With increasing focus by the government on introducing advance emission norms and safety standards, the Indian automobile industry is likely to undergo significant technology upgradation over the next 4-5 years, says a research report.  
“From directly introducing Bharat Stage (BS-VI) emission standards by April 2020 to implementing advance safety norms in vehicles, the regulatory changes are also likely to present sizeable opportunity for select auto component segments besides altering the demand dynamics (i.e. Petrol-Diesel mix) and pushing vehicle prices upwards,” said a report by ICRA. 
According to the agency, new safety standards is likely to increase usage of airbags in Passenger Vehicles (PV) exponentially. Although the proposed safety standards don’t make airbags mandatory, in order to achieve adequate safety ratings for frontal collision, air bags would become a necessary fitment.  
“We believe this will also open up a sizeable market opportunity (Rs. 19-23 billion by FY ...

Demand for airbags will soar in India: research report 

BS-Motoring

To address concerns over pollution from vehicles, electric cars are considered as the best alternative. Carmakers the world over are working towards adding electric cars to their portfolio.  
Reports suggest that German luxury automobile manufacturer Audi is planning to enter India's electric vehicle market. Joe King, head of Audi India was quoted saying that in the coming years, one will see a refresh of the entire portfolio of the company. 
Audi’s focus on the Indian hybrid/electric vehicle market will help address any fuel-related issue in India like the diesel ban in Delhi.  
Though there's no confirmation on whether Audi's electric or hybrid cars are coming to India, sources say that the company's first plug-in hybrid 'A3 Sportback e-tron' is likely to make its debut in the country.  
The model is Audi’s first attempt to make a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The A3 Sportback e-tron combines a 1.4-litre TFSI engine that outputs 147.5bhp and delivers 250 Nm of torque, with an electric ...

Audi plans to launch its plug-in hybrid \'A3 Sportback e-tron\' in India

Hyundai Motor India Ltd., the country’s largest exporter and the second largest car manufacturer, has expanded the scope of its agreement with 25 industrial training institutes (ITIs) in India.  
This is part of its contribution to the government’s Skill India Programme. The expansion its association with 25 ITIs comes after a successful completion of a pilot programme that Hyundai launched in 2012 across 5 locations. Almost 95% of trained graduates from Hyundai’s Skill Development Programme (2012-2015) were recruited by its dealerships in 2015.  
“Our alliance with ITI and vocational institutes is aimed at reducing the skill deficit in the Indian automobile industry’s shop floors,” said Rakesh Srivastava, senior vice-president, sales and marketing, Hyundai Motor India. “With this partnership, we are confident that Hyundai will be able to bridge the gap of skilled manpower availability and help the auto industry to achieve global competitiveness.” 
Under the scope of Hyundai’s Skill ..

Hyundai ties up with 25 it is to provide vocational training

In order to increase its presence in the domestic market after the launch of its new model redi-GO, Japanese automobile maker Nissan Motor said it plans to alter its export volumes slightly.
Addressing the media, Guillaume Sicard, president, Nissan India Operations, said that the company's exports this year are expected to be around 90,000 cars as against 110,000 units shipped out last year. 
He said the company would like to produce more cars for the Indian market and redi-Go will be exported after six months. 
According to Sicard, Renault-Nissan's joint venture car plant located near Chennai is expected to reach its full capacity - 480,000 units per annum - in a year's time. 
"The alliance will take a decision on expansion then and Nissan may alter its export strategy with an aim to serve the Indian market," he said. 
He said it is really a challenge for the company to break into the market dominated by two players in the small cars segment. "More advertising to increase the brand ..

Nissan focuses on increasing domestic sales; to tweak exports 

Champol has launched its range of lubricants for a wide array of engines at an attractive price point. Manufactured by the Lubz Corporation, the range consists of engine coolants, engine oils and gear oils. 
Champol coolants have been designed to work primarily in a warm temperate climate like that in India, providing rust protection, reducing friction on water pumps and seals, and corrosion protection for aluminium engines. The coolant is also made of a non-petroleum formulation that is eco-friendly. A litre of coolant sells for Rs. 210.
Champol engine oils have a working capacity of 18,000km in cars, trucks and buses, while lasting 500 hours for tractors and generators. The engine oil provides extra protection from wear and tear during startup, high load conditions and varying temperature conditions. A litre of engine oil costs Rs. 270.
The Champol range of gear oils provides protection to car transmissions by providing wear protection to the gears, as well as attaining optimum ...

