Friday, December 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) has built an additional production line for its VGCF (vapour-grown carbon fib...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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09 December, 2011 Nissan Ashok Leyland Technologies Ltd, a JV between Ashok Leyland and Nissan Motors that launched LCVs for cargo transportation this September, has said it will make a foray into the passenger transport vehicle segment in the next couple of years.
In its second phase of expansion, the company will launch passenger segment vehicles and goods light commercial vehicles powered by diesel and CNG fuel, Hinduja Automotive Ltd Executive Vice Chairman and Nissan Ashok Leyland Technologies Chairman V Sumantran said.
The LCV for goods transportation will be of 12.5 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight), with a pay load capacity of 5-6.5 tonnes. In the passenger segment, the seating capacity would be for eight to 24 passengers. Commencing 2012-13, one new variant would be launched every year for the next 4-5 years, he said.
“We launched the vehicle in September, 2011. The reaction and response from the market has been very positive. The booking had surpassed 3,000 units,&lrquo; he said at the inauguration of the company’s 21st dealer outlet in Thiruchirapalli.
Friday, December 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
The Brazilian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (Anfavea) has said that light vehicle sales in the ...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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2.0L Turbocharged, 237 bhp, Petrol
2.2L Turbo Diesel, 187 bhp
6-Speed Automatic Transmission (AT) * Estimated values may differ under various conditions.
The only four-cylinder vehicle in the Range Rover lineup. Offers a full-length glass sunroof as an option. CO2 emissions of 120 gms/km. Most compact Land Rover built till date. Ample stowage space of 550 litres. Biofuel compatible.
Range Rover Evoque, the most compact SUV launched by Land Rover till date, is described as an exciting vehicle which combines a bold and sophisticated design with smart and innovative technology. The car, unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, as the Land Rover, was inspired by the Land Rover LRX concept. The Evoque went into production in Jul 2011.
Range Rover Evoque has been designed to reduce emissions as two distinct models, the Evoque, which features five doors and the Evoque Coupe, the three-door variant. Each model offers a choice of three trims, Pure, Prestige and Dynamic. The petrol version of Evoque will be available only in the Dynamic trim while the diesel variant will be available in all the three trims.
Evoque is manufactured at the facility of the company at Halewood, Liverpool, leveraging on the £ 27 million grant announced by the government of UK for the production of an all-new model on the conditions placed by the government.
The outstanding features of the Evoque has been recognized and commended by auto enthusiasts, with several rewards and recognitions. The car bagged the 2011 Auto Express Car of the Year award. Car Design News chose the Evoque as the Best Production Car in 2010 while Motor Trend awarded the 2012 SUV of the Year award to the car in 2011. Evoque has been named as the 2011 Car of the Year at the prestigious Technology of the Year Ceremony in London, amidst tough competition from the likes of Ferrari FF, Ford Focus, Renault Twizy, Nissan Leaf and MINI Coupe. The recognition comes as the latest feather in the cap of Evoque.
In the Indian markets, Evoque has been launched as a completely built unit. The company plans to assemble the same at its unit at Chikli near Pune, after which the price is expected to come down.
Range Rover Evoque offers three engine options. A 2.2 litre turbodiesel engine option produces bhp of 187. The diesel engine delivers impressive and very broad torque and responsive performance with enhanced refinement. The engine is equipped with an innovative technology, Terrain Response, which adapts the engine, transmission and electronic systems to maximize driving comforts and traction. There are four Terrain Response settings, General Driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts and Sand. Transmission option in the car includes 6-speed automatic option.
The other option is a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 237 bhp @ 5500 rpm. Maximum torque of 340 Nm is produced at 1750 rpm. The all-aluminium petrol engine is equipped with the latest direct injection technology, advanced turbocharging and twin independent variable valve timing. The 6-speed automatic transmission system used in the car helps in improves fuel economy. The engine features Drive Select, an advanced rotary gearshift wherein the steering wheel is mounted with paddle controls.
The engine has been designed to reduce CO2 emissions to 120 gms/km, with a fuel efficiency of 12 kmpl. The engine is the only four-cylinder vehicle in the Range Rover lineup.
The Land Rover Evoque is the most compact Land Rover built till date. The car was built after an intense feasibility study by the engineering team of the company which validated that it was possible to deliver high levels of quality, drivability and breadth of performance in a very compact and sustainable model. Feedbacks from satisfied customers stand testimony to the fact that the Evoque has delivered its promises.
