Aim to manufacture, sell 1 mn 'green vehicles' over next few years: Maruti

The next million green vehicles from company will include a range of technologies and power trains such as CNGs, smart hybrids, strong hybrids and electric vehicles.

The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Wednesday said it aims to manufacture and sell another million "green vehicles" in the next couple of years as it accelerates its eco-friendly mobility drive.

Kicking off the Auto Expo here, MSI Managing Director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said the company has already sold a million green cars, comprising CNG and smart hybrids in the last decade.

Showcasing its concept Futuro-e, an electric SUV, he said the car is being shown for the first time globally here, reflecting the importance of Indian customers in Suzuki's business.

"Our theme at the Auto Expo 2020 - Mission Green Million - explains our commitment towards bringing affordable and sustainable green technologies for India. We aim to manufacture and sell the next million green vehicles at a much faster pace, over the next couple of years, " Ayukawa told reporters here.

The next million green vehicles from company will include a range of technologies and power trains such as CNGs, smart hybrids, strong hybrids and electric vehicles, he added.

"We are banking on customers to accept and upgrade to new technology including the electrified powertrain," he said adding mass acceptance will give original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) desired volumes to bring in localisation benefits to customers.

On the concept Futuro-e, he said, the electric SUV-coupe which is defined by its bold and sporty characteristics has been conceptualised and designed in India by the company.

"The Concept Futuro-e has the potential to redefine next generation SUV design language in India," Ayukawa added.

Reiterating the company's commitment to CNG technology, he said, "In the coming times we are committed to expand our CNG portfolio to include many more models."

Company News

Toyota to recall 3.4 million vehicles worldwide over air bag risks

The recall covers 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles.

Toyota Motor Corp said on Tuesday it will recall 3.4 million vehicles worldwide because of an electronic defect that can result in air bags not deploying in crashes

The recall, which includes 2.9 million US vehicles, covers 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles and is tied to a report of one fatal crash.

The vehicles may have an electronic control unit that does not have adequate protection against electrical noise that can occur in crashes, which could lead to incomplete or non-deployment of the air bags. It could also impede the operation of seat-belt pretensioners.

In April, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expanded a probe into 12.3 million potentially defective air bags covering a number of automakers, including the vehicles Toyota is recalling.

NHTSA said in April it had identified two frontal crash events, including one fatal crash "involving Toyota products where (electrical overstress) is suspected as the likely cause" of air bags not deploying. Both involved newer Corolla cars.

NHTSA said the air bags under investigation were installed in more than 12 million vehicles from 2010 through 2019 sold by Toyota, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV , Honda Motor Co, Hyundai Motor Co, Kia Motors Corp and Mitsubishi.

They were equipped with an air bag control unit initially produced by TRW Automotive Holdings Corp, which is now owned by ZF Friedrichshafen.

In total, NHTSA said as many as eight deaths could be tied to the issue.

Hyundai, Kia and Fiat Chrysler previously issued recalls for more than 2.5 million vehicles with the TRW air bag control units in question that might not deploy in crashes.

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Volkswagen has just 'one shot' to survive in the digital era game: CEO

Diess's warning comes as the car industry is grappling with tough new EU emissions rules that came into force in 2020.

International News : Volkswagen needs to make urgent changes to become more of a tech company as the industry enters the digital era, CEO Herbert Diess said Thursday, warning that the German car giant had just "one shot" at staying in the game.

"The time of the classic car manufacturer is over," Diess said in a speech to senior executives, as the industry undergoes "radical transformation" to make cars greener and smarter than ever before.

"Volkswagen's future lies in becoming a digital technology company," Diess said. He singled out US tech firm and electric car pioneer Tesla as an example of the kind of fierce and unorthodox competition the company was up against.

Diess's warning comes as the car industry is grappling with tough new EU emissions rules that came into force in 2020, pushing automakers to accelerate their costly switch to hybrid and electric cars.

At the same time, companies are pouring billions of euros (dollars) into new technologies like self-driving and internet-connected "smart" cars -- just as carmakers are smarting from weaker global demand.

