Automotive Updates - 30th December 2014

• Come 2015, the prices of automobiles and consumer durables will go up as the government on Tuesday decided not to extend the reduced excise duty rates provided to these sectors beyond Wednesday. “The government is not extending the excise duty concessions on the auto sector and consumer durables,” a senior finance ministry official said. The move is expected to help the government raise additional revenue in the remaining three months of the current financial year to achieve the fiscal deficit target of 4.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP).Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Industry/XUTN2VM1Wb4UYJsDgkF9CJ/Cars-SUVs-to-become-costlier-from-January-as-govt-ends-exci.html?utm_source=copy

• Junglee.com, a leading product search and comparison site in India, has announced the launch of its pre-owned vehicles store which enables users to find used vehicles on Junglee.com from over 160 cities across India. The company has also partnered with Mahindra First Choice for auto inspection and launched an automotive accessories store The store enables customers to search over 25,000 pre-owned vehicle listings across 160 cities from car dealers like Mahindra First Choice, classifieds sites like Carwale, Zigwheels, Gaadi.com, Drivespark and many offline dealers and individuals. Usually, shopping for vehicles is inherently limited to a city. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/jungleecom-enters-vehicles-business-7219#sthash.Nqao4hkL.dpuf

• Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV) is planning to launch a number of trucks under the Eicher brand in India. In an interview with Autocar Professional, Eicher’s senior vice president of sales marketing, Shyam Maller, confirmed the same. The new products will include a Pro 1000 platform based 14-tonner which will be powered by a 3.3-litre diesel engine ‘E483′, and a Pro 3000 platform based 10.5-tonner which will be powered by a new 3.8-litre diesel engine ‘E494′.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/volvo-eicher-to-launch-new-trucks-in-2015-163055#ixzz3NO8Q5xf3 

• Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) celebrates over 5 million fans on Facebook, and confirms domestic sales of over 4,00,000 units in 2014. Official Facebook page of Hyundai India was set up in 2011 and has reached 5 million fans within 3 years. Hyundai India now gives you a chance to meet Bollywood Superstar and Brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan, as the auto manufacturer celebrates 50 lakh fans on Facebook through a virtual Hi-5 to SRK. Top 5 fans get an opportunity to meet SRK at Hyundai’s next TVC shoot. Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/hyundai-india-4-lakh-cars-sold-2014-12140366.html#iM8vKXyBaOuOf8FI.99

• : Post a successful run with the Zest compact sedan, Tata Motors is now set to introduce its second product under the 'Horizonext' banner, the Bolt hatchback on January 20th. The online bookings for the new hatchback commenced quite recently at a booking amount of just INR 11,000.(cardekho.com)

• 2015 will be a very interesting year for Hero MotoCorp as the company has a slew of new launches in the pipeline that will feature with a range of updates. While the company’s new flagship the HX250R is highly anticipated, the Indian two-wheeler giant hasn’t forgotten about the commuter space and will be coming with a range of new offerings next year that include two new scooters and motorcycles each in the mass market (we reported about it a couple of weeks back HERE). Now the first spy shot of the upcoming 110cc motorcycle has emerged online which is a Passion Pro and could be a facelift to it’       Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/bikes/hero-motocorp/hero-starts-testing-110cc-commuter-with-non-honda-engine/#GTat5FGje1t06ukV.99

• Honda India launched the Jazz way back in 2009 but the vehicle failed to set the sales charts on fire for the Japanese car maker. Now, we all know that Honda India is all set to launch the 2015 Jazz soon, but that’s not the big news. The 2015 Jazz will be sold here with a CVT on the petrol powered variant. This can be confirmed from the fact that Honda India has imported the paddle shifters from Thailand and can be seen on the source link below. Akin to the Honda City, the 2015 Jazz CVT will also feature steering mounted paddle shifters.(motoroid.com)

•  Hyundai Motor Co said on Tuesday it would build two factories in China, its first new manufacturing plants since 2012 as the South Korean automaker bets on growth in the world's biggest car market even as the economy slows. Hyundai said the factories, which will start production in 2016 and 2017, would help it better compete with rivals including Volkswagen and General Motors. Affiliate Kia Motors Corp also said it would expand capacity at one of its three Jiangsu province factories to up to 450,000 vehicles by 2016 from 300,000 now. (ETauto.com)

Automotive Updates - 29th December 2014

• Volkswagen Group, the makers of Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini apart from Volkswagen cars in India, saw its net profit in FY14 decline 53% at Rs 29.5 crore on account of low sales. According to the latest filings by the company with the registrar of companies, sales in the fiscal were down 8.2% at Rs 8,062 crore. Unit sales of cars declined 17.2% at 62,363.Unit sales have declining on a yearly basis since FY13.(financial express)

• Under the new Narendra Modi government, crash tests for new vehicles will be mandatory from 1st October 2017. Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, G.M. Siddeshwara informed Lok Sabha that various stringent safety policies will be introduced for vehicles to come. One of them being, crash test of all vehicles will be mandatory from 1st October 2017. Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/bharat-ncap-from-2017-12140096.html#Ug0FywXQORr8tTok.99

•  Daimler board memberWolfgang Bernhard said he does not expect a recovery in demand for trucks inemerging markets next year, despite low fuel prices, as the Stuttgart-based truck maker posted a 3-per cent rise in deliveries in 2014."In the economically challenging markets we continue to see risks," Bernhard said about expectations for the trucks market in 2015."We will not see a jump in demand in Brazil, the risks outweigh the opportunities," he said in an interview released on Monday.(ETauto.com)

