News and Views about the Auto Sector in India

Weekly news updates on trends and happenings in the Indian Automobile Industry

- Chillibreeze Business Research Team

Volvo to step up India bus, truck capacity, exports

Sweden's Volvo will raise its bus and truck capacity in India.

India is the world's fifth-biggest market for buses and trucks.

Volvo will export 1,000 trucks in 2008 from India to new markets including Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam and possibly China. Volvo owns 70 per cent in a venture with Bangalore-based Jaico Automobile Engineering to make bus bodies for India.

June 22, 2007
Economic Times

Tata Motors to employ successful trainees at Singur

Tata Motors will employ trained local youth at the Singur plant.

The company is expecting to create more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs opportunities within the proposed plant and with vendors and service providers in the vicinity.

Of the 36 trainees short-listed, 17 have been selected and placed in Tata Motors' Jamshedpur facility for a six-month training programme.

June 22, 2007
PTI via Economic Times

Yamaha plans to launch 150cc bike by mid-2008

Yamaha Motorcycles India Ltd plans to launch a 150cc motorcycle by mid-2008 after showcasing in the next Auto Expo to be held in Delhi in January 2008.

The bike would use the four-valve engine of the company’s Viper range and resemble the Yamaha R1. Industry sources say that the bike would offer about 14 bhp and is expected to be priced Rs 80,000-90,000.

Yamaha is launching two superbikes this year, YZF-R1 (1000 cc and MT-01 (1670 cc).
The company needs to improve its dealership and services network.

June 22, 2007
Economic Times

Thumbs up for luxury cars in India
The luxury car market in India is expected to be 3,000 a year and growing at 30 per cent.

Italy's Automobili Lamborghini started selling its super luxury cars in 2006.

The manufacturers of Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ferrari & Maserati, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and BMW are setting upbeat sales targets for themselves.

Mercedes-Benz, which produces cars in India, is expanding its operations to meet the rise in demand. BMW, which manufactures at Chennai, has also witnessed surge in demand.

Jun 22, 2007
Rediff news via Business Standard

Ford India to make new Endeavour

Ford announced the roll-out of its new-generation Endeavour for the premium SUV segment. The company has priced its 4x4 wheel drive at Rs 15.62 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the 4x2 wheel drive at Rs 14.72 (ex-showroom Delhi) and its limited edition 4x2 wheel drive at Rs 15.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Ford also plans to launch diesel variant of Fusion by FY08

June 21, 2007
Economic Times

Rane chalks out Rs 250-cr capex

Chennai based auto component major Rane group has chalked out a capex of Rs 250 crore for this year, even as it is aiming for 15% exports for the fiscal ending March 2008. Exports contributed close to 12% of the Rs 1,365 crore group turnover in 2006-2007.

The group is setting up a steering column unit at Bawal in Haryana and two facilities at Trichy.

June 21, 2007
Economic Times

Big boom coming soon in small car segment
Tatas and Nissan Renault are planning entry level small cars priced around Rs 1 lakh.

June 21, 2007
Times of India

Dormitories may help cos retain talent

Auto component SMEs are trying to retain skilled workforce by providing dormitory accommodations.

Companies like Super Auto Forge have decided to introduce the dormitory concept at its new facility near Chennai. IP Rings, Prabha Engineers are two SMEs that provide accommodation to their employees.

Tirupur based textile factories provide hostel like facilities for its workers.

June 19, 2007
Economic Times