Extensive use of aluminium in the bonnet and roof along with composite plastic for the tailgate has reduced the weight to 220 lbs. the car offers a full-length glass sunroof as an option. The car is 4355 mm long and 2125 mm wide with a height of 1605-1635 mm. The clamshell bonnet, the floating roof and dual pocket headlamps are inspired by the Range Rover Sport, the raked roofline.
Evoque is a biofuel compatible car built with light weight materials and technologies including removable carbon composite roof panels, regenerative brakes, a stop-start system, the ERAD (electric rear axle drive) and parallel hybrid powertrain system. The interiors of the Land Rover which was traditionally illuminated with Ambient lighting system was changed to a 'floating' three dimensional LCD display. The car features a light and airy interior with ample stowage space under the seats. The car has enough space to accommodate two mountain bikes upright (after removing the front wheels) when the rear seats are folded forward. The load space of 550 litres also accommodates large luggage including skis and surfboards.
Other features of the car include electric driver seat adjustments, air conditioner with dual-zone climate control, electric side door mirrors and remote central locking. The armrests of the car allow space for a cup holder.
The Evoque is a highly practical coupe, loaded with many safety features. The car has a very good approach and departure, thanks to the hill descent control feature. The air intake feature of the car is integrated into the roof to contribute to exceptional wading capabilities. The feature is the first in any Land Rover model. The passengers of Evoque are protected by eight airbags while the front ventilated rear disk brakes assist in precise braking.
Friday, December 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
To help drivers stay connected safely while driving, Denso has developed ARPEGGiO, a smartphone-base...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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07 December, 2011 Mahindra Navistar Automotives, a joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra and the US-based Navisar International Corporation, on Tuesday said it plans to invest Rs 250 crore at the Chakan unit to ramp up the commercial vehicle manufacturing and distribution network.
“We have already invested Rs 710 crore at the Chakan unit, out of the total project cost of Rs 1,000 crore. We will be investing around Rs 250 crore in the next couple of years to increase production capacity of HCVs and expand our distribution network,&lrquo; Mahindra Navistar director Pawan Goenka told reporters in Mumbai. The company has Rs 750 crore of equity and 50-50 invested by both the partners along with debt.
“We are not making any profits, as our volumes are very small as present. But as we ramp up our production capacity, in the next 12 months, we expect cash break-even,&lrquo; Goenka said.
After announcing start of production and subsequently start of sales last year, the company on Tuesday announced its national launch. After launching MN25 in heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) category, the company is now offering the MN31, MN40 and MN25 tippers.
“After seeding sales in select markets and building a formidable service network of nearly 940 service points on strategic trucking routes, it is all set to take on the length and breadth of the country through its commercial launch. Today, we are a full range commercial vehicle player with a pan-India service network dedicated towards our customers,&lrquo; Goenka said.
“During one year period, we have gained adequate market experience and customer feedback to significantly enhance the performance, fuel efficiency and value of our products. We can proclaim that all our products are truly made in India.&lrquo;
“We propose to launch products like the MN35, MN49, MN25 Heavy duty Tipper (for mining) and certain other model variants during the next financial year,&lrquo; MNAL’s managing director, Nalin Mehta said, adding that company is also looking at entering into bus manufacturing segment.
During last one year, the company has expanded its dealerships to 48 and hopes to add another 50 to get ready in the next 12-18 months taking the grand total to 100, he said.
The current monthly sales volumes of the company are headed towards 1300-1400 units (300-400 HCVs and 900-1000 LCVs a month). Of its new HCV range, over 2500 trucks are already plying across Indian roads, catering to various customer needs or business solutions, Goenka said.
Commenting on the future plan, Goenka said, the Rs 60,000 crore, commercial vehicle segment in the country is likely to grow by 9 percent in the second half of FY12 as compared to 8 percent growth witnessed during the first half of FY 12.
Friday, December 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
In an article, Lowering the Temperature of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, in the 18 November 2011 issue of...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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By: David Isaiah, Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
A total of 162,901 commercial vehicles were registered in the EU last month, a 7.7% rise from the 15...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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23 November, 2011 Automobile major Hyundai Motor Tuesday launched a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) powered variant of its hatchback i10 priced between Rs.416,144 and Rs.430,659 (ex-showroom Delhi).
