Automotive Updates - 4th Nov. 2014

• Maruti Suzuki has launched the new Alto K10 starting at Rs 3.06 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The new Alto K10 gets styling as well as mechanical updates in its new avatar. At Rs 3.80 lakh, the Alto K10 is the most inexpensive automatic car to be sold in India.As a part of its styling upgrades, the Alto K10 now gets new bigger headlamps, a new two-piece grille with a chrome strip at the upper part and a big Suzuki logo.(carwale.com)

• The popular hatchback Maruti Swift and the entry level hatch Datsun Go have both failed the latest rounds of the Global New Car Assessment Program (Global NCAP) crash tests. The Global NCAP results are indicative of how safe a car is on the road, and in the event of a crash. To get certified, the car in question must have airbags and Anti-lock Braking System at the very least. (autocarpro.in)

• Under a project code-named INDRA, abbreviating for Innovative and New Development based on Responsible Analysis, Yamaha is working on a new low-cost bike for the Indian market. The bike is said to be available under Rs. 30,000 by 2017.The catchy price and the company’s reputable sheet tends to make this a great deal, but one will have to wait for a long time to witness the launch of this bike. This Japanese automaker’s Indian R&D team is working in collaboration with its Japanese counterpart.(cartrade.com)

• Tyre manufacturer Yokohama Rubber Company has inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in Bahadurgarh, Haryana. This is the Japanese manufacturer’s first plant in India. On the occasion, the company also launched a new range of tyres, the Yokohama Earth -1.( indianautoblogs.com)

image from autocarpro.in

• AG Industries, a leading manufacturer of plastic auto components and injection moulded parts to OEMs such as Hero MotoCorp, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), Escorts and many others, is betting big on the increasing role of plastics in automobiles and has chalked out aggressive growth plans in the near future. With plans of growing at 20 percent during the ongoing financial year, this Rs 1000 crore company (2013-14 turnover) is aiming for a targeted turnover of Rs 1200 crore for FY2014-15 on the back of diversifying into the four-wheeler segment. It is to be noted that this company, which was established in 1993, has been primarily engaged in developing and supplying plastic parts to the two wheeler industry. (autocarpro.in)

• Pune-based RSB Transmissions has signed a Technical Assistance Agreement with Jidosha Buhin Kogyo, Japan to manufacture and sell propeller shafts for SCV/SUV/LCV segment for the domestic and export market. SK Behera, vice-chairman & MD, RSB Transmissions said, "This venture will further boost market growth of propeller shaft for RSB in SCV/ SUV/LCV segment pan India and overseas. RSB propeller shafts already have a majority domestic market share and this collaboration will give us a technological edge to make further inroads into hitherto untapped markets."(ETauto.com)

• Mercedes-Benz India has officially confirmed that the 2015 C-Class will be launched in the country on the 25th of this month. The car was launched in the European and American markets a couple of months back and we won’t have to wait until next year to get it.(motoroids.com)

•  Volvo Construction Equipment has appointed Dimitrov Krishnan as Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Volvo CE, India, as of October 15, 2014. As the new head of Volvo CE's sales and service in India, Dimitrov Krishnan will be responsible to further strengthen Volvo's leading positions in the premium segment of India's construction equipment industry. (ETauto.com)

• Maruti first launched the AMT – Automated Manual Transmission technology in the Celerio, at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year. At launch, they had expected about 25% of the total sales to come from AMT variant. But to their surprise, almost 50% of the Celerio sales were of AMT model. This opened a golden gate for Maruti Suzuki India, leader in small cars.(rushlane.com)