• The emergence of the integrated Sri City business zone in the state of Andhra Pradesh as a new automotive cluster in South India has been posing a threat to new auto investments in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. After the recent bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into two states – comprising Seemandhra region and Telangana – Sri City remained in Andhra Pradesh, where the Chandra Babu Naidu-led Telugu Desam won the assembly elections and formed the first government in the carved-out part of the state. The industrial zone came to into the limelight when the Andhra Pradesh government attracted Hero MotoCorp’s investment of Rs 2,200 crore from Karnataka in September 2014. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/andhra-pradesh-sri-city-emerges-auto-hub-india-7211#sthash.0OjLiCkn.dpuf-

• Traffic profusion is annoying for everyone, reason being the perpetual use of the clutch, gas pedal and brake, unless you have an automatic drive system in your vehicle. Bosch came out with an innovative technology in 2013 that could help you drive clutch free in traffic. The electrically-operated clutch, this is something people in India are not very familiar with. This works in a very similar way like an automatic transmission vehicle, except it does not eliminate the clutch and the traditional gear stick. Hence allowing a clutch-free drive at slow speeds.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/news/bosch-e-clutch-technology-could-soon-feature-on-small-cars/#FKs2IpvQeZreKU6F.99

• Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) remains "cautiously optimistic" about 2015 as it believes that policy measureslike continuation of excise duty relief and government support to rural areas would act as a catalyst for growth next year. "We are cautiously optimistic for 2015. Policy decisions on issues like 4 per cent excise duty relief and government support to rural ecosystem which will go a big way in boosting sales and improve the industry sentiments paving the way for the next year," HMSI Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Y S Guleria said in a statement. (ETauto.com)

• Tyre and rubber company, Bridgestone India, conducted a Road Safety campaign in Indore city on 28th December 2014. Bridgestone India has been at the forefront of promoting the importance of road safety through various initiatives, and this campaign was organised specifically in view of the upcoming holidays which usually result in increased road traffic and associated accidents.(motoroid.com)

automotive Update - 28th December 2014

• Audi is further expanding the biggest investment program in its history. From 2015 through 2019, the Ingolstadt-based company plans to invest €24 billion (Rs 185,880 crore) , which is €2 billion (Rs 15490 crore) more than in the previous planning period and a spend of Rs 101 crore each day over five years! Seventy percent of the investment will flow into the development of new models and technologies. Audi aims to meet stringent CO2 limits worldwide with a new generation of extremely economical combustion engines and alternative efficiency technologies. Furthermore, new features in the areas of connectivity and driver assistance are designed to extend the “Vorsprung durch Technik” of the brand with the four rings. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/audi-spend-rs-185-880-crore-2015-2019-models-tech-7205#sthash.3BsZvUce.dpuf

• DSK is definitely taking the competition to the new level. The company had introduced the brand Hyosung a couple of years back and now it looks forward to launch a new company in the following month, DSK Benelli. This brand will make its foray in India with five motorcycles on the Indian roads. This Pune based company has a target to bring Keeway motorcycle brand to the nation. This company is owned by the Qianjiang Group of China, the Chinese conglomerate. It is the same organisation, which owns Benelli, as well. DSK is currently planning to launch the Blackster motorbike in India. This motorcycle has engineering inputs done by Benelli, while it is sold under the Keeway brand.(carkhabri.com)

• The road transport ministry is looking at linking driving licence and Aadhaar data, expecting it to help better track unsafe drivers and weed out those with multiple licences in the latest of a string of technology-based initiatives it has undertaken. Nitin Gadkari, the minister for road, transport, highways and shipping, has said the government would look to cut the number of road accident fatalities in India by half in the next two years.(ETauto.com)

• The Tata Bolt might be launched for the Indian market on January 20. Tata has already begun online bookings (down payment of Rs 11,000) for the hatchback and we have already driven the car and you can find the link to the first drive and video at the bottom of this story. The Tata Bolt is the second car from the Mumbai based automaker under its Horizon Next programme. It is expected to be offered in six variants and with two engine options of which only the petrol is expected to be available at the time of the launch. (carwale.com)

• Japan's Terra Motors has revealed the R6 three-wheeler. The launch of the electric vehicle is expected to take place in early 2015. Length x width x height dimensions come in at 2,950 mm x 1,090 mm x 1,800 mm. The R6 is powered by a 48V 100Ah lead acid battery which can power the three-wheel up to a claimed top speed of 30 km/h.(teambhp.com)

• Gujarat police will soon receive a fleet of Harley-Davidson motorcycles to patrol the city and keep the crime under check. The photographs showcase two Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the Street 750 and the SuperLow, painted in white colour and laden with accessories like a warning light, a siren and a wireless communicator.(motoroid.com)

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Automotive Updates - 27th December 2014

• Volkswagen's flagship Audi division is to increase spending on new models, plants and technology through 2019 to push its goal of surpassing German rival BMW as the world's largest luxury-car manufacturer. Audi, which contributes 40 per cent of operating profit at Europe's biggest automotive group, said on Saturday it will push up investment in car-making operations by 2 billion euros ($2.44 billion) to a record 24 billion euros over the next five years.(ETauto.com) 

• As India’s economic growth hints at ‘achhe din’, VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), an equal joint venture between Eicher Motors and the Volvo Group, is all set to roll out a number of medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles (M&HCVs) in CY 2015. The new trucks to be launched by the company across platforms would range from gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 5 tonnes to 49 tonnes, and would be rolled out under Eicher Trucks and Buses, a business unit of VECV. Notably, VECV has four other business units as well – Volvo Trucks India, VE Powertrain, Eicher Engineering Components and Eicher Engineering Solutions. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/exclusive-commercial-vehicles-lines-truck-launches-2015-7201#sthash.AfNwTWzT.dpuf

• Bosch is testing its new Electronic Clutch System or eClutch, which incorporates a cable-free electronic clutch pedal into the footwell which sends signal to an actuator that will use its foot to depress the clutch instead of yours. Further, it has a mind of its own to allow gear shifting without the need for driver to operate a clutch, and it enables use of first gear in congested traffic conditions without having to worry about clutching.Bosch is testing the eClutch in a Honda Brio which normally comes with a conventional automatic transmission that costs much more than manual variant and enjoys drinking more fuel.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/bosch-eclutch-automatic-honda-brio-12140190.html#tE1tCET5gYmo7jRj.99

