Automotive Updates - 11th and 12th April 2015

• Car sales in India grew for the first time in three years in 2014-15, largely on hopes of an economic revival after a new government took charge in New Delhi.An auto lobby group said the industry would at least do as well in the current fiscal year on the back of further reforms, a spate of launches and anticipated interest rate cuts by the central bank.(livemint)

• Supply of goods, including essential commodities, could be impacted leading to price escalation in the national capital due to implementation of NGT's ban on plying of diesel vehicles that are more than ten years old, traders body CAIT said on Saturday."The NGT order, if implemented in Delhi, will have a great fall out. The supplies of goods, including essential commodities will be greatly effected resulted into escalation in prices and no easy availability of goods," CAIT said in a statement.(business today)

• In a precursor to bigger sibling Maruti Suzuki's goal of selling locally made vehicles to parent Suzuki Motor Corporation, unlisted two-wheeler company Suzuki Motorcycle Pvt has embarked on a plan to export its India-manufactured bikes to Japan.Suzuki Motorcycle has selected the 150cc Gixxer to be shipped to Japan, where such sports bikes are increasingly getting popular. Rival Yamaha had exported its deluxe 150cc R15 motorcycle to Japan to tap the growing market for compact two-wheelers in that country.(ETauto.com)

•  With a third entry level car from Datsun stable slated for launch next year, Japanese auto major Nissan is seeking a bigger play in India’s small car market dominated by Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.The company, which sold a total of about 17,000 units of Datsun vehicles in the country in the first year since the brand made a comeback last year, is looking at having around 60 exclusive showrooms of the brand, mostly in smaller towns by 2016.(livemint)

• PWD Minister Chandrakant Patil today said the government had no plans to increase the levy of toll on large vehicles to compensate for abolishment of toll on light motor vehicles and state transport buses from the midnight of May 31.The government has announced closure of 12 toll plazas and scrapping of toll for light motor vehicles and state transport buses at 53 toll plazas from May 31.(ETauto.com)

•  Aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS of Toulouse said it is willing to set-up final assembly lines and establish supply chain and related infrastructure for military transport aircraft and helicopters in India. The defence and space unit of Airbus has also plans to develop and manufacture electronic sensors with a partner in India, and has advanced discussions to support state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s combat aircraft programmes.In a statement, Airbus said one of its units, Airbus Helicopters is in discussion with Indian companies to finalise teaming arrangements for various helicopter programmes, including the Naval Utility Helicopter, the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter as well as the Naval Multi-Role Helicopter competitions.(livemint)