Yamaha Motor India may find its lost grandeur with the introduction of the YZF R15. the R15 flaunts a styling that looks to have been inspired by the supersport leader, R1, which the Japanese motorcycle maker is already selling in India as a CBU along with the MT Series. The R 15 flaunts a 4-valve, 150cc liquid cooled, fuel injected engine that packs the R1 DNA. Packed full of state-of-the-art technologies, the new YZF-R15 boasts performance worthy of a supersport model and a body design that evokes the image of the YZF-R series and gives visual expression to the quality of its ride. It is truly an embodiment of Yamaha’s desire to bring customers a model to help them "Enjoy riding". 

In Yamaha’s new medium term (3-year) management plan that begins this year and runs through 2010, rebuilding the Yamaha motorcycle business in India has been designated as one of top priorities. The new YZF-R15 is an example of the objective of "introducing attractive new products" called for in Yamaha’s high value-added marketing strategy for India business, and plans call for it to be released on the market in the middle of this year. Industry experts say that the R15 will change the way the 150cc machines are perceived. The R15, they add, would be priced in the range of Rs 65000 to Rs 75000.

The Asia Coat + Ink Show 2008 to be held between February 8 and February 10, 2008, at Nehru Centre in Mumbai, will see the participation of Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited, one of the leading producers of pigments, special dyes, waxes, and additives, is to showcase its new developments and the current trends in the printing inks and coatings industry. Ibrahim Zidan, Head of Global Technical Marketing Printing Inks, Clariant Produkte Deutschland GmbH, will be presenting a paper on "Pigment Optimisation for Ink Applications" at the International Conference on Printing Inks at the Hall of Culture at Nehru Centre, which is held concurrently with the trade show. 

The Pigments & Additives Division of Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited is showcasing its high-performance solutions for non-impact printing along with its solutions for traditional printing and coating applications. The Kronos grades for the printing inks segment on display will be flexographic inks (matt/gloss), offset, screen printing, textile printing, and gravure inks, as well as products for the industrial coatings segment, including coil, electrodeposition, domestic application, wood finishes, wooden furniture, primers, automotive finishes, vehicle refinishes, rail vehicles, aircraft, marine, packaging, and powder coatings for exterior and interior finishes.

Singapore-based Stamford Tyres has introduced the Falken Ziex ZE912 range of tyres for the replacement market. Falken is a brand owned by the Japan-based Sumitomo Rubber Group, which also owns the Dunlop and Sumitomo tyre brands. An international tyre and wheel supply and service provider with a presence in more than 30 countries around the world including China, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc., Samford Tyres set up a distribution company in India called Stamford Tyres Distributors India in 2000 and has been marketing Falken tyres in the replacement market. 

At the launch of Falken 912, Wee Kok Wah, president of Stamford Tyres said, “Stamford is Rs 5.9 billion strong company employing 800 people including those in the wheel manufacturing plant. With a turnover of Rs 8.2 billion in 2007 Stamford is an active retail operation in Singapore”. “In India Stamford will invest US $ 5 million in the next two years and US $ 5 million in the following two years to further strengthen its distribution network and proprietary branding for tyres and wheels”, Wah added. Planning to expand its network to over 200 dealers by March 2008 according to Vinod Kumar Jathana, country representative (India) of Stamford Tyres, the Falken 912 range is manufactured at a state-of-the-art facility of Sumitomo in Thailand. 

The technology that goes into the manufacture of this tyre range is called as the Sun System and includes jointless process, computer control and process coupling system to enable making of tyres with high accuracy and balance. According to the Sumitomo sources the Sun System used in the manufacture of Falken 912 tyres is completely different from a conventional system. Apart from having a jointless construction, the Falkne 912 range flaunts asymmetrical tread pattern to seek a harmonious balance of high speed capability and comfort. According to Wah, “The 912 is for an enthusiast who wants comfort and style”. The 912 is styled along the European lines.