Automotive Updates - 27th August 2014

• The Karnataka government has decided to procure a majority of auto parts for the maintenance of its four road transport corporations from Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector within the state. According to Karnataka transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, the four government road transport undertakings in Karnataka will together purchase over 25 percent of their total auto spare parts of Rs 570 crore from SMEs in Karnataka annually. (autocarpro.in)

• TVS Motor Company has launched the Scooty Zest 110 at a starting price of Rs 42,300 (ex-showroom, Delhi) in the National Capital Region.The Scooty Zest is powered by 109.7-cc engine which takes it from 0-60 kmph in 11.1 seconds and gives a company-claimed mileage of 62 kmpl. The new scooterette also gets 19 liters of under-seat storage capacity for convenience.(financialexpress.com)

• Hero MotoCorp is trying hard to protect its spot as world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer as the company plans to sell nearly 12 million two-wheelers by the year 2020. The company is already working on new products, based on new platforms as it shook the motorcycle world by unveiling new products in the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi which included the HX250R, Hastur 620 and the first diesel concept bike, the RNT.(motoroids.com)

• Polaris India Pvt. Ltd today unveiled the Indian Scout and also opens booking of the new motorcycle. The Indian motorcycle Scout is priced at Rs 11.99 L (ex-showroom New Delhi).(ETauto.com)

• TVS motors wants a larger pie of the two-wheeler market in India. Close on the heels of launching the new Scooty Zest, the bike manufacturer is eyeing an 18% market share over the span of the next two years. The growth they expect will be fueled by the recent launches as well as the ones lined up, which includes a refreshed ‘Apache’ in the next 6-9 months. (motoroids.com)

• Maruti Suzuki India, India’s leading auto maker will bring the S-Cross SX4 crossover in domestic market early next year. Showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo held in the month of February this year will be launched in India in the month of January next year. The model is already available for sale in European market. Being the first compact crossover from Maruti Suzuki India, galore expectations have been built around the vehicle.(cartrade.com)

• Zigwheels reports that, according to its sources, the Hero HX250 flagship motorcycle which was unveiled at the Auto Expo earlier this year will be launched by November this year. (indianautoblogs.com)

• America based United Motors first showcased its Renegade Commando at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi. Now, the Miami based motorcycle company is all set to launch this cruiser motorcycle in the Indian market at an attractive price tag of 1.25 lakh. (motoroids.com)

• Volvo is reportedly working on new three-cylinder engines which will go into production later this year. The three-pod motor will be more fuel efficient and are likely to power all smaller Volvo cars.So expect them to be bolted under the bonnet of sedans up to the S60, sportswagon tills the V60 and even in smaller XC range of SUVs. (ETauto.com)

• Auto Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex auto component industry body, has signed an MoU with Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM). The MOU was signed on August 22 in Lahore as part of ICRIER’s (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations) initiative on India-Pakistan trade normalisation. The delegation from ACMA was led by Harish Lakshman, president, ACMA and MD, Rane TRW Steering Systems Ltd, while Usman Aslam Malik, chairman, PAAPAM and chairman, Kortech Auto Industries (Pvt) Ltd, led the PAAPAM side. (autocarpro.in)

• Two-wheeler manufacturing company Bajaj Auto is aiming to regain lost ground with its two new 150-cc bikes in the second half of the current fiscal year (2014-15).Eric Vas, Bajaj Auto president (motorcycle), said, "From September onwards, we hope to come to a zero deficit situation compared to last year's monthly numbers."(ETauto.com)