Automotive Updates - 26th December 2014

•  Riding on new launches, Japanese auto major Honda is set for over 62 per cent growth in its sales in India this year at around 1.8 lakh units.The company, which launched two models - mid-sized sedan City and multi purpose vehicle Mobilio during the year, had sold 1.11 lakh units in 2013. (ETauto.com)

• Yamaha Motor Co (YMC), Japan, has announced the appointment of Hiroaki Fujita as the new chairman of Yamaha Motor Group companies in India including India Yamaha Motor (IYM), Yamaha Motor India Sales (YMIS) and Yamaha Motor Research & Development India (YMRI) with effect from January 1, 2015. Hiroaki Fujita takes over the position from the current chairman, Hiroyuki Suzuki. In addition, Fujita will hold the position of president and CEO of Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (YMI). Fujita has been associated with Yamaha for over 32 years. Prior to this position, he was executive general manager, Intelligent Machinery (IM) Operations, YMC and has also been an executive officer at YMC since 2011. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/india-yamaha-md-resigns-hiroaki-fujita-7198#sthash.IEXFIRuF.dpuf

• Dilip Chhabria’s DC Design has finally brought the much anticipated Avanti to production form. The company is planning to build as many as 500 units of the first India made sports cars in the first year. Out of these, 450 units have already been booked, with 300 orders coming from abroad. The company plans to manufacture and sell about 2000 units over the next four years. The DC Avanti, which was first showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo, is a one-of-its-kind car from an Indian manufacturer. Priced at close to Rs 40 lakh, the Avanti has the stuff to show, even if it lacks the go of a thoroughbred sports car.(motoroids.com)

• Tata Motors today flagged off 123 new air conditioned-buses in Ahmedabad, equipped with automatic transmission.These buses are in addition to the order bagged by Tata Motors for 3,200 buses under the JnNURM - phase II scheme and are meant to reduce driver fatigue and provide for a superior commuting experience, Tata Motors said in a statement. (ETauto.com)

• Buoyed by the overwhelming response for the new generation Elite i20 and Grand i10, Hyundai is now aiming to enter into compact SUV and MPV segments in the next 2 years. The company will launch the Elite i20 based crossover and much-awaited ix25 compact SUV in 2015. Whereas, Hyundai's compact MPV will enter the market in 2016.(cartrade.com)

• Private sector operatorGujarat Pipavav Port has tied-up with NYK Auto Logistics to facilitate auto exports from the facility.The port will sub-lease land inside the premises to NYK for developing a dedicated common user integrated RoRo (roll on roll off) terminal, a statement said here today.The unit will have a capacity to handle 2,50,000 vehicles per annum and shall be operational by June 2015, it said.(ETauto.com)

• Sources have confirmed that Royal Enfield is currently working on two new bikes which will be hosting two new engines whose displacement is 400cc and 600cc. The new engines are said to be pumping enormous torque when compared to the current generation ones. The 400cc is estimated to generate 40 Nm (current 350cc generates 28 Nm) while the 600cc would pump 60 Nm (Current 500 generates 41 Nm). Keeping the torque figures and future pollution norms in mind, we expect both the engines to come with fuel injection. We also expect Royal Enfield to improve the quality just like Tata Motors did with the Zest/Bolt. Sources inform us that Royal Enfield is currently testing the bikes and have scheduled to launch them sometime late next year.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/bikes/royal-enfield-bikes/royal-enfield-launch-400cc-600cc-bikes-2015-scoop/#2d36Evw32jscXlAR.99

• he Hyundai Xcent, based on the fabulous Grand i10 has been a good success for the Korean carmaker. While the hatchback version is very refined in terms of styling, the sedan’s boot doesn’t appeal to quite a few. Another grouse is the 1.1 liter diesel powerplant, which though functional and frugal, feels anaemic to those who like their cars to carry some spunk. The 1.1 liter U2 diesel on the car produces 71bhp of power and 180 Nm of torque, which isn’t quite as powerful and torquey as its competitors. (Motoroids.com)

• Hyundai India declared in a recent interview that the company will bring its latest SUV next year apart from bringing a new design for the Elite i20 (crossover). The company has started with the testing procedure and focussing to rival Duster and EcoSport. Apart from this factor, the company has also stated that the car will have 90 per cent localisation, thus pricing will be quite low.The new SUV will be 4270 mm long, and he model will not be hugely different form its Chinese counterpart. The specifications and features will be a bit India-centric.