Automobile component manufacturers are rejoicing over a sudden 30-40 per cent spurt in demand in February. Analysts are, however, not entirely sure of the reason for this high growth; many are doubtful if it can be sustained, given the other gloomy signals. An analyst says, "Almost all car makers have either completely withdrawn or drastically reduced their promotional offers." Also, payment issues as far as vendors are concerned remains a problem.
Dynamics of auto business will change if the government ends diesel subsidy to passenger vehicles.
Take the Rediff Biz Quiz and find out how much you know about India and its two-wheeler companies.
To be badged the Opel Agila for Europe, the Splash might also be produced in India by Maruti Suzuki for their export commitment to Nissan Europe, totalling 50,000 units.
Company managements need to "curtail the kind of expenditures on themselves personally" with the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the need to build internal resources with a frugal style of functioning, Maruti Suzuki India chairman R C Bhargava said on Tuesday. Addressing shareholders in the company's annual general meeting held virtually, he also termed as "a good development for the whole of industry" recent shareholder actions that did not approve expenditures by management on themselves, without specifying details. In the wake of the pandemic, building internal resources has to become a priority of industry and companies.
What explains India's love affair with SUVs? They are not exactly "value for money" -- the watchword for brands across segments -- nor always practical. Is it for the badge value? Or the butch imagery associated with SUVs? Maybe both, says Alokananda Chakraborty.
Cars have just got dearer with major automobile firms, including Maruti Suzuki India, Hyundai and General Motors, increasing prices this month in order to offset rising input costs.
Top losers in the Sensex pack included Tata Steel, Vedanta, Maruti, SBI, Coal India, Tata Motors, Sun Pharma, HUL, RIL, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC duo, ICICI Bank, M&M, Kotak Bank, and Infosys, falling up to 2.89 per cent.
The industry needs stimuli to help revive consumer demand and conversions.
The car will rival Honda City, Hyundai Verna, VW Vento and Skoda Rapid.
With the domestic auto market going on a downhill slide, Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki have cut production as the automobile industry braces up for a single digit sales growth this fiscal.
The car made its debut in India.
Last month, nine leading vehicle manufacturers sold 213,633 units, 25.8 per cent more than last year.
Ajit Mishra, vice president, Research, Religare Broking, answers your queries.
MSIL, India's biggest car maker, said it was in advanced talks with Fiat to ink a diesel engine sourcing contract that would allow it to rapidly increase diesel model supplies into the market.
Some cars that are emblematic of India's automobile industry will no longer come off the assembly lines after this year.
General Motors is looking at introducing an entry-level car to be positioned below the Chevrolet Spark, to drive up volumes in the Indian market.
A glipse of what carmakers have in store for you.
It is expected to cost between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.
HDFC, ONGC, Maruti Suzuki, HeroMoto Corp and Bajaj Auto gained the most on BSE Sensex
Issues relating to shortage of key automotive components, which were supposed to be sorted out a month ago, will hit production even for the next two quarters, as slow ramp-up and discrepancies in tyre prices impact output.
Good sowing of kharif crops, better minimum support prices, and fewer Covid-19 cases (in villages) will help the rural growth story to continue, says Maruti.
Automakers in India posted their worst growth in recent times in May 2011.
A number of companies, including Maruti Suzuki, Renault and Nissan, are giving gold coins to buyers who book cars by the month-end. There are other benefits as well, reports Ajay Modi.
From Hyundai to Tata Motors, automakers are staring at a bleak future. With no succor provided in the Budget, the pain for companies is likely to continue for the next two quarters.
Nissan Motor Company, Japan's third-largest auto maker, has decided to cut its small car sourcing target from India's biggest car company Maruti Suzuki by 80 per cent in view of the severe downturn in Europe's automobile market.
Tata Motors on Friday said it will hike the prices of its passenger vehicles, excluding the Nano, by up to Rs 36,000 from April 1, to offset rising input costs.
India, one of the world's fastest growing auto markets, will see the launch of over ten vehicles, including small cars during the 10th Auto Expo.
Sales of recently launched Grand i10 and Xcent jump even as those of competing models drop in past two months.
Ahead of the international auto show that begins next Wednesday, the Indian auto industry continues to be buffeted with bad news. According to data released by leading automobile companies on Saturday, the industry's sales volumes in January fell about five per cent from those in the same month last year.
Market leaders Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, who together control two-thirds of the domestic market, have not yet firmed up a decision on raising prices.
Fiat, Maruti, and Tata are all set to drive in their best vehicles.
The first major pricing error was made by market leader Maruti Suzuki when it launched its first crossover the S Cross
How does Honda CB Unicorn 160 fare against its rivals? MotorOctane.com weighs in.
Model 3 received 180,000 orders worldwide.
According to the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games, orders have been placed with Tata Motors for nearly 1,800 cars during the games and some more cars, jeeps and trucks for the Queen Baton Relay that would commence its nationwide run from June 25.
While retail sales at dealerships have suffered the full impact of demonetisation, the growth in wholesale volumes comes as dealers had relatively lower inventory after Diwali in October.
In a rare face off, captains of the auto industry have hit out at the government for not walking the talk. At an industry event in the capital on Wednesday, R C Bhargava, chairman of India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki, and Venu Srinivasan, chairman of TVS Motor, questioned the government's intent to support the auto sector. Revenue secretary Tarun Bajaj sat in the audience listening, before his turn came to counter them.
Passenger vehicle wholesales in India declined by 10 per cent to 2,61,633 units last month as compared to March this year, as COVID-19-led restrictions across various states impacted demand, auto industry body SIAM said on Wednesday. Passenger vehicle sales in March 2021, stood at 290,939 units.
Hero MotoCorp continues to update its products, albeit silently, to take on competition from Suzuki Slingshot, Honda Shine and TVS Phoenix
