Indian Auto Industry Update

14 Oct 2017

IndustryHuge Discounts pouring on automobiles to boost festive sales

Cars bikes and gadgets making waves this Diwali

Interviews amp FeaturesMaruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Vs 2017 Tata Nexon Can Tataacirceurotrades new kid challenge Marutiacirceurotrades rockstar

Cars SUVs MUVsFord India overtakes Hyundai to become largest passenger vehicle exporter in H1 of FY18

Volkswagens Vijay Kamath honoured amongst one of Indias Finest in-house counsel

MampM launches KUV100 NXT with 40 new features at Rs 45 lakh

Luxury CarsTata-JLR brings the art of performance tour to Nagpur

BMW India introduces BMW M Performance Training Program in Bengaluru

Commercial VehiclesVolvo Trucks eyes the Construction Segment

Ashok Leyland receives stay order against disqualification of its directors

Volvo uncertain over CV sales growth in acirceurotrade17-18

Construction amp Agri Machinery23 Wheelers

Kawasaki may unveil a supercharged sport tourer at 2017 EICMA

Harley sees growing leisure motorcycle segment in India and China Peter Mackenzie MD

E-BikesComponentsAllied IndustriesEmissions Environment

NGT lifts ban on 10-yr-old diesel vehicles in some parts of UP

Finance amp InsuranceShriram Automall partners with SBI for its SME segment

Oil Lubricants amp Alternative FuelsMP govt cuts VAT on petrol and diesel

Oil rises on tighter US market strong China imports

HPCL to sell lubricants in Myanmar

News MagazinesNew Mercedes A-class to be unveiled at 2018 Geneva motor show

New Yamaha Gordon Murray iStream sportscar concept to debut at Tokyo

2017 Suzuki Gixxer SF ABS review test ride

International NewsGM suppliers to invest $500 mln in Argentina to produce new model

Tricked out Pickup trucks get more luxurious

Norway seeks Tesla tax on electric cars

EU regulators okay Valeo bid for FTE with conditions

Canada union head GM threatens to move production to Mexico

China auto sales weaken further in September

Tesla to recall 11000 Model X SUVs due to seat issue

GM to scale back production at Detroit sedan plant

Canadian union says it will not back down on GM strike

Fords China sales stuck in first gear as rivals overtake

Volkswagen to make brands more distinct to boost efficiency

Mercedes-Benz JVs to recall over 350000 vehicles in China

Slovenia sets tough emissions limits for cars

BMW Great Wall confirm Chinese Mini production talks

VWs Skoda committed to Czech Republic plans to add jobs

VW to develop electric trucks in $17 bln technology drive

BMW eyes possible electric vehicle joint venture in China

General Motors reaches tentative deal with striking Canada workers

EconomyRupee strengthens to 6486 on IIP retail inflation data

Forex reserves fall by $8622 mn to $398794 bn

Nifty ends at all-time high of 1016745 Sensex spurts 250 points to 32433

Narendra Modi government to easily meet Rs 72500 cr disinvestment target but LIC ONGC help is not kosher

ClosingLast Financial Closing

Industry

Huge Discounts pouring on automobiles to boost festive sales Deepanshu TaumarThe Economic Times (Web Edition)

New Delhi It may be a cheerful festive season for automakers as dispatches have increased because dealers have stocked up inanticipation of strong sales But on the other side of the meadow the grass seems to be a little dry as automobile dealers acrossvarious regions are seeing a fall in demand when compared to the last festive season

The overall sentiment seems to be low across the country because of high fuel prices and the overall slowdown in the economy Toboost festive demand various automakers have come-up with exciting offers to woo buyers

Some are offering scratch cards silver coins cash discounts and free insurance Interestingly the dealer in Tamil NaduamprsquosSivaganga district was offering a goat with a Hero Scooter This innovative scheme was launched at the dealership level and wasclosed after the sale of 100 units

Industry experts believe there was the lot of pre-buying during the first half of the year because of various reasons Fortwo-wheelers it was BS-IV implementation and for passenger vehicles it was GST implementation as a lot of large car and SUVbuyers took advantage of the low GST rate

Going by the top dealers across the country only a few brands which had bookings of their popular models are having a good timeOthers are seeing subdued overall sales

A dealer from Kolkata Saurabh Kedia Director Kedia Group said The overall sentiment is low in the market Demand duringDurga pooja and dusehra was good But we are not seeing much traction for Diwali

While talking about the demand in Delhi NCR two of the dealers confirmed that the overall demand and footfall has fallen comparedto the last festive season However a dealer who owns dealership of popular brands is seeing good traction

Nikunj Sanghi MD JS Fourwheel Motors feels that Dusehra was better and there is demand pull for Diwali We had a goodmonsoon so overall the demand is there Few counters are seeing very good sales primarily for two-wheelers

A two wheeler-dealer from Mumbai said that the fall in demand was because a lot of buyers who did not even want to buy atwo-wheeler bought one prior to BS-VI implementation Due to which they are observing a fall in retail sales during the festiveseason

Abdul Majeed Partner PricewaterhouseCooper India said The demand weight is towards new and popular products So thedemand wave may vary across various brands Talking about the market sentiment it is good till now as effects of demonetisationhave waived off and further good monsoon will help to increase the purchasing power of the consumers

Check out the offers of different automakers for this Diwali1 Maruti Suzuki Countrys largest carmaker is offering discounts and benefits from Rs 20000 to Rs 75000 depending on themodel and variant To be more specific the carmaker is offering a discount of over Rs 35000 - Rs 54000 for different variants ofAlto Similarly the carmaker is offering benefits of up to Rs 59000 in form of insurance and exchange bonus on its Wagon R

2 Honda Cars India Japanese carmaker Honda Cars is offering a discount of Rs 50000- Rs 55000 on Amaze While giving outfree insurance on its premium hatchback Jazz Moreover it offers benefits of up to Rs 1 lakh and 3-year warrantyunlimited km onBR-V

3 Hyundai Known for feature-rich cars Hyundai Motor India is giving benefits on Eon i20 i10 and Xcent of Rs 60000 Rs 25000Rs 90000 and Rs 50000 respectively

4 Mahindra amp Mahindra Countrys largest Utility vehicle manufacturer is offering a discount in the range of Rs 20000 - Rs 70000across models The carmaker is also offering a finance scheme for its popular rural product Bolero

5 Tata Motors The carmaker is offering 1 gold coin assured and a chance to win gold coin of 10gm or gold up to Rs 1 lakh on thepurchase of its compact sedan Tigor

6 Jaguar Land Rover The luxury arm of Tata Motors is giving out discount in the range of Rs 25 lakh and Rs 65 lakhs for itsmodels like XC and XJL

7 Hero Motor The two-wheeler manufacturer is offering a cashback of Rs 4000 if the scooter is booked through the paytm mall Itis also giving a cash discount of Rs 1500 for government employees and gifting 75gm silver coin on purchase of its scooter MaestroEdge

8 Bajaj Auto Home-grown motorcycle manufacturer is offering a cash discount of Rs 2500 across various models of Bajaj with anattractive zero percent scheme

9 Suzuki two-wheelers The lucky buyer of Suzuki two-wheeler can get a gold coin or a watch

10 Yamaha The Japanese two-wheeler maker is giving a scratch card where the customer stands a chance to win prizes of uptoRs 450000 httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryhuge-discounts-pouring-on-automobiles-to-boost-festive-sales61069772

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Cars bikes and gadgets making waves this DiwaliP Tharyan Business Standard (Web amp Print Edition) This festive season car and bike manufacturers are treating you to smarter and more stylish products P Tharyan selects thetrendiest wheels of them all Porsche 911 GT3 Got the cash Youamprsquoll set the speed This Porsche is powered by a 4-litre six-cylinder boxer engine that churns out 493 bhpand develops 540 Nm of peak torque It comes in two trims a 7-speed PDK automatic and a 6-speed manual gearbox Theautomatic can hit 0-100 kmph in 34 seconds with a top speed of 318 kmph The manual takes 05 seconds more for the sprint buthas a higher top speed of 320 kmph Maruti Suzuki all-new S-CrossMaruti Suzuki has done away with the DDis 320 16-litre diesel engine in the new S-Cross and only retained the DDiD 200 13-litrediesel version The new model also comes with a smart hybrid technology Skoda KodiaqThis newly-launched SUV has a length of 470 m a seven-seat configuration and the largest boot in its class Offered in only onetrim level the car is powered by a 20L 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel TDI engine that churns out 150 horses and belts out 340Nmof peak torque VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT How to make a good thing better The new luxury sedan is based on the MQB platform Powering the car is a 20-litre 4-cylinderTDI diesel mill that turns around 176bhp The engine comes mated to a 6-speed automatic DSG transmission NEW HONDA CBR650F This one comes with enhanced riding dynamics aggressive styling and a wilder induction roar The bike has a sleek aerodynamicfairing and specially designed air ducts Powering the motorcycle is a 649cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine and a new 6-speedshort ratio gearbox It sports a new LED headlight revised Nissin brake callipers Showa Dual Bending Valve fork and a bronzedengine and head covers httpwwwbusiness-standardcomarticlecompaniescars-bikes-and-gadgets-making-waves-this-diwali-117101301284_1html

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Check out the offers of different automakers for this Diwali1 Maruti Suzuki Countrys largest carmaker is offering discounts and benefits from Rs 20000 to Rs 75000 depending on themodel and variant To be more specific the carmaker is offering a discount of over Rs 35000 - Rs 54000 for different variants ofAlto Similarly the carmaker is offering benefits of up to Rs 59000 in form of insurance and exchange bonus on its Wagon R

2 Honda Cars India Japanese carmaker Honda Cars is offering a discount of Rs 50000- Rs 55000 on Amaze While giving outfree insurance on its premium hatchback Jazz Moreover it offers benefits of up to Rs 1 lakh and 3-year warrantyunlimited km onBR-V

3 Hyundai Known for feature-rich cars Hyundai Motor India is giving benefits on Eon i20 i10 and Xcent of Rs 60000 Rs 25000Rs 90000 and Rs 50000 respectively

4 Mahindra amp Mahindra Countrys largest Utility vehicle manufacturer is offering a discount in the range of Rs 20000 - Rs 70000across models The carmaker is also offering a finance scheme for its popular rural product Bolero

5 Tata Motors The carmaker is offering 1 gold coin assured and a chance to win gold coin of 10gm or gold up to Rs 1 lakh on thepurchase of its compact sedan Tigor

6 Jaguar Land Rover The luxury arm of Tata Motors is giving out discount in the range of Rs 25 lakh and Rs 65 lakhs for itsmodels like XC and XJL

7 Hero Motor The two-wheeler manufacturer is offering a cashback of Rs 4000 if the scooter is booked through the paytm mall Itis also giving a cash discount of Rs 1500 for government employees and gifting 75gm silver coin on purchase of its scooter MaestroEdge

8 Bajaj Auto Home-grown motorcycle manufacturer is offering a cash discount of Rs 2500 across various models of Bajaj with anattractive zero percent scheme

9 Suzuki two-wheelers The lucky buyer of Suzuki two-wheeler can get a gold coin or a watch

10 Yamaha The Japanese two-wheeler maker is giving a scratch card where the customer stands a chance to win prizes of uptoRs 450000 httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryhuge-discounts-pouring-on-automobiles-to-boost-festive-sales61069772