“The LPG version of our next-gen i10 is a viable alternative for customers looking at low running cost,” said H.W. Park, managing director and chief executive, Hyundai Motor India Ltd.
The new variant is powered by a 1.1 litre iRDE2 engine which can run on both LPG and petrol. The car has a factory-fitted LPG kit.
“With separate petrol (35 litre) and LPG (34 litre) tanks, the customers have an option to choose from LPG and petrol modes,” the company said in a statement.
The car sports a special LPG tank which offers larger boot space than other LPG-fitted cars.
“The LPG kit in i10 blue drive is impact resistant and is approved by the department of explosives,” the statement said.
The car has been fitted with an alternator management system which controls delivery of power to the battery, which extends the battery life and improves mileage.
Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Indian automotive components manufacturer Motherson Sumi Systems (MSSL) has completed its acquisiti...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
The toroidal transmission company Torotrak says its programme with Allison Transmissions has proved ...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Renault Samsung Motors was reported by the Korea Herald on 20 November to be working on a battery-el...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Honda will use Toshiba SCiB batteries in the battery-electric Fit EV derivative planned for launch...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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13.2 km/l (Overall), 1598 cc Petrol
12.9 km/l (Overall), 1598 cc Diesel
1598 cc I-4, 105 bhp, Petrol
1598 cc I-4, 105 bhp, Diesel
5-speed Manual Transmission (MT)
6-speed Automatic Transmission (AT) * Estimated values may differ under various conditions.
Built on the Volkswagen Vento platform. Rear parking sensors and rear bumpers. Manual driver seat adjustment facilities. More fuel efficient than the Vento. Manual central locking. Anti Lock Braking system. Not much different from the Volkswagen Vento.
Skoda Rapid, a sedan from the house of Czech company Skoda Auto, has been launched in India on 16th November 2011 in the 'C' segment.
Skoda Auto registered sales of 6,84,226 cars in 2009 and 85,000 units in the month of March 2011. Though the sedans built by Skoda suffered poor reputation for the build quality and handling, the car buckled the trend, coming to be described as "the poor man's Porsche" and later on as one that "handles like a Porsche" by the Auto Car and Motor Magazine. Skoda has currently come a long way, gaining steadily in popularity, as a classy car, with the Garde and convertible models enjoying high popularity.
Though the Rapid is styled on the same platform as the Volkswagen Vento, the good looking car has been carefully styled according to varying tastes of customers.
In India, Skoda Rapid will be available in five petrol variants and three diesel variants. The Active, Ambition and Elegance variants will be available in both petrol and diesel versions while the Skoda Ambition Automatic and Elegance Automatic variants will be available only in the petrol version. Skoda Rapid will allow a choice of five colour shades, Deep Black, Candy White, Flash Red, Brilliant Silver and Cappuccino Beige.
In India, Skoda plans to manufacture the Rapid at the plant of Volkswagen at Chakan, near Pune.
Skoda Rapid offers a choice of petrol and diesel engines, both of which are the same as that used in the Volkswagen Vento. Though both the versions contribute to the same power and capacity, the torque differentials between the two versions are massive. Both the versions have 4-cylinders and 16 valves and a capacity of 1,598cc, contributing maximum bhp of 105. Maximum torque of 153 Nm @ 3800 rpm is produced in the petrol version while the diesel engine has a maximum torque of 250 Nm @ 1500-2500 rpm.
Both the petrol and diesel versions of the Rapid are found to be more fuel efficient than the Vento, as the Skoda engines are fine tuned better. The lower weight of the Rapid also helps in achieving the desired fuel efficiency. The Ambition and Elegance variants of the Rapid Petrol have an option for an automatic gearbox.
Similar to the Vento, Rapid offers a choice of 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions. The auto box will be featured only in the top petrol variant.
Rapid is described as the Volkswagen Vento, re-introduced with a Skoda label. Skoda Rapid shares most of the body parts, including its doors and windows, with the Vento. About 90 percent of the interiors of the car also appear to be the same. Even the grilles featured in the front portion appear to be the same in both the models.
Mr Thomas Kuehl, Member of the board and Director, Sales and Marketing of SKODA Auto India has opined that "the distinctly fresh, young, smart and clear-cut design makes rapid a well-balanced car and therefore successfully fills the gap between SKODA Fabia and the current Laura". Mr Kuehl also expects the launch of the Rapid in India to be a milestone for SKODA Auto in India in the highly competitive C segment. Mr Kuehl has further commented that "The Rapid is positioned as a family car, compact enough for the city and spacious enough for longer trips. Our plans for the Rapid in India are fairly ambitious, given that we expect it to become the bestselling car in our model line-up in India, in the near future. We aim to penetrate in the competitive C segment and have an advantage over our competitors with our high quality design and unique features for the Indian market."
