Automotive Updates - 31st May 2014

• West Bengal labour minister Purnendu Bose today said there was a possibility of Dunlop India again opening the gates of Sahagunj factory in the state."We are getting positive feelers from the Dunlop management that they are willing to reopen the company," Bose told reporters here today.

• Bajaj auto today introduced two-tone colors in Pulsar 150, 180 and 220 models. The new range of colours would be available with no addtitonal cost and have three colour options Pearl Metallic White, Sapphire Blue and Cocktail Wine Red. 

• The Bajaj RE60 is expected to launch after October this year. In a development earlier this month, the Ministry of Roads and Transport said that quadricycles could start plying on Indian roads after October 1, 2014. Bajaj, which is ready with the RE60, will waste no time in launching the quadricycle.

• VW currently follows a seven year lifecycle for its products, while introducing refreshes every four years. This will be shortened in the future according to Michael Horn, head of VW U.S.A. Horn said in a recent interview that the German carmaker will follow a five year lifecycle, with major refreshes coming in the third year. 

• New Tata Sumo Gold, launched with a new outlook

• Sona Koyo Steering Systems on friday announced it financial results for the quarter ended 31st March, 2014, net Sales have increased by 7.2% to Rs. 281.9 Crores from Rs. 262.9 Crores during the preceding quarter ended December,2013 and Profit after Tax for the quarter is Rs. 10.6 Crores against Rs. 36.9 Crore (including exceptional item on account of sale of non current trade investment) during the preceding quarter ended December 2013.

• Hyundai 'i30' premium hatchback likely to be launched around Diwali

• Auto component maker JBM Auto plans set up a new manufacturing plant in Indore at an investment of Rs 100 crore and the new unit is expected to be operational later this year. 

• "We are investing Rs 100 crore on a new manufacturing plant in Indore. We will cater to customers like Volvo-Eicher, MAN and Mahindra & Mahindra through this facility," JBM Group Executive Director Nishant Arya told PTI. 

• JBM  today posted over two-fold rise in its net profit at Rs 22 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2014, said the new plant will cater to its commercial vehicle customers through the new plant. 

Good Bye Amby!

On  25 May 2014, The production of the Ambassador has been shelved by Hindustan Motors  in his Uttarpara plant near Kolkata , West Bengal.

 Ambassador production was started on 1957 and it was manufactured till 2014. It is among the long running cars of India. From last 57 years it is serving India. 

There are very rare chance that "The grand old lady of Indian roads" will be manufacture again.

We are starting a Tribute to “Amby” by collecting their old print media advertisement. If you have any , Please share with us.

source - autolit.com

source teambhp.com

source - internet

Source - teambhp.com 

Source - Teambhp.com 

Automotive Updates - 30th May 2014

• Renault India launched the Duster Adventure Edition at the Auto Expo in February this year. The Adventure Edition of the Duster was available only with the higher-spec 110 PS diesel engine and is priced at INR 11.79 lakhs (ex-Showroom, New Delhi).

• Japan's Isuzu Motors aims to sell 50,000 pickup vehicles in India in the next few years to gain market leadership, a top company executive has said. The company, which has a fully owned subsidiary in Chennai, has earmarked Rs 3,000 crore for a 120,000 units per year manufacturing facility close by. 

• Mahindra and Mahindra has posted a marginal increase in standalone net profit at Rs 896.88 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31.The auto major had posted a profit of Rs 889.19 crore during the same period of 2012-13.

• Japan's industrial output in April dropped a seasonally adjusted 2.5 percent from the previous month, ministry of economy, trade and industry said Friday.It also downgraded the assessment of the production, which is the first time since September 2011, saying it "appears to be flat" compared to the previous month's phrase of "showing upward momentum", reported Xinhua.

• Luxury carmaker BMW India will locally produce its new BMW X5 xDrive30d model at its Chennai plant in Tamil Nadu. Priced at Rs 70.9 lakh (ex-showroom India), it will be manufactured in diesel trim and will hit dealerships from June onwards.

• The home grown auto making company Force Motors has silently added a new variant in its 4x4 Force one all wheel drive variant in its SUV Force One with base price of Rs. 13.98 lakh (ex-showroom price in New Delhi). The seven seater SUV has been offered in top end LX variant. The new variant is equipped with 2.2 FMTECH (Force Motor Technology) engine developing the power of 139 bhp and torque of 320Nm and is capable of picking up the top speed of 160 kmph.  

• The Competition Commission has closed a case against auto maker Hyundai Motor Company and three dealers as it did not find sufficient evidence to prove cartelisation.

• TVS Motor has launched a new color on the Apache RTR 180. Called the Apache RTR 180 Matte Black Edition, the motorcycle was showcased in January this year at the India Bike Week. Sales of the RTR 180 Matte Black have now commenced, and a TV commercial featuring this bike in conjunction with the new X-Men movie is also on air.

• The Jaguar Land Rover – Chery joint venture rolled out the first China-assembled Range Rover Evoque yesterday from their yet-to-be completed factory in Changshu, Jiangsu province. 

• Fiat India launched its brand new campaign called “Hello Life” at a function in Mumbai, yesterday.It has been designed to convey the feeling of happiness and positivity around the brand FIAT. “Hello Life is inspired by the Italian way of life. 

•  Ford is recalling 1.4 million SUVs and cars in North America to fix steering, rust and floor mat problems.

