To make its presences stronger in the Indian two wheeler market, Hero Honda is coming with a big bang of 5 models within the remaining period of this FY. This will not cover the recent launch of Super Splendor 125-cc, said its VP for marketing adding that the target for this FY is 5 million from the previous year’s 4.6 million units. The decision about erecting a new facility will be made before October he remarked.
The Production of Minidor comes to a running halt
The 15 year-old vehicle Minidor, from Force Motors (earlier Bajaj Tempo) will be no more on production, said its Chairman. The reason cited for this is the lack feedback from the customers and the inability to meet the BS III norms. There is no scope, he said, to concentrate on BS IV norms since the market will not feed what the company may need.
Further, the company intends to switch over to passenger sector from the personalized segment. The result is the launch of a SUV sometimes this year end, he added. However, the withdrawal of Minidor production is not a whole vacant in the three wheeler segment, he asserted. The move to enter into the SUV is to fill the vacuum left by Force Motors and the company wants to show its muscle in the most popular and stylish sector. Currently the company is doing good with its Trax in top rural packets as a MUV and the proposed SUV will not resemble this MUV anyway, he mentioned.
The company has a JV with MAN Nutzfahrzeuge for making commercial vehicles and the JV is to launch its first inter-city coach during the ensuing festive season. This vehicle will be exclusively indigenous with all localization to be erected in Jaipur and will bear MAN brand. There are two facilities each in Pune and Pithampur where the JV with MAN is doing business.
The company is keen on portraying the brand image with both options as MAN and Force. He said the priority now is for this inter-city bus and other products will follow later. Force is well-organized with its platforms- rural sector, muv like Trump, the Trax and the city sector with its Traveler. The proposed SUV will not be covered under any of these section and the company is not crucial about the sale volume of the bus.
Force Motors is no exception in meeting the surge of insufficient response from the suppliers for the components. The company can sell around 2000 units of Trump against the current 600 commercial vehicles. The shortage is due to the unavailability of the components like fuel pumps, castings, forgings and tyres especially from OEMs. Even the JV between Force and MAN is also facing the constraints for the truck manufacturing. The JV is seeking to set right the shortage through a contract basis dealing, he said. The company is capable of delivering a minimum of 50% tool with its available capacity.
Yet, Force Motors is not a big name in the segment except being a commercial vehicle maker for more decades. The company is capable of manufacturing its own engines, gear boxes, chassis and axles for its self made products. In addition the company supplies engines for passenger cars made in India by Mercedes Benz; it manufactures major cab vehicles and 9-speed gear boxes for MAN Force. With the supply hitch affecting the net prospects, the company is not likely to import TGA trucks as CBUs as the deal could not yield the desired result. In spite of that, the company is planning to sell 5000 trucks during this FY. Hereinafter, the company may focus on the indigenous production and launch more versions with cost conscious products to differ from those of Europe. Force Motors is not in any hindrance regarding export which is looked after by its ally MAN.
Skoda Yeti and Hyundai Santa Fe takes on Rivals
Catch the quick comparison of upcoming SUVs, Yeti and Santa Fe against the entire line-up of SUVs in our market @ http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/santa-fe-vs-yeti-vs-fortuner-vs-cr-v-vs-captiva-vs-endeavour-vs-pajero-vs-grand-vitaara-vs-x-trail-vs-outlander/
Introduction | SUV Market in India | Hyundai Santa Fe | Skoda Yeti | Toyota Fortuner | Honda CR-V | Chevrolet Captiva | Ford Endeavour | Mitsubishi Pajero | Maruti Grand Vitaara | Nissan X-Trail | Mitsubish Outlander
A Walk Around Rolls Royce Phantom
Rolls Royce cars are for the rich people and seeing one on Indian roads is very rare. But, we, at vicky.in are happy to take a virtual tour around the Rolls Royce Phantom @ http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/around-the-rolls-royce-in-90-minutes/
Introduction | Exterior Styling | Interior Design | Engine | Comfort and Safety | Conclusion
Quick Comparo: Suzuki SlingShot 125 vs Rivals
Suzuki has launched SlingShot 125 cc. Catch the quick comparison of SlingShot with its rivals @ http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/suzuki-slingshot-vs-competition/
Introduction | Suzuki SlingShot 125 cc | Yamaha YBR 125 | Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS | Hero Honda Super Splendor | TVS Flame
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Maruti launches Ritz Genus limited edition
Maruti has launched a limited edition variant of Ritz called Ritz Genus. Maruti will sell only 5000 units of Ritz Genus. Ritz Genus is based Ritz Petrol VXI and Ritz diesel Vdi. The additional features in Ritz Genus includes – smart body graphics, body colour moulding, back door garnish, body coloured door handles, body coloured ORVMs, Genus decal at the back, tilt adjustable steering, keyless entry and integrated music system.
