Automotive Updates - 25th December 2014

Merry Christmas !

• Deloitte in India has released a report titled ‘Driving through the consumer’s mind: Steps in the buying process’, which sheds light on the process Indian car buyers go through when buying a vehicle. It elaborates on the information buyers look for, before making a purchase the time they spend researching, their choice of information sources, interactions with dealers and their openness to recommend products to others. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/deloitte-word-mouth-reviews-influencers-car-buying-india-7192#sthash.auRUZBAS.dpuf

• Tata Motors today launched four Prima heavy commercial vehicles in Nepal in association with local partner Sipradi Trading Private Ltd."The launch of these new next-generation commercial vehicles marks Tata Motors continued efforts towards changing the trucking landscape in Nepal," Tata Motors said in a statement.(Etauto.com)

• Maruti Suzuki is India’s biggest 4-wheeler manufacturer. The company also has a huge sales and service network spanning over almost every city in the country. Most of the products from Maruti’s stable make it to the top 20 seller’s list every month. When the company was incepted in 1982, the agreement also mentioned that the manufacturer can produce and sell LCVs (Lightweight Commercial Vehicles) in the market but these plans got shelved owing to poor market response. Now looking at the success that our homegrown commercial vehicles like the Tata Ace and Mahindra Maxximo have got, Maruti too revived its plans to launch an LCV.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/cars/maruti-suzuki/maruti-suzuki-to-set-up-new-sales-network-for-y9t-lcv/#mTtlveAPp8hCMjoc.99

• Tata Motors recently announced the commencement of bookings for its upcoming hatchback, the Bolt. Now, according to Autocar India, the car is slated for a launch on January 20, 2015. While it was clear that the car will be launched in early 2015, but the exact date should certainly give confidence to all those who are yet to zero in on the Bolt to firm up their decision.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/12/tata-bolt-launch-on-january-20-2015-162779#ixzz3MvfnAPsa 

• The 2015 SsangYong Tivoli is the manufacturer’s most affordable offering and will go on sale in South Korea in January next year. It will be launched in India in the near future.Making the most out of the season of joy, SUV maker SsangYong has officially unveiled its first compact SUV the ‘Tivoli’ in images revealing the exterior and interior completely. Previewed in the form of XIV Air and XIV Adventure concepts at the Paris Motor Show in October.Read more at htttp://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/cars/ssangyong/2015-ssangyong-tivoli-compact-suv-unveiled-india-bound/#BI7O34CZVTS660Cy.99

• Honda Cars India seems aggressive with its product expansion plans for the Indian market. The company is currently focusing on increasing its dealership network. Interestingly, Honda is also planning to start a new production facility in Gujarat; however, nothing has been officially said about the same. The Japanese car manufacturer is also planning to launch a series of new products in the country including the new generation Jazz hatchback, new compact SUV, new Accord sedan, Civic and Amaze facelift in 2015-16.The first product to hit our market will be the new generation Honda Jazz. If reports are to be believed, the production of the hatchback is already commenced while the launch could take place in the first quarter of 2015. Showcased at the 2014 Delhi Motor Show, the new generation Jazz hatchback will see heavy localization which helps the company to price it competitive.(cartrade.com)