GHOSN PUTS RENAULT AND NISSAN'S INDIA TIES ON TRIAL
Business Standard (Web & Print Edition)
Mumbai: After announcing partnerships with three of Indias top auto makers Bajaj Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland Carlos Ghosn, head of Renault and Nissan, said he was keen on continuing with just one of them.
French car maker Renault has a joint venture with M&M, which makes the entry-level Logan sedan. Renault has 49 per cent in the venture.
Renault is also working with Bajaj Auto, along with Nissan to develop a small car, although no joint venture agreement has been signed so far. It also has a partnership with Ashok Leyland through Nissan for light commercial vehicles in India.
Talking to the Press Trust of India on the sidelines of the Tokyo Motor Show, Ghosn said if things did not work out, it can sever ties and may even drive in its new products in India with a different partner.
I am not saying we will, I am saying we can. I dont want anybody to be surprised. We have three partners (in India). Our intention is to continue with the three partners, but if it is not possible, I can tell you that we need at least one, Ghosn said.
He was responding to a query on whether Renault was unhappy with any of its Indian partners, particularly with M&M, following the dismal performance of the Logan in India.
It is a matter of concern. Every time your sales go down on any model, not only in India, we always check why. We are going to try for some more time. If it does not work then we will go with a second car, probably with a different partner. We are in India to stay, he added.
Logan has failed to live up to expectations and sales have been falling steadily. In September alone, 510 units of the car were sold against 1,752 units in the same month last year. In the first six months of this year, the joint venture sold just 2,901 units of Logan compared to 9,217 units in the same period last year.
According to Mahindra & Mahindras annual report, the joint venture company Mahindra Renault posted a loss of Rs 490 crore in the last financial year. Low demand for the car has forced Renault to scrap plans to make the engines locally.
Ghosn added the failure of Logan was because it is more expensive than we hoped it would be in India, the market here is extremely sensitive to the price. The other reason, he added, was that we dont have enough localisation in India.
Renault is learning from its current experiences in India and we are going to come with a second wave of products, he said, without specifying details.
Mahindra was the first to express dissatisfaction over the working of both Renault and Nissan when it exited a planned three-way venture in January last year. Renault-Nissan, however, went ahead and set up a mega car plant with capacity of 400,000 units in Chennai.
Although Renault has postponed its production plans from the plant for the time being, Nissan has stated that its first car will roll out in May 2010.
In a statement issued in India later in the day, Renault said Ghoshs comments were related to the Renault-Nissan alliance operations in India and they should not be construed to be referring only to Renault Indias operations.
Renault would like to state that at this stage there is no decision, nor any plan to cease coordination with any of its current partners, the statement said.
Ghosns statement also comes at a time when Renaults financial condition has deteriorated considerably in the first half of the calendar year with the company reporting a net loss of $3.82 billion, which was led by a free fall in auto sales worldwide.
The small car venture with Bajaj Auto also has not gained much momentum ever since the companies jointly announced in end-2007 their plans to put the car on the road in early 2011.
The precise reasons for the delay remain unspecified but sources say that there have been differences between Bajaj Auto and Renault over the positioning of the car. While Bajaj is reportedly keen on positioning it as a fuel-efficient product, Renault wants to launch a price war with the Nano.
Officials at Bajaj Auto declined to comment on todays developments but sources said that the company does not intend to get into the sedan segment.
Sources in Nissan, however, say the joint venture with Chennai-based Ashok Leyland is very much on schedule and will continue as planned. The Japanese company has three joint ventures with Ashok Leyland for light and medium commercial vehicles, engines and powertrains and technology development.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ghosn-puts-renaultnissan/s-india-tiestrial/373959/
Renault open to single partner in India
The Economic Times (Web & Print Edition)
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/Renault-open-to-single-partner-in-India/articleshow/5147180.cms
Can sever ties with any partner, including M&M, says Renault
The Pioneer (Web & Print Edition)
http://www.dailypioneer.com/210350/Can-sever-ties-with-any-partner-including-MM-says-Renault.html
Renault alert on local ties
The Telegraph (Web Edition)
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091022/jsp/business/story_11643734.jsp
Can sever ties with any partner, including M&M: Renault
Deccan Herald (Web Edition)
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/31593/can-sever-ties-any-partner.html
Renault keen on continuing ties with Indian partners
The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/02211101.htm
PREMIUM VEHICLE WITH NEW-AGE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY
S. Muralidhar
The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
Tokyo: The first light commercial vehicle from the Ashok Leyland-Nissan Motor truck manufacturing joint venture is likely to roll out some time in early 2012 and will be clearly identifiable as a premium vehicle.
