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A MAGNUM OPUS OF INTREPID JOURNALISM

for Automotive, OEM’s After-Market & Components

The Asian Magazine for

July-August 2016 | Annual Subscription: India: Rs.2000 | Overseas: US$250

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Vol.17 No.4 | New Delhi | India

- e • d • i • t • o • r • i • a • l -

By 2016, India is expected to be the third largest automotive market by volume in the world.

Tractor sales in the country are expected to grow at CAGR of 8-9% in the next five years, upping India’s market potential for international brands. Two-wheeler production has grown from 8.5 Million units annually to 15.9 Million units in the last seven years. Significant opportunities exist in rural markets. India’s car market has the potential to grow to six Million-plus units annually by 2020.

The emergence of large automotive clusters in the country: Delhi-Gurgaon-Faridabad in the north, Mumbai-Pune-Nashik-Aurangabad in the west, Chennai-Bengaluru-Hosur in the south and Jamshedpur-Kolkata in the east.

Global car majors have been ramping up investments in India to cater to growing domestic demand. These manufacturers plan to leverage Indiaís competitive advantage to set up export-oriented production hubs.

An R&D hub: strong support from the government in the setting up of NATRiP centres. Private players such as Hyundai, Suzuki, GM are keen to set up an R&D base in India.

Tata Nano is a sterling example of Indian frugal engineering and is being positioned as a mobiliser of the young generation.

Electric cars are likely to be a sizeable market segment in the coming decade.

Key Facts:- Seventh largest producer in the world with an average annual pro-

duction of 23.36 Million vehicles.- Third largest automotive market by volume, by 2016.- Four large auto manufacturing hubs across the country.- 7.1% of the countryís GDP by volume.- Six Million-plus vehicles to be sold annually, by 2020.

GROWTH DRIVERS- Passenger vehicles to increase at a CAGR of 18% during FY 2014-21

- Two- and three-wheelers projected to expand at a CAGR of 8% dur-ing FY 2014-21

- Commercial vehicles expected to register a CAGR of 19% during FY 2014-21

- A growing working population and an expanding middle-class are expected to remain key demand drivers. GDP per capita has grown from USD 1,432.25 in 2010 to USD 1,500.76 in 2012, and is ex-pected to reach USD 1,869.34 by 2018.

- India has the worldís 12th largest number of high-net-worth individu-als, with a growth of 20.8%, the highest among the top 12 countries.

- Increasing disposable incomes in the rural agri-sector.- The presence of a large pool of skilled and semi-skilled workers and

a strong educational system.

A large number of products are available to consumers across various seg-ments. With the entry of a number of foreign players and reduced overall product lifecycle, quicker product launches have become the order of the day. The availability of a variety of vehicle models meet diverse needs and preferences.

Favourable government policies like lower excise duties, automotive mis-sion plans, the constitution of NATRiP, National Mission for Electric Mobility 2020, FAME - Faster Adaption and Manufacturing of Hybrid land Electric Vehicle etc.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES- Passenger vehicles: passenger cars, utility vehicles, multi-purpose

vehicles.- Two-wheelers: mopeds, scooters, motorcycles.- Three-wheelers: passenger carriers, goods carriers.- Commercial vehicles: light commercial vehicles, medium and heavy

commercial vehicles.- Huge demands for low-cost electric vehicles that are suited for

safe short-distance urban commutes (averaging 50-100 km/trip) that are rugged enough to perform reliably through Indiaís summers and monsoon. It is estimated that total electric vehicles sales would amount to 6-7 Million units by 2020.

MAKE IN INDIA - AUTOMOBILES REASONS TO INVEST

Under the partnership, thoselooking to operate Uber carscan buy Tata vehicles such as

Indica and Indigo from Tata Motorsand also get access to flexible andcustomised financing solutions fromTata Capital and Tata Motors Finance.

Tata Group announced a tie-up withride-sharing company UberTechnologies to offer the drivers andowners on Uber platform compre-hensive vehicle purchase andfinancing solutions, among otherbenefits.

Under the partnership, thoselooking to operate Uber cars canbuy Tata vehicles such as Indica andIndigo from Tata Motors and also getaccess to flexible and customisedfinancing solutions from Tata Capitaland Tata Motors Finance.

They will also be able to buyinsurance from Tata AIG, said MadhuKannan, Member-Group ExecutiveCouncil, and Group Head forbusiness development and publicaffairs, Tata Sons.

In addition, Tata Business SupportServices will provide operationalsupport to drivers who want to usethis new vehicle solutionsprogramme, he said at a press meethere.

This will be a pan-India initiative,which has beenrolled out first inHyderabad.Over the nextone year, it willbe extended toother places,enabling over20,000 driversto start theirown businesson the Uberplatform,Kannan said.

Last year, TataOpportunityFund investedin Uber.

Eric Alexander,Head of

Tata Group ties up with Uber forvehicle purchase

Business, Uber Asia, said thecompany has made it possible formillions of people in India to get aride to work at the push of a button.

"It's clear from talking to drivers howmuch they value their flexibility andindependence. It's why we are

excited to work with the Tatas tohelp make it easier and moreaffordable for drivers to get on theroad, thereby promoting microentrepreneurship in India," Alexanderreasoned.

4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | July-August 2016 | autoASIA autoASIA autoASIA autoASIA autoASIA

A few months ago, I had taken a Mini

Cooper diesel on a road trip from

Mumbai, across the border into Gujarat

and Daman, and finally back to Mumbai via Dadra

& Nagar Haveli. Along the way, the Cooper

showed just how much fun a brilliantly balanced

small car with a powerful engine, even if it is a

diesel, could be. So, obviously, my next target

was its more wicked brother, the Mini Cooper S

John Cooper Works. Earlier this

month, I got my chance! I referred to

the Cooper S earlier as the wicked

sibling of the Cooper D, and it

definitely did live up to that moniker

right from the moment I clapped

eyes on it. Where the diesel version

was a pleasant blue with silver alloys,

the Cooper S was totally black. Black

body, black cladding on its wheel

arches, black pillars, black roof and

black alloys with subtle accents of

chrome highlighting the headlights,

the front grille, fuel filler cap and the

tail lamp clusters. The overall effect is

definitely sinister and the first

impressions were as good as any.

The attention to detail is spectacular

as well; even the chromed twin

tailpipes have the John Cooper

Works logo engraved into them.

The interior of the Mini Cooper S is

Mini Cooper S India Review

similar to the car I had driven earlier

and an excellent place to be.

The leather and fabric combo seats

are extremely supportive and

provide a good amount of

bolstering and grip, very much

necessary in a car that can be

chucked around as much as the

Cooper. You get the fantastic to

hold, short diameter steering wheel

with red contrast stitching and

control buttons for the cruise

control, phone operation and audio

system. The dashboard is a

marvellous combination of matte

grey leather, piano black plastic and

red leather.

While seated in the driver seat,

information like current speed and

other warnings are projected

conveniently onto a head-up

display. The Cooper S also has the


large round feature mounted on top

of the centre console that houses

the infotainment display and control

buttons for the sound system;

below which are the knobs for the

dual zone climate control. As is the

case with other Cooper models, the

beautifully crafted toggle switches

for the engine ignition, automatic

start/stop, HUD and the traction

control are located side by side in

an arrangement that resembles

switches in a spacecraft!

Power for the Cooper S comes from

a 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder, petrol that has

been turbocharged to put out 189

bhp. The power is routed to the

wheels via a 6 speed automatic

gearbox with paddle shifters located

behind the steering wheel. The

suspension is very well sorted out

and even on our terrible roads at

low speeds, most of the irregulari-

ties are sponged out well. The driver

can toggle between Green, Mid and

Sport driving modes which change

the behaviour of the engine (and

decreases/increases the exhaust

noise).

Now, if you are very eco-minded,

you would drive this car in Green

mode (not that I can imagine an

eco-minded person ever driving a

Mini Cooper S in the first place).

However, this is a Mini Cooper S that

also proudly bears a badge that says

John Cooper Works. JCW takes the

regular Mini Cooper S, bolts on

some performance parts and tunes the car to make it even more of a

handful. So, you pull on the ring below the gear lever to engage Sport

mode (the centre display proclaims Maximum Go-Kart Feel when you do

this!), double click a little loud button to open up the exhaust flaps, make

sure the road ahead of you is clear and let it rip!

The Cooper S takes off with a lot of wheelspin and the speedo needle

climbs through the numbers in a hurry. On the Mumbai-Pune expressway

where I drove it, it easily crested 220 kph. Even at high speeds, stability and

road-holding is excellent. Minis have always been known for how effort-

lessly they can be chucked about on the road and this one is no different.

Best of all, every time you downshift from high revs, you get an absolutely

superb roar-crackle-pop-pop from the exhaust!

The Cooper S is not the sort of car that works only on a racetrack; you could

even use it as an everyday car (provided you do not have to ferry anyone

about in the rear seat) and it will perform admirably.

Yes, it will set you back by roughly INR 35 lakhs, but once you have driven it,

the Cooper S JCW will justify every single penny that you spent on it.

autoASIA |autoASIA |autoASIA |autoASIA |autoASIA | July-August 2016 | 7 7 7 7 7

There’ve been a lot of reports being published on the internet about

a possible launch of the Kawasaki Estrella BJ250 by its Indian arm.

However, we don’t think that’s going to happen.

As part of our research, we found that one unit of the Estrella BJ250 has

been imported at a declared value of Rs 4.02 lakh. In the description

section, it’s clearly mentioned that this cruiser is here for R&D purposes.

However, Kawasaki has its R&D facilities in Japan and Thailand and doesn’t

have any such capabilities in India. This makes us believe that the Estrella

BJ250 has been imported to India by Bajaj, who recently admitted its

intention to compete with Royal Enfield.

So we think the Kawasaki Estrella BJ250 is in India for R&D activities including

benchmarking test. And it looks like Bajaj has some serious cruiser ready to

compete with the Royal Enfields. While we thought that the Pulsar CS400

was the main contender for Royal Enfield, but it looks like we’ll see more

than one cruiser. In fact, the Pune-based manufacturer might create various

segments like sports cruiser and traditional cruisers.

Kawasaki EstrellaBJ250 lands in India;possibly forbenchmarking test byBajaj


The 2016 Ssangyong Rexton doesn't look a whole lot different but itdoes get a new Euro 6 engine boasting more power and torque...

AS IF THERE HAVEN’T BEEN enough new SUVs announced in 2015, theflood looks set to continue unabated in 2016. First off the rank is the newSsangYong Rexton, until now pretty much a blip on the sales graph.