• Constant speculations have been in the air surrounding the launch of UM Motorcycles, a US based manufacturer who showcased their range of motorcycles at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi.In a joint venture with Kashipur based Lohia Auto, UM Motorcycles plan to introduce its extensive range of sport bikes, scooters, dual-sport and cruisers to India. The company’s products are targeted towards to fastest growing 250-500 cc market, and with an affordable price tag, we reckon that UM products should do reasonable well in the country.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/um-global-bookings-june-2015-162900#ixzz3N8Y7dhaJ 

• Denso Corporation has announced that it acquired a 50 percent stake in DJ COOL Corporation, a Turkish company that designs, manufactures, and sells air-conditioning systems for bus and tractors and refrigerator systems, on October 14, 2014. DJ COOL was established in Turkey by Abdul Latif Jameel Co (ALJ), a major automotive distributor in the Middle East region. Denso and ALJ had already established a joint venture, Denso Abdul Latif Jameel, to manufacture and sell car-air conditioning systems in Saudi Arabia in 2001. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/denso-takes-percent-stake-turkish-ac-refrigerator-maker-targets-europe-7197#sthash.7QTIzQpf.dpuf

• The Gujarat Police has turned the spotlights on them after the extravagant additions of Harley-Davidson bikes to their fleet of vehicles - Street 750 and SuperLow. These bikes which are priced between Rs. 4.30 - Rs. 6.10 lakhs, will be solely used to escort VIP convoys during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2015, to be held at Gandhinagar in January. More than practicality, these bikes will add to the oomph factor while piloting VIP guests during the Summit.(teambhp.com)

• TVS & Sons, according to a report on Economic Times, will soon try out a new dealership model without real cars. Instead of well-polished, brand new automobiles, the showroom will have internet-enabled displays for visitors to check out different brands. The only similarity will be the sales person who will remain but will perform a slightly different job. Rather than pushing sales of a particular car, they will act as product advisors and help customers narrow down their product and offer valuable advice. If the customers likes a particular car, it will be taken to their preferred address at a preferred time for test drive.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/tvs-new-dealership-model-162911#ixzz3N8YJXtYr 

• Nissan revived its low-cost brand- the Datsun to increase its market share in the growing nations including India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa. The company launched the Go hatchback, but it failed to generate volumes in the country. Now, Nissan is gearing up for the launch of second Datsun product- the Go+ MPV in the early, 2015. (cartrade.com)

Automotive Updates - 26th December 2014

•  Riding on new launches, Japanese auto major Honda is set for over 62 per cent growth in its sales in India this year at around 1.8 lakh units.The company, which launched two models - mid-sized sedan City and multi purpose vehicle Mobilio during the year, had sold 1.11 lakh units in 2013. (ETauto.com)

• Yamaha Motor Co (YMC), Japan, has announced the appointment of Hiroaki Fujita as the new chairman of Yamaha Motor Group companies in India including India Yamaha Motor (IYM), Yamaha Motor India Sales (YMIS) and Yamaha Motor Research & Development India (YMRI) with effect from January 1, 2015. Hiroaki Fujita takes over the position from the current chairman, Hiroyuki Suzuki. In addition, Fujita will hold the position of president and CEO of Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (YMI). Fujita has been associated with Yamaha for over 32 years. Prior to this position, he was executive general manager, Intelligent Machinery (IM) Operations, YMC and has also been an executive officer at YMC since 2011. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/india-yamaha-md-resigns-hiroaki-fujita-7198#sthash.IEXFIRuF.dpuf

• Dilip Chhabria’s DC Design has finally brought the much anticipated Avanti to production form. The company is planning to build as many as 500 units of the first India made sports cars in the first year. Out of these, 450 units have already been booked, with 300 orders coming from abroad. The company plans to manufacture and sell about 2000 units over the next four years. The DC Avanti, which was first showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo, is a one-of-its-kind car from an Indian manufacturer. Priced at close to Rs 40 lakh, the Avanti has the stuff to show, even if it lacks the go of a thoroughbred sports car.(motoroids.com)

• Tata Motors today flagged off 123 new air conditioned-buses in Ahmedabad, equipped with automatic transmission.These buses are in addition to the order bagged by Tata Motors for 3,200 buses under the JnNURM - phase II scheme and are meant to reduce driver fatigue and provide for a superior commuting experience, Tata Motors said in a statement. (ETauto.com)

• Buoyed by the overwhelming response for the new generation Elite i20 and Grand i10, Hyundai is now aiming to enter into compact SUV and MPV segments in the next 2 years. The company will launch the Elite i20 based crossover and much-awaited ix25 compact SUV in 2015. Whereas, Hyundai's compact MPV will enter the market in 2016.(cartrade.com)

• Private sector operatorGujarat Pipavav Port has tied-up with NYK Auto Logistics to facilitate auto exports from the facility.The port will sub-lease land inside the premises to NYK for developing a dedicated common user integrated RoRo (roll on roll off) terminal, a statement said here today.The unit will have a capacity to handle 2,50,000 vehicles per annum and shall be operational by June 2015, it said.(ETauto.com)

• Sources have confirmed that Royal Enfield is currently working on two new bikes which will be hosting two new engines whose displacement is 400cc and 600cc. The new engines are said to be pumping enormous torque when compared to the current generation ones. The 400cc is estimated to generate 40 Nm (current 350cc generates 28 Nm) while the 600cc would pump 60 Nm (Current 500 generates 41 Nm). Keeping the torque figures and future pollution norms in mind, we expect both the engines to come with fuel injection. We also expect Royal Enfield to improve the quality just like Tata Motors did with the Zest/Bolt. Sources inform us that Royal Enfield is currently testing the bikes and have scheduled to launch them sometime late next year.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/bikes/royal-enfield-bikes/royal-enfield-launch-400cc-600cc-bikes-2015-scoop/#2d36Evw32jscXlAR.99