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Cars bikes and gadgets making waves this DiwaliP Tharyan Business Standard (Web amp Print Edition) This festive season car and bike manufacturers are treating you to smarter and more stylish products P Tharyan selects thetrendiest wheels of them all Porsche 911 GT3 Got the cash Youamprsquoll set the speed This Porsche is powered by a 4-litre six-cylinder boxer engine that churns out 493 bhpand develops 540 Nm of peak torque It comes in two trims a 7-speed PDK automatic and a 6-speed manual gearbox Theautomatic can hit 0-100 kmph in 34 seconds with a top speed of 318 kmph The manual takes 05 seconds more for the sprint buthas a higher top speed of 320 kmph Maruti Suzuki all-new S-CrossMaruti Suzuki has done away with the DDis 320 16-litre diesel engine in the new S-Cross and only retained the DDiD 200 13-litrediesel version The new model also comes with a smart hybrid technology Skoda KodiaqThis newly-launched SUV has a length of 470 m a seven-seat configuration and the largest boot in its class Offered in only onetrim level the car is powered by a 20L 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel TDI engine that churns out 150 horses and belts out 340Nmof peak torque VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT How to make a good thing better The new luxury sedan is based on the MQB platform Powering the car is a 20-litre 4-cylinderTDI diesel mill that turns around 176bhp The engine comes mated to a 6-speed automatic DSG transmission NEW HONDA CBR650F This one comes with enhanced riding dynamics aggressive styling and a wilder induction roar The bike has a sleek aerodynamicfairing and specially designed air ducts Powering the motorcycle is a 649cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine and a new 6-speedshort ratio gearbox It sports a new LED headlight revised Nissin brake callipers Showa Dual Bending Valve fork and a bronzedengine and head covers httpwwwbusiness-standardcomarticlecompaniescars-bikes-and-gadgets-making-waves-this-diwali-117101301284_1html

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Interviews amp Features

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Vs 2017 Tata Nexon Can Tataacirceurotrades new kid challenge Marutiacirceurotrades rockstar Dipayan DuttaThe Financial Express (Web Edition)

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza rules the sub-compact SUV space a space that was created by Fordamprsquos EcoSport back in 2013The Ford although initially successful began to lose the public gaze as the Brezza settled into the market Ever since this space hasbeen mainly Brezza territory and no one else really else in the segment seems to be making a dent Now however thereamprsquosa new kid on the block the Tata Nexon Line both up and the Nexon will definitely grab your attention We love the fact that in itsjourney from a concept that took our breath away at the 2014 Auto Expo to the creation it lost very little It still looks like a conceptwith those bulky wheel arches chunky 16-inch tyres and that coupe-style fastback roof-line In comparison the Maruti VitaraBrezzaamprsquos very well defined boxy SUV design looks almost a tad bland But looks are subjective and the BrezzaamprsquosSUV design has held it in good stead in the market thus far The question is then whether the Tata Nexon is more than just anotherpretty face especially considering that it undercuts the Brezza by a considerable sum

DimensionsIn terms of basic dimensions both these sub-compact SUVs push the 4-metre barrier almost to the ragged edge Both are almostidentical in terms of length with the Nexon at 3994 mm and the Brezza pushing the envelope at 3995 mm The Brezza at 1640 mmis taller than the Nexon which measures at 1607 mm thanks to its trick roofline Even in terms of width the two are barely within2cms of each other with the Nexon being wider at 1811 mm in comparison to the Brezzaamprsquos 1790 mm width Overallhowever in laymans terms the Nexon uses a lot of cool design tricks like lower seating in the cabin (although this doesnamprsquotdetract from the slightly commanding driving position) and a high door line in the back to compensate for the sloping rooflineHowever the Brezzaamprsquos flat roofline does make for a roomier feeling in the cabin and better headroom When it comes toSUVs compact sub-compact or regular the headline in dimensions is the boot space and here again the Nexon wins with 30 litresmore than the Brezzaamprsquos 328-litre boot Although in the interest of a well-rounded comparison it is noteworthy that theBrezzaamprsquos boot is easier to load Both Boots can be folded with 6040 splits to liberate boot space

Interiors And FeaturesOn paper both these cars are almost matched in terms of features on offer Depending on what youamprsquore willing to spend onyour Nexon or Brezza both get touchscreen infotainment systems climate control and cooled glove box Brezza gets two individualboxes while the Nexon gets a single large cooled and lit glove box with a removable tray for tablets cellphones and laptops withboth having bottle holders in the door pockets The Nexon also gets an umbrella holder that channels water from a wet umbrella outof the car through the door pocket In the end the Nexon is just a more interesting place to be in

The dash gets a mix of rubberised plastic and a silver gloss finished plastic that adds character The buttons and knobs all feelreally premium to use and touch overall the Nexon is a game changer in terms of the way we look at Tata interiors The tambourstyle sliding door between the drivers and passenger seat just builds on that premium charm The party piece however still is thecentrally-top mounted Display on the Nexon which is built in with Tataamprsquos ConnectNext system but in a cooler avatar and iscompatible with Android Auto Mirrorlink and Apple CarPlay The Brezza only gets Apple CarPlay as of now In terms of Interiorsand features weamprsquod have to give it to Tataamprsquos Nexon beating the Brezza simply in terms of being fresher in terms ofaesthetic appeal However the Brezza does offer a more spacious cabin environment The Tata Nexonamprsquos Harman sourcedspeakers too are significantly better than those in the Maruti Brezza

Engine And PerformanceThis is where the Nexon starts to take a clear lead The Nexon is available in two engine options a 12-litre turbocharged petrolmotor that makes about 108 hp and about 190 Nm of torque and a more torquey 15-litre diesel engine that makes 108 hp and 260Nm of torque Pit that against the Brezzaamprsquos single-engine-option a 13-litre diesel motor that makes 90 hp and 200 Nm oftorque and there is a considerable bridge between the two It is important to note that the Brezza is no slouch since it is about 100kilos lighter than the Nexon The only noticeable lag in the engine is in the lower revs where it might ask you to shift down a fewmore times than youamprsquod like The Tata Nexon gets three drive modes City Eco and Sport which vary the engine maps to giveyou either more mileage more power or a mix of both although the Nexon does miss out on Cruise Control that the Brezza has Interms of the way the engine and gear ratios have been laid out the Nexon is definitely more engaging to drive but it is important tonote that the Brezzaamprsquos Fiat sourced motors might just be one of the most reliable small diesel engines ever built

VerdictIn terms of safety both cars are almost evenly matched the Nexon gets two airbags in the front as standard The Brezza gets oneand upper variants get two Both have ABS systems with electronic brake-force distribution or EBD Which brings us to the Verdictand honestly it is a very close one Maruti-Suzukiamprsquos brand presence in India is almost an enigma match that to a reliableengine and sturdy design and it pretty much explains why the Brezza has been topping the charts thus far The Nexon however is atrue challenger and it has all makings of a successful vehicle - great build exciting design exceptional features and if thatamprsquosnot reason enough to pick the Nexon the fully-loaded Nexon diesel retails for Rs 50000 less than the Brezza This means thatoverall the Nexon is definitely worth a strong consideration and our winner for this comparo Despite it all the Brezza would stillappeal to a larger number of buyers With the launch of the refreshed Ecosport just around the corner itll be interesting to see whotakes the crown in this three-way fighthttpwwwfinancialexpresscomautoreviewsmaruti-suzuki-vitara-brezza-vs-2017-tata-nexon-can-tatas-new-kid-challenge-marutis-rockstar892548

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Cars SUVs MUVs

Ford India overtakes Hyundai to become largest passenger vehicle exporter in H1 of FY18

Shobha MathurThe Economic Times (Web Edition)

New Delhi Indian subsidiary of American carmaker Ford India has overtaken the countryamprsquos largest passenger vehicleexporter Hyundai Motor India in exports during the April-September 2017 (H1) period

While Ford India leads the PV exports at 82347 units a year-on-year growth of 1155 per cent over 73821 units in the same periodlast year Hyundai Motor India experienced a de-growth of 194 per cent to 70525 units (87499 units) to slide to the second slot inthe pecking order of the top 10 passenger vehicle exporters

A Hyundai spokesperson said that the demand in the domestic market had increased hence the company was focusing onmeeting the local requirements first in line with the governmentamprsquos Make in India vision

Also Hyundai has set up manufacturing facilities in multiple locations across South Korea Czechoslovakia Russia the US Turkeyand China to cater to the global demand and therefore exports from India have reduced

Meanwhile exports of PVs were in the red marginally by 134 per cent during the first half of FY18 to 362092 units Overall theautomotive industry grew 1071 per cent in exports to 1946420 units

A close third in PV exports was Maruti Suzuki India at 60063 units a decline of 077 per cent in the period under review (60526units) But the carmaker maintained its status quo in terms of ranking

Shrikant Akolkar Senior Automotive Analyst of Angel Brokerage said capacity constraints have limited exports for Maruti SuzukiBut now with second shift operations starting in the Suzuki Motor Gujarat plant from October more Baleno compact cars can beexported from the Mundra Port in the state

The companyamprsquos Gujarat plant makes the Baleno that is exported to Europe and Japan The European markets are alsobelieved to have recovered post the economic slowdown in 2012-13 with Suzuki Motor Corp growing 225 per cent in exports inEurope till August in CY2017 he added

A notch up the ladder and edging out Nissan India from the fourth slot was Volkswagen India with exports of 50410 units and agrowth of 1692 per cent compared to 43114 units exported in the first half of FY17

Even after shutting down its Indian manufacturing operations and selling its Halol plant to MG Motor India a subsidiary of Chineseautomaker SAIC Motor Corp General Motors India continues to export its Beat hatchback and sedan to the left-hand drive LatinAmerica markets from its Talegaon facility in Maharashtra

It comes at fifth rank in the pecking order up one notch with exports of 45222 units growing 4772 per cent (30647 units) which isthe second-highest export growth witnessed by any PV maker in this fiscal

With a 3510 per cent decline in exports at 32198 units (49611 units) Nissan India dropped to sixth position in the top 10 exporterslist of H1FY18 from its earlier fourth rank in H1FY17

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) comes at seventh rank with exports at 8393 units and a growth of 1976 per cent compared to 7008units in H1FY17 TKM is a distant third in terms of export growth after Renault India and GM India

Renault India is up one slot to eighth rank with exports at 6238 units (3938 units) and a growth of 5841 per cent the highestexport push experienced by any carmaker during 2017-18

Mahindra amp Mahindra slipped one position to rank nine with exports of 3024 units (5913 units) a de-growth of 4886 per centHonda Cars India maintained its status quo at the tenth slot with exports of 2724 units (2352 units) and a growth of 801 per cent

Overall carmakers like Renault Nissan Volkswagen and Ford have been actively pushing exports from India as the local marketgets more competitive with new models crowding the marketplace from mass market players

These manufacturers are also finding good traction in the overseas markets like Latin America and Africa that are growing at a fastpace

So expect more action in the future

httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryford-india-overtakes-hyundai-to-become-largest-passenger-vehicle-exporter-in-h1-of-fy1861061667

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Volkswagens Vijay Kamath honoured amongst one of Indias Finest in-house counsel The Economic Times (Web Edition)

New Delhi The Indian subsidary of German carmaker Volkswagen today announced the recognition conferred upon Vijay KamathCompany Secretary and Head of Legal and Governance for Risk and Compliance by Indian Corporate Counsel Association (ICCA)as one of amplsquoIndiaamprsquos Finest In-house Counselamprsquo on October 6 2017

Kamath was felicitated at a gala event organised in New Delhi which was graced by senior bureaucrats and dignitaries from theMinistry of Commerce amp Industry the Department of Law amp Justice and legal fraternity from In-house Counsel Worldwide (ICW)

