Automotive Updates - 8th April 2015

•  Royal Dutch Shell said on Wednesday it had agreed to buy BG Group for 47 billion pounds ($70 billion) in a bid to close the gap on the world's biggest oil major, U.S. ExxonMobil.In a joint statement, the two firms said that as part of the recommended deal Shell would pay a mix of cash and shares that would value each BG share at around 1,350 pence. It said this represented a premium of around 52 percent to the 90-day trading average.(ETauto.com)

• The Karnataka government is gearing up to ban two-stroke autorickshaws in Bangalore city in a bid to bring down rising pollution levels. A proposal in this connection has been sent to the environment and ecology department, government sources said. The move by the government is seen as boost to the sales of LPG-fitted autorickshaws as the government has already made it mandatory that the new autorickshaws should be fitted with LPG-powered, four-stroke engines. The government’s decision comes after the Karnataka High Court issued directions to the State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to control pollution levels in the state capital. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/karnataka-ban-polluting-stroke-autos-bangalore-8141#sthash.H729x42y.dpuf

• Scheme for FAME India, Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles has been announced by the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) of the Government of India, in association with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The initiative was announced by Shri Anant Geete, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises of India in the presence of stakeholders and the general public. Organized by the Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India. The event was honored in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Heavy Industry Shri Anant Geete, Secretary Heavy Industry Shri Rajan Katoch, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor Shri S.K Bahri and Additional Secretary Heavy Industry Shri Ambuj Sharma.(cartrade.com)

• Suzuki India made a comeback and how with the Gixxer 155 that changed the fortunes for the two-wheeler manufacturer in the country. Developed for markets like India, the Gixxer has been at a dominant position in the premium 150cc segment and now Suzuki is contemplating to launch the street-fighter in Japan as well. Owing to the increasing popularity of such motorcycles in its home country, the Japanese giant is planning to export the India-made Gixxer to Japan from its Manesar plant to address the demand.This is not for the first time Suzuki will be exporting bikes from other countries to Japan. In the past too, the manufacturer has exported small and mid-size motorcycles from its subsidiaries in China, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. Before commencing exports from the Indian plant, the manufacturer will first showcase the Gixxer at a number of motor shows in a bid to gauge feedback from prospective customers. (motorbeam.com)

• The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG are to expand their five-year strategic cooperation into the pickup truck segment. Together, Nissan and Daimler will develop a 1-tonne pickup truck for Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz recently announced its entry into this segment (see story link below). The Mercedes-Benz pickup will share some of the architecture with the all-new Nissan NP300 but it will be engineered and designed by Daimler to meet the specific needs of its customers. The vehicle will have all of Mercedes-Benz’ distinctive characteristics and features. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/renault-nissan-alliance-daimler-jointly-develop-tonne-pickup-truck-8136#sthash.H9tMMD49.dpuf

• he media account of Honda Cars will be now maintained by Motivator, one of GroupM's media agencies. According to the company’s senior officials, the volume of this account is calculated at more than Rs. 100 crore, including the digital media. Prior to Motivator, this account was maintained by ZenithOptimedia. Expressing her views on this move, the Assistant Vice-President (Marketing) at Honda Cars India, Anita Sharma was quoted as saying, "As part of our corporate governance rules, we call for a pitch every three years. And this time we had invited six agencies and had two rounds of pitch presentations. We asked agencies to present two case studies for Honda City and Amaze."(cartrade)