Industry executives say the government could help in lowering prices of green vehicles by encouraging domestic research and development.
A host of passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturers displayed 'green' vehicles at the Auto Expo. Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors displayed 100 per cent plug-in electric car concepts, while commercial vehicle manufacturers like Ashok Leyland displayed concept hybrid buses, fuelled both by electricity and diesel.
The last Auto Expo in January 2008 in New Delhi drew 1.8 million visitors. The 2010 edition scheduled at Pragati Maidan here, from January 5-11, is expected to draw close to 2 million visitors, which would make it the largest auto show in the world.
The Honda Civic's automatic version comes equipped with cruise control which, when activated, drives the car by itself. The company's spokesperson says this facility is ideal on highways and for speeds above 40 km per hour.
The country's largest manufacturer of buses, Tata Motors, will roll out hybrid buses for the domestic market in the next few years, said Ravi Pisharody, its president (commercial vehicles).
One reason for the upward revision in the forecast comes from the surprise growth of 9.45 per cent notched by the industry since the beginning of this year.
"These are engineers with tremendous capabilities in automobile research and engineering. They have specialisation in car design, styling and modeling, engine development and manufacturing, crash testing and hybrid technology," said I V Rao, managing executive officer (engineering) of Maruti Suzuki.
The AMP has been crafted by both the government and industry bodies, laying out a road map for India.
The Cruze is built on a new platform and includes a next-generation power train.
Most probably, feel analysts, it would be in the 100-125cc segment. The new Discover 100cc with a DTSi engine, launched last month, is billed by the company as the world's most fuel-efficient motorcycle, with a certified 89 km to a litre of petrol.
Maruti Suzuki is the latest auto major in the country preparing for trading in carbon credits.
Many vendors who had lost their investment in Singur, West Bengal, after being forced to abort production there, are yet to decide on relocating to Sanand. Most of these suppliers will address the demand for components from their existing plant locations to meet this year's Nano production needs.
Manufacturers of compressed natural gas (CNG) kits are stepping up production to meet the expected surge in demand in the coming months.
The interim Budget in May this year had extended the depreciation benefit on purchase of new commercial vehicles to September from March 2009. Industry executives said this should be extended as sales of large vehicles slumped 40 per cent in April and May this year. Sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles had dipped 33 per cent in 2008-2009.
There are 50-odd auto component manufacturers from India who supply to Detroit's Big-3 (including Ford).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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