Automotive Updates - 30th September 2015

• Country's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp, which has leadership position in the motorcycle segment, is now gunning for a dominant play in the fast growing scooter segment where its erstwhile partner Honda rules the roost. As part of its strategy to enhance presence in the scooter vertical,the company on Tuesday unveiled two new models-Maestro Edge and Duet, in the 110 cc category, thereby taking its product line to four vehicles.(businesstoday)

• Automotive OEM component supplier Sandhar Technologies today filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with market regulator SEBI seeking permission for its IPO. The IPO consists of a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 3,000 million and offer for sale of upto 5,115,456 equity shares by GTI Capital Beta Pvt Ltd at a face value of Rs 10 each at a price band to be decided later. The net proceeds from the Issue will be utilised for the establishment of a new manufacturing facility at Hosur, Tamil Nadu, repayment/pre-payment, in full or part, of certain borrowings and general corporate purposes. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/sandhar-technologies-lines-ipo-set-plant-tn-9395#sthash.aY7vtxlj.dpuf

• New-vehicle buyers, in the last four years, are increasingly considering larger model like utility vehicles and midsize cars, as againsst small cars, J.D. Power said in its 2015 India Escaped Shopper Study released on Wednesday.In 2015, the percentage of new-vehicle shoppers who considered small cars during their shopping process has decreased to 45 percent from 65 percent in 2012. Concurrently, the percentage of shoppers who consider utility vehicles and midsize cars has increased by 12 percentage points and 7 percentage points, respectively.(Etauto)

• The Suzuki Ignis compact crossover also known as iM-4 has generated a lot of curiosity among automotive enthusiasts across the globe. Suzuki has finally decided to pull off the curtains and unveil the Ignis compact crossover at the upcoming 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. The company shall also showcase the iK-2 concept at the event. The company has not revealed any details on the tech specs yet, and based on anticipation it is likely to get the recently developed SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) on a 1.2-Litre engine. It is not known if the company may also offer the AWD system on the vehicle. A while ago, there have been reports stating that Suzuki may offer 20 new models across the globe from which only the 'kei-jidosha' would be offered only in Japan and not in any other market.(cartrade)

• Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland has sold shares worth Rs 165.37 crore of IndusInd Bank."The company has cumulatively sold 18,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each held in IndusInd Bank Ltd in the open market during the period between September 25-29 at a net price of Rs 918.76 per share," the Chennai-based company said in a BSE filing.(Etauto)

• The Chevrolet brand in India is all geared up to lure carbuyers who have been awaiting for new SUV options in the country. The company is set to launch the new Trailblazer SUV in India on 21st October, 2015. Post launch it could likely emerge as a strong competitor against the popular Fortuner SUV from Toyota and the Ssanyong Rexton. Under the hood, the Chevrolet Trailblazer shall be powered by 2.8-litre Duramax, four-cylinder engine that would generate about 197Bhp of power. The vehicle shall be offered in only 2-wheel drive with automatic transmission option for now, whereas a 4-Wheel Drive system may be offered later.(cartrade)

automotive Updates - 28th and 29th September 2015

•  Mercedes Benz has Rs 2,000 crore decided to invest in upgrading its factory at Chakan in Pune, which the Maharashtra government says is an endorsement of its commitment to the ease of doing business in the state. Earlier the government was successful in luring Foxconn to set up manufacturing units in the state.(Etauto)

• Audi said 2.1 million cars worldwide were fitted with the software that allowed parent Volkswagen to cheat US emission tests.Some 1.42 million Audi vehicles with so-called EU5 engines are affected in Western Europe, with 577,000 in Germany and almost 13,000 in the United States, a spokesman for Ingolstadt-based Audi said on Monday.Affected model lines include the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, TT, Q3 and Q5, the spokesman said.(businesstoday)

• Tata Motors Ltd plans to launch the Magic Mantra, an upgraded eight-seater passenger carrier based on the existing Magic platform, in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru next month, as it seeks to compete in the auto rickshaw, and black and yellow cabs market.While the Magic has been running in smaller towns and cities for nearly eight years now, this is the first time that the company is targeting the big metros, said Ravi Pisharody, is executive director, commercial vehicles business at Tata Motors, in an interview on Monday.(livemint)

• Hero MotoCorp has unveiled the Maestro Edge scooter in India. The company will launch the product on October 13.The Maestro Edge is available in seven colours – Pearl Silver White, Panther Black, Shooting Night Star, Candy Blazing Red, Techno Blue, Matte Vernier Grey and Matte Blue. It has a telescopic fork suspension at the front and rides on 12-inch alloy wheels. (teambhp)

• GNA Axles, the Punjab-based manufacturer of rear axle shafts for commercial and agricultural vehicles, has filed a red herring prospectus with stock market regulator for an IPO of up to 6.3 million shares, it said in a release today.The breakdown for the issue is 61,00,000 equity shares for the public along with a reservation of 2,00,000 shares for subscription by eligible employees, with a face value of Rs 10 per share.The net proceeds from the issue will be utilised for the purchase of plant and machinery, and to meet the working capital requirements along with general corporate purposes. The company proposes to utilise Rs 80 crore towards purchase of plant and machinery and Rs 35 crore towards meeting working capital requirements.(autocarpro)

