Automotive Updates - 29th December 2014

• Volkswagen Group, the makers of Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini apart from Volkswagen cars in India, saw its net profit in FY14 decline 53% at Rs 29.5 crore on account of low sales. According to the latest filings by the company with the registrar of companies, sales in the fiscal were down 8.2% at Rs 8,062 crore. Unit sales of cars declined 17.2% at 62,363.Unit sales have declining on a yearly basis since FY13.(financial express)

• Under the new Narendra Modi government, crash tests for new vehicles will be mandatory from 1st October 2017. Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, G.M. Siddeshwara informed Lok Sabha that various stringent safety policies will be introduced for vehicles to come. One of them being, crash test of all vehicles will be mandatory from 1st October 2017. Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/bharat-ncap-from-2017-12140096.html#Ug0FywXQORr8tTok.99

•  Daimler board memberWolfgang Bernhard said he does not expect a recovery in demand for trucks inemerging markets next year, despite low fuel prices, as the Stuttgart-based truck maker posted a 3-per cent rise in deliveries in 2014."In the economically challenging markets we continue to see risks," Bernhard said about expectations for the trucks market in 2015."We will not see a jump in demand in Brazil, the risks outweigh the opportunities," he said in an interview released on Monday.(ETauto.com)

• The emergence of the integrated Sri City business zone in the state of Andhra Pradesh as a new automotive cluster in South India has been posing a threat to new auto investments in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. After the recent bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into two states – comprising Seemandhra region and Telangana – Sri City remained in Andhra Pradesh, where the Chandra Babu Naidu-led Telugu Desam won the assembly elections and formed the first government in the carved-out part of the state. The industrial zone came to into the limelight when the Andhra Pradesh government attracted Hero MotoCorp’s investment of Rs 2,200 crore from Karnataka in September 2014. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/andhra-pradesh-sri-city-emerges-auto-hub-india-7211#sthash.0OjLiCkn.dpuf-

• Traffic profusion is annoying for everyone, reason being the perpetual use of the clutch, gas pedal and brake, unless you have an automatic drive system in your vehicle. Bosch came out with an innovative technology in 2013 that could help you drive clutch free in traffic. The electrically-operated clutch, this is something people in India are not very familiar with. This works in a very similar way like an automatic transmission vehicle, except it does not eliminate the clutch and the traditional gear stick. Hence allowing a clutch-free drive at slow speeds.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2014/12/news/bosch-e-clutch-technology-could-soon-feature-on-small-cars/#FKs2IpvQeZreKU6F.99

• Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) remains "cautiously optimistic" about 2015 as it believes that policy measureslike continuation of excise duty relief and government support to rural areas would act as a catalyst for growth next year. "We are cautiously optimistic for 2015. Policy decisions on issues like 4 per cent excise duty relief and government support to rural ecosystem which will go a big way in boosting sales and improve the industry sentiments paving the way for the next year," HMSI Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Y S Guleria said in a statement. (ETauto.com)

• Tyre and rubber company, Bridgestone India, conducted a Road Safety campaign in Indore city on 28th December 2014. Bridgestone India has been at the forefront of promoting the importance of road safety through various initiatives, and this campaign was organised specifically in view of the upcoming holidays which usually result in increased road traffic and associated accidents.(motoroid.com)