Automotive Updates - 15th December 2014

•  In preparation for 'achche din' promised by the new government, India Inc has big plans for 2015 when it comes to hiring people and doling out pay hikes.On the platter for the job market, the companies are promising an estimated 3-5 lakh new jobs, an increase of 15-20 per cent in headcount and average pay hike of 10-12 per cent that can go up to 30 per cent for certain roles and sectors.(ETauto.com)

• Scania R 580 V8 (6×4) truck and Scania P410 (8X4) Tipper with all-new 20 cubic metre SSAB body were launched at the ongoing Bauma ConExpo 2014 being hosted from 15-18 December 15 at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida / Delhi.(rushlane.com)

•  Nittan India Tech, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese auto majorNittan Valve, has inaugurated its production unit at Sri City."The Indian market is very promising, and this new unit will enable us to better respond to orders for engine valves from the OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) operating in India," Hisao Takahashi, president of Nittan Valve, said. (ETauto.com)

• Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, India’s largest car maker, plans to raise prices of its cars by 2-4% from January due to an increase in input costs, its executive director R.S. Kalsi said on Monday. Maruti joins car makers including Indian units of BMW AG and General Motors Co. that also plan to raise prices of their cars by up to 5% from January, the companies have said earlier.Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Companies/behi4EhUB4SKdHHoBlnKZI/Maruti-Suzuki-to-raise-car-prices-by-24-from-January.html?utm_source=copy

• MapmyIndia, India’s leader in premium quality digital maps, GPS navigation, GPS Tracking Enterprise GIS Solutions and Location Aware web and mobile applications has partnered with Tata Motors to offer GPS navigation in Tata Motors’ new car – The Bolt. Instead of providing an in-dash embedded navigation suite, the company uses a technology that allows the MapmyIndia navigation application layer in the user’s smartphone to sync with the car head unit. Tata Motors’ customers will get a MapmyIndia Navigation app that has been specially coded for integration between the phone and in-dash screen. (motoroids.com)

• Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) has announced a price hike across the range effective from January 2015. The price hike ranges from INR 5,000 to 25,000 depending on the model. Commenting on the price hike, Mr. Rakesh Srivastava, Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing said that the price hike was due to “adverse market conditions, increase in input costs, high cost of imports due to higher rupee depreciation and high cost of sales.”Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/hyundai-motor-india-price-hike-january-2015-161971#ixzz3LzrDvZv0 

• The Suzuki Inazuma was launched at a hefty price of Rs. 3.10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and it failed to create any buzz in the market. The vehicle also failed to generate volumes for the maker. With this price tag and old-fashioned styling, the Inazuma could never manage to attract consumers. In-fact the company did slash the prices of this entry-level performance motorcycle by Rs. 1 lakh, thus making it more affordable. However, buyers didn’t have much for this bike. Finally, the company decided to remove this bike from its Indian portfolio.(cartrade.com)