This was the second recognition that Kamath has received after being named as one of the ampldquoTop 100 General Counsels in

Indiaamprdquo last year in the GC Powerlist India published by Legal-500 an international law research agency

On receiving the award Vijay Kamath Head Legal amp GRC Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Limited said ampldquoI amextremely humbled to be recognised at such a prestigious forum which honours Indiaamprsquos Finest In-house counsels I wouldlike to dedicate this award to my exceptionally talented team who has constantly been my backbone and support over the yearsEarlier this year our team was also recognized as one of the Best Legal Teams (Small Size) in India by IDEX a leading IndianLegal research agency These recognitions are a testament to the commitment and hard work of my teamamprdquo

Steffen Knapp Director Volkswagen Passenger Cars India said ampldquoAt Volkswagen talent is at the core of our success and weare determined to provide the best quality services scripting a long-term success story for the brand in India and indeed it can onlycome from our biggest asset our employees We are extremely proud of Vijay and are delighted to have a pool of talented ampdedicated employees at each of our respective verticalsamprdquo

Volkswagen Group India constantly strives to invest in a talented pool of such employees and encourages them with various humandevelopment initiatives such as self-assessment centres leadership training modules emerging talent programs and technicaltrainings to name a few

httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryvolkswagens-vijay-kamath-honoured-amongst-one-of-indias-finest-in-house-counsel61068874

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MampM launches KUV100 NXT with 40 new features at Rs 45 lakh PTI See this story inBusiness Standard (Web Edition)

Bhopal Automobile major Mahindra amp Mahindra Ltd (MampM) on Friday launched a new model of its sports utility vehicle KUV100

The updated version KUV100 NXT is packed with 40 new features the company said

The KUV100 NXT has created a new category within the SUV segment in the price range of Rs 45-75 lakh We have managed tosuccessfully launch the new model within 21 months (of launch of KUV100) after seeking feedback from various quarters thecompanys senior general manager sales Deepak Kapoor told reporters here

Available in five variants the SUV comes with 40 new features including hi-tech ones like touchscreen infotainment system withGPS navigation and new driver information system with voice alert among others

The company has sold 60000 units of KUV100 across the country including 3000 in Madhya Pradesh since its launch in January2016 Kapoor said

The car is available in eight colours and has both diesel and petrol options he added

The company commands 41 per cent market share in the SUV segment in the state Kapoor addedhttpwwwbusiness-standardcomarticlecompaniesm-m-launches-new-model-of-kuv100-117101300598_1html

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Luxury Cars

Tata-JLR brings the art of performance tour to Nagpur The Economic Times (Web Edition)

New Delhi The luxury arm of Tata Motors today announced that it will bring perfromance tour to Nagpur after the successful launchof the Art of Performance tour in Aamby Valley

The luxury carmaker has brought similar performnce tour to Ahmedabad Indore Jaipur Gurugram Karnal Chandigarh NoidaLucknow Bengaluru Chennai Vijayawada and Hyderabad

The perfromance tour will give customers the opportunity to experience what it is like to get behind the wheel of a Jaguar under theguidance of expert instructors

Guests including prospects aspiring to own the iconic brand will experience Jaguaramprsquos unique offering that combinesexhilarating performance in an ambience of seductive luxury that truly excites the senses

The entire range of Jaguar vehicles the XE XF XJ F-PACE and F-TYPE will be available for the guests to experience The evententails a series of specially designed track exercises on an open tarmac

The event is scheduled on 14th amp 15th October at Mihan Road Mihan Nagpur 441108httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsaftermarkettata-jlr-brings-the-art-of-performance-tour-to-nagpur61068752

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BMW India introduces BMW M Performance Training Program in Bengaluru The Economic Times (Web Edition)

New Delhi The Indian arm of German luxury car manufacturer BMW India today introduced amplsquoBMW M PerformanceTrainingamprsquo in Bengaluru The exclusive driver training program will demonstrate the performance of the BMW M car range on13 October 2017

Bengaluru is the third city to host the amplsquoBMW M Performance Trainingamprsquo After Bengaluru amplsquoBMW M PerformanceTrainingamprsquo will be held in Chennai

amplsquoBMW M Performance Trainingamprsquo program is a specially designed full-day event by BMW driving experts on renownedrace tracks in India Performance car enthusiasts can test and hone their driving skills while experiencing the dynamic nature ofBMW M models

The amplsquoBMW M Performance Trainingamprsquo program will involve various driving conditions such as cornering high-speedstraights and dynamic braking and avoidance manoeuvres dual lane changes oversteering understeering and timed slalomdramatic changes in elevation

The BMW M3 Sedan the BMW M4 Coupe the BMW M5 Sedan the BMW M6 Gran Coupe the BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M willcarry adrenaline levels to new heights with their prowess Thus guaranteeing a drive filled with pure unadulterated excitement andamplsquoSheer Driving Pleasureamprsquo

Vikram Pawah President BMW Group India said ampldquoThe BMW M Performance Training program has been helping driversimprove their skills become safer drivers and experience the ultimate driving machines Under the guidance of professional BMWinstructors drivers will experience safe driving both on and off race track The thoroughbred high-performance sports cars BMWM blends refined motorsport genes and undiluted motor racing technology for an unparalleled driving pleasureamprdquo

BMW M Automobiles are produced by BMW M GmbH (a subsidiary of BMW AG) Sophisticated technology individuality and safety- the BMW M cars offer an unmatched experience of exclusive high-performance driving

Presently the M range in India includes the BMW M3 Sedan the BMW M4 Coupe the BMW M5 Sedan the BMW M6 Gran Coupethe BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M

httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsaftermarketbmw-india-introduces-bmw-m-performance-training-program-in-bengaluru61069029

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Commercial Vehicles

Volvo Trucks eyes the Construction Segment The Economic Times

New Delhi Volvo Trucks is eyeing the Construction business and providing customers with solutions that will accelerate theprogress of their business according to a company statement

Volvo Trucks in Construction ie Road Construction Irrigation Quarry Marble mirrors their long-term intent to offer modern trucksthat will redefine the Indian trucking experience

Globally Volvo trucks has a strong presence and have practices in construction which could be brought to India and leveraged fortheir customers In the year 2016 they entered the Construction space and have seeded close to 100+ of their products in keyconstruction businesses like Road Construction Irrigation Marble and Granite mining

Volvo Trucks competes in the premium European segment with an offering that maximizes productivity

Vinod Aggarwal Managing Director amp CEO VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd said ampldquoThe customers now are more consciousabout the cost per ton and they care more about total cost of the ownership over its life-cycle With progressive economic policieslike GST increased investments into infrastructure projects there are more opportunities for Volvo trucks in India as customers arewilling to opt for highly productive and efficient transport solutions That is important for us as for us at Volvo Trucks all ourofferings emerge from the customersamprsquo needs and end with their satisfaction with a focus on customersamprsquosuccessamprdquo

Volvo FMX a robust dependable and high capacity tipper is a solution when it comes to execute large construction projects intough operating conditions The superior engine technology and intelligent I-Shift transmission ensures high fuel efficiency andlowest cost per ton

A truck built for the toughest working conditions on earth Swift efficient transportation of large loads without getting bogged downIt has also been developed to make driving construction applications easier and safer

The big road and infrastructure projects require handling of large quantities of material over long distances in efficient manner where

tractor trailers can be used

Dinakar B Senior Vice President ampndash Sales Marketing amp Aftermarket Volvo Trucks India VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd saidampldquoToday we have a range of solutions for Mining Quarry and Road Construction Itamprsquos a growing set of solutions andwe would keep adding to it With the latest technologies support network and a team of highly skilled employees we are geared upto raise the current standards of productivity efficiency and reliability in construction segment to support our customers in achievinghigher operational efficiency and savings with timely delivery of projectsamprdquohttpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewscommercial-vehiclemhcvvolvo-trucks-eyes-the-construction-segment61069620

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Ashok Leyland receives stay order against disqualification of its directors Gireesh BabuBusiness Standard (Web Edition)

Chennai Ashok Leyland has said that it has received a stay order from the High Court of Delhi against the direction of Ministry ofCorporate Affairs disqualifying its directors from acting as directors of the companies There were reports that the name of VinodDasari managing director of the company has found its place in the list of directors disqualified by the MCA earlier

The company in a regulatory filing without naming the director said that the directors of the company had filed a petition onOctober 10 2017 with the High Court of Delhi and the court has stayed the MCAs direction till the next date of hearing which isNovember 1 2017 The matter has also been brought to the notice of the Board of Directors of the company it saidhttpwwwbusiness-standardcomarticlecompaniesashok-leyland-receives-stay-order-against-disqualification-of-its-directors-117101301234_1html

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Volvo uncertain over CV sales growth in acirceurotrade17-18 The Times of India (Delhi Print Edition)

Bengaluru Swedish truck and bus maker Volvo remains uncertain about growth of the Indian commercial vehicles market this yearas the industry grapples with headwinds including demonetisation and GST

Sales in the industry often seen as an indicator of economic growth fell about 23 and 7 in the first two months of the fiscal buthas since rebounded Commercial vehicle sales rose 253 in September to touch 77195 units the fastest pace in nearly sixyears according to data from industry lobby group Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam)

ampldquoWe were down at the start but have now rebounded On the whole sales are flat compared to last year It is difficult to say(about the immediate future)amprdquo Vinod Aggarwal managing director and chief executive of VE Commercial Vehicles said Thecompany is also focusing on the construction segment specially road construction irrigation and quarry to diversify its portfolio

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Construction amp Agri Machinery

23 Wheelers

Kawasaki may unveil a supercharged sport tourer at 2017 EICMANaveen SoniThe Times of India

A recently released teaser by Kawasaki Motors hints that the company is coming up with a new supercharged motorcycle at the2016 EICMA (Milan Motor Show)

A report on MCN suggests that the upcoming bike will be a sport tourer based on the existing Ninja H2 and will be called Ninja H2SX The upcoming bike will use the standard road-going model of the supercharged machine as its base that offers 200PS of powerusing a 1000cc inline-four coupled with a very advanced variable geometry (vane) supercharger

As the motor already delivers most of its output in low and mid-range there might not be any need to re-map the engine whileergonomics will be definitely revised to make it comfortable for long rides As the Ninja H2 is a very aggressive supersportmotorcycle the Japanese bikemaker might had work a lot to make it compatible for touring The most basic changes will include aredesigned sear new handlebar and revised footpeg positioning

The front fairing of the motorcycle is also expected to be redesigned and the bike will definitely offer compatibility of saddle storagesif its a touring motorcycle

There is no need to mention that Kawasaki will be offering this next-generation touring motorcycle with top spec suspension and

brakes like the existing Ninja H2 The upcoming bike will also share most of the advanced technologies and features like a six-axisinertial measurement unit (IMU) cornering ABS multi-level traction control a number of riding modes launch control steeringdamper quick shifter and others with its supersport sibling Besides that the sport tourer version of the H2 may also get cruisercontrol for more comfortable journeys

Talking about the competition it will be locking horns with some of the top-notch touring machines like the new Honda GoldwingKTM 1290 Super Duke GT and the BMW K 1600 GTLhttpstimesofindiaindiatimescomautobikeskawasaki-may-unveil-a-supercharged-sport-tourer-at-2017-eicmaarticleshow61064253cms

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Harley sees growing leisure motorcycle segment in India and China Peter Mackenzie MD Naveen SoniThe Times of India