When the refreshed Rexton first broke cover in Korea earlier in the year,Ssangyong Australia spokesperson, Daniel Cotterill, told Practical Motoringthe updated Rexton wouldn't arrive Down Under until 2016, although exacttiming hadn't been confirmed. We've asked for an update now that thevehicle is going on-sale in the UK and Europe and will update this articlewhen we hear back. The new Rexton doesn’t look much different, although

Refreshed 2016 Ssangyong Rextoncoming soon

some of the details have been cleaned up, but the big news is under thebonnet with a new 2.2-litre Euro 6 diesel that delivers better power, betterfuel economy and reduced emissions. Also new is the 7-speed Mercedes-Benz-derived automatic transmission. The new engine raises power to131kW and 400Nm (up by 15 percent and 11 percent respectively) withmaximum torque coming on from 1400rpm up to 2800rpm. Emissions aredown from 196g/km to 184 and fuel consumption is now 7.1L/100km.

The big SsangYong is built on a tough ladder chassis and claims a 3-tonnetowing capacity (with our usual warning to take this with a grain of salt andread our articles about real towing capacities). Reading between the lines,we think the lower spec model will come with a six-speed Mercedes-Benzauto transmission while the top-of-the-line will get the seven-speeder.

With forward-looking cartechnology, the rearviewmirror as we know it may

soon become a thing of the past.

Technology at the ConsumerElectronics Show showed howelectronic cameras on a vehicle cangive a driver a better view thanconventional mirrors, eliminatingblind spots which can lead toaccidents. BMW showed its systemin which small cameras replace

Rearview mirrors may soon become historymirrors and offer an electronicdisplay, allowing drivers to get threeseparate images or a singlepanoramic view. According to BMW,this means a driver can look aheadand won't need to turn his or herhead to see side mirrors -- whichhave been removed and replacedwith small cameras. French equip-ment maker Valeo meanwhileoffered its "Sightstream" systemwhich uses cameras as well butmaintains electronic displays on

each side of the car. The Valeosystem offers a less dramatic changethan BMW, so drivers who areaccustomed to looking right and leftdon't have to change their habits.

Both companies say their systemsoffer several advantages: a morecomplete view of the landscapeand better vision at night. And theywill avoid problems of side mirrorswhich get fogged up or coveredwith rain.

The systems offer a better aerody-namic profile for the car, which canreduce fuel consumption. None ofthese systems are in cars yet, butlooking ahead, cameras seem to bethe wave of the future. GeneralMotors said the inside mirror in itsBolt electric car, to be introducedsoon, will be able to connect to acamera, eliminating the problem of aview blocked by passengers or tallobjects in the back seat.


Canada’s Magna InternationalInc. said it has startedproduction at two facilities in

Gujarat’s Sanand, which will supplyauto parts to Ford Motor Co. inIndia. The facilities are located in asuppliers’ park next to Ford’sassembly plant in Gujarat’s Sanand.

Jim Tobin, chief marketing officerand president of Magna Asia said itwas a multi-million dollar projectwith scope for expansion, withoutspecifying the investment in the twounits.

The company currently has 285manufacturing locations globally, ofwhich 11 are in India. “About 116plants across the globe supply toFord. We are looking at the nextphase of growth to come fromIndia,” Tobin said.

Magna is a global strategic compo-nents supplier of Ford. The US-headquartered automaker earlier thisyear started production from itsfactory in Sanand, which it has builtfor an estimated investment of $1billion.

Tobin said the Indian automobilemarket is estimated to grow from 4million units currently to about 12million units by 2030.

At one of the new Sanand facilities,Magna assembles and provides just-in-time deliveries of complete seatsystems for Ford. The 215,000-sq. ftplant is expected to employapproximately 200 people at fullproduction, building approximately240,000 complete seat systems peryear. Both units will together employaround 600 people. As for the

Canadian auto components maker Magnaopens two factories in Sanand

seating systems plant, it will have aninitial capacity to make car seats for240,000 cars per year that can beexpanded to 500,000 car seats peryear on a two-shift basis.

At the second facility in Sanand,Magna will build body and chassissystems for Ford.While the newplants reflect business awards forvehicles that are built from global-platform architectures, they also helpposition Magna for further growth inIndia as vehicle productionexpands.

Sanand, located about 40 km fromAhmedabad, has emerged as amajor destination for automakers,after Tata Motors decided torelocate its factory to Sanand in2008 to build the Nano after facingprotests at its original site in Singur,

West Bengal.

Companies that have followed TataMotors’ footsteps in the last sevenyears include Ford India, MarutiSuzuki India Ltd, Honda Motorcycleand Scooter India Pvt. Ltd andHonda Cars India Ltd.

The Sanand-Hansalpur-Vithalapur

region, which houses Suzuki’s

upcoming car plant, is part of a

proposed cluster of automobile and

textile industries on the ambitious

Delhi-Mumbai freight corridor. The

region has seen investment

proposals of ̀ 20,000-25,000 crore

in the automobile manufacturing

sector.


About two months after theavailability of Honda NAVI, acrossover between a

motorcycle and a scooter, it hascrossed the 10,000 unit sales mark.Commenting on the NAVI’s newsales milestone, Yadvinder SinghGuleria, senior vice president, Sales& Marketing, Honda Motorcycle &Scooter India (HMSI) said, “We aredelighted with the overwhelmingresponse for NAVI from customers,especially from urban trendsettingyouth. Unconventional design, looksand endless possibilities ofcustomization, make owning NAVI afantastic experience. The uniqueappeal has made it a rage in thetwo-wheeler industry. While wecelebrate 10,000 units of NAVI andexpand the NAVI phenomenon tonew cities, the number of bookingsis increasing. NAVI is a three-in-one

Honda NAVI crosses 10,000 unitsales mark

package with the ride feel of amotorcycle, comfort of a scooterand fun of a customized creation”The NAVI had received 900bookings within five weeks of itsunveiling at the Auto Expo 2016 inFebruary. The two-wheeler, which ismanufactured at the company’sTapukara plant in Rajasthan, is mainlytargeted 18-24 year-olds in urbanareas.

Honda NAVI is powered by Activa110cc engine which makes 8PS at7,000rpm and delivers a peaktorque of 8.96Nm at 5,500rpm. TheNavi runs on 12" front and 10" rearwheels, each equipped with a130mm drum-type braking unit, andgets tubeless tyres. It gets upside-down telescopic forks at the frontand a hydraulic mono-shock at therear. Made only in India for the Indian

market, the NAVI is priced at Rs39,648 (ex-showroom Delhi).


Your car is a bundle of parts, and there are lots ofdifferent ways those parts can be supplied, and who canmake them... so, are genuine car parts best?

ACCORDING TO MOST dictionaries, "genuine" means trueand authentic, or in other words, not a fake or counter-feit. Notice there's nothing in that definition about whomakes the part.

However, the FCAI (Federal Chamber of AutomotiveIndustries), says "genuine parts are made or selected bythe vehicle’s maker and rigorously tested by that maker asan integral component of the vehicle to meet high quality,safety and performance standards." That is true, butanother, more widely used and more accurate term forsuch parts is OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)parts, or sometimes just OE parts.

Then there are a range of companies who produce partsthat are not manufacturer approved or supplied, and theusual term for these parts is "aftermarket". Reputableaftermarket companies absolutely do not want theirgoods passed off as OEM, and in fact go to great lengthsto market their name and products as different to, orbetter than the OEM equivalent.

Are genuine car parts best?


There are fake versions of somewell-known aftermarket parts too,so you can have genuine aftermarketparts as well as genuine OEM parts.What you definitely want to avoid iscounterfeits of any part.

What sort of car parts can you,and should you buy?

If you buy OEM there's typically just

aftermarket parts will be warrantedfor the part only, but if that part failsand causes problems elsewhere inthe car then good luck gettingeither the car maker or aftermarketcompany to take responsibility.Note that you don't need to use adealer to supply or fit OEM parts tomaintain your new car's warranty.

Cost - almost without exception,OEM parts are more expensive forthe same function than copy parts.That's because the aftermarketneeds to offer something differentto the OEM and if the part is thesame, price is the differentiator.However, aftermarket parts are oftendifferent designs, or higher quality. Inthis case they may well be moreexpensive than the OEM parts.

Quality - OEM parts tend to be aconsistent quality, which typicallymeans acceptable to very good.

the one part for any given need.However, aftermarket parts can bemade by a variety of differentmanufacturers, and can be split intotwo types: copy parts look identicalor similar to the OEM part, butimportantly, are branded differentlyso they're not counterfeit or "non-genuine". Often these are non-visible parts, for example CV joints.Different parts are, well, different -

they may be styled differently,stronger, different dimensions orsome other design change.Examples of different parts wouldbe stiffer suspension springs, arevised radiator design, restyled taillights, or different specification ofoil.

So, OEM or aftermarket parts -which to choose? Here's somepros and cons:

New-car warranty - OEM parts won'taffect new-car warranty. Quality


There are however some poorquality OEM parts, and in manycases aftermarket parts are higherquality than OEM. Some OEM partsare built to a tight budget. Forexample, the tie rod on myDefender was quite weak, andLC100 front differentials are notknown for their strength. There aresome very poor quality aftermarketparts which are not counterfeit, butin general any counterfeit parts tendto be extremely poor quality as bydefinition they are fraudulent, andyou don't even know who madethe part in the first place so therecan't be any comeback.

Fit for purpose - the OEM parts tendto be rather general purpose.Aftermarket parts can be morefocused, and that's what is meant by'different' parts in the definitionabove. For example, with 4WDs it isvery common to throw brand newsuspension away as the OEM partsaren't designed to handle a heavyvehicle over rough terrain forextended periods. Sportscar driverswho drive on racetracks usually

replace brake pads, brake lines andbrake fluid, if not the calipers androtors themselves. Or maybeowners are after personalisedcosmetic touches such as differentwheels, grills, bonnets or tail lights.People that tow heavy trailers may fitan upgraded cooling system.

Availability - this varies, but oftenOEM parts aren't as readily availableas aftermarket as they are single-sourced, but sometimes it's vice-versa. It's not unusual to wait weeksfor certain parts, so you'd oftenwant to take what you can get. Notall OEM parts will have an aftermarketequivalent either, but in some cases

there will be multiple aftermarketoptions. Wheels are a goodexample of where you're almostcertain to find plenty of choice.

Quite a few factors to consider, butthat's not all. Your choice gets morecomplicated again. Both OEM andaftermarket parts are available indifferent degrees of 'newness':

New - brand new, never been used.These will be the most expensive,but the highest quality.

Used - already used on another car,just a drop-in replacement. This isthe cheapest option, but can be

hard to find. Wreckers are a goodsource of these parts. These partsare also known sometimes as'salvaged' parts. Used parts can be areal bargain, but must be carefullyinspected to ensure they are still fitfor purpose and have not beendamaged either during the previouscar's life, or in storage since.

