Audi has successfully started production for the Indian market of the world's most successful luxury midsize sedan – the Audi A6 – at Aurangabad in Maharashtra. By 2015, when more than 2,000 units of the A6 should be rolling off the line, Audi will have invested more than 30 million Euro in production alone in India. Starting in late 2008, the new Audi A4 will also be assembled locally. 

"Starting our own production there is the best way to adequately serve such a promising growth market like India," said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. "India is one of the components of our Strategy 2015, which aims to achieve sales of 1.5 million automobiles per year worldwide. We want to be the most successful premium brand in India as well", he added. 

The carmaker has set up an exclusive assembly line on the premises of the group production facility in Aurangabad for production of the Audi A6. Cutting-edge technology and highly skilled employees are the key to efficient production: the Indian team has been intensively prepared for their jobs with extensive training at the Audi plant in Neckarsulm. 

In selecting the location for Audi in India, the group plant for SAIPL (Skoda Auto India Private Limited) in Aurangabad provided several decisive advantages. "Audi benefits from an outstanding infrastructure, highly developed working processes, a large pool of skilled workers and favorable logistical conditions," said Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management at AUDI AG for Production. 

There are currently 35 employees working in Aurangabad on the Audi production line, in quality assurance and in logistics. In 2008, more than 300 A6 sedans will be assembled in single-shift operation. The Audi A6 is intended exclusively for the Indian market. Audi also imports models such as the Audi A4, Audi A8, Audi Q7 and Audi TT.

Indo-Japanese auto major Maruti Suzuki has registered a 51.5-per cent jump in exports during the first nine months of this fiscal, though its overall sales grew by just 18.5 per cent during the period. The $3.37-billion company exported 37,990 automobiles during April-December 2007, as against 25,082 units in the like period of last fiscal, the company said in a filing with the stock exchanges. 

While its domestic sales grew 16.7 per cent to 524,633 units from 449,73 units in the period under review, overall sales were up 18.5 per cent at 562,623 units, as against 474,812 units in the same period of last fiscal, the company said. The shares of the company - which offers 11 automobile models with as many as 150 variants - were up 0.63 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange at Rs 998, against previous day's close at 991.75. December saw Maruti export 4,114 automobiles, up 75.4 per cent over 2,345 units exported in the same month last fiscal, while its overall sales was up 9.7 per cent at 62,515 units, from 56,985 units, the company said. 

The sales of its flagship model, the Maruti 800, however, could not match the group's overall performance. Maruti 800 sales dipped 13.5 per cent to 51,985 cars in the first nine months, from 60,128 cars in the like period of last fiscal. December sales of Maruti 800 saw a 1.4 per cent fall at 17,190 cars, from 7,289 cars in the same month of last fiscal. The best performing segment was the Esteem, SX4 and Baleno sedan segment, that registered a sales growth of 61.4 per cent in the first nine months at 36,902 units from 22,870 units in the corresponding period of last fiscal. 

Immediately on the cards is the production of 200,000 units of a new small car, of which 100,000 units will be exported by Maruti Suzuki, 50,000 sold globally by Nissan, while the rest will be available in the domestic market. During the forthcoming Auto Expo beginning Jan 10, the global launch of a new concept car - Concept A-Star - has been planned, which has been developed jointly by Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki Motor Co.

Ashok Leyland has developed the country’s first one-litre-per-cylinder 6-cylinder CNG engine for buses employing Multi Point Fuel Injection (MPFI). The W06DTI ‘H’ Series CNG engine combines superior power rating (135 kW @ 2400 rpm) with low emissions. This 5.7-litre turbocharged inter-cooled natural gas engine meets Euro IV emission standards – ahead of the mandate in India. 

The high power CNG engine uses stoichiometric combustion technology (chemically correct air-fuel ratio) in combination with three-way catalytic converter to reduce the emissions to the lowest level possible. The MPFI system delivers the required gas quantity at the intake manifold, as per the vehicle demand even in transient operating conditions. The Exhaust Gas Re-circulation (EGR) used in this engine not only lowers the NOx emission but also restricts the thermal load on the engine components. The quantity of EGR is controlled by the difference in pressures between exhaust manifold and the turbocharger’s compressor inlet. The waste gate turbocharger is optimized for max torque. 

The high performance CNG engine features electronics provided by a new state-of-the-art Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that controls the sequential gas injection and high-energy ignition systems. The plug-on coils used in the engine, along with long life spark plug, makes for maintenance-free operation of the vehicle. Designed and optimized for high power and torque output with low fuel consumption and emission levels, the engine offers better fuel efficiency compared to any engine of its class and is expected to provide value to the customer with low life cycle costs.

Flyte, the 125cc advanced scooter from the Kinetic-SYM association, was launched in Mumbai recently. Kinetic will market the Flyte to women who are the fastest growing buyer segment in two wheelers today. To appeal to this segment, Kinetic plans to use a 360 degree promotional campaign featuring Brand Ambassador Bipasha Basu. The Kinetic calendar 2008, featuring Bipasha Basu and the Flyte was also unveiled. 

Flyte is the first launch from the collaboration between India’s Kinetic Motor and Taiwan’s $1.1 billion automotive giant SYM. Flyte is a gearless scooter in terms of design & styling, engine & technology, ride quality and international level of quality. Flyte brings several first-time convenience features such as: easy front-fuelling, central locking, anti-theft magnetic key, mobile phone charging, crash resistant mirrors and huge, lighted storage. Flyte also has superior technology of a highly refined engine, secondary air injection, imported front telescopic suspension, and 9 AH battery for instant start.

Auto portal, Carwale.com has tied up with Auto Friend, the largest dealer network channel in Delhi to help car buyers in Delhi get information about cars for sale. The tie-up is expected to help consumers to access the stock of all Auto Friend dealers through Carwale.com. Delhi, which is the nucleus of the NCR region is regarded as India's largest car market. 

The region contributes to more than 20per cent of total new and used car sales in India, and this year is expected to lap up an estimated 3.4 million new and used cars. With the used car market growing at approx 26 per cent annually, the online players are working to leverage this opportunity and increase their penetration. The tie-up looks are increasing the customer reach of both the companies.