Eicher Motors` vehicle sales increased by less than 1% in February, reports Business Standard.
The India`s fourth largest commercial vehicle maker, sold just 420 units as against 418 units sold in the same month of the previous year.
Total sales, including domestic and exports for the month, stood at 477 units as compared to sales of 464 units in February 2007, registering a growth of 2.80%.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Citroen in talks with local players for India entry
Recently in Geneva The French presence in the Indian automobile industry could receive a boost within the next couple of years with the entry of Citroen. Encouraged by the success of Renault and undeterred by the hurried exit of parent brand Peugeot a few years ago, Citroen is now exploring the possibility of entering the Indian market and may join hands with a local partner.
Speaking to Business Line at the company?s stall at the Geneva Motor Show, the company spokesperson Ms Gro Hoeg said that Citroen is in talks for a possible India entry. She however, refused to name the parties with whom the company is currently engaged in discussions.
The Citroen brand is part of the PSA Peugeot Citroen Group. It has a strong French and European presence and has the entire range of passenger vehicles under the umbrella brand. Of particular interest to the Indian market would be its small cars and compact sedans.
Talking about its products, the Citroen spokesperson said that the company has cars like the C1 and C2 which are small hatches that will be suitable for the Indian market. Incidentally, the C1 is a small car which is made on the same platform and re-badged as the Toyota Aygo and the Peugeot 107, by the companies in a three-way joint manufacturing venture. It is not clear whether Citroen will eventually set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in India or will want to adopt the contract manufacturing route. Citroen?s most iconic car was the 2CV, which along with the Volkswagen Beetle was among the first people?s car to be built.
Speaking to Business Line at the company?s stall at the Geneva Motor Show, the company spokesperson Ms Gro Hoeg said that Citroen is in talks for a possible India entry. She however, refused to name the parties with whom the company is currently engaged in discussions.
The Citroen brand is part of the PSA Peugeot Citroen Group. It has a strong French and European presence and has the entire range of passenger vehicles under the umbrella brand. Of particular interest to the Indian market would be its small cars and compact sedans.
Talking about its products, the Citroen spokesperson said that the company has cars like the C1 and C2 which are small hatches that will be suitable for the Indian market. Incidentally, the C1 is a small car which is made on the same platform and re-badged as the Toyota Aygo and the Peugeot 107, by the companies in a three-way joint manufacturing venture. It is not clear whether Citroen will eventually set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in India or will want to adopt the contract manufacturing route. Citroen?s most iconic car was the 2CV, which along with the Volkswagen Beetle was among the first people?s car to be built.
Mitsubishi plans bigger line-up in next 2 years
Recently in Geneva Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the Japanese collaborator of Hindustan Motors, is looking to expand its presence in the Indian market with a bigger line up of vehicles in the next two years.
The company, which has had a manufacturing collaboration with HM since 1998, and which currently has three models in the market, is also targeting to triple its sales during the next two years from the present 3,000-odd vehicles to about 10,000 units by 2010.
Amongst the first new products to be launched in the market here will be the Mitsubishi Outlander, a crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV) like the Honda CR-V and the Chevrolet Captiva.
Currently, the Mistubishi Lancer Cedia sedan, and the Pajero and Montero SUVs are sold by HM through its dealerships. One of the other products that Mitsubishi executives have spoken about for a possible India debut is the i-MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle).
Outlander making
Speaking to Business Line at the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show, Mr Osamu Masuko, President, Mitsubishi Motor Corporation, said that the company now plans to locally manufacture the Outlander. Earlier, Mitsubishi was considering importing the SUV into India. The Outlander sports a sticker price of about $30,000 in markets like the US.
Current plans include a semi-knocked down (SKD) kit assembly and an aggressive localisation of parts for the Outlander. The vehicle is likely to be assembled at HM?s plant near Chennai and the resultant cost savings from localisation is expected to help the company keep the costs of assembling the SUV low, eventually enabling a more competitive pricing strategy.
Talking about the company?s relationship with HM, Mr Masuko said that the Japanese company is satisfied with its current standing in the Indian market and that it has no plans to either takeover the Indian operations or to set up a different subsidiary.
No small car plan
Mr Masuko also mentioned that Mitsubishi is keen on exploring a larger presence in the Indian market, including a wider product offering. ?However, Mitsubishi has no plans to enter the highly competitive small car segment in the near future. Instead, we will want to launch more niche segment products,? Mr Masuko said.
In the past, the Japanese company has been beleaguered by financial problems, and its India strategy has not been as aggressive as the other Japanese automobile companies. Mr Masuko said that Mitsubishi will increase its focus on the Indian market and is targeting sales of 10,000 units by 2010.