The base Active and Ambition variants of the car are equipped with a manually regulated air conditioner while the top end variants have electronically regulated climate control feature. The Rapid will have factory fitted 2-DIN audio player on the top of the line Elegance variant with AUX input and also with SD/MMC car reader connectivity options.
Rapid features manual central locking, door mirrors and driver seat adjustment facilities. Buyers will have the option to decide on their desired music systems along with an option for leather seats. The car uses dual tone upholstery, a brightly illuminated information cluster, driver assist, centralized console, adjustable seats, headrests, armrests, tilt steering, spacious legroom and headroom.
The Good looking Rapid has a bonnet that is designed in a pouted design with huge fog lamps. The rear portion of the Rapid comprises new tail lamps with C shaped glow on brake lamps. The car also features rear parking sensors and rear bumpers. The strong and sturdy exteriors are blended with the most luxurious and comfortable interiors which look elegant and plush. Other features of the car include a large glove box, a powerful music system, an instrument cluster with a 4-spoke steering wheel and telescopic adjustments.
Rapid is equipped with Mcpherson, compound link crank axle suspension. The car drives effortlessly with light steering with a slightly hard edge when going over larger bumps. The handling comfort though, will more than compensate for the slight stiffness.
The high end Skoda Rapid models are equipped with dual SRS airbags, front and rear fog lamps and an Anti Lock Braking system while all the models are equipped with seat belts. The car also features rear parking sensors to assist in precise parking.
Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Tata Motors has launched its low-floor air-conditioned buses in Bangladesh. The OEM is targeting th...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
A new fleet of nine converted battery-electric Chevrolet Equinox crossovers in Canada is part of a j...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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25 November, 2011 German luxury car maker BMW launched its pre-owned car business in India that can make customers own a product of the brand for as low as Rs 16 lakh.
The company said it is looking at the business, BMW Premium Selection, to account for up to 10 per cent of its total new car sales. “Till October this year we have sold a total of 8,042 cars in India, accounting for 40 per cent of the luxury car market. With the BMW Premium Selection, we are looking to enhance position,” BMW India President Andreas Schaaf told reporters in Gurgoan.
The pre-owned car business will play an important role in the success of the company in India, he added. “We expect the used car business to be about 10 per cent of new car sales,” he said.
Asked how much would be the price differential between the new and used BMWs, Schaaf said : “For example, a 3Series sedan with three years of usage, can be available for up to Rs 16 lakh as against Rs 24 lakh for a brand new one.”
He said pre-owned BMWs will be available in seven exclusive BMW Premium Selection dealerships across India.
“The number of dealerships will be increased gradually as we go along in the next one to one-half years,” he said.
In order to push sales, BMW is offering 13 per cent finance rate on purchase of its pre-owned cars through its financial services arm, BMW Financial Services.
“These cars are less than five years and would have clocked under 120,000 kms,” he said adding the company is offering warranty of 24 months or up to 200,000 kms whichever is earlier.
Commenting on the market condition, Schaaf said the luxury segment was growing well till October.
“Since then it is getting much more difficult and the market has changed. We had set a target of selling 10,000 units this year, which is becoming difficult now.”
BMW’s rival Mercedes had already forayed into the used car market last year with ‘Proven Exclusivity’.
Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that 46 innovative transit projects chosen for ...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
German union IG Metall has proposed Wolfgang Schaefer-Klug as the replacement for deputy chairman Kl...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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24 November, 2011 Tata Motors, maker of the world’s cheapest car Nano, is producing it at less than half of the annual installed capacity of 2.5 lakh units, a senior company official said on Wednesday.
“Our installed capacity for Nano is 2.5 lakh units per annum and we are presently producing 10,000 cars per month,” R Ramakrishnan, VP (commercial), passenger car business head of Tata Motors Ltd, said.
Launching the new version of SUV Sumo in Kolkata, Ramakrishnan told reporters, however, that Nano sales are increasing every month.
To penetrate the rural markets more, the company is in the process of setting up exclusive Nano outlets with the target segment being those owning two-wheelers, he said.
