Automotive Updates - 27th May 2015

•  Nissan Motor Co. Ltd’s Indian unit, which last year overtookMaruti Suzuki India Ltd as the largest car exporter from India, on Tuesday said India needs to improve its tax structure and infrastructure and keep costs low to attract foreign investment in manufacturing.The cost of raw materials, power and labour must be competitive for the government’s Make in India campaign to succeed, Guillaume Sicard, president of Nissan’s India operations, said at a press briefing to mark the export of 500,000 cars from India by Nissan.(livemint)

• Commercial vehicle maker Daimler India Commercial Vehicle, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Stuttgart-based Daimler, today inaugurated its new bus manufacturing facility set up at an investment of Rs 425 crore at Oragadam."With the opening of bus plant, DICV is expanding its business and becomes a full-fledged commercial vehicle manufacturer in Indian market," Daimler Trucks and Buses, Member of Board of Management, Wolfgang Bernhard said after formally inaugurating the bus unit.(ETauto.com)

• Hyundai is the first carmaker to offer Google’s Android Auto system.Starting today, Android smartphone users with a 2015 Sonata can ask dealers to download the system for free.Drivers must have a Sonata with navigation, which is part of an optional technology package. Android Auto will soon be available on other Hyundai models.Android Auto connects to drivers’ smartphones and lets them access certain apps, like Google Maps or Spotify, by voice, steering wheel controls or touchscreen graphics on the dashboard. It locks their phones while in use to help keep drivers’ eyes on the road.(financial express)

• Global automotive supplier Continental has received new charge with the acquisition of Emitec. In 2014, Continental announced the 100% ownership of the joint venture with Emitec Emission Control Technologies. Emitec, founded in 1986 and based in Lohmar, Germany was formerly a 50/50 joint venture between Continental and GKN. With this acquisition, Emitec has been integrated into Continental’s Powertrain Division, merging with Business Unit Fuel Supply (FS) to form a new Business Unit Fuel & Exhaust Management (FEM). In addition to production sites in Lohmar and Eisenach in Germany, Faulquemont in France and Fountain Inn in South Carolina, USA, Emitec has a plant in Pune, India.   - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/continental-expands-powertrain-portfolio-emitec-acquisition-8484#sthash.WtJx9OqE.dpuf

• Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions inaugurated phase II of its facility on Wednesday in Keernatham Village near Saravanampatty. Former Indian Space Research Institute chairman K Kasturirangan inaugurated it.Inaugurating the facility, Kasturirangan said, "If Coimbatore is known as the Detroit of the East, the need of the hour is a critical stamp which proclaims its automotive competency, and this is now available in the form of Bosch." He said that the expansion of the facility would add to the infrastructure to provide support for technical innovations.(Etauto.com)

• Automotive lighting equipment manufacturer Autolite (India) has inked a joint venture agreement with Jinway Import & Export Co Ltd of China to set up a plant in Jaipur. The plant will manufacture high-tech capital goods for production of latest technology products like fire plasma surface treatment machine, robotic IR and UV curing coating line, advanced assembly lines with online vision inspection system, online test and adjustment assembly machines, clean room systems, laser-based welding systems and ultrasonic welding systems. These machines will be used in sectors like automobiles, automotive components, renewable energy, aviation, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, defence manufacturing, semiconductors and LEDs. The first-of-a-kind project, which will create employment opportunities in Rajasthan, will attracting investment from China. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/autolite-india-jv-pact-chinese-set-plant-jaipur-8482#sthash.LGVKDKZ2.dpuf