The joint venture, which is in the process of finalising the most ideal vehicle for the Indian market, is considering building LCVs in the 3.5-4.5 tonne category.
Talking to Business Line at the event, Mr Andy Palmer, Senior Vice-President, Product Planning, Programme Management and Market Intelligence, Global IS Division, Global LCV, Infiniti and Zero Emissions Business Units, said that the joint venture companys vehicles will be clearly demarcated in terms of focus.
LCVs from the Nissan brand portfolio will be positioned at the premium end of the market and will feature new-age diesel engine technology that is capable of meeting the all prevalent emissions norms.
Mr Palmer said that the two joint venture partners are working on identifying the most suitable vehicle on the chosen platform that will fit the Indian markets requirements. The vehicle platform will be that of a rigid truck like the Cabstar or Atlas and though initially a regular truck will be rolled out, there are other commercial vehicle assets under the same platform that are also being considered and under study for the Indian market, he said.
Branding
As far as branding the new vehicle goes, Palmer said that discussions are regarding the merits of joint branding of the new trucks.
He, however, pointed out that there is no pressure on adopting a joint brand and that there is a good likelihood of Nissan going it alone with its brand on the new LCVs.
He also felt that it will be in keeping with retaining the premium image of the new vehicles and the Ashok Leyland brand can continue to focus on mass market commercial vehicles.
Nissan is also keen on conveying to Indian vehicle buyers that it can provide mobility solutions across-the-board from small cars, to hybrids, to electric vehicles to commercial vehicles, he said.
LCVs constitute a big part of the Nissan portfolio worldwide. The Japanese company is also hoping that its alliance with Ashok Leyland will help it look at contributing to the hub and spoke road transportation and logistics concept, where small LCVs are used to transport goods within the city and medium and heavy CVs are used for inter-city transportation.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/22/stories/2009102250381800.htm
IS RENAULT LOOKING FOR A STRATEGY SHIFT IN INDIA?
The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
Mumbai: Renaults multi-partner strategy in India came under the scanner on Wednesday following a statement made by its President and CEO, Mr Carlos Ghosn, at the Tokyo Motor Show.
We have three partners (in India). Our intention is to continue with the three but if it is not possible, I can tell you that we need at least one, he was quoted as saying in agency reports.
This was enough to cause a flutter in industry circles here with speculation rife that Renault was going to call it quits with one of its allies here. The company already has a joint venture going with Mahindra & Mahindra to produce the Logan sedan at Nashik.
The other alliance is the one with Bajaj and Nissan to make an ultra-low cost (ULC) car, with a price tag of $2,500, scheduled to roll out of Chakan near Pune in end-2011. Nissan, Renaults global ally, has a joint venture with Ashok Leyland to make light commercial vehicles in Chennai.
Clarification
While the market was debating which of these joint ventures would fall by the wayside, Renault made an official clarification that there was no plan or decision at this point to cease coordination with any of its current partners.
However, industry sources said that Mr Ghosns comments clearly showed that while a local ally in India was imperative from Renaults point of view, the multi-partner approach was not going according to plan.
Nearly four years ago, at the time of signing the joint venture with M&M, there were no such issues. Mr Louis Schweitzer was the chief of Renault then and when Mr Ghosn took over, the partnership took a giant step forward with the announcement of the Rs 4,500-crore three-way joint venture between M&M, Renault and Nissan.
M&M miffed
Everything looked picture perfect till M&M decided to drop out. At that point, the story doing the rounds was that the company was miffed because Renault had also decided to team up with Bajaj Auto for the ULC car project. Sources said this issue triggered cracks in the M&M-Renault relationship.
Mahindra-Renault, the 51:49 joint venture, reported losses of nearly Rs 500 crore last fiscal and sales of the Logan have stagnated at 600 units a month.
This plant was planned with an installed capacity of 50,000 units annually and just one-third is being used now.
