:Chinkara Motors
{{Short description|Defunct Indian vehicle manufacturer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Chinkara Motors
| logo = Chinkara Motors Logo.jpg
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| location_city = Mumbai, Maharashtra
| location_country = India
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| industry = automotive, marine, aviation, ATV
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Chinkara Motors, officially Chinkara Motors PVT Ltd, was a Mumbai, Maharashtra-based automotive manufacturer. Chinkara operated from 2003 to 2016. The company was headquartered in Alibaugh, Maharashtra.
They had a host of prominent customers, including Gautam Singhania. Chinkara created a unique fleet of sportscars called Parx Roadsters for Singhania.{{Cite news |date=2004-03-02 |title=Gautam Singhania to ride Parx on sportscars |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/gautam-singhania-to-ride-parx-on-sportscars/articleshow/531206.cms |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402075826/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Gautam-Singhania-to-ride-Parx-on-sportscars/articleshow/531206.cms |url-status=live }}
History
Shama Bothe and her German husband Guido Bothe founded Chinkara Motors in order to build sport cars. The company faced some initial funding problems. It took more than two years to manufacture and present its first car.
In 2003, at Mumbai Auto Show, company's first car was launched. The car is priced at Rs 6.7 lakh. They also presented the Chinkara roadster.{{Cite web |title=rediff.com: Chinkara unveiled at the Mumbai Auto Show |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/2003/jan/24pic7.htm |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=m.rediff.com |archive-date=12 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412174610/https://m.rediff.com/news/2003/jan/24pic7.htm |url-status=live }}
In 2004, at an Auto Show, Chinkara Jeepster was launched. The car was priced at Rs 3.98 lakh and had a fibre glass body.{{Cite news |last=ANEJA |first=MANSI |date=2004-11-23 |title=Already a CEO: She's made it big @ 25 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/already-a-ceo-shes-made-it-big-25/articleshow/931631.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=12 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412174611/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/already-a-ceo-shes-made-it-big-25/articleshow/931631.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}
In 2005, at Vaahan Yatra, India's first ever indigenous ATV, Roadster, was launched. Another sports car, Speedster, was also presented.{{Cite news |title=South India's biggest auto expo opens in Bangalore |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/south-india-s-biggest-auto-expo-opens-in-bangalore-105100801069_1.html |work=Business Standard}}
In 2011, Chinkara Roadster costed around Rs 26 lakh and a had minimum waiting period of five and a half months. The company manages to sell 2-3 units a year.{{Cite news |last=Philip |first=Lijee |date=2011-12-07 |title=Niche carmakers Jayem Automotive, San Motors, Chinkara Motors, Premier banking on interest in motor sport for sales of roadsters and coupes |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/niche-carmakers-jayem-automotive-san-motors-chinkara-motors-premier-banking-on-interest-in-motor-sport-for-sales-of-roadsters-and-coupes/articleshow/11013624.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=12 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412174502/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/niche-carmakers-jayem-automotive-san-motors-chinkara-motors-premier-banking-on-interest-in-motor-sport-for-sales-of-roadsters-and-coupes/articleshow/11013624.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Javeid |date=2011-12-09 |title=San Motors Developing New Convertible |url=https://www.motorbeam.com/san-motors-developing-new-convertible/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |language=en-US |archive-date=12 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412174448/https://www.motorbeam.com/san-motors-developing-new-convertible/ |url-status=live }}
In May 2018, the State Consumer Commission ordered Chinkara to pay Rs 3.5 lakh to a former Army Captain for supplying him a defective speed boat.{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |last3= |first3= |title=Alibaug company asked to pay Rs 3.5L for defective boat |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/crime/alibaug-company-asked-to-pay-rs-3-5l-for-defective-boat/articleshow/64336998.cms |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en |archive-date=12 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412174450/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/crime/alibaug-company-asked-to-pay-rs-3-5l-for-defective-boat/articleshow/64336998.cms |url-status=live }}
Automotive
Chingara primarily manufactured a 2-seat sports car called the Chinkara Roadster 1.8S, and the Jeepster, a classic 1940s Jeep look-alike. The vehicles were developed at Alibag near Mumbai, India. The name Chinkara comes from a local word for an Indian Gazelle.
