Kine U beat it?

PITSTOP

A bunch of Pune students riding Kinetic Novas completed a marathon run connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Kinetic backed the event to test the endurance and fuel efficiency of their indigenously developed Nova scooter.

The rally successfully travelled a distance of 3867 km in two weeks time and the company says the Nova returned 65.97 kpl. 'It was a long distance to cover in a short time and it is a creditable feat for the riders on their Novas', said Sulajja Firodia Motwani, managing director of Kinetic Group.

We are pleased too. The journey which started from Patnitop finished at Kanyakumari covering 11 states in the process.

Kinetic has also announced plans to form a special alliance with Mission: Vijay II, a foundation that assists India's war heroes in rehabilitation.

This alliance will make it possible for war wounded, ex-servicemen and war widows to run authorised Kinetic service stations. Kinetic will extend all training and support required to carry out this activity.

Power APEAL

Hyundai Santro, Ford Ikon, Honda City and Tata Safari rank highest in their respective vehicle segments in the JD Power Asia Pacific 2003 India Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) study released this week.

The study measured owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of new vehicles across eight categories during the first two to six months of ownership.

Hyundai Santro has won the award for the fourth consecutive year and beat Suzuki Wagon R and Alto to the crown this year. Cars with European roots, such as Ford Ikon and Opel Corsa/Swing dominated the entry mid-size car segment with the Ford getting top honours.

The last generation Honda City won the top rank in the mid-size car segment, over the Mitsubishi Lancer. In the UV segment, the Safari won over Mahindra Scorpio and Toyota Qualis.

Delphinately Bosch

For the first time Delphi's title as the largest component maker in the world is being questioned.

Robert Bosch Gmbh of Germany is set to overtake the American giant to the top spot. It will be first time since General Motors spun off its parts division that Delphi is not ranked number one.