TATA group owned Tata Motors has acquired a 50.3% stakes in Miljo Grenland/Innovasjon for Rs 9.4 crore. TATA Motors's UK arm would provide the required funds for the acquisition. Miljo is a Norway-based electric vehicle major. It was founded in 1997 to provide zero emission vehicles. It would start a new era of battery-operated vehicles in the Indian market. India is still lagging behind in electric vehicles category due to non-availability of required technology.

Tata Motors, Country’s largest automobile company has informed that its Korean commercial vehicle subsidiary Tata Daewoo has developed the prototype of the 4.5 tonne LPG truck in association with the Korean government. 

The company quoted during a press release that the vehicle was developed by Tata Daewoo in association with the Ministries of Commerce, Industry and Energy, Korea Energy Management Corporation and a consortium of 12 organizations. 

Car sale in India witnessed 5.39% growth rate which is lower than the growth rate in the corresponding period of the previous year. The growth rate of the popular brands has declined overall. However, sale of some brads increased due to heavy discounts on some models.

The data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) revealed that 6,00,385 units of cars were sold during April-September period of the year. The M800 is the biggest loser with sale decline of 17 percent. However, the dealers claimed that its LPG version would perform better.

The West Bengal government would provide all assistance to entrepreneurs who want to invest in the state. This is assured by the transport minister of West Bengal, Subhas Chakraborty. 

The minister said that one more car manufacturer is in touch with the government for setting up a car manufacture plant in the state. However, he declined to disclose the name of the investor group. The government would sign a MoU for this project within a month.

Paris - BMW has previewed the new X1 at the Paris Motor Show with a concept combining the needs of everyday traffic with all round functionality and a modern active lifestyle.

Although still described as a "concept", BMW is planning to launch sales in mid-2009 as a smaller version of the X3, measuring 11 cm shorter at 4.46 metres in length.

The concept comes with dual round headlights cut off at the top in the typical style of the BMW brand, complete with a white horizontal cover on the top edge. The position of the headlights and fog lamps brings back the three-eye face of other BMW X models.

Paris - Jeep unveiled the Patriot Back Country concept model in vibrant green with matching leather seats and aimed mainly at outdoor enthusiasts at the Paris Motor Show recently.

Modelled on the current Jeep Patriot Limited, the Back Country features several extras for an outdoor lifestyle such as the roof mounted cargo basket, mud flaps, extra spotlights and 18-inch wheels.

The rear loading area has a special rubber surface for transporting muddy shoes or other dusty outdoor equipment. The upholstery is inspired by wipe-clean scuba diving wetsuits.