Automotive Updates - 7th July 2015

• The automobile and automotive components industries in India face the likelihood of a shortage of skilled workers in the not-too-distant future.  A report by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has cited the need for nearly 15 million (1.5 crore) directly employable people by 2022 in the automobile sector. The report suggests that the state of Haryana currently leads in the production of passenger cars, motorcycles and tractors, contributing 50 percent of the total passenger cars and two-wheelers produced in India. As global companies explore India as a manufacturing base to either shift their operations from Europe to India or set up new plants here and in other south-east Asian countries, India and other BRIC nations are expected to emerge as major manufacturing hubs due to the availability of cheap labour and other advantages. A number of global auto component manufacturers, which have a manufacturing presence in India either through joint ventures or other alliances, are focusing on exports as excise duty on completely knocked down (CKD) units is low. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/india-auto-industry-million-skilled-workers-2022-8811#sthash.s0S0ns7t.dpuf

•  Japanese car giant Toyota Motor Corporation is recalling 7,129 units of its executive sedan Corolla in India to fix faulty passenger side airbags as part of a global exercise. The company, present in India through a joint venture with The Kirloskar Group group, said the units being recalled were manufactured between April 2007 and July 2008.(livemint)

• Maruti Suzuki India today announced the finale of the Supra SaeIndia 2015 competition to be held between July 15-19 at the Chennai Motor Race Track. This year about 2,200 engineering students representing 167 engineering colleges competed for the winner’s title. Of these, 110 colleges were shortlisted for the physical round that involves working on designing the vehicle, manufacturing, sourcing of parts, addressing costs and driving of the prototype Formula race car by students. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/110-colleges-vie-honours-supra-saeindia-2015-finale-chennai-8812#sthash.vxPL6glI.dpuf

• Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has launched new XL variant of its Micra CVT Automatic hatchback on Tuesday. Priced at Rs 6,39,990 (ex Delhi), it features the Xtronic CVT automatic gearbox, making Micra the first and the only car in its segment to sport one.Xtronic CVT Technology delivers a fuel efficiency of 19.34kmpl. It also comes with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) with three modes for Sporty, Normal and Economy oriented driving.(Etauto.com)

• Japanese automakers, Nissan have plans to launch GT-R sports car (aka Godzilla) in India this year. Slated to reach showrooms in India just ahead of the festive season, the Nissan GT-R could be priced at around INR 2 crores. This exclusive sports car follows Nissan 370Z, which is already on sale in India.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/nissan-gt-r-india-launch-plans-12155930.html#rwKDriPzKYs8FA3r.99

• German luxury car maker BMW today launched a new variant of its popular SUV model X3 priced at Rs 59.9 lakh.The new BMW X3 xDrive 30d M Sport is powered by a 3-litre six-cylinder diesel engine and is locally assembled at the company’s Chennai plant, BMW India said in a statement.(financial express)

• Uber Technologies Inc. has announced investment in Hyderabad to the tune of $50 mn (INR 317 crores) over the next five years. Set to be the company’s biggest facility outside of the US, the investment planned by Uber Technologies Inc. in Hyderabad will give rise to thousands of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. The new facility will be completed in the next five years while a Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed by the company and the Telangana Government.Read more at http://www.rushlane.com/uber-hyderabad-investment-50-million-12155955.html#ylcRcDm7zYmEPsvQ.99