• he Hyundai Xcent, based on the fabulous Grand i10 has been a good success for the Korean carmaker. While the hatchback version is very refined in terms of styling, the sedan’s boot doesn’t appeal to quite a few. Another grouse is the 1.1 liter diesel powerplant, which though functional and frugal, feels anaemic to those who like their cars to carry some spunk. The 1.1 liter U2 diesel on the car produces 71bhp of power and 180 Nm of torque, which isn’t quite as powerful and torquey as its competitors. (Motoroids.com)

• Hyundai India declared in a recent interview that the company will bring its latest SUV next year apart from bringing a new design for the Elite i20 (crossover). The company has started with the testing procedure and focussing to rival Duster and EcoSport. Apart from this factor, the company has also stated that the car will have 90 per cent localisation, thus pricing will be quite low.The new SUV will be 4270 mm long, and he model will not be hugely different form its Chinese counterpart. The specifications and features will be a bit India-centric.

Automotive Updates - 25th December 2014

Merry Christmas !

• Deloitte in India has released a report titled ‘Driving through the consumer’s mind: Steps in the buying process’, which sheds light on the process Indian car buyers go through when buying a vehicle. It elaborates on the information buyers look for, before making a purchase the time they spend researching, their choice of information sources, interactions with dealers and their openness to recommend products to others. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/deloitte-word-mouth-reviews-influencers-car-buying-india-7192#sthash.auRUZBAS.dpuf

• Tata Motors today launched four Prima heavy commercial vehicles in Nepal in association with local partner Sipradi Trading Private Ltd."The launch of these new next-generation commercial vehicles marks Tata Motors continued efforts towards changing the trucking landscape in Nepal," Tata Motors said in a statement.(Etauto.com)

• Maruti Suzuki is India’s biggest 4-wheeler manufacturer. The company also has a huge sales and service network spanning over almost every city in the country. Most of the products from Maruti’s stable make it to the top 20 seller’s list every month. When the company was incepted in 1982, the agreement also mentioned that the manufacturer can produce and sell LCVs (Lightweight Commercial Vehicles) in the market but these plans got shelved owing to poor market response. Now looking at the success that our homegrown commercial vehicles like the Tata Ace and Mahindra Maxximo have got, Maruti too revived its plans to launch an LCV.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/cars/maruti-suzuki/maruti-suzuki-to-set-up-new-sales-network-for-y9t-lcv/#mTtlveAPp8hCMjoc.99

• Tata Motors recently announced the commencement of bookings for its upcoming hatchback, the Bolt. Now, according to Autocar India, the car is slated for a launch on January 20, 2015. While it was clear that the car will be launched in early 2015, but the exact date should certainly give confidence to all those who are yet to zero in on the Bolt to firm up their decision.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/tata-bolt-launch-on-january-20-2015-162779#ixzz3MvfnAPsa 

• The 2015 SsangYong Tivoli is the manufacturer’s most affordable offering and will go on sale in South Korea in January next year. It will be launched in India in the near future.Making the most out of the season of joy, SUV maker SsangYong has officially unveiled its first compact SUV the ‘Tivoli’ in images revealing the exterior and interior completely. Previewed in the form of XIV Air and XIV Adventure concepts at the Paris Motor Show in October.Read more at htttp://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/cars/ssangyong/2015-ssangyong-tivoli-compact-suv-unveiled-india-bound/#BI7O34CZVTS660Cy.99

• Honda Cars India seems aggressive with its product expansion plans for the Indian market. The company is currently focusing on increasing its dealership network. Interestingly, Honda is also planning to start a new production facility in Gujarat; however, nothing has been officially said about the same. The Japanese car manufacturer is also planning to launch a series of new products in the country including the new generation Jazz hatchback, new compact SUV, new Accord sedan, Civic and Amaze facelift in 2015-16.The first product to hit our market will be the new generation Honda Jazz. If reports are to be believed, the production of the hatchback is already commenced while the launch could take place in the first quarter of 2015. Showcased at the 2014 Delhi Motor Show, the new generation Jazz hatchback will see heavy localization which helps the company to price it competitive.(cartrade.com)

Automotive Updates - 24th December 2014

•  As auto makers anxiously watch if reduced excise duty regime would be extended to next year, Finance MinisterArun Jaitley today said they would have to wait till December 31."Wait till December 31," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said when asked if government would be extending the reduced excise duty incentive expiring on December 31. (ETauto.com)

• PPG Industries has announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with the Axson Group to acquire Revocoat, a global supplier of sealants, adhesives and damper products for the automotive industry. PPG expects the transaction to close in the first quarter 2015, following the French works council consultation process, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed. Revocoat, headquartered in France, is part of the Axson Group, a world leader in high-performance operational polymer formulation. Revocoat employs more than 500 people and operates seven manufacturing facilities and one research and development center. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/ppg-looks-acquire-automotive-specialty-materials-manufacturer-revocoat-7194#sthash.KRnRt7PE.dpuf

• Tata Motors recently announced the commencement of bookings for its upcoming hatchback, the Bolt. Now, according to Autocar India, the car is slated for a launch on January 20, 2015. While it was clear that the car will be launched in early 2015, but the exact date should certainly give confidence to all those who are yet to zero in on the Bolt to firm up their decision.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/tata-bolt-launch-on-january-20-2015-162779#ixzz3MqaY15KO 

