Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. (HSCI) has appointed Jnaneswar Sen as Senior General Manager, Marketing. Mr. Sen’s responsibilities would include national sales and marketing operations of the company.

Mr. Sen brings with him a rich experience and understanding of the Indian automobile industry. He has moved to HSCI after a 15-year stint at Maruti Udyog Ltd, where he was Commercial Business Head, South Zone. Mr. Sen has also had a stint with BHEL.

Auto major, Honda has announced plans to offer the innovative HondaJet in the growing very light jet market. The process of accepting sales orders is likely to begin in the US later this year. Toward this goal, Honda will establish a new US company to hold FAA type certification and production certification. Making the announcement at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2006, the world’s largest annual aviation gathering, Honda also revealed plans to form a business alliance with Piper Aircraft, Inc. to collaborate on sales and service, and to explore opportunities in engineering and other areas within general and business aviation.

HondaJet features several innovations that help it achieve far better fuel efficiency, larger cabin and luggage space and higher cruise speed than conventional aircraft in its class. The announcement to commercialise HondaJet comes one year after the plane made its world public debut at EAA AirVenture 2005 in Oshkosh, Wis.The result of 20 years of aviation research, key HondaJet innovations include a patented over-the-wing engine-mount configuration, a natural-laminar flow (NLF) wing and fuselage nose, and an advanced all-composite fuselage structure. HondaJet’s NLF wing and NLF fuselage nose were developed through extensive analyses and wind-tunnel testing. These designs help HondaJet achieve low drag. HondaJet’s patented over-the-wing engine-mount configuration helps eliminate the need for a structure to mount the engines to the rear fuselage, maximizing space in the fuselage for passengers and luggage.

Further, by determining the optimal position for the engines, the over-the-wing mount actually reduces drag at high speed to improve fuel efficiency. The advanced all-composite fuselage structure consists of a combination of honeycomb sandwich structure and co-cured stiffened panels. It was developed to reduce weight and manufacturing costs. This aircraft is also outfitted with a state-of-the- HondaJet art all-glass flight deck with an integrated avionics system that displays all information digitally on a high resolution flat display, and also has an autopilot function.

Tata Motors has reported Revenues (net of excise) of Rs.5783.41 crores for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, of the financial year 2006-07, an increase of 48% compared to Rs.3907.50 crores in the corresponding period of 2005-06. Profit Before Tax was Rs.498.25 crores, an increase of 38% over Rs.360 crores, while Net Profit increased by 40% to Rs. 381.85 crores, compared to Rs.272.67 crores in the corresponding period of the previous year.
During the quarter under review, the Company witnessed significant increase in all its input costs, interest rates and the general inflammatory pressures, which it expects to continue throughout the year.

The Company's Consolidated Revenues (net of excise) at Rs.6770.94 crores recorded an increase of 51% as against Rs.4493.11 crores in the corresponding period of the previous year. The Consolidated PAT at Rs.381.67 crores, as against Rs.261.51 crores in the corresponding period of the previous year recorded a growth of 46%.

The sales volume for the quarter (including exports) at 1,26,394 vehicles grew by 44% over 87,492 vehicles in the corresponding period last year. Domestic sales of commercial vehicles grew by 69% to 63,082 units. Sales volumes in the commercial vehicle segment for the corresponding period in the previous year were significantly impacted due to unanticipated difficulties in vehicle certifications and procurement of some critical components. Domestic sales of passenger vehicles at 50,151 units posted a growth of 22%.

The Company exported 13,161 vehicles, achieving a growth of 45% over 9,073 units in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In commercial vehicles, Tata Motors has doubled the capacity of its small commercial vehicle, the Tata Ace, to 60,000. The Ace continues to post strong growth. It is being gradually extended across the country, and has also been launched in Sri Lanka. During the quarter, the Company has also launched a new range of its premium SUV, the Tata Safari. It has generated an enthusiastic response.

Tata Motors and Fiat group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an industrial joint-venture in India to manufacture passenger vehicles, engines and transmissions for the Indian and overseas markets. Both Fiat and Tata vehicles are expected to be manufactured in the same industrial facility.

Fiat will introduce, among others, its premium cars for B and C segments (Fiat Grande Punto and the new Fiat sedan) and its successful small diesel engine. The facilities, based in Ranjangaon Maharashtra, are expected to exceed an overall output of 100,000 cars and 250,000 engines and transmissions.

Fiat and Tata also announced that they have agreed to enter into a 60 days study aimed at exploring industrial and commercial co-operation in Latin America. In particular, the study will be focused on different vehicles especially utility vehicles and pickups and on exploring the opportunity of using the existing Fiat production facilities in Cordoba, Argentina. Products manufactured there would be sold in various Latin American and overseas markets under both Fiat and Tata brands.

In a statement, Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of Fiat Group said, “ As we said at the time we signed the distribution agreement in India, this is a strategic partnership which is evolving by leveraging on the respective strengths and continuously identifying new opportunities to be jointly exploited. Not only in India but also on a global scale.”

Ratan N Tata, chairman of the Tata Group and Tata Motors, said, “ This is the beginning of what promises to be a far reaching, long term relationship between Fiat Group and Tata Motors. Both companies have complementary strengths, convergent objectives and shared values. Together, we can meaningfully address markets in India and other select geographies, combining technologies, products and human skills of both organisations.”

