Automotive Update - 30th March 2015

• Keeping its commitment to expand operations in India, Scania Commercial Vehicles India Private Limited today announced the inauguration of its bus manufacturing facility in Narasapura near Bangalore. Honourable Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Shri. Nitin Gadkari, will officially inaugurate the plant on March 31, 2015. The bus manufacturing plant’s current capacity is about 1,000 units per year and will employ 300 people in its first year.Mr. Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO, Scania CV, Mr. Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director, Scania India and Senior Vice President, Scania Group and Mr. Klas Dahlberg, Senior Vice President Buses & Coaches, Scania Group commemorated the announcement of the manufacturing facility. (auto-samiksha)

• Ashok Leyland has announced that it has divested its entire stake of 100 percent ownership interest held in its Czech Republic subsidiary Avia Ashok Leyland Motors s.r.o. "to a strategic investor as part of restructuring of investment in subsidiaries". Avia Ashok Leyland Motors has been part of Ashok Leyland since 2006 and used to manufacture trucks in the 6.5-12 tonnes GVW (gross vehicle weight) range. It may be noted that Ashok Leyland had stopped production at its Czech Republic subsidiary Avia’s plant in mid-2013, attributing it to the global economic slowdown. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/ashok-leyland-sells-czech-truck-subsidiary-8073#sthash.mg8MWUfa.dpuf

• Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) today announced the appointment of Katsushi Inoue as its new President & CEO w.e.f. April 1, 2015. As part of the other management changes, Hiroyuki Shimizu will be the new Vice President & Director, Marketing & Sales in HCIL.(ETauto.com)

• American bike manufacturer UM Motorcycles, which had announced plans of entering the Indian market at the 2014 Auto Expo, has finally started its descent in the subcontinent. The firm has entered into a strategic partnership with Indian company Lohia Auto. Also, it has opened avenues for several dealerships in southern and western parts of India. Reports suggest that UM Motorcycles will commence operations in India by selling 400-cc cruiser. This bike is likely to enter the market in June, 2015, and is likely to have a price under Rs. 2 lakh. From what it seems, UM Motorcycles has done good homework with respect to the Indian market. In a statement, the firm said that it will be following a multi-pronged strategy focusing technology and safety.(cartrade.com)

• Ford Motor Co. will introduce its iconic Mustang car in India in less than a year, according to four people familiar with the development. Chief executive Mark Fields told the company’s dealers in India about Mustang’s launch during a meeting last week, the people said. They declined to be named. Fields visited India to inaugurate Ford’s second manufacturing facility in the country and met company dealers and component suppliers. Ford plans to showcase the car at the 2016 Delhi Auto Show, which is scheduled to begin in the first week of February, and start selling the products in the country within a “few months”.Read more at: http://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/Vpe54NyGJEEerGrheZgeBI/Ford-may-drive-in-Mustang-next-year.html?utm_source=copy

• Tagged as being the country's most affordable car – Tata Nano is all set to hit the tarmac in a new trim named as Nano Twist Active soon. Sources have managed to capture images of the vehicle being shipped to dealership outlets in the country. As per, sources the vehicle is likely to be up on sale from April. The new Tata Nano Twist Active is likely to be available with much talked about automated manual transmission (AMT) transmission that has been developed by Magneti Marelli. The new trim is expected to deliver enhanced fuel efficiency figure of about 10-15% over a regular automatic transmission car. As part of fresh upgrades the vehicle gets redesigned front and rear bumpers that compliment the stylish grill and new headlamps. The circular fog lamps also indeed enhances the overall styling aspect. As for the interiors, it carries a richer and enhanced upholstery. (cartrade.com)