Page 18 - Automobile Industry

Maruti Suzuki to slash output in September by 60% over chip shortage

Closure of Bosch plant in Malaysia hurt production in September

Maruti Suzuki sees production impact from semiconductor shortage

India's top car maker Maruti Suzuki expects production at its plants in the states of Haryana and Gujarat to be impacted in September due to a shortage of semiconductors, it said on Tuesday.

'It'll be mandatory for automakers to offer biofuel vehicles in 6 months'

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said India will make it mandatory for auto manufacturers to offer vehicles running 100 per cent on bio-fuels in the next six months

30 kph max: Paris shrinks speed limit to protect climate

It's the latest initiative by a city trying to burnish its climate credentials and transform people's relationship to their vehicles

Pent-up demand to push auto dealer volumes up by 10-15% in FY22: CRISIL

Festive season sales and pent-up demand along with new launches are expected to push automobile dealers' volumes up by 10-15 per cent in FY22, even as they see a patchy recovery this fiscal: CRISIL

Maruti Suzuki to hike prices across models from Sept as input costs rise

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India on Monday said it will hike prices across models from next month amid rising input costs.

Indian Motorcycle expects to garner 25-30% share in India's premium segment

Indian Motorcycle is seeking to replicate the growth in India which it has witnessed in other global markets, and expects to garner 25-30 per cent market share in the premium motorcycle segment

Automobile industry stuck in a low gear

Auto parts industry may see 20-23% jump in revenue this fiscal: Report

The auto components industry is expected to log 20-23 per cent revenue growth during this fiscal, supported by recovery in the domestic automobile sector and robust exports, with all segments (passenger vehicles, two-vehicles and commercial vehicles) likely to report healthy double-digit growth in 2021-22, credit ratings agency ICRA said on Thursday. However, prices of key commodities and shortage of semi-conductors remain the key concerns for the industry, it said. The domestic auto component industry has seen a smart recovery during the first quarter of this fiscal, driven by strong exports and revival of domestic demand in June, ICRA said in a statement. Most domestic automobile segments, especially passenger vehicles (PVs) and tractors, continue to witness strong demand and are almost at pre-COVID-19 levels. Even the M&HCV (medium and heavy commercial vehicle) segment, which was impacted during the April quarter, is also now showing signs of recovery, it said. ICRA's sample ..

India offers huge opportunities for vehicle manufacturers: Nissan COO

India offers huge opportunities for vehicle manufacturers and electrification is the pillar that could transform the country's automotive industry, Nissan Motor Corporation COO Ashwani Gupta said

Boost localisation of automotive parts, reduce import dependency: Kant

The Indian automobile and components industry must eliminate its import dependence on China for a host of automotive parts and must focus on localisation of such items, Niti Aayog's Amitabh Kant said

R C Bhargava, Venu Srinivasan face off with govt on auto GST rate

Sales of commercial vehicles in FY21 were the worst in 11 years; for three-wheelers, they were the lowest in 19 years

Nitin Gadkari urges vehicle makers to discourage diesel engines

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday asked vehicle manufacturers to discourage production and sale of diesel engine vehicles, and urged them to promote other technologies. Addressing industry body SIAM's annual convention virtually, Gadkari said the government is committed to delivering vehicles with flex engines that give the users an option to run a vehicle on either 100 per cent petrol or 100 per cent bio-ethanol. "I appeal the vehicle manufacturers to discourage the production and sale of diesel engine vehicles. Diesel-based pollution is extremely hazardous to the environment and human health. "The industry must promote alternative fuel technologies and fund R&D (research and development) for alternative fuels," he said. The minister said he is looking forward to the industry for quick roll-out of E20-compatible vehicles. E20 is a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol. "This will be immensely helpful in cutting our import bill an

Keep pace with changing technology: Revenue Secretary to automakers

Tarun Bajaj asked automakers to do a deeper analysis on why car sales are not going up even though income levels of people are rising, and exhorted the industry to keep pace with changing tech

