Hero Honda launched the new CD Deluxe and CD Dawn in the motorcycle entry segment recently. Both the motorcycles incorporate a host of changes in addition to minor styling changes like body coloured full rear cowl and sporty 3D graphics. While the CD Dawn is a no-frills variant the CD Deluxe sports a new stylish visor with trapezoidal multi reflector head lamp, multi reflector tail lamp and aluminium die cast grip. 

The new 100 cc engine, which looks similar to the older model, is part of Honda’s econoseries of engines sold the world over according to Anil Dua, vice president (sales and marketing), Hero Honda, and has been redesigned. “The engine has been perfected after a series of refinements”, said Harjeet Singh, GM (R&D), Hero Honda. He added that a number of friction reduction measures were carried out. “We shifted to a different grade of oil; from sliding friction we shifted to roller friction”. 

“Most changes were carried out to the electricals. We upgraded the electricals for better illumination and better spark, which result in better combustion and thus more power and efficiency”. The new CD offers better illumination in spite of incorporating AC circuit. To improve ride and comfort, the seat has been redesigned and is longer. The rear shock absorbers are easily adjustable and the ground clearance has been increased to 165mm. Safety measures like a pad lock come standard on the CD. The CD Dawn costs Rs 31,900 ex-showroom Delhi and the CD Deluxe costs Rs 34,900 ex-showroom Delhi. 

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, Pawan Munjal, managing director, Hero Honda, said that Hero is exploring various business opportunities and is scouting for a partner to produce four wheelers. The Hero Group is also said to be in the process of fine-tuning its strategy for the component market foray, which would cater to both two-wheeler and four-wheeler industries.

Honda launched the new, third generation CR-V in India. The launch comes within a few months of the SUV being launched in other markets. The new CR-V is completely redesigned and has new age styling that speaks sleek aerodynamics. Safety features include Honda’s exclusive advanced compatibility engineering (ACE) monocoque body structure and an improved G Force control technology that maintains a survival zone for occupants even in case of a crash. Other safety features include electronic brake distribution, anti-lock braking system, dual SRS airbags and three-point seat belts with pretensioners. 

The luxurious interior of the SUV, which uses high tensile steel in high impact areas, includes features like the tilt and telescopic steering, driver side 8-way power seat adjustment, dual climate control, 6 CD MP3/WMA changer, a large centrally located LCD panel, which displays engine coolant temperature and various other information. 

Imported from Japan as a completely built unit, the new CR-V is powered by an advanced 2.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that puts out 161bhp and employs a drive-by-wire throttle. The SUV is available with the option of a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed auto transmission with grade logic control and real time 4WD. The new CR-V costs Rs 18.15 lakhs, ex-showroom, Mumbai for the manual version and Rs 18.8 lakhs for the auto version.

Speaking at the launch, Masahiro Takedagawa, president and Ceo, Honda Siel Cars India, said, “the new CR-V is sure to set a benchmark in its segment”. He added that by next month we would have sold 10,00 Civics. The company is expanding its 250-acre Greater Noida facility capacity to 11000 units. Stating that the company has no plans to build the CR-V here soon, Takedagawa added, “We need a minimum of 3 lakh units”. A guarded Takedagawa hinted at an engine and transmission plant for India in the near future. While he refused to confirm on the locations of the new facility or when his company would decide on one, all he said was that Honda was looking at the Indian market very carefully.  

Clariant, global leader in the field of speciality chemicals, recently inaugurated its new production plant for Licocene, the polyolefin-based high-performance polymers in Frankfurt-Höchst, Germany. The plant was constructed in two years and has an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes. It will help Clariant satisfy the growing demand for Licocene and employs a unique production method for low-molecular polymers developed by Clariant highlighting important features such as hardness, melting point, transparency and viscosity that can be individually tailored as needed and combined in many different ways. The structure and properties of the polymers can be precisely determined according to the specifications provided by each customer. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Uwe Nickel, Head of Clariant’s Pigments & Additives Division said, “Building this plant in Frankfurt-Höchst was a conscious decision for a site in the heart of Germany. The necessary infrastructure is already in place, and the close proximity to all important research and development facilities of the Pigments & Additives Division allows us to make the best use of synergy. This is what made it possible to implement a new production technology in minimum time”. The Pigments & Additives division of Clariant offers a wide range of high-quality organic pigments, pigment preparations, dyes and additives for industrial and automotive coatings, paints, printing inks, plastics and specialized applications such as cosmetics, detergents, agro, etc. 