Harley-Davidson on Thursday launched four new motorcycles -- Street Bob Fat Bob Fat Boy and Heritage Classic -- in India underits Softail range The new Softail bikes start at Rs 1199 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and are much different from their outgoingversions in the terms of both aesthetics and engineering

On the occasion of the launch we got to meet and talk to H-Ds new managing director for both India and China operations PeterMackenzie who told us about likes and dislikes of both the markets and answered our questions on the leisure motorcyclesegment

What is the challenge you feel in the term of difference in the markets of India and China

Strategy for both the markets remains the same and thats the same as the global strategy has to be more accessible morerelevant to cater the next generation of the Harley riders So the strategy remains same around the world China or India

There are probably two things on notice The first thing within China the leisure motorcycle riding is still evolving as well as here inIndia But in India one can ride these motorcycles n road in tier I cities thats the not a case in China most cities have ridingrestrictions there So people possessioning Harley mostly as a lifestyle product Here in India things are different people actuallyuse to commuting on motorcycles So thats the cultural difference

The thing that remains constant is people have expectations around the world that they want great products great service and greatexperience and thats constant in India and China as well

What are your plans for platform sharing which most of the global manufacturers are doing right now

We dont explain much on the future products What I can tell you is that we took the Dyna and Sportster platform for great newproducts launched on one platform I think thats an example how we continue to evolve and listen to our customer requirements

Which leisure motorcycle manufacturer you see as a strong competitor in India (Triumph Motorcycles of Indian Motorcycle)

On the challenge point of view I will say that the whole leisure motorcycle customer segment is still growing and evolving here inIndia So whether somebody is growing a competitor part for Harley-Davidson at this stage I still see the market needs to grow

I dont see it as a competition I see as we all are working to grow the sport of leisure motorcycling This stage is a growingopportunity for all of us

What are your plans to make the brand more accessible in India especially when it comes to the riding culture

This year we have lots of activities lots of events happening India Bike Week is coming up Harley groups will continue to do theirrides and other events What we are planning to make it more accessible are more dealerships which are more accessible to thecustomers We like the dealers to create more local events for their customers because they have a more personal touch As amotor company ourselves we cant connect with every individual but the dealerships can So we encourage our dealers for moreride events bring new customers in garage parties weekend rides and other events

How different you feel the advanced products are as compared to the conventional Harleys Will they impress the classic cruiserfans

The new products are much different much better Quicker acceleration better cornering and performance easy to lift off the standa lot of things have been improved

I think the DNA of the heritage is still there we are putting a modern age on the classic style And thats why customers alreadyhaving a classic Harley would like to buy another new onehttpstimesofindiaindiatimescomautomiscellaneousharley-sees-growing-leisure-motorcycle-segment-in-india-and-chinaarticleshow61067411cms

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E-Bikes

Components

Allied Industries

Emissions Environment

NGT lifts ban on 10-yr-old diesel vehicles in some parts of UP PTISee this story in The Economic Times

New Delhi The National Green tribunal today allowed diesel vehicles which are over 10 years old to ply in certain parts of UttarPradesh for a period of three years

The green panel allowed such vehicles to be driven in Muzaffarnagar and some of its neighbouring districts while directing theauthorities to phase them out with CNG vehicles or any other eco-friendly alternative

The tribunal however made it clear that these vehicles would not enter the National Capital Territory

No diesel vehicle over 10 years old will be permitted to ply in the NCT The concerned authorities to take action against thedefaulters a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar

The directions were passed on an application moved by Muzaffarnagar Mini Truck Society which had claimed that all goodsvehicles ran on diesel which was the only fuel available in Muzaffarnagar and its neighbouring districts

The application had also said that unlike Pollution Board in NCT of Delhi no such reports from pollution boards are obtained fromnearby areas of NCT like Muzaffarnagar etc and that the air was less polluted there which is around 130 kilometres away from theCentre

There is no CNG pump and BS-IV compliant pump in Muzaffarnagar Therefore it is not possible for the members of theapplicant-society to switch over andor convert their diesel vehicles to CNG it had said

The NGT had in on September 14 dismissed Centres plea seeking modification of its order banning ten-year-old diesel vehicles inDelhi-NCR

Noting that diesel is the prime source of air pollution in Delhi the tribunal had earlier held that all diesel vehicles which are morethan 10 years old will not be permitted to ply in Delhi-NCR

The green panel had issued an order last year directing the Delhi RTO to deregister all diesel vehicles operating in the city that areover 10 years old httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryngt-lifts-ban-on-10-yr-old-diesel-vehicles-in-some-parts-of-up61071002

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Finance amp Insurance

Shriram Automall partners with SBI for its SME segment ANISee this story in The Economic Times

New Delhi Shriram Automall India Limited (SAMIL) a platform for the exchange of pre-owned vehicles and equipment joinedhands with the State Bank of India (SBI) to extend the benefits of its holistic solutions for the disposal of all types of pre-ownedvehicles and equipment

Under this alliance Shriram Automall will cater to all the segments of the SBI including pre-owned commercial vehiclesconstruction equipment three wheelers and two wheelers

This is a proud moment for all of us at Shriram Automall getting associated with State Bank of India Indias leading bank is a proofthat our professional services for acquisition and disposal of pre-owned vehicles and equipment have been accepted very wellSameer Malhotra CEO Shriram Automall India Limited

With this association we are eyeing to get the maximum benefit through Shriram Automalls expertise in the pre-owned automobilespace We are confident of generating good revenues from our inventory through their effective resale platforms added SurendraRana DGM SBI

The agreement was signed at the SBI Corporate centre Madam Cama Road SBI Bhuvan Nariman Point in Mumbai The serviceprovider will certify the market value of every vehicle and help completely in the decision-making process

Moreover the 247 parking facility will ensure safety of vehicles and refurbishment will increase their market value

httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryshriram-automall-partners-with-sbi-for-its-sme-segment61071829

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Oil Lubricants amp Alternative Fuels

MP govt cuts VAT on petrol and diesel PTISee this story in The Economic Times

Bhopal The Madhya Pradesh government today reduced the value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel by 3 and 5 per centrespectively The state government also withdrew the additional cess of Rs 150 per litre on diesel

Notably the BJP-ruled Gujarat and Maharashtra states had also earlier this week reduced the VAT on these fuels

The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to reduce VAT on petrol by 3 per cent The VAT on diesel is reduced by 5 per centMoreover the additional cess of Rs 150 per litre has also been withdrawn state Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya announced aftera meeting with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The revised rates will be applicable from midnight today he said Now the VAT on petrol has been reduced to 28 per cent from 31per cent and on diesel to 22 per cent from 27 per cent the minister said

Following the rate cut the petrol will be cheaper by about Rs 170 per litre and diesel by about Rs 4 per litre in the state Malaiyasaid The decision would cause a revenue loss of about Rs 1000 crore to the state exchequer in the remaining six months of thecurrent fiscal he said

The chief minister said the decision to cut the VAT was taken in the interest of the public

The decision to cut the prices was taken to provide relief to the common man besides keeping the needs of farmers in mind Thediesel price cut would also reduce the freight rates which would further bring down the prices of commodities Chouhan said

However state Congress spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi said the governments move to cut the prices was just an eyewash

Going by the crude oil prices in global market the petrol price should be less than Rs 50 per litre This reduction hardly meansanything The fuel prices should be drastically slashed Chaturvedi said httpautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsoil-and-lubesmp-govt-cuts-vat-on-petrol-and-diesel61067281

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Oil rises on tighter US market strong China imports ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

Singapore Oil prices rose on Friday as both US crude production and inventories declined pointing towards a tighteningmarketStrong Chinese oil import data also supported crude prices traders said

With the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) leading a production cut analysts said that global oil marketswere now broadly balanced after years of oversupply

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was at $5101 per barrel at 0647 GMT up 41 cents or 08 per cent from its lastsettlement Brent was at $5658 up 33 cents or 06 per cent

Crude inventories productionUS crude inventories dropped 27 million barrels in the week to October 6 to 46222 million barrels the Energy InformationAdministration (EIA) had said late on Thursday

Crude production slipped 81000 barrels per day (bpd) to 948 million bpd Strong Chinese oil imports which averaged 85 millionbpd between January and September and hit 9 million bpd in September also supported prices as China solidified itself as theworlds biggest importer

Chinas huge imports have been strongly driven by purchases for its strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) ampldquoIt seems themajority of this is SPR buying not consumer demandamprdquo said Matt Stanley a fuel broker at Freight Investor Services (FIS)

China has spent around $24 billion on building its crude reserves since 2015 and now holds around 850 million barrels of oil ininventory according to the International Energy Agency (IEA)

OPEC normalised levelsDespite the tightening market Bernstein Research said that OPEC would need to extend the cuts beyond the current expiry date inMarch 2018 to further reduce excess stocks

ampldquoOPEC will not achieve normalised inventory levels before cuts expire at the end of Marchamprdquo Bernstein said but added

that we believe an extension of cuts through 2018 should allow inventories to reach normalised levels before the end of 2018

OPEC together with other producers including Russia has been restraining output since January The pact to cut production is setto expire by the end of March 2018 and there are discussions for an extension

Iran nuclear dealTraders said they were awaiting a decision later on Friday by US President Donald Trump on whether to continue to certify the 2015Iran nuclear deal

Trump is expected not to certify the agreement which has to be re-certified every 90 days and is due for renewal on Sunday

The step would not withdraw the United States from the deal but would give the congress 60 days to decide whether to reimposenew sanctions

ampldquoUS sanctions could cut off a lot of Iranian oil trade financeamprdquo FGE President Jeff Brown told Reuters this week

ampldquoLast time we saw this it cut off 1 million bpd of supplies I dont think itd be that big this time round but it would still besignificantamprdquo said Brownhttpwwwthehindubusinesslinecommarketscommoditiesoil-rises-on-tighter-us-market-strong-china-importsarticle9901998eceref=wl_news

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HPCL to sell lubricants in Myanmar The Hindu Business Line

New Delhi Public sector undertaking Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) has become the first Indian company to selllubricants in Myanmar A company statement said the products were launched in Yangon and Mandalay

HPCLamprsquos lubricants products were launched on October 1 in the commercial hub of Yangon The second launch was held onOctober 3 in Mandalay Participants from segments covering OEM dealers industrial houses retailers and transporters of Myanmarattended the launch httpwwwthehindubusinesslinecomcompanieshpcl-to-sell-lubricants-in-myanmararticle9904609ece

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News Magazines

New Mercedes A-class to be unveiled at 2018 Geneva motor show Autocar India

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the new A-class will debut at the 2018 Geneva motor show in March Development of theBMW 1-series and Audi A3 rival has entered the final stages

The new A-class will be 10mm longer than its predecessor and adopt a new floorpan and body structure which is expected tosignificantly improve rigidity and refinement

The increase in length is solely due to the increase in the hatchbackamprsquos wheelbase meant to provide more interior space andthe potential to install larger rear doors for better ingress and egress The new A-class will also feature a boot that is larger than thecurrent modelamprsquos 341 litres

It will be built on a revamped MFA (modular front architecture) platform with MacPherson-struts at the front and a multi-link rearsuspension Mercedesamprsquo Drive Select function which allows the driver to change the characteristics of the steering enginetransmission and suspension damping will also feature

The larger insides on the hatchback will sport a new a new dashboard featuring higher-grade materials digital instrumentation anda new touchscreen Comand 5 infotainment system The cabin will also have a new steering with touchpad controls new sportsseats and a bevy of new driver assistance systems - such as Mercedesamprsquo Level 2 autonomous driving functions ampndash thathavbe filtered down from the flagship S-class

