Automotive Updates - 19th December 2014

• The Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, Suh Byung-soo has conferred on Venu Srinivasan, chairman, TVS Motor Company and Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai, the title of honorary citizen. Busan is South Korea’s second largest city after Seoul and this singular award is one of the highest of its kind to be awarded to a foreign national. Srinivasan is the first Indian industrialist to be granted this honorary citizenship. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/venu-srinivasan-honorary-citizen-busan-7139#sthash.I6HygVmM.dpuf

• : Bajaj Auto today has bagged an order for 1.25 lakh units ofDiscover-125M motorcycles from Sri Lankan government. The company through its distributorDavid Pieris Motor Company in Sri Lanka had secured, after a detailed evaluation process by the Government of Sri Lanka, an order from them for supply of around 50,000 units of Discover-125M motorcycles. (ETauto.com)

• Maruti Suzuki S Cross, the company’s first crossover in India will be launched by end January 2015 with price to start at around Rs 8 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi.Maruti SX4 S-Cross made its India debut at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo. Ever since, the car has been spotted on test across India. To compete with strong players in its segment such as Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano, Maruti Suzuki gears up for launch of the new SX4 S-Cross MPV. (motoroids.com)

• It has been a well known fact that Hero MotoCorp has been a strong player in the Indian two-wheeler segment. To prove this, the world's largest bikemaker Hero MotoCorp has reportedly sold about 700 units in just about 72 hours of Great Online Shopping Festival event. On December 12th, the last day of the online event, the demand indeed multiplied with about 500 bookings in just a single day. The tie-up between Snapdeal, popular e-commerce portal and Hero MotoCorp indeed proved to be fruitful for both of them.(cartrade.com)

• The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) will inaugurate its 4th Bus & Special Vehicle Show 2015 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi from 15 - 17 January, 2015. It is the first dedicated show in the automotive segment in 2015. The India Expo Mart was the venue of the OEM section of the Auto Expo last February. The show is supported by the union ministry of heavy Industries and public enterprises, and the ministry of road transport and highways and the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU). - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/siam-bus-special-vehicle-starts-january-7144#sthash.ncgodnVq.dpuf

• Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India is preparing new products, specifically targeted to the Indian two-wheeler market, to compete against its yesteryear partner, Hero MotoCorp. The new product portfolio will comprise of about 10 offerings to the Indian audience in the motorcycle and the scooter segment. The new products would be developed at company’s Manesar-based Research and Development centre. The local R&D centre will receive technical assistance and advice from the expertise in Honda’s headquarter, Japan.(motoroids.com)

• Just two weeks after filing a voluntary petition for financial restructuring, troubled Dutch sports car manufacturer- Spyker has now officially been declared bankrupt, due to scarcity of funding to continue operations. The decision was taken by the District Court of Midden-Nederland, at the request of court-appointed administrator, who will now serve as a receiver for the company. (cardekho.com)

• Tata Motors has seen increased demand from the defence sector. Now, the manufacturer is in the process of developing and testing new defence vehicles with capacities to carry weapons and meets stringent requirements of travelling in deserts. Tata Motors is currently carrying out tests of vehicles meant for the defence sector following increased demand and orders in the pipeline. Vehicles being tested by Tata Motors for the defence sector have to adhere to stringent standards and quality.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/tata-motors-defence-vehicles-12139550.html#FEZE2k0fAY3bBPuv.99