M&M believes that one way to boost Logan sales is to reduce its length to four metres so that it qualifies as a small car and avail itself of the eight per cent lower excise duty. The levy, otherwise, is 20 per cent and this alteration could make the Logan cheaper by up to Rs 75,000.
This is something that Renault will have to ponder over because the excise duty differential is peculiar to India in addition to the fact that the Logan, in its present form, is doing well in other markets.
Talks with Bajaj
As for the ULC car project with Bajaj Auto, the only news in the public domain is that the partners are still sorting out branding issues. Even here, rumours have been doing the rounds that a split is around the corner.
It is only in the Nissan-Leyland alliance that some semblance of progress has been achieved in terms of a timetable for the rollout.
Of course, initial plans for a new plant could give way to sharing facilities within the Renault-Nissan Chennai unit.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/22/stories/2009102250570200.htm
Renault-M&M alliance on last legs?
Daily News & Analysis (Web Edition)
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_renault-m-and-m-alliance-on-last-legs_1301508
End of Renault-M&M partnership?
Rediff India (Web Edition)
http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/21/auto-end-of-renault-m-and-m-partnership.htm
RENAULT WILL STAY WITH AT LEAST ONE INDIAN PARTNER
Swati Khandelwal Jain
Mint (Web & Print Edition)
Tokyo: In an interview at the Tokyo Motor Show, French car maker Renault SAs chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn spoke about the firms many alliances in India and the status of each of them. Earlier this month, Renault denied a report that it was looking to replace Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd in its Logan joint venture. Renault also has a tie-up with Bajaj Auto Ltd and one with Ashok Leyland Ltd, through Nissan Motor Co., in light commercial vehicles. Renault needs at least one partner in India, said Ghosn.
Edited excerpts:
You have unveiled electric vehicles here. Do you see potential for a market in India for these vehicles knowing that the infrastructure is still not ready for such products?
I think India will probably come at a later stage. First, as you know, there is a problem of infrastructure, and infrastructure is very important (for electric vehicles). Secondly, if you really want to make the electric car popular, you have to address the bulk of the market. The bulk of the market in India is probably (for) a lower-cost product that you need to adapt (to). For example, the Leaf will address the heart of the market in the US, the heart of the market in Western Europe and the heart of the market in Japan. It will not address the heart of the market in India... For India, you are going to need a product which is much more affordable than the one that we are showing.
So you still see that they are about a couple of years away or maybe more?
No doubt.
Talking about your alliance with Mahindra and Mahindra in India, there has been some speculation going on about some strain in the partnership and that the MoU (memorandum of understanding) that comes up for renewal in 2010 may not get renewed. Can you just clarify and give your comments?
Every time you have a partnership, you always have rumours from time to time based on the discussions taking place in a partnership. Yes, we will continue to work with Mahindra and Mahindra; yes, we will continue to work with Bajaj; we will continue to work with Ashok Leylandwe are working with many people in India. From time to time, we will have problems because you dont see the situation the same way. From time to time, we will accept the Indian partner and, from time to time, we have the impression that the partner is going in the wrong direction.
But this is our way of learning the Indian market. But what I can tell you is that we will certainly stay with at least one of them. We may, over the long run, sever our relationship with one of them or strengthen with another one.
I cannot tell you what is going to happen. But we need at least one partner in India because there are certain things that only an Indian company can do for us.
Your sedan project with Mahindra and Mahindra, the Logan, has not been doing very well. The sales have been faltering for many months now. What are you doing about that? Is that not a matter of concern for you?
It is a matter of concern every time your sales go down on any one, not only in India. So we always check why. But, obviously, one of the reasons...is (that) the Logan is more expensive than we hoped it would be in India and, as you know, the Indian market is extremely sensitive to price.
One of the reasons, it is a little bit expensive is because you dont have enough volume of sales and you dont have enough localization in India. So we will learn from it and we are going to come with the second wave of products.
So we are not just going to India by saying I am going to try this product and if it doesnt work I am going out. No. This is the long-term strategy. This for us is a strategic market. We are going to try first time and, the second time, we will go with a different car, and, eventually, with a different partner. It doesnt matter. But we are in India to stay.
So you could go with a different partner for the sedan?
We have three partners. So we want to develop as much as possible with three partners, as much as possible.
With Bajaj you only have the ultra-low-cost car project...
