Automotive Updates - 21st July 2014

• German auto major Volkswagen today crossed the milestone of producing 4 lakh cars from its Pune plant just after five years of becoming operational. "Since the start of production at Volkswagen Pune Plant in March 2009, more than four lakh cars have been produced for the domestic as well as over 32 export markets across three continents," the company said in a statement. Read more at economics times

• Jaguar’s ethereal beauty, the locally produced XJ premium sedan has been finally launched in India. This announcement comes in around a month after the media was informed about it.It will be locally assembled at the Pune facility which will aid in reducing the prices to make it more competitive against the German rivals. This is the JRL group’s third car to be locally assembled in India after the Jaguar XF sedan and Land Rover Freelander SUV. This allows for a sharp price drop of good 24 lakhs, making it an interesting option in the flagship luxury sedan range.(Motorbash.com)

• Swiss engineering group ABB and Swedish car and bus maker Volvo said they were setting up a global partnership to co-develop and commercialise electric and hybrid buses with fast charging systems.The partnership will help pave the way for the rapid deployment of urban e-mobility with a first joint project being planned for next year, the groups said in a statement on Monday.(ETAuto.com)

• TVS Automobile Solutions Ltd (TASL), a subsidiary of TVS & Sons and one of the largest players in the automotive aftermarket segment, is entering the Middle East market by foraying into the commercial vehicle fleet maintenance business. It will handle the servicing and maintenance requirements of a large vehicle fleet belonging to a Saudi Arabia-based group. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/mytvs-enter-middle-east-plans-foray-cv-service-business-6037#sthash.G35RnpzB.dpuf

• Buses and trucks manufacturer Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd. is targeting to sell 650 vehicles this year and is looking at sourcing smaller engines from the domestic market, a top company official said."End of this year we will be selling 150 buses and 500 trucks. Next year we will be selling around 500 buses," managing director Anders Grundstromer told reporters here.(ETAuto.com)

• Already spotted on test in India, near Renault Nissan Chennai plant, the new Lodgy MPV will be launched in India by January 2015. Production is set to commence at their Chennai plant later this year. Once launched, Lodgy will compete with Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, Toyota Innova, Nissan Evalia, and Chevrolet Enjoy. Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/renault-lodgy-india-launch-date-12125644.html#CJ4tzVTyfbLrmwo1.99

• While Tata Motors aspires to bolster its Australian operations, it will not be introducing the Nano or Safari in that market. Speaking to Motoring, Tata’s head of international business, R T Wasan, and Fusion Automotive’s (Tata’s Australian distributor) Managing Director, Darren Bowler, ruled out these cars for the Australian market.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/07/tata-nano-tata-safari-ruled-out-australia-138251#ixzz387Mc7NAM 

• The Kolhapur Municipal Transport (KMT) has received lowest bid from Ashok Leyland Ltd for supplying buses.The KMT will now invite the officials of the company for further negotiations before moving the proposal to the transport committee of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation for finalization.The KMT had issued a tender for purchasing 106 buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), funded by the central government.(ETAuto.com)

• Earlier report of Skoda India planning to launch the new Octavia vRS, a more powerful variant of the existing Octavia, has been rubbished by the company. The Indian subsidiary of Czech car maker has no such plans.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/skoda-octavia-vrs-india-plans-12125276.html#UyWsuPI87M5LdYTd.99

• Furthering their corporate social responsibilities, two wheeler majors, Bajaj Auto Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with College of Engineering, Pune. Bajaj Auto will be donating an amount of INR 4.5 crores towards modernization and renovation of mechanical engineering department building.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/bajaj-auto-donates-coep-12125670.html#MCEAVxiSkvKJdqeO.99

• German carmaker Daimler does not plan to increase its stake in Russian truckmaker Kamaz, it said on Thursday, renouncing a long-considered deal amid rising tension between Moscow and the West over Ukraine.(ETAuto.com)

• After the controversy over the vehicle import tax structure was cleared and a new taxation was put into play, Bhutan has lifted the ban on import of automobiles that was imposed last year, with immediate effect.According to Bhutanese auto dealers, buyers have already started queuing up at their showrooms to order new vehicles. The customers are particularly keen on made-in-India vehicles.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/07/bhutan-vehicle-import-ban-lifted-138211#ixzz387SLtOta 

• The Delhi government is mulling offering a subsidy to car owners choosing to go electric. The move comes after the Centre offered a subsidy in this year's budget under the National Mission on Electric Mobility. These, however, are not aimed at e-rickshaws."As part of the pilot project, the government will offer a substantial subsidy to those who want to switch to electric mode using a specialized conversion kit," said Kuldeep Gangar, special commissioner, transport department. The modalities of the amount of subsidy are still being worked out. These retrofitted hybrid-electric kits can be used on any vehicle not more than two or three years old.(ETAuto.com)

image - inautonews.com and motorstown.com