Our sister publication Autocar UK when speaking to Mercedes sales boss Britta Seeger confirmed that the new tech will allow theA-class to steer and brake itself up to certain speeds working in tandem with the cars lane keep assist and adaptive cruise controltechnology

The new A-class will be the first of eight new smaller models from the German brand Other models include a replacement for thecurrent B-class CLA CLA Shooting Brake and GLA The big news is that the platform will spawn more new models including anA-class sedan (pictured in concept form above) with a range-topping 400hp A45 variant a GLB and a potential seven-seater GLB

All these models based on the MFA platform will share a range of new four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines all of which will boastbetter economy and emissions than todayamprsquos motors

The entry-level models will be powered by the new M282 petrol engine in a 14-litre guise that has been co-developed with Renault

Mid-spec models will get the M260 petrol engine in various states of tune which has been developed in 16-litre and 20-litresguises The range-topping version of the M260 motor will feature a belt-driven generator capable of operating as a mild hybrid withelectrically assisted boosting and step-off in combination with a 48V electrical system

The diesel engines for the A-class and the rest of the MFA-based models will use the manufactureramprsquos latest 20-litrefour-cylinder engine in up to three states of tune the OM654

A plug-in hybrid rival to the Golf GTE has also been planned though specifics are unknown It is expected to be powered by theentry-level M282 petrol engine combined with an electric motor mounted within the forward section of Mercedesamprsquo newnine-speed dual-clutch transmission The hybrid powertrain is also expected to feature on the EQ sub-brandamprsquos models

Sources suggest that the new A-class hybridamprsquos lithium-ion battery pack will be able to go up to 50km on electric power only

The engines on the A-class will be mated to retuned versions of the current six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutchtransmissions though some top-spec trims will also get a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic unit While power will be sent to thefront wheels on standard models Mercedesamprsquo all-whell-drive system 4Matic will feature on the higher trim levels

There is no word on when the new A-class will arrive in Indiawwwautocarindiacomcar-newsnew-mercedes-a-class-to-be-unveiled-at-2018-geneva-motor-show-406271

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New Yamaha Gordon Murray iStream sportscar concept to debut at Tokyo Autocar India

Yamaha has announced that it will showcase a new design concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show displaying continuedinterest in producing their first road car

While the Japanese bike maker describes the concept only as an ampldquoautomobileamprdquo it is thought to be a two-seatersportscar built using the iStream manufacturing process that was created by McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray

The brand has been talking about launching a proper road-going car since it revealed the Motiv city car concept in 2013 The SportsRide Concept that was showcased in 2015 may provide hints to the design concept scheduled to arrive in Tokyo later this month

Every previous concept car by Yamaha has been built using Murrayamprsquos iStream manufacturing process This allows for theextensive use of carbon-fibre for lower production costs in high-volume cars

The volume of the cars being produced and investment required is proportional to the cost of producing a chassis Howeverspeaking to our sister publication Autocar UK Murray said that the system can be employed profitably for production volumesbetween 1000 and 350000 cars

The mid-engined concept which is expected with a coupe-like design and is expected to match the Smart Roadster in size isunderstood to weigh less than 900kg

Yamaha is likely to power the model with a turbocharged three-cylinder 10-litre unit based on the engine first shown with theYamaha Motiv The Motivamprsquos motor put out about 76hp but we expect a figure nearing 100hp for the sportscar

It is understood that Yamaha is still undecided on whether their first car will be based on the Motiv or the new sports car Thebrandamprsquos first road-going car will be produced in Europewwwautocarindiacomcar-newsnew-yamaha-gordon-murray-istream-sportscar-concept-to-debut-at-tokyo-406265

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2017 Suzuki Gixxer SF ABS review test ride Autocar India

The Suzuki Gixxer and its faired twin the SF have been our most beloved bikes in the premium sporty 150-160cc segment thanksto their utterly joyful riding experience The latter though is now equipped with an optional single-channel Anti-lock Braking System(ABS) making it the only bike in this segment in India to offer this safety-net

Visually there isnamprsquot any real change from the regular Gixxer SF Of course thereamprsquos the new SP special editionblack-silver-red paint scheme for 2017 but if weamprsquore being honest we really preferred the earlier matte-gray SP paint job oreven the standard MotoGP inspired blue If you observe closely though you can spot that wheel speed sensor on the front brakerotor and the little ABS sticker on the front mudguard Overall itamprsquos always been a decent-looking motorcycle However onthe FI version the empty space where you would normally have the fuel cock on the carbed bike is an eyesore

Motor-wise it still retains its 1549cc single-cylinder air-cooled unit thatamprsquos good for 148hp and 14Nm of torque This ABSversion weighs in 1kg more than the non-ABS bike but itamprsquos not enough to affect performance and keeps the accelerationfigures in the same ballpark Compared to the carburetted bike though the FI brings in more refinement and even the top end pullis stronger Even with my hefty bulk on the bike it didnamprsquot feel out of breath up to 110kph What blew us away though were themileage figures that the fuel-injection system afforded ampndash 475kpl in the city and astoundingly 621kpl on the highway

Even when it comes to the ride and handling package there are no changes from what weamprsquove already come to expect from

the Gixxer SF Itamprsquos sure-footed and an absolute hoot to throw around corners ampndash the most fun bike in its segment forsure Ride quality is by no means plush but it handles its share of bad roads with relative ease The main talking point here is thesingle-channel ABS and that hasnamprsquot made much of a difference when it comes to braking on dry tarmac with its stoppingdistance from 80kph being nearly identical to that of the regular twin-disc equipped Gixxer SF However on loose or wet surfacesABS provides a significant safety net and confidence boost with the bike pulling to a stop with no drama even if you grab a handfulof brake That said the feel at the lever still remains quite vague and you need to put your faith in the ABS to do its job well

Priced at Rs 98928 (ex-showroom Delhi) it is nearly Rs 6000 more expensive than its non-ABS version Itamprsquos already apretty great bike and you canamprsquot go wrong even with the standard version But we absolutely believe shelling out that extramoolah for the added safety is very much worth itwwwautocarindiacombike-reviews2017-suzuki-gixxer-sf-abs-review-test-ride-406267

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International News

GM suppliers to invest $500 mln in Argentina to produce new model ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

Buenos Aires General Motors Co and its suppliers will invest a total of $500 million in Argentina operations through 2019 to prepareto produce a new Chevrolet model in 2020 the company said in a statement on Thursday

The company will invest $300 million while its supplier network will invest $200 million at the Alvear plant in Argentinas Santa Feprovince The company invested $740 million in the plant between 2014 and 2016

The investment announcement comes as automobile production in Latin Americas No 3 economy begins to rebound following asharp decline amid recessions last year in Argentina and neighboring Brazil a major export destination

Attracting investment from major multinationals like GM is a priority of market-friendly President Mauricio Macri But investmentshave been slow to arrive since he took office in December 2015 in part due to a tax code and labor regulations that businesses sayare in need of reform

In March the government reached a deal with labor unions aimed at increasing car production to 1 million per year by 2023 part ofthe governments strategy of negotiating more competitive labor arrangements sector-by-sector rather than through wholesalereform like Brazil

The investment will include an increase in GMs operations at the port of Rosario with the aim of doubling the volume of containersit moves in and out of the country each year the company saidautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrygm-suppliers-to-invest-500-mln-in-argentina-to-produce-new-model61069878

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Tricked out Pickup trucks get more luxurious APSee this story in The Economic Times

Detroit Heated and cooled seats Backup cameras Panoramic glass roofs

Not exactly what springs to mind when you think of a pickup But thats what American truck buyers increasingly want spending anaverage of $46844 on a pickup according to Kelley Blue Book

Thats more than the starting price of luxury SUVs like the Mercedes GLC or the Lexus RX In 2016 pickup trucks made up a littlemore than a third of all vehicles that sold for over $50000

At the State Fair of Texas this month Ford Motor Co is displaying its most expensive pickup yet The F-Series Super Duty Limiteda luxury heavy-duty truck with a starting price of $80835

It has custom two-tone leather seats a

heated steering wheel wrapped in hand-stitched leather and high-tech features like a 360-degree camera system that guides driverswhen theyre hitching up a trailer

A fully-loaded F-450 - the biggest version of the Super Duty - will top out at $94455 Its capable of towing an Air Force F-35 fighterplane but it also has massaging seats

Fiat Chryslers Ram brand is also showing luxury pickups at the fair The 2018 Laramie Longhorn Southfork edition has awalnut-trimmed steering wheel and 4G Wi-Fi capability

The Heavy Duty Lone Star Silver - sold only in Texas - has a luxurious bright chrome grille Both start around $50000 and will be

available later this fall

On a recent visit to the fair some visitors balked at the prices One said hes rather buy a Mercedes S-Class if he had $80000 tospare But others took the high prices in stride

Its awesome Id love to be going down the road in it right now said Paul Churchill as he sat in the cab of the Super Duty LimitedIf youre looking for all the technology they have in these trucks now its probably worth it

Demand for luxury trucks is strong Ford says around half of the individual buyers who purchase Super Duty trucks opt for one of itsthree luxury versions - King Ranch Lariat or Platinum The Limited version will sit at the top of that heap

Kendall Bachman who works for an executive search firm in the renewable energy industry paid $40000 in 2013 for a limitededition 2011 Toyota Tundra CrewMax thats upholstered in leather from San Antonio-based Lucchese Boot Co

Bachman of Redding California needed a truck to tow his fishing boat and camping trailer and haul lumber and landscapingmaterials for his 3-acre property He also wanted something big to protect his four kids and leather that could withstand stains

At the same time Bachman wanted his truck to convey status

I wanted something that embodied who I am more than a luxury sedan but that would still allow me to feel comfortable attendingmeetings for business people in town who drive luxury cars Bachman said

The luxury trend has helped pickups outpace the industry in terms of the prices they command So far this year the average vehicleis selling for $34671 up 38 percent from 2005 The average price of a full-size truck has jumped 54 percent in that same period to$46844

Ford kicked off the luxury truck trend in 1999 when it introduced the Harley-Davidson F-Series The King Ranch edition followed in2001

General Motors Co brought out its high-end GMC Sierra Denali pickup in 2002 the Chevrolet Silverado High Country followed in2014 The Ram Laramie Longhorn arrived in 2010

Todd Eckert Fords truck group marketing manager stressed that Ford is still meeting the needs of buyers who want an everydaywork truck The base model of the 2018 Super Duty starts at $32890

But he said some customers are also demanding more comfort and safety technology like forward collision warning systems andadaptive cruise control

They have come to a point where they want to reward themselves Eckert said The Super Duty Limited goes on sale this winter

Rebecca Lindland an executive analyst with Kelley Blue Book says luxury truck buyers cut across age spans but share a mindsetThey could buy a German luxury car she says but they want the blue-collar brawn of an American truck - or in Toyotas case afull-size truck built in Texas

These are people with money These are people who have been very successful she said All they want is the most tarted-uppickup they can buyautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewscommercial-vehiclemhcvtricked-out-pickup-trucks-get-more-luxurious61069934

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Norway seeks Tesla tax on electric cars AFPSee this story in The Economic Times

Norway a world leader of zero-emission vehicles on Thursday proposed a Tesla tax aimed at cutting a tax advantage granted tolarge electric cars in a heavily criticised move

Electric cars which have hitherto been exempted from heavy taxes imposed on other vehicles accounted for 20 percent of newregistrations in the Nordic country since the beginning of this year an unprecedented market share in the world

