Mercedes

The Auto Expo in New Delhi has got the golden attire of Mercedes-Benz coronation – SLS AMG Desert Gold and the concept coupe Fascination. The 2-crore demon will be ready after undergoing necessary changes- especially the right-hand drive, said its MD&CEO. Also in the display are M-class Luxury and E-Coupe. Mercedes is in the bad phase of its play after losing its top slot to BMW. Now the momentary target is to increase the volume and yield profit, without being bothered about the competition.

Mercedes SLS AMG Desert Gold Pictures

Crowded Market

Honda has pleased the Indian car lovers with its small car concept at the Auto Expo (expected to be launched in Thailand in 2011). This one among the ten cars slated for this Auto Expo. The mood in the Maruti camp is somewhat shirking that its CEO revealed the prospective hurdles to manage the dominance in the Indian car market. He said the company has to devise strategies for equally new products allied with strong network.
Maruti has a lion’s share in the Indian car market with its 800, Alto in addition to the proposed 7-seater. The US bike maker Harley-Davidson is also launching some 12 models for India this year and commercial vehicles in association with Eicher Motors and Volvo thereby increasing the production to 100000 units in 2015 along with a 15% share of heavy duty truck segment.
Volvo is increasing its component sourcing by five times ($5 billion) of which 50%will be localized. Polo, the sedan from VW, will find the owners in India from the second half of 2010. Honda is planning to secure sourcing of parts for its car from India – Indian steel for its small cars at lower costs. In all India has become an influential market for the entire auto industry spread to all ranges of cost.

Toyota to spin the spindles for small car market in India

The rising market of small cars in India is making Toyota to polish its strategy to counter the challenges posed by rival maskers. Toyota is the world’s largest in the Asia’s third biggest car market, despite financial instability. The Auto Expo in Delhi saw the launch of small car from Honda, a 5-seater and exclusive for the Indian market. The model will be replicated to change the Western market. Toyota has unveiled its Etios(Rs5lakhs) for India, keeping an eye on future growth for the company, said its Vice Chairman, at the media conference.
Etios is the craftsmanship involving 2000 engineers of India and Japan and is designed to procure a good volume for the company. Toyota is in the position to face a loss to the tune of 350 billion yen till March 2010 (due to the economy downfall in the US). The Indian car industry is set to have 16% growth (1.4million vehicles)courtesy the government’s incentives, the population penetration and stabilized economy. The car industry saw double-digit growth in the whole 2009. However, the US market, as on 5th January 2010, has faced the worst ever downfall since 1970s. China is to overtake the US this tear as the world’s largest auto market- a whooping sale of 13million.

Nano to drive into US in three years: Ratan Tata

Nano will move to the US in next three years, said its Chairman. The car will have the refined form to suit the local needs. He disclosed that the potential for small car overseas is fantastic. He was at the Auto Expo to unveil 4 low, mid and high-end ranges. The US specs are larger engine and crash tests and Nano has to meet these demands, he said, adding that electric version of Nano is in the offing. He narrated the proposals regarding future pricing of Nano, position of JLR, strategies for three wheelers (after the state of Magic Iris).

He touched upon the state of Singur and finally his relinquishing of post. Regarding the price of Nano he said the first one lakh cars will not get disturbed but he reminded the increase of prices for components. JLR will continue, he said, as it is the industrial policy to go along with long term plans of acquisition. The JV will revive giving life to the paralysed state of JLR, he said. For three wheelers he was empathetical. Singur issue maintains status quo and no decision as of now, he said.

Small is big for foreign car makers in India

The Delhi Auto Expo becomes an exponential avenue for the car makers of the global standards. The explosion in the growth does not stop with penetration but adds hope and potential to them. Their mission is to break the icing done by the local stalwarts. The global giants – Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen and GM- have unleashed their muscle show at the Auto Expo. Their target customers are the middle-class and the tech behind their cars is in tune with the Indian road conditions.

Thecompanies face thed growing challenge (by means of 10%) in the Indian market, already stabilished by the local giants – Maruti(55%) Tata Motors and M&M. VW’s Indian marketing manager claims that their presence in the net volume of sale is meager yet they foresee a change. VW’s compact car will be on the Indian roads by 2011 and will tap 8-10% share.