• Maruti Suzuki’s plans of entering the commercial vehicle segment have been much spoken and written about over the past months. Codenamed Y9T, the new light commercial vehicle is a vital product for the company that not only marks India’s largest passenger car maker’s debut in the commercial vehicle segment, but also its first home developed diesel engine that will power the LCV and an extensive list of small cars. Now, a report states that the Y9T LCV will come with a 792cc diesel engine, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Automotive Updates - 29th May 2014

• BMW India today launched the 2014 BMW X5 at an all-India ex-Showroom price of INR 70.9 lakhs. 

• Post its debut at the 2014 Auto Expo in February, TVS has started sales of the 2014 TVS Wego in the country. The updated Wego is available in two variants: standard and disc. 

• Nissan has announced the appointment of Guillaume Sicard as its deputy president, Nissan India Operations, effective July 1, 2014. He will report to Kenichiro Yomura, the president of Nissan India Operations and his responsibilities include strategic decision making and streamlining operational efficiency to help achieve the company’s objectives here.

• Japan's Isuzu Motors aims to expand its dealer network in India six-fold to about 60 outlets in the country by the end of the next financial year. 

• 

•  Nissan today announced the opening of its Sales and Marketing Headquarters in Mumbai, inaugurated by Takashi Hata, Senior Vice President Nissan Motor Co., Ltd and Chairman of

• BMW India is going on the aggressive and is expanding its number of dealerships in India. On the sidelines of the launch of the all-new BMW X5 in Pune today, BMW India’s president Mr Philip Von Sahr mentioned that the company will increase its dealership count in India. Introduced to the world in 2013, the BMW i8 will be launched in India later this year. 

• Toyota Kirloskar Motor has been ranked the highest in the J D Power Asia Pacific 2014 India Dealer Satisfaction with Automotive Manufacturers Index (DSWAMI) Study released today. Topping all other OEMs with a score of 925 on a 1,000-point scale, it is followed by Maruti Suzuki with a score of 884 and Honda Cars India at 869. Overall dealer satisfaction with carmakers averages 827 points in 2014, up from 817 points in 2013.

• Global automotive supplier Denso Corporation has developed a new electronic fuel injection system for small motorcycles called DIET-FI (Denso Intelligent Economical Technology-Fuel Injection). The company says DIET-FI is the world’s first fuel injection system that doesn’t use a throttle position sensor or engine temperature sensor. Instead, it uses newly developed control technologies that ensure the same fuel economy and environmental performance as conventional fuel injection systems, thus cutting costs.

• Swedish CV major Scania has opened its account with Karnataka’s largest fleet operator SRS Travels by delivering two of its luxury coach buses.   With this, Scania has succeeded in attracting one of the major Volvo bus customers in the private segment in Karnataka. SRS Travels, which has a fleet size of 5,500 vehicles comprising mini buses, luxury coaches and MUVs, is known for its interstate coach buses in South India.

• It is unlikely that the Hindustan Motors Ltd (HM) plant at Uttarpara that manufactures the iconic Ambassador car will reopen soon, West Bengal labour minister Purnendu Bose said on Thursday.

• “After discussing with the HM management, I have a feeling that the Uttarpara plant will not reopen soon,” Bose told reporters here after emerging from a bipartite meeting with the HM management. The company had declared suspension of work at the plant, the oldest in the country and the only vehicle manufacturing one in the state, on 24 May. “I have asked them (HM management) to lift the suspension at the earliest,” Bose said, adding he had asked the management why the government was kept in the dark while declaring suspension of work at the plant.

 

Automotive Updates - 28th May 2014

• Tata Motors, India's largest automaker by revenue, said its domestic operations would likely not post a profit or would have "inadequate" profit for the fiscal year that ended in March, hurt by sluggish demand.Slowing economic activity, weak consumer sentiment, increasing competition and high interest rates impacted the company's performance, Tata Motors said in a notice to the stock exchange on Tuesday.

• Uttam Bose, who resigned as managing director, Hindustan Motors (HM) on May 9, has taken up the role of managing director of Hindustan Motors Finance Corporation Ltd (HMFCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of HM. Autocar Professional had, on May 10, reported that Bose will remain within the CK Birla Group and may take a new position at HMFCL, which owns the company’s Chennai car plant. Bose is also an additional director at Hindustan Motors, as announced by the company on May 10.

• The Gujarat Government has objected to the decision of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) to hand over effective control of its proposed car plant at Hansalpur in Ahmedabad district to its Japanese parent company Suzuki Motor Corp (SMC) as it is in violation of the State Support Agreement (SSA) signed in June 2012.

• Royal Enfield which is owned by Eicher Motors has planned for an investment of around Rs. 600 crores in its motorcycle plants in the next two years. The money will be pumped in step by step in the two plants in the next couple of years. This move comes in because the demand has been normal but the supply is way too low. The Thiruvottiyur factory in Tamil Nadu is extremely small in size and cannot produce a substantial amount to keep waiting periods down for the British brand.

•  Automotive component maker Sundaram Brake Linings, part of the TVS group, Tuesday announced change of guard at its top management.According to the company, K. Mahesh resigned as managing director for personal reasons while he would continue as the company's chairman.

• Maruti-Suzuki’s first self-developed diesel engine will be a 792 cc unit, reports Gaadi.com. The engine, which is believed to be a two-cylinder unit, has been developed by Suzuki in Japan with inputs coming from Maruti engineers in India.

• Bohra Rubber Pvt Ltd (BRPL) and Hiroshima Kasei Ltd (HKL) Japan have entered into a technical collaboration for the manufacture of automotive cabin sealing systems. HKL will support BRPL in the design, development and execution of dynamic sealing solutions for the automotive industry.

• Auto component maker Bharat Forge today reported an over two-fold jump in standalone net profit at Rs 119 crore in the March quarter, driven by one-time gain of Rs 43.16 crore from sale of a land parcel. Total revenue grew 38 per cent to Rs 931 crore, it said. For the full fiscal, net profit rose 30.7 per cent to Rs 400 crore, while total revenue for FY14 logged 8 per cent growth to Rs 3,399 crore.
• image from indianautoblog.com

Rana Motors launches First Car dealership Mobile Application in Delhi & NCR

Rana Motors, one of the leading providers of Maruti Suzuki cars in Delhi & NCR started a new trend in customer satisfaction by launching a first of its kind Mobile App.. The App ‘Rana Motors Accessbox’ enables existing customers of car dealership to reach out to dealership for any information, feedback or appointment in just a few clicks.

The App is developed by Autoninja and is currently available for Android based application which can be freely downloaded from Google Play Store. The App will soon be available on Apple Appstore for iphone users as well. Autoninja had also launched India’s First mobile app for any car dealership for Pratham Motors (Bangalore) last year. The App was also recommended as a Best Practice by Maruti Suzuki (issue #2013-14/bp/01).

The Mobile App is very modern and contemporary in design and at the same time very simply to use. Through the app, car owners have a direct chat line to the Rana CEO and can send honest feedback about their experience with the dealership.

Rana Motors Mobile App is the mobile car companion. The application connects with the dealership (Rana Motors) and pulls out the car details along with the complete service history. It sets automatic reminders for Insurance expiry, PUC expiry and service due date. The application helps in getting insurance and PUC documents on the mobile phone. If one gets a dent on the car, they don’t need to run to the dealer to get the estimate. Through the App, the customer can click a photograph of the dent & press “send” in the App. The dealer’s service team will reply with a cost estimate.

On the occasion Mr. R. S Rekhi, Director, Rana Motors opined “By launching ‘Rana Motors Accessbox’ we want to bring convenience to our customers by adopting latest technology. Now we are just one click away from our customers. We already have 300 active users in just fifteen days. The App truly gives meaning to our motto of ‘We Care, and It Shows”.

In today’s cluttered mobile app environment, Autoninja’s Accessbox mobile app is a refreshingly new product – a product that opens a true two-way channel of communication between a car dealership and its customers. It’s also a great way for a dealer to differentiate from other dealers in town – with a very unique user experience which creates a lasting impression.

Autoninja is one-of-a-kind startup, founder by promoters from IITs, IIMs and NID, which has found a unique niche in automobile sector. “Today almost 100% of car owners own a smartphone. So, we created a very unique platform, deeply integrated with Car dealer’s complex systems and processes. By doing so, we are able to automatically synch customer’s car details, due dates, documents and service history. So a user gets all that he needs to manage his car in a blink of an eye – like magic. This ‘wow’ has made our App huge success” Akhil Gupta, one of the promoters.

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myaccessbox.ranamotors

Automotive Updates - 27th May 2014

• Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) launched the 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis in India today.Bookings for the new Corolla opened in February this year when the car was unveiled at the Auto Expo. Since then, TKM has received about 1,300 bookings for the sedan with equal weightage for petrol and diesel models. TKM says that the Corolla has a 3 month waiting period currently. – indianautoblog.com

• New Delhi-based Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd (MSSL) has signed an agreement to acquire the wiring harness business of Stoneridge Inc. through asset purchase at transaction value of $ 65.7 million (Rs 384 crore). This acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2014, subject to customary closing conditions. The acquired business has a turnover in the region of $300 million (Rs 1,756 crore). 

• The transaction includes six manufacturing facilities located in Portland, Indiana; Chihuahua, Mexico; Saltillo Mexico; and Monclova, Mexico; as well as an engineering and administrative centre at Warren, Ohio. –Autocarpro.in

• Japanese car makers are unlikely to see a major impact on their businesses in Thailand after last week's military coup, the head of Japan's auto lobby said on Tuesday. Fumihiko Ike, chairman of Honda Motor Co and the head of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, also said that appetite for investment into Thailand remains strong.-etauto

Image from livemint.com

• TVS Motor Company launched its new commuter motorcycle, TVS StaR City+ in Maharashtra. Powered by the new “Ecothrust” engine, the bike delivers 8.4 PS of power at 7,000 rpm with a torque of 8.7 Nm at 5,000 rpm. –motoroid.com

• General Motors India has said it will begin production of vehicles for the export at its Talegaon Plant in the second half of 2014. It will kick off exports with the first batch going to Chile in Latin America in the first quarter of 2015.  Its first export model will be the left-hand-drive version of the Chevy Beat. The car is already built and sold in many markets worldwide. -Autocarpro.in

• The TVS BMW venture will launch two motorcycles in the latter half of 2015. A report on the Economic Times’ website says that the two bikes will be of 300 cc and 500 cc capacity.While reports earlier were suggestive of a 300 cc off-roading bike, this is the first report to claim that a 500 cc bike is in development. TVS had confirmed during the announcement of the joint venture that it would not make any bikes below the 250 cc mark. – indianautoblog.com

• The West Bengal government has called upon the management and labour unions of Hindustan Motors to conduct a tripartite meeting on the issue of the closure of the company’s Uttarpara plant.A report says that the suspension of work and the closure of the plant has left 2,500 employees without a job. The report quotes Labour Commissioner Javed Akhtar who says that the aim of the meeting would be to convince the management to lift the lock-out.- – indianautoblog.com 

Automotive Updates - 26th May 2014

• Maruti Suzuki India officially launched the Celerio Green, the CNG-powered Celerio, in New Delhi today. Priced at Rs 4.68 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Celerio Green is available in VXi trim (manual transmission). With this, Maruti’s stable of CNG-powered cars expands to six models including the Alto 800, Wagon R, Ertiga, SX4 and the Eeco.