In a 2018 finance bill presented to the parliament on Thursday the right-wing minority government suggested removing a one-offtax exemption for new electric cars weighing more than two tonnes

The proposal was immediately dubbed the Tesla tax because it primarily affects the high-end models made by the Americanmanufacturer Buying a new Tesla X would cost about 70000 kroner (7500 euros $8800) more

Justifying the proposed tax measures Finance Minister Siv Jensen argued that these heavy sedans exhaust the roads as much asgasoline and diesel cars and that the owners should therefore contribute

The proposal has sparked a heated debate

Its a tax bomb Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association Secretary General Christina Bu told AFP

This was unexpected by both the drivers and by the car industry and it sends a bad signal to the Norwegians and the world for

which the nation is often a model in this matter Bu added

She underlined that Norway has set an ambitious target of ending the sales of new cars with combustion engines as early as 2025

The largest oil producer in western Europe Norway has introduced many incentives to purchase electric cars

In addition to generous tax exemptions which critics say allow the richest to buy Tesla vehicles at a good price Norways electriccar drivers benefit from free city tolls free parking and the possibility of travelling in the bus corridors

The government needs the support of other parties in the parliament to get its budget approved

Its traditional centre-right allies have already spoken out against the Tesla tax noting a 2015 agreement has granted taxadvantages for electric cars until 2020autoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrynorway-seeks-tesla-tax-on-electric-cars61070712

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EU regulators okay Valeo bid for FTE with conditions ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

Brussels EU antitrust enforcers approved on Friday Valeos 8193-million-euro ($9688 million) bid for German clutch manufacturerFTE Automotive after the French car parts supplier agreed to sell a unit to an Italian rival

The European Commission said the companies offered the concession after Brussels expressed concerns about the mergedcompanys very high market shares in passive hydraulic actuator modules and concentric slave cylinders for light vehicles

The EU competition authority said it was difficult for customers to switch to other suppliers

Valeo has offered to divest its entire passive hydraulic actuator business with the exception of its Korean activities theCommission said The buyer is Italian car parts supplier Raicamautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryeu-regulators-okay-valeo-bid-for-fte-with-conditions61071606

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Canada union head GM threatens to move production to Mexico APSee this story in The Economic Times

Detroit The president of the Canadian auto workers union says General Motors is threatening to move production of the ChevroletEquinox small SUV to Mexico as a strike continues at an Ontario factory that makes the same vehicle

Unifor President Jerry Dias says GM has declared war on Canada with the threat A GM official with knowledge of the bargainingsays theyre still talking but are at impasse over job security

About 2500 workers at the plant west of Toronto went on strike Sept 17 The union wants GM to designate the plant as the mainEquinox producer

Heres what you need to know about the strike

- GM told the union on Wednesday that its ramping up production of the hot-selling Equinox at two Mexican plants according toDias Production at the plant in Ingersoll Ontario will wind down if Unifor Local 88 continues its 25-day-old strike he said

- The GM official said the company is preparing to make more of the SUVs at two factories in Mexico but hasnt made a finaldecision It has invested $800 million at the Ingersoll plant to make a new version of the Equinox which is an assurance that GM isserious about keeping work there he said He requested anonymity because GM doesnt normally speak publicly aboutnegotiations

- GM doesnt want to designate one plant as the main producer of a vehicle because it needs flexibility in case market conditionschange the official said

- Dias said GM is taking advantage of low pay in Mexico and he blamed the spat on the North American Free Trade AgreementMexican workers are being exploited and as a result of that were losing hundreds and hundreds of thousands of manufacturingjobs in Canada and the United States

- Dias has reason to fear that production could be moved GM shifted production of the Chevrolet Camaro sports car from OshawaOntario to Lansing Michigan two years ago The United Auto Workers union in the US generally is seen as being morecooperative with companies than Unifor

- GM is running short of supply on the Equinox which is the hottest-selling part of the US market right now Sales are up 22percent through September and GM has only enough of the SUVs on dealer lots to supply 41 days of sales according to WardsAutomotive Automakers like to have 60 days worth on hand to satisfy demand and give customers a variety to look at

- The two Mexican factories take away leverage from Unifor which is trying to solve problems with NAFTA in contract talks saidKristen Dziczek director of the Industry Labor amp Economics Group at the Center for Automotive Research a think tank in AnnArbor Michigan The problems of NAFTA are not problems that can be solved at a local union bargaining negotiations she saidautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrycanada-union-head-gm-threatens-to-move-production-to-mexico61071692

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China auto sales weaken further in September APSee this story in The Economic Times

Beijing Chinas auto sales growth weakened further in September as demand for SUVs the industrys bright spot sagged

An industry group the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said Friday sales of sedans SUVs and minivans in theindustrys largest market rose 33 percent to 23 million units down from Augusts 41 percent

Total vehicle sales including trucks and buses rose 57 percent to 27 million units on unusually strong demand for commercialproducts

SUV sales rose 104 percent to 970000 down from Augusts 177 percent Purchases of sedans rose 37 percent to 12 million

Sales have decelerated sharply this year from 2016s full-year gain of 15 percentautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrychina-auto-sales-weaken-further-in-september61071752

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Tesla to recall 11000 Model X SUVs due to seat issue ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

Electric carmaker Tesla Inc is recalling 11000 Model X sport utility vehicles worldwide due to a faulty locking mechanism in theirrear seats that raises the risk of the seats falling forward in a crash

Tesla said on Thursday a small number of cables in the second row fold-flat seats in some Model X vehicles manufacturedbetween October 28 2016 and August 16 2017 may need to be adjusted to fix the issue

The company which is led by Elon Musk said about 3 percent of the recalled vehicles may have the issue which was detectedduring internal testing

Tesla said it had not received reports of any issues or accidents related to the problem

Palo Alto California-based Tesla had recalled 2700 Model X SUVs in the United States in April 2016 due to a faulty locking hingein the third-row seats

The company recalled 90000 Model S sedans worldwide in 2015 over a possible defect in the front seat belt assembly and a yearearlier had recalled 29222 of the same model over a charging defect that posed a fire hazard

Teslas shares were little changed at $35564 in extended trading on Thursdayautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewspassenger-vehiclecarstesla-to-recall-11000-model-x-suvs-due-to-seat-issue61061717

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GM to scale back production at Detroit sedan plant Reuters Nick Carey and David ShepardsonSee this story in The Economic Times

DetroitWashington General Motors Co said on Thursday it plans to scale back production at an assembly plant in Detroit startinglater this month as it tries to deal with declining US sedan sales

GM said in a statement that effective Oct 20 its Detroit-Hamtramck plant will operate under a reduced production schedule Thisaction will help maintain more stable production the No 1 US carmaker said

The statement followed reports that GM plans to shut the plant for about six weeks from mid-November and lay off about 1500workers then cut production roughly 20 percent once operations resume according to a source familiar with the plans

That output cut would lead to around 200 lost jobs The move was originally reported by the Wall Street Journal General Motorsdeclined to comment on those reports

The Hamtramck plant makes four poorly performing sedan models including the Buick LaCrosse sales of which are down 215percent year to date and the Chevrolet Impala which is down 318 percent

Both GM and rival Ford Motor Co have struggled to rein in high inventories of passenger cars as consumers have shifted to buyingpickup trucks and sport utility vehicles Consultants have blamed a large portion of the US auto industrys excessive inventories ofunsold vehicles on GM

Domestic manufacturers continue to face steep competition in the passenger car segment and production must be aligned withwaning sales in order to reduce the elevated amounts of inventory Buckingham Research Group analyst Joseph Amaturo wrote ina client note about the Hamtramck news

Earlier this year GM eliminated the plants second shift saying it was laying off around 1200 workers

GM has reduced the number of shifts at five plants The automaker announced last month that it would cut the third shift at its plantin Spring Hill Tennessee as of late November

A GM spokesman said there are no plans to reinstate any of those shifts at this time

Although the eliminated shifts employed 6000 hourly and salaried workers GMs actual layoffs have been smaller A spokesmansaid GM has let go 2300 temporary workers and 800 hourly union-represented workers have been laid off for a total of 3100 jobcuts so far

GM has found alternative work for 2900 affected hourly workers Production cuts slice into revenue but also could help automakersavoid deeper price cuts on vehicles they can sell

General Motors shares were down 09 percent at $4504 in early afternoon tradingautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrygm-to-scale-back-production-at-detroit-sedan-plant61063102

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Canadian union says it will not back down on GM strike Reuters Susan TaylorSee this story in The Economic Times

Totonto The Canadian union leading a month-long strike at a General Motors Co plant in Ontario is refusing to make concessionsto settle the matter even after the US automaker threatened to move all production to Mexico

Contract talks at the CAMI plant which stalled over job security and sparked the first strike at a Canadian assembly plant since1996 have idled production of GMs popular Equinox sport utility vehicle

The union called Unifor will not withdraw its demand that the largest US automaker pledge to keep Equinox production inCanada said Unifor President Jerry Dias said on Thursday

GM at some time or another is going to have to make a commitment to Canada its going to have to make a commitment to theUnited States and they cant continue to shift our jobs to Mexico Dias told Reuters on the sidelines of NAFTA talks in Washington

It is not possible to cut Canadian costs below those of Mexico where workers make $2 an hour Dias said GM Canada was notimmediately available for comment

The issue escalating just as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discusses the North American Free Trade Agreement withUS and Mexican leaders also coincides with GMs plan to scale back production and jobs at a Detroit assembly plant later thismonth

The government of Ontario urged both sides on Thursday to immediately resolve the high-stakes dispute

I feel like were engaged in a poker game but the interests of Ontario are sitting on the table right now Ontario EconomicDevelopment Minister Brad Duguid told Reuters

Wed really like to urge the parties to find a resolution to this as quickly as possible before permanent damage is done

GM HAS CAPACITY ISSUE

Some 2500 workers at a factory in Ingersoll Ontario walked off the job on Sept 18 after GM rejected the Unifor labor unions callfor the automaker to designate the factory as the lead production site for the Equinox in North America

GM has a capacity issue in North America and they need to close a plant This could be the path of least resistance Its no morecomplicated than that said Susquehanna International Group auto analyst Matthew Stover

On Wednesday GM warned Unifor that it would start winding down production at the CAMI plant and ramp up Equinox output attwo plants in Mexico unless workers called off their strike

Canada must discuss the issue with the United States and develop a strategy to stem the influx of vehicles from Mexico Dias toldreporters in Washington

The strike is also badly hurting the CAMI plants supply chain Dias estimates some 30000 workers are feeling the strikes impact

GM has invested $800 million to retool the CAMI plant and is projected to build about 210000 vehicles in 2018 according to

AutoForecast Solutions a forecasting firm The two GM Mexico plants are together projected to build 149000 vehicles next year

They made a major investment in this plant so I would expect that GM is going to want to get their investment back Dias saidBut is there a long-term threat The answer is absolutely yes

Ontario has not provided any funding to CAMI in the last 10 years a spokesman for the province said

The Equinox was the second best-selling model in the United States Chevrolet lineup in September and GM had just 41 daysworth of the vehicle in stock at the end of last month according to Automotive Newsautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrycanadian-union-says-it-will-not-back-down-on-gm-strike61064642

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Fords China sales stuck in first gear as rivals overtake ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

Beijing Ford Motor Co saw its China vehicle sales make the barest of increases in September extending a tough run in the worldslargest auto market even as global rivals have logged robust gains

The US automaker has lacked a high-volume brand of affordable entry cars for China and has been criticised for slowdecision-making that has cost it share in a market where consumer tastes change quickly

