Danny Goodman &Amp; Swaraj Baggonkar

Stories by Danny Goodman &Amp; Swaraj Baggonkar

Toyota: Launch sedan from small car plant in India

Toyota: Launch sedan from small car plant in India

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2009

Toyota is launching a compact car by the end of next year from its new production facility close to its existing plant in Bangalore.

Car wars: Hyundai takes potshots at Maruti

Car wars: Hyundai takes potshots at Maruti

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2009

Korean auto company Hyundai has used the findings and comments made by European auto magazines and auto experts to show Maruti's newly launched hatch-back Ritz in poor light. Hyundai, in a web advertisement for its successful hatch-back i10, has made direct comparisons between the model and Maruti Ritz, using strong negative comments given by automotive experts.

Hoteliers try to counter slump with special offers

Hoteliers try to counter slump with special offers

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2009

Monsoon time for hotels is usually the lacklustre interval in a year, when room rates head south. With the hospitality sector still grappling with the impact of a general slowdown, many top hotel operators are offering free nights, discounts and budgetary packages to maintain occupancy.

GM bankruptcy: Auto suppliers not worried

GM bankruptcy: Auto suppliers not worried

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2009

There are 50-odd auto component manufacturers from India who supply to Detroit's Big-3 (including Ford).

Marriott to add 24 new hotels by '12

Marriott to add 24 new hotels by '12

Rediff.com   27 May 2009

Some of these are regional players, like K Raheja Corporation (Mumbai), Salgaonkar (Goa), Viceroy Hotels (Hyderabad) and Panchshil Realty (Pune). The hospitality major currently has six properties in Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad and Chennai and operates through five different brands, including Marriott, JW Marriott, Courtyard, Renaissance and Marriott Executive Apartments.

Will the Ritz beat Swift in sales?

Will the Ritz beat Swift in sales?

Rediff.com   26 May 2009

Maruti Suzuki has launched the Ritz to consolidate its share in the fast-growing market for compact cars. This segment accounts for almost 70 per cent of the car market and Maruti Suzuki already has a 58 per cent share with brands like the Swift.

Bajaj to use KTM alliance to roll out bigger bikes

Bajaj to use KTM alliance to roll out bigger bikes

Rediff.com   26 May 2009

To jointly manufacture complex and powerful engines soon.

Bajaj low-cost bike pegged at Rs 20-24k

Bajaj low-cost bike pegged at Rs 20-24k

Rediff.com   23 May 2009

Production of the 125 cc motorcycle has started in an assembly plant in China, putting the country's second-largest maker a step ahead of competitor Hero Honda, which is also working on a motorcycle reportedly between the Rs 17,000 and Rs 20,000 price point.

TVS allowed to use Bajaj's patented tech

TVS allowed to use Bajaj's patented tech

Rediff.com   19 May 2009

The bench consisting of acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court S J Mukhopadhyaya and Justice Ibrahim Kalifula on Monday set aside the earlier order according to which TVS Motors was restrained from using the twin spark technology, which was patented by Pune-based, India's second largest two wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto.

Auto companies want cheaper loans for customers

Auto companies want cheaper loans for customers

Rediff.com   19 May 2009

Battered by the recent economic downturn, the Indian automobile industry is looking up to the newly elected government to implement some key measures to kickstart car sales. Top on their wish-list is ensuring availability of auto loans at lower rates of interest, continuation of some of the sops announced earlier in a stimulus package and a reduction in taxes.

M&M may move key models' production out of Nashik

M&M may move key models' production out of Nashik

Rediff.com   16 May 2009

The deadlock between Mahindra & Mahindra and over 4,400 workers at the company's Nashik plant hardened on Friday, with the union saying it was appointing a lawyer to appeal to the Bombay High Court against an industrial court-imposed 48-hour deadline for workers to return to work. The deadline ended today.

Kawasaki to piggyback on Bajaj

Kawasaki to piggyback on Bajaj

Rediff.com   13 May 2009

For the first time in more than 25 years, Japans Kawasaki Heavy Industries will introduce a high-powered motorcycle in the Indian market with the help of its Indian partner and long-time collaborator, Bajaj Auto.

Nashik strikes a setback for Mahindra's Xylo

Nashik strikes a setback for Mahindra's Xylo

Rediff.com   12 May 2009

The company's Nashik plant, where the Xylo is made, has been paralysed for the past five working days due to an intense labour strike. Although M&M had to ramp up Xylo's production to more than what was projected, it has been falling short of the demand.

Indian cos eye US, Europe for electric vehicles

Indian cos eye US, Europe for electric vehicles

Rediff.com   1 May 2009

Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Company, two-wheeler maker Bajaj Auto and Tata Motors are finalising plans to launch electric vehicles in Europe and the US to take advantage of subsidies these countries are offering as part of their environmental agendas.

Nano booking rush beyond official deadline

Nano booking rush beyond official deadline

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2009

Even after people rushed to various centres to book the Nano on Saturday, the last official day for doing so, dealers undertook bookings on Sunday and Monday, breaching the time-line set by Tata Motors.

TVS closes gap with Bajaj for No. 2 slot

TVS closes gap with Bajaj for No. 2 slot

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2009

Loses less to Hero Honda than Bajaj.

Hotels brace for slump in arrivals

Hotels brace for slump in arrivals

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2009

Indian hoteliers and consulting organisations fear that worst is yet to come, as many international companies ranging from large corporate houses to medium-sized firms look to cut back on travel.

Maruti to launch hybrid cars in 3 to 5 years

Maruti to launch hybrid cars in 3 to 5 years

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2009

Maruti Suzuki, India's largest car company by sales, is working on an ambitious plan to launch electric cars and compressed natural gas variants for three or four models in the domestic market.

Car makers see fading hopes of turnaround

Car makers see fading hopes of turnaround

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2009

Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car maker, continued its three-month dream run by notching up a 15 per cent jump in domestic sales in March. Maruti's March sales follow a 19 per cent growth in February, when it sold a record 70,625 cars -- the highest ever by the company. In March 2008, the car maker sold over 64,000 cars.

Nano effect: 3-wheelers to be cheaper?

Nano effect: 3-wheelers to be cheaper?

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2009

While the Nano is priced at Rs 1.12 lakh, Bajaj Auto's RE petrol variant costs about Rs 90,000, while its diesel variant is pegged at Rs 1.2 lakh. Analysts also say Bajaj can drop prices without any problem. "Bajaj Auto has been in the three-wheeler segment for 60 years. Which means their plants are fully depreciated and they can afford to lower the prices, which other manufacturers can't do," says a top executive from a competing three-wheeler brand.