Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, has registered a 43.3 per cent growth in sales for August 2006. The company has sold 5,247 units in August 2006 as against 3,661 units sold in the corresponding month last year. The company’s recently launched model, Honda Civic, continues its successful run and sold 1,845 units during the month. It also has sold 3,039 units of Honda City, 242 of Accord, and 121 of CRV.

The company is planning to raise its capacity to 100,000 cars per annum by the end of 2007. Its recent global best seller, the 8th Generation Honda Civic, is the only car in its segment to be equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission with a unique “Paddle Shift” option. The company operates under the stringent standards of ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environment management.

HSCI has won many Corporate awards in 2005: Best Indian Company by Business Standard Group; Manufacturer of the Year by NDTV Profit-Car India; Manufacturer of the Year by CNBC-TV 18 Autocar India; No. 1 Mid Size Car (Honda City), No. 1 Entry Luxury Car (Honda Accord), and No. 1 Premium SUV (Honda CR-V) by TNS; Best Mid-size Car in Initial Quality (Honda City); and Most Appealing Mid-size car (Honda City) by JD Power.

Hero Honda Motors Ltd, the market leader of two-wheelers, has crossed the two million sales mark in the calendar year, January – August 2006. During the month of August 2006, Hero Honda has sold a total of 2,15,076 two-wheelers.

A remarkable sale of 5,10,436 units of Super Splendor, 125 cc has been achieved, since the vehicle’s launch in March 2005. Super Splendor was the company’s first offering with a specially engineered ‘quantum core’ engine for increased performance along with fuel efficiency. The vehicle won the “Awaaz Consumer Award 2006” for the most preferred two-wheeler brand, for the company.

It has also announced the set-up of its new plant in the Integrated Industrial Estate in Haridwar, developed by SIDCUL (State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Ltd). The plant and its main ancillaries will be located on a 275-acre plot in the industrial estate. The initial production capacity of the plant is expected to be 5,00,000 units, at an investment of approximately Rs 300 crores.

To cater to future market demand and consolidate its market leadership, the company plans to invest Rs 1,900 crore in the new plant, achieving a capacity expansion to 1.5 million units. Hero Honda was also recently conferred the prestigious “Dun & Bradstreet – American Express Corporate Awards 2006” as India’s Top Company in the Automobiles – two-wheelers sector.

Škoda India, one of the premium automobile manufacturers in Europe, has achieved sales of 1,080 units in August 2006, marking 39 per cent growth as compared to 775 units in August last year. Sixty-seven units of the flagship model ŠkodaSuperb was sold, which adds to the growth.

Škoda India, a fully owned subsidiary of ŠkodaAuto a.s., Czech Republic (Volkswagen Group), now has Fourteen luxury models in India. It has been operating in India since November 2001, with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shendra near Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The facility is spread across 300,000 sq m.

Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment sector, part of the $3 billion Mahindra Group, posted a growth of 10 per cent in August over the corresponding period last fiscal. The total sales volumes for the month stood at 6309 including exports, an 11% rise over last fiscal. Tractor exports zoomed 21 per cent in August.

Cumulative sales (April to August) also saw a healthy rise of 29% over the corresponding period last fiscal. The company also posted a growth of 28% in sales including exports clocking 41193 numbers in April-August. Cumulative exports grew 12% in the same period. 

Small car leader Maruti Udyog Limited, sold 48,259 vehicles in the domestic market in August 2006. The company had sold 41,717 vehicles in the domestic market in August 2005. In all, Maruti Udyog Limited sold 51,855 vehicles in August 2006. This includes 3,596 units of exports. Maruti’s volume in the domestic A2 segment went up by 22.2 per cent, in the A3 segment grew by 14.6 per cent and in C segment grew by 17.3 per cent during the month compared to sales in August 2005.

The sales figures for August 2006 are given below:

Segment	Models	For Aug			Till Aug			April'05-March'06
		2005	2006	% Change	2005-2006	2006-07	% Change
A1	M800	7084	6425	-9.3%	32791	32765	-0.1%	89223
C	Omni, Versa	5402	6335	17.3%	26210	30043	14.6%	66366
A2	Alto, Wagon-R,Zen,Swift	26558	32466	22.2%	125048	153242	22.6%	335136
A3	Esteem, Baleno	2475	2837	14.6%	11767	12550	6.7%	31939
Total Passenger Cars		41519	48063	15.8%	195816	228600	16.7%	522664
MUV	Gypsy, Vitara	198	196	-1.0%	1427	1416	-0.8%	4374
Domestic		41717	48259	15.7%	197243	230016	16.6%	527038
Export		4792	3596	-25.0%	15888	13195	-16.9%	34784
Total Sales		46509	51855	11.5%	213131	243211	14.1%	561822

Mahindra & Mahindra’s Automotive Sector shored up its leadership position with sales of 14,032 vehicles, including exports, in August, registering 14.2 per cent growth. Domestic vehicle sales for the month of August were up 11.7 per cent. The New Scorpio performed particularly well, clocking significant volumes of 3794 over the corresponding month last fiscal, a growth of 20 per cent. Cumulative Scorpio sales rose by 18 per cent over last fiscal. Cumulative vehicle sales, including exports, for April-August ’06 were 62224 as against 52,999 last fiscal, a growth of 17.4 per cent.

