Automotive Updates - 5th and 6th December 2015

• The Government of India is planning to ban all trucks over 15 years of age from April 1, 2016. The step is being taken in an attempt to curb the rising levels of pollution in the county. According to a report by the World Health Organisation, 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India. New Delhi, the national capital stood first in the list.An order banning the use of goods carriers more than 15 years of age is likely to be made public within 10 days. The ban can be brought into effect with an amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Approximately 2.7 million registered trucks were plying on India's roads in the year 2000.(team-bhp)

• Chennai carmakers including Hyundai, Ford and Renault have suspended production at their plant due to floods. The operations will only resume as soon as the conditions improve in the state.Hyundai recently issued a statement stating suspension of three shifts at their facility. Similarly, Ford and Renault have also halted production at their plants. The automakers have temporarily suspended operations at their assembly line and engine plants with regular operations resuming once the weather improves.cartrade)

• With its listed firms adding over USD 100 billion to market capitalisation in the last 15 years, the Tata Group is looking at an increase of nearly USD 250 billion by 2025, including through acquisitions.The group will not shy away from global buyout activity and will continue to make significant investments in both existing as well as new businesses, including in the digital space to meet its vision 2025 targets.(Etauto)

• A government appointed committee comprising experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) would be set up to look into the Volkswagen (VW) emission test cheating case before the Centre decides to slap penalty on the German auto giant.On Monday, the VW Group had announced recall of 3,23,700 vehicles sold in India between 2008 and 2015 across Audi, Skoda and VW brands after a government-ordered probe found violation on the part of the company.(businesstoday)

• In what is considered to be a controversial move, the Delhi government has suggested that private vehicles with odd and even registration numbers should be kept off the Delhi roads on alternate days. This proposal took shape at the emergency meeting called by state’s chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.The rule is expected to be enforced from January 2016 and will not apply to taxis, public transport vehicles, CNG buses and auto rickshaws but vehicles entering Delhi from other states should comply with it. (rushlane)

• Bharat Forge and Mahindra CIE, an alliance between Spain's CIE and India's Mahindra Group, have joined the fray to acquire Amtek Auto's German subsidiary Neumayer Tekfor.Amtek Auto Chairman Arvind Dham added these two were among many bidders for the manufacturer of automotive forgings. The bidding process is on and "we will soon arrive at a deal," he told ET. (Etauto)

• Suzuki Motorcycle India on Saturday launched two all terrain vehicle (ATV) models in the country, priced up to Rs 8.50 lakh (ex showroom, Delhi).While the Ozark 250 model is priced at Rs 5.45 lakh, the Quadsport Z400 model will cost Rs 8.5 lakh, the company said in a statement.(businesstoday)