Automotive Updates - 07th May 2014

• Hero Motocorp has launched the 2014 Hero Glamour and 2014 Hero Glamour FI this week. The refreshed models were part of the showcase held in October last year.

•  Indo-Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota Kirloskar Motor Wednesday launched Etios Cross -- its first cross-over between a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a hatchback -- priced between Rs.5.76 lakh and Rs.7.40 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

• Nissan India has sold over 5,000 units of the Datsun Go since the car’s launch in March this year. While the company sells the low-cost car from existing Nissan dealerships, the first exclusive Datsun dealerships will commence operations in the next six months.

• Italian-American auto major Fiat Chrysler plans to launch 12 models in India in the next five years and will start producing models from the Jeep brand in the country by 2015.

• Power management company Eaton today announced appointment of Krishnakumar Srinivasan as president, Vehicle Group, Asia-Pacific. He will be reporting to Ken Davis, president, Vehicle Group. 

•  Japanese two-wheeler maker Suzuki Motorcycle aims to sell five lakh units in 2014-15, a top company official said today.

•  Increasing operational synergy between Mahindra and Mahindra and its arm SsangYong, the group will jointly develop six new engines for use in future products of both companies. 

•  Italian auto giant Fiat Chrysler announced Tuesday that it will invest around $7 billion through 2018 to relaunch the high-end and sporty Alfa Romeo line with eight new models expected.

• The proposal for a national rubber policy submitted by Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) is likely to come up for discussion at the meeting of various stakeholders of rubber industry slated to be held by Rubber Board on May 9 in Kottayam.

• The Indian arm of Dana Holding Corporation, the Ohio, USA-based supplier of automotive drivelines, sealing and thermal management components, is currently collaborating with some leading international as well as local Indian OEMs to optimise the weight of their vehicles. 

• The company plans to localise some axles from its line of innovative Spicer AdvanTEK axles, which are popularly known for providing best-in-class noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance and greater power density in a lightweight and compact package.

• As entry-level car buyers seek more in terms of features and power, and Maruti Suzuki’s Alto 800 witnessing a lacklustre demand even after a complete re-design in 2012, the car maker is now gearing up to launch a completely new Alto K10 compact hatchback this fiscal to boost volumes.

• Picture from Indianautoblog.com