There is a thriving trade in second-hand parts, usually when a modifiedvehicle is returned to stock form orowners decide to change parts.

Re-manufactured / reconditioned /refurbished - a used part that hasbeen overhauled, perhaps with new


consumable sub-components likebearings, gears, new grease, beenretuned and generally made as closeto new as possible. Commonexamples are complex items such asstarter motors, gearboxes andalternators. These parts are pricedsomewhere between new andused.

Just because a part is made by theOEM and fits your car doesn't meanto say it's appropriate or legal inAustralia. Some parts fit our vehiclesbut haven't been approved for usein Australia, for example ToyotaRacing Developments make a niceset of braided brake lines for the 86,but they aren't ADR-approved socan't be used here. Happily, thereare aftermarket alternatives.

OK, so how do I choose whichpart to use when?

All that choice makes it hard tofigure out which type of part to usewhen, at least for the layperson whoisn't living and breathing cars. That'sbecause part choice very muchdepends on the part required andthe situation.

The safest way for the averageconsumer to figure out what to dois to find a reputable, trustedmechanic who specialises in yourtype of vehicle and follow theiradvice. Generally, such mechanicspick and choose between theOEM, aftermarket and the level of'newness' depending on what'sbest at any given time, althoughdealers will almost always opt for theOEM part. A good mechanic willask a series of questions about whatyou want to do with the car, andthen present some options,allowing you to make a decisionbased on cost, function and speedof repair.

Factors affecting part choice includecost, fitness for the intended use,age of the car, how long you wantthe car to last for, availability, andowner preference. For example, Irecently bought a CV joint for myRanger. The OEM part cost $600, theaftermarket $200. This was in partbecause of the CV joint had tocome with other components Ididn't need...kind of sneaky on


Ford's part given than CVs are oftensnapped on 4WDs but it backfiredfor them when I just bought only thepart I needed from the aftermarket.

I also used to destroy alternators inmud before I grew out of it, so I hadtwo alternators and a standing dealwith a reconditioning shop whowould rebuild one while the otherwas busted yet again by Toolangi'sfinest brown stuff. Today, I havefriends with high-value classics whoare very careful to preserve their car'svalue, so they use only OEM partsbecause future owners will want thatpurity. And I have friends withrunabout cars long past warrantywho drop in the nearest used partto keep their cars on the road, andenjoy very cost-effective motoringas a result. So by now it should beobvious that it's simplistic andwrong to say that either OEM oraftermarket parts are always betterthan the other. However, it is true tosay that you very much get what youpay for, and that company off eBaywho doesn't seem to have a properwebsite and has forgotten to listtheir phone number...that would bewhat is known as a false economy.Don't take risks with car parts, it canbe deadly.

How can an aftermarket partpossibly be as good as the OEMpart?

As the lead engineer on a major carlaunch earlier this year told me, "theaftermarket guys can do this sort ofstuff [parts] so much quicker thanwe can, they're far more nimble."And here's a secret - car manufac-turers don't manufacture anywherenear all of the car componentsthemselves. They outsource designand manufacture to a vast array ofcompanies who send themcomponents to be assembled intoa complete car, and a lot of thosecompanies also design and sellaftermarket equivalents of the sameparts they send to the OEMs.

In some cases, the aftermarketcompany has a better name forquality than the OEM, so manufac-turers actually fit those parts andboast about it in their advertising.Examples are Bilstein suspension,Dana axles and Brembo brakes. And

another example - when Toyotacreated the 86 Race Series theydidn't fit Toyota gear to theirracecars, they fitted aftermarketsuspension, wheels and brakes.

OEM parts are often built to a cost.If a car will sell say 500,000 acrossthe globe then saving $2 on a part isa $1 million saving, which is why tinycosts are cut. But not many cars sellhalf a million? Quite a few do, andgiven the amount of part sharingbetween models it's more thanyou'd think. Aftermarket parts on theother hand, don't sell in anywherenear the same volume and have tobe better than the OEM, the defaultchoice, for anyone to buy them.

Another interesting point to make isthat sometimes car manufacturersoffer different parts for the samevehicle, for example, heavy-dutysuspension for towing. This is animplicit acknowledgment that thestandard part cannot fit everybody'sneeds.

Simply, the good aftermarketcompanies wouldn't exist if theydidn't supply quality gear, and inmany cases they work closely withthe car manufacturer to producetheir products. However, the keypoint is "good aftermarket com-pany". There are plenty of cheapknockoffs, and these parts can beoutright dangerous to fit to your car.

Also, in general the car companies have the resources to do more inte-grated testing of parts than the aftermarket.

What's the real risk with buying car parts?

Let's now look at what the FCAI is warning us against, which is not "non-genuine" as they call it, but in reality counterfeit parts. These are car parts notmade or approved by the OEM which are nevertheless branded as OEMparts by copying part numbers, logos and the like. They're the car equivalentof a $30 Rolex watch, but far more deadly because if a car part fails, thatcould lead to a crash or an expensive fix.

How to avoid? It's pretty simple, just use your brain, just like you'd avoid a$25 set of "Ray Ban" sunglasses. If for example the OEM wheels are $400each from a dealer, then the OEM wheels are not going to be $100 eachbrand new from Joe's Car Parts. Logic says those wheels are either stolen orcounterfeit. However, aftermarket wheels - not branded, or even resemblingthe OEM wheels - may well be cheaper than OEM. Simply, if it looks toogood to be true then it is. Again, work with a trusted mechanic who willknow what's what.

There are counterfeit versions of both OEM and better-known aftermarketparts, although the former are far more common.Just because a part isbranded OEM or from a quality aftermarket manufacturer doesn't mean to sayit is safe. Any part could be worn beyond safe limits, or the wrong partcould be fitted, or it could be incorrectly fitted. Is the counterfeit risk real?

The FCAI says that "imports of counterfeit and pirated goods make uparound 2.5 per cent of global imports", which is a quote from a Europeantrade report that we've linked to at the end of the article. They then go on tosay that "fake car parts from Asia are a growing part of that trade", but there isno source for this statement. This report's 2.5% includes pirated goodswhich include reproducing intangibles such as software, songs and films, aswell as counterfeits which are created fake versions of products.


The budget hatchback thatturned heads when it was firstannounced late last year has

received an overwhelming responsein India with over 1,00,000 bookingsand 50,000 units already on road.

Priced under 4 lakh, the Renault Kwidhas proved to be a tough con-tender both in the small car segmentas well as the affordable SUVcategory. One of the highlights ofthis budget hatchback is its uniqueSUV-like designing. The Kwid issculpted and muscular with a subtlerear that gives it a compact car look.

Adding a dash of modern cartechnology, the Kwid features achrome bezeled centre consolewhich has the same touchscreenunit used in the Duster and Lodgy.The touchscreen provides the user

Renault Kwid Says 'Thank You Indiafor the Overwhelming Response'

to control media functions,telephony through Bluetoothand navigation.

An appealing exterior styling,a strong power train, goodride quality, confident andsecure dynamics, decentfeature set and a host ofoptions make the Kwidunmatched in the segment.

With 24 awards already in itskitty, the Kwid is all geared upto stay India's favouriteaffordable yet robust SUV-style compact car. And theaward bouquet includes CNBViewer's Choice Car of theYear 2016, Design of the Year2016, NDTV CNB Car of theYear 2016, and Small Car ofthe Year 2016.


A recent report on importsstates that the BMW 725Ldhas arrived in India for

homologation purpose.

Thereby, indicating on its possibledebut in the country sometimesoon. Interestingly, the new 725Ldgets a smaller 1995cc diesel engineand we believe that it might beoffered as a base variant among the7 Series variants in India.

The engine in the BMW 725Ld isexpected to get the B47 four-cylinder common rail diesel engineoffered by the German automaker.Owing to a smaller engine capacity,

BMW 725Ld arrives in India forhomologation

post launch, the BMW 725Ld will besurpass the Delhi-NCR region’s banon the registration of cars that arepowered by over 2.0-litre dieselengines. This will also mean that thenew BMW 725Ld will also have anupper hand in luxury car marketwhere other leading automakers likethe Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar areyet to come up smaller dieselengine options. In terms of features,the 725Ld will share similar featureswith the regular 7 Series. A detailedreport on the specifications will beknown in the coming days.

As for the pricing aspect, the 725Ldexpected to be offered as a base

variant, we believe that it might be priced lower than the current 7 Seriesrange. Apart from Delhi-NCR region, the BMW 725Ld will also gain astronghold in Kerala and other cities where NGT has been petitioning to banthe registration of over 2-litre diesel engine cars.


In addition to the detailing centerand café, the two locations serveas retail outlets for the complete

line of Voodoo Ride car careproducts and other Voodoo Ridelifestyle products, such as appareland accessories.

Two new Voodoo Ride Wash and

New Voodoo Ride Wash And CaféCenters A ‘Big Hit’ In China

Café Centers in Shanghai andWuhan, China, have become a bighit with Chinese motorists, thecompany says.

These unique detailing centersprovide car appearance services aswell as comfortable place to enjoy ameal while they wait.

“Voodoo Ride Wash and Cafés werecreated to let motorists multitaskwhile they wait. By adding a café tothe spacious waiting area, custom-ers can get a quick meal and stayconnected on their mobile deviceswhile their vehicle is cared for,” saidChristopher Ferraro, president ofGS27 USA Inc. “With the feedback

received so far, we expect this novelconcept to grow in popularity. Infact, the new Voodoo Ride Washand Café Centers have been so wellreceived that our distributor partnerin China, TNP Performance, isplanning on opening several morecenters this year.”

In addition to the detailing centerand café, the two locations serve asretail outlets for the complete line ofVoodoo Ride car care products andother Voodoo Ride lifestyleproducts, such as apparel andaccessories.

“In addition to China, Voodoo Rideproducts are currently sold in over700 retail locations in Japan and wewill be entering the South Koreanmarket in the coming months,” saidFerraro.

“Voodoo Ride is gaining globalrecognition as a leading car carebrand as we expand its reach in Asiaand throughout the world.”

The Parts Alliance Introduces Autopart Vending Machines With TheAutomobile Association

The PA PartVend concept is being piloted in a number of strategic locations, with the machines electronically linked so The Parts Alliance can tell instantlywhich products are being used and when to replenish the stock. The Parts Alliance has launched the use of auto parts vending machines in partnershipwith the Automobile Association (AA), providing the U.K.’s biggest roadside assistance provider with access to parts on the road 24-hours a day.

