Automotive Updates - 21st and 22nd December 2015

• Tata Motors has entered the top-50 league of the world's biggest companies in terms of their R&D investments, topped by German automaker Volkswagen.On the annual Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard for 2015, prepared by European Commission, Volkswagen is followed by Samsung, Microsoft, Intel and Novartis in the top-five.(ETauto)

• Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors will jointly develop components and systems for electric and hybrid vehicles.The three auto majors have teamed up since the Government of India announced the launch of the FAME India scheme in April 2015. This incentive, which has been launched in metro cities, will be introduced in tier 2 and tier 3 cities along with smart cities in the coming year.(team-bhp)

• At a time when pollution in cities has become a hotly debated topic, prototype of India's first retrofitted electric bus was showcased on Monday here in the capital.The demonstration was attended by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The bus is proposed to be used by Members of Parliament.This is the first time that a diesel bus has been converted into a battery operated electric bus. (ETauto)

• Scarred by a public relations thrashing over its "Dieselgate" scandal, Volkswagen is planning an image offensive, and its "Das Auto" global advertising slogan is an early casualty.Launched in 2007 under ousted boss Martin Winterkorn, the slogan has had the advantage of simplicity, merely meaning "The Car". However, the German carmaker's leaders, anxious to proclaim a reformed corporate culture, have criticised it as out of step with a company trying to show new-found humility.(businesstoday)

• Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles, a part of the $16.9 billion Mahindra Group, said it plans to launch products in Europe next year."Europe is a very interesting space for us, we are looking at launching our products sometime in calendar year 2016 in European market," Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Vice President (Sales and Marketing) Jagan Kurian told reporters here. (ETauto)

• Eicher Truck & Buses has expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of three new fully built reefer (refrigerated) trucks - Pro 1059XP, Pro 1110XP & Pro 6025. These products will help the company provide fully built, ready to use solutions for cold chain logistics.The trucks come with an ARAI-approved design in 14 ft, 20 ft and 24 ft options. They range from a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 7 tonnes to 25 tonnes. The refrigeration unit is claimed to have an operating temperature range of -25 C to +25 C under ambient conditions of +50 C.(team-bhp)

• KTM’s dirt bike subsidiary Husqvarna is gearing up to re-enter the on-road market after a long sabbatical. The range of small and medium displacement street bikes which were previewed by the Vitpilen and Svartpilen concepts are inching towards production and will share their platforms with comparable KTM siblings.Since Bajaj’s Chakan plant in Pune serves as a global production hub for the KTM Duke and RC range of (125, 200, 250 and 390) motorcycles, it’s logical to use the same facility to produce the new Husqvarna range. Talking to Economic Times, Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM, revealed that engines and components for Husqvarna on-road motorcycles will be sourced from India and assembled in Austria for European and American markets.(rushlane)