• Tata Motors Limited has bagged the second prize in the automobile sector for 'National Energy Conservation Award' for 2014. The company's Dharwad plant was rewarded for its initiatives taken to conserve energy and reduce specific energy consumption.The Dharwad Plant has installed several advanced technologies that includes robotics, automated line with automated guided vehicles and ultramodern manufacturing systems and practices, and is in line with world-class manufacturing practices. (carwale.com)

• The TVS-BMW partnership will soon reap the fruit as the two companies start testing their jointly developed motorcycle for the Indian market. Zuaba.com, India’s import and export data tracking web portal suggests that the duo has already started importing various parts of its jointly developed motorcycle, code named, the K03.(rushlane.com)

•  Country' largest car makerMaruti Suzuki India is set for a record sales in 2014 at over 11.48 lakh units driven by growth across segments but it expressed concerns that a hike in excise duty could hurt the overall auto industry. The company is awaiting a clarity on the amendment to the Company's Act before going ahead with the minority shareholders' voting on its plans to let parentSuzuki Motor Corp own and invest at the upcoming Gujarat plant. (ETauto.com)

• autocar Professional honours a business leader who has led his company to new heights as its ‘Man of the Year’. For the strong progress made by Honda’s two-wheeler and four-wheeler businesses in India, Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, president and CEO of Honda Motor India, is our Man of the Year 2014. A Honda veteran, Matsumoto feels global companies like Honda should be “quick and agile to develop products that meet and exceed customer expectations.” - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/yoshiyuki-matsumoto-autocar-professional-2014-7191#sthash.J1jcaRhP.dpuf

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Automotive Updates - 23rd December 2014

•  Japanese auto giantHonda Cars India Ltd has approached theGujarat government with a proposal to set up a car manufacturing plant near Vithalapur village in Ahmedabad district with an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore, a senior government official said here today.According to the official, who has requested anonymity, the proposal moved by the company is in final stage of consideration and may get approval of the state Cabinet soon. (ETauto.com)

• In what seems to be a sudden move, Nagesh Basavanhalli, president and managing director of Fiat Chrysler India, has quit the company. This move comes at a time when Fiat is executing its comeback strategy in India. Basavanhalli was appointed the chief of Fiat Chrysler's India operations on April 1, 2013. It is learnt that Pablo Rosso, current head of Fiat Chrysler in South Korea, will take over as the interim head of Fiat Chrysler India in January 2015.  - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/scoop-nagesh-basavanhalli-exits-fiat-india-7183#sthash.E26VJlxN.dpuf

• DC Design is gearing up for the launch of much-awaited DC Avanti sportscar in the Indian car market. The company has officially released the tagline 'Feel Alive' for the Avanti. Bookings for the sportscar has already commenced, while the launch could take place in the early 2015. The sportscar is likely to be priced in the range of Rs. 38-40 lakh, ex-showroom.(cartrade.com)

•  Auto components makerRico Auto Industries has divested its entire stake in FCC Rico Ltd, its erstwhile joint venture with Japan's FCC Co. FCC Rico Ltd is now entirely a FCC Group held company, the company said. "The company has divested its entire 50 per cent stake in FCC Rico Ltd, its erstwhile joint venture with FCC Co Ltd, Japan," Rico Auto Industries said in a filing to the BSE. (ETauto.com)

• The Korean manufacturer is prepping for an equally aggressive 2015, as it has lined up two products in the crossover/compact SUV segment. The crossover will be based on the Elite i20, and is expected to launch early next year, while the compact SUV is Hyundai’s ix25 which went on sale in China a couple of months ago.

• Speaking to the Financial Express, Mr. Rakesh Srivastava, senior vice-president, Sales & Marketing, HMIL, said that the company targets 90 percent localization with these new models, and that they (HMIL) will “surprise the market” with prices.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/hyundai-ix25-high-localization-in-india-162652#ixzz3MjqzpKF7 

• Following recall of Chevrolet Enjoy MPV by General Motors India earlier this year, the company has now issued a recall notice for petrol variants of Chevrolet Beat manufactured prior to July 2010. Chevrolet Beat petrol variants manufactured before 31st July 2010 are being recalled due to the possibility of accumulation of electrostatic discharge from non-conductive fuel pipe. This recall only affects petrol units and the company has been sending letters to customers individually asking them to bring in their cars for checks.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/chevrolet-beat-recall-india-12139902.html#I7kwhTvCKqVkjTq5.99

•  Maruti Suzuki has decided to set up a separate sales network for its light commercial vehicle business which debuts next year. The company has decided against hitching a ride on its car network as it feels that the requirements and demands of LCV customers will be different to its present line of business.Maruti will also refrain from a big-bang all-India launch for the LCV as the country's top carmaker takes baby steps into the commercial vehicle space, top sources told TOI. (ETauto.com)

• India’s first compact 7-seater MPV, the Datsun GO+ will be launched on the 15th of January. While it looks every bit a Datsun GO hatchback, the manufacturer has done well to keep the wheelbase intact and yet managed to make space for a 3rd row. What could take the market by surprise will be the pricing though, which Datsun has hinted will be between the 3.5 to 4.5 lakh mark. This MPV though will not be powered by a diesel burning motor.(motoroids.com)

Automotive Updates - 22nd December 2014

• Snapdeal.com, an online marketplace, on Thursday announced a partnership with Hero MotoCorp Ltd to sell the company’s two-wheelers and expects its automobile category to generate Rs.1,000 crore of business in next six to 10 months. Snapdeal.com, run by Jasper Infotech Pvt. Ltd, gets Rs.15 crore of business in the automobile category currently in terms of gross merchandise value (GMV), or the value of goods sold on the site. The company expects to close the fiscal year ending March 2015 at Rs.300 crore GMV from the auto segment. Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Companies/vieeqyvGz9bcAHYmKGe6zO/Snapdeal-expects-online-auto-sales-to-touch-1000-crore.html?utm_source=copy