The PA PartVend concept is being piloted in a number of strategic locations, with the machines electronically linked so The Parts Alliance can tell instantlywhich products are being used and when to replenish the stock. Mike Curry, sales director of national accounts for The Parts Alliance, said, “Early results arevery positive and we hope to ramp up the number of locations significantly and pretty quickly. The vending machines not only allow access to stock out ofnormal hours but also mean we can get product closer to AA patrols in areas where we currently don’t have branches.” For example, a typical stock item is abattery, and the AA patrol gains access using a secure key code. Curry added, “It’s another way of extending our reach and increases the number oflocations where the AA can quickly pick up parts if they haven’t got them on the van. They get what they need, the beleaguered motorist is back on theroad more quickly and we have a sale. It’s a win for everyone.” Peter Sephton, chief executive of The Parts Alliance, said, ‘’The PA PartVend vending conceptis a world industry first and contributes to our position as a technology leader in the distribution of auto parts in Europe. It integrates with our class leadingelectronic catalog AlliCat and our Parts Alliance Reporting and Compliance tool, PARC, that allows our customers to gain full traceability of their parts in thesupply chain.” The Parts Alliance is the U.K. and Ireland’s largest group of wholly owned and franchised businesses supplying OE and matching quality autoparts to national and independent garages and workshops.


Knorr-Bremse is to take over GTGroup based in Peterlee(County Durham, UK) thereby

reinforcing its competitive positionin the engine air management sector.The parties have agreed not todisclose the purchase price. Theacquisition is subject to approval bythe anti-trust authorities.

GT Group’s core business is thedevelopment and manufacturing ofEGR valves and exhaust brakes fordiesel engines used in the commer-cial vehicle sector. The owner-managed company with around 250employees operates four locationsin the Peterlee area and ranks in bothproduct segments amongst theworldwide market leaders.

“The strategic fit of GT Group toKnorr-Bremse and the strongposition of our combined busi-nesses will enable us to meet theneeds of our worldwide customersregarding the emission-compliantoperation of diesel engines evenmore comprehensively,” explains Dr.Peter Laier, Member of the ExecutiveBoard of Knorr-Bremse AG,responsible for the CommercialVehicle Systems Division.“We access in-depth know-how innew technologies as GT’smechatronic exhaust valvescomplement Knorr-Bremse’s existingproduct portfolio in Asia. Thereforewe are planning a close engineeringcollaboration especially between GTEmissions Systems and oursubsidiaries in Japan and China.Together with the GT Group we areaiming to grow in new regions andstrengthen our market position inEurope and North America. Thisway Knorr-Bremse will take a furtherstep toward its declared aim ofoffering integrated system solutionsand subsystems that boost

customer benefits, reduce costsand ensure both the safe andefficient operation of trucks, trailers,and buses over the entire life cycle.”

As GT Group Chairman and previousOwner Geoff Turnbull said: “Knorr-Bremse is at the pinnacle ofengineering around the world andthe perfect custodian for GT Groupand the extensive expertise andtechnologies we have developed.The support it will provide to GTGroup’s established and experi-enced management team willmaintain our trajectory of growth andmaximize on new opportunitiesacross international markets. With theexpertise of our workforce and thesupport of its new owners, I amconfident I am leaving the businessin very safe hands.”

Thanks to its long-standing expertiseas a supplier to many OEMs and itsongoing development work, GTGroup is ideally placed to offer itscustomers tailor-made solutions andprovide them with optimumsupport as they develop futureengine generations. With its globalpresence, Knorr-Bremse will be ableto offer GT Group’s mature product

technology not only in Europe andNorth America but also for local usein other markets currently subject toless stringent emissions regulationsand/or adapt it to customer needsand market requirements. The GTGroup products will complementthe existing Knorr-Bremse portfolioand contribute to an overall increasein powertrain know-how at Knorr-Bremse.

An exhaust brake is a throttle valvesituated downstream of the exhaustturbine. It is a type of retarder, abraking system which is mandatoryon commercial vehicles. Byrestricting the mass air flow duringengine overrun it increases pumpinglosses, thereby boosting enginebraking power. The exhaust brakereduces the amount of work thathas to be performed by theconventional wheel brakes,preventing them from overheatingand reducing the risk of brake fade.An EGR valve is a device on a dieselengine that controls how muchexhaust gas is recirculated to thecylinders.

On vehicles with EGR (exhaust gasrecirculation) technology, part of the

KNORR-BREMSE EXPANDS ITS COMMERCIAL VEHICLEPOWERTRAIN BUSINESS WITH ENGINE AIR MANAGEMENTSOLUTIONSAcquisition of UK-based GT Group strengthens Knorr-Bremse's market position in Europe and North America

exhaust stream is cooled, mixedwith incoming fresh air andrecirculated back to the combustionchamber with the aim of reducingnitrogen oxide emissions. Forprecise adjustment of EGR volumesto engine operating conditions, theEGR valve must provide accuratecontrol and fast response, and mustalso be sufficiently robust towithstand long-term operationunder very harsh ambient condi-tions.The GT Group, based in Peterlee,County Durham, is an internationalorganization with more than 35 yearsof commitment to excellence inengineering design and manufactur-ing, specializing in environmentalengineering, exporting productsand services to more than 60countries throughout the world. GTGroup retains its head office in theNorth East of England and consistsof four international organizationscovering a diverse range ofengineering activities includingautomotive products, projectengineering and fabrication, seals,and safety related products for thetransfer of LNG and other hazardssubstances in the Oil and Gasmarkets. www.gtgroup.co.uk


Local automakers follow avoluntary code of recalladopted by the industry in July

2012, and have since recalled about2 million vehicles to fix seat belttensioners, air bags and problemswith brake systems.

Automobile companies that don'trecall vehicles despite having clearevidence of safety defects may facepenalties starting October 1,according to rules in the making.Also on the cards is a government-appointed nodal agency that couldlaunch its own investigation intosafety issues and even recommendthe government to order a recall.

India has no mandatory vehicle recallpolicy, unlike in developed marketslike Europe, Japan and the US. Localautomakers follow a voluntary codeof recall adopted by the industry inJuly 2012, and have since recalledabout 2 million vehicles to fix seatbelt tensioners, air bags andproblems with brake systems. Buttransportation experts andconsumers rue lack of governmentnorms to make it compulsory forfirms to act. The new proposals saythe nodal agency shall monitor therecall process and audit the records.

The government could ordermanufacturers to recall vehicles if acertain percentage of buyerscomplain of a safety defect,according to a draft of amendmentsproposed to the Central MotorVehicle Rules, 1989. These provi-sions could kickstart from October,says the draft.. The step to framethe rules comes on a push from the

Prime Minister's Office.

The government is working onintroducing the Road Transport andSafety Bill, 2015, in the next sessionof Parliament. Prime MinisterNarendra Modi in May told ministersto draft rules simultaneously with anyproposed Act to cut down on theimplementation time. Usually, detailsare worked on after the law isenacted, causing a delay in theactual implementation of new rules.

The Road Transport and Safety Billseeks to implement stringent laws todeal with safety issues. RoadTransport and Highways MinisterNitin Gadkari last month had said itsnon-passage was his "biggestregret", as more people are gettingkilled every year in road accidentsthan in "wars, terror attacks orepidemics".

KK Gandhi, executive-director at theSociety of Indian AutomobileManufacturers, confirmed receipt ofa notification on draft rules and saidthe industry body is in the processof examining the details. "Since wehave a voluntary policy in placealready, October deadline should

not pose much of a problem. Butwe have to study the fine-print first,"he said.

A spokesperson at Maruti Suzukiwelcomed the move. "We are yet toget into details but in principle, it is apositive and proactive step in favourof the consumer," he said. The draftlays out process for vehicle recalls.Manufacturers will give at least fourmonths for customers to take theirvehicles for repair after recall noticeis put out but they should also beopen to entertaining customers forthree years after the first recallannouncement. The possibledefects may include malfunction ofsteering components, brake system,fuel system, wheels or seat belt,seats and the head restraintmechanism.

The draft proposes to insert aprovision in the Central MotorVehicle Rules to set up the nodalagency, which will be appointed ordesignated by the Centre. Thisagency will monitor customerfeedback or complaints, accidentdata or any specific situation relatedto safety defects. If it finds asignificant number of "genuine safety

AUTO COS WHO DON’T RECALL VEHICLESDESPITE HAVING SAFETY DEFECTS MAY FACEPENALTIES FROM OCT 1

defects", it should share it with theconcerned manufacturers for furtherinvestigation, the draft says. "Basedon investigation, the concernedmanufacturer shall decide need forrecall." The nodal agency can alsoinitiate its own investigation if it is notsatisfied with findings of themanufacturer.

Draft rules propose penalties formanufacturers if they don't act oninformation they have, but doesn'tspecify details. "No penalty shall belevied in a case where the manufac-turer voluntarily declares andundertakes a safety recall with duediligence. If the manufacturer fails toannounce a safety recall where clearevidence is available as per the recalldefinitions, the Central governmentmay issue appropriate directionsand also impose appropriate penaltyas per provisions of the MotorVehicles Act, 1988 and the CentralMotor Vehicles Rules, 1989," it says.Any dispute between the nodalagency and a manufacturer shall bereferred to the Centre for a finaldecision. The agency will have to beinformed within 7 days of a recallexercise being initiated. It shall createa database of safety recalls.


Aston Martin has launched the2016 Rapide at a staggeringprice of Rs. 3.29 Crore (Ex.

Showroom, Thane) in the country. Itwas launched by Mr. Neil Slade,General Manager, Aston MartinMiddle East and North Africa, andMr. Lalit Choudary, ManagingDirector, Infinity Cars. The exquisitesupercar debuted at PerformanceCars, a division of Infinity Carsdealership, which retails AstonMartins in India.

CHECK OUT THE ASTON MARTINV12 VANTAGE S

Talking about the new features of2016 Aston Martin Rapide, it comesloaded with a 6.5-inch AMI IIItouchscreen infotainment system.The infotainment system boasts ofaudio, navigation, telephonyfunctions and vehicle information.Speaking at the launch, Neil Slade,general manager, AMMENA , Aston

Martin said, “The British marqueeluxury sport automobile producer isespecially excited to introduce therevamped 2016 model of the bestselling Rapide to Indian automotiveenthusiasts. This model offersunprecedented power and comfortat an extremely attractive price. Indiahas been a market of strategicimportance for Aston Martin and weare very delighted to launch the newRapide in the country. Aston Martinhas been very responsive to thedemands of the Indian consumersand have therefore launched thenew Rapide especially for India.”