For the moment, yes. But it can evolve into something different. We are business people. Where we see opportunity, we go.
http://www.livemint.com/2009/10/21211441/Renault-will-stay-with-at-leas.html?h=A4
TOYOTA SMALL CAR TO BE BENCHMARKED AGAINST SWIFT, I20
The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
Tokyo: To take on the fierce price competition in the mass-market passenger car segment, Toyotas planned small car will be benchmarked against existing hatchbacks such as the Suzuki Swift and the Hyundai i20. It will be positioned at the premium end of the small car market and will be relevant to the Indian buyers tastes and preferences.
Talking to Business Line, Mr Yoshinori Noritake, Chief Engineer, Product Planning, Toyota Vehicle Development Centre 2, said that the new car being developed by Toyota and due for launch by late next year or early 2011, will be within four metres in length and will be feature a 1.2-litre gasoline engine initially.
The same car platform and the same engine block could be used to develop a sedan with a slightly bigger, possibly, 1.5-litre petrol engine, he said. A diesel engine within the 1.5-litre engine size requirement (for the lower excise duty levy) may follow the petrol version.
Mr Noritake said that the companys development programme is taking into consideration a sizeable level of research that has been conducted on the Indian small car buyers preferences by TKM. The design will be globally relevant and yet, enable Toyota to keep costs low, while the quality matches the companys global level of quality demands.
Though Toyota is working on keeping costs low by sharing components and by increasing the level of local sourcing, the company is still not going to compromise on some quality parameters.
One of those is reflected in the selection of a four-cylinder engine for the proposed car.
Though a three-cylinder engine may be cheaper to produce, Mr Noritake felt that it will lower the level of refinement of the car and so the choice was not made.
The small car will also be at least 10 per cent more fuel-efficient than a similar-size competing vehicle currently in the Indian market.
He added that the new small car will meet Euro IV-level emission norms. S.M.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/22/stories/2009102250401800.htm
NISSAN MAY ENTER INDIA WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES
PTI
See this story in: The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
Tokyo: Japanese car maker Nissan on Wednesday said it will consider launching electric vehicles in the Indian market within the next few years as part of its global plan to roll out cleaner and alternative fuel technology.
The company, which is part of French auto giant Renault Group, on Wednesday showcased three electric vehicle (EV) models and announced plans for a concept car at the ongoing Tokyo Motor Show here.
Nissan said it would mark its entry into the EV segment with launches in the US, Japan and European markets in 2010.
Asked if the company plans to introduce the EV models in India, the Nissan Motor Corporation Chief Executive, Mr Carlos Ghosn, said: If there is a market, yes sure.
There is absolutely no limitation for where the car will go.
He added: The global mass marketing (of the EVs) will start from 2012 but we are starting it in 2010 in Japan, US and Europe. Then we are going to ramp up. I think India will probably come at a later stage because of infrastructure, and infrastructure i s very important.
The company showcased three EV models, including a small passenger car Leaf, a light commercial vehicle and a luxury car under the Infiniti brand. It also announced plans for a new concept car.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/02211301.htm
Nissan mulls launching electric vehicles in India
The Indian Express (Web Edition)
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nissan-mulls-launching-electric-vehicles-in-india/531365/
Nissan mulls launching electric vehicles in India
Rediff India (Web Edition)
http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/21/auto-nissan-mulls-launching-electric-vehicles-in-india.htm
Nissan plans electric vehicle for India
Business Standard (Web & Print Edition)
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/nissan-plans-electric-vehicle-for-india/373947/
Nissan may bring electric vehicles
The Times of India (Delhi Print Edition)
TOYOTA DEVELOPING SUB-INNOVA PRODUCT FOR INDIA
Bijoy Kumar Y
Business Standard (Web & Print Edition)
Tokyo: Toyota Kirloskar Motors Limited (TKML) is looking to make further inroads into the Indian market as it puts its strategy into overdrive. With the launch of the Prius and its small car in 2010, it is looking to add another volume product to its portfolio.
On the sidelines of the Tokyo Motor Show, senior executives of the parent company confirmed they would be bringing in a second people mover, after the Innova, into India.
The company is looking to position it between its new small car and the Innova, which should fit in to the Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh price bracket.