Salaries rise for promoters of auto firms even as business faces headwinds

Experts suggest that promoter executives should take compensation as dividend to share risk and reward of the business with other shareholders

Mercedes-Benz launches AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ Coupe at Rs 2.07 crore

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz on Monday launched its all-new performance car 'AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ Coupe' priced at Rs 2.07 crore (ex-showroom all India). The model is powered by a 4-litre engine, which produces a power of 612 hp. It is the 12th model available in India from the AMG performance car range of the company, Mercedes-Benz India said in a statement. Commenting on the launch, Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director & CEO Martin Schwenk said, "AMG portfolio remains the fastest-growing segment for us and the launch of the 'AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ Coupe' reinforces our strong presence in the luxury performance segment". The model is also equipped with a 48-volt hybrid system that produces an additional 22 hp of output. The all-wheel-drive vehicle is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/hr in just 3.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 280 km/hr, the company said. It has safety features like airbags all around the cabin, blind spot assist, active brake assist, 3-stage .

Tata Motors to launch mini SUV 'Punch' this festive season

Homegrown auto major Tata Motors on Monday said it will launch its mini SUV Punch in the ongoing festive season. Punch is based on the H2X concept, which Tata Motors had showcased at the Auto Expo 2020. It will be positioned below the company's compact SUV Nexon and is expected to hit the market around Diwali this year. Slated for "national launch this festive season", Tata Motors in a statement said Punch will offer a mix of "tough utility with sporting dynamics". It, however, did not disclose further details. Tata Motors President Passenger Vehicle Business Unit Shailesh Chandra said, "Tata PUNCH, as the name suggests, is an energetic vehicle with a capability to go anywhere". He further said, "True to the SUV genes of all Tata Motors' products and catering to the needs of customers, who are looking for a compact city car with pure SUV characteristics, Punch will be the fourth addition to our SUV family, widening the range of options for all to choose from". It is the first SUV

Honda Cars ties up with Canara Bank to offer finance options to customers

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) on Monday said it has joined hands with Canara Bank to offer retail finance schemes to customers. The partnership facilitates HCIL customers to avail easy financing options and hassle free car loans from Canara Bank for purchase of models like Amaze, City, Jazz and WR-V, the company said in a statement. Special schemes for the auspicious festivities have also been offered to make this buying season even more attractive and rewarding, it added. The automaker said it has been partnering with multiple banks to offer such schemes across the country with a special focus on semi-urban to rural regions. The partnership with Canara Bank is an extension of our efforts towards enabling easy and convenient financing solutions for our customers. We always endeavour to enhance customer experience right from the point of purchase through years of car ownership. "We are confident that the tie-up with Canara Bank will help us meet the diverse finance requirements of ou

Covid-fuelled semiconductor crunch chips away at carmakers

After being forced to close plants last year as the pandemic took hold, carmakers are now facing stiff competition from the sprawling consumer electronics industry for chip deliveries

HMSI drives in all new bike CB200X, tagged at Rs 1.44 lakh

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) on Thursday launched an all-new model CB200X in the country, tagged at Rs 1.44 lakh (ex-showroom Gurugram). The new model is a carefully crafted machine for everyday usage as much as it is for exploring the roads less travelled, the two-wheeler major said. "Keeping in mind the evolving lifestyle of the Indian youth, the urban explorer - CB200X gives today's youngsters a riding experience that pushes them to explore more. Built to excite riders, CB200X offers a perfect riding companion for their daily city rides and short weekend getaways beyond the cityscapes," HMSI Managing Director, President & CEO Atsushi Ogata said. The bike comes powered by a Bharat Stage-VI compliant advanced 184 cc engine. Other features include an all-LED lighting setup, fully digital liquid crystal meter, and split seat, among others. HMSI Director, Sales & Marketing, Yadvinder Singh Guleria said the CB200X is a classic urban explorer at heart developed for ...