Apollo Tyres and DC Design teamed up to create a car that was aspired by the new family of tyres called Apollo (W-speed rated directional) Aspire, developed by Apollo for the performance tyre segment. Dilip Chhabria of DC Design and Onkar S Kanwar, chairman and managing director of Apollo Tyres unveiled the car—Aspire—recently at the Autocar Performance Show. The only other car time a car has been specially created to complement the tyres was in 2004, a one-off Maybach coupe for the German tyre maker, Fulda’s Excelero brand. 

Complementing the Apollo Acelere Sportz V-speed rated tyres, the 17-inch Aspire tyres can be shod on the Mercedes E and C Class, Audi A6 and A4, Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb, Laura and Octavia and the Honda Accord with more sizes to follow in the coming months. Marketed through a handful of select high-end tyre dealers across the country and delivered only against customer bookings, the Aspire will be produced at Apollo's Limda plant in Gujarat. Deliveries will start from January 2007 for the tyre that has seen 100per cent use of silica compund making it ecologically friendly and fuel efficient with low rolling resistance. The directional tread pattern of the tyre allows rapid water drainage, contributes to directional stability, low noise levels and has a quick steering response. The low aspect ratio of the sidewalls increases handling and cornering. This tyre is at its best on wet conditions, with excellent braking, traction and handling. Like the Apollo Acelere Sportz, the Aspire too has been tested extensively at the A TP proving grounds in Papenburg (a DaimlerChrysler test facility), where it has outperformed chosen benchmark in wet conditions. 

Speaking at the unveiling of Aspire car, Kanwar said, “This one is for the real car enthusiasts. They are going to truly enjoy the performance of Aspire. Even though the Aspire's primary market will be the European automobile lovers, we hope discerning buyers looking for a performance product in India will enjoy the Aspire”. Apollo sources point at Europe and South-East Asia as the key export markets for the Aspire. 

Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Limited, India's largest diesel three wheeler manufacturer, has announced a record sale of 4,00,000 vehicles in a span of 6 years. With an overall market share of 45 per cent in the diesel three-wheeler business, the company has sustained its leadership in the three-wheeler cargo segment. 

Starting with a production of 40 vehicles per day in 1999, the company today produces 500 vehicles per day thus catering to the growing demand for the movement of people and cargo. Ravi Chopra, managing director of Piaggio in India described the achievement as a result of commitment, dedication and hard work of a " winning team".

The company foresees itself to be perceived as a high impact, fast response, innovative and growth oriented company, which is known around the world for its unmatched level of excellence. Today the Ape brand promises its customers complete element of trust which stands on pillars of total dependability, reliability and earn ability . High mileage, low operating cost and 20 months extended warranty makes the Piaggio Ape' the first choice.

Apollo Tyres Ltd, India’s leading tyre manufacturer, has launched Acelere Sportz, a premium V-speed rated (safe up to 240 km/hour) tubeless car radial, for the rapidly growing A3-and-above range of premium and luxury cars. 

Acelere Sportz is, according to the company, India’s first asymmetric tyre, and can be fitted on sedans like the Hyundai Sonata, Verna, Accent and Getz; the Ford Mondeo, Fiesta and Icon; Honda City and Accord; GM Aveo and Corsa; Toyota Camry and Corolla; Skoda Octavia and Superb; Mercedes C, E and S Class; and the Audi A4 and A6. Sportz is an addition to the growing Acelere range of premium tubeless tyres, catering to the new generation of automobiles on Indian roads. Currently, Apollo commands a 15 per cent share of the tubeless radial market, with Acelere Sportz this is expected to grow to 20 per cent in a year’s time.

Tyres usually have a symmetric tread pattern allowing them to ‘optimise’ capabilities, where the right and the left halves are mirror images. Apollo Acelere Sportz’s uniqueness lies in its asymmetric tread which allows it to ‘maximise’ performance. The tread has three distinct zones, which ensure best performance in varying road conditions. The outer zone of chunky blocks maximise dry traction and surer cornering. The deep grooves down the centre of the tyre, ensure fast drainage of water from the contact patch, enhancing stability and drivability under wet conditions. The third zone provides excellent grip in wet conditions increasing traction, cornering and handling. The eco-friendly silica compound used in the Acelere Sportz also contributes to a lower rolling resistance, translating directly into increased fuel efficiency. The tyre also has a rim protector that helps extend the life of alloy wheels by guarding them from damage on kerbs and sharp corners. 

After the signing of MoU between General Motors and Maharashtra State to set up a Greenfield facility at Talegaon near Pune, a few months ago, executives from General Motors and Maharashtra State officials laid the foundation stone of the Talegaon facility recently. Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Industry Minister, Ashok Chavan, Water Resources and Supplies Minister, Ajit Pawar, Minister of State for Industries, Rana Patil, Industry Secretary V.K. Jairath and other officials were present at the ceremony. 

