Automotive Updates - 18th August 2014

• German carmaker, Volkswagen has launched the Vento Konekt, a limited edition version of the Vento sedan. The Konekt package is available on the Comfortline and Highline variants of the car.The Vento Konekt is equipped with a Blaupunkt infotainment system with a 7-inch TFT touchscreen colour display, GPS navigation and hands-free and Bluetooth-enabled telephony. The system is integrated into the centre console and features the latest Igo-Navtech maps for navigation, USB connectivity and iPhone/iPod compatibility.(teambhp.com)

• Dealerships of Volvo Auto India say that the company has launched the R-Design body kits for the S60 sedan and XC60 SUV.(indianautoblogs.com)

• The Indian automobile sector, which faced major slowdown in demand in the last two years, witnessed about 85 per cent decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) to only USD 73 million during April-May this fiscal. During April-May 2013, the automobile sector received USD 478 million FDI, as per the data of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). (economicstimes.com)

• Tata Motors is looking to launch 20-25 new platforms in the coming years, Ravi Pisharody, the company's Head-CV & ED told ET Now. "About 20-25 will be completely new platforms. However, including BS4 variants, CNG variants there will be 100 plus products." Pisharody said.(ETauto.com)

• Force Motors plans to assemble Mercedes GLA and CLA engines. Investment to the tune of INR 1,000 crores are being planned by commercial vehicle maker Force Motors over the next four years. This investment will be channelized to various developments in the country which will also include a new assembly and testing plant in Tamil Nadu.(rushlane.com)

• German Luxury carmaker, Mercedes-Benz India announced a 2.5% price hike across its product range sold in India from September 1, on swelling input costs and the prevailing high exchange rate. (ETauto.com)

• Domestic car maker Mahindra and Mahindra has said that production at its all production units across the country will remain close for four days during the ongoing month. The halt at production units according to company sources has been due to low demand of Mahindra utility vehicles being sold in Indian car market.  Commenting on this halt, one of company’s senior officials said that the decision of halting the production for four days has been taken to maintain the proper balance between production and sales.(carkhabri.com)

• Tata Motors wishes to produce a new car from their plant in Sanand, Gujarat and are in talks with the Gujarat Government for the same. The current contract which the company has with Government of Gujarat is only extended to production of Nano with incentives granted to the company on the form of soft loans which are based on Value Added Tax paid on the sale of Nano.(rushlane.com)

• After being together for more than five decades with cross holdings in their flagship companies, the Bajaj group seems to be parting ways with the Firodias as the Bajaj investment arm sold most of the shares it held in Force Motors, majority owned by the Firodia family.Between June 9 and August 5, Bajaj HoldingsBSE 2.53 % and Investment sold in the open market roughly three-fourths of the shares it owned in the maker of light commercial vehicles. (economicstimes.com)

• Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, is convinced that Bajaj will not enter segments that “others have created” referring to the 100/110 cc segment, and will instead engineer its own segments.At the launch of the new Bajaj Discover 150F and 150S twins last week, apart from stating that the segments created by others are not rewarding for business, Mr. Bajaj also said that the company will henceforth focus on the Pulsars, “bigger” Discover models and three-wheelers. Earlier, it was confirmed that Bajaj will stay away from the scooter segment as of now. .(indianautoblogs.com)

•  With an aim to provide job-oriented training programmes to the state's unemployed youth, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje inaugurated the country's first skill development centre here.Speaking after inaugurating the centre, which has been set up under the 'Livelihood Skill Project', Raje urged the people of the state to fight casteism, regionalism and communalism which were obstructing the path of development.(ETauto.com)

• 
  

•  image from Jagran.com and livemint.com