• Delhi-based JBM Group plans to invest Rs700 crore in automobile component business over the next two years as part of a plan to increase its annual revenues to Rs10,000 crore from Rs7,000 crore while simultaneously scouting for acquisition opportunities in Europe and America. The company has already spent Rs200 crore equally on setting up two new plants in Bangalore and Indore respectively that will get operational in the next three months.
• Europe's leading carmaker Volkswagen (VW) is revamping its India strategy five years after it entered the market, where it got pushed to the fringes due to its inability to price products competitively and come up with enough fresh offerings.

• India’s leading automakers, Tata Motors are set to launch the new Zest sub compact sedan and Bolt hatchback in August 2014. Showcased at Auto Expo 2014, the two upcoming models have since been spotted on test and gear up for launch in India in August and to be followed by launch in Nepal in September.

• Military coup and political uncertainty in Thailand has led Honda Motor Co to scale down production at the company plant in Ayutthaya by as much as 60%. This reduction in production follows fears of falling domestic demand as Honda Motors cites sales concerns which may fall below targets this year due to this political unrest in the country.

• Hero Motocorp will increase the output of the Hero Splendor and its variants starting in June, in a bid to reclaim the number 1 selling two-wheeler position from Honda Activa. The Hero Super Splendor was recently refreshed, giving it alloy wheels and fresh body colours. A report on the Financial Express states that output of variants like the Splendor iSmart, Splendor Pro, Splendor NXG and Splendor.

• Ashok Leyland has confirmed that the Ashok Leyland Boss will be assembled in the company’s Ras Al Khaimah facility in UAE to cater to the requirements in the Middle East. Since its launch in October 2013, Ashok Leyland has sold around 1,000 units of the Ashok Leyland Boss. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the company’s annual press conference where it discussed its annual report.

•  Volkswagen has revealed the first technical details and teaser images of the all-new Passat sedan and estate, ahead of the cars’ unveiling in July and their public premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October. The eighth-generation Passat will bring with it a range of new technologies and features. Thanks to the use of advanced materials – including high-strength, hot-formed steel and aluminium in certain areas – the new Passat is up to 85kg lighter than its predecessor, helping it to claim expected fuel-efficiency improvements of up to 20 percent. 

• Honda Motor Co has announced that the Japan Patent Office has granted a three-dimensional trademark registration for the shape of the Super Cub, Honda's popular and long-selling scooter. This is the first time in Japan that the shape of a motorcycle or any other product from an automaker has been registered as a three-dimensional trademark.

•  Image from Maruticarindi.in

Automotive Updates - 25th May 2014

 Tata Motors is giving a much stronger focus on the design of its cars, from planning product life cycle in a better way to incorporating subtle Indian elements to its future models, to woo back customers. "Basically our cars are very good products, well engineered, very relevant for the segment they play in. It is just, somewhere I feel, we have now started to, also, focus much stronger on design," Tata Motors Head of Design Pratap Bose told PTI. 

• Keshub Mahindra, Chairman Emeritus, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Assocham(The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) in recognition of his stellar contribution to Indian industry over the past five decades.

• Chennai based TVS Motors is India’s fourth largest two wheeler maker after Hero, Honda and Bajaj. TVS has revealed plans to increase their sales to 22 lakh units this financial year, after the company sold about 17.52 lakh units last year. This figure include both two wheelers and their commercial vehicles.

• It has been close to four months since the Celerio was launched, the car went on to become a runaway success for the company. Maruti has now confirmed that it has delivered about 28,000 units of the car which is close to 7,000 units a month (counting the date of its launch). The total bookings for the car stands at 58,000 as confirmed by senior executive officer, Maruti Suzuki, Mayank Pareek.

• India’s leading car maker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has no crossover in its current line up. Maruti showcased the S-Cross at the Auto Expo 2014 this year along with the concept avatar of the upcoming Ciaz sedan. Now, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is preparing itslef to launch the S-Cross in India early next year. 

• Volvo Auto India opens its new dealership in Chandigarh. The showroom is spread over an area of 2200 sqft. The new dealership is owned by Sumit Passi from Krishna Group. The group have dealerships of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, JCB Earth Moving Equipment, Honda 2-wheelers, Skoda Auto Passenger Cars, BMW Passenger Cars and other premium passenger cars. 

• According to a warning issued by the European Environment Agency, "Particulate matter is the air pollutant that poses the greatest health risk to people in Europe." The latest findings by the German Federal Environmental Agency on particulate pollution in Germany and the associated hazards are also alarming. When it comes to road traffic, the priority is therefore to protect occupants of cars and commercial vehicles as well as bus passengers from polluted outside air.