• Mahindra has rolled out the 7,00,000th vehicle from its plant in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The plant has achieved this milestone in less than 10 years since it became operational.Inaugurated in December 2005, the Haridwar plant currently manufacturers the Bolero, Scorpio S2, Gio (passenger & load), Alfa (passenger & load) and Champion range. For the past two years, the plant has had one of the highest production capacities among other automotive plants of Mahindra. It is the company's sole automotive plant in North India. (teambhp)

• Sonalika International Tractors has launched a new series of tractors - HDM (Heavy Duty Mileage) at the Punjab Agricultural University Mela (PAU Mela).Under this new series, the company has launched the new DI 750III tractor, which is designed to operate in all types of soil conditions.The DI 750III falls in the 55 HP segment and has a lift capacity of 2,000 kg.(teambhp)

Automotive Updates - 26th and 27th September 2015

• Volkswagen Board has officially named 62 year old Matthias Mueller as the new CEO of Volkswagen Group. Mueller has been with the VW Group for his entire career, which started back in 1977 when he joined as an intern at Audi. In 2010, he was appointed as the CEO of Porsche AG, which is a subsidiary of VW Group, but also the owner of 50.7% stage in VW Group AG.After being appointed as the new CEO of Volkswagen Group, Matthias Mueller has said that his immediate job is to win back the trust of their customers. He adds that the company will do everything in its power to bounce back from the current situation. In the meantime, the company will help authorities investigate the scandal with utmost transparency.(rushlane)

• Piqued by the long wait for nod to its quadricycle, Bajaj Auto chief Rajiv Bajaj said on  Friday the "process just takes forever" in India and wondered whether the approval would come when his children join the business.The company has decided to start exporting the vehicle Qute, earlier known as RE60 , to 16 countries by the end of this month even as it awaits the Supreme Court verdict to introduce it in the domestic market.(businesstoday)

• Temporary workers at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant on Saturday protested in front of factory demanding hike in wages, a day after the management signed a three-year settlement with permanent employees.According to sources, around 300 temporary workers, who came for the first shift in the morning, came out shouting slogans demanding wage hikes similar to those given to the permanent employees.(Etauto)

• Bajaj Auto has branded the RE60 quadricycle as "Qute". The company has also announced its plans to export the vehicle to 16 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. The company claims that it is the first Indian made quadricycle to meet European quadricycle norms and get the European WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval) certification awarded by RDW Netherlands. (teambhp)

• US-based UM Motorcycles and its Indian partner Lohia Auto will launch first cruiser bike in the country in February during the Auto Expo in New Delhi. "The first cruiser product will be rolled out during the Auto Expo in February 2016," Lohia Auto Industries CEO Ayush Lohia told reporters here. UM Motorcycles and Lohia Auto had formed an equal stake joint venture (JV) in September last year for manufacturing new products including a range of motorcycles -- cruisers and bikes (300 to 500 cc) for the Indian market. (cartrade)

• Government regulators on both sides of the Atlantic vowed on Friday to toughen auto emissions tests in the wake of Volkswagen’s admission it cheated on diesel emissions, but some officials and environmentalists doubted the pledges would be easily achieved.The US environmental protection agency notified auto manufacturers in a letter that they could require additional tests for “any vehicle” to determine whether it meets emission standards under normal road conditions, not just at controlled testing facilities.(livemint)

•  Sonalika International Tractors, the third largest tractor manufacturer of India, today launched the new 55 HP range DI 750III tractor under HDM (Heavy Duty Mileage) series. The tractor was introduced that Punjab Agricultural University Mela (PAU Mela) The new DI 750III comes with a lift capacity of 2000kg and 4 cylinder 2000 RPM engine, the tractor is designed to operate heavier and bigger implements in all types of soil conditions. "Our new DI 750 III tractor will prove to be a great asset to farmers and other consumers, across the country. The product is designed in keeping with today's demand of rugged and unbreakable performance of the machine which can work for longer duration.Our Heavy Duty Mileage series tractor's reaffirms our commitment to continuously enhance our products to suit specific needs of our customers," said D L Rana, Director, Sales & Marketing, Sonalika International Tractors. (Etauto)

Automotive Updates - 25th September 2015

• Bajaj Auto Ltd, the Pune-based maker of motorcycles and autorickshaws, said on Friday it will introduce a four-wheeler called Qute to more than 16 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.In India, Bajaj is waiting for the Supreme Court to give it permission to sell the motorized vehicle the company calls a quadricycle.The vehicle is powered by Bajaj’s water-cooled, 4-valve engine that claims to offer 36km per litre fuel efficiency.(livemint)

• ZF Hero Chassis Systems, the 50:50 joint venture of ZF India and Hero Motors, today inaugurated a new plant in Oragadam, Kanchipuram district on the outskirts of Chennai city. The new facility will assemble front and rear chassis systems for passenger cars. It has a plot size of 7,200 square metres. In accordance with the local-for-local concept, ZF Hero wants to provide its customers with products from local production wherever possible. Equally, design-to-market considerations play an important role in this regard. ZF engineers are located in the new plant in order to specifically meet the requirements of its customers. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/zf-hero-plant-chennai-assemble-chassis-modules-bmw-9372#sthash.AXbp0DQe.dpuf

•  Volkswagen will fire three top executives on Friday, a senior source said, as the German carmaker tries to recover from a scandal over its rigging of US vehicle emissions tests.One day after chief executive Martin Winterkorn quit, the source said the head of the company's US operations and top engineers at premium VW brands Audi and Porsche would be dismissed, regardless of whether they knew about the cheating.(Etauto)

