Hyundai India to setup R&D facility next month

Hyundai will set its research and development center in Hyderabad from September in an effort to feed the results for future models including Kias’. Some $40 million have been invested for this purpose with the manpower constituting 210 Indian engineer and 10 Korean engineers. With the enhanced activity of the center, there will be an additional manpower of 800-1000 Indian engineers in the next five years. Hyundai will also set the wheel rolling for its sports utility vehicle Santa Fe in the CKD (completely knocked down) form including 30% localization rather than CBU (completely built unit). The hiccup in this is 60% import duty compared to 10% on components like glass, seats, tyre etc. in addition the company will launch an 800cc engine smaller than Santro and will be developed in Korea with the production marked in India and will be a stiff competitor to Wagon R. the launch will be after 2 or 3 years and hence no word about the pricing. Hyundai has already developed the diesel engine of 1.1- 1.5 lit capacity in Korea and may be migrate after the approval from its apex body. With all its R&D aimed for the future, the export market seems to be vital for Hyundai.

Hyundai will set its research and development center in Hyderabad from September in an effort to feed the results for future models including Kias’. Some $40 million have been invested for this purpose with the manpower constituting 210 Indian engineer and 10 Korean engineers. With the enhanced activity of the center, there will be an additional manpower of 800-1000 Indian engineers in the next five years.

Hyundai will also set the wheel rolling for its sports utility vehicle Santa Fe in the CKD (completely knocked down) form including 30% localization rather than CBU (completely built unit). The hiccup in this is 60% import duty compared to 10% on components like glass, seats, tyre etc. in addition the company will launch an 800cc engine smaller than Santro and will be developed in Korea with the production marked in India and will be a stiff competitor to Wagon R. the launch will be after 2 or 3 years and hence no word about the pricing. Hyundai has already developed the diesel engine of 1.1- 1.5 lit capacity in Korea and may be migrate after the approval from its apex body. With all its R&D aimed for the future, the export market seems to be vital for Hyundai.

Harley-Davidson to Expand into India

Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced today its plans to formally enter the motorcycle market in India, where it expects to start selling its iconic motorcycles in 2010. The company has established a subsidiary to be located in Gurgaon, near Delhi, and has begun the process of seeking dealers.

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Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer, Matthew Levatich, is an invited speaker at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers annual convention on August 28, and will provide further details on the company’s plans then.

“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.

“India is important to our long-term vision of being a truly global company,” said Harley-Davidson Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell. “We are committed to India for the long term, and we are focused right now on establishing a strong foundation.”

India is the second-largest motorcycle market in the world, with sales dominated by small, inexpensive bikes used as basic transportation. However, India’s rapidly growing economy, rising middle class and significant investment in construction of new highways have opened the door to leisure motorcycle riding.

“Given the rapid development of India’s economy and physical infrastructure, this is exactly the right time to bring the world’s greatest motorcycles to one of the world’s largest motorcycling nations,” said Levatich. “Our unique brand, distinctive motorcycles and strong experience in the leisure motorcycle market make us naturally suited to help lead and define the next era of motorcycling in India.”

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.

“Harley-Davidson fulfills dreams for people around the world through life-changing products and experiences,” said Levatich. “The Harley-Davidson brand represents self-expression, adventure, the freedom of the open road, and belonging to a global community – a family of riders. We know the relevance of the Harley-Davidson brand rings true in India just as it does in other markets around the world.”

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.

“As a key next step, we are looking for local dealer partners who share our passion and commitment to building customer relationships, the Harley-Davidson brand and our business in India for the long term,” said Prakash.

Toyota mulls introducing Daihatsu in India

Toyota will start firing on all cylinders with the launch of new small cars by end 2010 or early 2011.  To enhance its presence in the small car market, Toyota is again thinking on introducing Daihatsu brand in India.However the Daihatsu launch will very much depend on the outcome of the Toyota’s small car. The Japan’s largest car maker and Osaka’s origin, Toyota is a popular brand being sold in more than 100 countries. Having witnessed the successful run of small cars in India, Toyota is closely monitoring the run of other companies particularly Maruti. Toyota is yet to firm its foot in India with its present 3% share; however, the company has a strong hold globally. The Indian joint venture with Kirloskar has made Toyota to expand its sales version and has allocated Rs3200 crore for a new plant in Karnataka exclusively for the small car segment. The company has sidelined its show of two of its premier models – Lexus and Prius – on certain policy restraints. Toyota is planning to double its market share in another five years and the main feeding will be from the small cars, according to the company’s Indian JV MD.