The company, which has had a manufacturing collaboration with HM since 1998, and which currently has three models in the market, is also targeting to triple its sales during the next two years from the present 3,000-odd vehicles to about 10,000 units by 2010.
Amongst the first new products to be launched in the market here will be the Mitsubishi Outlander, a crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV) like the Honda CR-V and the Chevrolet Captiva.
Currently, the Mistubishi Lancer Cedia sedan, and the Pajero and Montero SUVs are sold by HM through its dealerships. One of the other products that Mitsubishi executives have spoken about for a possible India debut is the i-MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle).
Outlander making
Speaking to Business Line at the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show, Mr Osamu Masuko, President, Mitsubishi Motor Corporation, said that the company now plans to locally manufacture the Outlander. Earlier, Mitsubishi was considering importing the SUV into India. The Outlander sports a sticker price of about $30,000 in markets like the US.
Current plans include a semi-knocked down (SKD) kit assembly and an aggressive localisation of parts for the Outlander. The vehicle is likely to be assembled at HM?s plant near Chennai and the resultant cost savings from localisation is expected to help the company keep the costs of assembling the SUV low, eventually enabling a more competitive pricing strategy.
Talking about the company?s relationship with HM, Mr Masuko said that the Japanese company is satisfied with its current standing in the Indian market and that it has no plans to either takeover the Indian operations or to set up a different subsidiary.
No small car plan
Mr Masuko also mentioned that Mitsubishi is keen on exploring a larger presence in the Indian market, including a wider product offering. ?However, Mitsubishi has no plans to enter the highly competitive small car segment in the near future. Instead, we will want to launch more niche segment products,? Mr Masuko said.
In the past, the Japanese company has been beleaguered by financial problems, and its India strategy has not been as aggressive as the other Japanese automobile companies. Mr Masuko said that Mitsubishi will increase its focus on the Indian market and is targeting sales of 10,000 units by 2010.
Argentum to expand capacity to produce 4 lakh small cars
New Delhi, In a short span after Argentum Motors acquired the production facility of erstwhile Daewoo Motors, the company is set to expand its capacity for small cars to 4 lakh per annum. Argentum Motors would also start manufacturing 1-2 litre engines to cater to the demand for small cars.
?We are creating flexibility at our plant to suit a larger range of vehicles. Our existing facility, which can produce engines in the size of 1.3-1.7 litre, is being expanded for 1-2 litre,? said Mr Ajay Singh, Chairman, Argentum Motors.
He said that the company was also setting up a new paint shop and an assembly line which would have a capacity of 2.5 lakh-3 lakh cars per annum at an investment of Rs 500 crore.
?The new capacity would be in addition to our existing one, allowing us to produce 4 lakh small cars per annum,? said Mr Singh. The company had earlier said that the plant had a capacity to produce 2 lakh car bodies, 4 lakh engines, 4 lakh gear boxes and 35,000 aluminium die casting division per annum.
On the company?s interest to manufacture Nano in response to Mr Ratan Tata?s statements about Tata Motors open for licensed manufacturing of the car, Mr Singh said, ?We have no intention of making the Nano because of lower margins. But it has led to the whole world looking at India as a hub for small cars. So we are essentially looking at OEMs who would like to outsource manufacturing to India for their global operations.?
Initially, the company expects to commence its component business by May with exports mainly to the European market. Eventually it intends to contract manufacture cars.
?We are in the final stages of negotiation for manufacturing of components which would start by May. While we are talking to both European and American OEMs, our exports are likely to be to Europe,? he added. In the first year of operations, the company plans to utilise 25 per cent of its production capacity.
Regarding the company?s plans for contract manufacturing for commercial vehicles, Mr Singh said, ?We are talking to commercial vehicle manufacturers for helping us build bodies and other parts for this segment of vehicles. This includes CV companies who are looking to enter India with their products as well as those who already have a presence.? The company is promoted by former Hyundai President Mr B. V. R Subbu; Director promoter of SpiceJet Mr Ajay Singh; and Mr Ashish Deora
?We are creating flexibility at our plant to suit a larger range of vehicles. Our existing facility, which can produce engines in the size of 1.3-1.7 litre, is being expanded for 1-2 litre,? said Mr Ajay Singh, Chairman, Argentum Motors.
He said that the company was also setting up a new paint shop and an assembly line which would have a capacity of 2.5 lakh-3 lakh cars per annum at an investment of Rs 500 crore.
?The new capacity would be in addition to our existing one, allowing us to produce 4 lakh small cars per annum,? said Mr Singh. The company had earlier said that the plant had a capacity to produce 2 lakh car bodies, 4 lakh engines, 4 lakh gear boxes and 35,000 aluminium die casting division per annum.