The 2007 Engine Expo is all set to take place at the International Exhibition Centre in Stuttgart, Germany, on 8-10 May. The Expo is looked upon as the world's leading international exhibition for key specifiers and suppliers to meet, discuss and do business on every aspect of engine design, component supply and production technology, within the automotive, truck and bus engine manufacturing industry. The Expo aims at bringing together the very latest technologies and developments in the field of electric and hybrid powertrain technologies, engine design, engine electronics, engine testing, fuels and lubricants, engine materials, emissions controls, engine components, quality control and production technology. An open technology forum at the exhibition also enables visitors to pick and choose relevant topics from a unique free-of-charge programme of technology presentations from the world's leading experts in engine design, development and manufacture. 

The exhibition is also the venue for International Engine of the Year Awards, judged by 61 of the world's leading motoring journalists from 29 countries worldwide and recognized throughout the industry as the 'Engine Oscars'. The exhibitor list includes renowned engine makers like ABA of Sweden AB, ACTech GmbH, AET Tolmin, Antonov Automotive Technologies, Asimco Technologies UK Ltd, ASNU Corporation Europe Ltd, Bekaert Advanced Coatings NV, Capricorn Engineering GmbH, Ceratizit Luxembour s.a.r.l., Cummins Engine Company Ltd, Dassault Systemes Powertrain Solutions, Dr SCHRICK GmbH, Fluent Deutschland GmbH, Global Insight, Grainger & Worrall Ltd, Grau-Schnittmodelle, Hauzer Techno Coating, Hays AG, HEINZMANN GmbH & Co. KG, Hofstetter GmbH Co. KG, Jacobs Vehicle Systems, John Crane Inc, Kurz-Kasch, Inc., Magna Powertrain AG + Co KG, Mahle GmbH, Maschinenfabrik Alfing Kessler GmbH, MTS Systems Corporation, Polytec Automotive GmbH & Co KG, Ricardo Plc, Scherzinger Pump Technology, Scuderi Group LLC, Setrab AB, SHW GmbH, Sulzer Metco AG, Tacconi SpA, Thielert Motoren GmbH, VCST Industrial Products and Winsert, Inc.

For further information contact: a.hodes@ukintpress.com.  

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) has announced the Texas Instruments Developer Conference (TIDC) India to be held from 30th Nov – 1st Dec 2006 at the NIMHANS Convention Centre, Bangalore. The Pre-TIDC India hands-on tutorials will also be held at the NIMHANS Convention Center two days prior to the event on 28th and 29th of November 2006.

“Digital Signal Processor (DSP), microcontroller and analog technologies are three of the most powerful engines that are shaping our lives today, enabling innovators to create products that revolutionize communications, entertainment and many other modern industries,” said Dr Bobby Mitra, MD Texas Instruments (India). “Texas Instruments is driving this revolution as the world leader in analog & DSP technologies and low power microcontrollers. What makes this event very interesting is the overall market dynamics, especially in the semiconductor market, and TI India’s position at a point of inflection both in terms of design & development and emerging market,” he added.

TIDC India is introducing various show and tell, high impact demos as a part of the keynote. The event is shaped to address strategic business initiatives and will include deep dive technical sessions for the semiconductor environment. The event will highlight new products showcased on TI chips. The sessions to look out for are:

• Leading with Analog: Leveraging Cutting-Edge Analog Silicon to Create Superior Systems 

• Video, Video Everywhere: How Technology is Enabling Ubiquitous Video Applications, and 

• Resurgence of Audio Infotainment: Emerging Audio Technologies across Industries, Mobile TV standards, etc.

Cranes Software International Ltd and HCL Technologies are Gold Sponsors while TES Electronic Solutions, Wipro Technologies and Xilinx are Silver Sponsors. Technology leaders from TI and from TI's network of customers, partners and universities will address the conference on innovation and developments in multiple application domains. Through the ‘Ask the Experts’ program, delegates will get answers to deep technical queries. Forty of TI's top hardware, software, component, service, design and manufacturing partners will exhibit their offerings. Multiple exhibition areas will be set up for visitors to view the diverse range of TI silicon-based IP and the products & services that TI’s partners offer. 

For more information:
Swati Rangachari, Texas Instruments, +91 9845440442, swatir@ti.com