Auto Updates - 28th and 29th March 2015

• India’s automotive industry is expected to reach 7 million vehicles milestone by 2020, making the country the third-largest auto manufacturer in the world, behind the US and China, a top official at Ford Motor has said. The automotive sector has a direct bearing on the economy with a near 7% contribution to the GDP, playing an important role in the development of other crucial sectors as well, David Dubensky, president and managing director, Ford Motor Private Ltd, said.Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Industry/BHWrKQ5zT8RXeIn29PKLLM/India-to-become-3rd-largest-auto-manufacturer-by-2020-Ford.html?utm_source=copy

• Since the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Magneti Marelli has gained popularity for its Automated Manual Transmission units in India. Earlier we had reported, how Maruti was working with Magneti Marelli toincrease production from 3,000 units to 5,000 units a month; thus reducing waiting periods. In 2014, 27,000 units were sold to original equipment manufacturers. At an investment of Rs. 150 crores, the Italian  company has set up a new manufacturing facility for automated manual transmissions at Manesar, Haryana. By the third quarter of FY16, the capacity is expected to reach 2,00,000 units. Also, localization levels are expected to reach a 100%, thus, keeping the costs in check. Currently, these units are imported.(Team-bhp)

• A little-known company called ‘Eider Motors’ is slowly standing up to gauge our attention as its showrooms have spawned up in Chennai, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Bangalore and the most recent being in Ulhasnagar on the outskirts of Mumbai. While the brand is yet to launch its products in the market, the company has its showrooms up and running displaying its range of two-wheelers that are gauging more reactions by the day. Most recently, our reader Julian Remo paid a visit to the Eider showroom and had a closer inspection at the bikes put up on display. This is what he had to say about Eider Motors.

• The sales person at the Eider Motors dealership in Chennai told Julian that they are the original designers of the Pulsar 200 NS (which has an uncanny resemblance to the Honda CB1000R, just saying!) and Bajaj Auto purchased the rights for the design from their company.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2015/03/bikes/eider-motors/eider-motors-claims-designed-pulsar-200-ns/#YgPItSQMPbBgZC0X.99

• Renault Lodgy MPV, slated to launch in India sometime next month (April, 2015), can be booked right now at Rs. 50,000 as advance payment. The Lodgy MPV, powered by the acclaimed 1.5 litre 4-cylinder K9K diesel engine, will be offered in two states of tune, just like the Duster, but both will come mated only to manual transmissions. The low-powered model gets 5-speed gearbox and high-powered Lodgy receives 6-speed transmission.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/renault-lodgy-booking-open-12149118.html#K9QLccB1AA3MHjVG.99

• Toyota the Japanese automaker is planning to fill in that void in its domestic lineup with completely new set of products. The Corolla maker is working on two new global products which include a compact sedan and a compact SUV that will be priced under the Rs. 10 lakh mark and will also be sold in markets overseas.Senior members from Toyota have begun paying visits to India in a bid to understand the local demand and product requirements, a strategy the automaker had earlier adopted in order to develop the Etios hatchback and sedan (we all know how that worked). The new compact SUV will be a sub 4-metre unit and will compete against the Ford EcoSport that averages around 4400 units every month while also locking horns with a range of upcoming models including the Maruti YBA, Tata Nexon, Mahindra S101/S102, the compact SUV from Volkswagen as well as General Motors. All the offerings are still in the development stage and will be hitting the market starting the second half of this year.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2015/03/cars/toyota-cars/toyota-planning-launch-compact-suv-sedan-india/#2TzhUKQcG21lJ9bR.99

• There's nothing like a satisfied customer. Scania Commercial Vehicles India is pleasantly learning that. The company has received an order for 200 P 140 (8x4) tippers from India’s leading mining company, BGR Mining and Infra of Hyderabad, which had earlier taken delivery of 150 similar tippers in October last year.      Speaking on the new order, Anders Grundströmer, managing director, Scania India and senior vice-president, Scania Group, said, “Winning this order is a testimony that our products are industry best. BGR is truly convinced that our tippers are outstanding in performance in toughest terrain conditions and this very performance has materialized into a new order for 200 P 410 tippers. Scania offers unmatched aftermarket services, customer solutions and support, which is very crucial in the mining industry - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/scania-india-client-books-200-tippers-8056#sthash.B9tviLtJ.dpuf