Automotive Updates - 4th September 2014

• Maruti Suzuk  has postponed its car-manufacturing project in Gujarat by a year, citing sluggish market conditions. Its facilities in the western state are now expected to be commissioned in 2017.Addressing the auto maker's 33rd annual general meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Chairman RC Bhargava said the project will be financed by the parent, Suzuki Motor Corp (SMC), but will function as a unit of Maruti. (economicstimes.com)

• The apex body representing auto component manufacturers Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) has said that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) intervention over trade practice of select OEM will help in evolution of Aftermarket in India. CCI has issued an order on August 25, 2014 regarding trade practices of select OEMs covering aspects including procurement and sale of spare parts from component manufacturers and after sales service. (ETauto.com)

• Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India will now pay royalty to parent Suzuki Motor Corp in Indian rupees instead of Japanese yen.  Addressing shareholders at its annual general meeting, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Chairman R C Bhargava said the move would insulate the company from foreign exchange fluctuations. "Royalty to Suzuki will now be paid in Indian rupee price and not yen, so that we won't be affected by foreign exchange fluctuations," Bhargava said.(carkhabri.com)

• Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL) launched a refreshed version of its Hayate commuter motorcycle yesterday. The updated bike is available in SMIPL’s showrooms across the country, and is priced at INR 44,969 ex-Showroom, New Delhi.(indianautoblogs.com)

• Steel Strips Wheels Ltd (SSWL), the Punjab-based automotive steel wheel manufacturer, has bagged an export order to supply 110,000 wheels to the Russian passenger car aftermarket. The company claims the worth of the order is around Rs 6.04 crore. In its filing with Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), SSWL says it will execute the order starting from November this year.(autocarpro.in)

• Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover today launched a special edition of sports utility vehicle Land Rover Freelander 2 priced at Rs 44.41 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).This new edition is powered by a 2.2 litre diesel engine and will be available only in limited numbers, the company said in a statement. (ETauto.com)

• Yamaha Motor India Sales today launched its two new models to comprise its very successful FZ Series in the city.The company is selling around 18,000 units per month of the FZ series making it the second largest selling brand in the deluxe segment. With the launch of these two variants, it expects to increase the sales around 24,000 units per month, a company release said.(financialexpress.com)

• According to an Autocar India report, Fiat is developing an all-new SUV based on the company’s 326 platform (used on the Palio). The compact sub-4 meter SUV is codenamed X3U, and is likely to be showcased at the 2016 edition of the Auto Expo, as engineers are already putting final design touches on the car. (indianautoblogs.com)

• Mercedes-Benz’s luxury SUV’s will now be available in India in an all new stance, and size with the compact GLA-Class ready for launch on 30th September, 2014. The luxury compact segment in India sees BMW X1 and Audi Q3 as key players, and the new MFA platform based crossover from Mercedes-Benz is much awaited.(rushlane.com)

• Wabco Holdings Inc, a global supplier of technologies for the CV sector has inaugurated its fifth manufacturing facility at Lucknow. The new plant which expands the US company’s footprint in India that currently includes four plants - two in Chennai and one each in Jamshedpur and Pantnagar.  The new plant is spread over 11 acres  (40,500 sq. meters) and will provide jobs to about 150 people. This number may increase to 300 once the factory reaches full production capacity by end of 2015. (autocarpro.in)

• General Motors CEO Mary Barra, who's had to fend off accusations in the US that the company covered up safety issues in the years before she took over, may be faced with complaints from employees over poor working conditions at the auto maker's Gujarat plant in case an expected visit to India goes ahead later this month. (economicstimes.com)

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