=Chinkara Roadster 1.8S=
The Chinkara Roadster is derived from the Lotus 7. The car is put together out of parts from various Indian cars, including the Maruti 800 and the now defunct Standard Herald. While this allows the car to be reasonably advanced, it allows the use of intermediate technology to compete with a western equivalent that may be more an advanced. For example, news articles on the car say it uses MacPherson struts front and rear taken from a Maruti Alto. The Roadster is available in several levels of tuning.{{cite web|url=http://www.chinkara.co.in/Roadster.html|title=Welcome to Chinkara Motors|access-date=10 November 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131110133814/http://www.chinkara.co.in/Roadster.html|url-status=dead}}
- Price: INR 740,000 (excluding taxes)
- Engine: In-line, Isuzu 4 cylinder, 1.8 liter/1816 cc (Petrol), {{Convert|116|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} @ 5000 rpm, {{Convert|135|Nm|lb·ft|abbr=on}} @ 3000 rpm
- Transmission: Five-speed Manual
- Brakes: Ventilated disc (front and rear)
- Tyres: Front – 205/50 R16, Rear – 225/50 R15 Goodyear F1 tubeless
- Performance: 6.7sec 0–100 km/h, 187 km/h, 13kmpl (all figures claimed)
- Length: {{Convert|3560|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
- Width: {{Convert|1760|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
- Height: {{Convert|1280|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
- Weight: {{Convert|745|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
=Jeepster=
The Jeepster is an off-road vehicle similar to the classic Willys Jeep.{{cite web |url=https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GiNDnhs1gcQ/UOg_DJNbIAI/AAAAAAABieA/QpQSFyCAbaw/s800/Chinkara_Jeepster_01.jpg |title=Photo |website=lh4.googleusercontent.com |format=JPG |access-date=2021-04-14 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208072919/https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GiNDnhs1gcQ/UOg_DJNbIAI/AAAAAAABieA/QpQSFyCAbaw/s800/Chinkara_Jeepster_01.jpg |url-status=live }} With its body constructed of lightweight FRP, the Jeepster can be delivered with a diesel engine or a 1.8L Isuzu petrol.
=Other automotive products=
Chinkara Motors also produced the following automotive products:
- Hammer – a sandrail fast attack vehicle for the Indian defence forces{{cite web |url=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_KlcveBhe3Y/UOg_DPR-akI/AAAAAAABieE/IXEO5BK-VIM/s800/Chinkara_Hammer_01.jpg |title=Photo |website=lh3.googleusercontent.com |format=JPG |access-date=2021-04-14 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208134410/https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_KlcveBhe3Y/UOg_DPR-akI/AAAAAAABieE/IXEO5BK-VIM/s800/Chinkara_Hammer_01.jpg |url-status=live }}
- Rockster – All-terrain vehicle
- Beachster – Dune buggy
- Sailster – Wind-powered land vehicle
- Motor homes
Marine products
The Marine division specialized in the manufacture of Fiber-Reinforced Plastic multi-hull (Catamarans & Trimarans) watercraft.{{cite web|url=http://www.chinkara.co.in/Marine.html|title=Welcome to Chinkara Motors : : Marine|access-date=10 November 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110140944/http://www.chinkara.co.in/Marine.html|url-status=dead}} They produced both powered and sailboat catamarans and powered trimarans{{cite web|url=http://www.chinkara.co.in/ExcursionBoat.html|title=Welcome to Chinkara Motors|access-date=10 November 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110140149/http://www.chinkara.co.in/ExcursionBoat.html|url-status=dead}} Chinkara also builds the Wave Striker power catamaran and Predator powered trimaran work boats.{{cite web|url=http://www.chinkara.co.in/WorkBoat.html|title=Welcome to Chinkara Motors|access-date=10 November 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110140147/http://www.chinkara.co.in/WorkBoat.html|url-status=dead}}
Aviation Products
The Aviation division produced GFP gliders and powered gliders, Gyrocopters and Microlights.{{cite web|url=http://www.chinkara.co.in/Aviation.html|title=Welcome to Chinkara Motors|access-date=10 November 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110141545/http://www.chinkara.co.in/Aviation.html|url-status=dead}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110829213406/http://www.chinkara.co.in/ Chinkara webpage]
- [http://www.bsmotoring.com the Business Standard Motoring page and search for Chinkara].
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070615075729/http://www.dancewithshadows.com/chinkara.asp The Chinkara roadster by BM]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927040447/http://www.bsmotoring.com/oldsite/2003/feb3_1.htm Press review]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927040447/http://www.bsmotoring.com/oldsite/2003/feb3_1.htm Business Standard Motoring: Deers for steers]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080123140757/http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/chinkara.htm Autocar India: Drive Chinkara]
{{Automotive industry in India}}
{{Lotus Seven}}
Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of India
Category:Manufacturing companies based in Mumbai
Category:Sports car manufacturers
Category:2003 establishments in Maharashtra
Category:2016 disestablishments in India
Category:Indian companies established in 2003
Category:Indian companies disestablished in 2016
Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2003
Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 2016