India ahead of China in terms of exports
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.
Yamaha Delays Fazer 250 Launch
Yamaha had earlier disclosed its plans of launching two new bikes during the festive season, one of which would beat the Bajaj Pulsar 220 to take the crown of the fastest Indian motorcycle has postponed the launch of the Fazer 250. With alot of bikes expected to be launched in the 250cc segment, Yamaha doesn't want to the be the first to enter.
"We are not thinking of launching a bike in that (225-250 cc) range this festival season," Yukimine Tsuji, MD and CEO, Yamaha India said. "We will launch a bike that would not only be the fastest in India, but it would be the fastest in the world," Sanjay Tripathi, division head of product planning and brand management of Yamaha India said.
[Via: motorbeam]
Audi introduces the new Q7 in India
Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, announced the launch of the new Audi Q7- the latest version of largest selling performance luxury SUV in India. The new Audi Q7 is available in three engine options - 3.0 TDI quattro, 3.6 FSI quattro and 4.2 FSI quattro at Audi dealerships across the country from 3rd September 2009.
New single-frame radiator grill in high gloss black with vertical chrome bars adds robustness to the car in conjunction with new Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights. The new Audi Q7 also comes with optional high-end headlight version that integrates not only a low beam, high beam, and turning and cornering lights, but for the first time also a special superhighway beam. The restyled tailgate presents a more forceful contour. LEDs are standard equipment in the taillights. An aluminum exterior package adds further highlights to the styling. The S line exterior package is designed for sports-minded customers and is available as an optional equipment.
Some of the standard equipment of the new Audi Q7 includes 18-inch wheels and adaptive air suspension that enhances the sporty precision of the car's handling as well as its strong off-road performance. The LEDs as a standard fitment in the taillights adds to the appeal of the SUV. Enhancements in the front include smaller exterior mirrors, contrasting paint finish for the bumper and main body, an enhanced single-frame radiator grille, restyled bumpers, a newly ribbed designed integrated underbody guard in the center section of the bumper, making it more robust. Additions to the rear of the new Audi Q7 have the bumper with a contrasting paint finish and a restyled tailgate.
The hallmark of all Audi cars is the integration of technology with luxury and the new Audi Q7 is no different. The top-of-the line version of the MMI systems includes a hard disk drive, a single DVD player, and voice control, with the option of including a Bluetooth telephone, an advanced radio tuner, Rear Seat Entertainment Preparation, and the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen.
The new Audi Q7 range starts at (ex-showroom Mumbai) INR 53,40,000 for the 3.0 TDI quattro, INR 55,20,000 for the 3.6 FSI quattro and € 42,696 for the 4.2 FSI quattro (non homologated). The new Audi Q7 is available in an exciting palate of new colors like Ibis White, Teak Brown, Orca Black and Graphite Grey as well as the existing colors which include Deep Black, Bahia Beige, Cobalt Blue, Condor Grey, Ice Silver, Garnet Red and Lava Grey.
[Via: carnewsindia]
Maruti Suzuki shows a growth of 41 per cent in August
Maruti Suzuki has reported to have sold a total of 84,808 vehicles in August 2009. This shows a growth of 41.6 per cent in the month. This figure includes exports of 14,847 units, the highest ever monthly export in the company' s history.
A company release said it had sold a total of 59,908 cars in August 2008. Maruti Suzuki' s volume in the domestic A2 segment grew by 39.3 per cent. In the A3 segment, the sales volume grew by 44.1 per cent during the month as compared to sales in August 2008.
During the month of August, the company crossed the milestone of 50,000 cumulative exports in this fiscal year. The Maruti Suzuki A-Star is Maruti' s flagship export model. The A-Star, which was introduced internationally in January 2009, has been leading the export numbers since introduction. The major markets for this model in Europe include Germany, UK, France and Netherlands.
[Via: carazoo]
SIAM Annual Convention 2009
The 49th Annual SIAM Convention got underway in the presence of several industry luminaries as well as senior ministry officials and bureaucrats. 2009 also marks the beginning of SIAM's golden anniversary celebrations. The all-day convention has Revival, Restructuring and Sustainable Growth as the Theme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, the Hon. Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Mr. Vilas Rao Deshmukh in the presence of top executives of both Indian and International automobile and auto ancillary companies.
In his inaugural address, the Hon. Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises acknowledged and appreciated the role SIAM has been playing over the last 50 years and applauded the fact that 2009 marks the beginning of SIAM's 50th year celebrations.
Noting that the Indian auto industry has been going through a very challenging period in recent times due to the global recession he agreed that the industry had not been insulated from the negative effects of global recession. However, he pointed out that thanks to the Indian government's prompt action the impact on Indian industry had been cushioned somewhat.
Mr. Deshmukh went on to mention that though the Indian automotive scenario was showing positive signs of improvement compared to the recent past, the commercial vehicle sector still needs attention in terms of renewed investment and much more R&D. Together with this there was a need for skilled manpower too if a positive rate of growth was to be sustained.
At the same time, Mr. Deshmukh stressed that environmental and climate change issues were also very important issues of the day and while there has been a start in certain quarters, alternative fuel/technologies have to be embraced wholeheartedly.