• As per a company report, filter manufacturer Mann+Hummel has consequently developed a new generation of cabin filters which ensures almost 100pc removal of even the tiniest particles, which are particularly hazardous to health. The company also supplies modern particulate filters to the independent aftermarket under the Mann-Filter brand name.

• Hyundai Motor India Ltd has issued a voluntary recall for the older generation Hyundai Santa Fe. The recall affects 2,437 units of the vehicle manufactured between 26 June 2011 to 26 September 2013. The recall is to replace the stop lamp switch that could malfunction. The potentially defective component will be replaced free of charge at any of the Hyundai authorized service centers.

Automotive Updates - 24th May 2014

• Hindustan Motors has temporarily suspended operations at its Uttarpara plant in West Bengal, leaving the fate of the HM Ambassador hanging. Media reports this morning list mounting losses, paucity of funds, growing indiscipline, low productivity, etc as reasons for the closure effective from 24th May. Hindustan Motors has shut down its Uttarpara plant until further notice. 

• 

• Chennai-based TVS Motor is targeting a 25% growth in volumes on the back of strong demand for scooters and mopeds that form the bulk of its domestic sales, a top executive said. The company has sold 17.52 lakh two-wheelers in the last fiscal, and aims to sell 22-lakh units in the ongoing fiscal.

• Indo-Global tie-up seems to be the theme of automobile news this week. After having broken two big scoops about BMW-TVS motorcycles, an even bigger piece of news is here. Bajaj-KTM plan to continue their performance bike onslaught with the Pulsar maker being given the responsibility by the Austrian firm to develop street motorcycles (not dirt bikes) up to the 800cc segment, all being manufactured at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan facility which is already churning out KTM bikes for the world. This is BIG news for us in India, as Bajaj Auto will be sharing platforms with KTM for its future bikes (like the Duke 390 and Pulsar SS400 do), resulting in a variety of options for the Indian biker. Even Husqvarna will be underpinned by the same platform with Bajaj Auto doing the complete production of the Swedish branded bikes locally.

• Hyundai Motor India is recalling 2,437 units of its sports utility vehicle Santa Fe to replace a faulty stop lamp switch. "Hyundai Motor India will voluntarily recall 2,437 number of Santa Fe vehicles of the 2011 model year in India for the manufacturing period June 26, 2011, to September 26, 2013," the Indian unit of the South Korean company said in a statement.

•  Post the consolidation of its international operations, US car maker General Motors Indian subsidiary is being looked at as a key global sourcing base for its small cars. GM India has now put in place an integratedexport strategy, a first in its 18 years in India, for Beat, its small car. ET learns General Motors India plans to kick-start export ofBeat small car to Latin America from the second half of 2014. 

• The Thai unit of Honda Motor Co. has cut production at its Ayutthaya plant to 60 per cent of capacity to reflect weak domestic demand, voicing concerns sales may fall short of its target this year after months of political unrest.Thailand's auto sector, southeast Asia's biggest, is one of the more visible victims of the weakened economy and unrest which culminated on Thursday in army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha taking control of the government in a coup.

• The 50:50 joint venture between off-road vehicle maker Polaris India and Eicher Motors is developing personalised transport solutions that also have off-roading capabilities. A report on cardekho quotes Polaris India’s country head and managing director, Pankaj Dubey, who says that in the next 3-5 years more vehicles can be expected from Polaris India. 

• Ashok Leyland’s subsidiary, Optare buses, has launched the ‘MetroDecker’ double decker bus for use in the city of London. This is also the only double decker bus currently retailed by Optare. The Metrodecker is the first monocoque double decker bus from Optare’s stables.

• Autocar India has reported that Toyota Kirloskar Motor is expanding its Fortuner range upward and downward with mechanically new variants. The Fortuner range, from this festival season, will start with a 2.5-liter manual variant driving the rear wheels alone.

Automotive Updates - 23rd May 2014

• Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation has renamed its Vehicle Components division as ‘Federal-Mogul Motorparts’. This is the next step in its ongoing strategy to drive the global growth of its premium products and leading brands. The new Federal-Mogul Motorparts name and logo will be rolled out globally effective immediately, leading into new marketing campaigns for its product brands.

•  Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd is considering investing about 40 billion rupees ($684 million) in a new factory, a top executive said on Friday, as it readies new models for an anticipated pickup in sales.

• :Honda Cars India has pinned its hopes on Mobilio and Jazz, its new models to help the company deliver "good double digit growth' in the current financial year (FY15), a senior Honda Cars executive told ET Auto.

• The Ashok Leyland Jan Bus has been launched.

• Hero MotoCorp is more than doubling production of some variants of the top-selling ‘Splendor’ range of motorcycles to meet high domestic and export demand. The move is expected to help the two-wheeler market leader regain the crown of the top-selling model in the domestic market, which the Splendor lost to erstwhile partner Honda’s Activa scooter a few months ago.

• Three-wheeler maker Atul Auto today reported a 15 per cent jump in net profit at 29.79 crore in the full fiscal ending March 31, 2014 on the back of higher demand for its vehicles.

• The 50:50 joint venture between off-road vehicle maker Polaris India and Eicher Motors is developing personalised transport solutions that also have off-roading capabilities. A report on cardekho quotes Polaris India’s country head and managing director, Pankaj Dubey, who says that in the next 3-5 years more vehicles can be expected from Polaris India. 

• Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that it has received orders for around 58,000 units of the Maruti Celerio, launched at the Auto Expo 2014. A report on the Economic Times quotes Mayank Pareek, senior executive officer at Maruti Suzuki, who says that about 28,000 units of the Celerio have been delivered as of now. A future 30,000 bookings are in hand with the company.

• Ashok Leyland is set to begin exports of the Boss intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) from June 2014. Since the vehicle’s launch in the domestic market last year, the Boss has sold around 1,000 units till now. Plans are also underway to assembly the Boss in the company’s Dubai facility. Meanwhile, the CV maker has received an order for 1,600 units of the front-engined, fully flat-floor Janbus for different State Transport undertaking (STUs). Deliveries are slated to from next week onwards.

• Tata Motors is looking to triple its exports of commercial vehicles over the next 3 years. At present, the company exports roughly 50,000 units annually and this figure is likely to go up to 1.5 lakh units by 2017. Tata Motors will begin exporting the Prima range of trucks to new markets before the end of this fiscal. 

• Wabco India, which manufactures braking products and advance braking systems and related air-assisted products and systems, has launched its OptiDrive automated manual transmission (AMT) system for buses and trucks in India.

• KSPG AG, which ranks among the world's 100 biggest auto industry Tier 1 suppliers, has announced record Q1/2014 sales of 666 million euros (Rs 5,344 crore), year-on-year up 64 million euros (Rs 513 crore). This marks an 11 percent increase, outgrowing the 5-percent global car production gain. EBIT for the period advanced by 20 million euros (Rs 160 crore) or 74 percent to 47 million euros (Rs 377 crore).

• Optare, Ashok Leyland’s subsidiary in the UK, has launched the MetroDecker, its new double- decker bus in London. Designed and built at a modern assembly facility in Leeds, the MetroDecker leverages Optare’s extensive experience and engineering capabilities and boasts exceptional build-quality, comfort and optimised operational efficiency.

• Shiroki Corporation and Technico Industries Ltd have entered into binding agreements allowing them to exit the current relationship and hive off their seat and window regulator business into a joint venture, Shiroki Technico India. The JV will be held 51 percent (50 percent +1) by Shiroki and 49 percent (50 percent -1) by Technico with an investment outlay of Rs 150 crore over the next two years. The JV has been approved by the Board of both the companies and is expected to be operational in early 2015.

Automotive Updates - 22nd May 2014

• Tata Motors today launched the Ultra ICV trucks, based on the Ultra platform that has been used to develop buses. The Ultra 912 and the Ultra 812 were launched in Chennai for a price of Rs 10.94 lakh and Rs 10.53 lakh respectively (ex-Showroom, Chennai.) 

•  One of the three chief operating officers (COOs) stripped of executive power at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has submitted his resignation from the country’s largest carmaker, three people with knowledge of the development said on Wednesday. Mr . S. Maitra, previously COO (supply chain), who was designated chief mentor early this month, put in his papers, but the company is yet to accept his resignation, one of the people said. A second person confirmed the development.

• Locally Assembled Jaguar XJ Launched, Priced From Rs. 92.1 Lakhs

• The Renault Group has begun production of the Fluence sedan in Malaysia. Yesterday, Gilles Normand, chairman of the Asia-Pacific Region for the Renault Group, and Dato Tan Heng Chew, executive deputy chairman and Group managing director of Tan Chong Motors Holdings Berhad, signed an agreement to build the sedan in Malaysia.

• Honda Cars India said an email to Indian Autos Blog this week that the Honda Mobilio will be launched in India in the next couple of months, putting the date in July.

• Suzuki Philippines will launch the Suzuki Ertiga MPV in late June, a report on Auto Industriya says. The website learns from reliable sources that the vehicle will be imported from India (Maruti Suzuki) which is the exclusive producer of the Swift-based MPV. 

• Rane Engine Valve has announced on the BSE that Kar Mobiles Ltd will be merged with Rane Engine. Rane Engine’s board today has approved a proposal for the amalgamation of Kar Mobiles with Rane Engine Valve.

•  Mahindra & Mahindra Ltdtoday announced the launch of 'UDAY', an exclusive CRM (Customer Relationship Management) program for the Mahindra small commercial vehicles portfolio. A first of its kind initiative in the small commercial vehicle segment, Uday endeavours to partner with customers on their path to progress and prosperity. 

• Tata Zest to be built in Fiat's Ranjangaon factory

•  Maruti Suzuki Indiastrengthened its dominance with five of its models figuring in the top 10 best selling carbrands in the domestic market in April. In the same month last year, the company had four models among the top 10 sellingcars in India. 

• Motherson Sumi Q4 net up 54.5% at Rs 302.53 cr.

• Dana Holding Corporation has announced the launch of production for its Victor Reinz multi-layer steel (MLS) cylinder head gaskets, exhaust gaskets, and transmission valve body separator plates at its facility in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province,China.

•  iMAGE FROM ZIGWHEELS.COM

Automotive Updates - 21st May 2014

• In a quiet assertion of Indian manufacturing capabilities, Korean chaebol Hyundai has asked its Indian subsidiary to prepare itself to manage some of the group's plants. To begin with, some facilities in Europe may come under the supervision of the Indian arm.

• The forging industry is expected to grow at 8 per cent annually and the production is likely to touch 35.1 lakh tonnes by 2020, on the back of strong policy reforms and stable governance likely to provide the boost, according to a industry report.