• Ahead of its official launch in January 2015, Tata Motors has initiated online bookings for the much-awaited Bolt hatchback. One can book the Bolt at a token amount of Rs. 11,000. It will be the second all new car under the company’s HORIZONEXT portfolio.The Tata Bolt hatchback is claimed to be equipped with best-in-class features and in-car infotainment system. The vehicle has been designed with the help of three Tata Motors design studios – Pune (India), Coventry (UK), and Turin (Italy). Showcasing the company’s brand new design philosophy, the new hatchback gets floating roofline and blackened C-pillar.(cartrade.com)

• Renault has confirmed that it will launch the Lodgy for the Indian market in 2015 and has accordingly released the first image of the MPV. It was launched under Renault’s Romanian subsidiary Dacia in late 2012 and went on sale a few months later. This vehicle will be Renault’s foray into the premium end of the highly competitive MPV segment. (carwale.com)

• Ford Motor Credit Company, the finance arm of Ford Motor Company, is set to begin operations in India. Its arm, Ford Credit India has been granted a licence by the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a nonbanking financial company in India and plans to begin dealer wholesale inventory financing in the first quarter of 2015. Consumer retail financing will follow later in 2015, the company said in a press release. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/ford-finance-arm-begin-dealership-inventory-financing-india-q1-2015-7168#sthash.RMDxKA8k.dpuf

•  French car maker Renault is expanding presence across smaller towns in the country as it prepares to tap the mass market segment with its upcoming entry level car next year. The company, which is set to launch its first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) 'Lodgy' in India next year, is seeking to strengthen its sales infrastructure in the high-growth smaller towns of the country. "We are looking to increase our presence in tier II-IV markets which will play a key role in growth of automobile industry in India, and our A-entry (small car) will play a key role in meeting this objective," Renault India Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney told PTI. (ETauto.com)

• Toyota Boshoku Corporation, Aisin Seiki Co and Shiroki Corporation  have agreed that Toyota Boshoku will acquire the mechanical seat frame component business operated by Aisin Seiki and Shiroki (customer: Toyota Motor Corporation in order to enhance the competitiveness of automotive seats.Toyota Boshoku believes that it is imperative to enhance engineering capabilities and expertise in the manufacturing of seat frames to become a seat supplier that is able to rival world-class seat manufacturers. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/toyota-boshoku-acquire-mechanical-seat-frame-component-business-aisin-seiki-shiroki-7160#sthash.6vYN0549.dpuf

• One of the chief two-wheeler manufacturers in India, Suzuki Motorcycle India has its targets fixed for the last quarter. Just when it seemed that most of the manufacturers had done the hard work through the calendar and decided on settling down to have a relaxed last-fifteen days of the year, Suzuki has made a startling decision. According to the company, it has the idea of opening approximately 70 fresh dealerships across the country in the pipeline. Suzuki will try to achieve this target within a period of the last four months of the running fiscal.(cartrade.com)

Automotive Updates - 20th and 21st December 2014

•  Bajaj Auto today has bagged an order for 1.25 lakh units ofDiscover-125M motorcycles from Sri Lankan government.The company through its distributorDavid Pieris Motor Company in Sri Lanka had secured, after a detailed evaluation process by the Government of Sri Lanka, an order from them for supply of around 50,000 units of Discover-125M motorcycles. ETauto.com)

• The Chamber of Commerce of Brazil in Japan (CCBJ) has named Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, its Person of the Year 2014. This award is given annually to an individual who makes a notable contribution to strengthening the economic relationship between Brazil and Japan. In selecting Ghosn, CCBJ members recognised both his impact in expanding the economic ties between Brazil and Japan and his achievements as a global business leader. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/brazilian-chamber-commerce-japan-selects-carlos-ghosn-person-2014-7148#sthash.MgwHSX5x.dpuf

•  Force Motors Limited (FML), formerlyBajaj Tempo is targeting a major chunk of inter-city transport vehicle requirements through its recently introduced indigenous fifteen-seater vehicle, a senior official said here. The company has launched a 15-seater and a 3050 vehicle (Traveller) which has a 13-seater and a nine-seater variant. Our 15-seater product completely aims at inter-city operations of the travel trade requirement," said A K Verma, Regional Manager (Maharashtra and Goa), FML.(ETauto.com)

• German carmaker Audi has been one of the most preferred brand in the luxury car segment in India. The carmaker has had a good run in India this year and the group has been planning on making it even bigger the next year with 10 new models in the Indian market. Speaking more on the occasion, Joe King, said to PTI, “Next year we plan to launch around ten products in the Indian market. It is going to be an exciting and busy year for us. We are looking to bring in next round of investments into the country, keeping in mind the immense long term potential of the Indian market.”(cartrade.com)

• Renault India car prices are being increased by up to 2.5% wef January 2015 across its product portfolio owing to rising input costs. Rafael Treguer, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Renault India says the auto manufacturer has absorbed rising input costs thus far, but a sustained challenging market environment warrants increase in car prices. Indian auto industry eagerly looks forward to pro-business policies to reignite the automobile market here.(rushlane.com)

• US automobile recalls surpassed the 60 million mark for the first time in a single year, largely because of the rush to prevent more deaths from defective General Motors Co. ignition switches and Takata Corp. air bags. The tally of 60.5 million through Saturday is almost double the previous annual record of 30.8 million recalled vehicles set in 2004, according to an analysis of data on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The number will rise further as recent recalls that have been announced by auto makers are recorded in the database.Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/B11XOmgK8bpTT2U6S2xesK/Auto-recalls-top-60-million-in-US-as-response-to-defects-shi.html?utm_source=copy

• Hyundai, in a meeting at its headquarters in Korea, said it has plans to launch a “completely revamped” version of the Avante sedan next year. The vehicle, sold as Elantra in certain markets like India, will be accompanied by the next generation version of the Tucson SUV (called ix35, but not available in India), reveals Korea Herald. Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/2016-hyundai-elantra-coming-in-2015-162430#ixzz3MYskhzt4  

Hyundai Elite i20 Wins Indian Car of The Year 2015 Award (ICOTY)

18-12-2014 2:38PM

MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

• Only Auto manufacturer to win two successive ICOTY Awards   
• Only manufacturer to win 3 ICOTY awards in 10 years
• Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 Design Language captured Indian Elite Customers

Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the country’s second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter has won the most coveted Indian Car of the Year 2015 (ICOTY)award for the Elite i20. Within the second month of its launch, the Elite i20 forayed into the list of top 10 most selling brands in India receiving overwhelming appreciation and response. The un-compromising Elite i20 has received 60,000 bookings and has become the choice of 32,000 happy families within 4 months of launch.


