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India Automobile (Kereta Dan Motorsikal India)
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Tata beli Jaguar, Land Rover RM7.34 bilion
GAMBAR ini menunjukkan kilang Land Rover dan Jaguar di Merseyside, Liverpool. Gambar kecil, Ratan Tata
DETROIT - Syarikat Tata Motors dari India semalam mengumumkan pembelian ikon kenderaan mewah Britain, Jaguar dan Land Rover daripada syarikat Ford Motor Co. dari India pada harga AS$2.3 bilion (RM7.34 bilion).
Pembelian itu dilakukan secara tunai dan merupakan sebahagian daripada usaha Tata untuk mengembangkan perniagaannya keluar dari Asia.
Syarikat dari India itu berjaya membeli dua ikon mewah itu selepas mengadakan perbincangan dengan syarikat Ford selama berbulan-bulan.
Ford Motor Co. bertindak membuat penjualan itu kerana ia kini melakukan penstrukturan semula selepas mengalami kerugian lebih AS$15 bilion (RM47.88 bilion) sejak dua tahun lalu.
"Kami berasa gembira mengenai prospek Jaguar dan Landa Rover yang kini menjadi sebahagian daripada perniagaan penting kenderaan kami," kata Pengerusi Kumpulan Tata, Ratan Tata.
Selepas pembelian itu, syarikat Ford akan terus membekalkan Tata enjin dan beberapa komponen lain selain menyediakan perkhidmatan kejuruteraan.
Menurut pengangalisis, syarikat Tata akan memperoleh lonjakan teknologi kerana memperoleh akses enjin canggih Land Rover dan Jaguar.
Sebelum ini Ford membeli Jaguar pada harga AS$2.5 bilion (RM7.98 bilion) pada 1989 dan Land Rover RM2.7 bilion (RM8.62 bilion) pada 2000.
Pembelian terbaru oleh Tata itu merupakan tindakan terbaru korporat India mengembangkan peniagaan mereka ke peringkat global.
- Agensi / Kosmo -
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Tata kuasai Jagua, Ford
LONDON: Syarikat automotif India, Tata Motors, mengambil alih syarikat Britian, Jaguar dan Land Rover, dengan harga AS$2.3 bilion yang dibayar tunai, semalam.
Menurut Press Trust of India (PTI), Ford akan terus membekalkan enjin kepada Tata.
Makin dasat le industri automotif india lepas ni ...Geli Mat pas ni boleh main kerjar2 dengan inspetor Shahab naik jag and land Rover  |
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Pergh....dgr nye syarikat pembuatan motor vintage Royal Anfield tu pun India co. ambik alih. |
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yang dasat tuh beli secara tunai  |
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Renault-Nissan and Bajaj team up for USD2,500 car
The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Bajaj Auto will form a new joint-venture in India, held 50% by Bajaj Auto, 25% by Renault and 25% by Nissan. The new joint venture will develop and produce a new low cost car called the ULC, which would have a price tag of USD2,500 onwards. Not sure what ULC stands for at this moment, but I抦 guessing something to the lines of Ultra Low Cost.
The Bajaj ULC will most likely be a production version of the Bajaj Lite concept car (shown above) displayed at the New Delhi Auto Show earlier this year. The Bajaj Lite concept featured a 2-cylinder engine and driven to the wheels via what Bajaj says is a new type of transmission that is a cross between a manual and an automatic.
That sounds like a manual with a computer controlled clutch like the Savvy抯 AMT gearbox to me, but we抣l see what Bajaj has up its sleeves. Could a centrifugal clutch like a bike抯 (Bajaj is a bike maker) be used on a car? Actually, it has been used in the past, but we抮e talking about cars from the 1930s here.
Bajaj managing director Rajiv Bajaj was quoted referring to the Lite concept to say, 揑t will be priced competitively but not sell on the pricing. Offering the customer twice the fuel economy is more effective than offering half the price. |
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Tata Nano to get US$10 airbag?
The Tata Nano is a no-frills car, but one of the more well-equipped, pricier versions of the Tata Nano will feature dual front airbags. And with luck, they抣l only increase the cost of the car by a minimum. Autoliv IFB India on the request of Tata is trying to develop a US$10 airbag for the Tata Nano, less than 10 times the price of airbags in other compact cars which cost around US$150 per airbag.
Swedish-American company Autoliv currently supplies 28% of the world抯 airbags. In our market, an Autoliv joint venture with a Japanese company called Autoliv Hirotako Sdn Bhd supplies airbags for Proton, and the upcoming Perodua MPV.
