Automotive Updates - 19th july 2014

• The Toyota Etios Xclusive limited edition has been launched at INR 5.98 lakhs and INR 7.10 lakhs for the petrol and diesel variants respectively (ex-showroom Delhi). Recall that Toyota had for the first time introduced the Xclusive edition last year on the Etios.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/07/oyota-etios-xclusive-limited-edition-t135803#ixzz37vjaUlOY 

• BMW R nineT Launched In India, Priced At Rs. 23.5 LakhRead more at http://www.motorbeam.com/bikes/bmw-motorrad/bmw-r-ninet-launched-in-india-priced-at-rs-23-5-lakhs/#oteEr03qcefEjjiR.99

• After BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota, Japanese car maker, Mitsubishi has also recalled its vehicles installed with Takata airbags. This recall has been initiated after finding out that Takata made use of faulty propellant which may cause the bags to rip and spray the occupants of the car with shrapnel.(Motoroid.com)

• The turnover of India's auto component sector shrank for the first time ever in the past fiscal year, with manufactures blaming increasing Chinese imports and a tough local automotive market for the drop.Local parts makers posted a turnover of Rs 2.11 lakh crore for the year ended on March 31, a 2% drop from the previous year's Rs 2.16 lakh crore, show data from the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India .(ETauto)

• Tata has started the pre-launch bookings for the Zest through its website. Interested customers can pre-book the car online by paying INR 21,000 through debit/credit cards or other online means of payment.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/07/tata-zest-bookings-start-138037#ixzz37vj5Dqhh 

• A new report from Australia’s Drive publication states that the Tata Nexon will be underpinned by an all new platform. This is certainly contrary to what was previously reported that the Nexon is based on the Vista’s platform.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/07/tata-nexon-platform-could-be-used-on-future-jlr-models-137980#ixzz37vjv9XXM

• Rejecting criticism over the hike in FDI cap in defence sector to 49 per cent, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley today said the step was necessary for boosting domestic industry of a country which imports up to 70 per cent of its military hardware.Justifying the decision to raise the cap from 26 per cent, he said the country is dependent to a large extent on foreign sources for meeting its defence requirements and they can "stop supplies" during times of war. (ETauto)

• The upcoming Tata Kite hatchback continues to be spied. Multiple sources have come up with spyshots of camouflaged test mules, revealing more details about its exterior and interior.(motoroid.com)

• Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) Ahmednagar, a unit of Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has inaugurated its new ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) testing facility which is jointly funded by the ministries of Defense and Heavy Industries.The new test track which can be accessed by OEMs, auto component and tyre manufacturers, simulates the varied conditions that a vehicle encounters during its lifetime.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/07/abs-test-facility-vrde-drdo-ahmednagar-138032#ixzz37vjMQXWg 

• Last month, Hyundai revealed the 2015 Verna facelift which is known as the Solaris in the Russian market. Now, according to reports, the facelifted model will be launched in the Indian market towards the end of this year. The 2015 Verna facelift gets new headlamps, new grille and a new bumper. The car gets new fog lamps with integrated LED daytime running lamps.(motoroid.com)

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• image from finsys.in and desighnvboom.com