• The made-in-India sportscar Avanti from DC Designs has finally been launched in India at a lucrative price tag of Rs 35.93 Lakh (Ex-showroom, Pune). The vehicle was first unveiled more than three years ago at the 2012 Auto Expo Event held in Delhi. Speaking more on the occasion, Dilip Chhabria, founder and head of DC Design, said, “We are proud of the fact that it is indigenously designed and developed in India for Indian customers and for Indian roads. It's now a car that the young can aspire. Usually when you're young, you can't afford a sports car. But with this, we are trying to reach out to the young aspirants to be able to afford a sports car because in other countries the sports car is a huge segment by itself”.(cartrade)

• Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest carmaker , has reached a wage settlement agreement with workers at its Gurgaon and Manesar plants, under which employees will get an average salary hike of around Rs 16,800 per month spread over three years.Under the three-year agreement, to be implemented with retrospective effect from April this year, the workers will receive 50 per cent of the increased salary in the first year and the 25 per cent each in the remaining two years.(businesstoday)

• Along with Mercedes-Maybach S 600, launched at INR 2.6 crores, Mercedes Benz India has also introduced Mercedes-Maybach S 500 today.Mercedes-Maybach S 500 will be assembled locally at the Mercedes Benz India plant in Chakan, Pune. Measuring 5,453mm in length and sitting on a wheelbase of 3,365mm, the Mercedes-Maybach S 500 grows in dimension as compared to the regular S Class. This results in better cabin space especially for passengers at the rear wherein two individual, electrically adjustable seats are seen. There are also a few exterior changes that add even more luxury to the S500.(rushlane)

Automotive Updates - 24th September 2015

• Bajaj Auto Ltd is set to begin exports of the RE60, India’s first quadricycle, after it got all requisite approvals from a European certification agency. The RE60’s launch in India has been delayed due to public interest litigations filed against its launch which are still being heard in the Supreme Court.Against that backdrop, the go-ahead to begin exports to Europe comes as a significant relief for Bajaj Auto.Earlier this week, the RE60 got a certification under the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EU WVTA) regulations.(livemint)

• The Renault Kwid has been officially launched in India, priced between Rs. 2.57 - 3.53 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).With 98% of localization at the time of its launch, Renault has managed to price this hatchback aggressively and much lower than what the company had initially promised of Rs. 3-4 lakhs. It seems like Renault hasn't left any stone unturned to take on India's largest selling car - Maruti's Alto 800 and Hyundai's Eon head-on. At this price, it will surely attract Tata Nano buyers too.(team-bhp)

• Government today said it has asked automotive testing agency ARAI to inquire ifVolkswagen had followed the same practice during emission tests in India as it did in the US, where it faces a fine of over USD 18 billion for manipulation.The auto major has admitted that it used a software in some of its diesel engines during emissions tests in the US which enabled manipulation of results. Besides, according to reports, the German government said Volkswagen had manipulated emissions in Europe as well.(Etauto)

• Volkswagen will start firing people responsible for rigging US emissions tests and shake up management on Friday, two sources familiar with the plans said, as the German carmaker tries to get to grips with the biggest scandal in its 78-year history.The supervisory board of Europe's biggest automaker is meeting on Friday to decide a successor to chief executive Martin Winterkorn, who resigned on Wednesday.(businesstoday)

•  Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) on Wednesday announced the appointment of Rajan Wadhera as the new president. Wadhera is the president & chief executive - Truck & Powertrain , & Head of Mahindra Research Valley, Mahindra & Mahindra. Vikram Kirloskar, who works as vice-chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, has been appointed as the vice president of ARAI.Wadhera replaces Vinod Dasari, Managing Director of Ashok Leyland, whereas Kirloskar takes over from Wadhera.(ETauto)

• The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the apex body of automobile dealers in India, has made a strong pitch for creation of auto clusters in various cities. Speaking at FADA’s 51st Annual Session held on September 18, K V S Prakash Rao, president, FADA, said in their absence, it would be difficult to sustain growth expected in the next 10 years. Shrinking space for commercial and industrial activities and increasing congestion and pollution have not only made the cost of real estate prohibitive, but have also led State governments to come up with stringent land use laws. 3S automobile dealerships, encompassing sales, service and spares under one roof, can operate neither from commercial area nor industrial area. Therefore, the need for auto clusters. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/fada-pitches-auto-clusters-cities-9365#sthash.7rtVaUAd.dpuf

• Developed on the Ace platform, Tata Magic entered the four wheeler public transport segment in June 2007. It was the first small last mile commercial public transport vehicle and was offered in four variants, Diesel (BS3 & BS4), CNG (BS4), Iris Diesel (BS3 & BS4) and Iris CNG (BS4).Achieving this new feat of crossing sales mark of 3 lakh units is a notable achievement for Tata Motors especially considering that Tata Magic as a passenger transport vehicle also needs a permit besides vehicle registration. (rushlane)

Ford India Redefines Compact Car Segment; Introduces All-New Figo

• Entry-level variant of the all-new Ford Figo available at an introductory price of INR 429,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi);Variants available for booking across six trims with three engine options and seven colours

• All-new Figo comes equipped with standard driver airbag across all trims; the only hatchback in India to offer up to six airbags for an all-around protection

• To be offered with a choice of powerful yet efficient petrol and diesel engines delivering 18.16 Km/L and 25.83 Km/L respectively