Under the hood, the 2016 Rapidehas a new 6.0L V12 motor whichbelts out 505bhp of top power. It islinked to an 8-speed automatic ZFtransmission which propels thesedan to touch the 100kmph markfrom standstill in just 4.6 secondsbefore topping out at 306kmph. Asfor safety, the supercar carries 8-

2016 Aston Martin Rapide Launchedat Rs. 3.29 Crores

airbags, dual pre-tensioning seat belts and load limiting technology for all thefour occupants. Speaking on the decision to introduce the 2016 Rapide,Infinity Cars Managing Director, Lalit Choudary said, “The earlier Aston MartinRapide is the highest selling four-door sports car in the country accountingfor over 50 percent of the Aston Martin cars sold in India. The superiorground clearance, robust road handling, four-door practicality, well-craftedinteriors; combined with its suitability to Indian roads, weather conditionsand fuel requirements, makes the Rapide a perfect choice for the Indiansupercar buyer."


The Czech car maker, Skoda unveiled the partially disguised productionversion of the Skoda VisionS concept at an event in Prague, that wasshowcased at the Geneva Motor Show 2016. The SUV has been

codenamed as “A-Plus” and reportedly will get a Kodiak moniker. And webring you a rendering of the second generation Skoda Yeti designed byBernard Car Design.

Based on the Volkswagen’s MQB platform, the new Skoda Yeti couldborrow some of the engine specs from the Volkswagen Tiguan, and it willbe positioned in the same segment as that of the Tiguan, which is comesunder a C-segment Compact SUV in Europe. While the Skoda Kodiaq willmost likely be similar to the stretched Tiguan i.e. the XL version, which is athree-row version of the Volkswagen Tiguan.

As the engine details are not out yet, but it could be offered in both petroland diesel engines, where the petrol unit is expected to be 1.0-litreturbocharged three-cylinder unit and the diesel motor could be carriedforward from its predecessor with some tweaks. Transmission options couldbe a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit. It will be available four-wheeldrive system. Though, the company is planning to add a hybrid powertrainin its entire line-up.

2017 new Skoda Yeti Rendered


The “who’s who” of the carwash business will gather onceagain from 13 to 17 September

2016 at Automechanika in Frankfurt.At present, 85 per cent of theexhibitors from 2014 have alreadyconfirmed their participation. Themajority of the companies comefrom Europe, including Otto ChristAG, Istobal, Nilfisk, Adriateh, KAWKiehl KG, Flowey Products,Favagrossa, DuBois Chemicals,Ergox, Alfred Kärcher Vertriebs-GmbH, and WashTec CleaningTechnology GmbH. The companiesDi Martino Spa and Golden Chimigalfrom Italy, as well as Tenzi fromPoland, Axel Team from Greece aswell as Gloria GmbH, MeineWaschstrasse GmbH, and AbacusChemie from Germany will take part

in the trade fair for the first time,alongside TH Grass LLC from Russia.

Products and solutions for commer-cial vehicles will be presented byAlfred Kärcher Vertriebs-GmbH,Nilfisk, STR-SteinbrücknerReinigungstechnik GmbH, andothers. The sign “Truck Compe-tence” on the trade fair stand andthe visitors’ guide bearing the samename will help visitors find commer-cial vehicle offerings from the variouscompanies.

In 2016, the theme Car Wash & Careis once again set to attract a largenumber of visitors. At the lastAutomechanika Frankfurt, around 10per cent of the 140,000 visitors from174 countries were interested in

Leading car wash manufacturers will exhibit atAutomechanika Frankfurt 2016VEHICLE CARE AND RECONDITIONING GROUPED TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HALL 9.1

products and solutions for car washand care.Since then, the themes of vehiclecare, reconditioning, and car washhave become an integral element ofAutomechanika. Over four decades,well-known manufacturers of carwashes, cleaning agents, andcleaning accessories have pre-sented their products in a dedicatedarea at the trade fair in Frankfurt;since 2008, they have been housedin the “Car Wash City” in the outdoorarea.

For the first time, the themes of carwash, care, and reconditioning arebeing brought closer together at thefair: with the established “Car WashCity” being relocated to the outdoorarea F10 and recently also F11, it is

now in direct proximity to Halls 8, 9,and 11.

The car care and reconditioningproduct area is being expanded andwill be found in Hall 9.1 for the firsttime. So far, around 90 per cent ofthe exhibitors from 2014 in thisproduct segment have alreadyconfirmed their participation, withthe return of US-based ArmoredAuto UK Limited, a large key player inthe industry with offices in Europeand Asia.Distinguished industry experts willreport on current topics and trendsduring the series of presentations inthe “Car Wash City”, which provedvery popular in 2014 and will takeplace in a lightweight hall again nextyear.


The winners for the 2016edition were chosen after astringent 7-stage process by

an independent jury. Tata Steel hasbeen given the award in SustainedExcellence category.

India's largest carmaker by volumeMaruti Suzuki has won the award forbest Private Sector (Manufacturing)category at the BML Munjal Awardsfor Business Excellence throughLearning & Development.

The winners for the 2016 editionwere chosen after a stringent 7-stage process by an independentjury. Tata Steel has been given theaward in Sustained Excellencecategory. Other winners include -

Maruti Suzuki named best privatemanufacturer at BML Munjal awards

Public Sector Undertaking category -BHEL, Special jury Recommendationin Private Sector (Manufacturing)category - Lupin, Private Sector(Services) category - TataConsultancy Services, and EmergingStars category - iQor.

Congratulating the winners, SunilKant Munjal, Chairman, HeroCorporate Service said, "It wasextremely heartening to see thatcompetition for BML Munjal Awardshave become tougher and despitethat more companies are trying toparticipate and win this covetedprize."

He further added by saying, "Overthe last decade it has been our

concerted effort to create awareness and promote the importance ofLearning & Development in professional areas to improve efficiency andquality of Indian workforce."

Past winners of the Awards include organisations such as Tata Steel, NationalInurance, Bank of Baroda, Thermax, DHL HSBC, HDFC Bank, Infosys, TajHotels, HP, Indian Oil, Punjab National Bank, among others.


Given that Kwid’s SUV-relatedstyling cues enthusedbuyers enough to reinvigo-

rate the segment, Maruti is consider-ing introducing next Alto in a tallboy, crossover avatar.

Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai MotorIndia are looking to revise theirstrategy for entry-level car models,given the unexpected success ofRenault's Kwid, said several peopleaware of the development.

Given that Kwid's SUV-related stylingcues enthused buyers enough toreinvigorate the segment, MarutiSuzuki is considering introduction ofthe next Alto in a tall boy, crossoveravatar by 2018, they said.

Hyundai has also started a newproject internally called AH that aimsto deliver a crossover design towoo entry-level car buyers in thesecond half of 2018, people said.The South Korean car makerestimates potential sales of 95,000to 1 lakh units with the new vehicle,according to vendors.

Although a small car, the Kwid hasadopted the design swagger of alarger vehicle, prompting MarutiSuzuki and Hyundai to go back tothe drawing board. Mahindra &Mahindra has created a new micro-SUV segment with its KUV100starting at Rs 4.5 lakh, calling it anentry-level SUV.

About a year after the Kwid's launch,more than 1lakh people have eitherbought or booked the car. TheKUV100 has got about 37,000bookings since its unveiling inNovember. The Kwid starts at Rs 2.6lakh.

Maruti Suzuki managing directorKenichi Ayukawa lauded Renault onits success. "We have to congratu-late them but we are not happy, sowe have to have some countermeasure. We are deciding what kindof product is needed in thatsegment," he said.

Asenior executive at the largest carmaker spoke of global trend ofcrossovers penetrating the compact

RENAULT KWID SUCCESS MAKING MARUTI SUZUKI, HYUNDAITO REVISE THEIR STRATEGY FOR ENTRY LEVEL CARS?

car segment and that body stylealong with affordable pricing makefor an interesting option for Indianconsumers.

"The design for the new Alto is yetto be frozen for India but clearly aconsideration of crossover bodystyle is being looked at," he said.

Even as the design of the next Altois being deliberated, the newcrossover hatch from Maruti Suzuki,the Ignis, will be hitting the market inthe festive season.

The Ignis has a tall boy design with ahigh seating position, which willdraw the attention of prospectivebuyers in the sub-Rs 6 lakh bracket,which makes up 35-40% of theoverall car market.

The entry-level car market accountsfor a fifth of the annual total of 5.5lakh units. The segment has comealive with the Kwid, analysts said,adding that Nissan will be launchingRedi-Go from the Datsun stable inJune. That car too has similarly

aggressive styling, they said.

Rakesh Srivastava, senior vicepresident of sales and marketing atHyundai Motor India, declined tocomment on future product plansbut said the entry car segment hadbeen declining due to lack oflaunches.

With that having changed, thesegment is expected to recover.According to him, car penetration inIndia is still very low at 19 vehiclesper 1,000 people and entrysegment is bound to grow as manyusers of two wheelers will look toupgrade.

"We expect the entry car segment tocontinue sizeable volume withmoderate growth rate with newlaunches," he said. "At Hyundai, weare watching every segment closely,including entry, for productopportunities to strengthen ourleadership position with newlaunches of at least two newproducts every year."


Automakers have nowstarted exporting biggercars and engines from

India, and are also relying on localresearch & development todevelop vehicles.In the past ninemonths, Mercedes-Benz broughtsome 80-90 Brazilians, in threebatches, to its plant at Chakan inPune. They were here for training onsome critical processes of vehicleassembly, body and paint shopfunctioning, and an area where Indiahas demonstrated its prowesscompact cars.

Executives from Chakan are nowscheduled to travel to the Germancompany's facility at the town ofIracemapolis in Sao Paulo to offerthe Brazilians some onsite trainingand help in setting up a paint shop.India, with its frugal manufacturingcapability, is known already as abase for producing small cars for theworld. Automakers have nowstarted exporting bigger cars andengines from here, and are alsorelying on local research &development (R&D) to developvehicles. With the country becominga training ground as well, and localsites defining the best practices forthose elsewhere to follow, India isseen as etching its mark deep as akey cog in the global automobileindustry.

This is also a demonstration of theconfidence that automobile majorshave in their Indian managers and anacknowledgement of the hard workthey have put into creating well-oiled operations, said industryexecutives. "I believe it's like a two-

way traffic. You've to perform andprove yourself and at the same timeyou also need acknowledgement,"said Piyush Arora, executive directorof operations at Mercedes-BenzIndia. "Our HQ (headquarters) hasshown a lot of courage andconfidence. They've entrusted withus training a third country; thisshows the confidence the HQ hasin us," added Arora.

Not too long ago, when HyundaiMotor was planning to start a thirdshift at its Alabama plant in the US, ateam of about 30 people visited theKorean company's Chennai factoryto understand, among other things,the shift pattern, logistics manage-ment and people movement. FordGlobal Business Services, whichemploys close to 14,000 people inIndia, offers various services to FordMotor's global operations, includingin IT, accounting, engineeringservices and data analytics. Suzukireplicated Maruti Suzuki's dealermanagement system at SuzukiPakistan. The Maruti system measures

operational performance of thecompany's nearly 2,000 dealerships.The Japanese parent uses theMaruti-developed, IT-basedwarehouse management system atits Indonesian subsidiary, SuzukiIndoMobil. Indian executives wereroped in to help their foreigncounterparts in these processtransfers.