Ritz Genus is priced at Rs 4.52 lakh and Rs 5.31 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). “Ritz has received very good demand from customers. I am confident that the new edition — Ritz Genus — will find great appreciation with customers,” Maruti Suzuki India Chief General Manager (Marketing) Shashank Srivastava said.
Renault to launch India specific car
The Indian car market will get a new entrant from Renault in another three years. The car will be designed to meet the exclusive demands of the Indian conditions, said its CEO. He did not delve into details barring the launch proposal. The car, to be made in Italy, will find new markets like India and other export regions, he added. The new car will be in addition to the already announced five models.
The five models, including a compact car in association with Nissan-Bajaj, were slated for launch during 2011-13. The first one in this five car series will be Fluence sedan and will be followed by Koleos, SUV in 2011, said its GM. The hatchback is scheduled for 2012 and will come under segment B on the shared platform with Nissan, he added. For this pact the company has already invested Rs4500 crore for erecting a facility near Chennai, which will have the capacity of 4 lakh annual units. Renault was in the Indian market with the launch of its Logan, in association with M&M. But the deal could not last long due to some complications between the two companies over brand and design. Now M&M is marketing Logan on different approach- making and marketing on its own- on a contract basis.
Ford to launch 8 more vehicles in another five years
In a time span of another five years, Ford India would have delivered 8 vehicles under its platform, said its President for Asia Pacific and Africa. The company has devised some huge plans for the region and will be implemented during the middle of this decade, he added. However, the industry analysts view the move as a penetration into the multi-purpose vehicles and pick ups, which witness growing stint for quite some time. Ford’s move is akin to the American General Motors on a tie-up with SAIC of China. Ford believes in its quality and value based marketing as a basis for the launch of these 8 vehicles. He assured that the company will all set to meet the demands and challenges of the market in terms of quality and quantity. The suppliers will be relieved with ease and complexity in terms of vehicles, he mentioned further. He made it clear that in another two years,
70% of the company’s vehicles would come off its 15 core platforms spread in different brands.
The motif is to make the suppliers gain by way of moving further into range of vehicles, he explained. Ford has been concentrating on the APA region comprising Australia, India, China, South Africa and Thailand, and there is an anticipation of the sale doubling- from 16 million units in the last year- to 35 million by 2018. Of these, he said, the APA would contribute 70%, given the current sale figure of 7000 monthly units. Ford’s move is seen as a great retrieve from the dry platform so far has been in the air. The MD of Ford India said that the company is eyeing on new export avenues, numbering about 50, where Figo [images] will be launched. The countries include West Asia, North Africa and Mexico, extending from the existing single export market of South Africa.
Hyundai cars to cost more from September
The ensuing festive season will see the cars from Hyundai and Toyota costing more. Hyundai has planned its price rise effective next month by 1.2% and the reason cited for the rise is high input cost. This will end up with Santro [images] and i10 [images] costing more by Rs3,500 on entry-level versions while the top end Sonata will get addition of Rs10000. The company’s Director for sales and marketing said that the company could not help increasing the price rise despite its best to contain it. Now the hike is handed over to the shoulders of the customers, he expressed helplessly. Hyundai is the second car maker, after Maruti, to raise the prices.
Maruti had effected a rise of 1.5% on its cars, barring Alto,from this month and the range goes from Rs7500. Toyota is also burning the midnight oil to increase the price of its cars. The range of Toyota includes Corolla Altis sedan [images], Fortuner [images] SUV and Innova [images]. While these cars are from the company’s Bangalore plants, it imports Camry [images] and Prado [images]. Toyota is planning to increase the prices from October, it is learnt. The rise is made as a result of the high cost in rubber, steel and other accessories. Another reason cited is the varied value of Yen and Toyota is yet to come out with exact amount of rise. The hike from other car makers may knock at any time and as of now no word is from any of other such car makers.
Harley-Davidson stretching its wings to more regions with more models
The iconic American motorbike company Harley-Davidson is on the verge of entering into new lands shielded with more models in India. Currently the company has 12 models and more product ranges are on the listing, said its MD India. For this purpose, the company will increase the number of dealers by launching one in Bangalore next month along with the existing Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad dealers. In another four months, there will be more dealers, he added. The increase in models and dealerships will be based on the feedback from the market, he mentioned.
The assembling unit of Milwaukee at Brazil deals with products marketed over 70 countries. Brazil is an ideal facility for assembling to avail the customs exemption on two wheelers. Harley-Davidson is doing business in India, China and Japan, but is potential in Japan. For the company, the competition may erupt from the Japanese brands and is ready to take up the competition, while maintaining the same cost factor. The company wants to make a full circle regarding the marketing of its products in the country, said its director.