Speaking on the occasion, Nick Reilly, group vice president and president Asia Pacific, General Motors said: “We look at the plant as an important contribution for GM. With this facility we are looking at a stronger presence”. “This plant will popularise us with the new mini car that is already sold in 150 countries”, added Reilly. “The production will start in 2008 and will produce the Chevrolet mini car for the largest segment in India”, said Rajeev Chaba, managing director, General Motors India. The Talegaon facility will complement the existing Halol (Baroda) facility of GM, which is currently expanded to 85,000 units. With the Talegaon plant operational with a capacity of 1,40,000 units by 2008, the total capacity of GM in India will go up to 2,20,000 units. GM is investing US$300 million in this plant that spread over 300 acres. 

What could turn the Talegaon facility into a major manufacturing hub is the flexibility and resources the facility could offer. Neilly hinted at setting up a powertrain facility at Talegaon: “We have an objective to increase local content as much as possible. We will be increasing the power train content for the vehicles and it is our objective to source power train locally. It depends on what kind of vertical integration is required”. Typically a US $ 300-400 million investment goes into a power plant venture”, he added. “We want to be competitive by localizing”, said Chaba. Stressing on wanting to have a high local content, Neilly said, “In terms of potential there is a substantial role for the Indian supplier to play”. Asked if India would make an important global sourcing hub for GM and especially after the Talegaon facility is operational, Neilly answered that the company could look at sourcing at the Asia level. He added, “With the mini car being made at Talegaon we could look at cross sourcing of components”. 

Industry sources claim that the Chevrolet mini car (Spark) will roll out of the Talegaon facility at the end of 2008 with a local content of 70 per cent approximately. While they add that for some time before the Talegaon facility is operational the mini car will be built at the Halol facility, they point at the facility hosting GM’s new family of small crossovers that will compete in most of the world’s major markets. The GMDAT developed Captiva SUV is said to be on the list of vehicles made at Talegaon in the near future. The Captiva is a Europe-exclusive model for Chevrolet, and will not be sold in United States.

Close on the heels of the high profile visit by the Chinese President, Hu Jintao to India at the end of in the third week of November, more than 150 Chinese companies are coming to Mumbai to establish trade links with Indian businessmen in what can be termed as the Biggest Exhibition of Chinese Products in India. The Exhibition christened "2006 The 4th China Products (Mumbai India) Exhibition" - will be held from 7th to 9th December 2006 at the Grand Hyatt - Mumbai and is organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade alongwith Worldex India Exhibition & Promotion Pvt Ltd.

Reinz Dichtungs GmbH and the Pune-based Jayant Group have signed a joint venture agreement to manufacture Victor Reinz gaskets. The joint venture company, Victor Reinz India, will manufacture the gaskets at its plant, which will be set up near Pune with an initial investment of Rs 20 crores. With firm commitments of more investements to follow up, the plant will manufacture multi-layer steel cylinder head gaskets followed by secondaru gaskets and heat shields. Reinz has a majority holding in an equity participation of 51:49 y both partners. 

According to sources at Jayant Group, the manufacturing facility will further help to endorse Victor Reinz, which is a very well known brand in the Indian auto industry and one of the largest gasket suppliers to the OE market. The plant will also offer as a base for Victor Reinz Europe to develop competitive products for the emerging markets. Victor Reinz is part of the sealing products division of Dana Corp., US, and is credited with bringing in some of the latest sealing technologies to India in mainstream applications lik the multi layer steel technology for cylinder head gaskets, wave-stopper sealing concept and rubber on steel gaskets. Victor Reinz is currently working with some of the most exciting and advanced engine development projects in India add sources.

Automotive tier supplier, Hydro intends to divest its automotive components operations as part of the company's strategy to reduce engagement in downstream aluminium while investing in the repositioning of metal production operations. “When Hydro decides to sell a business it’s because we believe the operations and employees will have a better home with a company that sees greater potential for value creation in that business than we do,” said Eivind Reiten, Hydro’s president and chief executive officer. The intention to divest the Automotive operations is based on a thorough portfolio analysis following the announcement last December of a strategic shift in Hydro’s aluminium business. 

Automotive components comprises the business units castings and structures, and counts more than 3,600 employees in Europe and North America. Key product areas include cast aluminium engine blocks and cylinder heads, as well as extruded aluminium crash management components such as bumper beams. Hydro will continue to supply aluminium tubing for heat transfer systems, and extruded and rolled aluminium products for other automotive applications. “As car manufacturers are fighting decreasing margins, opting for products made by cheaper metals or materials, Hydro has not been able to ensure satisfactory profitability within automotive structures. The castings business unit is healthy but should be further developed by an owner that is better positioned to succeed in the competitive auto industry,” Reiten added.

Magna Powertrain, an operating unit of Canada-based Magna International Inc., and Amtek Auto Limited signed a joint-venture agreement to establish a manufacturing facility outside of Delhi for two-piece flexplate assemblies for automotive applications. Manufacturing operations of the joint venture are expected to commence late in 2007. The joint venture will initially export flexplate assemblies entirely to European markets, with production to follow for the Indian market. Flexplate assemblies are used in automobiles with automatic transmission systems. 