"Managing the warehouse for partsis a complex process. Given thewide range of Maruti Suzuki models,and the need to service a massivenational network in time, thecompany has created an effectivewarehouse management system forparts. This too is being adapted inother markets," said a Marutispokesperson. As the world movestowards more of software and softskills, there is a larger recognition ofexceptional work done bycompanies in India and globalorganisations are willing to take thegood work to other geographiesand operations, said VGRamakrishnan, managing director of

Global automakers make India a trainingground to learn best practices

Avanteum Advisors. "We shouldexpect Indian entities of globalorganisations having larger impact onglobal business in future."

According to Mercedes-Benz, itsIndian plant is on par with those inGermany in terms of process qualityand stability. In India, Mercedesdoesn't produce the entire car, butassembles it from imported kits. Butthe maker of the S-Class saloon andGLA sports utility vehicle isincreasing the use of local parts tomake its products more affordablehere. Copying the processes andpractices allows the company toquickly set up facilities in othersimilar emerging markets, such asBrazil. When the Brazilians were atthe Chakan plant, every visitor wasassigned a mentor, with bothworking closely until the end of thetraining, said Arora, the executivedirector of operations at Mercedes-Benz India. And he sees Indiaplaying an increasingly key rolewhenever and wherever thecompany sets up a new plant.


Home-grown auto major TataMotors is gearing up toexpand its commercial

vehicle business in South India, astronghold of Ashok Leyland.Home-grown auto major TataMotors is gearing up to expand itscommercial vehicle business inSouth India, a stronghold of AshokLeyland, by adding 15 showroomsand 70 semi-mobile workshops.The company, which at present has34 dealers in four states in SouthIndia -- Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,Karnataka and Kerala -- is focusingon expanding network in smallertowns. "South India is a large market

for commercial vehicles as the roadnetwork is well developed in theregion. As we are the market leadersin the country, it is important for usto strengthen our position in thismarket as well," Tata Motors SeniorVice President, Commercial VehiclesBusiness Unit, R Ramakrishnan told.As part of the expansion plan, thecompany will improve its presencein towns with a population ofaround 50,000 in order to cater tothe demand for its small commercialvehicles, like Ace and Magic.

"We are focusing on small commer-cial vehicle segment. We want to

Tata Motors aims to expand CV bizin South India

penetrate in towns with population of around 50,000 with these small CVs,"Ramakrishnan said. At present, North India leads in sales of commercialvehicles for Tata Motors, followed by western, south and eastern markets.Hinduja flagship firm Ashok Leyland dominates the South Indian market.

In order to consolidate its presence in the region, Tata Motors is also lookingat various measures, including modernising its dealerships and introducingsemi-mobile workshops for its customers. "In order to cater to customerswho own trucks, tippers and buses, we have come with semi-mobileworkshops.We have containers with tools and equipment, which could be moved toany area where our customer is located, Ramakrishnan said. Tata Motors has55 such workshops in the region. "We plan to take this number to 125 inSouth India and nationally from 240 to 400 in near future," Ramakrishnan said.Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company by revenue and hadconsolidated sales of Rs 2,60,734.33 crore in 2014-15. It sells a range ofCVs, from Ace Zip to Prima range of heavy trucks


Messe Essen and MesseFrankfurt are adding anotherchapter to the cooperation

with regard to their premier globalfairs REIFEN and Automechanika:From September 11 to 15, 2018,both the fair companies will stageREIFEN in Frankfurt for the first timeparallel to Automechanika in thenew Hall 12. In addition, exhibitorsat REIFEN will profit from theinternational network ofAutomechanika with 14 other eventsin 13 countries at the moment: Fromthen on, REIFEN will also take placethere in parallel. After Messe Essenand Messe Frankfurt have alreadybeen collaborating successfullysince 2014 and presenting REIFENand Automechanika at selectedlocations abroad, the premier fairswill now move even closer together.

On the occasion of its 30th editionin 2018, REIFEN will tread new pathsand highlight its role as a source ofimpetus for the sector. "Togetherwith Messe Frankfurt, we are

bringing the tyre industry togetherwith the automotive aftermarket andpresenting its complete processchain. The exhibitors at REIFEN willreach even more visitors at the newlocation in Frankfurt parallel toAutomechanika, including theinternational decision takers from theindustry, the garages and the trade.For the industry, there will be just thisone date in Germany in the future,"Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen,commented on the benefits of thepioneering cooperation.

REIFEN and AutomechanikaFair Brands Bundle Servicesand Know-How

Detlef Braun, Member of theExecutive Board of Messe Frankfurt,emphasised: "REIFEN is supplement-ing the portfolio of the world'sleading fair brand Automechanika inan ideal way. We are offering theindustry common dates and, for thetrade and the garage sector, arebundling all the know-how and

services in one place. That appliesto Frankfurt as well as to our 14other Automechanika fairs world-wide. The decisive factor for ourcustomers is: As a valuablesupplement to the product range ofAccessories & Customising wherewheels and rims already have theirplace, we are making the subject oftyres a well-rounded matter."

New Perspectives for the Tyre Tradeat Automechanika Frankfurt

In the future, the visitors to REIFENwill be able to obtain comprehen-sive information about vehicleservice in just one place in additionto their classical business. Amongstother subjects, this will include theequipment with installations andspecial tools as well as advice anddiagnosis competence foremployees in the car service sector.Thus, Messe Essen is also fulfillingthe wishes of many specialised tyredealers: Their business model is in astate of upheaval - in total, the cartyre turnover per outlet has beendeclining substantially for severalyears. Car service is regarded as anadditional business field of thefuture and Automechanika portraysit in a unique diversity and depth.Frank Mertz, Sales Division Managerat Messe Essen, highlighted thetrailblazer character of the twopremier global fairs in one place:"The model of the classical tyre fairhas functioned excellently in Essenover many decades and we will setstandards in 2016, too. However,

Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt (left), and Oliver P.Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen, are adding another chapter to the cooperation with regardto the premier global fairs REIFEN and Automechanika: From September 11 to 15, 2018,Messe Essen and Messe Frankfurt will stage REIFEN in Frankfurt for the first timeparallel to Automechanika in the new Hall 12.

REIFEN Goes Automechanika FrankfurtTWO PREMIER GLOBAL FAIRS IN ONE PLACE

FROM 2018, MESSE ESSEN AND MESSE FRANKFURT JOINTLY STAGE PREMIER GLOBAL FAIRAS CO-LOCATED SHOW IN FRANKFURT

we will then take the next steptogether with Messe Frankfurt andopen up new subject fields andtarget groups for the tyre sector. Theconsolidation of a lot of participantsin the market is in full swing. We aremaking the absolutely clear claim tobe the decisive step ahead of anycoming changes in the sense of ourcustomers."

REIFEN and Automechanika: TwoPremier Global Fairs Set the Tone

REIFEN is the undisputed premierglobal fair and the meeting place fordecision takers in the tyre sector.Most recently, Messe Essen greeted670 exhibitors from 45 nations aswell as around 20,000 visitors from130 countries. REIFEN is the only fairof its kind to portray the entirespectrum of the value added chainof the tyre: from the stage beforeproduction via manufacturing andtrading right up to retreading andrecycling. With 4,660 exhibitors from74 countries and around 138,000visitors from 176 nations,Automechanika Frankfurt alsorecently impressively confirmed itsrole as the premier international fair inthe automobile sector and a magnetfor the automobile world.

The trailer and further informationabout the co-located show andAutomechanika:

www.reifen-goes-automechanika.dehttp://automechanika.messefrankfurt.com


MFGRS. OF AUTOMOTIVE REAR VIEW MIRRORS & HORNS FOR ALL TYPE OF TRUCKS, BUSES, TRACTORS, MOTORCYCLES, SCOOTERS

AND AUTORICKSHAWS

PERFECT AUTO INDUSTRIESFARIDABAD, HARYANA

Automobile manufacturers,suppliers and start-ups willpresent future-oriented

products and solutions from thefields of connectivity, alternativepowertrains, autonomous cars,mobility services and smart dataanalytics.

The “Festhalle” of Frankfurt Fair andExhibition Centre will be the hotspotfor innovations at this year’sAutomechanika Frankfurt with thesubject of “Tomorrow’s Service &Mobility.” One of the highlights willbe the world’s first fully electricORTEN E 75 AT, a truck with alightweight box body that, despite a100-percent electrical powertrain,has a payload more than 30 percentgreater than the standard, diesel-powered box-bodied vehicle. Thenew ORTEN ELECTRIC TRUCKSBusiness Unit is one of the start-upsthat will make a presentation in the“Festhalle.” The company, which hasits roots in traditional vehiclemanufacturing, is cooperating withEFA-S Elektrofahrzeuge Stuttgart.

Other future-oriented products andsolutions on display will include ZFFriedrichshafen with the AdvancedUrban Vehicle, a concept car thatdemonstrates the potential inherentin intelligently linking individualchassis, drive and driver-assistancesystems and represents anexemplary solution for individualurban transport in the small andcompact segment. The AdvancedUrban Vehicle is an example of theinnovative potential of the joint ZFTRW company: electric steering –the steering wheel, sensors and rearcamera come from the develop-ment department of the world’sleading safety specialists.

A market leader for spare-partsinformation and data-based

services, Eucon, is taking part inAutomechanika for the first time andpresenting its Aftermarket Intelli-gence Suite, a fully-integratedanalysis tool for spare-parts prices.Eucon has been supporting itscustomers since 1997 with thedigitization and automation ofbusiness processes and revealingthe huge potential of key technolo-gies, such as big data and businessanalytics, for improved competitive-ness and profitability.

Visitors also can look forward tonew products from a variety ofcompanies including AutopMaschinenbau, AVL DiTest, BoschCar Multimedia Hildesheim,Conceito, Continental / ContiTech,Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst, Jaguar & LandRover (Car to Car Communication)and Schaeffler AutomotiveAftermarket from Germany, as wellas Brembo, Texa and Star Gas fromItaly, IDLP Groupe, Lumileds FranceSAS (Philips) and OOCAR Sas fromFrance, BVBA Federal-Mogul fromBelgium, Elci Elektronik Kima San. Tic.Ltd from Turkey, OOO Pandora Tradefrom Russia, Hanyang Information &Communication from South Koreaand Reduce Carbon Energy fromTaiwan. In addition, visitors will havethe chance to take a look at the“Workshop of the Future.”