GM India eyes 10% market share by 2011

Amidst global economy downfall in the US, General Motors had planned to safeguard its Indian market by setting a target of 10% market share by 2010. But this move is in the clouds with the company is yet to initiate the efforts which may go vain or may be delayed by a year – 2011. With the sales figure displaying a satisfactory 65,702 units this year,the company is pinning on the hopes of increasing it to reach the target within 2010.

The cars in queue to fetch the desired result are- LPG Spark(already 600 units), soon to be launched Cruze and the mini-car. Even though, the deadline is on the crisis, GM has no regrets to brood over and its targeting on regular sales of its cars. The revival of economy hitch may pull some rewards to the company. GM had to strive hard to get retrieved from the bankruptcy thanks to a trimmer new approaches. GM has no hard troughs in its Indian market.

GM to expand to used car dealer network

In a market full of new and small cars floating, General Motors has the guts to deal with the used cars. This means GM is no exception to the fashion of existing trends and the order of the day. The move makes GM to widen its dealer network from the current 17 to 50 mainly focusing on Chevrolet-OK with a 15-fold push. By this all the dealers have to deal both the new as well as used cars, as the prospects for this segment are positive since March – April in particular 100 units in last month alone, according to the company’s President and MD. GM has chalked out its plan to increase its pre-owned car dealer networks from 203 to 260 by this year end. With no time bound task, this new sector will go on in full swing.

GM is too blister to increase the warranty scheme for its branded cars 3 year / 1 lakh km to these old cars and all units coming under this outlet will be covered with a 110 point scale checklist drafted by GM experts and engineers. A case history of each vehicle is also on the cards.

Honda, Hyundai and Toyota boosts production

Things get changed to the timely necessity and the automobile industry is no exception to this. Three major companies of elite reputation – Honda, Hyundai and Toyota are in reviving spirits in view of the festival season. It is quite wondering to know that these companies had earlier decided to put off their production stint as a result of economic downfall. Consequently, Honda Siel will increase its production with two shifts to release Jazz and other models. The company, which boasts of 70% total sales volume from Honda City, is in the constraint case of time with three weeks. The year 2008-09 was not a happy one to Honda as it witnessed a downfall of 5000 units from the previous year’s 60000 units.  The same is the case with Hyundai as its production of i20 will see the increase in volume of 1500 units from the current 1000 units. However, the production in Plant 1 is in condition to deliver i10 and Verna models working in three shifts @1500 units a day. Toyota Kirloskar too has its own production ramp with the current 3000 units a month and the plans are on for the increase in the production of Innova, Corolla which have got three weeks of wait. The company has chalked out to raise the production from 5000 units to 5500 units from September. This ramp mode has invited warnings from market analysts that the increased production would yield less benefit on the assumption that post-festival sale would incur heavy discounts to sell off the units. Other reasons cited for the speculation are the government’s finance policy and seasonal rains.

Things get changed to the timely necessity and the automobile industry is no exception to this. Three major companies of elite reputation – Honda, Hyundai and Toyota are in reviving spirits in view of the festival season. It is quite wondering to know that these companies had earlier decided to put off their production stint as a result of economic downfall. Consequently, Honda Siel will increase its production with two shifts to release Jazz and other models. The company, which boasts of 70% total sales volume from Honda City, is in the constraint case of time with three weeks.

The year 2008-09 was not a happy one to Honda as it witnessed a downfall of 5000 units from the previous year’s 60000 units.  The same is the case with Hyundai as its production of i20 will see the increase in volume of 1500 units from the current 1000 units. However, the production in Plant 1 is in condition to deliver i10 and Verna models working in three shifts @1500 units a day. Toyota Kirloskar too has its own production ramp with the current 3000 units a month and the plans are on for the increase in the production of Innova, Corolla which have got three weeks of wait.

The company has chalked out to raise the production from 5000 units to 5500 units from September. This ramp mode has invited warnings from market analysts that the increased production would yield less benefit on the assumption that post-festival sale would incur heavy discounts to sell off the units. Other reasons cited for the speculation are the government’s finance policy and seasonal rains.

