Automotive Updates - 15th June 2014

• Tata Motors has suspended production of all its Nano variants including the standard CX and LX for now, and is only rolling out the Twist, the power steering variant. The aim is to create a bigger market for the Twist and also to partly lower inventories of the non-power steering variants.

• General Motors India is focussing on improving efficiency in its operations and exports to reduce losses and overcome stress on its financial viability and future sustainability due to the tough market conditions.

• "The business environment is very challenging. No doubt about it. Many other OEMS are also under stress in the current market situation where volumes are under stress," General Motors India President & Managing Director Arvind Saxena told PTI.

• After recently announcing that auto makers could use their patents, Tesla Motors has set an example for other auto makers to share the technologies with other companies. Now, according to reports, BMW and Tesla executives recently held a meeting earlier this week to discuss the possibility of sharing the latter company’s Supercharger network. This move could lead to the creation of charging stations usable for different types of electric cars.

• Suzuki has gone way too aggressive with their plans in India. After launching many products through all segments in the market, they said to themselves that the Inazuma should not suffer. Suzuki has deducted Rs. 1 lakh from the sticker price and the rest, Rs. 25-30,000/-, depending on city.

• World’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer by volumes, Hero MotoCorp will be making its entry in the Latin American country Brazil by 2016. The move comes as part of the company’s plans to enter 50 new markets by 2020. Brazil is one of the fastest growing markets in South America and the automaker wants to capitalize on.

• Continental has over the years worked its way to being a leading sponsor in professional football. Continental’s tyre division is official sponsor of the German DFB Cup, Major League Soccer, 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and UEFA EURO 2016 in France.

image fron livemint.com