Climbing an altitude of 18,300 ft, at -10 degree Celsius, through ice and snow is the ultimate test of man and machine. Kinetic's motoscooter Blaze has done just that by reaching the Khardungla – Leh road, the highest motorable pass in the world.

The Blaze was part of the Great Indian Roadtrip – an independent ambitious journey undertaken by a group of bike and travel enthusiasts – that will travel the length, breadth and diverse terrain of India on two wheels, covering 20,000 kms across 26 States in 110 days.

Among the new specifications of the Blaze are an automatic 165cc, 4-valve engine that outputs nearly 12 BHP power. Further, it has many firsts to its credit like, front telescopic socks for extra stability, 12" tyres, Protective front shield, split seat with large under seat storage space and twin lamps each of 35 / 35 W in a single housing.

Mumbai-based Uttam Galva Steels (UGSL), the country's leading galvanized steel manufacturer, has embarked on major expansion plans. The company is tripling its Auto Grade Cold Rolled capacity from 60000 tonnes to 180000 tonnes per annum. The capacity increase is scheduled to be completed in 2 phases. The first phase, which is expected to be completed by December 06, will increase Uttam's capacity by 100 per cent to 1,20,000 tons per annum. The entire expansion process will be completed by mid 2007. This expansion will be funded from the corpus of Rs. 600 crores earmarked for the total expansion programme. 

Ankit Miglani, Director (Commercial), Uttam Galva Steels Ltd, said, "Uttam Galva currently sells about 50-60 per cent of its domestic sales to the auto segment. The domestic auto market growing at the rate of 20 per cent (quarter April – July 2006). This expansion will help us meet the growing demand from the domestic market". "The completion of the auto grade expansion will increase Uttam's share in the domestic market and help consolidate the company's position in this segment", he added. 

Uttam Galva is also doubling its total Cold Rolled Steel production to one million tons from the existing 0.5 million tons by the end of the calendar year. The company recently launched the "Uttam Service Centre". The Service Centre entails an investment of more than Rs 100 crores and will have a total capacity to service 5 lakh tonnes of steel per annum. It is expected to be ready by December 2006. The Service Centre will cater to auto and white goods manufacturing clients in the domestic markets and offer specialised construction grades in the export market. 

As an integral part of the expansion process, Uttam is also expanding its product portfolio to cater to diverse applications of the industry. The agenda is to move up the value chain and improve the per ton realization. The company plans to increase volumes in the domestic segment. The Service Centre is a logical extension in Uttam's move up the value chain. The Uttam Service Center will provide tailor made products as per end user requirements to avoid wastages and maximize their productivity. The company's value added products include galvanized coils, galvanized sheets and color-coated steel.

Uttam Galva has expanded its reach to 120 countries. Uttam has added 4 more countries in the last 4 months including Russia, Denmark, Republic of Union Island and Slovakia. In a short span of 2 years, Uttam has almost doubled its export revenue. Uttam now supplies to most of the developed nations including USA, Russia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, among others.

German auto major, BMW has appointed Peter Kronschnabl as Country Head and president for India. The company has earmarked an investment of Rs 1.1 Billion into the Indian luxury car market, and is expected to complete its plant in Chennai by end 2006.

Addressing mediapersons, Mr. Kronschnabl said the company initially intends to employ around 200 people in India, with most of them working at the plant in Chennai. The Chennai plant will produce the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series saloons. Both models would be made available with petrol and diesel engines. The assembly plant in India, joins BMW Group’s production network of world-wide 23 production locations in 13 countries.

Up to 600 additional jobs will be created in the dealer and service network. From 2007, there would be six newly appointed BMW dealers in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bangalore.

General Motors India has announced a new scheme for customers buying its Sedan, the Chevrolet Optra. As per the scheme, titled, Total Peace Of Mind And Protection Offer, the Optra would be made available at a special price of Rs 7.24 lakhs (Ex showroom, Delhi) as against a normal price of Rs 7.81 lakhs plus other benefits.

GM India would also provide Optra customers the lowest cost of ownership on the vehicle by offering a 3 year/ 60000kms warranty coverage plus free service/maintenance plan for 3 year/45000kms (whichever is earlier). This offer would cover parts like brake pads, wiper blades, spark plugs, etc apart from oil and consumables. This means that consumers need not incur service or maintenance cost on parts and components during this period.

