Automotive Updates - 14th October 2014

• In an effort to inject new life into its Etios sedan and Etios Liva hatchback sales, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the face-lifted Etios and Etios Liva.  Prominent changes on the face-lifted versions of the two cars include a brand-new design for the grille and front airbags as standard on all the trims. Other additions, as per trim levels, include a seatbelt warning indicator, electrically-adjustable wing mirrors, reversing sensors, new fabric seats, and faux-wood finish for armrests. (Autocarpro.in)

• Credit-rating agency ICRA has declared that the current fiscal would see the Indian two-wheeler industry growing by a healthy 9 percent. ICRA says that the industry would hit 23 million units in 2016-17, growing at a CAGR of 9 percent. Last November, ICRA had predicted that by 2016-17, the industry would reach a figure of 21-22 million units. So far in this fiscal year, the industry has remained robust, registering a growth of 14.8 percent. This growth rate, incidentally, is the fastest since the 2010-11 fiscal, after which the industry has faced slower growth.(indianautoblogs.com)

•  Tata Motors has received an order for 623 Tata Marcopolo buses from various State Transport Authorities. The order includes 120 units fromCalcutta State Transport Corporation, 120 units fromMeghalaya Urban Development Authority, 73 units fromTripura Urban Transport Company Limited, 270 units fromAssam State Transport Corporation and 40 units from Chattisgarh (Naya Raipur Development Authority), the company said in a statement today. (ETauto.com)

• The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is in talks with the Union Commerce Ministry to formulate a strategy to increase exports to Sri Lanka, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.    SIAM’s director-general Vishnu Mathur told Autocar Professional that 22 countries have been identified as potential markets. SIAM wants government support to help negotiate tariff barriers and import duties. India’s exports to Sri Lanka which includes cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles have been affected by high duties have brought exports to a standstill. Exports to Algeria, an important African market, have been affected by new regulations that prevent sale of India-made vehicles. (Autocarpro.in)

• Maruti Suzuki, India's largest carmaker in terms of sales, is planning to launch a slew of products in the country to try and increase its market share to over 50% from the 46% which it currently holds.The company is working on a strategy which will see 12 products being introduced across various segments including many new ones such as sporty hatchbacks, utility vehicles, commercial vehicles and large vans.(teambhp.com)

• Two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp has announced the appointment of internationally-acclaimed automotive technology expert Dr Markus Braunsperger as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Before joining Hero MotoCorp, Dr Braunsperger has worked with German automotive manufacturer, BMW, where he spent 25 years in various roles covering the entire gamut of R&D, production and corporate strategy. (motoroids.com)

• It is reported that Fiat India, the Indian alliance of Italian car maker Fiat Motors is going to launch its highly awaited Contemporary Urban Vehicle (CUV) Avventura in Indian car market on October 20, 2014, just before the arrival of Diwali festival. The CUV was showcased during the Indian Auto Expo 2014 held earlier this year and there it succeeded in receiving appraisal from segments of car industry.(carkhabri.com)

• Fiat has confirmed to RushLane that the much awaited Abarth 500 will be launched next month in India, to quench the thirst of fans and also compete with Volkswagen Beetle, BMW MINI Cooper, 1 Series and Mercedes Benz A Class.(rushlane.com)

• Owners of certain Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan and estate models will need to make a trip to the dealership soon as the German carmaker has announced a worldwide recall pertaining to the vehicle’s steering mechanism.While around 10,500 examples have been recalled in the US, over 8,145 vehicles are said to be affected in the UK. The crux of the recall is an issue with the steering mechanism, especially the steering column coupling lock which may not have been installed correctly during the production. This defect would result in an apparent noise coming from the steering system; however, in extreme circumstances the vehicle’s steering control could be affected.  (carwale.com)

• Bajaj Auto Ltd’s second-quarter profit fell the most in 17 quarters after the two-wheeler maker took a one-time expense related to its Pantnagar factory in Uttarakhand. Net profit fell 29% to Rs591 crore in the three months ended 30 Septemer from Rs837 crore a year earlier, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. Excluding the one-time expense, the company would have reported a profit of Rs853 crore.(livemint.com)