REVA has already won hearts in Europe with its electric appeal, and will be looking to use its international experience to market the car better in India. Maini is also working on a Li-Ion battery option, which would decrease the REVA’s weight drastically and provide more range.

krishan gopal verma
pgdm-3rd sem
sec-A

ONGC, partners to invest $10 bn in Iran projects

New Delhi: Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and its partners will invest about USD 10 billion in two giant gas fields and an LNG project in Iran, Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Seifollah Jashnsaz said.

Iran will also sell 6 million tonnes a year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India to meet its growing energy needs.

ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of the state explorer, and Hinduja Group firm Ashok Leyland Projects Services (ALPS) late on Tuesday evening signed agreements to take 40 per cent stake in Phase 12 of the gigantic South Pars gas field, he said.

Phase 12 is the largest of the 28 Phases in which the South Pars gas field in Persian Gulf has been divided and will cost USD 7.5 billion.

ONGC and ALPS along with Petronet LNG also signed pact to take 20 per cent stake in Iran LNG that is building a USD 4.32 billion plant on the southern coast to convert gas from Phase 12 (SP-12) into liquefied natural gas for exports.

Jashnsaz said considering the "good work" done by OVL in discovering a big gas field in the Farsi block, Iran has also decided to award it the right to develop the field. OVL, along with Indian Oil and Oil India, will invest USD 5.5 billion in developing the Farzad-B gas field.

Iran does not give foreign firms ownership of oil and gas and instead pays a fixed fee on the investment made. Indian would, however, get LNG in return. In case of any default or delays, New Delhi can deduct the promised return from the money it pays to Iran for buying crude oil

BMW Z4 Roadster 2009

Its time for another hot Beemer Roadster in India. BMW India has rolled its BMW Z4 2009 sports car in the country. This latest launch from BMW India is 2009 Z4's top-of-the-line variant and is priced at Rs 59 Lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai). This new launch BMW Z4 2009 sDrive35i variant unveiled at the India Couture Week in Mumbai on 12th October, 2009 is expected to give tough competition to other Mercedes-Benz SLK, Audi TT and Porsche Boxster.

The new BMW Z4 sDrive35i that's a sporty model is the latest international version of its acclaimed Z4 roadster. Similar to other previous BMW Z4 models, this 2009 variant is also a true two seater thats small in size and comes with foldable hard-top roof. The BMW Z4 variant, a rear-wheel drive sports car manufactured by the German automaker would be imported as a CBU from Germany.

Internet Cut Off Switch for when your ex signs in

Why would you need a ‘handy’ button, pressing which, you can simply disconnect yourself from the sinful world of the Internet in less than a second? Maybe it could come in handy when you aren’t supposed to be online and someone steps into your room when you’re surfing, or maybe it can be used to log off immediately when you’re not-so-special-someone signs into an account that you forgot to un-add hid/her on. Whatever be the reason, the Internet Cut Off Switch is a pretty handy and tempting device.

Kapil Jagga
PGDM 3rd Sem.
Sec-B

Volkswagen Beetle Coming in 4th December 2009

Volkswagen Beetle
Expected in 4th December 2009
Estimated price: Rs 15-18 lakh
India will get its first official taste of the Bug when the Beetle officially makes its way into India in December. VW is keeping mum about the engine specs, but judging from the engine options available worldwide, it will probably have either VW’s 1.6-litre, 100bhp petrol from the Jetta or the 1.8TSI from the Laura under its hood – we hope it’s the latter. The Beetle will be imported as a CBU, which will push its pricing to the Rs 15 lakh range.
Specs (Speculated)
Specs (Speculated)
Engine Displacement: 1595cc
Overall Length: 4129mm
Overall Width: 1721mm
Overall Height : 1498mm
Wheelbase: 2516mm
Ground Clearance: -

SHAILENDRA EKKA
PGDM-A-III

apple

Email, Calendar, and Contacts.


Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

If your office uses Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or 2007, you can wirelessly push email, calendar events, and contacts to iPhone. And with enhanced features like searching your inbox and server, creating calendar invitations directly from iPhone, and dialing out from calendar events on iPhone, it's easier to stay on top of your game.

Standards-based servers

iPhone also supports standards-based servers for mail, calendar, and contacts integration. Sync with IMAP mail servers and search the mail server from your iPhone. Integrate with common CalDAV-compliant calendar servers like iCal Server, Oracle Beehive, Kerio, and Zimbra. Sync subscribed calendars to your iPhone. And find colleagues fast by searching LDAP servers from either the mail or contacts app on your iPhone.

SmartBook Zenide GC CRYSTAL Limited Edition adds glamour to your desk

Here is a normal trick to garner attention. Take a gadget and clad with crystals or drench it in precious metal-plating and dazzling stones to make it to headlines that cannot be missed by anyone. Not even by the ones (like me) who cannot afford such luxury. And Smartbook AG has adopted this mantra to promote its GC SmartBook Zenide OSC. Festooned with Swarovski crystals, they have dubbed it as SmartBook Zenide GC CRYSTAL Limited Edition. For 2001 Euros (about $3,000), this smartbook packs in Intel Atom Processor N280 [1.60 GHz], original Windows 7 Home Premium, 2GB DDR2 RAM and a 10.2 " NG WXGA LED screen with 1024x600 resolution. The product page also says that it ships along with a 750ml bottle of Champagne Moet & Chandon Brut Impérial "Be fabulous gold" which is also adorned with Swarovski crystals. Limited to only 20 pieces, it will reach your doorstep in a flight case of ProCase. That is if you are going to place an order for SmartBook Zenide GC CRYSTAL Limited Edition
Kapil Jagga
PGDM 3rd Sem.
Sec-B