• Power of choice from responsive, efficient petrol and diesel engines optimized to deliver 88 PS and 100 PS respectively; PowerShift automatic transmission with a 1.5L TiVCT petrol engine delivering 112 PS

• First in segment with advanced connectivity solutions like MyFord Dock and SYNC with Ford AppLink to keep drivers conveniently connected to their digital lives

• Best-in-class wheelbase of 2,491 mm, offering outstanding legroom, knee room and shoulder-room; Class leading Ground-Clearance of 174 mm; Fold flat rear seats providing considerable space

Designed to delight customers with sporty stance, cutting-edge technology and unmatched ownership experience, Ford India today launched an all-new Figo at introductory prices starting from INR429,900*

“Built on Ford’s latest global platform, the all-new Figo is an able and worthy successor to one of Ford’s most well-known and trusted nameplates in India,” said Nigel Harris, president and managing director, Ford India. “An outstanding value for money package, the new Figo is cleverly built to appeal to the Indian consumers who don’t want to compromise on looks, practicality, safety, cutting-edge technology and above all, exceptional fuel efficiency.”

Built on the sporty and sophisticated personality of the original, the new Ford Figo raises the bar in the country’s fast-growing compact car segment with its clever value-for-money proposition and host of segment best and first features.

Drive on feeling safer

The all-new Figo is designed from ground up with safety as one of its key differentiators. It features Ford’s renowned robust passenger cage created from high-strength steel to protect occupants in the event of an unfortunate collision.

The model is equipped with driver airbag as standard across the entire range. From second variant onwards, the new Figo will offer standard dual front airbags across the entire lineup. The all-new Figo is the only car in its segment to offer up to six airbags– including side and curtain airbags -- for all round protection.

The all-new Figo ensures that help is never far in an unfortunate event of a serious collision. It offers Ford’s well-known Emergency Assistance feature that uses SYNC and a Bluetooth-paired phone to call emergency responders automatically and provide information about your vehicle and location.

Extraordinary array of smart technologies

The all-new Figo is clever just like our consumers and understands their need to stay safely connected with the outside world. In a first for the segment, the all-new Figo comes equipped with exceptional smart technologies that help customers integrate their car into their digital lives.

Among its many firsts is MyFord Dock -- a first-in-class feature that offers drivers a unique solution for storing, mounting and charging mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems, and for integrating these devices into the car’s entertainment system.

Consumers looking for even greater technological integration can choose a Figo equipped with SYNC with Ford AppLink, Ford’s advanced in-car connectivity system. SYNC with Ford AppLink allows drivers to control their phone, entertainment and apps hands-free using simple voice commands. In India, AppLink allows drivers to access information about nearby attractions and food destinations with Explore by MapMyIndia, and stay updated with the latest cricket scores and upcoming fixtures with ESPN Cricinfo.

Addressing the need to encourage responsible driving, the all-new Figo features Ford MyKey technology that allows owners to program car’s keys with restricted driving modes such as increasing seat belt use, limiting vehicle top speeds and regulating audio volume.

Style meets substance

The all-new Figo features a dynamic design and sleek styling that sets it apart from other hatchbacks. It's bold and aerodynamic exterior conveys confidence and competence. Up front, Ford’s signature bold trapezoidal grille and elongated headlamps grab attention while a well-proportioned tailgate and an accentuated character line running through to the tail lamp cluster enhance overall width.

A bold shoulder on both sides perfectly merges with the taillamps, giving the all-new Figo sense of motion even when stationary. These Ford DNA design characteristics add an unmistakable premium touch to the vehicle.

Energetic interior styling

Step in, and the cabin is young, sporty and inviting, exuding energy and adding to the overall premium appeal. With its best-in-class wheelbase of 2,491 mm, the Figo offers outstanding legroom, knee-room and shoulder-room. Figo also comes with class leading Ground Clearance of 174mm.

The all-new Figo makes judicious use of a longer floor console by offering 20 unique storage spaces specially designed to enhance convenience inside the cabin. It also features fold-flat rear seats to create more room to ensure Figo owners don’t leave anything behind.

The well-equipped cabin is quiet and pays greater attention to comfort with its powerful automatic climate control system. Supported with a high-efficiency compressor and condenser, the air conditioner in the new Ford Figo can bring the temperature of the cabin to below 25 degrees in less than 15 minutes, faster than any of its competitors.

Powerful, effortless and fun-to-drive

The all-new Figo offers competent powertrains that are tuned to deliver outstanding fuel efficiency without compromising on power.

Available in 6 trims – Base, Ambiente, Trend, Trend+, Titanium and Titanium+ -- the customers will have the power of choice with a new and improved 1.2-liter Ti-VCT petrol engine, delivering a peak power of 88 PS and fuel economy of 18.16* Km/L and a 1.5-liter TDCi diesel engine, offering a peak power of 100 PS and an outstanding fuel economy of 25.83* Km/L.

Both these engines are paired to a responsive five-speed manual transmission.

For those looking for the sophistication and refinement of an Automatic Transmission, Figo will come with a six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission paired with a 1.5L TiVCT petrol engine, offering a peak power of 112 PS and a fuel economy of 17 Km/L. The advanced dual-clutch system is backed by a 10-year or 100,000 km warranty.

