Page 70 - Automobile Industry

Automaker forced to airlift raw material as container shortage bites

Companies halt production or pay 2-3 times extra to get slots in ships and containers

MG Motors sees no impact of Indo-China tension, expects sales to rise 75%

MG Motors on Thursday launched the seven-seater version of its premium SUV, Hector, at a price of Rs 13.34 lakh

Hiring activity registers 14% sequential growth in December: Report

The improvement was mainly led by insurance, auto and ancillary sectors, according to a report

Fiat Chrysler India unveils updated version of SUV Jeep Compass

Automaker FCA India on Thursday unveiled the updated version of its SUV Jeep Compass in the country

Maruti Suzuki's production rises 34% at 1,55,127 units in December

Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest carmaker, on Wednesday said its total production in December 2020 increased 33.78 per cent

Fiat Chrysler to invest $250 million in India unit to launch new SUVs

By Aditi Fiat Chrysler said on Tuesday it will invest $250 million to grow its presence in India with the launch of four new sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) under its Jeep brand over the next two years

Fatal incident halts Hyundai's South Korean factory after retooling

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung expressed deep condolences in a New Year's message on Monday

Tata Motors partners with Karnataka Bank for retail finance support

Tata Motors has signed a memorandum of understanding with Karnataka Bank to introduce financing offers for customers

Ford unveils 2021 line-up of compact SUV EcoSport; starts at Rs 7.99 lakh

Ford India on Monday introduced the 2021 line-up of its compact SUV EcoSport with features such as sunroof in the Titanium Trim, enhanced connectivity features and an enhanced warranty at a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh. The SUV comes in five trims -- Ambiente, Titanium, Titanium +, Trend and Sports, according to a release. The American car maker, which recently called off its proposed partnership with domestic auto major Mahindra & Mahindra, had rolled out the sub-4 meter SUV EcoSport first time in the Indian market in June 2013. Ford's product portfolio in India currently comprises six cars -- Figo, Freestyle, Aspire, EcoSport, Endeavour and Mustang. In the tradition of bringing what consumers want and value, we are happy to bolster the EcoSport line-up and make every variant compelling in terms of features and value, said Vinay Raina, executive director Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford India. With the new line-up, we have not just addressed the customer feedback on making

Two-wheeler EV firms see growth in post-Covid demand for personal transport

SMEV data shows that two-wheeler EV sales between April and December stood at around 80,000 units - 3,000 units in Q1 (April-June), rising to 35,000 units in Q2 and 42,000 in Q3

Mahindra reports 10% decline in total sales for December

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Friday reported a 10.3 per cent decline in total sales at 35,187 units in December, 2020. The company had sold 39,230 units in December 2019, M&M said in a statement. In the domestic market, passenger vehicle sales were up 3 per cent to 16,182 units last month, compared to 15,691 units in December 2019. In the commercial vehicles segment, the company sold 16,795 vehicles in the domestic market last month, as against 21,390 units in December 2019, a drop of 21.48 per cent. Exports increased by 3 per cent to 2,210 units in December 2020, as against 2,149 units in the year-ago month. "Our overall sales have been affected due to the continuing supply chain challenges related to the constantly changing global environment, more specifically the supply shortage of micro-processors (semiconductors) used in electronic control units (ECUs)," M&M Chief Executive Officer Automotive Division Veejay Nakra said. Demand continues to remain strong even ...

Toyota Kirloskar posts 14% growth in India sales at 7,487 units for Dec

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) on Friday reported 14 per cent growth in its domestic sales to 7,487 units in December 2020. The car maker had sold 6,544 vehicles in December 2019. "As we wrap up the year, we are happy to have registered a 14 per cent growth in wholesales in December 2020, when compared to sales in the same period in 2019," said Naveen Soni, Senior Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM). He said customer orders have been rising significantly and retail sales (dealer's sale to customers) have also been very encouraging which gives the company confidence to embark upon a new target as it welcomes the New Year 2021. "We have also managed to retain more than 6 per cent growth in wholesales in the last quarter of calendar year 2020, when compared to the last quarter of 2019," he added. December witnessed a few adjustments in terms of production, due to new model launches as well as year model changes, Soni said, adding, "This also included our efforts to exhaust the

Ford Motor, Mahindra call off JV over global economic, business conditions

The latest move will not have any impact on its product plan, Mahindra and Mahindra said

MG Motor India says its sales increased 33% to 4,010 units in December

MG Motor India on Friday said its sales rose by 33 per cent to 4,010 units in December, 2020 as compared to 3,021 units in the same month a year ago

Maruti Suzuki sales rise 20 per cent to 160,226 units in December

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Friday reported a 20.2 per cent increase in sales to 160,226 units in December

Wholesales to grow on low base for all automobile segments: Motilal Oswal

Wholesale volumes in the automobile sector are estimated to grow at 14.4 per cent for two-wheelers on a low base and 5.4 per cent for passenger vehicles due to year-end sales, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said on Tuesday.However, commercial vehicle volumes are likely to decline by 2.8 per cent (LCV growth of 4.7 per cent but restricted by a decline of 11.6 per cent in M & HCVs).At the same time, said the Motilal Oswal report, wholesale volumes for tractors are expected to grow by 38.4 per cent year-on-year on robust demand and lower base.Discounts currently stand 50 per cent as compared to last year. Inventory is lower than normal for passenger vehicles and tractors, leaving headroom for higher inventory filling in the coming months.Wholesales are expected to grow on a low base in December, catering to the spillover demand from the festive season and inventory refilling (for passenger vehicles and tractors).Motilal Oswal said the two-wheeler inventory currently stands at 30 to

Indian auto industry expected to see stronger growth in 2021-22: Nomura

The Indian auto industry is expected to see stronger growth in 2021-22, after recovering from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with electric vehicle sales, especially two-wheleers, also likely to see positive movements, according to Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions India. However, in the personal vehicles segment, the levels reached in 2018-19 would be reached only in 2023-24, it added. In 2018-19, passenger vehicle sales rose 2.7 per cent to 33,77,436 units from 32,88,581 units in 2017-18, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). "After the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that the auto industry will see stronger growth in 2021-22," Ashim Sharma, partner and group head (business performance improvement consulting-auto, engineering and logistics) at NRI Consulting & Solutions India, said. As far as personal vehicles are concerned, the 2018-19 levels would be reached only in 2023-24 whereas .

Based on a next generation platform, Volvo S60 retains safety-first focus

Sporty with a muscular sedan-like look and kitted with a petrol engine, the S60 scores big on comfort as far as interiors go

Royal Enfield moves through the gears amid growing competition in market

Competition in the middleweight segment and a growing market for electric bikes pose challenges for dominant two-wheeler player

Indian auto industry expected to see stronger growth in 2021-22: Nomura

The Indian auto industry is expected to see stronger growth in 2021-22, after recovering from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with electric vehicle sales, especially two-wheleers, also likely to see positive movements, according to Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions India. However, in the personal vehicles segment, the levels reached in 2018-19 would be reached only in 2022-23, it added. In 2018-19, passenger vehicle sales rose 2.7 per cent to 33,77,436 units from 32,88,581 units in 2017-18, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). "After the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that the auto industry will see stronger growth in 2021-22," Ashim Sharma, partner and group head (business performance improvement consulting-auto, engineering and logistics) at NRI Consulting & Solutions India, said. As far as personal vehicles are concerned, the 2018-19 levels would be reached only in 2022-23 whereas .