Toyota claims it is developing an all-new model, which should go on sale in the next two years. Since the company wants to play safe with the vehicle and not affect Innova sales, it might look at a five- or six-seater with a sub 2.0-litre diesel engine for its people mover. This will be a people mover and not an SUV, one of the senior officials was quick to confirm.
The company has been evaluating certain models for India, including the Toyota Avensis Verso MPV for benchmarking purposes in the recent months. In South East Asia, it offers a model called the Toyota Avanza, which uses several parts and body construction techniques similar to the Innova, but is powered by a host of petrol engines. It is not known at this point whether the model is being considered, but it is a strong contender to fit the price bracket nevertheless.
Meanwhile, the company is keeping its small car programme for India on track. It has been working in close co-ordination with its Indian vendors to develop components, which are now being tested at Toyotas facilities in Japan.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/toyota-developing-sub-innova-product-for-india/373960/
Toyota developing sub-Innova product for India
Rediff India (Web Edition)
http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/22/toyota-developing-sub-innova-product-for-india.htm
TOYOTA TO LAUNCH PRIUS NEXT YEAR IN INDIA, SMALL CAR BY EARLY 2011
S. Muralidhar
The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
Tokyo: After what seemed to be a lull in its new vehicle plans for India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) will launch a slew of new cars during the next 14 months.
The Fortuner sports utility vehicle was launched last month. The new Land Cruiser Prado
is also being considered for a possible introduction. But next to hit the roads will be the Prius (pronounced pree-us) Toyotas first and most successful hybrid passenger car. Of course, the car that is most keenly awaited will be the small hatchback. It is expected to be launched by the end of 2010 and will, finally, mark the car majors entry into the mass-market segment in India.
Talking to a section of the Indian media on the sidelines of the 41st Tokyo Motor Show here, Mr Kazuo Okamoto, Vice-Chairman and Member of the Board, Toyota Motor Corporation, said that the company was lagging behind in the Indian market, but that it will catch up soon with the rest of the competition.
As part of the plans to offer more vehicles to buyers in India, Toyota has decided to launch the Prius there by January 2010. After first being showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo in Delhi, the Prius will be available for purchase at Toyota showrooms.
The Prius is a standalone hybrid car, which seamlessly integrates an electric motor that is powered by a Lithium-ion battery pack and a regular gasoline engine using Toyotas proprietary Hybrid Synergy Drive system.
The car is likely to be imported in the CBU (completely built unit) form from Japan and marketed in India. It is an extremely low emission vehicle and it is expected to help Toyota make a statement regarding its environment-friendly technologies.
TKM sources feel that though the car will be launched in January, its availability will be limited due to heavy demand from buyers in markets such as the US and Japan.
Toyota has carried forward its hybrid technology into its other cars such as the Camry and the Crown. Speaking about the possibility of carrying forward its hybrid technology into the new small car, Mr Okamoto said that at this moment, the company is considering a hybrid in the small car too.
Small car hub
Technically, the new small car platform is capable of also being used for a hybrid version. But there are no specific plans for it currently, he said.
Speaking about the importance of the new small car, Mr Okamoto said that depending on the success of the hatch, the Indian operations of TKM could well become the global small car hub for Toyota. That is the direction we will be taking, but a lot depends on the performance of the new small car in India, he said.
The small car is currently being developed in Japan with considerable inputs from TKM and will meet all the quality parameters required by Toyota. The domestic market is likely to be the initial focus for the new small car and in the future it is likely to evolve into a global model that can cater to other markets too. With the addition of the small car to its portfolio and the possibility of a sedan also being built on the same platform, Toyota is aiming to corner a 10 per cent share of the Indian market by 2015.
With the possibility of the Indian market being about 3.5 million units, we want our share to be about 350,000 to 400,000 units by 2015, Mr Okamoto said. And with Toyotas global sales being about 9-10 million units by then, the Indian operations will constitute about three-four per cent of the total. If exports from out of India happen by then, the number could be higher.
Mr Okamoto also confirmed that at this moment the new small car being developed by Toyota for emerging markets such as India will be the cheapest-ever made by the Japanese company.