Champol launches range of lubricants  

Leading European carmaker Volkswagen has launched the much-awaited Ameo, the first sub 4-metre sedan by the brand. The Volkswagen Ameo is currently available with a 1.2L 3-cylinder MPI engine mated to 5-speed manual gear box.
The price of the car varies from Rs.5.24 lakh to Rs.7.05 (ex-showroom, Delhi), depending on the variant. The Ameo will be available across all Volkswagen showrooms beginning next month. Customers can also pre-book through an app.
“The Ameo underlines our philosophy of offering the best of technology and safety standards packaged at an attractive price,” said Michael Mayer, director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India. “Through the Ameo, we are confident of cementing Volkswagen’s strong presence in the compact sedan segment and further expand the Volkswagen India family.”
Volkswagen Ameo boasts of numerous segment first features and several class leading features. The Ameo comes with essential safety features, with all variants equipped with dual front airbags and ...

Volkswagen launches Ameo

Coming down heavily on vehicles that cause pollution, the chief judicial magistrate, Lucknow has directed the RTO to crack down on diesel-run tempos in the city. 
The move comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report in which the city is listed as among the most polluted in the world. 
In July 2006, the Regional Transport Authority had banned the operation of diesel tempos and other public transport vehicles. Such vehicles can ply only after conversion into CNG mode. 
District magistrate Raj Shekhar said despite diesel tempos being banned there were complaints some of them were still plying. The authorities have now directed fuel pumps in Lucknow to not refuel these diesel tempos while special warning has been given to those found flouting the order. 
Their licenses may be suspended or cancelled while licenses of drivers of diesel tempos will also be cancelled if they are found plying within city limits. The diesel tempos will also be impounded.

Authorities in Lucknow crack down on diesel tempos

German carmaker BMW has officially launched the petrol powered 5 series 520i in India. Powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder engine, the BMW 520i is priced at Rs. 54 lakh (ex-showroom across the country).
The introduction of the petrol variant makes the 5 series available in both petrol and diesel variants. Imported as a CBU, the new BMW 520i has been introduced in the ‘Luxury Line’ design scheme.
The 'Luxury Line' trim features chrome at the front and rear including BMW kidney grille, side window frames and tailpipe trim, along with ‘Luxury’ badge on front side panel and car key.
The two-litre petrol powering the new 5 series delivers a power output of 184 hp and a maximum torque of 270 Nm at 1,250 – 4,500 rpm. The official 0-100km/h acceleration timing for the car is 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 233 km/hr. The engine is mated to the familiar eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with Cruise Control, known for its smooth, seamless gearshifts.
Design-wise there are no big ..

BMW launches the 5 Series petrol (520i) in India for Rs. 54 lakh

The Ministry of Road Transport’s initiative to scrap vehicles manufactured before March 31, 2005 would yield in close to Rs 11,500 crore of scrap steel being generated annually. 
This would reduce the country’s dependence on imports and would also boost the foreign exchange reserves. Ministry sources say that the government has invited comments and views from stakeholders before going ahead with its proposed scheme to scrap old vehicles, dubbed as Voluntary Vehicle fleet Modernisation Programme (V-VMP). 
The government is in the process of setting up automotive shredding plants to salvage materials from old cars.
In order to encourage the owners to give up their old vehicles to be scrapped, the government has proposed a three-pronged incentive plan – Value from the scrap, special discounts from automakers on new vehicles and partial excise duty exemption. The sum of all these three benefits is estimated to be worth 8-12% of the new vehicle’s price.
About 50% of the scrap is expected ..

Government seeks views from stakeholders on scrapping old vehicles

Triumph Motorcycles India is expected to register a growth of 20-25% this fiscal.
The British superbike maker, which has grown five-fold from sales of 500 to 3,000 units in India last fiscal, is planning to become the best-selling sports bike brand in India in 2017. 
As of now, Triumph is the second best-selling premium two-wheeler maker in India, next only to Harley Davidson which sold nearly 5,000 units last fiscal.
Triumph currently assembles a handful of its 15-strong product portfolio locally. The new Bonneville range which includes the Street Twin, T120, Thruxton R is expected to be the primary growth driver this fiscal.
Last fiscal, the superbike segment in India posted a 2.85 per cent volume jump at 10,234 units, from 9,940 units in 2014-15. The mass volume market too grew at 2.7 per cent to 18.93 million units. Further, the Indian sportsbike segment witnessed a definitive shift to 500+ cc segment (Rs 5 lakh-plus). This trend is expected to continue this year, making Triumph ..

Triumph Motorcycles expects 25% growth in India this year

The finance ministry has informed the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) that a manufacturer will not be required to take one percent tax collection at source (TCS) from dealers. But the latter will still have to collect the tax from customers. 
According to a SIAM spokesperson, the Central Board for Direct Taxes (CBDT) has confirmed that manufacturers don't need to collect TCS from dealerships. 
The Finance Bill 2016 had stated: "Every person, being a seller, who receives any amount as consideration for sale of a motor vehicle of the value exceeding Rs 10 lakh, shall, at the time of receipt of such amount, collect from the buyer, a sum equal to 1% of the sale consideration as income-tax.”. 
According to SIAM, a consumer buying a car costing more than Rs 10 lakh will have to pay the tax. But if the consumer sells a car for over Rs 10 lakh, he/she will not have to collect any TCS.

