Automotive Updates - 5th Nov. 2014

• Stating that car makers in India meet the country’s safety norms,auto industry body SIAM today defended Maruti Suzuki and Nissan, which had failed crash tests conducted by Global NCAP on their Swift and Datsun GO models respectively.Lashing out at Global NCAP, an umbrella body of consumer car safety testing bodies, for “scaremongering”, SIAM Director General Vishnu Mathur said: “Every country has its own safety requirements. Our cars are meeting safety norms set by the government.”(financialexpress.com)

• The famous Japanese automobile manufacturer, Yamaha, has been working on the low budgeted bike under the name, Project INDRA (Innovative and New Development based on Responsible Analysis).The company has employed many dedicated Japanese employees to engineer this easy-to-pocket bike.It has been planned that the manufacturing of this bike will start in the upcoming 180 acres Chennai plant, out of which, 60 acres is proposed to be kept aside for these 8 Japanese vendors who are helping in designing this bike. A confirmed feature about this bike is the installation of KYB suspension.(cartrade.com)

• Mahindra Ugine and Mahindra CIEAuto jumped 20 per cent each on Monday — the highest possible trading limit of the day — after the Bombay High Court approved their merger and other subsidiary companies. Mahindra CIE Automotive surged to Rs 218.75 and Mahindra Ugine closed at Rs 558.30 on Monday. The swap ratio for the merger is 2.84. This means Mahindra Ugine shareholders will get 284 Mahindra CIE shares for every 100 Mahindra Ugine shares. (ETauto.com)

• With orders for 10 city buses, the Thane Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra joins 15 other Indian cities that have inducted the Volvo 8400 city bus into their fleets. According to Volvo Buses, orders have also been received from the Mira-Bhayandar municipal Corporation, the  Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation and the Assam State Transport Corporation for its city bus. Besides these, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has placed a repeat order for the 8400. (Autocarpro.in)

• There were reports about Renault working on a new budget hatchback to slot under the Pulse. The French carmaker has codenamed this project XBA and is also developing a new 800cc motor to be used in it which will make its debut with this car. This engine might use a twin-cam set-up and will breathe through four-valves per cylinder. Although, Renault is tight-lipped about this development, in all probabilities it might be a three-pot motor. The engine is being designed to strike a right balance between efficiency and power. (carwale.com)

• Hero MotoCorp Ltd (HMCL) has announced its plans to enter European markets by end-2015. The company made this announcement at one of the biggest event for two-wheelers at Milan in Italy organised by EICMA, the marketing body of Italy's National Association of Bicycles, Motorcycles and Accessories (ANCMA).  In the first phase of its European foray, HMCL will launch its products in Italy, Spain and France followed by the UK and Germany in the second phase. The company will launch its first serial-hybrid scooter Leap in these markets, and subsequently bring more models including scooters and motorcycles.  (autocarpro.in)

• Recently conducted crash tests by Global NCAP on popular Indian hatchbacks have revealed that they fare badly in the case of an impact when it comes to driver and passenger safety. It's not just the lack of the safety features such as airbags and anti-lock brakes that is the cause of their failure, but the structures of most of the models tested have even been termed as unstable. The Government of India however, seems to be on the path to making cars safer in the future.(teambhp.com)

• Daimler has announced that its Mercedes-AMG division has acquired 25 per cent stake in the Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta. Both the companies have also signed a cooperation agreement on a long-term partnership. Neither of them has disclosed the transaction amount but the rumours suggest that the deal stood at €30 million. The deal will be finalised towards the end of next month and Mercedes-AMG has announced that they will appoint one member to MV Agusta's board of directors. (carwale.com)

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