Retaining Ford’s renowned fun-to-drive experience, the Figo offers precise, agile and responsive steering, and stable and predictable handling. This performance is made possible by Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), which provides lighter steering effort at low speeds – for parking and in-city maneuvering – and heavier, more precise feel at high speeds for greater stability and confidence on highways.

The all-new Figo is available in 7 exciting colours - Ruby Red, Sparkling Gold, Oxford White, Tuxedo Black, Deep Impact Blue, Ingot Silver and Smoke Grey.

Variants	Base	Ambiente	Trend	Trend+	Titanium	Titanium+
Powertrain Combination
1.2L Ti-VCT (Petrol)	429,900	456,600	500,600	525,600	575,600	640,600
1.5L TDCi(Diesel)	529,900	562,600	597,600	622,600	672,600	740,600
1.5L Ti-VCT (Petrol AT)	NA				691,600	NA

Automotive Updates - 23rd September 2015

• Two and three wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto is going to launch its four passenger quadricycle RE60 on September 25. First unveiled at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, it is allowed to be used only for commercial purposes.It is powered by water cooled DTS-i four valve engine, with a maximum speed of 70km/hr.Bajaj RE60 has a fuel efficiency of 35 km/l and boasts of low carbon dioxide emissions of 60g/km. This vehicle will be offered in both CNG and LPG versions.(Etauto)

• As Bajaj gears up to launch its RE60, the country’s first ever quadricycle, on September 25, Tata Motors is holding talks with various state governments to get permission for selling the Magic Iris as a metered taxi.The Tata Magic Iris 5 seater metered taxi would emerge as a safer alternative to a quadricycle which in turn is being positioned as a safer alternative to a three-wheeled auto rickshaw. Talking to Business Standard, Ravi Pishorody, executive director, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, stated that the Magic Iris complies with the M1 norms or safety. M1 represents the category of four wheelers with seating capacity of up to 8 passengers plus a driver.(rushlane)

• Hyundai Motor India plans to launch 2-3 new models every year till 2020 as a part of its efforts to further consolidate its position in the country.The auto major, which is the second largest car maker in India, eyes 1 per cent growth in its market share each year during the period. Currently, the maker of various popular models like i20 andCreta , Hyundai has over 16 per cent market share in the overall passenger vehicle segment.(businesstoday)

• The undisputed leader in the 2-wheeler segment, the Honda Activa has clocked a record-breaking 1 million sales in the first 5 months of the FY 2015-16.The Honda Activa outsells all the products in the scooter segment and contributes to over 51% of the total sales. Its volumes have grown 20 times that of the 2-wheeler Industry in April to August 2015. Honda managed to sell 10,01,350 units of this scooter in the same period. In FY 2014-15, the Activa reached 21,78,227 homes in the country. The Activa achieved the 1 crore milestone in August 2015 (link to news article).(team-bhp)

• Ford India on Wednesday launched the latest version of its popular hatchback Figo at Rs 4,29,900 ex showroom (Delhi). The diesel variant has been launched at Rs 5.3 lakh. The new Figo will offer up to six airbags. The car has a ground clearance of 174 mm. (businesstoday)
  
  

• india’s commercial vehicle industry is witnessing a changing regulatory landscape and with emphasis on cutting fuel emissions and saving costs, manufacturers are turning towards hybrid and electric technologies to keep up. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of hybrid and Electric vehicles (FAME) initiative announced by the government in April this year is now showing some results as more and more manufacturers ready their EV portfolio to take advantage from the subsidies on offer. In this growing list of adopters of electric mobility is the country’s second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland, which is planning to roll out pure electric buses for the Indian market soon. Speaking to Autocar Professional, Dr N Saravanan, senior vice-president, product development at Ashok Leyland, said: “A lot of hybrid movement is being promoted by the government through its FAME programme. I think you will soon start to see some of our vehicles getting steered to the market. We are looking at seeding some electric buses in India, through our subsidiary Optare, and we are also working on very interesting hybrid buses.” - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/ashok-leyland-electric-drive-start-soon-9358#sthash.yLxmao8W.dpuf

Automotive Updates - 22nd September 2015

• India’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp Ltd may just be approaching its toughest test after it separated from its erstwhile joint venture partner Honda Motor Co. five years ago.Starting 2016-17, the company plans to roll out new Splendor and Passion motorcycles with indigenously developed engines and platforms, two people familiar with the matter said.Mint learns that the company has developed three engines and platforms in 110-150cc range to use for some of its top-selling models such as Splendor, Passion and Glamour. The models currently use Honda engines.(livemint)

• A couple of days after its biggest client Volkswagen admitted to cheating on fuel emission tests in the US, shares of Motherson Sumi Systems tanked nearly 8% as concerns over the business of the auto component major getting affected caused a sell-off. Shares of the company ended down 7.74% today at 241.95 rupees on the National Stock Exchange. Even as Motherson has a limited exposure to Volkswagen in the USA, the group is a key customer in Europe and the company’s sales to VW contributed 44 percent of its consolidated revenue in FY15. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/motherson-sumi-shares-fall-amidst-vw-emission-cheating-scandal-9345#sthash.4M7mS8gZ.dpuf

•  Amtek Auto has missed payments on the Rs 800 crore worth of bonds that matured on Monday, potentially exposing the Indian banking system to a near Rs 8,000 crore of loans which may have to be classified as bad loans if the company does not quickly make payments, said three persons familiar with the developments.The auto component maker which was to redeem the five-year bonds did not make the payments till the end of day, said those people who did not want to be identified.(Etauto)

• Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has set a target to achieve what they call as ‘Vision 2.0’. Basically, this aim of theirs is to achieve sales of two million units annually by the end of this decade.In order to achieve this target, the company plans to setup a new plant in Gujarat (image above), which is expected to start production by 2017, and launch 15 new cars. Apart from this, they will also increase their dealer network to more cities and villages.Considering that India’s majority of the population resides in its 6.5 lakh villages, the car maker has plans to expand their reach more in villages, than in the cities. Maruti first started focusing seriously on villages of India back in 2012-13. (rushlane)

• French carmaker Renault India is going to launch its much awaited entry level compact hatchback Kwid on September 24, the company said in a press statement.Bookings for the small car has already opened in select cities for an amount of Rs 25,000 - 45,000, depending on the location of the dealer.(Etauto)

• Bajaj Auto has announced that it will launch the RE60 in India on September 25, 2015.The RE60 is powered by a 216cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke petrol engine. CNG and LPG versions have also been developed.The RE60 was revealed in January 2012. In 2013, The Government of India approved the new class of vehicles in the commercial space. However, due to various legal issues, Bajaj had not been able to launch the vehicle in the market.(teambhp)

• The Italian luxury carmaker finally makes a grand entry on Indian soil. Maserati announces the launch of of its first dealership outlet in India located on Mathura Road in New Delhi. The company has opened its new dealership in the country in partnership with AMP Supercars. Sometime soon, Maserati shall also consider opening its new dealership outlets in Bengaluru and Mumbai.(cartrade)

Automotive updates - 21st September 2015

•  Tata Motors plans to launch a new small commercial vehicle (SCV) 'Magic Mantra' in the country next month, thereby expanding product range under its popular public transport vehicle 'Tata Magic'.The 40 HP Magic Mantra would be the newest entrant in the Tata Magic range, which have already scaled the 3 lakh units sales milestone in the country.(Etauto)

• TVS Motor Company is the latest to have entered the high fuel efficiency two-wheeler arena. The Chennai-based manufacturer has announced the launch of the TVS Sport commuter bike with a high mileage of 95 kilometres per litre (kpl) under standard drive cycle conditions.The earlier Sport model had a fuel efficiency of 75kpl, which means TVS’ engineering team has managed to reduce friction levels sizeably in the new DuraLife engine and in turn lesser stress on the engine, leading to more efficient fuel consumption. The company says refined ignition timing complements the overall low dry mass to provide improved mileage.(autocarpro)

• ARAI has been selected by the Government of India for setting up a new test facility inside their new Chakan campus. Under FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme, the Central Government of India has selected ARAI Pune to carry out tests of EVs. For the same, the government has allotted INR 80 crores for the project.(rushlane)

• Online automobile classifieds firm CarTrade is in the final round of discussions to acquire rival CarWale Group for about $120 million, or approx. Rs 790 crore, a person in the know of the matter said."The deal is almost final; we are expecting the formal announcement to come in a few weeks," the source told ET. The deal includes CarWale and BikeWale portals. (Etauto)

• Harley-Davidson India has named Vikram Pawah as its new managing director, effective today.In his new role, Pawah will manage Harley-Davidson India’s leadership team responsible for in-country sales, dealer network management, marketing, service and operations activities to expand the company’s presence in the country.Pawah has over 24 years of experience, of which 21 were with Honda in India and Australia. His most recent role was assistant vice-president and operating head - sales with Honda Cars India, where he led the sales operations across India and the export markets for product and accessories. Prior to Honda, he worked with Jay Engineering Works, a market leader in the manufacturing of Usha brand fans, sewing machines and fuel injection equipment, as well as Fun Foods India.(autocarpro)

• A month ago, we had reported that Harley-Davidson would update some of its models (link to news article). The company has now officially revealed the updates to the Iron 883, Forty-Eight, Street 750, Road King and Heritage Softail.The updated Iron 883 gets an all-new suspension in the form of adjustable rear shocks and front cartridge forks. It also gets a new rolled leather seat and styling changes like new pipes and wheels, a chopped rear fender and a low drag-style handlebar. It is priced at Rs. 7.37 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).(teambhp)

Automotive Updates - 20th September 2015

• Manufacturers of electric two-wheelers have claimed a sharp fall in their sale as customers who purchased the vehicles during April 1 and June 30 this year are yet to receive subsidy given by Delhi government to promote green vehicles.According to the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), after the new budget was tabled, Delhi government changed their subsidy slab due to which, customers who bought the two-wheeler are still waiting for subsidy, which has created confusion among the new buyer.(ETauto)

•  Volkswagen AG has ordered an external investigation after US regulators found software the car maker designed for diesel cars gave false emissions data, its chief executive officer Martin Winterkorn said on Sunday, adding he was “deeply sorry” for the violation of US rules.“I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public,” Winterkorn said in a statement published by the car maker on Sunday. “Volkswagen has ordered an external investigation of this matter.”(livemint)

• At the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) has made an interesting revelation. The company’s Indian arm Maruti Suzuki is likely to get 15 new models by 2020 as it gradually moves ahead to producing bigger vehicles. While speaking to media at the event, Toshihiro Suzuki said, "We are planning to introduce 20 new models in the next five years for the whole group… out of those 20 models, except for the Kei Jidosha (mini cars), rest will be launched in India."(cartrade)

