Automobile Updates - 12th February 2015

•  Fair trade regulator CCI has rejected allegations against VolkswagenGroup Sales India Pvt Ltd that it abused dominant market position with respect to itsdealership agreements. A complaint filed by Bhasin Motors, a car dealer in Delhi -NCR region, had alleged that Volkswagen by virtue of its dominant position in the market imposed unfair and one sided agreement on its authorised dealers. (Etauto.com)

• Hybrid and electric vehicles may soon become cheaper with the government considering a proposal to give incentives to manufacturers of such vehicles in Budget 2015-16.Pushing Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, the Finance Ministry is likely to allocate Rs 800 crore in the Budget to promote manufacture and sale of electric and hybrid vehicles. The move is expected to bring down the prices and help in substantial reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.5 per cent by 2020, a senior government official told The Indian Express.(financialexpress)

• A lot has changed for tractor makers like Mahindra & Mahindra and Escorts in the past year. Projections of double-digit sales growth have been replaced with estimates of double-digit decline.Key factors that have contributed to this change is last year's below-normal monsoon, lower farm output and a moderation in growth of support prices of wheat and paddy.Tractor sales have declined 8.3 per cent in the nine-month period (April-December) of the current financial year.The drop in the quarter ended December was a steep 22 per cent. In January, market leader Mahindra reported a 26 per cent drop in tractor sales.Tractor sales are a barometer of economic sentiment in rural India.(businesstoday)

• Nissan has become the first manufacturer to apply glow-in-the-dark car paint to showcase how its all-electric Leaf is helping more and more people convert to solar energy at home. The manufacturer worked with inventor, Hamish Scott, creator of Starpath, which is a spray-applied coating that absorbs UV energy during the day so that it glows for between eight and 10 hours when the sun goes down. According to Nissan Motor GB EV manager, Paul O’Neill, “The Nissan Leaf is a shining beacon of sustainability and the future of motoring. Not only is it saving our customers money in running costs but it we are now seeing how it is helping people become more environmentally sensitive by reducing their carbon footprint.” - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/nissan-car-maker-apply-glow-dark-car-paint-7662#sthash.CpfbRGtx.dpuf

• Tata Motors has just celebrated the roll-out of the 100,000th Tata Ace Zip at its Dharwad facility in Karnataka, that has a capacity of 90,000 units per annum. The Ace Zip is the second highest selling variant from the Ace family. The Ace name was created in May 2005, while the Ace Zip arrived in May 2011. According to Tata's official statement, the variant ropes in average sales of 2,500 vehicles per month and enjoys a 78% market share in its segment.(teambhp)

• Honda Cars India has launched its CNG-ready variant of the Amaze sedan. The new variant, which is called Amaze 1.2 S MT Plus (i-VTEC), is a modified petrol Amaze compatible for CNG fuel option. The car costs Rs 599,585 and the CNG kit including installation will cost Rs 54,315. The Amaze has had a successful run in India since its  launch in 2013. For the year ended December 2014, Honda Cars India sold 65,505 units comprising 28,471 petrols and the rest, diesel. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/honda-introduces-cng-compatible-amaze-variant-7666#sthash.WVgZ2cYz.dpuf