Automotive Updates - 26th June 2015

• Bajaj Auto, the third largest two-wheeler maker in India, is looking to introduce two new motorcycle brands in Indian motorcycle market.The chakan-based company will launch a new executive brand of motorcycle which will sit in the 125-150cc bracket. First offering under this brand is expected to come out in financial year 2016 itself.The second new brand is expected to be in the leisure segment. This will be taking on the might of the Royal Enfield bikes. This new brand is expected to have a 400cc engine and will be launched in FY17. It is likely to be on display at the 2016 Auto Expo.(Etauto.com)

• An air of uncertainty hangs over the Ashok Leyland-Nissan joint venture's future. The alliance has been hit with losses and their cross badged products i.e. the Nissan Evalia and Ashok Leyland Stile have been taken out of production, owing to weak demand ever since they were launched. Sources say that most of the business targets have not been achieved and mounting losses, write-offs have soured the relationship between the two partners. The JV is divided into three companies. In Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles Ltd, Leyland is the majority stake holder with a 51% holding with Nissan as a junior partner with 49%. Nissan has a 51% stake in Nissan Ashok Leyland Powertrain Pvt. Ltd, with the remaining share held by Ashok Leyland. Both companies have an equal share in Nissan Ashok Leyland Technologies Pvt. Ltd.(team-bhp)

• Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) today launched two new 2015 editions of its Aviator and Activa-i automatic scooters. With this, the company marks the launch of 8 new model launches in the first six months of 2015. Both automatic scooters get fresh graphic paint schemes but will use the same engine as on the models already on sale – the 109cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled motor which develops 8bhp at 7,000rpm and 0.9kgm of torque at 5,500rpm. While the refreshed Activa-i’s pricing starts at Rs 46,703 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the updated Aviator costs Rs 56,209. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/india-honda-wheeler-market-2018-8698#sthash.Lidq1JXj.dpuf

• In a bid to retain its dominance as the number one passenger car exporter from India, Hyundai plans to reorganise its export portfolio by adding new products to the list. In a recent statement, the South Korean automaker conveyed that it is looking for more markets to ship its new products including the Grand i10, Xcent and Elite i20. The upcoming compact SUV Creta will also be exported from the country. The manufacturer has been holding the number one position in auto exports for a decade now and ships cars from its Chennai based facility to over 85 countries.Read more at http://www.motorbeam.com/2015/06/cars/hyundai-cars/hyundai-india-to-export-to-new-markets-including-creta/#YM4uXxCIaZmx3sEz.99

• Minsk Tractor Works (MTW) and Sonalika Group have entered into an agreement wherein the company’s Belarus range of tractors will be on sale in India. Belarus tractors will be produced at the Sonalika plant in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. This introduction of Belarus tractors in India will allow optimum farming solutions to farmers while for the companies, the agreement will enable wider product options besides synergies of networks. Once a household name in India, Belarus tractors are still in use in many villages in India.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/sonalika-plans-return-belarus-tractors-india-12155158.html#8qRbue9MgWwcU5Ui.99

• Maruti Suzuki's flagship sedan Ciaz seems to be gaining good momentum in its segment. As per sources, Maruti has already sold over 50,000 units in national as well as overseas market, all this in just about eight months since launch. Until now Hyundai's Verna has been the second best seller after Honda City in the country. But now, Maruti Suzuki's Ciaz sedan has claimed the second spot pushing the Verna from Hyundai to the third position.(cartrade)

• Japanese car major Nissan is learnt to have stopped producing the MPV model Evalia. The main reason has been a cold response from customers in India. This is a contrast to some overseas markets where the model is called the NV 200. A company spokesperson says, "The Evalia’s design and styling is unconventional and unfortunately it has not met our sales expectations with our Indian customers." Evalia production could resume if the company manages to clear out the inventory and create some space in the market for the model. That is a tall task though. "We continue to promote the vehicle with our target customers,” says the spokesperson.  - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/nissan-stops-evalia-production-india-8697#sthash.ro6qQvKy.dpuf