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Maruti on expansion spree

The Indian car maker Maruti Suzuki is gearing its expansion activity to meet the demand for its products. The move is to raise the capacity to 15 lakh annual units at an investment of Rs1700 crore, in a plant near Manesar. The current capacity of Maruti is 10 l akh annual units spread in three plants, namely Gurgaon having 3 lakh units, Manesar delivering 7 lakh annual units.

Once the approval is ratified by the Board possibly at its October meeting, the plant will be erected to have the capacity of 2.5 lakh in a single line basis. The earlier move had been to increase the production at the Manesar plant to 2.5 lakh annual units on phases spread to 2012. The company’s Chairman said that the project proposal for the expansion scheme is on the drafting stage and everything will according to the plan.

Piaggio

The world famous Italian auto giant Piaggio is scheming to set afoot in the Indian scooter industry by setting up a plant at an investment of 30 million Euro. The venture is to rejuvenate Vespa scooters in another two years. The plant will be designed to deliver 1.5 annual units, said its CMD. The new Vespa will be gearless having a 125cc engine, he further mentioned. The earlier Vespa was in the market in a tie-up with LML in India whereas the new Vespa will be independent, he asserted. The company, he said, wants to have a significant presence in the Indian market. Also on the cards is the 0.5-tonne mini-truck ApeMini, ready for launch in another two – three weeks. Piaggio is doing good business with its three-wheelers and LCVs with the net sale hoping to reach 2 lakh units by this year end.

Suzuki SlingShot 125cc Motorcycle Photos

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What Does Ssangyong has for Indians? Check this out!

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Suzuki launches Slingshot

For Suzuki Slingshot 125 free test drive, on road price quote and booking click here http://www.vicky.in/bike/summary/suzuki/slingshotdrumalloy/

As you read it months back at vicky.in, Suzuki motorycles has launched a motorcycle called Sling Shot. Suzuki Slingshot comes with the same 125cc engine being used in Suzuki Heat or Zeus. Suzuki slingshot will be available in four colours – metallic mustard yellow, metallic fox orange, candy antares red and pearl nebular black. Suzuki Slingshot powered by an 125cc engine and comes with a 5-speed transmission. Slingshot is 14kg heavier than Suzuki zeus. Slingshot will be available in two variants – Slingshot alloy wheel and Slingshot spoke.
Suzuki slingshot is priced Rs50,140 (on-road price Delhi)

Suzuki Slingshot photos

At the launch of the Suzuki SlingShot, Mr. Katsumi Takata, Chairman, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Suzuki is a brand trusted worldwide for its superior technology and uncompromised quality and we have amply displayed this to our commitment to India by launching products, from the GS150R to the Hayabusa, Gixxer and Bandit, that have generated tremendous response from customers. The same global promise of Suzuki ensures that our customers in India get same uncompromising quality, style,
performance and comfort in the Suzuki SlingShot. “ Mr. Atul Gupta, Vice President (Sales and Marketing), Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, “It has been our constant endeavour to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the Indian motorcycle market and the Suzuki SlingShot is a direct result of us listening to what the customers want and delivering a world class product that meets their requirements. The Suzuki SlingShot offers a complete package in terms of Style, Comfort, Performance and Practicality – all combined in a 125 cc bike. The customer wanted a bike
that was as frugal on fuel as a 100 cc bike, yet had the looks to match a 150 cc premium bike combined with a price point that made the product affordable yet met all requirements – which the Suzuki SlingShot offers.”

Pictures of Suzuki Slingshot

Toyota launches Fortuner Anniversary Edition

Toyota has launched Fortuner Anniversary edition to mark its first anniversary. The Fortuner anniversary edition comes with front bumper spoiler, rear bumper spoiler, rear roof spoiler and chromer muffler cutter. Toyota will sell only 250 units of Fortuner Anniversary edition. Toyota Fortuner Anniversary edition is priced Rs20,45,000 (ex-showroom Delhi)

Commenting on the introduction of the ‘Anniversary Edition’, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director-Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Today, as we celebrate both the first anniversary and the milestone of selling 10,000 units, we are delighted to introduce the Anniversary Edition of the Fortuner which will be made available exclusively to our customers who have already made bookings with us.

Freelander 2 from Chikhli plant, reports JLR

The new manufacturing activities for Freelander 2 by Tata group JLR is slated for November this year from its Chikhli plant. The plant was utilized by Mercedes Benz. The plant is looking after the maintenance and machinery installation by Tata Motors for the proposed Freelander 2. JLR is on the verge of offering the low priced Freelander as the second in its serial. Hence Tata’s
Chikhli plant is identified for this task which has the capacity of 3500 units per shift. The plant had earlier offered its services to Mercedes on lease till 2009. The plant will take up the assembling of Land Rover ranges for Indian markets, said its
spokesperson.

