Leading TVS dealer from Kolhapur, Mai TVS, was awarded the ‘Best Innovative Concept Award’ for making a mobile service motorcycle by TVS Motor Company. Abhijeet Desai (General Manager, MAI TVS) was instrumental in designing and developing this bike, which is based on TVS Star City. Drawing attention the fact that the bike is equipped with a spare parts, oil, battery and a sliding ramp, Abhijeet said, “The mobile service motorcycle will help TVS customers and save them a great deal of time and inconvenience. It is equipped to cater to major breakdowns as well as routine servicing, adding versatility”. “The mobile service motorcycle will enable us to reach to any sector at any given time and even at odd hours. This certainly adds to the after sales service and commitment towards the customer delight”. 

Alcoa rerecntly announced the opening of its new automotive assembly plant at Modena, Italy. The new facility covers more than 5,000 square meters and features state-of-the-art manufacturing technology. The plant, which employs 75, required an investment by the world's leading aluminium producer of more than one million euros. Alcoa is the sole supplier of aluminium spaceframes for the Ferrari F430, 612 Scaglietti and 599 GTB Fiorano. The company's expanded plant replaces its former facility, which was located in Ferrari's Scaglietti Works, also in Modena. 

Other than the community leaders from Modena and the Emilia Romagna region, the opening ceremony was attended by Alain Belda, Alcoa chairman and CEO, and Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Ferrari's president. "Our partnership covers more than a decade," said Belda. "Alcoa spaceframes have proven themselves to be key enablers of Ferrari's long-term strategy of making all their cars in aluminium in order to guarantee continuous improvement in safety, comfort and dynamic performance." di Montezemolo commented on the development of the relationship between the two companies. 

"Our partnership is evidence of how two companies can come together, pull the best ideas from one another and translate them into new products and technologies. Today, Alcoa is for Ferrari a strategic partner and the experience in technical research and engineering of the two companies shows a strong future for both”. Since the acquisition of Alumix in 1996, Alcoa has currently six operating locations in Italy, including two smelters, a rolling mill and three extrusion plants.

General Motors India has registered a 12 per cent growth in sales in October 2006 as compared to the same period last year. According to a press release, the company sold 3153 units in October as against 2829 units during the corresponding period last year. The October sales comprise 2011 units of Chevrolet Tavera, 902 units of Chevrolet Aveo and 240 units of Chevrolet Optra. GM India sales during the January to October 2006 period were 30686 units as compared to 26371 units during the same period last year, registering a growth of over 16% on a YTD basis.

Neuss-based Pierburg GmbH, a subsidiary of the Rheinmetall Group company Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG, is pushing ahead unwaveringly with its internationalization strategy. The globally operating auto industry supplier has now set up its own subsidiary in the growth market of India, thus following up on the inauguration of its newly built production plant in Brazil mid-2006, with an additional extension to its global marketing and production presence. 

The new Indian company Pierburg India Private Limited will be headquartered at Pune and concern itself with engineering applications, supplier quality assurance, purchasing, and marketing. Pierburg also intends to set up at Pune its own production facility for exhaust gas recirculating valves, oil, water and vacuum pumps. By the end of 2008 it is planned to increase the workforce here to around 100. Above and beyond its own production presence, Pierburg will in certain cases supply the market through local licensees. Pierburg has been operating in India for 10 years now and is already supplying the Indian auto industry with its components. In establishing its own production facility, Pierburg with its worldwide acknowledged competence in such areas as emission control and pumps, will be accessing the subcontinent’s vast market potential especially since local emission codes are moving closer in the direction of international standards. 

With motor vehicle production growing 15 percent to 10 million units in 2005/2006, India is among the central growth regions in the global auto market. With its tax cuts and investment incentives, the Indian market offers good growth opportunities, especially in the (sub)compact and commercial vehicles segments. Pierburg currently has production plants in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, USA, Brazil, and China. In 2005, its 3,500 employees generated sales of €900 million.

Afoot on expansion plans, Eicher Engineering Components (EEC), the automotive component division of Eicher Motors Limited (EML) has acquired the Dewas-based (Madhya Pradesh) transmission gear unit of the British Motors Car Company Ltd., (BMC). The acquisition will strengthen EEC’s manufacturing muscle by enriching EEC’s portfolio of other 2 units namely Gurgoan and Thane. 

Eicher Engineering Components (EEC) is engaged in manufacturing Transmission & Differential Gears as well as Gearbox assemblies. Its Gurgaon unit is focused on servicing Global clients in their outsourcing needs from India whilst the QS-9000 certified Thane unit is in the process of acquiring TS-16949 certification.