- Paul Tan -
[ Last edited by HangPC2 at 30-5-2008 05:23 PM ] |
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Tata Nano affects used car prices in India
According to a report by Marinews, it seems that the impending launch of the Tata Nano has had a bad effect on the used car market in India, with used car sales dipping between 15 to 30 percent because buyers are waiting for the Tata Nano to be launched before deciding whether to buy a Nano or a used car.
Even used car values are affected, with cars like a 6-year old Maruti 800 dipping in value by 30% from 110,000 rupees to 75,000 rupees and a 5-year old Hyundai Santro抯 200,000 rupee value down to 165,000 rupees. Values of small cars that are usually purchased by budget-concerned buyers are generally hit the most, because of the fear of an impending rise in fuel prices. Some of these buyers would have to go back to bikes.
- Paul Tan -
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Tata, Mahindra to Buy GM's Hummer?
The two Indian companies competed for Britain's Jaguar and Land Rover. Now they're reportedly interested in the U.S. military-type vehicle
by Nandini Sen Gupta
Related Items
After the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover, Indian auto companies rank high in the global M&A pecking order. Merchant bankers are learnt to have approached both the Tatas and Mahindras for General Motors' (GM) iconic brand, Hummer.
The all-American SUV and pick-up brand, which is often associated with both US military might and sheer Hollywood style machismo, is up for sale as announced by top GM executives earlier this week.
According to auto industry sources, the successful completion of the Jaguar and Land Rover deal has turned the Tatas into hot property in the auto deal beat. Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), which was also in the fray for the two Brit brands, is the other Indian company that merchant bankers are approaching. Neither company has reportedly taken a definitive decision on the deal yet.
When contacted, a Tata Motors spokesperson refused to comment. An M&M spokesperson also refused to comment on the 'market speculation'. Earlier this week, GM announced that it was stopping production at its four plants that build gasoline-guzzling pickup trucks and SUVs.
It also announced that it is looking at all possibilities for its Hummer brand, including a complete sale. General Motors CEO, Rick Wagoner, said, "At this point, we are considering all options for the Hummer brand, everything from a complete revamp of the product line up to a complete sale of the brand."
The move, along with a sharper focus on its electric concept Volt, are a reaction to gas prices and increasing mileage consciousness in the US.
Although an iconic brand, the Hummer has turned into a bit of a hot potato of late thanks to a variety of reasons. Even its most ardent admirer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who at one point defied Hollywood's hybrid obsession to own a fleet of Hummers, has now given them up.
Its gas-guzzling image does not sit well at a time when oil prices are going through the roof and everyone in the industry is chanting mileage.
Also, its association with the US military makes it a politically incorrect brand. However, in terms of brand recall, it is one of the strongest in the GM bouquet.
According to analysts, the Hummer could be a good option for both the Tatas and Mahindras, provided the price is attractive. Since both companies have a strong SUV presence and global ambitions, this could be a nice fit if the negative brand associations are taken care of.
The Hummer recorded a 35% drop in sales in the first half of this calendar year. Last year, it saw an over 20% drop in sales. Hummers account for just 1% of GM's total sales.
The boxy SUV has military genes that go back to the early 80s. Its civilian avatar came a decade later when AM General introduced it.
GM bought the Hummer brand in 1999, following which it has launched two new products-the H1 and H2.
Sources :
http://www.businessweek.com/glob ... ex+page_top+stories
[ Last edited by HangPC2 at 7-6-2008 04:17 PM ] |
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Exclusive look at the Tata Nano
By Chris Morris
BBC News, Pune
India is fast becoming the centre of a revolution in motoring.
A new generation of ultra-cheap cars is about to hit the streets, allowing millions of would-be drivers to dream of personal mobility for themselves and their families.
"A totally new market is opening up - the way we are receiving comments and inquiries is quite mind-boggling," said Ravi Kant, the managing director of Tata Motors.
International car manufacturers are also scrambling to establish a firm foothold in India, which is set to become the fastest growing car market in the world.
The Tata Nano was unveiled with great patriotic fanfare in January. Its basic price - about $2,500 - is about half of its nearest current rival.
The BBC travelled to the huge Tata Motors complex in the western city of Pune to get an exclusive look at the Nano in action, and to talk to the team which created the ultimate no-frills car, cutting costs part by part.
Everything from the number of wheel nuts to the number of parts in the door handle was re-examined.
"The body was redesigned three or four times, and the engine three times," said Girish Arun Wagh, the head of Tata's small car project. "Simplicity was the key."