Though efforts will continue to reduce costs of future models, Toyota is unlikely to look at making an ultra low-cost passenger car on the lines of the Tata Nano or the proposed car by the Bajaj-Renault combine.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/22/stories/2009102250391800.htm
Toyotas small car in India by 2011
The Tribune (Web Edition)
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091022/biz.htm#5
Toyota to roll out hybrid Prius in India
The Times of India (Web & Print Edition)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Toyota-to-roll-out-hybrid-Prius-in-India/articleshow/5146896.cms
Toyota to launch hybrid Prius early next year
Rediff India (Web Edition)
http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/21/auto-toyota-to-launch-hybrid-prius-early-next-year.htm
Toyota may launch Prius by Jan
Business Standard (Web & Print Edition)
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/toyota-may-launch-prius-by-jan/373944/
TOYOTA MOTOR CORP BETS ON FUEL EFFICIENCY
PTI
See this story in: Business Standard (Web & Print Edition)
Tokyo: The worlds biggest carmaker by sales, Toyota Motor Corp, is developing 10 per cent more fuel-efficient small car for launch in India by early 2011 to beat market leaders Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.
For our upcoming small car, we have set the benchmark with Marutis Swift and Hyundais i20. We target development of a vehicle with 10 per cent more fuel efficiency than the Swift and i20, Toyota Motor Corporation Chief Engineer (Product Planning for Passenger Vehicle) Yoshinori Noritake told a group of visiting Indian journalists here.
The company would introduce the car with a four-cylinder engine that will be Bharat Stage IV emission norm compliant.
Asked about engine specifications, Noritake said: Though we have not decided, we are finalising the engine capacity to make it suitable for enjoying the excise duty benefits for the small car.
Small cars, 1.2 litre for petrol and 1.5 litre for diesel engine, are charged only 8 per cent excise compared with 20 per cent for bigger cars in the Indian market.
He said besides fuel efficiency, pricing is a big challenge that Toyota is trying to overcome to be successful in the price-sensitive Indian market. Pricing is very important. Toyota is looking very positively with this small car to mark a strong presence in the country, Noritake said.
To reduce production cost, he said the company was looking at sharing components from other models with the proposed compact car.
It is very important to reduce the cost. Commonalisation of components of various models is helpful and now we are assessing this aspect, he said, adding a major portion of the components will be sourced locally.
But we are also considering to supply parts from the ASEAN countries such as Thailand and Indonesia to bring down the cost of the car, he said.
The company is planning to launch both the hatchback and sedan versions of the car. The base model of the car will also have options to select various high-end safety features like ABS (anti braking system).
We are also trying to make a diesel engine of the small car but nothing has been confirmed yet, said Noritake, who is also the main architect of the small car.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/toyota-motor-corp-betsfuel-efficiency/373945/
Get set for Prius, Swift hybrid
The Economic Times (Web & Print Edition)
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/Get-set-for-Prius-Swift-hybrid/articleshow/5147112.cms
Toyota making fuel-efficient small cars for India launch
The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/02211501.htm
VOLKSWAGEN TO LAUNCH POLO IN H1 2010
PTI
See this story in: The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
Mumbai: German carmaker, Volkswagen, plans to launch its Polo model in the first-half of 2010 followed by a slew of others, a top company executive said on Wednesday.
"The Volkswagen Polo will be rolled-out early next year. The hatchback version of Polo will be launched in H1 2010 while the sedan version will be introduced in the second- half,'' Member of the Board and Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Mr Neeraj Garg, told reporters here.
"Testing of the Polo is going on.'' The Volkswagen Polo would have both petrol and diesel versions, he said. Volkswagen has a 500-acre manufacturing facility at Chakan near Pune with a annual capacity to produce 1,10,000 units.
The company, so far, has invested around Rs 3,800 crore in the plant, he said. Volkswagen, which at present selling two models in India - Jetta and Passat - plans to introduce the Beetle and Touareg soon, Mr Garg said.
