Automotive Updates - 14th and 15th April 2015

• Hitachi Automotive Systems (India) today inaugurated a new components and systems plant in Chennai. The company has invested around Rs 313 crore to set up the plant in the integrated industrial park of One Hub Chennai. The new plant, which will have 230 employees, is slated to commence production of valve timing control systems (VTCs) and ignition coils in October 2015. Subsequently, the component portfolio will be expanded to include a varied range of products. To ensure top-notch product quality, global standard production lines will be used to manufacture VTCs and ignition coils. As a product strategy, Hitachi Automotive Systems will supply low-carbon technology products that leverage its strengths in electronic control technology and global R&D.   - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/hitachi-automotive-systems-plant-chennai-8201#sthash.V8gUQ2Hz.dpuf

• After entering the compact SUV and MPV segments, Renault India is now gearing up to mark its presence in the highly competitive entry-level hatchback segment. The company is planning to launch an all new budget hatchback, codenamed XBA, to India which is already on test in our market. Set to make its global debut in India on May 20,2015, the new small car is likely to be named the Kayou.(cartrade.com)

• Tata Motors today reported a growth rate of 9 per cent in global sales, including Jaguar Land Rover's, at 1,03,952 units in March.The company had sold 95,668 units in the same month last year. In the passenger vehicles category, global sales last month stood at 65,466 units, up 16 per cent.(ETauto.com)

• Bangalore-based Bosch Ltd, which grappled with labour strife at its Bangalore plant last year, and more recently at its Jaipur facility, has said it will lift the lockout at its Jaipur plant. A decision to this effect has been conveyed to the Rajasthan state government. After a tripartite deliberation, involving the state’s labour department and union, a commitment was sought from the union at Bosch Jaipur plant to immediately stop the hunger strike and to withdraw the go-slow action, which began from March 19, 2015 without a notice being issued. The go-slow action put into effect by the staff union had reduced production output by up to 70 percent of normal levels. The union has agreed to a first level of increased output targets, the company said in a statement.    - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/bosch-lifts-lockout-jaipur-plant-8202#sthash.ZX1MQESd.dpuf

•  Bajaj Auto is looking to export its motorcycles and three-wheelers to over 25 new markets as the company plans to scale up overseas shipments during the current financial year.Besides, the company, which today expanded its Pulsar range of bikes with the launch of AS 150 and AS 200 models, also plans to launch the Pulsar 400 during this fiscal."For motorcycles this year we are looking at 14 new markets and for three wheelers about 12-13 markets all over the world...between our motorcycles and three wheelers about 25 markets that we have chance of entering this financial year," Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj told reporters here. (ETauto.com)

• With an intent to create skilled manpower, Tata Group plans to train at least 5 lakh individuals every year. The company has also agreed to collaborate with Siemens in India to develop dual vocational education training to support skill development in the country."We at present impart vocational training to nearly 40,000 individuals every year across the group. But we now intent to increase it to 5 lakh every year," Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry said addressing a gathering at the international trade fair here.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel today inaugurated the India Pavilion at the fair in which India is a partner country.(cartrade.com)

• Tata Motors is expected to launch a new version of the Nano. Dubbed GenX, the car will be equipped with a Generation 3 automated manual transmission (AMT). The gearbox is expected to make it easier to drive.According to a media report, the transmission will come with a creep function, which will help the car crawl forward once the driver lifts his foot off the brake pedal. The accelerator pedal does not have to be pressed. This should make the car very easy to manage in stop-go traffic and during parking. The creep function is not available in the other AMT-equipped car from Tata Motors - the Zest. That is because the compact sedan uses an older generation gearbox.(team-bhp)

• Earlier this month, Schaeffler’s plant in Vadodara, Gujarat has been awarded the Schaeffler Technology Center (STC) certificate and is now a part of the corporate Global Technology Network. This was preceded by a multilevel structured process to verify that the local engineers can demonstrate a defined performance spectrum and are able to implement it in their daily work. The company says its Vadodara unit provides customers across India with comprehensive technical support and speedy advice, even for very complex inquiries. Globally, a further 26 STC ensure that this high level of expertise is available to all customers. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/schaeffler-vadodara-plant-tech-centre-certification-8197#sthash.PXKkEVsl.dpuf

• Fiat Chrysler Automobiles does not expect to sell more than 10 percent of its Ferrari subsidiary in a planned initial public offering, Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Wednesday, in a change of heart from a month ago.Marchionne said last month Fiat Chrysler could sell more than 10 percent of the luxury unit to boost liquidity in the shares."I don't believe we will go above 10 percent," Marchionne said on Wednesday on the sidelines of an event in Amsterdam, but added that no final decision had been taken. (ETauto.com)
• image from cardekho.com and