Automotive Updates - 27th October 2014

• Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted global manufacturers to 'Make in India', Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has put in motion plans to manufacture a premium sports utility vehicle under the Jeep brand as part of a Rs 1,500-2,500 crore investment in the country and export it to key markets including the UK, Australia and South Africa in the next two years.The development work for the first premium SUV to be made in India has begun under the project code-named M6 or 556 and production of the C-segment vehicle will begin by the end of 2016, four people close to the development told ET, adding that the strategy to use India as an exports hub will help the company reduce its losses in the country. Experts say that Fiat Chrysler's move will further enhance the brand image of India. (ETauto.com)

• Mercedes-Benz India today launched the performance-oriented version of the GLA Class, the GLA 45 AMG, at INR 69.6 lakhs, ex-Showroom, Mumbai.zike the CLA 45 AMG that was launched in July this year, the GLA 45 AMG is powered by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 360 hp at 6,000 rpm and 450 Nm of torque between 2,250 – 5,000 rpm. This motor is the world’s most powerful series production four-cylinder engine. (indianautoblogs.com)

• Tata Motors Ltd, the passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturer of the $103 billion Tata Group, has raised a total of $750 million by selling bonds to investors in Asia and Europe in a transaction which closed on Friday. “This is a benchmark issuance which is likely to be listed in Singapore,” said a person familiar with the issue, adding that Citibank NA, Credit Suisse Group AG, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ) and Standard Chartered Plc were the bankers to the issue.(financialexpress.com)

• Mahindra has launched the Thar Adventure Edition. Only 30 units will be produced and the company has not revealed the prices of the vehicle yet.(motorbeam.com)

image from indiancarbikes.in

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) today announced that it would carry out preventive replacement ofDriver Side Air Bag Inflator of 1040 units ofHonda Brio, 1235 units of Honda Amaze and 63 units of Honda CR-V manufactured between September 2011 and July 2014 as part of Honda's global recall regarding a possible incorrect assembly of the Baffle Plate in the Inflator. (ETauto.com)

• Economic Times reports that Mahindra & Mahindra has started working on a quadricycle to rival the Bajaj RE60 which is on the verge of going on sale in India. Codenamed ‘C101′ it is expected to be ready by 2017. The compact passenger commercial vehicle, codenamed C101, is reported to be based on an all-new platform and according to the publication’s sources, one European model has already been imported for benchmarking and conceptualization purposes.(indianautoblogs.com)

• Maruti Swift Dzire facelift launch will follow hatchback’s by december 2014. Upgrades will include all those listed in Swift facelift, engine and transmission options will remain same. Maruti Dzire facelift with cosmetic and functional changes to be seen in upcoming Swift facelift is also expected to be pricier by around Rs. 25,000 (for top end variant).(rushlane.com)

• Tata Motors has been working on a new hatchback that is expected to be launched in 2015. Test mules of the car, codenamed Kite, have been seen on numerous occasions near the company's Pune factory. Positioned between the Nano and the upcoming Bolt, the Kite will be based on the Indica's platform and will take on the Maruti Suzuki Celerio and similar hatchbacks.The Kite is likely to feature Tata Motors' new design language with the signature honeycomb grille and a roofline that slopes down backwards.(teambhp.com)

• PTI reports that Nissan India will announce a recall for the Micra and Sunny in India, to solve an issue relating to their airbags. The recall is part of a global program which has affected over 8 million cars from various brands (Nissan, Honda, BMW, Ford, Toyota and GM to name a few) that are equipped with airbags made by Japanese supplier, Takata. In India, Nissan will recall about 9,000 units of the Micra and Sunny manufactured between 2010 and 2012. (indianautoblogs.com)

• With enormous success that Apache models have been witnessing, TVS is all set for the launch of the latest model of this two-wheeled motorbike! After the large number of sales of Apache RTR 160, the next model wasn’t able to attract the expected amount of customers, hence recording a decline in the sales. But without losing hope, TVS is ready to give a stiff competition to Bajaj Pulsar 200.(cartrade.com)