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