Auto Expo 2010 is the tenth, chronologically, but the focus was laid down by Nano in 2008. The world’s cheapest car is dominating the small car segment in India, which accounts for 80%. The rise of Nano has awaken the global giants like Hyundai, Ford and Renault to wipe the handle towards small car segment. This sweet spot in auto industry has unveiled the buying power of the Indians – transition from bikes to car. According to GM India Chief the owning percentage of cars in India is 8.5 per 1000 people compared to 20% in China and more than 500 in Europe and the US.

Maruti is facing a tough task to meet the challenges with the arrival of global makers into India. The concept that everone opts Maruti would change, says the GM India chief. The customers now have better options, quite differing from a decade ago, when the local brands highlighted themselves. The forecast for 2010 is that the net car sale would be 2 million which may triple in 2020. Auto Expo has given platform for more than 10 models from global makers meeting the current values and utility.

Toyota was the first to hit the headlines with its compact car having more storage and engine suiting the city drive. Its Etios will be launched this year suited for young generation. Toyota is planning to export from the Indian hub, said its Vice Chairman. Etios is an exclusive product for India. Honda is launching its compact car next year and GM has its Beat ($7000) in addition to e-Spark(electric version). Maruti is understood to have drafted a clear picture(it is to remembered that VW is a new associate to Suzuki with 20% share). Maruti Suzuki is playing its trump card depending upon the situation.

2011 will see two new models from Renault

After confident comeback, Renault has just launched two models slated for 2011-Florence and Koleos. Both coming from the ensuing Chennai plant and will be in petrol and diesel version, said the company’s GM and MD at the Auto Expo.  Further, there will be revamp of financial investments in India, which was in seclusion due to global recession. In the next two-four years Indian roads will witness the ranges of Renault-small to luxury, he said. There will be restructuring of dealer network in February, he added.

Mini-truck from M&M

Maxximo, is the new mini-truck from M&M, engineered with a2-cylinder engine, which will take the show to the subsequent stage in the market, said its President. Yet to be priced, this Maxximo will endorse the world technology capable of carrying 850kg weight. Set for commercial launch next month, this will be followed by Xylo, and two wheelers Duro and Rodeo– all at display in the Auto Expo now.

Renault to go ahead with its investment plan in India

The passenger car segment will hereinafter find the presence of Renault in India, according to its VP. The economic downfall in 2008 made the company to withdraw from the scene with little effort at the Chennai plant. Now the strategy is to make a gradual process. Thenext three years will seethe revamp of Renault by selling 50000-60000 cars per year in India alone.

Honda

The Japanese supreme car maker Honda Motor Co. is pleasing the Indian customers – a small car at less than Rs5 lakh. Marked for the 2011, it will be a 5-seater based on the Honda new Small Concept. The car is at display at the Auto Expo in New Delhi meant exclusive for the Indian conditions. According to the VP of the company, the move is to counter the similar concept from Toyota and Nissan’s presence in India- their entry-level cars to begin production in 2010. Honda’s presence in India is meager – sale of just 58285 units in 11 months of 2009(2.9%market share)

New Year Fiasco of BMW

The German car company BMW has chalked out its plan for the coming days – three brands BMW Grand Turismo, BMW X6M and BMW 760i. Further the Chennai facility will be uplifted to initiate new commitments in India in addition to restructuring the wing of its Financial Services, said its President for India. The current flow of BMW 3 series and BMW 5 series will be added with MMW 1 from the Chennai plant.The cost of Turismo would be Rs63 lakhs with the limited edition-100 units-for sale. The SUV Coupe BM W6M and BMW 760i would cost Rs1crore while the X6M would be Rs1.29crore.

BMW boasts as the number one in luxury segment – sold 3619 cars in 2009 capturing 40% of the market share and likes to retain its stronghold in  the segment. For this, the dealership will be strengthened in 2010 by adding 10 more outlets to make 26. To enhance auto finance the company has allocated Rs230crore for the Financial Services Wing, which would become 100% subsidiary of BMW with headquarters at Gurgaon.