• All models of two-wheelers need to be fitted with anti-lock braking system (ABS) and combined braking system (CBS) by April 2018. The road transport ministry has issued a draft notification specifying the dates for compliance of these norms in its bid to reduce crashes and deaths involving two-wheelers by improving the braking system.Riders of two-wheelers are the most vulnerable road users. Last year 32,524 lives were lost involving these vehicles and over 1.27 lakh persons were left injured. (ETauto)

• Within only four months of its commercial launch, the Fascino scooter has already become the best-selling scooter model for India Yamaha Motor. The Fascino, which is powered by an air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder 113cc engine borrowed from the Ray, sold 13,478 units in August 2015. The Yamaha Fascino was the seventh highest selling scooter model last month, climbing from the number eight slot that it had occupied in July 2015. It had sold 10,594 units in July. Also, the Yamaha Ray (Ray and Ray Z models), which sold 11,865 units in August 2015, was eighth best-seller in the list of top 10 scooters. It can be noted that the Fascino and Ray scooter models together contributed sales of 25,343 units during August 2015, thereby accounting for more than 40 percent of the company’s overall monthly sales. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/yamaha-fascino-ray-consolidate-position-india-scooters-9326#sthash.s9q7SX3U.dpuf

• The positive response from the enthusiasts for the soon-to-be-launched Fiat Punto Abarth has given the ailing Italian automaker enough confidence to come up with more India-spec Abarth performance derivatives. The Punto Abarth will soon be followed by the Avventura Abarth.

• Autocar India reports that the company is planning to develop an Abarth variant of the Linea sedan as well. Given that the high performance modules of the Punto can be easily adapted by the sedan, cost and development time factors are only favorable. The Fiat Linea Abarth, if produced, will employ the same 145 PS 1.4-litre T-Jet turbocharged petrol engine which is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.(rushlane)

Automotive Updates - 19th September 2015

• As part of its focus on promoting electric/hybrid mobility in India under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme, the Central government has chosen the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) as one of the Centres of Excellence (COEs). The total cost to build the requisite facilities at ARAI is Rs 80 crore. The government has granted Rs 30 crore and the balance will be given next year. The infrastructure for evaluation of EVs will be part of ARAI's new campus at Chakan, near Pune. "Electric mobility is identified as a key R&D initiative, especially lightweighting of materials which are used in buses. So not only the electric side of it but comprehensive vehicle design changes is what we are working on. So we are looking at it with a real long-term direction for the mobility solutions," Rashmi Urdhwareshe, director, ARAI, told Autocar Professional. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/indian-government-grants-rs-80-crore-arai-ev-test-facility-9323#sthash.xYnZ8kCU.dpuf

• Figo Aspire was able to accelerate past the long timers like Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze, Toyota Etios and Tata Zest, which sold 3,202, 3,260, 2,652, and 2,006 respectively.Launched on August 12, Figo Aspire sold 5,176 units, which is a lion share of the total 8,331 vehicles sold by Ford in the month.The car single handedly helped the automaker turn the corner and help it post a decent growth in the month from a fall in sales in July. In fact, it was the biggest gainer during the month in terms of the percentage growth experienced.(ETauto)

• Volkswagen AG could face penalties up to $18 billion after being accused of designing software for diesel cars that deceives regulators measuring toxic emissions, the US Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday.“Put simply, these cars contained software that turns off emissions controls when driving normally and turns them on when the car is undergoing an emissions test,” Cynthia Giles, an enforcement officer at the EPA, told reporters in a teleconference.(livemint)

• Japanese automaker Nissan has been one of the fastest growing brands in the country. The company has reportedly achieved a new milestone with the inauguration of Ritu Nissan, its 200th retail outlet located at Andheri West in Mumbai. The well equipped, state-of-art showroom shall offer sales and service support to both Nissan as well as Datsun brands.Speaking more on the special occasion, Arun Malhotra, managing director, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. said, “At Nissan India, we are proud to reach this significant milestone in such a short period of time. Establishing 200 outlets in a span of just five years not only makes our network one of the fastest growing in India, but puts us well on track to achieve our target of setting up 300 dealerships across the country by the end of fiscal year 2016.(cartrade)

• Former world champions Red Bull have confirmed that that their relationship with Formula One engine partner Renault is over and they will have a new engine partner later this year.Bull's owner Dietrich Mateschitz revealed that the separation is done by the mutual agreement, insisting that there was no sense in working together any more, Sport24 reported. (ETauto)

• Even as festivities at the Frankfurt Motor Show continues, 2016 Honda Civic sedan has opted to make its first public appearance far away from the commotion. The 10th generation of the popular sedan which is billed by the company as the most ambitious remake in the model’s 43-year history has been unveiled at a special even in Los Angeles, USA.The new gen sedan derives its design cues from theCivic Coupe concept which was unveiled at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. As far as the appearance goes, there is absolutely nothing that associates the new car with its predecessor. The slow slung front fascia is dominated by an interesting chrome grille which merges into sleek headlamps (optional LEDs). The sporty bumper is full of sharp edges and a contoured bonnet round off the front fascia.(rushlane)

Automotive Updates - 18th September 2015

• Kalyani Technoforge, a part of Kalyani Group has acquired the Indian operations of Bodycote, a leader in thermal processing services worldwide.Amit Kalyani, executive director, Kalyani Group said, "Kalyani Group with its highest repository of metallurgical knowledge, proficiency & intensive metallurgical expertise in combination with sophisticated tools and technology of Bodycote shall turn out to be one of the strongest synergies ever".(ETauto)