Regarding market share in the SUV segment, he said the company is taking steps to arrest the decline. “At present, out market share in the overall SUV category is 14 per cent which is lower than previous years,” he said.
Tata Motors is introducing more fuel efficient models to buck the industry trend of sagging sales, owing to high fuel costs and increased interest rates, he added.
Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Endesa Chairman Borja Prado and the Executive Deputy Chairmen of SEAT, Matthias Rabe and Ramón Pare...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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23 November, 2011 Domestic carmakers, facing the worst slowdown in five years due to rising cost of finance and fuel, are scaling down production to reduce inventory glut at dealerships.
While the country’s top carmaker Maruti Suzuki is set to end the fiscal with a 10 percent drop in output, rival Hyundai Motor India is shifting gears to increase exports to reduce inventory. Component makers, too, are feeling the heat, with several automakers cutting orders. Rising cost of fuel and loans has kept car buyers away, leading to four consecutive months of negative sales.
Last month, sales fell nearly 24 percent, forcing industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers to revise its sales growth forecast for the year to 2-4 percent, from 10-12 percent in October. This too, say top executives of some car companies, will be tough to meet.
“We had faced an unprecedented situation that led to significant drop in our production, which we are trying to make up now,” Maruti Suzuki managing executive officer (marketing & sales) Mayank Pareek said.
“But market conditions are getting stiffer as demand has shifted to diesel cars and our bulk sales come from compact petrol cars, so we may end the fiscal in a negative.” Maruti Suzuki, which makes popular hatchbacks Alto and WagonR and sedans DZire and Sx4, has cut production of the petrol variants of these models from August.
The company reported an 18 percent drop in output in the first seven months of the financial year after production was disrupted due to a series of crippling labour strikes at its Manesar plant. In 2010-11, the company reported a 24 percent y-o-y growth in production at 12,73,361 units.
Experts say the slowdown can end the three-year run of record growth in domestic car sales, which peaked at 38 percent in October last year.
Maruti’s closest rival, Hyundai Motor India, is increasing production for exports to beat the inventory pileup. “In view of the sluggishness in the domestic market, we have shifted some production to our export lines. We enjoy this flexibility as we export to around 120 countries,” Hyundai’s director (marketing and sales) Arvind Saxena said. The slowdown is being felt by component makers, too, who have been forced to reschedule production after several carmakers cut orders.
“Orders for this quarter have been cut by 20-25 percent by carmakers such as Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda and Nissan, but is more steep from Fiat India and Honda Siel Cars who have slashed production in a big way,” a Delhi-based vendor said. American carmaker General Motors, too, has cut production of the petrol variants of Aveo sedan and the Beat and Spark hatchbacks.
By: Colin Whitbread, Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
TRW Automotive has revealed it has been granted an 'Automotive Lean Production Award' 2011 in the ca...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Bosch Software Innovations and Mennekes Elektrotechnik have signed an agreement on the development o...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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23 November, 2011 Hit by the depreciating rupee, auto companies, including General Motors India and Toyota Kirloskar Motor, are mulling hike in prices to offset the rising cost of component imports.
“We import lots of parts and the rupee depreciation is impacting us. We were planning to review prices in January but due to the currency fluctuation we may have to do it soon,” General Motors India Vice-President P Balendran told media. He said commodity prices have also been increasing, adding to the burden on auto firms. “We are currently evaluating the quantum of impact on the prices of our products,” he said.
Expressing similar views, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh said the present currency fluctuation is affecting the company severely. “It is a double whammy for us. On one hand, yen is appreciating, while on the other hand rupee is depreciating. Our margins are getting impacted,” he added.
Asked if the company will increase the prices, Singh said: “As of now we are absorbing, but if there is too much pressure, then we will share the burden with customers. Currently, we are revisiting the prices of all our models. Any new price increase, if we take, will be applicable from January 1.”
The rupee plunged to an all-time low this morning to Rs 52.75 against the US dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange on sustained demand for the American currency. It is putting severe pressure on companies which import substantial amount of components from overseas.
“The rupee depreciation is adversely impacting us as we are a net importer. This is the worst movement of rupee against US dollar. It has lost 15 per cent in the last two months,” Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Chief Financial Officer Ajay Seth said.
