Page 32 - Auto Industry

India key to Skoda Auto's global expansion, says CEO Klaus Zellmer

India is the most promising growth market for Skoda Auto and the country will play a crucial role in the company's international expansion, the Czech automobile firm's global CEO Klaus Zellmer said on Tuesday. In a virtual address, Zellmer talked about the company's roadmap for India and said Skoda will enter the compact SUV segment in India in a year and also launch its electric vehicle in the market. Skoda Auto India is looking to increase its share in the Indian market to 5 per cent by 2030. "We are continually growing our capacity to respond quickly to the global markets. It is here that India plays crucial role. Europe is important as a core market, but our strategic focus is on growing a new international foundations so that we can stand on two strong legs," Zellmer said. Further, he said, "India is a key contributor to our global growth and the most promising growth market for the years to come. "Strengthening our India operations also strengthens our wider internationalisa

VinFast kicks off Tamil Nadu unit construction, seeks cut in import duty

The project aims to evolve into a first-class electric vehicle production hub in the region, with an annual capacity of up to 150,000 units

Govt hits 79% of revised EV targets under FAME II as of February 18

Based on segments, the target achieved in electric two-wheelers is 78 per cent, for electric three-wheelers 88 per cent, and for electric four-wheelers much lower at 56 per cent

DRI initiates inquiry against Maruti Suzuki over incorrect HSN code

Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday said the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has initiated an inquiry against it over incorrect HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) code of an imported component. In a regulatory filing, Maruti Suzuki India said it has received a communication regarding the inquiry from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Hyderabad Zonal Unit, on February 20, 2024. "As perI inquiry, the imported good 'Shaft Assy Propeller' is imported under incorrect HSN code as per explanatory notes of WCO (World Customs Organisation). Also, IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax) has been paid on few automobile parts at the rate of 18 per cent whereas the correct IGST is 28 per cent...," the company said. The company will file a suitable reply toI, the filing said adding, that there is no major impact on financial, operation, or other activities due to this inquiry.

EV startup Vidyut raises $10 million, aims to expand to 40 cities

Vidyut to deploy new funds to scale its new offerings include EV insurance, lifecycle management, and EV resale

TVS Supply Chain Solutions extends contract with Rolls-Royce for 5 years

The partnership extension is for the state-of-the-art Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) in Singapore serving the Asia Pacific markets for Rolls-Royce's Power Systems business unit

40% consumers want EV range to be above 400 kms per charge: Deloitte survey

The preference for an internal combustion engine-run vehicle fell to 49 per cent in 2024 from 53 per cent in 2023. In India, the survey polled 1,000 consumers

Is 2024 the year when electric cars finally come to the automotive party?

Most of the big carmakers are eligible for PLI. It will help them reduce their costs. Carmakers also see India as a potential hub for electric car exports

Ola Electric slashes prices of three S1 models by up to Rs 25,000

Besides Ola Electric, several EV players such as Ather, Okaya, and Bajaj have slashed the prices of their products to make electric vehicles more affordable and accelerate their adoption in India

Commercial vehicle sales likely to enter into a downcycle in 2024-25

Volumes are expected to dip by 4-7 percent

Passenger vehicles wholesales grow 14% in Jan, retail catches up

'Positive consumer sentiment' leads to best number for that month, says SIAM

Automotive supplier ZF Group inaugurates new manufacturing unit in TN

With an Rs 1,800 crore project outlay, ZF plans to strengthen its manufacturing presence and expansion in India with investment realization by 2030

Auto components sector growth may ease to 5-7% in FY25, says ICRA

On the EV front, there is significant opportunity. At present, only 30-40 percent of the EV supply chain is localised

Red Sea crisis disrupts Audi India's supply chain, firm eyes recovery soon

The situation in the Red Sea is creating supply chain issues for German luxury carmaker Audi, impacting car deliveries to customers in India in the first quarter but recovery is expected in the coming months, according to a senior company official. With electrification on its primary agenda, the company is also evaluating the possibility of assembling electric cars in India, Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon told PTI. "We are also challenged from time to time by various factors. Very recently because of the Red Sea situation there is a supply chain constraint that we're facing in the quarter one of 2024. It is challenging for us in the first quarter but we expect to recover in the coming months," he said. Dhillon was responding to a query on outlook and challenges in 2024. Deliveries to customers for certain models at present have been delayed by a few weeks, he noted. Container vessels have been facing attacks in the Red Sea, one of the most important trade routes in the world

Growth momentum to continue amid positive economic scenario: JK Tyre

JK Tyre expects demand momentum to continue for the tyre industry in the medium to long term, with the automobile industry set to grow amid a positive economic environment, according to a top company official. In an interaction with PTI, JK Tyre & Industries MD Anshuman Singhania expressed hope that the tyre maker would also continue to witness momentum in its top line and profitability. For the third quarter ended December 2023, the company reported a three-fold increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 227 crore. Its revenue from operations rose to Rs 3,688 crore for the October-December period against Rs 3,613 crore in the year-ago period. "We are very optimistic in terms of the medium to long-term demand, which is coming in. We are seeing that private sector capex cycles have really started to kick in," Singhania said. There is an increase in disposable incomes, which is leading to positive buying sentiments, he added. "So, in all, we see that the economy is going to be i

Hero MotoCorp Q3FY24 results: Profit rises 60% to Rs 1,073 crore

Indian consumers tend to splurge during the festival period, regarded as an auspicious time for big-ticket purchases such as cars, two-wheelers and electronic goods

Declining raw material prices help to boost tyre makers' profitability

Among raw materials used by the tyre industry, Brent crude oil prices saw a 6 per cent drop year-on-year

Tax implications likely to influence Hyundai's decision to list Indian arm

Hyundai Motor is exploring an initial public offering (IPO) of its Indian unit to raise around $3 bn (at a valuation of up to $30 bn), according to sources

Kinetic relaunches iconic Luna after 2 decades in electric avatar

Luna was launched in 1972 and it went out of production in 2000

Govt, industry discuss ways for successful implementation of PLI schemes

Senior government officials and industry players have discussed ways to enhance collaborations and create a clear action plan for successful implementation of PLI schemes, an official statement said on Sunday. Around 1,200 delegates including beneficiary companies under the PLI (production linked incentive) scheme for 14 sectors and officials met on February 3 to discuss and chart out the strategy for effective and seamless implementation of these schemes, the commerce and industry ministry said. Officials from ministries and departments, including NITI Aayog, electronics, IT, telecommunications, heavy industries, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals, participated in the discussions. The opening session was followed by two interactive sessions covering all the 14 sectors, with the objective of exploring areas of collaboration between the government and industry champions and creating a clear action plan for successful implementation of PLI Schemes. "The opening session was followe