Automotive Update - 16/04/2014

Automotive Updates - 16/04/2014

• Tata MotorsBSE -0.28 % has shelved its plans to debut the much-awaited diesel option of its micro car Nano on shifting customer preference to petrol cars and the expensive technology associated with it, making it commercially unviable for the Indian market. 

• the renewed talks between Toyota Kirloskar Motor management and employees union to end the deadlock over labour issues at two plants near here have failed. "The renewed talks have failed, suspension of thirty labourers is the contentious issue," Additional Labour Commissioner J T Jinkalappa told PTI. 

• Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland today launched Partner, a light commercial vehicle (LCV), priced in the range of Rs 8.73-9.29 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

• Nissan has officially opened its US$ 1.5 billion (Rs 9,040 crore) industrial complex in Resende, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking one of the largest automotive investments by any manufacturer in the country. This investment is part of an effort to achieve a 5 percent market share by 2016 and to become the leading Japanese automotive brand in Brazil.

• Tata Motors confirmed to Indian Autos Blog that the Ace for Philippines shares the common engine block with the Nano, however certain aspects of the engine in the Ace have changed. Engineers have calibrated the Nano’s engine to suit a commercial vehicle platform for load carrying application.

• Corolla gets the status of world's best-selling vehicle model in 2013 with global registrations of 1,098,524 units. Now, the new Corolla would help the Indian arm of the company churn better business this year.

• Daimler is set to revive Maybach, a brand once coveted by oligarchs, rap stars and royals, to woo a growing class of ultra-wealthy clients in Asia and the United States, a person familiar with the company's plans said.

• Japanese small-car maker Suzuki Motor Corp said on Wednesday it will introduce an affordable, simplified gas-electric hybrid technology in its cars, joining rivals in the race for fuel efficiency.