On the company?s interest to manufacture Nano in response to Mr Ratan Tata?s statements about Tata Motors open for licensed manufacturing of the car, Mr Singh said, ?We have no intention of making the Nano because of lower margins. But it has led to the whole world looking at India as a hub for small cars. So we are essentially looking at OEMs who would like to outsource manufacturing to India for their global operations.?
Initially, the company expects to commence its component business by May with exports mainly to the European market. Eventually it intends to contract manufacture cars.
?We are in the final stages of negotiation for manufacturing of components which would start by May. While we are talking to both European and American OEMs, our exports are likely to be to Europe,? he added. In the first year of operations, the company plans to utilise 25 per cent of its production capacity.
Regarding the company?s plans for contract manufacturing for commercial vehicles, Mr Singh said, ?We are talking to commercial vehicle manufacturers for helping us build bodies and other parts for this segment of vehicles. This includes CV companies who are looking to enter India with their products as well as those who already have a presence.? The company is promoted by former Hyundai President Mr B. V. R Subbu; Director promoter of SpiceJet Mr Ajay Singh; and Mr Ashish Deora
Ford, Tata likely to sign Jaguar MoU within 2 weeks
LONDON: Tata Motors is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to buy Ford Motor Co's luxury UK brands Jaguar and Land Rover in the next two weeks, a labour union negotiator said on Friday.
There are no roadblocks holding back the deal, but negotiations have proved complex, added Dave Osborne, national secretary for vehicle building at the Unite union. Unite is the main union representing workers at Land Rover and Jaguar, and has about 12,000 members there.
A separate source close to the deal also said it could be concluded "within weeks". Negotiations are now focusing on the future relationship between Ford and the two luxury brands, which will continue to take Ford engines and body parts and will share technology and intellectual property rights, the source added.
Tata has been in talks with Ford since it was chosen as the front-runner to buy the units a few days into 2008.
"We expect a memorandum of understanding between Ford and Tata to be signed within the next couple of weeks," Osborne told Reuters. "At the end of the day, this is between Ford and Tata, but that's the information we're picking up."
A Ford spokesman said there were no roadblocks and it was still on track to conclude the deal in early 2008.
There are no roadblocks holding back the deal, but negotiations have proved complex, added Dave Osborne, national secretary for vehicle building at the Unite union. Unite is the main union representing workers at Land Rover and Jaguar, and has about 12,000 members there.
A separate source close to the deal also said it could be concluded "within weeks". Negotiations are now focusing on the future relationship between Ford and the two luxury brands, which will continue to take Ford engines and body parts and will share technology and intellectual property rights, the source added.
Tata has been in talks with Ford since it was chosen as the front-runner to buy the units a few days into 2008.
"We expect a memorandum of understanding between Ford and Tata to be signed within the next couple of weeks," Osborne told Reuters. "At the end of the day, this is between Ford and Tata, but that's the information we're picking up."
A Ford spokesman said there were no roadblocks and it was still on track to conclude the deal in early 2008.
Tata Motors launches Sumo Grande
CHANDIGARH: Tata Motors on Friday announced the launch of its latest passenger vehicle 'Sumo Grande' here.
Available in three variants, the Sumo Grande would carry a price tag in the range of Rs 6.55 lakh to Rs 7.49 lakh here, Tata Motors, Head Product Group, S G Saksena told reporters.
Designed with a longer wheelbase of 2550 MM, it is powered by new generation 2.2 litre direct injection common rail engine, fitted with a variable geometry turbocharger and fuel efficiency.
The vehicle would be available in 7 colors including 4 shades, sunset orange, zephyr green, mineral red and marine blue, he said.
Available in three variants, the Sumo Grande would carry a price tag in the range of Rs 6.55 lakh to Rs 7.49 lakh here, Tata Motors, Head Product Group, S G Saksena told reporters.
Designed with a longer wheelbase of 2550 MM, it is powered by new generation 2.2 litre direct injection common rail engine, fitted with a variable geometry turbocharger and fuel efficiency.
The vehicle would be available in 7 colors including 4 shades, sunset orange, zephyr green, mineral red and marine blue, he said.
Honda plans to enter 100 cc segment in 2010
Pune, Two-wheeler manufacturer Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) will enter the 100 cc motorcycle segment, and expects to launch a product in the 2010-11 fiscal.
Speaking at the launch of its latest scooter in the premium category ? the Aviator ? in Pune, Mr N.K. Rattan, Divisional Head (Sales and Marketing), HMSI, said, ?We believe that sales of 100 cc motorcycles are very strong, and we will enter this segment in 2010-11.?