For the first time, innovative productsfrom all segments that have beenselected for the AutomechanikaInnovation Award will be on displayat a special exhibition in the“Festhalle.” The AutomechanikaInnovation Award is given in eightcategories by an independent juryof experts and is a coveteddistinction that has been presentedat Automechanika Frankfurt since1996. Exhibitors still have until theend of May to enter at innovation-award.automechanika.com.

The ‘Festhalle’ is also a presentation platform for young trailblazers andpioneers where creative start-ups and young innovative companies fromGermany can show their promising ideas, products and solutions in apavilion sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy(Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie – BMWi). Applications can bemade at http://goo.gl/iCfqrO until 8 July.

For high potentials and young professionals looking for new challenges, Job& Career is the ideal platform for contacting and getting to know prospec-tive employers.

Visitors wanting to experience the tomorrow’s mobility will have theopportunity to test-drive a variety of electric vehicles on a special track onthe adjoining outdoor area.

Further information can be found at automechanika.com.

Automechanika Frankfurt To Feature‘Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility’ In The‘Festhalle’ For The First Time


Indian vehicles are probably muchlouder than automobileselsewhere in the world. Accord-

ing to auto industry experts, India'snoise cutoff for horns at 93 decibel(dB), according to the Central MotorVehicle Rule (CMVR) 119is in linewith international standards, but thetop end of the noise rangeat 112dBis higher.

Also, a lot of vehicular noise iscaused by air horns and multi-tonedhorns, as TOI campaign in associa-tion with Awaaz Foundation hashighlighted. The import or localproduction of these air horns is notcontrolled or monitored.

Auto experts say the 93-112dB hornnoise level for vehicles inIndiameasured at a distance seven

metres from the position of a hornand at a height of 0.5 to 1.5metreswas on par with EU standardsuntil recently.

The "EU has recently revised thisstandard wherein the upper limit hasbeen kept unaltered at 112dB butthe lower limit has been revised to87dB," said C V Raman, executivedirector, engineering, Maruti Suzuki.

"This, despite the fact that ambientnoise in European cities in muchlower than in India." Raman said theproblem of horn noise wasaggravated by frequent andunnecessary use of horns on Indianroads. Apart from honking, vehicularnoise is measured in two categories.There is vehicle passbynoisemeasured at about 10 metre

Indian vehicles are much louder than auto-mobiles elsewhere in the worldALSO, A LOT OF VEHICULAR NOISE IS CAUSED BY AIR HORNS AND MULTI-TONED HORNS

distance at 50kmph full throttle insecond or thirdwhich can comefrom engine, powertrain, exhaustsystem or tyre rolling.

CMVR 120 offers a cutoff of this,which varies from 80dB for petroltwo-wheelers to 91dB for passen-ger and commercial vehicles above12,000kg weight (see table). Thenthere is stationary noise for whichthere is currently a proposal forIndian regulations with 3.9dB as thecutoff.

Part of the problem of vehicularnoise is also the use of multi-tonehorns, which are not permitted onnormal motor vehicles.

"After-market fitment of pressure/multi-toned horns is a common

phenomenon and there's is noenforcement to penalize the errant,"said Raman. "As per the MotorVehicle Rules, multi-toned horns arenot permitted to be fitted but dueto lack of enforcement, such hornsare readily available in the market."

Indeed, a recent National GreenTribunal order over the Dilip Nevatiacase resulted in the MaharashtraPollution Control Board (MPCB)proposing a much lower noisecutoff for multi-tone horns andsirens than allowed.

"The cutoff here was 10dB overvehicle engine noise but enginenoise is not measured in India, onlypassby noise is," said a SIAMsource. This not only createdconfusion over cutoff but also overpermitted horn noise range. Thetrouble is 10dB over and above thepassby cutoff (say 82 dB for cars)would be much lower than the 93-112 dB range for vehicle horns rightnow.

The matter is now under consider-ation of an expert committee set upby MPCB. Meanwhile, a draftnotification for an Ambulance Codefor sirens has been prepared by theministry of road transport andhighways where the range is 110-120 dB.


Indian automobile industry hasapproached the government toconsider a rupee-based payment

mechanism for trading with Africannations as companies face a majorhurdle in dollar-denominatedpayout.

The industry has also asked fornegotiating free trade agreements(FTAs) with more Latin Americancountries like Chile, Peru andColombia to boost exports from thecountry.

"We have approached Ministry ofCommerce for rupee trade withAfrican countries as we are facing achallenge in dollar trade in these bigexport markets like Algeria andNigeria," Society of Indian Automo-bile Manufacturers (SIAM), DeputyDirector General Sugato Sen said.These countries cannot makepayments in dollars and that isimpacting the trade with thesenations, he added. "So we haveasked the Commerce Ministry tonegotiate rupee trade with thesecountries. It is a long term bilateralthing and these countries also needto study it," Sen said.

Of the total automobile exports ofaround $8.86 billion in 2015-16,Africa alone accounted for 30-35per cent of the total overseasshipments in value terms. Withissues like falling prices of crude andcommodities, African countries arefacing issues with dollar payments.Countries like Algeria, Nigeria andMorocco are among the majorexport markets for domesticautomobile industry. SIAM has alsoapproached the Commerce Ministryfor FTA's with more Latin Americannations to safeguard exports tothese markets.

"These countries are inking FTAs withvarious competitors like SouthKorea, Japan and the US and as aresult due to the enhanced

competition our position is gettingeroded. So we are seeking FTAswith more countries in the conti-nent," Sen said.

In the past few years there has beena clear shift in automobile exportsfrom developed regions like EU todeveloping markets like Africa, LatinAmerica and ASEAN region, headded. Automobile exports fromIndia to Latin America stood at $91million in 2004-5. It grew to $1,044million in 2013-14. ASEAN, Africaand Latin America are the fastestgrowing markets for automobileexports from India since 2004-05.However, the country's exports toSAARC nations have been decliningwhich is a cause of worry, Sen said.

Auto industry asks govt for rupeetrade with African nations


The Yamaha Ray-ZR is the fifthscooter offering from theJapanese two-wheeler giant

for the Indian market. The Ray-ZR isalso the first Yamaha scooter in Indiato get disc brake as an optional extra

India Yamaha Motor expanded itsscooter portfolio in the Indianmarket by launching the new Ray-ZR.The new scooter will be offered intwo variants, standard and with discbrake. The Yamaha Ray-ZR standardvariant has been priced at Rs 52,000while the disc brake variant carries asticker price of Rs 54,500 (bothprices ex-showroom Delhi). Thescooter was first showcased at the2016 Auto Expo in Delhi earlier thisyear. It is the second new productlaunch for Yamaha after the Saluto RX110cc commuter bike that waslaunched last week. The Yamaha Ray-ZR has a sporty styling and istargeted at young male riders with itsedgy design language.

Speaking about the new scooter,Roy Kurian, VP-Sales & Marketing,Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd.said, “Out of the total demand oftwo wheelers in India, the scootersegment is soaring with 30%contribution to the sales and we arelooking at 10% market share for thisyear. With Yamaha’s forte to cater toyoungsters with its DNA of style,sportiness and innovation, the newCygnus Ray-ZR will surely be a treatfor real boys, especially among theones particularly keen on style andtechnology. With the launch of theFascino in 2015, Yamaha furtherwitnessed a steep growth in sales,

which only testifies its strongproduct focus and market strategy.We are excited to launch the newCygnus Ray-ZR which is all set to revmany hearts among Indian custom-ers.”

The Yamaha Ray-ZR is powered bythe same 113cc air-cooled motor asseen on other scooters in theYamaha India portfolio. The single-cylinder mill churns out 7.1PS at7,500rpm while peak torque ratingstands at 8.1Nm at 5,500rpm. Theengine also features Yamaha’spatented “Blue Core” that improves

Yamaha Ray-ZR scooter launched atRs 52,000

combustion efficiency and the Japanese two-wheeler giant claims a mileagefigure of 66kmpl for the new scooter. The Yamaha Ray-ZR tips the scale at just103kg as the body panels are made from fibre.

Talking about features, the scooter gets a generous 21-litre under seatstorage capacity and tubeless tyres. The new Yamaha Ray-ZR is also the firstYamaha scooter in India to offer front disc brake as an optional extra which isa good move owing to the better braking performance of disc brakes.

The standard variant gets drum brakes on both the wheels. Telescopic frontforks and monoshock unit at the back take care of suspension duties. TheYamaha Ray-ZR is the fourth scooter from Yamaha for India which currentlyconsists of Yamaha Ray Z (unisex), Yamaha Alpha (family scooter) and thestylish Fascino (female oriented) which has got off to a great start in theIndian market. The disc brake and the drum brake variant will be offered intwo colour option.


For now, the automatictransmission will be availableonly on the Hyundai Creta SX+

variant, which is the one below thetop-spec SX (O) variant.

Hyundai seems to be leaving nostone unturned in order to cash inon the popularity of its compactSUV, the Creta. The car, launched lastyear, missed only the automaticpetrol variant from its line-up till now.But that gap has also been pluggedwith the recent launch of the newHyundai Creta petrol automatic for asticker price of Rs 13.48 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Though carried out in hushed tones,the launch will take effect immedi-ately with Hyundai dealerships nowaccepting bookings across thecountry. For now however, the

automatic transmission will beavailable only on the SX+ variant,which is the one below the top-spec SX (O) variant.

The company will also be introduc-ing an automatic diesel option in theS+ mid-variant of the Creta. Up tillnow, the Creta was available with anautomatic option only in the SX+diesel model. The automatic petrolCreta will feature the same 6-speedautomatic transmission as used onthis diesel variant. Powering it, is the1.6-litre four cylinder VTVT enginethat churns out 123PS of maximumpower and 150Nm of peak torque.

In terms of features, the SX+automatic petrol model getsprojector headlamps, chrome grille,chrome door handles, smart keywith push button start, automatic

Hyundai Creta Automatic Petrollaunched at Rs 13.48 lakh

climate control, electrically folding OVRMs and a rear viper. As for competi-tion, only the Ford EcoSport gets the petrol automatic while even the RenaultDuster’s AMT is restricted to its diesel variant. Other rivals, like the MahindraScorpio, the XUV500, and the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, remain devoid of apetrol automatic but this move from Hyundai should pave way for suchupdates from other manufacturers too.

We had recently reported that the waiting period could rise up to 5 months.Deliveries are expected to begin around the festive season later this year.


