Auto Industry Updates and Reviews
Passenger Vehicles segment during April-August 2009 grew at 11.97 percent over same period last year. Passenger Cars grew by 13.47 percent, Utility Vehicles fell marginally by 0.10 percent and Multi Purpose Vehicles grew by 22.67 percent in this period.
During April-August 2009, all segments except Passenger vehicles registered de-growth. Overall automobile exports registered a growth rate of 3.18 percent.
[Via: CW]
According to a Bloomberg report, India currently has an edge over China when it comes to car exports. The Indian car market, which is only one-fifth the size of the Chinese car market in terms of annual volumes, is emerging as a small car production hub for companies like Suzuki, Hyundai and Nissan. And because of this, India has managed to inch ahead of China this year, in terms of car exports.
According to figures released by SIAM, India’s car exports between January-July this year stood at 229,809 units, an increase of 18% over the corresponding period in 2008. On the other hand, China’s car exports for January-July 2009 stood at 164,800 units, a 60% decline over the year-ago period. Thailand exported 263,768 cars during January-July this year, a 43% decline over the figure reported for January-July 2008. Even South Korea’s car exports for the first seven months of this year declined by 31%, at 1.12 million units.
According to analysts, car manufacturers are likely to favour India, rather than China, for setting up export bases because China requires carmakers to form joint ventures with local companies, while this isn’t a limiting factor in India.
Electric car manufacturer Reva is all set to unveil two new models, NXG and NXR, at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor show. The new models feature new technology called the REVive which seeks to address the ‘range anxiety’ among electric car owners.
The REVA NXG is a sporty two seater with a targa roof top, designed by none other than Dilip Chhabria of the DC design. The NXG will go into production in 2011 and will have a respectable top speed of 130 kmph and a range of 200 kms.
The REVA NXR is a two door hatchback family car specially designed for city driving conditions. The new NXR can be booked and ordered from the show onwards, with production scheduled to commence at the beginning of 2010. The car will run on lithium-ion batteries and will have a top speed of 104 kmph and a range of 160 kms. A lead acid battery variant will be made available for India, which apart from being cheaper will have a reduced top of 80 kmph and a range of 80 kms.
The company will also introduce the REVive technology, a feature unique to REVA that addresses ‘range anxiety’ and will act as an invisible reserve fuel tank. If the customer runs out of charge, he/she can telephone or send a SMS message to REVA 24/7 customer support center and remote charge enables the REVA new models to continue driving within a few minutes.
Both REVA NXG and NXR will feature the REVive telematics technology. The company hasnt disclosed the technical specifications or the price which will be announced in the due course.
“The REVA NXR and REVA NXG will redefine the Indian consumer car market,” said Chetan Maini, deputy chairman & chief technology officer, REVA Electric Car Company.
“The unveiling of NXR and NXG at the Frankfurt Show is a tremendous step forward in what is sure to be a fascinating journey for EV users across the globe – Affordable and stylish electric vehicles will finally be available to consumer.” he added.
The new models will be manufactured at REVA’s new green manufacturing plant in Bangalore. The new models will receive their first boost of charge from solar power at the new plant which is built on LEEDS guidelines with water harvesting, solar charging and natural ventilation with an intent to reduce the carbon footprint.
REVA will also launch a new website, www.revaglobal.com which will go live during the unveiling of the cars at Frankfurt. The website will also let customers to register on the priority list for new car online.
Source: REVA
Ford’s manufacturing facility near Chennai is readying for volume production of its soon-to-be-introduced new car after a comprehensive transformation to double its capacity and become a strategic production hub for Ford Motor Company.
Attracting an investment of $500 million from Ford Motor Company, the Ford India plant, located in Maraimalai Nagar, was selected as the ideal production source for Ford’s new car. It will be produced not only for India but also for export to other international markets.
“This new world-class manufacturing facility is a symbol of Ford’s commitment to India and our intention to compete with the best in the market,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India. “When the first new car rolls off the line, it will be a moment when Ford achieves its potential as a major player in the Indian automotive industry.”
[Via: carwale]
Starting from 7th up till 20th September 2009, the Free Car Care Clinic will be conducted at 375 Hyundai dealer workshops across the country. For the first time, the customers can also avail this free check-up service at 30 Hyundai Authorised Service Centres (HASC) across India
Hyundai Motor India Ltd., the country’s leading passenger car exporter and the second largest automobile manufacturer, in an effort to extend the advantage of its excellent services and free check-up to a larger number of its customers, today launched its seventh nationwide Free Car Care Clinic.
Starting from 7th up till 20th September 2009, the Free Car Care Clinic will be conducted at 375 Hyundai dealer workshops across the country. For the first time, the customers can also avail this free check-up service at 30 Hyundai Authorised Service Centres (HASC) across India.
