Automotive Updates - 4th and 5th October 2014

• The 197-billion Volkswagen Group, the automobile manufacturer with 12 brands, including Audi, Lamborghini and Porsche, will open an IT development centre in Pune next month as it takes steps to secure critical technical knowledge, quicken in-house processes and cut down dependence on outsourcing. ET learns that the regional competency centre is expected to house over 1,000 engineersover the next three to four years. Milan Kumar will head the centre in India, which will provide IT support to all its companies across the world by leveraging the talent available in the country.(ETauto.com)

• In a recent statement, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said that the Italian motorcycle marquee will make an official comeback to India in the first half of 2015 with the all new Scrambler motorcycle as part of its range of offerings for the country. To be produced at the company’s manufacturing facility in Thailand, the Ducati Scrambler is expected to be available at a price of Rs. 9 lakhs and will be positioned above the Monster 795 in the company’s lineup.(motorbeam.com)

• Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (M&M), India’s largest utility vehicle and tractor maker, plans to reduce its supplier base by 10% each year over the next five years, bringing down the total number of suppliers from the current 650 to 450, Hemant Sikka, the company’s chief purchasing officer (automotive and farm equipment sectors), said in an interview last week. Meanwhile, following the integration of the two-wheeler and truck business into the parent company in the last one-and-half years, M&M has centralized purchasing of parts across two-wheelers, commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles and tractors.(livemint.com)

• Japanese auto major Nissan will drive in its second model from the Datsun portfolio, a multi- purpose vehicle Go+, in the first part of next year in India as part plans to enhance its presence here.The company is looking to increase sales of both Nissan and Datsun branded vehicles in India to meet its target of capturing 8 per cent market share in the country. (ETauto.com)

• The Maruti Ciaz will be offered in petrol and diesel engine options and currently comes with a waiting period of 2-4 months on the base and mid-range models and 4-5 months on the top-end petrol automatic and diesel models. Maruti Suzuki has definitely stirred up the right spirits with the Ciaz sedan across the country. Making a big comeback to the premium space after the debacle known as the SX4, the company has received a positive response for the Ciaz garnering 6000+ bookings.(motorbeam.com)       

• Daimler has struck a cooperation deal with Nissan Motor Co. on transporter vans, deepening a strategic alliance between the German and Japanese automakers.Nissan will supply Daimler's Japanese commercial vehicles unit Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) with a transporter van to be sold under the Fuso brand in key export markets, the companies said on Friday. (ETauto.com)

• Benelli could make it to India later this year with a choice of products ranging from 300cc going up to 1131cc. They have some real drool-worthy products in their arsenal. DSK Motowheels best known for handling the South Korean motorcycle maker Hyosung in India, plans to bring another international motorcycle brand in the country. With news coming in from the 2014 Intermot Motorcycle Show held in Germany, it is believed that DSK is currently in talks with iconic Italian motorcycle maker Benelli for bringing its range of motorcycles to India.

• AGC Automotive Europe, member of the world-leading glassmaker AGC, has announced that its light control glass Wonderlite has been selected for the Magic Sky Control panoramic glass roof available as an option for the new Mercedes-Benz S-class Coupé, which was released on the European and North American markets on September 27, 2014. (autocarpro.in)

• Travelling in a three-wheeled autorickshaw may soon become "outdated" in Delhi with four-wheeled autorickshaws making a entry in the national capital. We have introduced four-wheeled autorickshaws in the national capital. For the trial run, we have given three-four permits for operation of such four-wheeled autorickshaws. The new rickshaw will be a three-seater like the three-wheeled autorickshaw," said a senior official of the transport department.(ETauto.com)