MSI has both direct and indirect exposure to foreign currencies while importing components, and it imports about Rs 8,000 crore worth of parts annually, he added. “At the same time, we also export cars and that is benefiting at present. However, considering both, we are impacted as a net importer. The situation is affecting our margins,” Seth said. He, however, said the company does not have any plans at present to increase the prices of its products.
The hit due to the weakening of rupee comes at a time when auto makers have been enduring one of the toughest periods with car sales in the country on a continuous decline.
In October, car sales in India registered their steepest monthly decline in nearly 11 years, tanking 23.77 per cent on account of a huge drop in output by the country’s largest car-maker MSI due to labour trouble, coupled with high interest rates and rising fuel prices.
Another auto maker Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) said it is not impacted so far as it is protected under long term contracts with its foreign vendors.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Daimler is to invest an additional €980m (US$1.31bn) at its key Stuttgart-Untertürkheim Mercedes-...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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23 November, 2011 More than 60 vehicles will be launched, including several global debuts, at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi early next year despite the recent slump in the Indian car market, industry officials said.
German carmaker BMW’s small luxury car Mini, which will make its India debut at the show, and Bugatti, maker of the world’s fastest car, are expected to be among the show-stoppers at the 6-day event starting on January 7.
The highlights of the show-the world’s most popular auto fair attracting more than 2 million visitors, up from 1.2 million in 2010-will be a new breed of sports utility vehicles and super bikes that will hit the Indian roads soon, officials said. Leading the pack will be Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest carmaker, which has finally woken up to the potential of SUVs in the country. It will showcase a new ’made for India’ five-seater concept SUV on the first day of the fair, signaling its intention to look beyond the ageing Gypsy and Grand Vitara models.
“It’s the best bet from Maruti Suzuki so far to tap the potential of younger customers,” a top company official said. “Essentially an SUV, it will have the affordability of Maruti and durability of Suzuki,” added the person, requesting anonymity.
A line-up of 1,000 different vehicles spread over 1.25 lakh sq metres will be on display, including at least a dozen new cars made specifically for Indian customers. Tata Motor, which stole the show in 2008 with its Nano, is looking at a repeat with three new global launches to be done by its chairman Ratan Tata.
Tata Motors has also lined up all new sedans, SUVs and concept vehicles from its Jaguar and Land Rover brand. In fact, Jaguar Land Rover has decided to skip the Detroit Auto Show, which overlaps with Delhi expo for three days. After posting some stunning sales in China with it new range, JLR is betting high to unshackle the dominance of German players in luxury car segment. It is expected to bring its new sedan range and the DC100 concept from Land Rover.
There will be at least six launches in the luxury car segment including the Audi S6 and its smallest SUV Q3, BMW’s new M5 Series and the Mercedes Benz GLK compact SUV. South Korean major Hyundai Motor is looking at getting its new small car and a compact SUV concept besides launching its new Sonata limousine.
The number of hangars has almost been halved to 10, said Sugato Sen, senior director of SIAM, which organises the event along with the CII and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has won an order to provide 202 Actros 1844 LS trucks for Turkish chocolate ma...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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25 November, 2011 The Mahindra Group on Thursday said it is open to more acquisitions in South Korea as it is keen to deepen its engagement with that market where it has presence in the automobile space.
“Yes, there is an opportunity to further explore investments.., more acquisition opportunities in Korea, particularly in implements, farm equipments, and technology, yes we will definitely look at,” vice-chairman and managing director Anand Mahindra told reporters here when asked whether his group is looking at more assets in Korea.
“Currently, we are sourcing tractors from Tongyang of Korea and Mitsubishi of Japan and selling them in the US markets under the M&M band. I would like to deepen this relationship, by increasing the volume intake,” he added.
Mahindra, who has just been appointed by the Korean government as its honorary ambassador, was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meet on Indo-Korea bilateral cooperation.
“As far as the companies from which we already import are concerned, we are deepening our relationship, hopefully using our brand and deepening their market share in the US,” he said.
The Mahindras had completed in March the acquisition of the sick SsangYong Motor Co for about Rs 2,105 crore, making its first foray into Far Eastern country.
For M&M, which had lost the bid to buy JLR in 2008 to the Tatas, the SsangYong buyout was a big step towards realising its ambition to be a global player in the utility and sports utility vehicles segment.
When asked whether M&M would be showcasing the SUVs from SsangYong at the forthcoming Auto Expo in the Capital, Mahindra answered in the affirmative.
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25 November, 2011 BMW India today said it may miss the target of selling 10,000 vehicles in the domestic market as the luxury segment has also been affected by the slowdown witnessed in the automobile industry.