Hyundai Elite i20 has earned the country's most prestigious automotive award in a most competitive and rapidly growing market. The ICOTY award has been instituted by the most eminent jury of Senior Editors of all the prominent automotive publications in the country like Top Gear, Motoring World, Car India, Overdrive, Auto Bild, AutoX, Hindu Business Line and EVO.


Commenting on the occasion, Mr. BS Seo-MD & CEO, HMIL said, “We are honored to win the most prestigious automotive award - The Indian car of the Year 2015 for our world-class product Elite i20. Winning 2 successive ICOTY awards symbolizes Hyundai’s commitment to Indian customers by offering world class standards of quality products, design and branding. With this, we intend to thank all our customers, media and jurors who have chosen Elitei20 as the Indian Car of the year and made Hyundai as the most loved and trusted car manufacturer in India and global markets. With such a challenging spirit, we will be consistently pursuing the development of Modern Premium technologies to innovate at every step to strengthen our brand globally and our brands with the customers.”

Congratulating the winning car Elite i20, Mr. Bob Rupani, Founder Member ICOTY & Chairman of the Jury, Indian Car of the Year 2015 said, “The 2015 "Indian Car of the Year" title represents the most prestigious recognition for the Elite i20, which embodies the Hyundai’s values of excellence. In our collective votes it has come out on top as a whole package which has led its way from innovation, design, superior technology, safety and value for money. It was very challenging to select one product for from the entire line-up of the contenders, since all the products have done very well in their respective segments and I am happy to see a car as good as the Elite i20 being awarded as ICOTY 2015.

Hyundai’s signature design language, the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 has captured the attention of customers and has created a new design benchmark in the segment, setting a trend of future cars that Hyundai is making for global markets. The Elite i20 has a strong fan following and is seen as “Elite companion”. The Elite i20 comes with great combination of power, performance, mileage, comfort, driving pleasure and un-paralleled value proposition.

India plays important role in the market for Hyundai Motor Company, and Hyundai Motor India has been serving Indian customers with high quality products. As a commitment to the Indian market, Hyundai has launched the Elite i20 within 5 months of the successful launch of Xcent, improving the domestic volumes and increasing market share. Earlier, Hyundai Grand received positive and appreciative media response making it the Indian Car of the Year in the year 2014. The Grand got overwhelming customer response with landmark sales of 100,000 units in 10 months, the fastest by any Indian auto brand in the Indian automobile market.

About HMIL

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company (HMC). HMIL is the largest passenger car exporter and the second largest car manufacturer in India. It currently has ten car models across segments - Eon, Santro, i10, Grand i10, i20, Xcent, Verna, Elantra, Sonata and Santa Fe.

HMIL’s fully integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai boasts advanced production, quality and testing capabilities. HMIL forms a critical part of HMC’s global export hub. It currently exports to around 120 countries across EU, Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific. HMIL has been India’s number one exporter for the past eight years consecutively. To support its growth and expansion plans, HMIL currently has 405 dealers and more than 1,045 service points across India. In its commitment to provide customers with cutting-edge global technology, HMIL set up a modern multi-million dollar R&D facility in Hyderabad. The R&D center endeavors to be a center of excellence in automobile engineering.


For more social media updates; follow Hyundai Motor India on:
www.facebook.com/HyundaiIndia
www.twitter.com/HyundaiIndia
www.youtube.com/HyundaiIndia
www.instagram.com/hyundaiindia

Photo Caption:
Mr. B.S Seo- MD & CEO, HMIL,  Mr. Rakesh Srivastava- Sr. VP, Sales & Marketing, HMIL  receiving the coveted ICOTY 2015 for Elite i20 from Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & MD, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd

Mr. B.S Seo- MD & CEO, HMIL,  Mr. Rakesh Srivastava- Sr. VP, Sales & Marketing, HMIL with ICOTY 2015 Jury
 

Source: Hyundai Motor India Limited

Automotive Updates - 19th December 2014

• The Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, Suh Byung-soo has conferred on Venu Srinivasan, chairman, TVS Motor Company and Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai, the title of honorary citizen. Busan is South Korea’s second largest city after Seoul and this singular award is one of the highest of its kind to be awarded to a foreign national. Srinivasan is the first Indian industrialist to be granted this honorary citizenship. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/venu-srinivasan-honorary-citizen-busan-7139#sthash.I6HygVmM.dpuf

• : Bajaj Auto today has bagged an order for 1.25 lakh units ofDiscover-125M motorcycles from Sri Lankan government. The company through its distributorDavid Pieris Motor Company in Sri Lanka had secured, after a detailed evaluation process by the Government of Sri Lanka, an order from them for supply of around 50,000 units of Discover-125M motorcycles. (ETauto.com)

• Maruti Suzuki S Cross, the company’s first crossover in India will be launched by end January 2015 with price to start at around Rs 8 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi.Maruti SX4 S-Cross made its India debut at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo. Ever since, the car has been spotted on test across India. To compete with strong players in its segment such as Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano, Maruti Suzuki gears up for launch of the new SX4 S-Cross MPV. (motoroids.com)