SIAM clarifies on tax collection at source

Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki has announced the Final Edition of its W800 motorcycle with a limited number for the 2017 season.
Kawasaki has said that 2017 will be the last model year for the Kawasaki W800, a retro classic bike inspired from the original Kawasaki W1, which debuted in 1966.  
Kawasaki's decision to discontinue the W800 seems to be largely out of compulsion of Euro 4 emission norms.
The Kawasaki W800 Final Edition would only be available in Candy Brown and Candy Sunset Orange paint schemes.
"This is the end of the iconic W series of four-stroke vertical twin motorcycles, and the 'W800 Final Edition' marks the end of an era," Kawasaki said in a release.
The W800 is powered by a 773cc parallel-twin engine, which makes around 70bhp and 60Nm, mated to a five-speed transmission. The engine is mounted on a double-cradle, tubular steel frame, and a telescopic front fork and twin rear shocks taking on suspension duties. The bike tips the scales at 216kg and is built 

Kawasaki announces \'Final Edition\' W800 with a limited offer

Volkswagen India has announced the launch of special edition kits for the Polo and Vento in India. Called the Polo Select and the Vento Celeste, these kits, endowed with new exterior and interior features will be available in limited numbers at all Volkswagen dealerships across the country.
These special edition kits can be optioned only with the top-spec Highline manual transmission variants of the Volkswagen Vento and Polo. According to the company, the prices of these kits will vary from dealer to dealer and city to city.
The Polo Select and Vento Celeste come fitted with ABS and dual front airbags as standard. Both carlines are offered with body side molding in black, ORVM covers in carbon finish and a black roof foil. Subtle accents like the trunk garnish on the Polo Select and a trunk lip spoiler on the Vento Celeste round off the exterior upgrades on these special edition models. 
The Celeste kit on the Vento offers features such as - a Blaupunkt touchscreen infotainment system 

Volkswagen India launches limited edition Select and Celeste kits for Polo and Vento

TVS Motor Company has launched its new four-stroke XL 100 in Delhi, priced at Rs. 30,174 (ex-showroom Delhi).
The all new TVS XL 100 is powered by a 99.7cc four stroke engine which delivers 4.2PS power and a top speed of 60kmph. TVS claims that the new XL 100 returns a mileage of 67 kmpl (among all auto-geared two wheelers) under simulated test conditions as per TVS Motor standards. 
The TVS XL 100 comes with a seat which is broader and aimed to be more comfortable. It also has a detachable rear seat with a rear flatbed platform to enable carrying of loads. The front platform of the TVS XL 100 is wider and longer to offer more space. Easy centre stand (patent pending), is claimed to make parking the vehicle easier while improving the stability while the vehicle is on stand. 
The ergonomics of the all new TVS XL 100 have been designed to offer a more comfortable riding position.
"The all-new four-stroke moped TVS XL 100 has been designed to meet the evolving needs of today's customer ..

New four-stroke TVS XL 100 launched in Delhi 

Tata Motors reported a year-on-year decline of 23 per cent in sales of passenger vehicles in domestic market in May, when sold 8,617 units, as against 11,138 units a year earlier.
While sales of passenger cars was lower by 15% at 7,787 units in May, hatchback sales grew by 7% at 5,643 units due to strong demand for the recently launched Tiago. UV sales declined by 58% to 830 units. Cumulative sales of all passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal was lower by 11 per cent at 19,112 units. 
But the company continued to witness strong year-on-year growth in certain key segments, with M&HCV and LCV sales, in domestic market, growing by 23% and 6% respectively. 
The company’s total commercial and passenger vehicles sales (including exports) in May 2016 were at 40,071 vehicles, a growth of 1% over 39,496 vehicles sold in May 2015. The company’s domestic sales of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for May 2016 was at 35,643 units, a growth of 2%, over May ...

Tata Motors reports 23 per cent fall in sale of passenger vehicles in domestic market

Mercedes-Benz launched the much anticipated luxury SUV, the new GLC ‘Edition 1’ in New Delhi. The GLC is introduced as a CBU and will be available in both petrol and diesel variants.
The GLC is Mercedes-Benz’s key product that never had a predecessor in India, positioning itself between the GLA and GLE luxury SUVs. With the introduction of the GLC, Mercedes-Benz India continues its product offensive strategy and bolsters its versatile range of luxury SUVs. 
“We are very excited to launch the GLC ‘Edition 1’, as it is one of the much anticipated products in the luxury segment in India,” said Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India. “The GLC underscores our philosophy of introducing world-class products from our global portfolio for our discerning Indian customers. We have seen a growing penchant for luxury SUVs amongst the luxury car customers in India and the addition of the GLC is going to redefine the segment completely.”
According to Folger, the GLC gives ...