• Talking to media on the sidelines of Frankfurt Motor Show 2015, Toshihiro Suzuki, the newly appointed president and COO of Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), confirmed that there are as many as 15 new Maruti Suzuki products lined up for the next five years.The top official added that 13 out of the 15 products will include replacements and upgrades of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.’s (MSIL) existing product portfolio. The aim is to gradually make a shift from small to bigger cars.(rushlane)

•  Two wheeler manufacturer Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India's work at new Gujarat plant will get over by January next year and most likely the operations will start by then. The company started construction of the plant during last year October.The plant at Vithalapur is the company's fourth production facility in India, and the only scooter manufacturing unit of the country."The work in the Gujarat plant is projected to get over by January and most likely the operations will start by then. This will be a complete scooter plant with a capacity of 1.2 million units," stated a company official, on terms of anonymity.(Etauto)

• Honda Cars India today announced that it will voluntarily replace airbag inflators of 223,578 cars of previous generation models of the CR-V, Civic, City and Jazz as part of Honda’s preventive global recall campaign concerning airbag inflators. This latest recall by Honda Cars India has become the single largest recall in the history of the Indian automotive industry, beating the recall of 155,000 cars announced by GM India on July 13 this year for faulty keyless entry systems on the Chevrolet Spark, Beat and Enjoy models. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/honda-cars-india-recalls-223-578-units-replace-airbag-inflators-9325#sthash.RN67SWa4.dpuf

• Mahindra Auto Steel, a subsidiary of Mahindra Intertrade, has announced the opening of its automotive steel processing facility in the auto belt of Chakan, near Pune, Maharashtra. This plant is the seventh steel service centre in the Mahindra Intertrade family, its third in the Pune region and its third automotive steel processing facility.This facility is a joint venture with China Steel Global Trading Corporation, Taiwan and Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd., Singapore. Mahindra Intertrade holds a 51% stake in the JV and the other partners hold 24.5% each.(team-bhp)

• German auto major Volkswagen plans to launch the new generation of its most popular sports utility vehicle Tiguan in India next year. Unveiling the new Tiguan here at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess said the vehicle is a “proof of the strength of the Volkswagen” brand. Since the launch of the model in 2007, the Tiguan has sold 2.6 million units so far, he said, adding it is the company’s third most popular brand after the Golf and Polo.(cartrade)

Automotive Updates - 17th September 2015

•  Gurgaon-based automotive component manufacturer Lumax group is targetting Rs 2,500 crore consolidated revenue this fiscal year. It expects the revenue to double to reach Rs 5,000 crore over the next five years. The auto component group, which includes listed Lumax Auto Technologies and Lumax Industries, posted revenue of about Rs 2,100 crore in the last fiscal year ended on March 31. (Etauto)

• Scania has rolled out the 1,000th truck from its facility in Narasapura, Bangalore.The truck facility at Narasapura was inaugurated in October 2013 and the bus plant in March 2015. With a collective investment of Rs. 3 billion, this facility houses a service workshop and a central parts warehouse as well. At present, Scania has a current production capacity of 2,500 trucks and 1,000 buses. The company aims to double its capacity by 2020 and has a target of selling 5,000 trucks and 2,500 buses annually. (team-bhp)

• Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has no plans to set up a manufacturing facility in India to make premium cars as the country currently is not a market for them, its CEO Ralf Speth said on Tuesday. "Localisation is a step by step process. Manufacturing is always a possibility in India. It will depend on India developing its economy. At this moment, India is not a market for premium cars in terms of volumes that justify building a plant there," he said."If it were to explode in terms of GDP and come closer to the Chinese market of 24 million cars a year, we can think about a unit in India," he said.(cartrade)

• India Yamaha Motor, which is riding high in terms of sales, and for the first time in its history, has sold more than 60,000 two-wheelers in a single month (August 2015: 61,440 units), has received a good initial response from the market for its entry level midsized sportsbike, the YZF-R3. The liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder, 321cc, 41bhp YZF-R3, which is imported into India in the form of completely knocked down (CKD) kits and locally assembled at the company’s Surajpur (Uttar Pradesh) facility, has recorded total despatches of 140 units during August 2015. Yamaha is currently assembling close to 10 units of the YZF-R3 per day, confirms the company. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/yamaha-yzf-sales-india-9301#sthash.QxqORTV6.dpuf

•  Standard & Poor's has cut the long term credit rating of Amtek Global, reflecting the "heightened liquidity risks" at its parent company Amtek Auto, which might default on loan obligations."The downgrade reflects heightened liquidity risks at India-based parent company Amtek Auto. We see a risk that Amtek Auto may not have sufficient liquidity to meet its interest or debt obligations, which could lead to a default at Amtek Auto, or a debt restructuring," S&P Rating Services said in a statement.(Etauto)

• Hero Cycles, the world’s largest cycle manufacturer by volume, has announced its acquisition of India’s leading premium cycle maker Firefox bikes. The acquisition bolsters the former’s bid to expand its presence in the premium bicycle sector and offers a strong financial impetus to the latter’s growth prospects.As a part of the deal, the two entities have mutually agreed that Firebox Bikes will retain its brand identity and will continue to operate as a separate unit post acquisition.(rushlane)