“Yes, it is increasingly becoming tough and we could miss our target of selling 10,000 units this year,” BMW India President Andreas Schaaf told reporters at Gurgoan.
He said the month of October, which is usually one of the best months along with March in terms of sales, has not been as good as expected.
“Till October this year, we have sold a total of 8,042 cars in India, accounting for 40 per cent of the luxury car market. Since then it is getting much more difficult and the market has changed,” he said, adding that achieving the target for this year is becoming difficult now.
“Overall, there is a negative sentiment in the market. Earlier in the year the luxury segment was unaffected by it, but it has also started feeling the effect,” he added.
Asked if the company will cut production due to the slowdown, Schaff replied in negative.
“We have our plans for 2012 in place and we will go ahead with it. The growth rate may have come down from 70 per cent to 30 per cent but we have to remember that there is still growth in the market,” he said.
Earlier this year, the company had increased production capacity of its Chennai plant to 11,000 from 10,000 units previously.
Car sales in India have been declining this year and registered the steepest monthly decline in nearly 11 years in October, tanking by 23.77 per cent on account of a huge drop in output by the country’s largest car-maker Maruti Suzuki due to labour trouble, coupled with high interest rates and rising fuel prices.
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23 November, 2011 Force Motors Ltd, the Pune-based maker of a range of commercial vehicles, plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore over the next two years for the development of new models.
Force Motors Managing Director Prasan Firodia told reporters in Hyderabad on Tuesday while inaugurating a showroom for its new sports utility vehicle (SUV) ‘Force One’.
The company, which has a manufacturing capacity of one lakh vehicles in Madhya Pradesh, expected an overall turnover of Rs 3,000 crore in this financial year, he said.
Talking about Force One, Firodia said that the turbo-charged heart of the SUV, the 2.2 FM tech Engine, beats faster than any other SUV in its segment.
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24 November, 2011 Supply constraints due to floods in Thailand is wreaking havoc at Honda’s Indian operations and has forced the company to shut down production of the City sedan and Brio compact. It has also cut back the output of the Jazz hatchback to a few hundred units. To tackle the problem of shortage of parts, Honda is making emergency arrangements to source components from locations in China and Japan to normalise output.
Executive said the company will have to slash output by around 95 percent in December and only a few hundred units will be produced to keep the plant running and maintain manpower. The company’s average production is about 6,000 units after the launch of the Brio.
Jnaneswar Sen, senior V-P at Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), confirmed that output would be badly hit in December, adding that arrangements are being made to tap other areas for sourcing critical parts. “We are looking at China and Japan very keenly. We hope to firm up things soon and return to normalcy in the coming months, though nothing can be confirmed as of now,” Sen said.
Sources said while production of the City has already been stopped, the Brio will be discontinued from next month. Jazz will have a skeletal production, around 250 units, and a few hundred units of the Civic and Accord sedans will also be made. Honda has stopped taking new bookings for the Jazz at its dealerships due to the uncertainty and the model has a waiting list of over six months. The Brio too has been facing a long queue at dealerships.
“The situation is very bad and December could perhaps be one of the worst months for Honda in India,” the sources said. The company has already started informing the customers about the delay in delivery due to the Thailand crisis.
The Brio, which has sold 1,500 units so far, faces a backlog of 6,000 cars. On the Jazz, the pending bookings run up to 4,000 units. Dealer and vendor sources, however,said the situation on the City could improve by the middle of January and on the Jazz and Brio by mid-February. Honda gets a variety of electronic components and underbody parts from Thailand.
The damaging floods came at a time when the company appeared to be coming out of tough times after a massive price correction on the Jazz and the City and launch of the Brio, its lowest-priced car in India.
Thailand was the first market where the Brio was manufactured and India followed later. A lot of the car’s key parts are being sourced from Thailand with which India also has a trade agreement - known as the early harvest scheme - as a part of which components can be imported at lower duty rates.
Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Indian automotive components manufacturer Motherson Sumi Systems (MSSL) has completed its acquisitio...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Friday, November 25, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Daimler has reportedly decided to phase out its Maybach line-up of ultra-luxury cars, reports the W...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Chrysler has delayed plans to introduce its first dual-clutch automatic transmission, reports Autom...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Continental has announced that Andreas Esser will take over the management of its Commercial Vehicl...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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By: David Isaiah, Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Registrations of light vehicles in Slovakia, comprising passenger cars and light commercial vehicles...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Faurecia has confirmed it is now aiming at exceeding future global automotive production growth by 3...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
GM Canada has been granted legal approval to proceed with plans for an independent Canadian Healthc...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Toyota is recalling several V6 engined models around the world due to a problem with the crankshaft...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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07 November, 2011
By: Colin Whitbread, Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
GM has reported a seventh consecutive profitable quarter, with net earnings in the July-September 20...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Navistar International affiliate Navistar Financial (NFC) has sold US$224m of wholesale floor plan n...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Nissan is expanding its NV commercial van series with a passenger variant, the NV3500 HD Passenger ...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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By: Colin Whitbread, Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
The Pirelli Group has reported further growth in revenue and earnings in the first nine months of 20...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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03 November, 2011 French car-maker PSA Peugeot Citroen will start work on its plant at Sanand today. The automaker had on September 1 announced that Gujarat would be the home for its Indian facility as it makes a comeback. The company will invest Rs 4,000 crore in the plant that will produce 1.65 lakh cars annually. Last month, American auto company Ford Motors began work on its second facility at Sanand which will roll-out the first car in 2014.
Vincent Rambaud, director general of Peugeot, Gregoire Olivier, member of managing board and CEO of India operations, Jean-Raphael Peytregnet, Consul General of France in Mumbai, supplier and vendors to the company will be present at the foundation stone-laying ceremony.
Infrastructure at the plant will be at par with Europe, company officials claimed. Hiring for the India operations have already begun and many officials are being given training at company's facility in France.
The European car-maker will produce B-plus, C and D class cars at the 600 acre site adjoining the Nano plant at Sanand, for the Indian market. Its model 508 will be the first to get rolled out in 2014. Company officials have earlier said that certain changes in the C-class cars will be made to suit the requirements of the Indian customer. Later on Peugeot will also bring its hybrid (diesel and electric) vehicles to India. It has already tied up with Ford for diesel engines and with BMW for gasoline engines. Of the 600 acres, about 100 acre will be used by its vendors.
India is poised to become the third largest car market in one decade followed by the US and China. However, it is third month in succession that car sales have dipped in the country.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
Harman, the audio and infotainment group, has announced that it is ready to begin road tests of 4G/L...Any questions? Email us or call our Member Services team on +44 29 2070 9302.Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
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09 November, 2011 Rising land prices in and around Ahmedabad have forced three-wheeler manufacturer Atul Auto Limited to cancel its proposed Rs 150-crore expansion plan. The listed company will now look for a 100 acre plot elsewhere in the state or even outside it.
“Arrival of Tata Motors, Ford and Peugeot at Sanand resulted in sky-rocketing of land prices in the vicinity of Ahmedabad. After Maruti’s announcement, land owners and dealers feel they can fetch higher prices and are consequently backing out on previous deals. The private owner of the land with whom we were negotiating raised the price exorbitantly at the eleventh hour, forcing us to scout for new location,” said Vijay Kedia, CMD of Rajkot-based Atul Auto Limited.
The company plans to increase the light commercial vehicles as well as enter the four-wheeler segment. The proposed plant was to have a capacity to produce 30,000 units annually. The diversification from three-wheelers to two-wheelers is part of growth strategy of the company and as hedge against downturn in any particular segment.
The company feels that the new location can affect its business plans. “But we don’t have a choice,” said Kedia.
Atul Auto will also raise capacity at its existing site in Gujarat with an investment of Rs 60 crore and is looking for technical collaboration for the expansion. It plans to double the capacity of three-wheelers from 24,000 units to 48,000 and then to 54,000 by 2013-14. New models are being lined up for launch in the January-March 2012 quarter. Some of these will be launched with better fuel efficiency figures than its current lot of products. The work on technology to improve fuel efficiency is in progress at its R&D centre at Pune.
In order to decrease the pressure on its facilities in India, Atul Auto plans to set up assembly lines in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. At 12,000 units annually, it expects a business of Rs 150 crore from its Bangladesh operations. It had stopped exports last year to meet growing demand from its domestic dealers. Unlike Bangladesh, where it has a technology alliance with its partner who has invested in the assembly infrastructure, the company plans to adapt a joint venture model in Sri Lanka. Talks are at an advanced stage with the Sri Lankan partner and a final decision is likely to be taken in few months.