GM targets 20% export of new mini car

The 21st century has begun well for many fields and cricket in particular got instant fame with the 20-20 stream. General Motors, the world’s popular car maker, has painted its sale picture with a target of 20% export of its small cars- numbering to be 50000 units in another one year. Prior to that the roads will fascinate with GM’s Chevrolet Cruize in October. This car will carry along a 2.0 lit petrol engine in the beginning; the subsequent models will carry 1.8 lit petrol engine. In addition there will be four more models by 2010. The mini car will be a replica of GM’s Beat and will be produced in its Talegaon plant which may see its launch possibly by this January, priced around Rs4 lakhs.

The company has identified its potential market holds of Sri lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Asia-Pacific region and European nations, wherein 10000 units would be sold out by 2010. The production methodology will be with 65% localization till the exclusive engine transmission plant at Talegaon starts giving fully localized production. Besides, the Cruze is produced at the company’s Halol plant; the sedan is designed with a 2.0 lit diesel engine (to be launched in this October) and the 1.8 petrol variant in January next year. The price range may Rs12-14 lakhs. This move is a retrieval of the bankruptcy which the company faced in its apex country –the US- and lots of hope are fuelling the company in near future.

BMW India looks at new expansion plan

The German car giant BMW is polishing its mind about the increase in the production capacity in its Indian unit. The proposal may get effect once the sales hit the 3000 units by next year. As of now, the company is contented with its capacity and is crucially monitoring the market trend. If the market encourages, BMW has no hesitation to enhance its production capacity. This target of 3000 units is inclusive of import models especially 3-series and 5-series both assembled in Chennai unit.

The company is optimistic about disposing the 3000 units by 2010. These models are in addition to 6-series and 7-series in the luxury segment, X3, X5 and X6 in suv, M3, M5 and M6 in the coupe sector. The overall growth in the Indian luxury car segment is expected to be 9000 next year from its 7400 units now (it is estimated that this figure may cross 10000 by 2011). Given the positive sign, the company is planning to introduce two-seater roadster-Z4 (Rs50-60lakh) for this festival of Deepavali and another one on the eve of New Year. A new blitz is up in the sleeves for the ensuing Delhi Auto Expo. Only exception, as of now, is the mini car which may take more time to reach India for its cost factor. Clouds still hang over the sourcing business and no clear picture is derived now. BMW has got some good track record in its sales in last year – an increase of 14% for the period of January-July 2008 (1783 units in the similar period of the previous year).

Maruti Estilo – Technical Specifications, Features, Colours,Variants and Pictures

You read it first at vicky.in

Catch the pictures at http://www.vicky.in/blog/maruti-new-estilo-pictures/

Definitely this new estilo looks better than the older one. It is more sleek and attractive. It is still tall but the increase in length and curvy structures make it more contemporary. The all new swaparound headlamps and new stylish grille. Come down, there is slotted yet large airdam. The rear is largely unchanged except for the new wiper and washer.

The new estilo is powered by 3cylinder, k10B engine displacing 998cc. Like the displacement, power output is slightly higher and the new estilo pumps out 68PS of max power at 6200rpm and 90Nm of max torque at 3500rpm. Power rating is 4PS higher than the older zen estilo and torque rating 2Nm higher than the zen estilo. Because of the new engine, the new estilo is lighter too. It weighs 10kg less than the older estilo and its kerb weight is 845kg. This makes the new estilo Bharat IV emission compliant with higher power to weight ratio and torque to weight ratio. Maruti has also brought in a new transmission system. The five speed manual comes with Detent Pin Technology and cable system for precise gear shift. According to ARAI, the new estilo returns 18.2kmpl under standard driving conditions.

Dimensions of the new estilo are 3600mm(length), 1475mm(breadth) and 1595m (height). The wheelbase of new estilo is 2360mm. All the dimensions remain the same except the length. The new estilo is 105mm longer than the older zen estilo. The interiors of all new estilo comes in dual tone (Choclate Brown and beige). The instrument panel is slightly tweaked with silver lining.

Top of the line estilo VXi variant gets driver side airbag and ABS. Foldable rear seats, electrically adjustable ORVM, remote keyless entry system. power windows,power steering,front fog lamps,rear fog lamps and back door defogger are in the features list of new estilo.

With the launch of new estilo, Maruti introduces five new colours. The new estilo comes in eight colours – superior white,midnight black,silky silver, dusky brown,Ecru beige,quantum orange, bright red, emerald blue and midnight black. The new estilo is available in three variants – estilo LX, estilo LXi and estilo VXi

Contradictory to what Maruti people told, the “zen” tag is not put into history with the launch of new estilo. Instead its less pronounced as lettered in the new estilo.