And that means that when the Nano goes on sale towards the end of this year it will be in a position to overturn the economics of motoring.
"We believe that more than goods transportation it is people transportation that is going to see a massive change, and we are prepared to tap into this opportunity, " said Ravi Kant.
But Tata won't have it all its own way.
Rival car
Another Indian company Bajaj Auto, which makes auto-rickshaws and motorbikes, has announced plans - in partnership with Renault and Nissan - to produce a direct competitor to the Nano by 2011. The starting price will be the same.
"Whoever wants to do it at least has to manufacture it in India," said Rahul Bajaj, the company's chairman.
"If Tata motors can make money I can make money. My costs are lower than Tata Motors. But if General Motors or Volkswagen tries, I don't think they can make money."
But even if they won't compete at the very cheapest end of the market, that hasn't stopped a host of global car companies investing in new factories on the outskirts of cities like Pune and Madras (Chennai).
Soon the region around Pune alone will make more cars than Britain.
Many of them will be sold to India's eager domestic market. And there's plenty of room for expansion out in the countryside, where 70% of Indians still live.
But India's cities are already suffering from congestion and pollution, and millions of new cars will only make matters worse.
"You want to give mobility to all," said Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment. "And cars can never give mobility to all in Indian cities."
"You just do not have the space in Indian cities where you can motorise and meet the needs of everyone. There's a big equity issue here."
The response from the motor industry is robust.
"I'm all for a clean environment," declared Rahul Bajaj. "But if you want a real clean environment, go back to the cave age."
The rapid increase in demand for cars is closely linked to soaring economic growth, and Indians are understandably sensitive to suggestions that they shouldn't be able to enjoy freedoms people in the West take for granted.
But that still leaves India grappling with a familiar challenge on a massive scale: How to meet the demand for private cars and personal mobility in a way that works.
For a billion people, and counting.
You can see more on this story on 'Our World - India's Motoring Revolution' on the BBC News Channel in the UK on June 7th at 0530, 1430 and 2330, and on June 8th at 0330 and 1430
- BBC News -
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Mahindra acquires Italian motorcycle firm
Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, a company popular for their SUVs and trucks is putting a firm foot into the opposite end of the vehicle range with their recent acquisition of Engines Engineering S.p.A., an Italian engine design and manufacturing firm.
Mahindra through its unit Mahindra Systech will begin R&D of small and fuel efficient engines for cars such as the Tata Nano and the upcoming Nissan-Renault-Bajaj ULC. Engines Engineering S.p.A. started off designing motorcycles, and some of its motorcycle clients include Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha.
Mahindra did not say if it already had any clients who are looking for small engines or whether it is already in discussions with potential clients, but if there are no takers Mahindra can always build a small car themselves, since it is all the rage now.
- Paul Tan -
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Ford to make India hub for engine exports
Bloomberg / Mumbai June 07, 2008, 4:54 IST
Ford Motor Co, the second-largest US automaker, plans to export engines from India to the Asia-Pacific region to take advantage of cheaper production costs in the country.
Ford is spending $500 million (around Rs 2,000 crore) in expanding its factory in Chennai, to make 250,000 engines and 200,000 vehicles annually by 2010, Michael Boneham, managing director of the local unit said. Ford may also export a small car that it plans to produce in India, he said.
Exports of Indian-made engines, parts and other components may rise almost six-fold to $40 billion by 2015 from about $6.7 billion in 2003, as automakers seek to trim production costs, according to McKinsey & Co.
Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford is expanding in Asia as rising gasoline prices erode truck sales in its home market.
"India will be a significant domestic market for us, and it will be an exporter of engines to the region,'' Boneham said yesterday. "It's a very cost-effective country.'' The country's vehicle exports rose 11 per cent to 276,053 in the year ended March 31, as automakers used the country as a hub to make hatchbacks and minicars for Europe and Asia, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.
The government in February cut taxes on small cars for the second time in three years to make the country a global hub for small-car production. Taxes on cars shorter than 4 meters were cut to 12 per cent from 16 per cent.
Trimming jobs
The excise tax, levied at the time of shipping from the factory, was as high as 32 per cent in 2003. Salaries in India are cheaper too. Maruti Udyog, the nation's largest carmaker, pays factory workers about Rs 26,000 ($605) a month, the company said last year.
By comparison, an entry-level worker in the US makes about $2,300 a month, according to the United Auto Workers Union Web site.
