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)