Maruti Suzuki is planning a further investment of Rs 9000 crore in India for world class R&D centres, design facility, regional distribution centres and logistics support. The fresh investment will be made over a longer period, about eight years, as compared with three years for some earlier investments. Regional warehouses will cut short the delivery time of vehicles. The centralised and timely despatch of vehicles from its facilities in the north will mean faster shipment.
German luxury carmaker BMW is evaluating over 100 component manufacturers in India to outsource engines and chassis for its global manufacturing operations, according to a board member. "We are impressed with the quality of die casts and forgings in India that we use for our global operations. The quality of products from second- and third-tier is impressive," said Ind Herbert Diess, who is on the BMW AG board.
The Tata-Fiat joint venture is looking at catering to the global demand for engines through its Ranjangaon plant.
The much-awaited excise duty cut on small cars to 12 per cent (from 16 per cent) made by the finance minister may have brought smiles on the faces of car manufacturers but this, dealers say, will increase the waiting period on some popular models by another additional month.
Auto component sourcing has touched $3 billion in India and is expected to double by next financial year-end. Such sourcing has provided Indian players with the opportunity to charge a premium that varies between 5 and 10 per cent.
"The compact petrol 1.2 litre car will be configured to international markets and will not compete with the small cars available in India. Depending on market conditions, we will import the hybrid version from Japan later," M Takedagawa, president and CEO, said on Monday.
Rs 1,199 spread comfortably across 84 months or 7 years. The rate of interest is 11-11.5 per cent, which is cheaper than a two wheeler loan.
Indian tyre makers are expanding their capacities in the wake of international players flooding the Indian markets.
Last week, US aircraft manufacturer Boeing signed an agreement with Tata Automobile Limited Manufacturing Solutions, a wholly-owned Tata Motors subsidiary, for manufacturing structural components for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner airplane programme.
Yamaha is all set to launch two premium bikes, priced close to Rs 1 lakh. This is an attempt to revive the company's dipping sales and image.
MV Agusta, the Italian exotic superbike maker, is actively looking to launch its bikes in India
Say lower duties could enhance demand.
Italian auto major Fiat Auto has asked Rajeev Kapoor, the newly appointed president and CEO of Fiat Auto India Automobiles, to take charge of the Indian operations after managing director De Filippis Giovanni's recall from the position about a week back.
The Italian car company Fiat's much-awaited launch of the year, Grande Punto hatchback, which is expected to take on Maruti Suzuki's Swift and Hyundai's Getz, will not be priced close to the two models.
Call it the "Nano effect" but less than a month after Tata Motors displayed its competitively-priced small car at the Delhi auto show, prices in the 1.3-million used-car market crashed 15 to 30 per cent, if not more.
Vehicles from global giants such as Yamaha, Kawasaki could be 40-50% cheaper when assembled in India.
According to the plan, Volvo will buy used tippers, which are used in mining and construction, from its customers at an agreed price and refurbish them internally and externally, before reselling them to a new buyer with a six-month warranty.
Auto analysts suggest that Tata Motors may not be able to generate more than three to four per cent on net profit margins and five to six per cent on EBIDTA margins on the car. In addition, while production of the model is ramped up, sales will also have to rise in tandem.
Volkswagen plans to integrate its Indian facilities, which will help the company contain costs and maintain uninterrupted supply of auto parts.
Swedish behemoth Volvo has charted out an aggressive strategy to become a leader in the country's heavy commercial vehicle sector, following its alliance with the Delhi-based Eicher Motors.
© 2025 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances