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India Auto News Thursday, 26 Nov. 2009 |
National - Tata Motors may launch Indica Electric in India in 2011- Car prices expected to rise as Euro IV norms come into effect in 2010 - Drunk drivers in Delhi may soon have to go to trial, give up their licences - Hyundai workers may go on strike again - Volvo India expects growth in bus sales, plans to launch hybrid buses - Toyota Prius launch plan on track - Hero Electric to start exporting to Europe, Latin America by FY 2009-10 end - TVS Motor launches auto-clutch bike International - GM may consider shutting Saab |
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Tata Motors may launch Indica Electric in India in 2011
Tata Motors may launch the Indica Electric in India at the same time as it is launched in European markets. The company will start a market study for the car next year, and will launch it in 2011. Tata Motors' MD, Mr Prakash M Telang, said that the electric Indica's introduction in India would depend on the cost factor, as it would be an expensive vehicle. Another roadblock for the car could be that electricity is not easily available in India. Telang also said that the car would be suitable for Indian roads.
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Car prices expected to rise as Euro IV norms come into effect in 2010 Auto companies in India are expected to hike car prices twice in the year 2010. The companies will first increase prices by 5-10 per cent in January, and a second time in April. Industry experts say that the Euro IV emission norms, to be effective from April 2010, will force an upward revision of prices. Carmakers are making significant investments to upgrade vehicle engines to make them Euro IV compliant. These additional costs will be passed on to consumers.
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Drunk drivers in Delhi may soon have to go to trial, give up their licences
The Transport Department in Delhi has prepared a new set of guidelines on dealing with drunken driving, including cancellation of licences and court trials. These guidelines were accepted by the Delhi High Court this week, and will be notified within a month. As per the new rules, the Delhi Police can confiscate the licence of any driver found to have consumed an impermissible quantity of alcohol. The Transport Department will have the authority to decide whether to suspend or cancel the licence. In case the drunk driver does not have a licence, the police can confiscate any other legal document available, or impound the vehicle being driven.
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Hyundai workers may go on strike again
Workers at Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) have threatened to go on strike yet again, starting from December 5, 2009. The workers' main demand is that their labour union be recognised by the company. HMIL spokesperson Rajiv Mitra said that the employees had not made any monetary demand, their average salary being among the best in the country at Rs 40,000. Regarding the demand to recognize the labour union, the company said that the only legitimate workers' body was the Workers Committee. Elections to the Committee are due in December.
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Volvo India expects growth in bus sales, plans to launch hybrid buses
Volvo Buses India expects to see a 40 per cent growth in its sales in the country this year. In 2008-09, Volvo sold 400 buses in India. The number is expected to go up to 550-600 this year. The company is also planning to launch hybrid buses in India. Powered by both a diesel engine and electric batteries, these buses emit 50 per cent less carbon dioxide than diesel buses. Their running costs too are 30-35 per cent lower.
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Toyota Prius launch plan on track
Toyota Motor's plan to launch its hybrid car, the Prius, in India in January 2010 is on track. The car is powered by a petrol engine as well as batteries. Mr Mitsuhiro Umeyama, Gerneral Manager at Toyota's global R&D division, said that approximately 5 per cent of the total vehicles sold by the company are hybrids, and that it was aiming for the same in India. He also said that Toyota was not depending entirely on any one alternative fuel technology, and that it was developing electric cars, hybrids and fuel cells at the same time.
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Hero Electric to start exporting to Europe, Latin America by FY 2009-10 end
Indian two-wheeler company Hero Electric is planning to start exporting scooters to markets in Europe and Latin America. The company is currently looking for distributors in these countries, and is expected to start selling its products there by the end of FY 2009-10. Hero Electric CEO Sohinder Gill told mediapersons that talks were on with distributors in Latin America and Europe, and that the company would deliver its first consignment of scooters by the end of this fiscal.
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TVS Motor launches auto-clutch bike
Two-wheeler company TVS Motor this week launched a new auto-clutch motorcycle, the 110cc TVS Jive, priced at Rs 40,000 (ex-showroom Chennai). It also launched a 110cc scooter, the TVS Wego, priced at Rs 42,500 (ex-showroom Chennai). The TVS Jive features the new T-matic technology, and is the first auto-clutch motorcycle in India. TVS Motor Chairman Mr Venu Srinivasan said that the Jive was the smoothest motorcycle he knew of in India, and that it would make urban motorcycle riding a stress-free experience.
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General Motors (GM) may shut down its bankrupt unit, Saab, as it does not expect to find new buyers for it. Swedish company Koenigsegg Group AB, which had earlier decided to buy Saab, recently cancelled the acquisition. GM will now either keep the brand, or shut it down completely. GM CEO Fritz Henderson said that the company would take some time to assess the situation and decide on its next steps. A final decision is expected to be taken at the company's board meeting on December 1.
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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES - Auto News Roundup, 24-November-2009 - Auto News Roundup, 19-November-2009 |
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