• TVS Motor Company today launched here an upgraded variant of its 110cc motorcycle, the StaR City+, targeted at the mileage conscious customer claiming a mileage of 86 kms per litre.

• Homegrown auto major Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd today announced stoppage of production for up to three days during the rest of the ongoing month in view of the slump in demand. 

• "As part of aligning its production with sales requirements, (Mahindra & Mahindra) would be observing no production days at the company's automotive plants for up to three days during the remaining period of May, 2014," Mahindra & Mahindra said in a BSE filing. 

• Egypt lifted a the 3-month ban on import of two wheelers and three wheelers, after more than three months.The move will benefit Bajaj Auto, one of the biggest exporters of two-and three wheelers to Egypt.

• ET has learnt that Bajaj Auto has been officially communicated on the decision and the company has received an export order from Egypt for 5500 three wheelers and 3500 motorcycles for the month of June, a person close to the company said.

• Isuzu Motors India, which recently launched its D-Max pickup truck in the domestic market, has begun identifying suppliers in a bid to achieve high levels of localisation. In the first stage so far, the company has brought on board around 30 local suppliers. Isuzu will commence production at its new plant at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh from 2016 with 70 percent localisation. The company has committed an investment of Rs 3,000 crore for the greenfield manufacturing facility.

• Volkswagen India is considering assembling certain engines and locally sourcing some key components from local vendors, and a decision on the localization scope expansion is close to being made, say reports. VW India President and Managing Director, Mahesh Kodumudi says the localization of products currently is 70 percent and the aim is to increase it to 90 percent.

• Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV), announced yesterday that it had commenced exports of FUSO trucks to Zimbabwe. DICV started exports of FUSO trucks in May last year, and Zimbabwe is now the fourth African market to get the India-made trucks, apart from Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Sri Lanka. 

• Three-wheel manufacturer Atul Auto has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IDBI Bank to avail of inventory funding for its dealers at attractive interest rates. As part of this arrangement, IDBI Bank will provide funding to over 150 dealers of Atul Auto across the country. This will enable them to increase their working capital, vehicle stocks and consequently enhance retail sales.

• After spreading Dilip Chhabria's car magic in 10 States , DC Designis bringing the magic to Punjab through its North India franchisee 'Swift Initiative' with the launch of their first exclusive DC Design Showroom on Ferozpur Road , Ludhiana.

•  image from Mahindra XUV website.

Automotive Updates - 20th May 2014

• German auto giant Volkswagen is considering assembling certain engines in India, with key components produced in the country, as it aims to achieve up to 90 per cent localisation within a few years. 

• As per several reports online, the Maruti Celerio CNG has been launched at INR 4.68 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and INR 4.92 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). The CNG version of the B-Segment hatch is powered by the same 1.0-liter three-cylinder K10B engine that delivers 58 bhp (about 10 bhp down from petrol).

• Toyota Kirloskar Motor said that the new Toyota Corolla has garnered 1,300 bookings in India since the showcasing at the Auto Expo with a near 50:50 split for petrol and diesel variants. Toyota opened bookings for the car at the Auto Expo and said the launch would be held in May.

• Hyundai Motors India Limited (HMIL) has announced that it will enhance the production of its recent launch compact sedan Xcent to reduce the extended waiting period and to meet the requirements of customers. The Indian arm of Korean car maker had launched the Grand i10 hatchback and Xcent sedan based on i10’s platform after the launch of Grand i10 hatchback and sold out 16, 275 units of both the products during the month of April this year. 

• Johnson Controls, the global technology major, and Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huayu Automotive Systems Co (HASCO), the component group of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), China’s largest state-owned automaker, have signed a pact to form a global automotive interiors joint venture. The agreement is a noncash transaction comprised of asset contributions by the two parties that will create the largest automotive interiors company in the world with revenues of approximately $7.5 billion (Rs 44,610 crore). Yanfeng will hold the majority 70 percent share in the joint venture, and Johnson Controls will have a 30 percent share.

•  Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is working on an ‘aggressive strategy to become a top global automotive brand’ by 2024. Its North American Technical Centre (MNATC), based in Michigan, will play a key role in this ambitious strategy. Engineers at MNATC are already at work on one of Mahindra’s new wave of products. “The North American Technical Centre is working on a new four-wheeler platform for M&M,” says Dr Pawan Goenka, executive director and president - Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, M&M, who was in Michigan to inaugurate the technical centre on May 13. This platform could be for international markets as M&M does not have any specific plan to enter the passenger vehicle market in US now.

• With the introduction of the Datsun GO, the sales numbers for Nissan have quadrupled in India. Currently, the manufacturer has no plans of selling this tailor-made car for India overseas, but if there is a demand, the carmaker will export it to other countries.

• Indian imports of natural rubber are likely to soar over 70 per cent in the three months that end in June from the same period last year, as a strong local currency and lower global prices prompt tyre makers to snap up cargoes.

• Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV) and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Japan (MFTBC) has now launched DICV-made trucks in Zimbabwe. This is the 4th African market since exports began in May 2013. As part of Asia Business Model, of the first 15 export markets for DICV, Zimbabwe is a potential market in Africa.
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• Images from - zigwheels.com

Automotive Updates - 19th May 2014

• Volkswagen Group is planning an investment of 100 million euros (INR 802.5 crore in today’s exchange rate) for business expansion in India, PTI has reported.VW India President and Managing Director Mahesh Kodumudi  - At present, an investment of approximately 100 million euros is in the decision process for new models and for further localisation of parts and components.