The brands under JLR are imported now from Britain and the proposal to assemble its SUV in India is still on the cards. The assembled SUV might cost less on the eve of duty waiver. The current price of Freelander 2 is Rs33.55lakhs. JLR is very keen on quality before delivering the products to the market and this is to be applied for the ensuing SUV assembling. Further, JLR foresees to avoid any disruption by way of waiting period for the delivery, in case the demand increases due to the reduced pricing. There is a move to increase the number of dealers from the current 3 to 7for penetrating the market easily. JLR sells its range of vehicles including XF, XKR, XJ from Jaguar and Range Rover and Discover from Land Rover.

HM

Hindustan Motors is making an all out effort to save and retain its traditional brand Ambassador from exile. The trend does not favor this big car which has no room for technology and the feedback from the customers has been on low profile that the company sees a trough journey. The initial lot of this car was based on the 50year old Morris Oxford of Britain. Right from its inception to the market, since 1958, Ambassador had been the buyer’s choice till Maruti came to the fore some 35years ago. Recent debacle for Ambassador came from the global players like Hyundai Motor and Tata Motors.

These companies are offering cars with fuel efficiency and sleek outlook, said the experts from Marketing Consultancy. The scope of Ambassador on Indian roads is gloomy and HM is squeezing its mind to cater to the expectations of the customers by redefining it with retro design and cutting-edge tech, said its MD. The refined car will cost Rs5lakh –Rs7 lakhs and will meet the European emission norms and the car is expected to roll down in another one year. However, the industry analysts view HM’s effort as a last resort to make Amby survive in the highly competitive Indian market. HM could have a second life to its Ambassador brand provided it gets a nod for the new designing. This, the industry analysts feel, might be difficult to overcome for HM. HM is to retain the old suspension, platform and architecture but with the Isuzu engine so that the overhaul in complete form is to dignified. The gear-shifting is to be changed on par technology, refined upholstery and interiors.

The overall improvisation may not fetch more sale, probably not more than 2000 monthly units, from the current 600-700 said the industry experts. This will be a meager in the market which has the potential of 2 lakh monthly units. Still there are some experts who advocate the promotion of Ambassador despite the low profile. They say Ambassador has the niche to comeback with its design change and meeting the standards of technology. The brand image is to be focused coupled with superior features and technology, they feel.

HM has already faced a loss of Rs43 crore during the last FY and it has the mandatory to disclose its position to Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction worth 50%. HM is in the market with the associated brands like Mitsubishi for Lancer, Cedia and Pajero. The company hierarchy too faced problems following the exit of its top notch officials. Amby has to learn its lesson from the Royal Enfield which revived the status of its Bullet from the scorching loss.

M&M on high spirits with its allegiance to Ssang Yong

M&M has at last entered into a MoU with the Korean Ssang Yong for staking its claim in the Korean market. However, the details about the deal are to be disclosed. All formalities in this regard will be sorted out soon, said the officials jointly. M&M’s cash reserve is Rs2500 crore and the debt-equity ratio is safe to enter into such an MoU. The take over will not affect Ssang Yong’s work force nor its financial status.

M&M’s own ventures include an investment of Rs9500 croresf for the five years from 2008-2013, said its President. There will be new automobile manufacturing platforms and 12 products are on the cards during the coming five years, he added. M&M is quite happy to join hands with Ssang Yong to promote the product ranges in the global markets, he said. The deal pact will materialize in another three months and the Korean company will continue its operations independently.

M&M will import some best models of the Korean company to India including Korando C. Ssang Yong has to its credit, seven vehicle models comprising two large sized sedans, four SUVs and a MUV spread on 5 brands. In addition there are making of engines of both version, petrol and diesel and axles. Ssangyong has a long tradition in the field and the recent hiccups made the company to take a roundabout. The major tussle is coming from its labors, which is yet to be solved, and of course it has come off with EBITDA during the Q1 of 2010-11, a feat after seven quarters, said a report from Korea.

Fiat

The world-famous automaker Volkswagen is in flirtation to acquire the sensational brand of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, in the event of deal. The officials from VW expressed their reservations that Alfa Romeo is a great miser in four wheelers having sporty features. The car, it is said, comes with a majestic tradition and VW is too willing to pluck the deal at any cost. There is a bid to supercede Toyota Motor in another 8 years at an estimated cash flow of 17.5 million euros. However, Fiat is not in a jinx to sell of this sexy brand and VW is yet to come out with its version.