Ultra-premium cabin that’s

spacious, stylish and

comfortable, with a new-

generation instrument cluster, with

best-in-class NVH and convenient

utility features

Ultra performance with a reliable Tata

engine, new generation transmis-

sion, suitable for various applications

Tata Motors, among the Top 10

global truck and bus manufacturers,

has launched its next-generation

range of ULTRA Business Utility

Vehicles, addressing customer

requirements in the light commercial

vehicle segment. The Tata ULTRA is

designed keeping in mind changing

customer needs, for a commercial

vehicle based on superior perfor-

mance, with a comfortable world-

class cabin, heavy-duty aggregates

and multiple load-body configura-

tions, offering customers the Tata

Motors advantage of increased

productivity and longer life. Be it for

large captive users, transporters or

owner-drivers, the Tata ULTRA offers

the lowest overall cost of owner-

ship, safety and offers multiple

features, setting new performance

benchmarks in the light commercial

vehicle segment in Kenya.

The Tata ULTRA can cater to payloads

ranging 4 to 11 tonnes and engine

capacities from 125 HP to 180 HP.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ravi

Pisharody, Executive Director,

Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors

said “At Tata Motors, the core

philosophy behind the launch of

every new commercial vehicle is an

endeavor to contribute to modern-

ize the market we cater to. The Tata

ULTRA launched, is a result of

extensive feedback from customers

and an immersive study into the lives

of drivers to better understand their

expectations, and is thereby

designed to fast-track their

businesses with superior all-round

performance.

As a major player, we are committed

to shaping the industry here, with

the latest global technologies, giving

the Kenyan customer competitive

business advantages with the

trusted credentials of the Tata

Motors brand.” Mr. Rudrarup Maitra,

Head-Commercial Vehicles

International Business, Tata Motors

said, “With Tata ULTRA, Tata Motors

has taken another step forward in its

transformation journey, reaffirming

the company’s customer centric

approach of offering next-genera-

tion commercial vehicles solutions

to its customers especially in Middle

East and African markets. Having

successfully launched Tata Prima

range of trucks in East Africa and

South Africa last year, we hope to

repeat the same with ULTRA. We are

very excited with the buzz Tata Ultra

has created during the trials in Kenya.

An important product from the Tata

Motors commercial vehicle

portfolio, with ULTRA we hope to

consolidate our position in the light-

duty commercial vehicle space here

in Kenya.”

Mr. Naresh Leekha, Regional Head

East Africa of Tata Africa Holdings

Ltd said, “The Tata ULTRA is a true

Business Utility vehicle in every sense

and is an important milestone in Tata

Africa’s continued expansion in

Tata Motors launches new ‘ULTRA’Business Utility Vehicle in Kenya

Kenya and the East Africa region.

Tata ULTRA will help us to address a

larger commercial vehicle base and

also enable customers upgrade to a

new-age truck with new-age global

specification.” ULTRA COMFORT,

ULTRA STYLE & ULTRA PERFOR-

MANCE The ULTRA offers faster

turnaround time and enhanced

profitability for any goods carrying

business, making it an ideal work


horse for movement of materials

across distances. The driveline of

Tata ULTRA launched has Tata’s

proven engine technology –TATA

497 TCIC engine, with an output of

125 HP. A new-generation transmis-

sion with aluminum casing – the G-

550 six-speed gear-box with

overdrive, with cable-shift mecha-

nism (a first-of-its-kind in Kenya) and

axle technology, with reduced

weight, offering superior perfor-

mance and greater fuel efficiency for

varied payloads. The new generation

cabin of Tata ULTRA offers com-

pletely new stylized interiors, with a

focus on driver comfort and safety.

Besides the mechanics of the

vehicle, the uniqueness of the Tata

ULTRA is that its cockpit is both

functional and attractive. The smartly

designed dashboard offers features

like Driving Economy Indicator and

Water in Fuel Indicator. The gear lever

is dashboard mounted, a unique

feature in this class of commercial

vehicles.

The cabin has ample amount of

space for the occupant, including a

3-way adjustable driver’s seat with

arm rests, an adjustable power

steering system, for best possible

control in all conditions, provisions

for the fitment of various accessories

including a music system, air

conditioning and Global Positioning

System (GPS) tracking. The design of

the cabin helps give the driver

benchmark levels of visibility, safety

and driving comfort. The trucks get

3 years or 2 lakh km warranty –

whichever is earlier – and come in 3

colours – Arctic White, Arizona Blue

and Sardinia Red.


KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

New 3S facility in Madhurai forSales, Service and Spares spreadover 4,000 square meters

24 x 7 customer support, withfull-loaded mobile service vans

Availability of financing, insuranceand loyalty programs, includingservice contracts

Exclusive Customer Lounge /resting facility for Drivers

Tata Motors and Vetri Motorsinaugurated a new modern4000 square meter 3S facility

here in Madurai, that will providecustomers with a completeexperience of sales, service andspares, all under one roof. The new

partnership will cater to thecustomers of Madurai, Dindigul,Theni & Virudhnagar districts of TamilNadu with the Tata Motors full rangeof commercial vehicles.

Located strategically in Madurai andspread over 4,000 square meters onNH 7 bypass, the new 3S facility willhave 8 workshop bays, in additionto 2 accident bays staffed byprofessionally trained technicians,with a capacity to handle about 30vehicles a day. The facility is also wellequipped with amenities likededicated express service bays,driver and technician rest rooms, anenvironmental friendly effluenttreatment system, a rain-waterharvesting system, Wi-Fi connectivityand vehicle display areas. Comment-ing on the occasion, Mr. RaviPisharody, Executive Director,

Tata Motors and Vetri MotorsOPEN NEW 3S COMMERCIAL VEHICLE FACILITY INMADURAI

Commercial Vehicle Business Unit,Tata Motors Ltd. said, “At Tata Motorswe are currently redesigning ournetwork across the country, as partof our larger business plan, toimprove our engagement and buildstronger, lasting relationships withour customers. Our partnership withVetri Motors is a step in thatdirection, with established credentialand years of experience in theautomotive market here in TamilNadu. As the 13th Tata Motorscommercial vehicle dealer here inTamil Nadu, we are delighted topartner with them in furtherstrengthening our presence here inthe South and wish Verti Motors allthe very best.”

Mr. Tamil Selvam, Managing Director,Vetri Motors, said “The Vetri Groupwas established in 1991 and is

celebrating 25 years with the launchof Vetri Motors here in Tamil Nadu.Having established itself as one ofthe most trusted business houses inTamil Nadu, we hope to extendrelationship to the Tata Motorscustomers here in the Tamil, with thisstate-of-the-art sales, service andspares facility.”

At the new Tata Motors’ dealershipin Madurai, customers can experi-ence a host of primary and value-added services for Tata Motors’commercial vehicles. This newfacility in Madurai, offers a contem-porary-styled, hub for Sales, Serviceand Spare Parts and is spacious, fora comfortable buying experience.The dealership is also equippedwith mobile workshops for 24x7customer support. The dealershipalso has a resting facility for drivers.At Vetri Motors customers can alsoavail of financing options, loyaltyprograms, including full servicecontracts for an enhanced serviceexperience.

About Tata Motors

Tata Motors Limited is India’s largestautomobile company, withconsolidated revenues of INR2,75,561 crores (USD 41.6 billion) in2015-16. Through subsidiaries andassociate companies, Tata Motorshas operations in the UK, SouthKorea, Thailand, South Africa andIndonesia. Among them is JaguarLand Rover, the business comprisingthe two iconic British brands. It alsohas an industrial joint venture withFiat in India. With over 9 million Tatavehicles plying in India, Tata Motorsis the country’s market leader incommercial vehicles and among thetop in passenger vehicles. Tata cars,buses and trucks are beingmarketed in several countries inEurope, Africa, the Middle East,South Asia, South East Asia, SouthAmerica, Australia, CIS and Russia.


After one year of electric busservice on route 55 inGothenburg, it is clear that

the expectations have beensurpassed by a wide margin. Thebuses and bus stops received ahigh rating by passengers anddrivers alike, and the technologyworked very dependably. Over thepast year the service has carriedabout 1.2 million passengers. In timefor the first anniversary of the electricbus route, global ICT providerEricsson is now joining theElectriCity partnership.

Traffic on route 55 in Gothenburgbegan in June 2015 and the greenelectric buses soon became acommon sight on the urban scene.Today the route between Chalmersand Lindholmen carries an averageof 100,000 passengers a month.Surveys conducted by the ElectriCitypartners reveal that both passengersand drivers appreciate the newelectric bus route and that thevehicles, charging infrastructure andbus stops more than meet thehighest expectations. According toPublic Transport Authority Västtrafik,passengers are generally verysatisfied with the service.

The fact that the buses run onrenewable electricity is regardedfavourably, and the bus stops atChalmersplatsen and Teknikgatan arerated very highly. About 80 per centof passengers appreciate the freeWiFi on board, and no less than 93per cent feel that the low on-boardnoise level is a great benefit.Measurements carried out by Volvo

confirm these perceptions andshow considerable differences innoise between diesel and electricpower, both inside and outside thebuses, particularly at low speeds.

Surveys carried out by bus operatorKeolis show that the bus drivers alsofeel the low noise level is one of thebiggest advantages of electricpower, both because it contributesto a better working environment andbecause it is appreciated by thepassengers.

The fact that the buses areequipped with zone managementwhich automatically limits speed incertain areas is regarded as positiveand boosts safety. Route 55 is notonly Gothenburg’s first routeserviced by electric buses, it isabove all an arena for showcasingthe latest technologies and fordeveloping emerging solutions.

That is why the programme is beingstudied very thoroughly. The latestvehicle and charging infrastructurestatistics from Volvo, Keolis andVästtrafik show that the results areon a par with or have exceeded thetargets for charging function,punctuality and service provision.“These excellent results show thatthe technology for electrified busoperations is ripe for more broad-based introduction.

Electric power offers new possibili-ties for cities to transition publictransport in a sustainable direction,promoting safer traffic and a healthierenvironment with less noise and

Successful year for Gothenburg’selectric bus service


better air quality,” says NiklasGustafsson, Chief SustainabilityOfficer, Volvo Group.

The immense interest in route 55 isconfirmed by visitor statistics fromBusiness Region Göteborg. So farmore than 100 delegations totalling

almost 5500 participants from citiesthe world over have visitedGothenburg to see how thecooperative electromobility projectand its traffic operation actually workin practice. Just in time for theelectric bus route’s first anniversary,global ICT (information and

communications technology)provider Ericsson is joining theElectriCity partnership.“The buses running on route 55 arealready connected to our platformallowing developers controlledaccess to data to build smartapplications,” says Orvar Hurtig,

Head of Industry & Society atEricsson. “Now we’re taking thenext step as a partner in ElectriCity.It’s an exciting project in which we,together with the other partners, willbe able to develop and testsustainable transport solutions forsmart cities – in real life.” -


Auto Asia July-August 2016

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Transcript of Auto Asia July-August 2016