Automotive Updates - 24th September 2014

• Renault India on Wednesday launched the Duster All Wheel Drive (AWD) compact SUV between Rs 11.89 lakh to Rs 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The AWD will enable the SUV to intuitively access the road and constantly engage all wheels. It will come in shift-by-fly options of 2WD, Auto and 4WD. The car is mated to a six speed transmission. (economicstimes.com)

• General Motors India has refreshed the Chevrolet Sail hatchback and sedan. The updated models have been launched at a starting price of Rs 4.41 lakh and the Sail sedan is priced starting at Rs 5.19 lakh (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi). The new Sail models get slight cosmetic tweaks inside and out. The exterior gets subtle changes and some extra usage of chrome. The headlamp and tail-lamp assemblies are also slightly redesigned. (Autocarpro.in)

• German auto major Volkswagen today launched a facelift model of its mid-sized sedan Vento in diesel version, priced in the range of Rs 7.44-10.49 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).The new offering comes with additional features such as advanced 7-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic and dual-front airbags, among others.(financialexpress.com)

• Vespa showcased its newest offering for India last week. The new inspired Vespa Elegante upholds the brands values of style and premium, and is offered as a premium limited edition Vespa for a price of Rs. 78,999 (es Delhi). Presented as a differentiated premium product, Vespa Elegante take premium scooter style to a new level. Available in 2 new attractive metallic colours, Marrone crete Senesi, and Bianco Perla aren’t only limited to bikes, but even the matched helmets.(rushlane.com)

• Mahindra Tractors, a part of Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES) rolled out its new Yuvraj 215 NXT tractor in Delhi today. Mahindra’s Yuvraj 215 NXT is a 15 HP tractor with compact dimensions and is easy to operate with low operating costs, which makes it ideal for small landholdings and inter-culture operations.(motorids.com)

• French auto major Renault is eyeing 5 per cent market share in India within 24-36 months as it gears up to enter volume segments with the launch of a multi-purpose vehicle and a sub Rs 4 lakh car next year."We plan to launch two new models in the volume segment next year -- an MPV and a sub 4 lakh car. With these new products and the existing portfolio we are confident of crossing 5 per cent market share," Renault India Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney told reporters here.(ETauto.com)

• German Commercial vehicle major Daimler AG is eyeing double-digit market share in the Indian truck segment in the next five years as it expects the sector to recover after a prolonged slump, with a stable government at the Center.The company, which unveiled two made-in-India trucks at the international commercial vehicles show here, had 4.8 per cent market share in the first half of 2014 in trucks segment. (economicstimes.com)

• Manfred Kantner (48), currently managing director of SEAT Deutschland GmbH, has been appointed head of Sales India/Far East at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand effective October 1. He succeeds Dr. Wolf-Stefan Specht (45), who already took over as head of Sales Europe at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand on September 1. In their new functions, both managers report to Christian Klingler, Board Member for Sales and Marketing for the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. Bernhard Bauer (49) will succeed Manfred Kantner as Managing Director of SEAT Deutschland GmbH effective October 1. (Autocarpro.in)

• China is known to be a strong automobile market for global automakers, whereas India though a potentially strong market fails to attract numbers like its neighbors. Ratan Tata, Chairman for Tata Motors is of the belief that India deserves to be a bigger car market and needs the automobile manufacturers to find out reasons why lesser cars are sold here. The point was put across at Frost & Sullivan Growth Innovation Leadership (GIL) 2014 Summit.(cartrade.com)

• BMW today announced that Franciscus van Meel will take over the reins at BMW M, when current boss Dr. Friedrich Nitschke retires by this year's end. Nitschke, 59, has worked for BMW for the past 36 years and has been leading BMW M division since 2011. He also lead MINI before this, and was influential in the development of the latest generation M3 and M4 models.Meel was last active as Managing Directory of Audi's quattro division. Since 1996 he has held various management positions in chassis development and the technical steering of vehicle projects at Audi AG, before heading quattro in 2012.(cardekho.com)

•  Ford India today announced the appointment of Vinay Piparsania as Director Marketing, Sales and Service operations at Ford Global Business Services (GBS).  While, Anurag Mehrotra will take over from Vinay as Ford India's executive director for Marketing, Sales and Service. In this role, Anurag will lead the responsibility for all aspects of MS&S operations of Ford India including revenue, sales volume, market share, marketing strategy & launches as well as dealer development, after sales service and overall customer satisfaction. (ETauto.com)