The expansion in India contrasts with Ford shutting plants in the US. The US automaker said it plans to cut salaried-employee costs by 15 per cent as declining US sales
extend losses. Ford now sells Ikon, Fiesta and Fusion cars and Endeavour sport-utility vehicle in India after setting up the unit in 1995.
Sources : http://www.business-standard.com ... 1&autono=325345
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Bajaj and Renault-Nissan partnership to go beyond low cost Bajaj ULC
Bajaj Auto already has a joint venture with Nissan and Renault to develop the low-cost Bajaj ULC for the Indian market, but Bajaj Auto抯 managing director Rajiv Bajaj says that by July another agreement will be signed to explore additional products to be added to the Bajaj-Renault-Nissan portfolio such as larger cars and MPVs.
揟here抯 no way one can compete with a single product in any market, be it cell phones or motorcycles or cars. We are planning a portfolio of products. There would be different products, not just variants of the same product at different price points, |
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Indian car cos speed up on hybrid road
The auto industry seems to be high on hybrids. First, Honda rolled out its Civic Hybrid in India and now homegrown hybrids are due from Tata and Mahindra in the next three years. Taking their frugal engineering capabilities to a new level, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) are developing affordable hybrid vehicles.
Jumping onto the hybrid bandwagon with their low-cost technologies, the two local majors are looking to roll out models that will cost a fraction of the Rs 21.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) that Honda抯 Civic sedan does. The Civic hybrid, India抯 first hybrid car, was launched on Wednesday. It is fully imported from Japan and thus attracts a high duty of over 100%.
The domestic majors are developing indigenous technology at a much lower tax burden. Hence the homegrown hybrids will come at a much lower price. According to sources, the Tata and M&M hybrid models will come at an additional cost of less than Rs 1 lakh to the existing range. Tata Motors has set a benchmark price of Rs 45,000 for the hybrid car technology while M&M抯 cost target is of around Rs 80,000 for its utility vehicle range.
Tata Motor is expected to launch a diesel and petrol-fired hybrid technology on its flagship model Indica. The smaller version of the same technology is also expected in its small car Nano. A Tata Motors executive said: 揥e are still in the research phase and it will take some time to roll out hybrid vehicles. We have already launched our electric technology in the mini-truck ACE and its improved version will follow in the Indica and Indigo range of cars. |
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Ashok Leyland forms new firm for clean technology
Hinduja flagship company Ashok Leyland on Thursday said it has formed a new entity, Albonair GmbH in Dortmund, Germany for develpoment and production of exhaust-after-treatment systems for eco-friendly diesel engines.
Albonair will engage in R&D and product development initially in after-treatment systems with an emphasis on design innovation and enhanced customer value, the company said in a statement
"We already had a group of scientists and technologists who were assisting us in our R&D efforts to develop vehicle emission treatment systems and products. Therefore, it made eminent sense to start a company with them and formalise the working arrangement," Ashok Leyland Managing Director R Seshasayee said.
While the Dortmund, Germany headquarters will be the central hub for research and development, it will cater to the requirements of emerging markets to conduct local customer application development for vehicle and engine manufacturers, the company said.
Decision on production locations is expected in the coming months, it added.
Georg Huethwohl, a pioneer in this technology and Rene Ruedinger, have been appointed as Managing Directors of the Company, the company said.
The compelling rationale for formation of the Company is that regulations for diesel exhaust emissions are getting stricter, worldwide.
The Euro 4 norms, currently in vogue in Europe, are expected to be introduced in India and China, soon, it said.
- Economic Times -
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Royal Enfield to launch four new models by 2010-11
Motorcycle company Royal Enfield, a division of Eicher Motors, has proposed to launch four new models by 2010-11.
Addressing a press conference to mark the official launch of 350cc Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorcycle, here today, the company's CEO R L Ravichandran said "out of the four, two models will be for International market while two will be for domestic market", he said.
The company was planning to showcase the new model for the International market in October 2008, he said.
"We have also planned to increase the production capacity in our Thiruvottiyur plant from the existing 40,000 units to 60,000 units in the next two years", Ravichandran said.
In the last two years alone, the company's volume has increased 25 per cent and this year it was expected to grow 15 per cent,he said.
The company, which sold around 39,000 units including both 350cc and 500cc motorcycles last year, has also set a target of selling 45,000 units this year, Eicher Motors CEO and MD Siddhartha Lal said.
On the new Thunderbird Twinspark motorcycle, which costs a whopping Rs 1,03,000 on road, the Managing Director said "it will mainly cater to the domestic market".
