Kaher Kazem to lead GM India Arvind Saxena retiring from Jan 1, 2016

General Motors announced today that Kaher Kazem, chief operating officer (COO) of GM India, has been appointed president and managing director of GM India, effective January 1, 2016.

“With Kaher’s hands-on experience and direct knowledge of the business, we are pleased to appoint him to lead GM India at this important time,” said GM Executive Vice President and GM International President Stefan Jacoby. “GM is committed to India for the long term. Kaher’s proven track record will enable us to deliver to Indian consumers the great vehicles they want and the world-class customer experience they deserve.”

Kazem joined GM Holden in Australia in 1995 as a senior engineer. He later held several leadership positions at GM Holden Manufacturing Operations. In 2009, he was appointed vice president of Manufacturing and Quality for GM Thailand/ASEAN.

Prior to taking on his current position earlier this year, where he has managed the industrial side of the business, Kazem was president and managing director of GM Uzbekistan from 2012.

Kazem will succeed Arvind Saxena, who has decided to retire from GM, after leading GM India since early 2014.

“I want to thank Arvind, who has helped lay the foundation for the future success of GM India,” said Jacoby. “We look forward to a smooth transition to ensure the continued execution of our business transformation.”

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)

HERO MOTOCORP SELLS OVER 5.5 LAKH TWO-WHEELERS IN NOVEMBER 15

Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL),the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported sales of 550,731 units of two-wheelers in the month of November 2015.

 The company had sold 547,413 units of two-wheelers during corresponding month last year.

During the month, HMCL achieved the landmark 1 million unit sales during the 35-day festive period starting with the Navratras, a robust 11% growth over the corresponding period last year. This was made possible thanks to the phenomenal demand for the new scooters, Maestro Edge and Duet and the new Splendor PRO, along with the robust sales of Passion PRO and Glamour bikes.

Tata Motors sales for November 2015 at 38,918 units

Key Highlights:

• M&HCVs continued to grow by 21% in November 2015

Tata Motors continued to witness strong year-on-year growth in the M&HCV segment in November 2015, with a growth of 21%. Total sale of Tata Motors passenger and commercial vehicles (including exports) were at 38,918 vehicles, lower by 7%, over 41,720 vehicles, sold in November 2014. The domestic sale of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for November 2015 were at 35,345 nos. lower by 6% over 37,427 vehicles sold in November 2014. 

Cumulative sales (including exports) for the fiscal at 324,973 nos., higher by 3% over 314,505 vehicles, sold last year.

Passenger Vehicles

In November 2015, Tata Motors passenger vehicles recorded a year-on-year decline of 13%, with sales of 10,517 nos., compared to 12,021 nos.

While the overall sales of the passenger cars in November 2015 were lower by 11% at 9,172 nos., compared to 10,286 nos., in November 2014, the compact car segment (without sedan) witnessed a growth of 33% at 5,821 nos., in November 2015, compared to 4,376 nos., in November 2014. UV sales declined by 22% at 1,345 nos., in November 2015.  

Cumulative sales of all passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 88,321 nos., higher by 10% over last year.

Commercial Vehicles

In commercial vehicles, M&HCV sales continued to grow at 11,524 nos., higher by 21%, over November 2014. The Light & Small Commercial Vehicle sales however continued to reflect industry decline and were at 13,304 nos., a decline of 16% over November 2014. These impacted the overall commercial vehicles sales for Tata Motors in the domestic market that were at 24,828 nos., in November 2015, a decline of 2%, over November 2014.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are at 200,308 nos., were flat, over last year. Cumulative LCV sales are at 104,123 nos., a decline of 17% over last year, while M&HCV sales at 96,185 nos., were higher by 25%, over last year.  

Exports

The company’s sales from exports were 3,573 nos., in November 2015, lower by 17% compared to 4,293 vehicles in November 2014. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal are at 36,344 nos., were higher by 11%, over 32,668 nos., sold last year. 

About Tata Motors

Tata Motors Limited is India’s largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of INR 2,62,796 crores (USD 42.04 billion) in 2014-15. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India.  With over 8 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country’s market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top in passenger vehicles. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, South America, Australia, CIS and Russia.

Ford India sale up by 41% in November 2015

• November domestic wholesales up 55% to 8,773 vehicles; Exports grew 18% to 8,416 units
• Ford India partnered with P.S.B. Industrial Training Institute, launched the Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) Centre in Chennai
• Expanded sales and service touch points with three new dealerships in Mumbai, Haryana and Assam

NEW DELHI, India, December 1, 2015 – Ford India sold 17,189 vehicles in combined domestic wholesales and exports in November, compared to 12,762 vehicles in the corresponding month last year.

November domestic wholesales rose 55% to 8,773 vehicles against 5,661 units in the same month last year, while exports grew 18% to 8,416 vehicles compared to 7,101 units in November 2014.