For Polo, the company is initially looking at a 50 per cent localisation. "To start with, we are planning to source 50 per cent of Polo's components from the domestic market. We are open for more localisation but it will depend on the quality and availa bility of the components, Mr Garg said.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/02211868.htm
Volkswagen to launch Polo in H1 2010, Beetle, others to follow
Daily News & Analysis (Web Edition)
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_volkswagen-to-launch-polo-in-h1-2010-beetle-others-to-follow_1301323
Volkswagen hints at localisation; targets to sell 3,000 cars this yr
Yahoo India (Web Edition)
http://in.biz.yahoo.com/091021/50/baueed.html
Volkswagen hints at localisation; targets to sell 3,000 cars this yr
The Financial Express (Web & Print Edition)
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/volkswagen-hints-at-localisation-targets-to-sell-3-000-cars-this-yr/531544/
Volkswagen plans to launch sedan in India
Hindustan Times (Delhi Print Edition)
40 VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS BY DECEMBER
The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
Mumbai: Volkswagen India plans to expand its dealerships from 25 to 40 by the end of this calendar year. The expansion will include new outlets in Indore, Jalandhar, Bhopal, Vijayawada and Kozhikode which will supplement the ones in Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Noida, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Goa, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune and Surat.
On Wednesday, Volkswagen opened a dealership in central Mumbai. Mr Neeraj Garg, Member of the Board and Director, Passenger Cars, said 3,000 cars were targeted to be sold this calendar year. Sales up to September were 2,233 units, comprising the Jetta and Passat. The two cars are assembled at group company Skodas Aurangabad plant. The first wholly manufactured model, the Polo, will roll out of Volkswagens Chakan plant next year. The company has invested Rs 3,800 crore in India.
Mr Garg said trial production of the Polo had begun. We will launch it in the earlier part of 2010 with a sedan version to follow, he said.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/22/stories/2009102250590200.htm
TATA MOTORS BETS ON MANZA
The Hindu Business Line (Web & Print Edition)
Pune: With sales of its sedan Indigo having dropped considerably in the past one year, automaker Tata Motors is pinning hopes on its latest, launch, the Indigo Manza, to boost sales in this segment.
Last October, we sold around 4,000 units a month of the Indigo. This year, the number is 3,000 units, said Mr S. Krishnan, Vice-President, Commercial, domestic passenger car business.
Putting this down to product fatigue amongst buyers, he said the new sedan was expected to boost sales. The company will also consider launching CNG and LPG versions of the car, now available in petrol and diesel options, if there was a demand for these, he added.
Speaking at the launch of the Manza here, Mr Krishnan pointed out that sale of CNG/LPG versions of the Indica stood at 400-500 units a month. With total sales of 10,000-11,000 units a month, this segment has shown a growth of 15-18 per cent in comparison to the same period last year.
The Indigo Manza, priced between Rs 4.75 lakh and Rs 6.56 lakh (outside octroi limits) in Pune, will be produced at the joint Tata-Fiat facility at Ranjangoan. Currently, the Indica Vista, Fiat Linea and the Punto are being manufactured here.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/22/stories/2009102250600200.htm
GM HOPING TO GET 20% REVENUE FROM OVERSEAS MARKETS
PTI
See this story in: Daily News & Analysis (Web Edition)
Chennai: US car manufacturer General Motors (GM) hoped to get 20% revenue from overseas markets by 2011 once it starts exporting to these countries, a top company official said. The company, which currently exports "minimal" units of vehicles to countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, would also explore options of exporting to Asia-Pacific markets and to European markets, General Motors (India) vice president (corporate affairs) P Balendran told reporters here.
The company proposed to launch a mini-car under the hatchback category by December and would focus on Asia Pacific markets to start with. Exports would mainly consists of the minicar initially, he said.
He said that the company was working on making cars under "300 series" platform which comprises standard design and features, and as part of it launched the premium sedan Chevrolet Cruze into the Tamil Nadu market here.
The sedan is priced at Rs10.98 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) for the base model and Rs12.48 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) for top model. It has a "localisation content" of 50%, he said.
Giving a breakup of vehicles sold this year as of from General Motors, Balendran said the company had sold 28,000 units of Spark vehicles and 10,000 units of SUV "Tavera", 5,200 units of U-VA followed by 2500 units of Aveo.
The company also sold 1500 units of Optra and 1,000 units of premium SUV Captiva, launched last year in the country.
To a query, he said that the company would enhance the "localisation content" above 80% on the Cruze model, three years down the line.
"When we launched the Tavera it was having around 60% localisation content but it is around 98%. Similarly, we will also increase the localisation content (of Cruze)", he said.
On their sales performance this year which witnessed a slowdown, General Motors India Director-Sales Sumit Sawhney told PTI that last year they sold excess of 65,000 units and this year the figure was expected to cross 70,000 plus.Already 50,000 units had been sold, he said.