Mercedes-Benz launches the new GLC \'Edition 1\'

The ministry of road transport and highways plans to bring out a notification that will make airbags, antilock braking systems (ABS) and speed warning systems standard equipment in all cars from October 2018. 
The notification is expected to be issued soon along with a timetable for implementation. According to an official, airbags and ABS will be standard features in all car models being sold in India from October 2018.
It may be recalled that in tests conducted by the Global National Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP), a UK-based independent charity focused on consumer oriented vehicle safety initiatives, Renault Kwid, Hyundai Eon, Maruti Suzuki Celerio and Mahindra Scorpio had all failed crash tests. Automakers had countered this by saying that all cars made in the country adhere to current safety standards as stipulated by the government. Currently, a few auto companies provide airbags and ABS in entry-level models. 
According to the government's rough estimate, including these two .

Government to make safety measures to be made mandatory for automobiles 

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, India's leading SUV manufacturer, reported a 11 per cent growth in auto sales for May at 40,656 units.
The Passenger Vehicles segment (which includes UVs, Cars and Vans) sold 19,635 units in May 2016 as against 18,135 units during May 2015, a growth of 8%. The company's domestic sales grew by 10 per cent at 36,613 units in May 2016. The Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles segment sold 501 units, registering a growth of 46%. Exports for May 2016 stood at 4,043 units, a growth of 21%.
“We are happy to have achieved an overall growth of 11% during May 2016, in the midst of regulatory uncertainties,” said Pravin Shah, President & Chief Executive (Automotive), M&M Ltd. “The favourable monsoon projections will definitely lead to improved buyer sentiment that would likely bring a buoyancy in overall demand across all segments of the automotive industry. Going forward, we expect that our wider product portfolio will drive our growth.”
The continuing ...

Mahindra reports 11 per cent growth in May auto sales

Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the country’s leading car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter registered domestic sales of 41,351 units in May 2016, a growth of 10.4%.
Commenting on the May sales Mr. Rakesh Srivastava, Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “In a market seeing challenges of stressed rural demand and uncertainty on diesel vehicles, Hyundai volumes grew by 10.4 percent with sales of 41,351 units,” said Rakesh Srivastava, senior vice-president, sales and marketing, Hyundai Motors. “We are continuing the buildup of positive growth momentum on the strengths of strong performance of the three Indian Car of the Year brands Creta, Elite i20 and Grand i10 with heightened expectations of increase in demand on the predictions of good monsoon.”

Hyundai reports 10.4 per cent growth in domestic sales

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Thursday announced that it has advanced the regular bi-annual maintenance closure of its plants, earlier scheduled for later in the month, to June 6 to 11, with the cooperation of all its employees.
“This will enable the closure period to be utilised for arranging supply of components, both from Subros Ltd as well as from other sources, and result in higher production volumes after the closure,” said the company.
Manufacture of cars, to the extent of component availability, is continuing at the Gurgaon plant from the second half of Wednesday. 
India’s largest carmaker had to temporarily suspend manufacture of cars at its facilities in Manesar and Gurgaon in Haryana starting from the second half of Monday, following disruption of supplies of components from Subros. A fire had broken out at the Manesar plant of the auto component supplier, leading to disruption in supplies.
Maruti Suzuki resumed manufacture of vehicles at its Gurgaon facilities from the second 

Maruti advances bi-annual maintenance closure of its plants 

Bajaj Auto has launched its V15 motorcycle in a new colour scheme called Cocktail Wine Red in India at Rs. 62,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The company had initially launched the motorcycle in two colours - Pearl White and Ebony Black. Now in an attempt to attract more buyers, the new colour has been introduced. However, the price of the Bajaj V15 remains unchanged with the inclusion of the new colour. 
While the earlier Ebony Black and Pearl White V15s have red decals across the motorcycle, the new model gets complete Wine Red paint job with black decals across its bodywork. No other changes have been made by Bajaj Auto on the iconic V15 motorcycles. 
The Bajaj V15 is powered by an all-new long stroke single-cylinder, air-cooled 149.5cc engine which produces 12PS at 7,500rpm and 13Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. This gives the V15 a top speed of 110kmph and a fuel economy of 50kmpl. The V15 competes with other commuters like the Yamaha SZ-RR and Honda .

Bajaj Auto launches V15 in a new Cocktail Wine Red scheme

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