Further, GM India, for the first time in Indian Automobile industry, is offering a minimum assured buyback value of the car at the end of 3 years/45000 kms resulting in total protection to the consumer. A customer could, at his option, return the car to GM India and receive a minimum assured buyback value for his Chevrolet Optra at the end of 3 years / 45000 kms. In case the consumer gets a better value outside or wishes to continue using the car after 3 years, he could do so.

Hindustan Motors is planning to answer the call of the competition from Tata Ace by launching a sub-one tonner, claim industry sources. Sources further claim HM managing director, Ravi Santhanam, to have disclosed the company intention to build the sub-one tonne truck. They add that the truck is likely to be built at Uttarpara in West Bengal and the plan includes building up a IT park as well. Ravi Santhanam is also said to have announced the plan to ramp up its unused auto component facility by investing close to Rs 100 crores.

General Motors India has launched the Chevrolet Optra CNG. Launching the vehicle, Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director said, "GM India is committed to addressing the needs of consumers nation-wide through our growing line-up of Chevrolet vehicles. The CNG initiative is a clear manifestation of our resolve in this direction". "With its combination of modern Italian design, generous list of standard features and roomy interior, the elegant Chevrolet Optra CNG provides outstanding value for money in its segment, he added." 

The Optra CNG is a true bi-fuel vehicle as it has a standard petrol tank as well to accommodate regular gasoline. A timing advance processor and Lambda sensor have been provided to ensure maximum engine efficiency in both fuel modes. As a BS-III compliant product, the Optra CNG is going to be one of the most environment friendly vehicles on the Indian roads from now onwards. 

Under normal driving conditions, the Optra CNG has a range of 140 to 150 kilometres on a full tank of CNG. The running cost of the Optra CNG is approximately 70 per cent lower than a similar vehicle powered by petrol. To ensure maximum safety, the Optra CNG features a solenoid valve that shuts off automatically in case of a collision, even if the ignition switch is on. "The CNG kit offered on Optra is the latest 3rd generation kit from Italy. It is compact and has been designed conforming to world class safety standards," said Chaba. 

To start with, the Optra CNG will be available in those cities where CNG is available, including Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat, through several GM India dealerships. A CNG kit approved by GM India will be fitted on the Optra 1.6 at the dealerships. All current Optra 1.6 owners also can have a CNG kit installed on their vehicles and retain their warranty coverage.

Tata Motors has set up a new subsidiary for its vehicle financing operations. The new entity, TML Financial Services Ltd. (TMLFSL), is a 100 per cent subsidiary and will function as an NBFC (Non Banking Finance Company), for which it has received the necessary approval from the Reserve Bank of India. TMLFSL will support and enhance the vehicle financing activities of Tata Motorfinance.

Leading automotive component supplier, Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra Government to jointly develop a multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Khed taluk of Pune district, according to industry sources. Sources claim that the MoU was signed by Principal Secretary (Industries) V Jairath and BFL Chairman and Managing Director B N Kalyani in the presence of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and his senior Cabinet colleagues at Mantralaya, the State Secretariat.

The project would be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), to be jointly promoted by BFL and MIDC in which the two promoters would hold up to 74 per cent and 26 per cent equity capital respectively. Industry sources claim that Bharat Forge and MIDC would invest Rs 9,000 crores in the next 10 years. The SEZ is expected to attract world-class domestic and foreign companies in automotive, machinery and equipment, machine building, general engineering industries among others. The project is expected to attract investments of about Rs 25,000 crores and generate 1,20,000 employment opportunities. The project is said to come up on an area of 2,000 acres and will include locals.

Pune based automobile component/sub-assembly manufacturing company, Ranvik Engineers is negotiating with a commercial vehicle manufacturer for an order of Rs. 108 crores to supply vehicle components for a period of four years, and is expecting another order of Rs.50 crores. To meet the demand, the company proposes to set up two new units with an investment of Rs.10 crores in the PCMC - MIDC area shortly. One Unit shall have a Paint and Assembly facility for automobile components / sub assembly and the other Unit will have large bed press shop facility to support the new project. 

The Group manufactures press sheet metal components and has been into this line of business since 1976. Ranvik Engineers has its production plants at MIDC Bhosari and has companies like TATA, LG Electronics, Whirpool of India Ltd, PiaggioVehicles Ltd and Fiat India ltd amongst many more big brands as clients. 

The Group's turnover last fiscal was approximately Rs.30 crores and is expecting an increase to approx. Rs.50 crores by the end of this fiscal. The company is projecting an increase of about 20-25% in the coming two years and at the end of the fourth year is expecting a turnover of approx Rs.100 crores..