“Our product led transformation strategy is paying dividends as Ford has outpaced the industry growth yet again. Ford’s stunning new product portfolio -- that delivers high quality and the right balance between power & fuel efficiency, class-leading safety & smart technology -- continues to find resonance with Indian customers,” said Anurag Mehrotra, executive director, Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford India.

Earlier in the year, Ford India launched, the no compromise compact sedan, the Figo Aspire, the all new Ford Figo and the new EcoSport. Living up to the promise of introducing products that offer value to customers, the three new products have redefined their respective segments with superior in-car technology, enhanced safety, impressive drivability and exceptional fuel efficiency.

In keeping with its focus on harnessing India’s skilled workforce, Ford inaugurated its sixth Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) Centre in Kelambakkam, near Chennai, in partnership with P.S.B Industrial Training Institute during November. Ford dealerships have worked with local partners to set up the ASSET technical training corner and provide training to ITI students, thereby equipping them with necessary skills to be absorbed by the automotive industry.

During the past month, the company also expanded the accessibility of Ford products and genuine service parts through inauguration of three new sales and service outlets in Mumbai, Haryana and Assam.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor sells 11, 388 Units in November 2015

In the month of November 2015, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) sold 10, 278 units in domestic market and exported 1,110 units in exports resulting in a total of 11, 388 units. TKM sold 12,175 units in the domestic market in November 2014 and exported 1,959 units of Etios series in the same period.

The company also registered a cumulative growth of 7% by selling 129,373 units from January to November 2015 as compared to 121, 038 units sold in the corresponding period last year

The Etios series continues to register persistent growth as the New Etios & New Liva receives an overwhelming response across the market. Etios series revealed a cumulative growth of 9% from January to November 2015 when compared to the same period last year.

The New Camry sales continue to grow as the cumulative sale for Camry has already exceeded 1000 units from January to November 2015. Furthermore, the new Camry showcased a steady growth of 65% in sales for the month of November when compared to the corresponding period last year. The Camry hybrid constitutes 90% of this sale.

Commenting on the sales, Mr. N Raja, Director and Senior Vice - President, Sales and Marketing said "As we move towards the end of the year, we witnessed a growth of 7% in our sales from January to November2015 when compared to the same period last year. The Etios series has also clocked a cumulative growth of 9% from January to November 2015 when compared to the same period last year. We would like to extend our gratitude to our loyal customers for their overwhelming response towards the new Liva introduced during the festive season likewise the sale of Camry continues to grow with over 1000 units of the model already sold this year. The success of each of these products has attributed to our cumulative growth this month".

Indian Automobile sales - November 2015

• Maruti Suzuki India Limited leader in passenger vehicles sold a total of 120,824 units in November 2015, a growth of 9.7 per cent. This includes 110,599 units in the domestic market and 10225 units in exports.The Company had sold a total of 110,147 units in November 2014.

• Renault India, the Indian arm of Renault SAS France, sold 7,819 cars in India in November this year, 144% more than 3,201 units sold in the corresponding month last year.The company said the rise was primarily driven by sale of its small car Kwid, launched on 24 September this year, though the company did not share the number of Kwids sold. It is believed to have sold about 5,000 units of Kwid by the end of October.

• Hyundai Motor India, country's second largest car manfuacturer by volume, registered a 6 percent year-on-year growth in its overall sales in November. The company sold 57,661 units in the month, compared to 54,290 units in November 2016. 

• Honda Cars India (HCIL) has registered monthly domestic sales of 14,712 units in November 2015 as against 15,263 units in the corresponding month previous year, the Japanese automobile manufacturer informed in a statement. Its sales fell 3.6 percent last month. 

• Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M Ltd.), India’s leading SUV manufacturer, today announced its auto sales numbers which stood at 41,590 units during November 2015 as against 34,292 units during November 2014, representing a growth of 21%.

• Tata Motors continued to witness strong year-on-year growth in the M&HCV segment in November 2015, with a growth of 21%. Total sale of Tata Motors passenger and commercial vehicles (including exports) were at 38,918 vehicles, lower by 7%, over 41,720 vehicles, sold in November 2014. The domestic sale of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for November 2015 were at 35,345 nos. lower by 6% over 37,427 vehicles sold in November 2014.Cumulative sales (including exports) for the fiscal at 324,973 nos., higher by 3% over 314,505 vehicles, sold last year.

•  Ford India today reported a 34.78 per cent surge in total sales at 17,189 units in November. The company had sold 12,762 units last year. Ford India's domestic sales were at 8,773 units last month, up 54.97 per cent from 5,661 units a year ago, Ford India said in a statement. 

• Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), a part of the USD 16.9 billion Mahindra Group, today announced its sales numbers for November 2015.Domestic sales in November 2015 stood at 20,819 units, as against 14,207 ­­units during November 2014. Total tractor sales (domestic + exports) during November 2015 stood at 21,717 units, as against 15,333 units for the same period last year. Exports for the month stood at 898 ­­­­units.