The Free Car Care Clinic will offer a comprehensive 80 point check-up and a thorough examination of the engine, transmission, electricals, under-body, AC, exterior etc. The privileged Hyundai customers can also avail free car wash and special discounts on Oil & consumable and other value added services. In addition to this, Hyundai is offering an attractive 10% discounts on spare parts & selected accessories as well as 20% discount on labour charges and on Extended Warranty.
To honour and reward the customers attending the camp, daily attractive gifts and prizes are being offered during the entire period. These include exciting prizes like 10 Free extended warranties for the entire duration of the camp which will be held for 14 days making it a total of 140 extended warranties.
Prizes will be given in each of the 8 regions and the winner will receive a 32 inch LCD TV while as the first runner up will get a digital camera and the second runner up a DVD player. In addition to this there is a Bumper prize of 32″ LCD TV with DVD player combo for one lucky customer.
Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Arvind Saxena, Sr. Vice President – Marketing and Sales, HMIL said: “Hyundai’s Free Car Care Clinic has become a stand out service activity which symbolises the bond Hyundai shares with its esteemed customers.
Comprehensive packages at attractive discounted prices are being offered to customers in order to acknowledge their belief in our quality service and brand. Keeping in view the strong support from our customers in the last two camps, we further expect a good response and turnout for the seventh nationwide free check-up camp.”
[Via: Infibeam]
Chevrolet Beat Production version
BMW is setting up a non-banking car finance company in India by next year. The new company will be christened as BMW Financial Services which will be a 100 percent subsidiary of German BMW Group. It will facilitate finance for BMW cars for both retail and fleet operators. It will also facilitate finance for automobile brands as well.
“We have applied for an RBI licence to set up the NBFC. We plan to invest around $50 million, staggered over a period of two years,” said Peter Kronschnabl, President, BMW India. BMW India already has its financing division in India which operates on similar lines in the Indian auto market in association with banks HDFC and Bajaj Alliance. Till now it was operating as a part of BMW India but now it has applied to become an NBFC.
BMW had only 9 percent market share of the luxury car market till 2006. Its share has increased to 40 percent by 2009. It expects $50 million investments in its financing subsidiary over a period of next two years. The company is currently assembling its 3-series and 5-series models at its Chennai plant.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Hyundai Motor India Ltd., the country’s largest exporter and the second largest car manufacturer today introduced the new model of its flagship brand Santro. The new Santro has been designed with luxurious interiors and improved exterior features to further enhance its appeal to the customers.
Commenting on the launch of the new Santro, HMIL MD, H. S Lheem said, “Santro has been a phenomenal success in India right from the time of its launch up till now. The customers have shown tremendous faith in the technology, design and safety that this product offered. This is why even today Santro’s success continues unabated in India even after a decade. Through the launch of new Santro, we intend to thank all our customers who have chosen to drive this product and make Hyundai into what it is today. The new version of Santro is further aimed at delighting our customers with luxurious interiors, advance styling and enhanced comfort.”
The original ‘Tall Boy’ Santro has been continuously improved to meet the changing customer needs and has kept itself abreast of the latest technology and design. While the new Santro continues to be powered by the trusted 1.1 eRLX Epsilon engine that develops a whopping 62 Bhp at 5500rpm as maximum power and 98 Nm at 3000rpm as maximum torque and has a proven fuel-economy, durability and power-efficiency.
The new Santro has many added features to considerably raise the bar for cars in this segment. On the exterior the new Santro will be distinguished by a body coloured Radiator Grille and Full Wheel Cover and the rear gets decidedly more sporty with the addition of a Rear Spoiler which further highlights the new look Santro.
Inside, the new Santro boasts of several significant design revisions with premium sophisticated new fabric in Dual Tone Beige & Brown with premium silver touches at multiple locations which adds significantly to the spacious interiors and enhances the visual appeal of the interiors. A Rear Parcel Tray has been added to provide convenient storing for utility items. The new sporty front seats add to the style and comfort factors.
To add the excitement the new Santro will be available in 8 exciting colours to choose from: Crystal White, Black Diamond, Sleek Silver, Electric Red, Dark Grey, Silky Beige, Berry Red and Sparkle Blue. The hugely popular ‘Made in India’ Santro has sold around 1.5 million units till date and recently two dual fuel models were added as the Santro went ‘Green’ with its CNG and LPG variants.
Santro re-defined the concept of driving at the time of its launch and since then, it has made a niche for itself with its styling, safety and comfort, in addition, to its time-tested quality and reliability the all new Santro with its host of exciting new features is all set to achieve customer delight and help ensure that the Santro continues to be a very popular car in this segment.
Fiat India is considering raising prices of its cars as the margins are under pressure. Fiat expects to sell in excess of 27,000 units this year on the back of newly launched cars, the Grande Punto and Linea. Fiat will start exporting the Linea to South Africa from September. The company had announced Rs 4,000 crore investment in India operations.
[Via: motorbeam]