In response it has brought in a new China head Jason Luo a Chinese-born American formerly at US-based air bag maker KeySafety Systems tasked with building closer ties with Fords local partners and working more effectively with regulators

The US carmaker sold 112902 vehicles in China last month an increase of some 430 from the same period a year earlier

By contrast rivals Toyota Motor Corp Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co Ltd saw gains of 14 percent or more while GeneralMotors posted an increase of 7 percent

Overall vehicles sales in China rose 57 percent in September - a fourth straight month of growth

Like many other global automakers Ford is also looking to revamp its strategy towards electric vans and cars to keep up withBeijings push for cleaner new-energy vehicles (NEV)

The country has set strict quotas for NEVs which carmakers must meet by 2019 a move that is prompting a flurry of electric cardeals and new launches of electric and hybrid models Ford said it was looking to set up an electric car venture with Chinese firmAnhui Zotye Automobile Co in Augustautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryfords-china-sales-stuck-in-first-gear-as-rivals-overtake61065535

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Volkswagen to make brands more distinct to boost efficiency Reuters Andreas CremerSee this story in The Economic Times

Berlin Volkswagen will make its three mass-market brands more distinct to reduce overlaps and defuse tensions within thecarmaking group its chief executive said on Thursday

The German company is striving to make savings and become more efficient to help fund a costly shift to electric vehicles in thewake of its diesel emissions scandal

CEO Matthias Mueller said the automakers executive board had set out a new focus for its mass-market VW Skoda and Seatbrands based on 14 customer groups in its core European market

The key challenge is (to achieve) a perfect market coverage with clear territories for the brands he told a strategy meeting ofabout 400 managers in Wolfsburg

We must now be able to better use the synergies that our unique alliance of brands offer than we have done to date

The move may help to smooth relations between the brands

VW sources told Reuters last week that managers and unions were seeking to curb competition from lower-cost stablemate Skodamove some of its production to Germany and make the Czech brand pay more for shared technology

That sparked at backlash at Skoda Concerned about the possibility of losing work to Germany the Czech brands main unionthreatened to cut back on overtime work Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka also demanded talks on the issue with Skodasleadership

The positioning of the brands is an emotional theme that recently made waves Mueller said

Of course it is an extreme challenge sometimes to steer this tanker and to balance the (different) interests he added

In a next step Volkswagen will pursue greater differentiation between its premium brands and expand the strategy to other regionsMueller said without being more specific

Separately Mueller said the group expected to make major savings in development costs at premium brands Audi and Porschethrough their new shared PPE production platform for electric cars

On balance we expect 30 percent less workload compared with the current MLB and MSB platforms operated separately by Audiand Porsche the CEO said without being more specificautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryvolkswagen-to-make-brands-more-distinct-to-boost-efficiency61065900

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Mercedes-Benz JVs to recall over 350000 vehicles in China ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

Beijing Mercedes-Benz the luxury brand of German carmaker Daimler AG and its Chinese joint ventures will recall 351218vehicles due to potential issues with air bags made by Japans Takata Corp Chinas quality watchdog said on Friday

The General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said on its website that it was concernedabout risks arising from possible defects in the cars air bag inflators

Official Chinese estimates showed over 20 million cars in China had air bags made by Takata which have been linked to at least 16deaths and 180 injuries globally The air bags have the potential to deploy with too much force and spray shrapnel

The defect led to the biggest recall in automotive history and eventual bankruptcy of the Japanese maker which had becomeburdened with tens of billions of dollars worth of liabilities

The recall by Mercedes-Benz and its Chinese joint ventures will begin from Oct 15 and will include domestically built and importedcars produced from 2006 through 2012 with models including the SLK-Class and A-Class the AQSIQ said

It follows similar recalls by General Motors Co and Volkswagen AG last month

The Chinese watchdog asked the three automakers in July to recall vehicles in China affected by potentially faulty Takata air bagsUp to that time the automakers had proposed recalling a small number of vehicles for testing and analysisautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrymercedes-benz-jvs-to-recall-over-350000-vehicles-in-china61066701

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Slovenia sets tough emissions limits for cars AFPSee this story in The Economic Times

Ljubljana Slovenia announced Thursday tough new rules for new petrol and diesel cars saying that only those with much loweremissions than now can be registered from 2030

From 2030 we will not allow the registration of traditional fuel cars like those that are in use today Bojan Zlendar infrastructureministry spokesman told Radio Slovenija

Only those with a footprint of 50 grams of CO2 per kilometre will be allowed to be registered by then a level currently reached onlyby electric and hybrid cars he said

Ljubljana is convinced that by then the car industry will have made an extraordinary technical development and boost the sales ofelectric and other cars with a much lower carbon footprint he added

France and Britain both aim to end sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040

Norway hopes to end sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2025 and others such as Sweden and Denmark and Finland haveexpressed similar ambitions to phase out fossil fuel engines

China issued plans last year requiring that 12 percent of cars sold be battery-powered or plug-in hybrids by 2020 while India hassaid it wants to replace all vehicles with electric vehicles by 2030

Slovenias plans are part of a strategy adopted on Thursday foreseeing improved infrastructure for alternative fuels including22300 charging stations by 2030 from 230 currently

With over 500 cars per 1000 inhabitants Slovenia has one of the European Unions highest levels of car ownerships Almost 45percent are diesels

In the first nine months of this year some 900 electric or hybrid cars were sold three times more than in the same period in 2016Slovenian news agency STA reportedautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryslovenia-sets-tough-emissions-limits-for-cars61067036

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BMW Great Wall confirm Chinese Mini production talks ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

MunichShanghai Luxury German carmaker BMW is in talks to produce its Mini models in China in partnership with Great WallMotor Co the Chinese carmaker said on Friday

The carmakers have been discussing plans to launch electric and conventional Mini models for 18 months Great Wall said in astock exchange filing that described the talks as preliminary BMW said it planned to grow the Mini brand in China with a new localpartner without naming Great Wall

Great Walls shares had surged 14 percent on Wednesday and were later suspended after Reuters reported that it was discussing ajoint venture with the German premium manufacturer focused on electric vehicles Trading in the stock will resume on Monday thecompany said

Automakers and suppliers are scrambling to meet tough new official Chinese quotas for zero-emission cars which call for electricand rechargeable hybrid vehicles to account for 20 percent of total sales by 2025

BMW which already has one Chinese manufacturing venture with Brilliance is launching European production of an electric Mini atits British plant near Oxford in 2019

If successfully concluded the BMW-Great Wall talks could yield a first foreign manufacturing partner for Great Wall and a first Miniassembly site outside Europe for the German group

The Mini brands planned expansion in China does not call into question our commitment to our facilities in Britain BMW said in astatement It is only possible to accelerate growth of Mini in China with a local partnerautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrybmw-great-wall-confirm-chinese-mini-production-talks61069331

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VWs Skoda committed to Czech Republic plans to add jobs ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

Prague Volkswagens Czech carmaker Skoda Auto underscored its commitment to its home country on Wednesday saying it wasplanning to add jobs there amid worries the business could lose some production to Germany

Skoda has become Volkswagens (VW) second most profitable brand in terms of operating margin and is on target for record salesin 2017 But capacity is hitting a limit and its success is causing tensions inside the German car group

Reuters reported last week that VW managers and unions were seeking to curb competition from lower-cost Skoda and move someof its production to Germany raising worries among Czech workers

Skoda Chief Executive Bernhard Maier told reporters on Wednesday the Czech Republic would remain Skodas home and that itwas adding jobs locally to meet capacity demands

Skoda is running at the edge of its capacity which is evidence that our strategy is working he said

At the moment concerning global demand we are not able to cover it from the Czech Republic (and) for this reason we arelooking around at other production capacities

Maier added Skoda had taken on 3000 workers in recent months and was planning to hire more to be able to cover risingdemand He said Skoda was in talks with unions about this

Skoda sold a record 113 million vehicles last year

Skoda and other industry players met on Wednesday with government officials At a news conference Prime Minister BohuslavSobotka said Skoda had assured him it would do the maximum not to jeopardise jobs

Skodas Czech union has warned any production shift could result in as many as 2000 lost jobs at Skoda which employed 28000at the end of 2016 excluding temporary staff

Tensions between VWs various carmaking brands are expected to rise ahead of a Nov 17 supervisory board meeting due toapprove annual investment budgets across the group

Maier told staff in a letter seen by Reuters last week that the Czech unit would only make use of VWs wider manufacturingnetwork to cope with peaks in demand

As a matter of principle our Czech factories are and will remain first choice Maier said in the letter

The Reuters report also cited sources as saying VW wanted the Czech brand to pay more for shared technology Asked about thison Wednesday Maier said he saw no reason for any changeautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustryvws-skoda-committed-to-czech-republic-plans-to-add-jobs61061372

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VW to develop electric trucks in $17 bln technology drive ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

Hamburg Volkswagen AG will invest 14 billion euros ($17 billion) in new technologies including electric trucks and buses by 2022VWs trucks chief Andreas Renschler said

The money will go toward electric drives autonomous vehicles and cloud-based systems he said on the sidelines of a companyevent on Wednesday

He also said a spin-off of VWs trucks business remained an option

Commercial truck makers are investing in electrification as regulators and policy makers step up pressure to curtail or eliminatepollution in big cities

Navistar International Corp and Volkswagen Truck amp Bus announced plans last month to collaborate on electric vehicles sayingthey would launch an electric medium-duty truck in North America by late 2019

VWs German rival Daimler last month delivered the first of a smaller range of electric delivery trucks to customers in New York

Renschler earlier told news agency Bloomberg he expected electric trucks for local deliveries to exceed a 5 percent market shareby 2025 ($1 = 08442 euros)autoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewscommercial-vehiclemhcvvw-to-develop-electric-trucks-in-1-7-bln-technology-drive61061385

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BMW eyes possible electric vehicle joint venture in China ReutersSee this story in The Economic Times

ShanghaiBeijing German luxury automaker BMW is looking to form a joint venture with Great Wall Motor in China which couldfocus on electric vehicles according to two sources familiar with the matter on Wednesday

A venture with Great Wall whose Hong-Kong listed shares leapt 20 percent on the news would be BMWs second in the worldslargest auto market where foreign carmakers have to team up with local partners

We are in discussions with Great Wall about setting up a joint venture to produce cars in Changshu said a BMW executive whowas not authorised to speak on the matter and declined to be identified

Another person familiar with the matter said the new joint venture in the eastern city of Changshu would not deal with gasoline ordiesel powered cars indicating a focus on electric vehicles was likely

BMWs China sales grew 113 percent last year It is the countrys second-largest premium brand after Volkswagen AGs Audi AGBMW is trying to stay ahead of third-place Daimlers Mercedes-Benz which recorded 266 percent growth in China sales in 2016thanks to a fresher model lineup

Car manufacturers have recently announced a raft of investments and tie-ups in China

Tesla Ford Motor Co Daimler AG and General Motors are among those that have already announced plans for making electricvehicles in China

ELECTRIC MINI

BMW and rival Mercedes are betting they can mass produce new electric cars based on conventional vehicle design defyingsceptics who say they will need more radical plans to head off the threat from Tesla and other start-ups

Bernstein analysts said they believed that any new venture of BMW and Great Wall would have to sell exclusively electric vehicles(EVs) given Chinas moratorium on approvals for new gasoline car businesses

