Automotive Update - 17th December 2014

• According to Google Zeitgeist 2014, Honda is the most searched auto brand. And, the most searched car in Google in 2014 is Honda Mobilio. It shouldn’t strike as a surprise that Honda Mobilio is the most searched in the year, as the MPV launched with a bang, as the long awaited contender against Maruti Ertiga. It also bridges the gap between aforementioned and Toyota Innova, in terms of price and premium positioning; hence the interest among the audience. Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/honda-is-most-googled-auto-brand-12139515.html#OkWTiJ3MJLAL8U7W.99

• Economic Times reports that the excise duty cuts for automobiles that were implemented in the UPA government’s interim budget in February 2014 and were subsequently extended till March 2015 by the new NDA government may be withdrawn post December 31. The government is under pressure to generate more revenues and withdrawing excise sops for automobiles is one of the significant ways of doing so. Though the auto industry has started showing signs of growth off late, automotive manufacturers are expected to oppose the government’s move citing unfavorable macro economic factors such as high interest rates.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/excise-duty-cuts-indian-auto-industry-void-december-31-2014-162063#ixzz3MA2NMvkO 

• Swedish CV maker Volvo and Japanese carmaker Toyota have been adopting multiple strategies of Total Cost Management (TCM) to achieve cost effective ‘Made-in-India’ products with top-notch quality. The perspectives of these two auto majors attracted the attention of participants in the 13th edition of ‘International conference on Total Cost Management - New frontiers of Business Excellence through TCM’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in Bangalore from December 16-17. Participating in the panel discussion titled ‘Make in India - Enhancing Firm’s Cost Competitiveness’, Kamal Bali, managing director of Volvo India, revealed a number of strategies the company has been adopting as part of its TCM policy. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/volvo-toyota-bet-total-cost-management-strategies-7130#sthash.KoVm0rBG.dpuf

• Leading auto manufacturerTata Motors is in the process of developing vehicles for the defence sector, which are capable of carrying weapons."We have successfully tested the vehicles meant for defence sector. We only need some time to complete more tests required for standard and quality," said A B Lall, plant head of the Jamshedpur unit of Tata Motors.(Etauto.com)

• Japanese carmaker Nissan today announced a price increase of up to Rs 18,000 across its Nissan and Datsun range of vehicles on sale in India effective January 1, 2015.The prices of Nissan products will be increased up to 2.5 per cent, while the cost of Datsun cars will go up by up to 3 per cent. This translates into an increase of up to Rs 11,000 on Datsun cars and up to Rs 18,000 on Nissan range of vehicles.(financial express)

•  Hyundai Motors is now planning to introduce its popular hatch i10 for the taxi market in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Painted in black and yellow, the cabs will soon start their services in the selected metro cities. The South Korean automaker is introducing i10 in the Mumbai taxi market at the time when the city is expected to see 7,843 permits up for grabs in upcoming six months.(cardekho.com)

• Ford India will recall 20,752 EcoSport cars in the country to correct concerns about fuel and vapour line corrosion in the long-term.The company in a statement on Tuesday said it will inspect variants of its EcoSport sports utility vehicle made at the company's Chennai plant between January 2013 and September 2014.(businesstoday.in)

• Harley-Davidson India announced the opening of two new independent dealerships. The first of the two dealerships is the Diamond City Harley-Davidson located in Surat, Gujarat. The second dealership is the Tusker Harley-Davidson in Bengaluru, Karnataka. With this, there are now 17 authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships across India. The company plans to continue growing its dealer network and partnerships across the country in the coming year with a focus on expanding its presence in Tier I cities and foraying into newer Tier II cities.(motoroids.com)

• Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra may observe up to 7 days in a month as 'No Production Days' at some of its plants till March 2015."The company as part of its efforts to align its production with sales requirements, may observe on a need basis, 1 to 7 days in a month as 'No Production Days' at some of its automotive and/or tractor plants and /or Chakan plant of its wholly owned subsidiaryMahindra Vehicle Manufacturers Ltd during the period up to March, 2015," Mahindra & Mahindra said in a filing to BSE.(ETauto.com)