Kirlsokar Oil Engines is planning to set a new plant with an investment of Rs 400 crores at Kagal near Kolhapur, according to industry sources. Supplier of heavy-duty diesel engines to earth moving equipment manufacturers like JCB, the new plant is expected to manufacture diesel engines and gensets. Atul Kirloskar, chairman and managing director, Kirloskar Oil Engines, is known to have said on the sidelines of the AGM held at Pune recently that his company has the approval for 200 acres of land at the location, of which 163 acres has been acquired. He is also known to have said that he expects the facility to become operational by early 2008. According to sources close to the company, the production of the high volume medium range engines will be shifted to the new location whereas the Khadki, Pune, facility will continue to produce large engines and work on new engine developments. Sources claim that the new plant will have a capacity to manufacture 70,000 per annum and 5000 gensets. Sources claim further that Kirloskar Oil Engines is in the process of setting up an EOU unit at Ahmednagar for engine valves at an expenditure of Rs 60 crores. Kirloskar Oil Engines, add sources, has taken over the joint venture partnership in respect of Toyota Kirlsokar Motor from its group company, Kirloskar Systems. The company has acquired 11per cent shares in TKM for Rs 158 crores.

Exide Industries, now in its 60th year of existence, has reported a 57 per cent rise in net profit and 35 per cent rise in gross sales during the first quarter of 2006-07 compared to the corresponding period of the previous quarter. During the period under review, the company’s gross sales stood at Rs 563.49 crores, compared to Rs 417.45 crores during the same period of the previous year and net profit stood at Rs 38.1 crores compared to Rs 24.2 crores earned during the same period of the previous year.

“The Indian market for batteries across segments is fast maturing and customers are becoming more quality rather than price conscious. This positive trend will continue and gain momentum in future to help technology focussed companies like Exide Industries,” said S B Ganguly, executive chairman and CEO.

The company’s penetration strategy into the replacement market for commercial vehicles and tractor segment is paying off handsomely where sales grew by 20 per cent. Among other segments, motorcycle battery sales showed significant growth, improving 37 per cent in value terms. Today Exide is world’s second largest two-wheeler battery manufacturer, behind Yuasa of Japan.

During the current financial year the company’s automotive battery SBU showed a growth of 34 per cent and the industrial battery SBU showed a growth of 35 per cent in value terms. Significantly the growth in value terms far outstrips the growth in unit terms in all the segments.

The Supervisory Board of BMW AG, at a recent meeting, made a number of decisions that would shape the management of the BMW Group in the long term. Dr. Norbert Reithofer was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Management and will take over this position from Dr. Helmut Panke on September 1, 2006.

The Board also appointed Frank-Peter Arndt to the Board of Management as Reithofer’s successor with responsibility for Production. Arndt is currently head of the BMW Dingolfing plant. In addition, the Board appointed Dr. Klaus Draeger to the Board of Management of BMW AG with effect from 1 November 2006. Dr. Draeger will take over responsibility for Research, Development and Purchasing from Professor Dr. Burkhard Göschel. Draeger is currently Director of the development department with responsibility for the Group’s large model series (BMW 5, 6 and 7 Series).

Professor Joachim Milberg, Chairman of the Board, said: “The newly composed Board of Management will ensure continuity of management over the coming years and provide a basis for the continued success of the BMW Group. Both the Supervisory Board and the company as a whole express their highest gratitude and genuine appreciation to Dr. Panke for all the successful work he has carried out for the company.“

Spanish automotive systems and components company, Ficosa International has announced that it will open its third production plant in India. The move follows developments subsequent to the visit of the Spanish Prime Minister to India recently.

Ficosa has been in India since 1998 as the result of a joint venture with Indian business group Tata, through which it has two production plants, one for the local market and another for export, both located in Pune. The new Tata Ficosa plant in India will be located in Pant Nagar in Uttaranchal State, and would cater to the needs of the domestic market. This, according to the company, is a response to the considerable growth of the sector in India, where a 42 per cent increase in automobile production is forecast between now and 2009.

This plant, with a total initial investment of 2.5 million euro, will have an approximate surface area of 8,000 m² and will start to be built in September. The start of production at the plant is planned for April of next year.

Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd. (TDCV), the second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer of South Korea and a 100 per cent subsidiary of Tata Motors, has developed South Korea's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered heavy tractor-trailer, an environment friendly commercial vehicle.

TDCV pioneered the design, development and manufacture of the new LNG tractor, under an arrangement sponsored by the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS). The development work on the vehicle had begun in September 2004, and the vehicle is expected to evoke an encouraging response from customers, with its fuel efficiency and economy of operation. The vehicle is likely to be launched in 2007.

Kia Motors Corporation issued the first official photographs of its all-new family car -- code named 'ED' -- at the British International Motor Show in London recently. Created especially for European consumers, the new model will be Kia's strongest-ever contender for C-segment honors when it goes on sale across Europe in December 2006 -- a genuine challenger to the established class leaders.

The 4.2-metre long ED has an unusually long wheelbase (2,650 mm) and will offer class-leading interior space, plus highly competitive levels of equipment and state-of-the-art active and passive safety. From launch, a range of four engines will be available, including 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-liter CVVT gasoline engines and a 1.6-liter VGT diesel engine.

Kia's latest C-segment model, the ED will be produced at Kia's first-ever European manufacturing facility at Zilina in Slovakia. It will be marketed exclusively in Europe and the five-door launch models will be joined by a range of station wagons and sporty three-door hatchback models from September and December 2007, respectively.

The all-new Kia five-door family hatchback will make its world premiere at the Mondial de L'Automobile in Paris, France, on 28 September 2006, when its name will be revealed.