• Renault has announced plans of transforming the funky Kwid concept SUV to a production model by the year 2016. The Renault Kwid concept was unveiled at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo enthralling all with its quirky styling both on the exterior and the interior. The Renault Kwid, in its production form will be a sub 4-meter compact SUV with both a 4-door and a 2-door configuration available to the public.

•  Shiroki and Technico have executed binding agreements allowing them to exit the current relationship and hiving off Seat & Window Regulator Business into a JV "Shiroki Technico India Private Limited" here. Previsouly, Shiroki was holding minority stake in Technico. The JV will be held 50%+1 by Shiroki and 50%-1 by Technico with an investment outlay of Rs 150 crores over the next two years. 

• The mid-size sedan segment has been greatly affected by the launch of the 2014 Honda City. While Hyundai added a couple of new variants to the Verna, Volkswagen added a 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine under the Vento’s hood while the Skoda Rapid got a minor update with new logos, steering wheel, etc. 

• Tata Motors will enter Brunei this year with three compact vehicles.The Indica, Vista and Manza models will be launched in the Sultanate in the coming months through its distributor – Worldwide Motors Sdn Bhd – appointed in September last year.

• Sundaram Motors, the car retailing arm of T V Sundaram Iyengar & Sons, plans to add two new 3S (Sales, Service and Spares) dealerships for Mercedes-Benz India in South India. Talking to Autocar Professional, Sharath Vijayaraghavan, executive director of Sundaram Motors, said the company at present operates two 3S facilities for Mercedes-Benz India in Bangalore and Coimbatore in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu respectively. However, in Mangalore and Madurai it has only service stations. “The service stations in the Tier 2 cities of Mangalore and Madurai will be converted into 3S facilities for Mercedes-Benz soon,” Vijayaraghavan added.

• Sustainability and electric vehicle technology are among the key focus areas for Tata Motors’Horizonext philosophy. The Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC), based at the University of Warwick in Coventry, UK, has been making steady progress in R&D in this area culminating in the development of a Manza REEV (range extended electric vehicle) demonstrator vehicle.

• The BMW S1000R has been launched in India through the CBU route. The street-naked motorcycle that looks like a stripped-down variant of the S1000RR (featured in the Bollywood movie Dhoom) is priced at INR 22.83 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

• Spanish bikemaker Bultaco announced its plans to return to the world of motorcycles. Bultaco was founded in 1958 and was renowned for its two-stroke motocross and enduro offerings before shutting operations in 1983. The Spanish motorcycle manufacturer will enter the market with two electric powered offerings, and showcased the prototypes of the Rapitan & Rapitan Sport. The manufacturing unit will be based in Barcelona while the innovation centre will be situated in Madrid.

Automotive Updates - 18th May 2014

•  German auto giant Volkswagen Group is planning to invest about 100 million euros (over Rs 800 crore) in India to expand business, including launches of sedan and SUV in the compact segment along with a hatchback. "At present, an investment of approximately 100 million euros is in the decision process for new models and for further localisation of parts and components," Volkswagen India President and Managing Director Mahesh Kodumudi told .

•  Harnessing capabilities from its centres across the globe, India's Tata Motors is gearing up for a big leap to reclaim its position among top car makers in the domestic market while also seeking a bigger play internationally.Beyond the conventional fuel vehicles, the company's board has already given approval for a product launch programme till 2020 that will include hybrids, electric and other alternate fuel technologies.

• The Board of Directors of Apollo Tyres Ltd today approved the company’s audited financial results for the 4th quarter (January to March) and the financial year 2013-14. The Board recommended a dividend payout of 75%, to be approved by the shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, later in the year. 

• Skoda India will fit the Skoda Rapid diesel with a 7-speed DSG gearbox and launch it in October 2014. For this, it will opt for a 1.5-liter diesel engine to power the sedan. A report on the Economic Times states that the Rapid will move closer to its cousin in VW – the Vento – and offer a 1.2-liter petrol engine as well. The sedan will not get a facelift, retaining its old looks.

• JK Tyres today said the company would double its capacity at its greenfield plant at Chennai by the end of this year.

• Mahindra Group has indicated that it has a working strategy to export their new GenZe electric scooter from its new plant in the United States to other markets all over the world. The group recently launched a manufacturing facility for Mahindra GenZe electric scooter and Mahindra North American Technical Centre (MNATC) in Michigan.

• BMW India will launch the 3rd-generation BMW X5 on May 29. 

• Nissan, the Japanese car manufacturer has teased an image of its upcoming car Pulsar. The company will unveil this new car on the 20th May, 2014. The automaker used its social platform to tease its new offering. According to the Nissan's official Facebook page, the car will join the line-up of the Nissan Qashqai, Juke and X-Trail.

• National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is planning to add driving and road safety lessons in school curriculum from next academic year. This can be counted as a major and functional step towards improving road safety in India. What better way to perk up safety awareness than making blossoming school children develop road safety as habit.

• Godrej Security Solutions (GSS), one of India’s leading providers of comprehensive security solutions, today unveiled MOTORMATE. With the increase in the number of car thefts in India, a product like acar safe is the perfect option to secure valuables. This revolutionary product is specially designed to protect valuables such as cash, wallets, mobiles phones.

• Images from www.outlookbusiness.com