The assertion comes on the back of strong motorcycle sales during the current fiscal. ?Last fiscal, HMSI sold 7.2 lakh two-wheelers including 5.5 lakh scooters. This year, we expect to sell 8.8 lakh units, including 2.8 lakh bikes, which translates into 65 per cent growth in motorbike sales,? Mr Rattan said.
Current offerings
The company presently offers two motorcycle options ? the 125 cc Shine and the 150 cc Unicorn ? both manufactured at its Gurgaon facility, and selling roughly 17,000 and 9,000 units per month respectively.
The company has also restructured its manufacturing lines, having shifted production of the Aviator to the new line adjoining that where its other scooters ? Activa, Dio and Eterno ? are manufactured.
It is targeting sales of 1-lakh units of the Aviator during the next fiscal and has plans to launch a new scooter around September 2009.
Speaking at the launch of its latest scooter in the premium category ? the Aviator ? in Pune, Mr N.K. Rattan, Divisional Head (Sales and Marketing), HMSI, said, ?We believe that sales of 100 cc motorcycles are very strong, and we will enter this segment in 2010-11.?
The assertion comes on the back of strong motorcycle sales during the current fiscal. ?Last fiscal, HMSI sold 7.2 lakh two-wheelers including 5.5 lakh scooters. This year, we expect to sell 8.8 lakh units, including 2.8 lakh bikes, which translates into 65 per cent growth in motorbike sales,? Mr Rattan said.
Current offerings
The company presently offers two motorcycle options ? the 125 cc Shine and the 150 cc Unicorn ? both manufactured at its Gurgaon facility, and selling roughly 17,000 and 9,000 units per month respectively.
The company has also restructured its manufacturing lines, having shifted production of the Aviator to the new line adjoining that where its other scooters ? Activa, Dio and Eterno ? are manufactured.
It is targeting sales of 1-lakh units of the Aviator during the next fiscal and has plans to launch a new scooter around September 2009.
New version of Honda?s Accord to roll out by June
Kolkata, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd will launch a new version of its Accord variant in May-June this year. The premium car manufacturer has also lined up the launch of a hybrid version of the Honda Civic and a new version of the Honda City in the months thereafter, according to Mr Kuldip Nayar, Chairman of Pinnacle Honda, the largest fully-automated Honda showroom-cum-service center in India.
Speaking to newspersons at the inauguration of Pinnacle Honda?s showroom here, Mr Nayar said Honda is also working on plans to launch a ?small car? in India by 2009-10. He said the company is upbeat on growth prospects in eastern India and is in the process of setting up dealerships in cities such as Jamshedpur, Guwahati and Siliguri. Within Eastern India and at present, Honda Siel Cars India has a dealership presence only in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.
Mr Nayar said by the end of the current fiscal Honda Siel Cars India hopes to sell 66,000 Honda units in the country. This would comprise the Honda City, Honda Civic, Honda Accord and the SUV, Honda CR-V. The market in eastern India currently accounts for only 1,800 Honda units. This is expected to go up by 15 per cent in 2008-09, Mr Nayar said.
He said an investment of Rs 20 crore had been made in the Honda Pinnacle 3S (sales, service & spares) facility here. The breakeven on the same is expected only in 2010-11.
Speaking to newspersons at the inauguration of Pinnacle Honda?s showroom here, Mr Nayar said Honda is also working on plans to launch a ?small car? in India by 2009-10. He said the company is upbeat on growth prospects in eastern India and is in the process of setting up dealerships in cities such as Jamshedpur, Guwahati and Siliguri. Within Eastern India and at present, Honda Siel Cars India has a dealership presence only in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.
Mr Nayar said by the end of the current fiscal Honda Siel Cars India hopes to sell 66,000 Honda units in the country. This would comprise the Honda City, Honda Civic, Honda Accord and the SUV, Honda CR-V. The market in eastern India currently accounts for only 1,800 Honda units. This is expected to go up by 15 per cent in 2008-09, Mr Nayar said.
He said an investment of Rs 20 crore had been made in the Honda Pinnacle 3S (sales, service & spares) facility here. The breakeven on the same is expected only in 2010-11.
After Jaguar & Land Rover deal, what's next for Ford?
NEW YORK: As Ford Motor Co closes in on a deal to sell its famed Jaguar and Land Rover brands, the struggling automaker could be nearing the end of the road on the asset sales that have been cushioning its turnaround.
Analysts caution that Ford, which has spun off assets ranging from the Hertz car rental agency to the Aston Martin luxury brand, must shift its focus to fixing the money-losing business at the heart of its problems: making and selling cars and trucks in the United State
Analysts caution that Ford, which has spun off assets ranging from the Hertz car rental agency to the Aston Martin luxury brand, must shift its focus to fixing the money-losing business at the heart of its problems: making and selling cars and trucks in the United State
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