Automotive Updates - 20th and 21st December 2014

•  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)

• The Chamber of Commerce of Brazil in Japan (CCBJ) has named Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, its Person of the Year 2014. This award is given annually to an individual who makes a notable contribution to strengthening the economic relationship between Brazil and Japan. In selecting Ghosn, CCBJ members recognised both his impact in expanding the economic ties between Brazil and Japan and his achievements as a global business leader. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/brazilian-chamber-commerce-japan-selects-carlos-ghosn-person-2014-7148#sthash.MgwHSX5x.dpuf

•  Force Motors Limited (FML), formerlyBajaj Tempo is targeting a major chunk of inter-city transport vehicle requirements through its recently introduced indigenous fifteen-seater vehicle, a senior official said here. The company has launched a 15-seater and a 3050 vehicle (Traveller) which has a 13-seater and a nine-seater variant. Our 15-seater product completely aims at inter-city operations of the travel trade requirement," said A K Verma, Regional Manager (Maharashtra and Goa), FML.(ETauto.com)

• German carmaker Audi has been one of the most preferred brand in the luxury car segment in India. The carmaker has had a good run in India this year and the group has been planning on making it even bigger the next year with 10 new models in the Indian market. Speaking more on the occasion, Joe King, said to PTI, “Next year we plan to launch around ten products in the Indian market. It is going to be an exciting and busy year for us. We are looking to bring in next round of investments into the country, keeping in mind the immense long term potential of the Indian market.”(cartrade.com)

• Renault India car prices are being increased by up to 2.5% wef January 2015 across its product portfolio owing to rising input costs. Rafael Treguer, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Renault India says the auto manufacturer has absorbed rising input costs thus far, but a sustained challenging market environment warrants increase in car prices. Indian auto industry eagerly looks forward to pro-business policies to reignite the automobile market here.(rushlane.com)

• US automobile recalls surpassed the 60 million mark for the first time in a single year, largely because of the rush to prevent more deaths from defective General Motors Co. ignition switches and Takata Corp. air bags. The tally of 60.5 million through Saturday is almost double the previous annual record of 30.8 million recalled vehicles set in 2004, according to an analysis of data on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The number will rise further as recent recalls that have been announced by auto makers are recorded in the database.Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/B11XOmgK8bpTT2U6S2xesK/Auto-recalls-top-60-million-in-US-as-response-to-defects-shi.html?utm_source=copy

• Hyundai, in a meeting at its headquarters in Korea, said it has plans to launch a “completely revamped” version of the Avante sedan next year. The vehicle, sold as Elantra in certain markets like India, will be accompanied by the next generation version of the Tucson SUV (called ix35, but not available in India), reveals Korea Herald. Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/2016-hyundai-elantra-coming-in-2015-162430#ixzz3MYskhzt4