If an agreement were to be reached wed expect an arrangement like Denza (Mercedes-BYD) or VW-JAC Ford-Zotye to be themost plausible outcome whereby a new brand is used to sell EVs they said in a note adding that the vehicles could be sold underthe Mini brand

China wants electric and hybrid cars to make up at least a fifth of the countrys auto sales by 2025 and plans to loosen joint-ventureregulations to achieve its aim

BMW already has a joint venture in China with local carmaker Brilliance China Automotive Holdings and produces cars at two plants

in Shenyang Shares in Brilliance fell on Wednesday

Our business development with the joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive will continue as planned and we will carry on to investand develop our joint venture a spokesman for BMW said declining to comment on any new joint venture

The plans were first reported by Shanghai-based wwwiautodailycom earlier on Wednesday

I dont know how far along we have gone nailing this deal or whether the two companies have official central government approvalfor the venture the BMW executive saidautoeconomictimesindiatimescomnewsindustrybmw-eyes-possible-electric-vehicle-joint-venture-in-china-reports61061415

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General Motors reaches tentative deal with striking Canada workers Susan Taylor and Denny ThomasReutersSee this story in The Times of India

Toronto General Motors Co said on Friday it reached a tentative labor agreement with striking workers at its CAMI plant in Canadaending an almost month-old dispute Some 2500 workers at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll in southern Ontario walked off the job on Sept 18 after the US automakerrejected a union call to designate the factory as lead production site for the Chevrolet Equinox model in North America These members have shown incredible courage and strength by standing up for good jobs and a secure future for their familiesand their community Jerry Dias president of Unifor National the main union leading the contract talks said in a statement This strike has shown all of Canada why a renewed North American Free Trade Agreement must address the needs of workingpeople first he said The agreement is subject to member ratification and Unifor said details of the deal will not be released until after the vote is heldThe ratification vote has not yet been scheduled This week the dispute ratcheted up when GM warned the union that it would start winding down production at the CAMI plant andramp up output of the popular Equinox SUV at two plants in Mexico unless workers called off their strike The union had blamed NAFTA and Mexicos cheaper labor costs for job losses GM moved production of the Terrain SUV to Mexico this year resulting in about 400 layoffs at CAMI Dias said on Thursday that GM had declared war on Canada and called the labor dispute the poster child of whats wrong withNAFTA The assembly plant strike is Canadas first since 1996 (Reporting by Susan Taylor and Denny Thomas Editing by Lisa Shumakerand Leslie Adler)timesofindiaindiatimescombusinessinternational-businessgeneral-motors-reaches-tentative-deal-with-striking-canada-workersarticleshow61076117cms

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Economy

Rupee strengthens to 6486 on IIP retail inflation data PTISee this story in The Hindu Business Line

Mumbai The rupee strengthened by 22 paise to 6486 against the US dollar today buoyed by a set of positive economic data

Industrial production expanded to a 9-month high of 43 per cent in August while retail inflation was stagnant at 328 per cent inSeptember compared to the previous month

A firm domestic equity market and the dollaramprsquos weakness against other currencies overseas kept the rupee on a firm groundtraders said

But continuous outflow of foreign funds kept the upmove in check

The domestic unit opened strong by 12 paise at 6496 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market today It hovered in a range of6496 and 6486 before quoting at 6491 up 17 paise at 430 pm local time

Yesterday the rupee had appreciated by another 6 paise to end at a fresh one-week high of 6508 on continued selling of thegreenback Meanwhile the benchmark BSE index closed higher by 25047 points or 078 per cent at 3243269 httpwwwthehindubusinesslinecommarketsforexrupee-dollar-live-updatearticle9902006ece

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Forex reserves fall by $8622 mn to $398794 bn PTISee this story in The Hindu Business Line

Mumbai The countryamprsquos foreign exchange reserves declined by USD 8622 million to USD 398794 billion in the week toOctober 6 due to fall in foreign currency assets RBI data showed

In the previous week the reserves had fallen by USD 2590 billion to USD 399656 billion It had touched a lifetime high of USD402509 billion in the week to September 15

The foreign currency assets (FCAs) a major component of the overall reserves decreased by USD 1391 billion to USD 373795billion the data showed

Expressed in US dollar terms FCAs include effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies such as the euro the poundand the yen held in the reserves

After remaining unchanged for past few weeks gold reserves rose by USD 5486 million to USD 21240 billion

The special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declined by USD 79 million to USD 1494 billion

The countryamprsquos reserve position with the IMF declined by USD 119 million to USD 2264 billion the apex bank saidhttpwwwthehindubusinesslinecommarketsforexforex-reserves-fall-by-8622-mn-to-398794-bnarticle9904614ece

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Nifty ends at all-time high of 1016745 Sensex spurts 250 points to 32433 AgenciesSee this story in The Hindu Business Line

Chennai The NSE index Nifty ended at an all-time high of 1016745 and the Sensex rallied to an over two-month high as steadyinflation and strong IIP numbers propped up investor sentiment

Industrial output hit a nine-month high of 43 per cent in August and CPI inflation held steady at 328 per cent in September insteadof accelerating as expected raising tentative hopes the central bank would be less hawkish about interest rates

Although analysts still expected the Reserve Bank of India to keep rates steady in the months ahead they said further signs ofsteady inflation would raise the odds of a rate cut

The NSE index ended higher by 7105 points or 07 per cent at 1016745 its highest close ever after having hit a record high of1019190 intraday The index was up 181 per cent for the week

The benchmark BSE index closed higher by 25047 points or 078 per cent at 3243269 It rose 194 per cent for the week itsbiggest such gain since the week ended July 14

Among BSE sectoral indices banking index gained the most by 133 per cent followed by TECk 123 per cent metal 117 per centand realty 054 per cent On the other hand healthcare index was down 029 per cent FMCG 025 per cent capital goods and oil ampgas 014 per cent each

Top five Sensex gainers were Bharti Airtel (+789) Tata Steel (+286) Kotak Bank (+22) Coal India (+200) and HDFCBank (+189) while the major losers were Dr Reddys (-109) MampM (-095) Sun Pharma (-087) ITC (-043) and Maruti(-041)

Bharti Airtel rose as much as 81 per cent to its highest since August 29 and was the top percentage gainer on both the indexeswhile Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd jumped 91 per cent

Upbeat second-quarter results pushed the shares of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) to their highest since June 7 Whilequarterly profit slid marginally year-on-year analysts say margin recovery was the key positive

Meanwhile Reliance Industries climbed as much as 21 per cent to a record high ahead of its September-quarter results Analystsexpect higher earnings from the Indian oil-to-telecoms conglomerates core petrochemical business while gross refining marginsare expected to remain largely flat

Asian stocks held firm near a 10-year high on Friday thanks to expectations of brisk global growth although investors held offchasing the shares higher ahead of US and Chinese economic data as well as the Chinese Communist Party congress next week

MSCIamprsquos broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 01 per cent having gained 34 per cent so far thismonth Japanamprsquos Nikkei was little changed httpwwwthehindubusinesslinecommarketsstock-marketssensex-nifty-live-updatearticle9902002ece

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Narendra Modi government to easily meet Rs 72500 cr disinvestment target but LIC ONGC help is not kosher The Financial Express

New Delhi With the public sector General Insurance Corporation (GIC) mopping up Rs 15000 crore on Day 3 of its IPO thegovernment is well on its way to meet its Rs 72500 crore target from disinvestment of PSUs making this the first year of such anachievement since specific targets started being made seven years ago While a total of Rs 19760 crore have already beenmopped up through IPOs etc selling HPCL to ONGC will fetch another Rs 33970 crore and another Rs 10000 crore is expectedfrom the Bharat 22 ETF Though this is no mean achievement from the point of view of meeting budget targets especially in theface of likely shortfalls in both tax and non-tax revenues it isnamprsquot quite kosher for a variety of reasons For one ONGC buyingHPCL canamprsquot be considered strategic disinvestmentampmdashbudget target Rs 15000 croreampmdashand is really nothing buttransferring money from one pocket of the government to another that this lowers ONGCamprsquos funds for capex and opex isanother matter Apart from this it doesnamprsquot help that a very large share of the other fundsampmdashin the IPOs forinstanceampmdashhave come from the state-owned LIC so far in this year LIC has invested Rs9700 crore in various PSUs(excluding the GIC share purchase) In addition so far in this year three PSUsampmdashOIL EIL and Bharat Dynamicsampmdashhavedone share buybacks of Rs 2242 crore

Genuine privatisation is critical because by and large PSUs are either loss-making or where they make profits this is below theirpotential or what their private sector counterparts make In the case of ONGC for instance between FY07 and FY17 its gasproduction has risen from 224 bcm to 233 bcm while crude oil production fell from 261 million tonnes to 255 million though thePSU claims to have increased gas reserves from 540 bcm in FY07 to 788 bcm in FY16 and oil from 561 mt to 578 mt Similarlyboth MTNL and BSNL have lost market share rapidly Indeed a CAG report pointed out that in FY15 11 of 34 listed PSUs had aninterest cover of less than one as did 67of the 124 unlisted onesampmdashthis makes their revival almost impossible HindustanPhoto Films one of these PSUs has 352 employees and keeping it alive has meant its losses going up from `1561 crore in FY13to Rs 2528 crore in FY16 As a result since the time prime minister Narendra Modi took charge the share of non-bank PSUs in thecountryamprsquos non-bank market capitalisation has fallen from 167 to 134 and in the case of banks this has fallen even moreprecipitously from 401 to 255 If the share of PSUs is fallingampmdashin both market-share andmarket-capitalisationampmdasheven without a single PSU being privatised the lesson for Modi is that it makes more sense to sellthem More so since as in the case of Air India or an MTNL there are so many better choices available few will even miss them ifthey are shut down The advantage of privatising them on the other hand is that the government may be able to save some of theworkersamprsquo jobs if this is done in time or if the privatisation deal is structured to ensure some portion of the workers areretainedhttpwwwfinancialexpresscomopinionnarendra-modi-government-to-easily-meet-rs-72500-cr-disinvestment-target-but-lic-ongc-help-is-not-kosher893883

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DirectorSapna KulshresthaMobile 9810975257

Production-in-ChargeS K MandalPhone 011-22626650

Editing-in-ChargeGulab Singh YadavMobile 9999132357

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Accounts-in-ChargeVimal ParasharMobile 9910631712

PLEASE NOTE

NURC Industry Updates contain editedtruncated text of Industry-specific news as it appears in various select dailies and websites These are NOT full stories unless otherwisespecifically mentioned The stories contained herein are informational only and no representation is made or warranty given as to their content reliability truthfulness orusefulness User assumes all risk of use It be clearly understood that NURC updates do not claim to and neither mean to replace the Print or the Internet editions of variousnewspapers whose articles are featured therein For the best and complete news reading NURC urges its readers to read the full text of the stories from the Newspaperswhose credits are given after the headline and visit the related website whose URL is given below the text matter of each news item

NURC News Update - AUTOMOBILES

News on Indian Auto Industry Copyright 1999 NURC MediaNext Pvt Ltd

This update purports to be a compilation of the top stories for the day in the leading Indian and International dailies websites and other information sources and NURCMediaNext Pvt Ltd cannot and does not vouch for their authenticity NURC MediaNext Pvt Ltd cannot be held responsible for any loss(es) arising out of or incidental to theuse of this News Update Reproduction or redistribution without express permission of NURC MediaNext Pvt Ltd is strictly prohibited and is a violation of the subscriptionagreement Such instances will result in immediate cancellation of subscription to the Service without any refund for the remaining period at the sole discretion of NURCMediaNext Pvt Ltd

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