The British Motor Car Company Ltd., was established in 1934. Its gear business unit at Dewas became operational on 1ST April 1993. TS 16949 certified since July 2004, Dewas has a manufacturing capacity of 5,00,000 gears per annum.

Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, sold a total of 5,566 units in the month of October 2006. According to a press release, HSCI’s growth in October this year as compared with the corresponding period last year, was 343.5% mainly because the Honda City was in the run-out phase last year, prior to the launch of the City ZX.

The Honda Civic notched up a cumulative tally of 8,011 since its launch in July this year. The cumulative sales of the company during Jan–Oct 2006 also saw a jump of 38.57% over the corresponding period last year (Jan–Oct 2005). In terms of volumes, HSCI has sold 47,412 units in Jan-Oct ’06 as against 34,214 units sold in Jan-Oct ’05. The City sold 3,673; Civic 1,726; Accord: 165; CRV: 2, units respectively in the said period. 

Tata Motors recently reported consolidated revenue increase of 42 per cent (net of excise) at Rs.7702.66 crores compared to Rs.5428.88 crores in the corresponding period of the previous year. The consolidated PAT for the current year quarter is Rs.536.44 crores as compared to Rs. 393.31 crores for the previous year period, an increase of 36 per cent. The company’s revenue on a stand alone basis (net of excise) was Rs.6571.79 crores for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, an increase of 37per cent, compared to Rs.4788.18 crores in the corresponding period of 2005-06. Profit before tax was Rs.586.39 crores, an increase of 29 per cent over Rs.454 crores in the previous year period while the net profit was Rs.441.72 crores, an increase of 31 per cent over Rs. 337.87 crores for the corresponding period. 

The total sales volume on a stand alone basis for the quarter was 139,704 units as compared to 107,066 units during the previous year period, an increase of 30 per cent. During the quarter, the company continued to witness increases in input costs, interest rates and general inflationary pressures, which are expected to continue during the rest of the year. Consolidated revenue in the first half (net of excise) at Rs.14473.60 crores recorded an increase of 46per cent as against Rs.9906.90 crores in the previous year period. The consolidated PAT at Rs.918.11 crores compared to Rs.654.82 crores, recorded a growth of 40 per cent.  

Car market leader Maruti Udyog Limited sold 55,894 vehicles in the domestic market in October 2006. The company had sold 50,308 vehicles in the domestic market in October 2005. In all, Maruti Udyog Limited sold 60,163 vehicles in October 2006. This includes 4,269 units of exports.

During the month, Alto sold a whopping 22,294 units. This was the highest ever monthly sales for any model and make in India. Previous record of highest sales was held by Maruti 800 (20,687 units in March 03).

CEAT has reported a Gross profit of Rs 14.88 crores in its second quarter ended September 30, 2006, as compared to Rs.18 lakhs, for the corresponding period in the last fiscal. Sales increased to Rs 603 crores (Rs 503 crores), recording growth of 20 per cent. 

Operating profit (EBITDA) rose 90 per cent to Rs 30.73 crores (Rs 16.11 crores). The company's PBT at Rs. 6.65 crores was substantially better as compared to the loss of Rs. 5.44 crores for corresponding period last fiscal. The operating margin has improved from 3.6 to 5.7 per cent. 

Announcing the results, Paras K. Chowdhary, managing director, CEAT Ltd said, the demand for the company's products has shown steady growth leading to improvement in the market share of truck, LCV and OTR tyres. 

Mr. Chowdhary added that CEAT has taken aggressive initiatives on importing large quantity of Natural Rubber to hedge against the increase in Rubber prices in Domestic Market. In the last two quarters over 6000 MT were imported. The company expects to import another 4000 MT during the next quarter.  

Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland has announced plans to set up a vehicle manufacturing unit in Uttaranchal with an initial capacity of 25,000, which will be raised to 40,000. About 200 acres of land has been identified in Pant Nagar for this purpose and the expected investment is over Rs 1000 crores. Creating employment for 3000 people, according to R Seshasayee, Managing Director: “This unit will strengthen our presence in Northern India which already contributes nearly a quarter of our sales. The development of Uttaranchal as an auto hub made our selection easier.” The investments will enjoy excise duty exemption and income tax exemption/concession for five / ten years. 

Ashok Leyland trails Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, Hero Honda, Tata and their battery of suppliers. The sops offered by Uttaranchal government have been attracting investments in that State. In other news, Ashok Leyland has reported a profit after tax of Rs 1,645.10 million for the first half of the current fiscal, up 18per cent over Rs 1,393.56 million in first half of the last fiscal. On the back of a 33% growth in sales volume, up from 14,895 to 19,863, sales turnover for the quarter (Jul – Sep’06) has grown to Rs 19,286.20 million (Rs 14,403.36 million). Other income is also higher at Rs 336.62 million (Rs 178.17 million).  

