Automotive Updates - 25th September 2014

• Gearing up to meet an increasing competition in the SUV segment, Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday launched the new Scorpio priced between Rs 7.98 lakh-Rs 11.46 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). The new Scorpio will take on the likes of Renault Duster and Tata Safari Storme. (economicstimes.com)

image from zigwheeles.com

• Skoda has launched the 2014 Rapid at Rs 7.22 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The Rapid doesn't get a facelift although it does get a mechanical update that has the potential to be a gamechanger in this segment.The changes are in line with the Volkswagen Vento that was launched a day before. Skoda will take on the new Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Ciaz in this refreshed battle. (ETauto.com)

• Stating India has the potential to become the biggest car manufacturer of the world, country's top car maker Maruti Suzuki today hoped factors adversely affecting competitiveness of manufacturing will be removed quickly, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to make India a manufacturing hub."Costs of production in India increase because of various government policies, procedures, regulations and the way some of the laws are implemented," said Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. at the 'Make in India' campaign. (economicstimes.com)

• Exports are an important part of Volkswagen India’s strategy to make its India operations more cost-effective going forward, and the company is keen to use more capacity at its Chakan manufacturing plant. The facility has a  130,000 unit capacity and currently runs two shifts. Michael Mayer, director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, made these comments at a round-table meet on the sidelines of the launch of the Vento 1.5 TDI turbo-diesel automatic. (autocarpro.in)

•  Mahindra & Mahindra today launched Yuvraj 215 NXT, a 15-HP tractor, in the Capital."...the Yuvraj 215 NXT is part of our vision to deliver FarmTech prosperity to farmers in Delhi through its multiple application features," Mahindra & Mahindra, Vice President, Marketing, Tractor and Farm Mechanisation Business, Ravindra Shahane said in a statement.(ETauto.com)

• Scania’s club-class luxury bus was spotted doing rounds in Bangalore and is one of the most luxurious buses available with amenities on par with airplanes. With presence only in the western part of the country, the company could launch its services in the Southern region soon.(motorbeam.com)

• Just as India has become a global hub for the manufacture of cheaper copycat medicines, the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) ruling in August requiring car makers to supply parts more widely could encourage the production and sale of non-certified generic components in the domestic auto market, which is also the world's sixth largest."We have the ability to make good quality products, we have our techniques and this is our chance to prove it," said trader Umesh Seth, sitting in a poky store where hundreds of sheet metal parts wrapped in transparent plastic are piled on racks. "It is about time we get an equal opportunity."(businesstoday.in)

image from cnbc.com

• Mahindra and Mahindra Limited is trying their best to revive their two-wheeler business at the earliest. For this purpose, they have come up with a smart strategy that will boost their chances of marketing the two wheelers. It has planned that it will sell its scooters and motorcycles through its passenger vehicle outlets in the main metropolitan cities. It is expected that business for this brand will increase faster, banking on this strategy. Rajesh Jejurikar, who is the chief executive of the tractor and two-wheeler wing of Mahindra and Mahindra, said, “The added effect of the synergy, which we were not leveraging earlier, needs to kick in.” (cartrade.com)

•  Panasonic Corp is in talks about taking a stake in Spanish auto parts maker Ficosa International SA, sources with knowledge of the matter said, part of its big push into the automotive field as it seeks more stable profits.Ficosa's products include advanced driver assistance systems with safety features such as blind spot detection, assisted parking and lane departure warnings. Panasonic is looking at the joint development of such systems, the sources said.(Etauto.com)