Automotive Updates - 9th September 2015

• Home-grown auto major Mahindra & Mahindra today signed a pact with Tamil Nadu government under which it would invest a massive Rs 2,000 crore rupees in the state over the next five years, the company informed the exchanges today. M&M has announced that it would invest the said amount in Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), a new Test track for MRV and an automotive plant to be set up in the state to meet the company's future requirements. M&M added that it could also increase the investment to Rs 4,000 crores by 2022 if required, which will be decided over the next few years.  - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/-signs-mou-invest-rs-crore-tamil-nadu-9238#sthash.LYVO1MKg.dpuf

• two wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has commenced operations at its first global manufacturing facility in Colombia, the company said in a BSE filing. The Colombia plant is Hero MotoCorp's fifth manufacturing facility, in addition to four assembly plants in India. This plant will act as a strategic base for shipping to North American markets.The new plant will manufacture ten products from the company's portfolio, including the all new scooter Dash which was also unveiled at the inauguration as part of its global launch.(Etauto)

• India Yamaha Motor (IYM) today inaugurated its third manufacturing facility at the industrial park in Vallam Vadagal situated at the outskirts of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The plant was inaugurated this morning during the opening ceremony of the first Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2015 by chief minister J Jayalalithaa in the presence of Hiroaki Fujita, chairman, India Yamaha Motor. The new factory will be the first in the Yamaha Motor group to have a vendor park in its vicinity. Spread across 177 acres, the new facility covers an area of 109 acres for IYM and 68 acres for vendor partners. - See more at: http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/yamaha-motor-wheeler-plant-tamil-nadu-india-9234#sthash.YtjhfrTB.dpuf\

• With a week left for its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the production of the Maruti Baleno (Suzuki Baleno in Europe) has commenced at the Indian automaker’s Manesar facility. The car will be solely made in India and exported to all the international markets including Suzuki’s home country Japan.The Job 1 features a honeycomb meshed front grille indicating that it is an export-spec model. Earlier spyshots and patent leaks indicate that the version destined for the domestic market will have twin chrome slats like the ones on the S-Cross.(rushlane) 

•  JK Tyre & Industries, the country's third-largest tyre maker, plans to enter the two-wheeler segment through the trading route as it steers clear of investing afresh in manufacturing facilities in a slowing auto market."We are planning to outsource and sell two-wheeler tyres for the time being," Raghupati Singhania, CMD of JK Tyre, told ET in an exclusive interview. "We are working on signing up with vendors and we are exploring both local and international vendors. We will service both the aftermarket and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) segment." (Etauto)

• Tata Motors Ltd, India’s largest automobile maker, may be just around a year away from launching the first of two vehicles that are the outcome of its collaboration with British marquee brands Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR), which it acquired eight years ago for $2.3 billion from Ford Motor Co.Tata Motors has awarded contracts to three key Indian auto parts suppliers to source components for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) being built in association with JLR, two people directly involved in the matter said on condition of anonymity.(livemint)

• German luxury carmaker Mercedes- Benz on Wednesday commenced the production of its new generation car CLA sedan in India."Local production will make the CLA even more attractive for the discerning buyers with additional value propositions and increased availability," Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO Eberhard Kern said in a statement. CLA is the seventh product to be produced in India.(businesstoday)