• Royal Enfield today reported 48 per cent jump in total motorcycles sales to 40,769 units in November as against 27,542 units sold in the same month last year.Domestic sales of the Chennai-based two-wheeler maker stood at 40,312 units during the month as against 27,198 units in the same month of 2014, a jump of 48.21 per cent. Royal Enfield’s sales of motorcycle with engine capacity of up to 350cc rose 52 per cent to 37,455 units as compared to 24,610 units in November 2014. Sales of motorcycle with engine capacity exceeding 350cc stood at 3,314 units as against 2,932 units in same month a year ago, an increase of 13 per cent.

• Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL),the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported sales of 550,731 units of two-wheelers in the month of November 2015. The company had sold 547,413 units of two-wheelers during corresponding month last year. During the month, HMCL achieved the landmark 1 million unit sales during the 35-day festive period starting with the Navratras, a robust 11% growth over the corresponding period last year. This was made possible thanks to the phenomenal demand for the new scooters, Maestro Edge and Duet and the new Splendor PRO, along with the robust sales of Passion PRO and Glamour bikes.

•  Indian two and three wheeler manufacturing company Bajaj Auto has sold 3,09,673 units in the domestic market for the month of November 2015, the company informed in a BSE filing. It sold 3,09,259 units during November 2014.

• The company's exports last month stood at 1,37,315 units, thus registering a de-growth of 17 percent when compared with corresponding month previous year.

•  Not able to make the best use of festive season, Toyota Kirloskar Motors registered a fall of 15 percent in its domestic sales. The Japanese auto major sold 10, 278 units in domestic market, as against 12, 175 units in the same month last year. Including exports of 1110 units, Toyota sold a total of 11, 388 units.

• Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd. (MTWL), part of the USD 16.9 billion Mahindra Group, today announced its sales numbers, which stood at19,088 unitsfor November 2015. The company’s domestic sales during November 2015 stood at18,061units. Exports for the month stood at 1027 units.

• Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) on Tuesday reported a 12 per cent decline in total sales at 3,26,895 units last month.The two-wheeler manufacturer had sold 3,71,764 units in the corresponding month last year, it said in a statement.Motorcycle sales declined 23.61 per cent to 1,04,490 units last month from 1,36,786 units in November 2014.

• Escorts Ltd November 2015 sales grow 9.3% YoY to 4,706 units; above estimatesEscorts’ domestic tractor volumes during the month rose by 12.2% YoY to 4,691 units.The company has reported a growth after 13months of consecutive decline. The growth is due to the low base of last year and festive season during the month,Tractor exports stood at 15 units.

Mahindra's Auto Sector sells 41590 units during November 2015, registers a 21% growth

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M Ltd.), India’s leading SUV manufacturer, today announced its auto sales numbers which stood at 41,590 units during November 2015 as against 34,292 units during November 2014, representing a growth of 21%.

The Passenger Vehicles segment (which includes UVs, Cars and Vans) sold 19,662 units in November 2015 as against 14473 units during November 2014, registering a growth of 36%. The company’s domestic sales stood at 39,383 units during November 2015 as against 32,100 units during November 2014, a growth of 23%. In November 2015, the Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles segment sold 454 units, registering a growth of 75%.

Exports for November 2015 stood at 2,207 units, registering a cumulative growth of 28% for YTD November 2015.

Speaking on the auto sales performance for November 2015, Pravin Shah, President & Chief Executive (Automotive), M&M Ltd. said, “The festive season coupled with new product launches as well as moderation in interest rates has seen the auto industry post a positive growth during the last couple of months. I believe speedy implementation of GST will help and have a long term impact on the competitiveness of Indian auto industry. At Mahindra, we have been buoyed by our new product launches such as the TUV300 as well as growth momentum of existing products like the Bolero, Scorpio and XUV500. Our exports have been very encouraging, showing a 28% cumulative growth for the current fiscal. We are happy to be in a positive growth phase at the end of November 2015.”

Sales Summary November 2015

Honda Cars India Ltd. Sales Decline 3.61% November 2015

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, registered monthly domestic sales of 14,712 units in November 2015against 15,263 units in the corresponding month last year. 

The company registered a cumulative domestic sales of 1,32,095 units in the period April -November 2015 against 1,16,705 units for the corresponding period last year marking a growth of 13%.

HCIL also exported a total of 120 units during November 2015.

Maruti Suzuki register growth of 9.7 per cent. in November 2015

Maruti Suzuki India Limited leader in passenger vehicles sold a total of 120,824 units in November 2015, a growth of 9.7 per cent. This includes 110,599 units in the domestic market and 10225 units in exports. The Company had sold a total of 110,147 units in November 2014. The sales figures for November 2015 are given below: