Ludwigsburg-based systems supplier, Mann+Hummel is taking over Helsa-automotive GmbH & Co KG with head office in Gefrees from companies led by Schoeller Metternich Beteiligungen (SMB). The cartel authorities have approved the takeover. Christian Uhlik, the former CEO of Helsa-automotive, will continue to manage the company as a wholly owned Mann+Hummel subsidiary. In Germany and the Czech Republic, Helsa-automotive employs 350 staff and in 2006 had a turnover of about Euro 50 million. 

With the takeover, Mann+Hummel strengthens its international competitiveness and expands its worldwide market position in interior filters. The development partner and series supplier of the international automobile and engineering industry is so ideally equipped for this important growth market and can offer customers in the OEM and spare parts business even better solutions. 

In 2006 the worldwide demand for interior filters in series manufacturing exceeded 40 million units, of which Europe accounted for about half. The growth markets are the USA, South America and Asia. In the spare parts market the demand was well above 100 million interior filter elements. Demand is growing both in the independent and brand-linked spare parts market.

P M Telang at the launch

Tata Motors has unveiled its new and exciting range of medium and heavy commercial vehicles. The range includes range includes multi-axle trucks, heavy-duty trucks, tractor- trailers and tippers and fully-built solutions like tip-trailers, load bodies, etc, and bring new concepts such as 49-tonne tractor trailer, 49-tonne Novus tractor and a 31-tonne truck with lift-axle. The range aims at sectors like mining, construction, road works, logistics, petrochemicals, agricultural products and more. 

Speaking at the launch, P.M. Telang, Executive Director of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, said, “Tata Motors reiterates its leadership position in providing the best commercial vehicle solutions for its customers and business partners. The new product range further enhances the company's image as a value-added M&HCV manufacturer”.

Tata Motors and Fiat India Automobile Private Limited are jointly participating in the 9th Auto Expo; beginning on January 10th, 2008, with a pavilion spread over 5,200 square metres. 

Tata Motors will display a range of new passenger vehicles, while Fiat will display passenger cars from its international range. From its commercial vehicles business, Tata Motors' displays will include buses from the joint venture with Marco polo of Brazil, newly developed multi-axle heavy trucks, pickup vehicles, applications of panel vans, and new mini-trucks. 

In keeping with the company's tradition of unveiling its new cars at the Auto Expo, the company will present its People's Car, which will be unveiled at a special ceremony on January 10th 2008. Although the People's Car will be unveiled at the Expo, the commercial launch will take place later in 2008. 

The New Delhi Auto Expo, which is a biennial event, has been the glittering showcase of the Indian automobile and auto-component industry for the last 18 years. A complete automotive show, it is a platform for the world to display state-of-the-art and latest developments in the automotive industry.

Tudor India has announced a capacity expansion at its transportation manufacturing facility in (Ahmedabad), Gujarat. The company whose products are marketed under the Prestolite brand, is investing in equipment upgrades, line expansions, infrastructure and utilities to increase operational capacity from 600,000 batteries up to 1,000,000 batteries per year. 

Tudor India is the Indian arm of Chloride Motive Power Batteries, UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Alpharetta-Georgia, USA based global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions. Most recently the company in increased its capacity in FY07 resulting in growth in its financial performance. For the half year ended September 30, 2007, Tudor India registered a 44 percent increase in net sales to Rs 581 million as compared to the same period for the previous year. 

The planned capacity expansion, expected to be completed by June 2008, also will allow for the operation’s production of innovative state-of-the-art products in wet form for original equipment and aftermarket customers in the region. “We expect that the planned capacity increase will allow Tudor India to further increase its share and brand image in the rapidly developing Asia Pacific battery market,” said Luke Lu President – Asia Pacific for the Alpharetta-Georgia, USA, based global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions. “The expansion is part of our Company’s overall strategy that focuses on taking advantage of profitable growth opportunities – both in manufacturing and global sourcing – particularly in India and China.” 

In 1997 Tudor India was the first company to introduce maintenance free lead-acid batteries designed with polyethylene separators, cold forged terminals and bone dry charged batteries in India, and offer the products for most types of vehicles manufactured in India, including cars, light and heavy commercial vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and tractors.