• It has been a well known fact that Hero MotoCorp has been a strong player in the Indian two-wheeler segment. To prove this, the world's largest bikemaker Hero MotoCorp has reportedly sold about 700 units in just about 72 hours of Great Online Shopping Festival event. On December 12th, the last day of the online event, the demand indeed multiplied with about 500 bookings in just a single day. The tie-up between Snapdeal, popular e-commerce portal and Hero MotoCorp indeed proved to be fruitful for both of them.(cartrade.com)

• The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) will inaugurate its 4th Bus & Special Vehicle Show 2015 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi from 15 - 17 January, 2015. It is the first dedicated show in the automotive segment in 2015. The India Expo Mart was the venue of the OEM section of the Auto Expo last February. The show is supported by the union ministry of heavy Industries and public enterprises, and the ministry of road transport and highways and the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU). - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/siam-bus-special-vehicle-starts-january-7144#sthash.ncgodnVq.dpuf

• Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India is preparing new products, specifically targeted to the Indian two-wheeler market, to compete against its yesteryear partner, Hero MotoCorp. The new product portfolio will comprise of about 10 offerings to the Indian audience in the motorcycle and the scooter segment. The new products would be developed at company’s Manesar-based Research and Development centre. The local R&D centre will receive technical assistance and advice from the expertise in Honda’s headquarter, Japan.(motoroids.com)

• Just two weeks after filing a voluntary petition for financial restructuring, troubled Dutch sports car manufacturer- Spyker has now officially been declared bankrupt, due to scarcity of funding to continue operations. The decision was taken by the District Court of Midden-Nederland, at the request of court-appointed administrator, who will now serve as a receiver for the company. (cardekho.com)

• Tata Motors has seen increased demand from the defence sector. Now, the manufacturer is in the process of developing and testing new defence vehicles with capacities to carry weapons and meets stringent requirements of travelling in deserts. Tata Motors is currently carrying out tests of vehicles meant for the defence sector following increased demand and orders in the pipeline. Vehicles being tested by Tata Motors for the defence sector have to adhere to stringent standards and quality.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/tata-motors-defence-vehicles-12139550.html#FEZE2k0fAY3bBPuv.99

List of " Indian Car of the year" winner

Winners

• 2015 - Hyundai Elite i20

• 2014 - Hyundai i10 Grand

• 2013 - Renault Duster

• 2012 - Maruti Suzuki Swift

• 2011 - Ford Figo

• 2010 - Tata Nano

• 2009 - Honda City

• 2008 - Hyundai i10

• 2007 - Honda Civic

• 2006 - Maruti Suzuki Swift

Automotive updates - 18th December 2014

• Japanese two wheeler maker company, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) today launched new CB Unicorn 160 at Rs 69,350(Ex-showroom, Delhi). The bike comes in two variants - Standard and CBS. The CBS variant of the bike comes with Combi-Brake System (CBS) which reduces the stopping distance and is available at the price of Rs 74,414 (Ex-showroom, Delhi). (ETauto)

• The 8th Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) award was given to Harley Davidson Street 750 in Mumbai yesterday, the 17th of December 2014. The 10th Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) award was announced in Mumbai yesterday (17th December 2014), as 2015 Hyundai Elite i20.(rushlane.com)

image from moneycontrol.com

• Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG has crossed the milestone of the 20,000 locally-produced trucks from its Oragadam plant.  Two and a half years after start of production of the first BharatBenz truck, the 20,000th truck that rolled out was a BharatBenz 2523C tipper. According to a company statement, about half of these 20,000 trucks have been manufactured just within 2014. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/daimler-india-trucks-cross-mark-7140#sthash.LQc5EVJ8.dpuf

• Mercedes-Benz today launched its new Pre-Owned car brand, ‘Mercedes-Benz Certified’ in India. The launch of the new brand was celebrated by the simultaneous inauguration of 12 new ‘Mercedes-Benz Certified’ outlets across India. ‘Mercedes-Benz Certified’ will provide customers a new destination for taking home a Mercedes-Benz car. The new brand will provide the pre-owned car customers an experience equivalent to a new car purchase, offering class leading facilities, infrastructure, tailor-made financing options, exciting warranty and service packages.(motoroids.com)

• Terra Motors claims with full charge, the R6 can go as far as 100km and that the vehicle has been tested in India for durability.Terra Motors, the Japanese manufacturer of electric two- and three-wheelers, has taken the covers off the ‘R6’, which it plans to sell in India early next year.According to Toru Tokushige, CEO and founder, Terra Motors, “India is one of the most important countries for our company. Currently, there are so many e-rickshaws from China without homologation. We design the vehicle for safety and durability. The R6 is now being tested by a certificated agency. We aim for 10,000 units of sales for electric three-wheelers within 2015. We are now developing 2 to 3 types of electric three-wheelers including the e-rickshaw segment with a competitive price”- See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/terra-motors-launch-electric-wheelers-india-2015-7132#sthash.rEqjgqRi.dpuf

•  Honda Motorcycles &Scooters India (HMSI) is planning a low-cost motorcycle for India, a company spokesperson said on Thursday. The low-cost bike for India will be developed with the help of local R&D. The Japanese two-wheeler major already sells low-cost bikes inSouth Africa priced at around $600. (ETauto.com)

• Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV) has announced management changes wef March and April 2015. Head of Daimler Trucks Asia, Dr. Albert Kirchmann (58) takes over as Chairman of Daimler Trucks Asia wef April 1, 2015 where he will consult and support the company’s strategic development. He continues to represent Daimler on the political level and at industry associations in Japan. He has worked with the company since 1984, and assumed his current position in June, 2009.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/marc-llistosella-head-daimler-trucks-asia-12139627.html#zY5O8QjWSKQHFJVk.99