Automotive updates - 6th June 2014

• TVS Motor Company has launched a refreshed version of its Wego scooter, which has also received the India Design Mark (I Mark) award from the India Design Council. This new model features a digital console with econometer, tubeless tyres, parking brakes and a new exhaust canister. Other than this, the refreshed Wego gets a new set of graphics along with single and dual-tone colour options to choose from.

• In a bid to give a fillip to sales of the Chevrolet Spark, General Motors India has launched a limited edition variant of the hatchback, priced between Rs 3.61 lakh to Rs 4.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

• Hero MotoCorp looks poised to save close to Rs 1,000 crore in the financial year 2015 with its ongoing margin transformation programme yielding desired results, and the ammortised payments to former partner Honda coming to an end in June. 

• Dana, the global supplier of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies, has announced that its Sorocaba, Brazil, facility has received the Toyota Quality Excellence Performance Award and its Bogota, Colombia, facility recognised by General Motors Co as Supplier of the Year in the powertrain and chassis category.

• India's natural rubber imports in May jumped 64 from a year earlier to 34,419 tonnes, the state-run Rubber Board said on Friday, as a drop in global prices prompted local tyre makers to increase overseas purchases.

• The proposed manufacturing plant of TVS Motors in West Bengal hasn't been taken forward as legal issues are yet to be resolved."There are some legal issues which need to be resolved before we can move ahead," TVS Vice-President (Sales) J S Srinivasan said here today.

• VW Group owned Czech auto maker Skoda confirmed in March this year that it is planning to come up with a new SUV for its global product portfolio. Now, according to reports, this SUV will also be launched in the Indian market. This new SUV is likely to be based on the upcoming Volkswagen CrossBlue

• German luxury car maker Mercedes Benz says it has witnessed more enquiries and improved footfalls following a stable government at the Centre. The company, in a calculated move, is doubling plant capacity to 20,000 units per annum. Eberhard Kern, MD, Mercedes Benz India, told ET, "In the first half of May, we saw people in the wait-andwatch mode but post the formation of the government, the number of footfalls and enquiries increased. The optimism in the market place has gone up and we anticipate another good year for the company." 

• Global automotive supplier Denso has acquired 72.1 percent of EASE Simulation Inc, to help accelerate R&D of its vehicle diagnostic and telematics business in North America. Denso completed the transition of ownership of the Pennsylvania-based vehicle diagnostics and telematics company on June 4. The company founder, Stephen Golenski will continue to serve as president.

•  image from thehindu.com