Tata Motors, India's largest automobile company, is introducing more commercial and passenger vehicle models in the South African market. Currently on display at the Auto Africa '06 in Johannesburg, these models will further strengthen Tata Motors position in South Africa. 

In commercial vehicles, new trucks (6 and 10 tonners), tippers (2-6 cubic metre capacity) and bakkies (1.3 tonne flat bed) are being launched. These vehicles are aimed at meeting diverse transportation needs of the country. In passenger vehicles, Tata Motors is launching the Safari Dicor, which will be available in early 2007. The company currently markets the Indica hatchback, Indigo sedan and Indigo Station Wagon. Apart from being the leading models in India, they are making forays in chosen overseas markets, including European countries. Also on display for the first time at the Expo are two concept cars - Tata Crossover, a 'crossover' vehicle concept, and Tata Cliffrider, a 'Multi-Utility Lifestyle Vehicle' concept. 

In South Africa, Tata Motors sold over 16,500 vehicles in 2005-06. The models currently being sold are Indica, Indigo, Indigo Stationwagon in the passenger cars segment, trucks in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segment and Tata Novus tippers in the extra-heavy commercial vehicle segment. In addition to South Africa, Tata Motors is making strong progress in DR Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. 

Bajaj Auto Finance Limited, a leading retail loan provider and an associate of Bajaj Auto Limited, has announced that it has chosen the Intellect product suite of the Chennai based Polaris Software Limited. This software will be implemented at all the branches and offices of BAFL. 

According to a press release from the company, a project (named Kshitij) to implement this software was formally launched at Pune office of BAFL. This project is a part of a number of activities undertaken by BAFL aimed at revamping its IT infrastructure that will support its business expansion into wider geographies and enhanced product offerings.. 

BAFL also announced the engagement of services of IBM for programme management of a number of projects being undertaken. IBM will run the Programme Management Office at BAFL.

Maruti Udyog Limited has registered Total Income of Rs 35408.9 million during the second quarter (Q2) of the fiscal (July-September 2006), a growth of 12.52 per cent over the same period last year. According to a press relase from the company, Profit Before Tax went up to Rs 5346.3 million during Q2 of 2006-07, a growth of 38.41 per cent over the same period last year. Net Profit stood at Rs 3674.4 million, up 39.89 per cent over July-September 2005. With this, Total Income for the first half of the fiscal (April-September 2006) was Rs 68096.6 million, a growth of 16 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year. Net Profit stood at Rs 7370.1 million, up 50.68 per cent over April-September 2005.

Fiat has unveiled an all-new segment C three-box saloon produced in collaboration with Tofas, the Turkish joint venture between Fiat Auto and Koç Holding. Called Linea, the car will be first manufactured in the joint venture’s Bursa plant in Turkey (at an annual production of 60,000 units) and marketed in a number of European and non-European countries starting in the second half of 2007. The vehicle will later be produced in other countries by Fiat. 

India is one of the countries on the Linea list, claim industry sources from Europe. If the industry sources from Europe are to be believed, the Linea will take the Fiat-Tata alliance to a new level altogether. The Linea, according to industry sources, is a car that will measure up well with the likes of Honda City and Hyundai Verna. Designed by the Fiat Style Centre, the new Fiat Linea presents an elegant, dynamic external line. Inside, the car is claimed to offer roominess and superior comfort in terms of ergonomics and space available to the driver and passengers, which is confirmed by the car’s generous dimensions which set it at the very top of its segment (4.56 metres long, 1.73 m wide, 1.5 m tall and with a wheelbase of 2.6 m, in addition to having a luggage compartment boasting an impressive 500 litres). 

According to industry sources, the Linea is based on a modified (stretched) Grande Punto platform. They point at the dimensions of the Grande Punto and that of the Linea. They further point out at the frontal treatment of the Linea, which they say picks up a good number of clues rom the frontal styling of the Grande Punto. While Fiat does not seem very keen to divulge many details about the Linea, industry sources claim that the car will share a good deal of components with the Grande Punto including the power train and drive train. The Grande Punto, in the Brasil market is powered by a 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.3 diesel and a 1.9-litre diesel engine. 

In India, claim industry sources, the Linea will be powered by the 1.6-litre petrol engine and the 1.3-litre JTD diesel engine. Sources add that the Linea will complement the Palio hatchback and Petra sedan, which Fiat makes in India. They also hint at these models getting a facelift early next year.