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Tata Salt has become the No 3 most trusted brand, its highest ever rank in the Brand Equity ET Survey 2008, conducted by AC Nielsen. The ‘Desh Ka Namak’ has also regained its No 1 spot as the most trusted food brand in India.

Tata Salt is also a resounding No 1 brand among the housewives segment, echoing the trust that millions of housewives across the country place on the brand every single day. It’s No 2 in North and East regions and No 3 most trusted brand in metros.

Tata Salt is the market leader in the national branded iodised salt segment with a 43 per cent market share. Consumer activations and BTL activities throughout the country have helped it establish a stronger brand connect with its consumers.

The brand has also engaged consumers through its socially relevant Desh Ko Arpan programme under which Tata Salt extended educational support to 1,500 underprivileged girl children in the last two years through the Nanhi Kali project.

The launch of Tata Salt Lite, a low-sodium salt, which is a brand extension of Tata Salt, has had a positive rub off on its brand equity as well.

ET defines the most trusted brand as one which bonds best with the consumer, a brand that is not only familiar to the consumer but also provides quality and reassurance to her / him. The brands are evaluated on relatedness, perceived popularity, quality connotation, distinctiveness / uniqueness of what they stand for, value for money offered — does it strike a chord with the consumer and repurchase intent.

The survey interviewed more than 8,000 respondents across 12 cities in the west, east, north and south zones of India. The sample is spread across socio-economic class, age and income groups, covering consumers aged 15 and older. The list consisted of 300 brands (219 consumer products and 81 service brands).

• First M3 Convertible to feature a Retractable Hard-Top roof.
• Powered by International Engine of the Year category winner.
• New V8 engine is lighter than the outgoing six-cylinder unit.
• First BMW to offer new M double-clutch transmission.
• M3 Convertible the fastest yet with 0-100 km/h in 5.1 s.

The New BMW M3 Convertible blasts its way into Australia optionally equipped with the very first double clutch transmission designed for a high revving V8 engine.

Compared with the two previous generations of the M3 Convertibles offered in Australia the new E93 generation boasts a Retractable Hard-Top, 4.0-litre V8 engine and manual six-speed gearbox as standard.

Mechanically identical to the hugely popular M3 Coupé, which was introduced last October, and voted Car of the Year by drive.com.au in December 2007, the new BMW M3 Convertible also introduces the new seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic. This advanced, electronically controlled transmission is available in the M3 Coupé from next month.

The new generation BMW M V8 engine was awarded Best Engine in the 3.0 - 4.0-litre class by the global judging panel of the International Engine of the Year Awards 2008.

The New BMW M3 Convertible has been designed from the ground up as an open-top four-seater equipped with supercar performance and everyday driveability.

The 309 kW V8 engine produces 400 Nm of torque and sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds in the six-speed manual transmission guise, while the double-clutch gearbox with its seven speeds and seamless gear shifting allows this sprint time to be reduced to an amazing 5.1 seconds.

The Formula One inspired V8 engine comfortably exceeds the BMW M division’s internal 100 bhp per litre target, and has a 10 percent better power to weight ratio than its E46 generation predecessor, the previous benchmark open-top sports convertible.

The new M3 Convertible produces more than twice the power of the original 1988 E30 model (not sold in Australia), yet the spirit and design philosophy remains the same.

While the original E30 M3 Convertible was the epitome of exclusivity, greater numbers of successive generations have been sold as the word spread about how much fun the M3 Convertible was to drive. Thus around 13,000 examples of the E36 generation M3 Convertible were built, increasing to 30,000 copies in the E46 generation.

EfficientDynamics at the performance end of the market.
The new M3 Convertible is both more fuel efficient and produces less C02 than its predecessor, despite this breathtaking V8 performance. In typical BMW style, running costs and emissions are kept to a minimum. The New BMW M3 Convertible returns 12.9 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle (12.3 litres per 100 km for the double-clutch gearbox).

Transmission champ.
A new option for all M3 buyers is BMW’s new seven-speed double-clutch transmission (M-DCT). Offering drivers the chance to enjoy seamless gearshifts with no interruption in power delivery, this state-of-the-art transmission is so efficient that it outperforms the manual gearbox car in terms of acceleration, fuel economy and emissions.

Lifting the lid.
The new BMW M3 Convertible is the first M car to feature a Retractable Hard-Top as standard. The electro-hydraulic roof is fully automatic and can be lowered in just 22 seconds. The M3 Convertible is also fitted with SunReflective leather, allowing owners to leave the top down for extended periods without the risk of the seat leather overheating. SunReflective leather was initially developed by BMW Motorrad to keep motorbike riders cool in hot climes. The surface temperature of the upholstery can remain up to 20 degrees Celsius cooler than conventional leather.

Chassis.
Underneath the M3 Convertible’s muscular torso lies a chassis and suspension system tailor-made for the demanding requirements of an open-top car. Torsional rigidity has been significantly improved over the previous model, while the suspension has been fine-tuned to take into account the specific weight distribution of a convertible.

Safety.
The combination of a strong structure and advanced occupant restraint systems means the BMW M3 Convertible offers the highest possible standards of passive and active safety for occupants. Like the 3-Series Convertible, the M3 version is equipped with a rollover sensor system that constantly monitors the vertical and horizontal movement of the car. If the sensors (which are located in the centre of the car, on the B pillars and in the doors) detect that a rollover is imminent, roll bars located behind the rear headrests pop up. At the same time, the front seatbelt pre-tensioners are activated and the head/thorax airbags are deployed.

Marketing.
“At BMW we understand the strong lure of the M badge for our most passionate customers,” said Tom Noble, General Manager, Marketing, BMW Group Australia.

