Automotive Updates - 18th June 2014

• Genset manufacturer Cooper Corporation is planning to enter the light commercial vehicle (LCV) market once the automobile industry recovers from the current recessionary trend. Cooper Corp, which is also in the business of manufacturing engines for automobile firms, is ready with the prototype of the small commercial vehicle, Rajesh Walke, GM (engine business), said. 

• The world’s largest two wheeler maker in terms of volumes, Hero Motocorp, is augmenting its domestic production capacity with addition of new production facilities. According to a PTI report, Hero Motocorp is planning to set up a production unit in South India to cater to the region’s demand.

• The West Bengal government has asked the Hindustan Motors management to submit a detailed revival package for its closed Uttarpara plant in the next two days."The management has been told to submit a revival package by June 19 and also how the company plans to clear the dues of workers," Labour Secretary Amol Roy Chowdhury told reporters after a tripartite meeting called by him. 

•  Thailand's Board of Investment said on Wednesday it has approved 18 investment application projects worth about 120 billion baht ($3.7 billion), mainly in the auto industry.The approved projects included one by Toyota Motor Corp. to spend 51.5 billion baht for production of pickup trucks and parts, the board said.The projects approved on Wednesday are among applications worth more than 700 billion baht awaiting approval.

• Honda dealers will officially commence bookings for the Honda Mobilio in early July, just ahead of a market launch that will take place in late July.A Honda Cars India spokesperson confirmed to Indian Autos Blog that official pre-bookings will commence in the early part of July, however, a few dealers maybe accepting bookings unofficially before.

• Global component supplier TRW Automotive has, earlier this month, opened its largest-ever technical centre – a 66,000 square metre facility – located in Anting, China. The facility, which has been designed and built to house more than 20 scientific testing labs supporting all of TRW's main business areas including braking, steering and suspension, occupant safety and safety electronics, will employ more than 1,200 members of engineering, research and technical staff.

• Steel has the capability to remain the preferred material for the automotive industry, ArcelorMittal chairman and CEO Lakshmi Mittal has said, reopening the debate on use of aluminium vs. steel in automobiles.

• Indian Autos Blog learns that the launch of the Zest in scheduled in August and the Bolt hatchback would enter the market about a month later. Both cars are based on the ‘X1′ platform but are packaged in a more compelling way. They benefit from extensive improvements to the exterior, interior and hardware.

• Lanxess, the specialty chemicals company, is betting big on the two-wheeler industry in India to drives sales of its high-performance elastomers. The company says its high-performance elastomers like Therban, Perbunan, Krynac and Baymod N can help replace conventional elastomers in two-wheelers. 

image from livemint.com