The 50/50 joint venture between Magna Powertrain and Amtek expands on Amtek’s existing relationship as a supplier of ring gears to Magna Powertrain’s North American operations. The joint venture represents a step forward in the expansion of Amtek’s customer base and product portfolio, as well as its technological capabilities, and is expected to enhance the competitive positions of both Amtek and Magna Powertrain. Günther Apfalter, President, Magna Powertrain Europe and Asia stated: “For Magna Powertrain the joint venture is an important first step into the Indian market. Through the formation of an alliance with Amtek, Magna Powertrain can make use of Amtek’s special know-how in ring-gear manufacturing and will benefit from the competitive cost-level in India.” 

Regarding the agreement, John Flintham, CEO World-wide operations of Amtek said: “This joint venture will be another milestone for the Amtek Group and a step forward in expanding its customer base and product portfolio, as well as attaining a technological and competitive edge in automotive component manufacturing.”

Volvo India’s Construction Equipment Division has introduced the EC700B Crawler Excavator in the Eastern Region. Mritunjaya Singh, Head - Volvo Construction Equipment Division unveiled the 70-ton crawler excavator in Kolkata. The new excavator with features of 80-ton class includes a tough undercarriage, added pump, swing and travel performance and the largest capacity engine in its class. 

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Singh said, “The mining industry is going through its best-ever times. Bold steps by policy makers to bring in private participation in the process of mining to reduce overall operating costs have given such private customers an opportunity to select machines using principles of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and not merely price or size of equipment. 

The EC700B LC Hydraulic Excavator fits their requirement perfectly – lowest cost per ton in terms of TCO, high reliability and therefore maximum productivity. With wide range of Excavators, Motor Graders, Wheel Loaders and Articulated Haulers, Volvo is well positioned to grow its business in this exciting market.”

Built on extensive customer input and exhaustive research the Volvo EC700B stands out as the definitive leader amongst competing followers. The product will also make its public debut during the forthcoming IMME 2006 in Kolkata. In the face of rising fuel price and other operating costs, Volvo CE’s focus on providing buyers with machines designed on lowest cost per ton concept, operating efficiency and product reliability is making its product and services enviable benchmarks in the mining industry. Volvo CE operates in India through its channel of 9 dealers who presently operate through 53 service points and 21 parts depot.

BASF opened a new application center in Mangalore for the development of automotive OEM coatings and to provide customer support to the Indian automotive market segment, recently. The centre offers state-of-the-art testing facilities such as conveyorised, advanced electrostatic bell applicators. It also allows simulation of the conditions of any paint booth. The world-class equipment puts BASF in an excellent position to increase its offerings to customers and expand its market share in Indian the growth market. 

Said Dr. D. Ramkumar, chief executive of BASF Coatings in India, “The state-of-the-art centre allows us to work very closely with our automotive customers in India and provide them with tailor-made solutions.” It will help us to significantly strengthen our offerings to an automotive market that is growing strongly,” Ramkumar added. Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, member of the board of executive directors of BASF Aktiengesellschaft, inaugurated the centre. He commented, “BASF Coatings is well positioned in both Asia-Pacific and in India and has ambitious goals for all of its three coatings business units: Automotive OEM Coatings, Automotive Refinish and Coil Coatings. Our investment underscores our commitment to our customers in this important market.” 

Prasad Chandran, chairman of the BASF Group in India said: “The automotive sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in India. BASF in India, with its global network and exchange of experience, is a committed partner in this growth. The Coatings Application Center is a further step in achieving supporting our strategic guideline of helping our customers to be more successful.” BASF Coatings (India) Pvt. Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF Aktiengesellschaft.

The Carraro Group, a leading global manufacturer of transmissions and axles for agricultural tracts, off-highway machinery and light commercial vehicles recently announced that it had bought the Escorts Group out of its 49 per cent stake in their joint venture Carraro India. The Euro 433 million Italian multinational, which currently operates two plants at Ranjangaon, one manufacturing agricultural axles and transmissions for the domestic markets, and the other gears of various types, also inaugurated a global centre for engineering design at the Gigaspace IT Park off Nagar Road. 

Carraro Technologies India, with a strength of 25 engineers, will engage in core product development work spanning the entire range from drivelines for agricultural and earthmoving equipment up to complete vehicle integration. According to Venu Uppuluri, the Centre’s general manager, “this will also support Carraro’s growth in the hybrid transmission business in Europe following its acquisition of Elettronica Santerno in May.” By the end of 2007, Carraro India will add hydraulic transmissions for earthmoving equipment to its existing portfolio of tractor axles for 35-55 hp tractors and transmissions, informed Carraro Group’s country head Luigino Ricetto. Carraro India currently makes 20,000 mechanical transmissions a year, which it plans to increase to 30,600 by 2009. By that time it will also be producing 14,000 industrial transmissions. Its turnover target for that year is Rs 670 crores.