Automotive Updates - 28th January 2015

• The chief minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, today laid the foundation stone for the Suzuki Group’s Gujarat vehicle manufacturing plant today. The ceremony was held in the presence of Takeshi Yagi, ambassador of Japan to India, Rajnikant S Patel, home minister of Gujarat, Osamu Suzuki, chairman & CEO, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, R C Bhargava, chairman, Maruti Suzuki India and Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director, Maruti Suzuki India, at the Hansalpur premises. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/suzuki-lays-foundation-stone-gujarat-plant-7502#sthash.OmNYMI8p.dpuf

image from the hindu

• Japanese auto major Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) plans to set up three plants at Hansalpur in Gujarat with a total capacity of 750,000 vehicles. According to R.C. Bhargava, Chairman ofMaruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the total cost is expected to be Rs 8,500 crore.The vehicles manufactured at Hansalpur facilities will be supplied exclusively to MSIL and support its objective of reaching annual sales of two million units in the medium term.(businesstoday)

• Henrik Fisker is firming up his India plans that include a joint venture with a home-grown firm and becoming a board member in an advisory capacity. Fisker told ET that he has visited manufacturing sites of a few Indian firms and is likely to make an announcement in the next three-four months. "I like doing business with people in India," said Fisker. Fisker was a top design executive with BMW, Ford Motor Company and Aston Martin before he started Fisker Automotive in 2005. In 2013, when Fisker Automotive was sold to Wangxiang group, he set up HF Design & Technology, which produces cars, bikes and other transportation products.(ETauto.com)

• According to a report from the Business Standard, the Maruti Y9T (codename for Maruti’s first LCV) will be called the Super Carry, and a launch is expected to take place in the April-June quarter. Since Maruti is venturing into a new territory, and owing to the weak LCV market in India, the Super Carry would be made and sold in limited numbers initially before going all out. According to sources, Maruti would make about 80,000 units in its first year, before scaling up production to 100,000 units per annum.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2015/01/maruti-super-carry-launch-in-april-june-165946#ixzz3Q7ltGnJs 

• In a move that will aid further localisation, Volkswagen India has inaugurated a new engine assembly plant at Chakan, Pune. The plant, within VW's existing premises, was inaugurated by the chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, and will help strengthen Maharashtra’s reputation as a manufacturing hub. The assembly plant is spread across over 3,000 square metres. This new engine plant will be used to assemble Volkswagen’s 1.5-litre unit and also has a full-fledged engine testing facility. The plant was built in around 11 months with an investment of Rs 240 crore. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/volkswagen-engine-assembly-plant-pune-7497#sthash.FJvNnmMu.dpuf

• Honda Cars India has indeed started manufacturing the new Jazz at its Tapukara plant in Rajasthan, but the initial units have not been dispatched to local dealerships. Instead they have been exported to the South African market, where the launch has also been conducted.Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2015/01/new-honda-jazz-launched-south-africa-165952#ixzz3Q7lhJc5n