Automotive Updates - 20th February 2015

• As the commercial vehicle segment gears up to return to growth after two years of a slowdown, JBM Motors, part of the US$ 1.2 billion JBM Group, is all set to roll out its city buses next month. The company, which had showcased its city bus called ‘Citylife’ at the Delhi Auto Expo in February 2014, will start customer deliveries from March 2015. The JBM Group has invested Rs 500 crore to manufacture these buses with its technological partnership with European bus maker BredaMenarininbus (BMB). JBM says it has managed to localise the bus up to 85 percent and designed completely for the Indian road and weather conditions - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/jbm-motors-roll-citylife-bus-7728#sthash.9DSNmUV3.dpuf

• Apple Inc aims to begin producing an electric vehicle as early as 2020, Bloomberg cited people with knowledge of the matter as saying, a seemingly aggressive target for a mobile devices maker with little experience in car manufacture. he iPhone maker is pushing its "car team" of about 200 people to meet that goal, Bloomberg reported. But Apple may decide to scrap its car-making effort, or delay it, if executives grew unhappy with its progress, the news agency cited the people as saying.(Etauto.com)

• DSK has been steadily gaining popularity in the Indian market. The company in an attempt to further strengthen its presence in the domestic market has announced its plans to launch about four more motorbikes in the country in about a year's time. Currently DSK offers TNT 300, TNT 600i, 600 GT, TNT 899 and TNT 1130 in the country. As part of its fresh offering the company plans on launching TNT 25, Keeway Blackster 250, Keeway Superlight 200 and the TRE 1130 K Amazonas sometime by the end of this year.(cartrade.com)

• Nidec Corporation of Japan, which is a supplier of precision motors (brushless / brush DC motors, AC motors, fans, blowers, and electronic and other components) for automotive applications, is all set to launch its Indian production operations in April 2015. The company’s Indian arm, Nidec India, which was established in December 2010 in Gurgaon, is known to have been building a local manufacturing plant in Neemrana, Rajasthan, and the construction work is said to be in its final stages. Two sources closely associated with this development have confirmed the same to Autocar Professional. While the total investment committed by the company in this project is expected to be close to US$ 100 million (Rs 630 crore), the upcoming plant, as sources say, will provide employment to nearly 1500 people under its first phase. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/japan-nidec-corp-start-local-production-april-2015-7734#sthash.ynx9HG9S.dpuf

• On the sidelines of the launch of the 2015 Jetta facelift, Volkswagen India stated that the company will be focusing on increasing the profitability of its existing dealerships and not expand the dealer network this year. The automaker at present has 120 dealers across the country and will be working to increase the profits of these dealers so that they can build ‘brand’ Volkswagen in return. The move comes in addition to the company’s decision of closing down regional offices in Bangalore and Delhi to reduce operational costs.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2015/02/cars/volkswagen/volkswagen-wont-expand-dealership-network-2015-focus-profits/#OIp67gfXedrTxxAS.99

• In 2014, Hyundai sold around 70,000 units in rural parts of India. This year the company will work on crossing the 1 lakh sales milestone for the first time. Hyundai will be expanding dealership network in rural regions to help boost sales and service in remoter parts of the country, following the footsteps of the largest carmaker in the country, Maruti Suzuki. Indian passenger vehicle market grew by 3.2 percent in 2014, when Hyundai India recorded 8.3 percent hike in sales. Last year, HMIL sold 4.11 lakh cars in the country and exported accounted for 2.01 lakh units. While Hyundai is the second largest in India, it is leading in exports with 40 percent market share.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/hyundai-rural-sales-2015-12144864.html#i6Iq0ePeMyTSe0Uv.99

• Mahle, the global development partner for the automotive and engine industry, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the wholly-owned thermal business of US automotive supplier Delphi Automotive. In 2014, the division and its approximately 7,600 employees achieved annual sales of around US$ 1.2 billion (Rs 7,580 crore) After approval by the relevant antitrust authorities, a closing of the deal is anticipated for end-2015. Further, the company plans to acquire the joint venture of Delphi Thermal in China. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/mahle-acquires-delphi-thermal-management-division-7741#sthash.u8XGDqkx.dpuf