The company is hoping to complete this year with 10% growth, he said.
As part of enhancing its presence, the company would increase its dealership network from the present 198 outlets to 250 by March 2010, Sawhney said.
He said around 31% of sales came from Southern region.
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_gm-hoping-to-get-20pct-revenue-from-overseas-markets_1301325
BMW Z4 AVAILABLE IN COIMBATORE
The Hindu (Web Edition)
Coimbatore: BMW has recently launched its new BMW Z4 under the roadster segment and is now available at Coimbatore through Kun Exclusive, authorised dealer for the sale and service of BMW vehicles.
A release from Peter Kronschnabi, President of BMW India said, the new BMW Z4 offers a unique driving experience.
Seating
Its the only vehicle in the segment to combine the classic roadster proportions with a seating position close to the rear axle, rear wheel drive and a fully automatic retractable hardtop.
The appeal of this two-seater lies in its unique combination of elegance, agility and supreme comfort.
Price range
The new BMW Z4 will be available in petrol variant BMW Z4 sDrive 35i and will be available across India at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 59,00,000 (inclusive of RTO registration charges, tax, insurance, handling charges, Octroi and entry tax if applicable.
Colours
BMW Z4 will be available in six paint finishes Alphine White, Black Sapphire, Deep Sea Blue, Orion Silver, Space Grey and Titanium Silver.
Engine
The six-cylinder in-line petrol engine has a capacity of three litres, and features Twin Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection and an all-aluminium crankcase.
Electronic control
The speed of the car can be controlled by electronic control. Mr. Peter Kronschnabi said, The BMW Z4 outlines an expression of joy which epitomizes the qualities of the BMW brand by combining the ultimate driving experience with maximum sporting potential and distinctive design.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/21/stories/2009102150850200.htm
REVA WILL SET UP AMERICA'S FIRST E-CAR PLANT IN NY
Daily News & Analysis (Web Edition)
New York: Reva Electric Car Company, based in Bangalore, is likely to set up America's first assembly plant for electric cars in New York.
Reva plans to work with Bannon Automotive, a new electric car company in Freeport, New York, to assemble a three-door plug-in hatchback, the NXR, at a still-to-be-determined site near Syracuse.
The plans were first reported by The Post-Standard, a Syracuse newspaper. Many details remained unclear on Tuesday; an official announcement is expected late in the week.
The NXR was introduced at the Frankfurt auto show in September, one of a new class of small electric cars from scrappy Indian and Chinese companies hoping to beat the big car companies to market.
Other Reva electric models are already on sale in Europe and Asia.
Jeffrey Leonard, a board member of Reva, said that from the beginning the board had understood that "if you're going to really sell and distribute this car in a big way in the US, you should have a production facility here," for reasons both logistical and political.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, officials involved in the discussions said the plant would receive $11.6 million in funding and incentives from New York State, with the companies putting in $26.5 million.
Senator Charles E Schumer, democrat of New York, said the project's backers were also seeking $52 million in loans and loan guarantees from the federal government.
He acknowledged that he had been involved in discussions about the plant for several months.
Some of the parts needed for the cars could be made by contract manufacturers, Leonard said, though he stressed that he was not familiar with the particulars of the New York deal.
Final assembly would be carried out by as many as 250 workers in the Syracuse-area factory under a recently negotiated agreement between Bannon and Reva, officials said.
"We have a very good labour force," Schumer said. "It's experienced in manufacturing." Efforts to contact Bannon Automotive were unsuccessful. The Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York declined to comment.
Discussions with Reva and Bannon Automotive began nearly a year ago, according to David Valesky, a state senator from the Syracuse area.
"This is a major victory for upstate New York and for our efforts to grow and attract the green jobs of the new economy," Valesky said in an e-mailed statement.
Only a couple of electric car plants exist in the United States, but many are on the drawing board as companies bet that some drivers are ready to make the switch.
Fisker Automotive, an American electric car start-up that is making cars in Finland, plans to build its next-generation model in the United States, but it has not said where.
A company called Tesla also expects to announce a site for an assembly plant in Southern California for its forthcoming Model S.
It also plans a powertrain plant in Palo Alto, California. Tesla already does final assembly for its Roadster at a plant in Menlo Park, California.
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_reva-will-set-up-america-s-first-e-car-plant-in-ny_1301504
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