The company is expecting to sell around 5,000 units of the new model alone and for the overseas market, the company also unveiled a 500cc Royal Enfield Electra motorcycle embedded with Fuel Injection technology.
The 500 cc motorcycle is exclusively for the international market, Siddhartha Lal said.
Commenting on the new Twinspark technology, which is expected to improve fuel efficiency, he said "we have been working on twinspark technology for our type of motorcycle architecture since late-90s" he said.
Since the launch of Thunderbird model in 2001, the company has sold 20,000 units, he said.
The Managing Director told reporters that in future, they might incorporate the EFI technology (which is currently incorporated only in 500cc motorcycles) in 350cc segment as well. "There is possibility to introduce EFI technology in Thunderbird model as well but for that we have to wait and see" he said.
On the 500cc Electra, which has been launched with EFI technology, he said they hoped to sell around 3,000-4,000 units this year.
In this category, last year alone the company has sold 2,600 units, he added.
- Economic Times -
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REVA to upgrade capacity by five fold in 2008
New Delhi, June 25: Electric carmaker REVA Electric Car Company (RECC) on Wednesday said it will ramp up its production capacity by five fold this year on account of increased demand amidst rising petroleum prices.
The company currently has a capacity of 6,000 cars a year and is expanding its production to 30,000 units by the end of this year entailing an investment of up to 20 million dollar.
"We have just completed our test marketing period and now we are expanding our sales to Delhi. To meet the growing demand of REVA, we will be ramping our production capacities by five fold by the end of this year," REVA Electric Car Company Deputy Chairman and CTO Chetan Kumar Maini said in New Delhi.
However, the company would start utilising the full capacity after three years, he added.
"We have already raised 20 million dollar for R&D and our expansions. The company so far has committed 50 million dollar in the country," Maini said.
The company would introduce one new model and one new variant each year, he added.
When asked if the company would manufacture big car, Maini said: "It will depend on different market conditions. Of course, new models and variants will be introduced."
The company today launched its new range of products in Delhi, priced between Rs 2.99 lakh and Rs 3.78 lakh (on-road).
In an effort to make this pollution free car popular, the Delhi government has announced a host of incentives on battery operated vehicles, such as a 15 per cent subsidy on the base price of the vehicle, a 12.5 per cent exemption on VAT and refund of road tax and registration charges, totalling a 29.5 per cent incentives on all types of electric vehicles.
- Financial Express.com -
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edit....................... |
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Proton test-drives Saga, Persona on local roads
Sindhu Bhattacharya/ DNA MONEY | Tuesday, 05 August , 2008, 16:20
Malaysian carmaker Proton may still be firming up its India strategy but it has already started testing some of its cars on Indian roads, a source familiar with the development said.
On Monday morning, the 1.3 litre 'Saga' and the 1.6 litre 'Persona' were being driven on the Greater Noida Expressway here, lending credence to the persistent buzz that Proton could be looking for a manufacturing and even design alliance Argentum Motors, whose facilities are situated at Surajpur near here.
Proton officials declined to comment. Argentum promoter B V R Subbu categorically denied talks with the Malaysian company.
Sources said a top-level team from Proton is currently in India for conducting feasibility studies and are holding discussions with Subbu.
Proton has maintained a now on, now off interest in India and has held unsuccessful talks with several players, including International Cars & Motors (Sonalika Group) and Hindustan Motors.
Thus it is logical to expect the Malaysian state-owned carmaker to look for an established partner in India.
The source said Proton has been talking to Argentum for getting its vehicles contract-manufactured and talks have also touched upon Argentum designing India-specific cars.
Argentum has the facilities for making complete vehicles as well as powertrains at Surajpur and has also acquired capabilities to design complete vehicle solutions.
Proton's thinking here may well be to get vehicles manufactured to its specification without having to invest significant amounts of money in putting up a manufacturing facility all by itself.
Proton has also sounded out Mahindra & Mahindra and the Hero Group for a separate alliance to market distribute its cars.
Though its vehicles are considered high-end, Proton cars have often faced quality and finishing issues.
Not only has the company been losing sales at home, it is also plagued by very high cost per car since there are no economies of scale.
More India business stories | Get the latest Sensex update
Proton got access to some of the latest auto technologies after acquiring British marque Lotus Technologies a few years back.
Some of its popular models include 'Saga' and 'Wira' sedans, 'Satria' or the Proton Compact and 'Putra' sporty coupe.
- DNA Money -
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Author
Post time 27-3-2008 01:17 PM
