Carmakers see Asian recovery by 2010

Car companies are optimistic that markets will recover, and are eyeing 2010 as a possible premier year for car sales. Ford Motor Co. said that its Fiesta would go on sale in Ford’s Asian markets, as well as in North America, in early 2010 while Tata Motors Ltd. announced that its Tata Nano car would hit the European market by 2010 or 2011. However, both companies’ global strategies have called for the cars to be launched this year in selected Asian countries, with the Ford Fiesta being unveiled in China and the Tata Nano being introduced to the Indian market in March. Meanwhile, Nissan also said it aims to launch in 2010 its Essence luxury coupe. The coupe features luggage in its trunk custom-designed by top fashion designer Louis Vuitton and is fitted with Nissan’s proprietary Hybrid system that twins a 3.7-liter V6 petrol engine. (March 6, 2009)