“This latest car underscores our competitive advantage in the marketplace. It is the only performance car of its type to feature innovations such as a high-revving engine, a Retractable Hard-Top and the benefits of SunReflective leather.

“The M3 Convertible is a sublime product and one of the best from BMW M. It will be hugely satisfying for both our existing M3 Convertible owners as well as newcomers to the BMW M brand.

“Undoubtedly, one of the biggest thrills will be hearing that V8 M engine on full song. Given Australians’ love affair with V8 engines, we know the new BMW M3 Convertible has been eagerly awaited. Now the fun starts,” he said.

“The M3 Convertible will appeal to buyers who want to combine the performance and peerless engineering of a traditional M car with the unique driving experience of an open-top car. With its vast array of new technology and Formula One-inspired engineering – including the option of the new seven-speed double-clutch transmission – the M3 Convertible’s appeal is wider than ever. It’s as close as a BMW owner can get to a Formula One experience.

“We are sure the introduction of the Retractable Hard-Top will broaden the
M3 Convertible’s potential customer base. With its coupé-matching refinement, excellent visibility and improved practicality, the Convertible will be on the shopping lists of many who may have eschewed a canvas-roof car previously,” Tom said.

The M3 Convertible arrives in BMW dealers next month for demonstration purposes, with the first customer deliveries in the final quarter of the year, perfectly timed for summer.

Hoping to spur the auto industry to adopt a greater competitive spirit in addressing the issue of global climate change, Honda (http://www.honda.com) has adopted “Racing to Green Mobility” as the theme for the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress. Honda is the host company for the 2009 World Congress, to be held April 20-23, 2009 at Cobo Center in Detroit.
Honda is also pleased to welcome Bosch Group to the important role as the Tier 1 Strategic partner for the 2009 SAE World Congress. Bosch will provide support and resources to Honda and SAE throughout the planning and execution process, as well as engaging actively on-site during the Congress.
“Racing to Green Mobility is a challenge to the industry and to each of us as individual engineers to act and take responsibility for a goal we all share - ensuring the survival of our planet,” said Masaaki Kato, president of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. and the chairman of the 2009 World Congress. “Through SAE the entire industry can work together even as we compete against one another to address our common goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.”
“Racing to Green Mobility” is a theme intended to make the 2009 SAE World Congress an important platform for the world’s automotive engineers to share their best thinking and to encourage one another to create new technologies and products to help realize a greener and more sustainable future for our industry and society.
“We are pleased to welcome Bosch, a company dedicated to innovation, as our Tier 1 Strategic Partner in the race to green mobility,” said Kato.
Honda is hoping to help boost the 2009 World Congress by encouraging the presentation of more technical papers and booths at the event. Honda revealed that it plans to present more than 50 technical papers at next year’s World Congress, many related to the advancement of Honda environmental technologies.
Honda is globally committed to minimizing air emissions from its products and factories. Honda is working to achieve its goals by reducing CO2 emissions by improving the energy efficiency of Honda manufacturing plants and by improving the fuel efficiency of its automobile, powersports and power equipment products. Honda’s legacy of environmental leadership includes a long list of industry firsts, including the world’s first low-emission vehicles, America’s first gasoline-electric hybrid car, and the world’s first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In 2007,

Honda (http://www.honda.com) has fully deployed its fleet of Auto-Max® railcars, achieving a significant reduction in the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions associated with its automobile distribution activities in the United States. The 400-car fleet of more space-efficient Auto-Max railcars is the only such automaker-operated fleet in use in the United States. Including the Auto-Max fleet shipments, American Honda currently transports about 82 percent of its Honda and Acura automobiles across the country by rail, achieving the highest rail-shipping rate of any automaker.

Each multi-level Auto-Max railcar holds up to 22 vehicles and can hold both trucks and cars to reduce unused space. The result is less fuel usage per vehicle shipped and no compromise to quality. An average bi-level railcar can transport only 10 trucks, generally of a single vehicle type.

Honda’s Auto-Max railcars have a 50-year estimated lifespan versus standard railcars, which typically require a major overhaul after just 20 years of service. Honda participated with the Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX) in designing Auto-Max, which is exclusively manufactured by Greenbrier.

“Honda is adopting a holistic approach to minimizing its greenhouse gas emissions, addressing not only the production and on road use of our products, but also new, more fuel-efficient strategies for how we transport our products to dealers,” said Dennis Manns, assistant vice president, Sales & Logistics Planning for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Rail is the most environmentally responsible method available to move our products, and our Auto-Max railcar fleet can make a good system even more fuel efficient.”

To further support Honda’s strategy to increase product distribution by rail, Honda this year invested approximately $7 million to redesign the rail infrastructure at its automobile plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio. The redesign added rail capacity, enabling American Honda to ship more units via rail. Further, inbound and outbound trains at the plant can now operate at a faster pace; pull easier on upgraded tracks; and, require less railcar switching in the yard, reducing fuel consumption, CO2, and other air pollutants emissions that are produced while engines are left idling.

According to CSX, which serves Honda’s rail operations in Ohio, the infrastructure improvement contributes an annual savings of 2,436 gallons of fuel and 54,432 pounds of CO2 per year.

Honda is globally committed to minimizing air emissions from its products and factories. Honda is working to achieve its goals by reducing CO2 emissions by improving the energy efficiency of Honda manufacturing plants and by improving the fuel efficiency of its automobile, powersports and power equipment products. Honda’s legacy of environmental leadership includes a long list of industry firsts, including the world’s first low-emission vehicles, America’s first gasoline-electric hybrid car, and the world’s first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In 2007, Honda was named the “Greenest Automaker” by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth consecutive time.