The minister also touched upon the fact that setting up a National Auto Design centre was a priority as was the Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP) project which would provide unique and better testing opportunities to manufacturers and would help manufacturers bring down costs as such facilities are currently available abroad only.
Prior to the Minister's address Dr Satyanarayana Dash, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises released a SIAM film on the occasion. In his accompanying address, Mr. Dash mentioned how important an automobile purchase was for the average Indian, rating it as the second most important discretionary purchase after purchasing a home.
Touching on the industrial downturn after October 2008 he said that while as early as Feb 2009 industry in general had been posting impressive growth figures - the cement and coal industries have shown growth - a lot of work still remains to be done especially in terms of improving all round infrastructures.
The two-wheeler sector for example has shown over 19 per cent growth. Continuing on the subject of growth, Mr. Dash said that the July trend of growth was expected to continue over the coming festival season, helped by the fact that there are several encouraging signs like India to become a global hub of small compact car as well as the establishment of Project NATRIP and 9 testing centres.
[Via: carwale]
Harley Davidson Will Enter India in 2010
Harley Davidson would be importing its motorcycle through the CBU route (Completely Built Units) and its base model is expected to be priced at Rs. 7 Lakh onward, while higher end models would cost even more. Harley Davidson is one of world's oldest motorcycle manufacturer with over 107 years of history behind it.
Harley-Davidson expects to start selling its best in the world cruiser motorcycles in January 2010. The company has established a subsidiary to be located in Gurgaon, near Delhi, and has begun the process of seeking dealers. "As India continues to extend its global reach, so does Harley-Davidson," said Levatich. "We believe Harley-Davidson has outstanding opportunities for continued growth around the world."
The company's current approach is to import its motorcycles, accessories and riding gear, and it will continue to evaluate how best to evolve its approach to the market as Harley-Davidson's business in India grows. Harley-Davidson is the global leader in cruising and touring motorcycles and ranks as one of the strongest brands in the world, with motorcycle sales now in more than 70 countries.
The company will focus its initial steps in India on growing the Harley-Davidson brand through a variety of consumer experiences and on establishing a local dealer network. The Harley-Davidson subsidiary in India will be led by Managing Director Anoop Prakash, who said the company has begun the process of identifying initial dealers in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Punjab State.
New Audi Q7: US prices released
The facelifted Q7 may not look much different from the current model at the first glance, but look a little closer and you'll notice a slightly redesigned front end with new LED headlamps, chrome trims, new wheel designs and an updated front and rear bumper.
The U.S. will get a 3.6L FSI V6, a 4.2L FSI V8 along with a 3.0L V6 TDI clean-diesel. The 2010 Q7 TDI returns an estimated fuel economy of 17/25 mpg (city/highway) and more than 600 miles on a full tank.
2010 Audi Q7 (excluding $825 destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charges):
2010 Q7 3.6 quattro (Tiptronic): $46,900
2010 Q7 TDI® quattro (Tiptronic): $50,900
2010 Q7 4.2 quattro (Tiptronic): $61,000
[Via: germancarblog]
GM India to Export 20 Per Cent of its Mini Cars
Indian car maker General Motors India has revealed that it will export at least 20 per cent of the intended 50,000 units of its mini car within the first 12 months of launch early next year.
"We will start production of our mini car, developed on the concept of Beat, at our Talegaon plant in December and it will be launched sometime in January next year, starting with the petrol variant," General Motors India President and Managing Director Karl Slym said. The proposed mini car for India will cost around Rs 4 Lakh and the car company expects to produce over 50,000 units of it during 2010, he added. "The company is targeting to export 20 per cent of the mini car's total production during that period," Slym said.
The Indian subsidiary of the US car giant General Motors is aiming to sell 10,000 units of the mini car by end the of 2010 in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, besides the Asia-Pacific region and European countries, he added. Speaking about the localisation of components in the mini car, Slym said: "It will initially have 65 per cent localisation. However, we plan to make it almost fully-localised once our engine transmission plant in Talegaon gets operationalised by 2010."
The company is likely to roll out the Chevrolet Cruze, in October. This luxury sedan will come with a 2.0 litre diesel engine in the initial stage and 1.8 litre petrol engines will follow later in early 2010. The Cruze will be priced between Rs 12-14 Lakh. Moreover, GM India is planning to introduce four other models in India in 2010.
Special Edition C-Class Launched
Mercedes-Benz India, the German luxury carmaker, has launched its special edition C-Class model in the country. "The C-Class has been the star of young achievers and dynamic individuals whose lifestyles are a celebration of aspiration, ambition and drive," said Wilfried Aulbur, company's Managing Director and CEO.
Mercedes-Benz will produce only 60 limited edition C-Class models in order to maintain its exclusivity. The company will be launching both the petrol as well as the diesel version of the model and the special edition C-Class model will be priced between Rs 28.46 lakh and Rs 31.30 lakh.
Mercedes-Benz was once the largest luxury car manufacturer of the country now it has been pushed behind by BMW. The company has tough competition from many other luxury car manufacturers in the country too, but it is able to sustain its position among the top three luxury car manufacturers of the country and is trying to reach out to the top position it had once adorned. The company its business in the country and had announced plans to invest Rs 150 crore in network expansion in the country earlier this week.
[Via: carazoo]