To master the challenges, Diess said the group needed "a shared understanding of the radical nature of the changes" and be prepared to "slaughter holy cows" -- a possible nod to future cost cuts.

"We have exactly one shot at securing our future. Let's use it," he added.

The 12-brand VW group, which includes Porsche, Seat, Skoda and Audi, has set itself the goal of selling 32 million electric and hybrid vehicles by 2029.

The group is investing some 30 billion euros ($33 billion) in electrification over the coming years and is pinning much of its hopes on the "ID.3", VW's first mass-market, all-electric car.

Diess said Volkswagen had to avoid the fate of cult mobile phone maker Nokia, which "went under in the battle against Apple" because it failed to read the sign of the times.

"This exact scenario is repeating itself in the auto industry," he warned.

Bajaj Auto unveils new version of Avenger Street 160 model at Rs 82,253

The new Avenger Street 160 will bring a sporty cruiser experience to the large set of emerging 150-160cc users, the company said.

Bajaj Auto Friday said it has launched a new version of its Avenger Street 160 model equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS) priced at Rs 82,253 (ex-Showroom Delhi).

The new Avenger Street 160 has a single channel ABS along with a roadster design headlamp with LED DRLs, new graphics with larger insignia, black alloy wheels and rubberised rear grab, Bajaj Auto said in a statement.

Also Read : Bajaj Auto unveils 2019 edition of Dominar 400 priced at Rs 1.74 lakh

Commenting on the launch, Bajaj Auto Vice-President (Marketing) Motorcycles Narayan Sundararaman said, "Avenger Street 160 with ABS provides contemporary styling whilst retaining its classical roadster design."

The discerning customer gets a definite step-up into the world of classic biking. This will open up choices to the entry-level sports customers, he added.

The new Avenger Street 160 will bring a sporty cruiser experience to the large set of emerging 150-160cc users, the company said.

Business Standard

BMW to recall 360,000 cars in China over Takata airbags

Around 20 people have died in accidents linked to defects in Takata airbags since 2013, prompting a massive worldwide recall of at least 100 million cars from a wide range of manufacturers.

Germany's BMW will recall 360,000 vehicles in China as part of the worldwide effort to root out defective airbags made by now-defunct Japanese supplier Takata, regulators in Beijing said.

Around 20 people have died in accidents linked to defects in Takata airbags since 2013, prompting a massive worldwide recall of at least 100 million cars from a wide range of manufacturers.

Also Read : BMW unveils Chennai-made 530i M Sport, priced at Rs 59 lakh

The recall will affect nearly 273,000 models built by BMW's joint venture with Chinese manufacturer Brilliance Automotive and more than 87,000 imported BMW cars, China's State Administration for Market Regulation said.

The agency said in statement posted on its website late Tuesday that a defect could cause the airbags to eject debris at passengers if deployed.

It did not mention any specific incidents caused by the BMW-installed airbags.

The China recall affects more than two dozen different BMW models built between 2000 and 2018, including several each in the i, X and M series, along with other models.

The suspect parts will be replaced for free, the notice said.

Founded in 1933, Takata went out of business in 2017 because of the airbag crisis.

The BMW announcement came as global carmakers were gathered for the Shanghai Auto Show amid a rare sales slump in the world's largest vehicle market.

Business Standard

Jan PV sales slide for 3rd straight month as manufacturers reduce inventory

Domestic car sales were also down for the third consecutive month, declining 2.65 per cent to 179,389 units.

Article Source BS : Domestic passenger vehicle (PV) sales declined for the third month in a row in January, dropping 1.87 per cent, as manufacturers continued to reduce inventory at dealers following a tepid festive season sales, according to SIAM.

As per data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Friday, PV sales in January stood at 2,80,125 units last month as against 2,85,467 units in the same month last year.

Domestic car sales were also down for the third consecutive month, declining 2.65 per cent to 179,389 units as compared to 1,84,264 units in January 2018.

"Stock correction by manufacturers continued in January to cut inventory that were piled up during the festive period, which saw sluggish sales," SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen told PTI.

He, however, said retail sale was better than wholesale in January, and the industry expects demand to grow in the remaining two months of the fiscal.

During the month, market leader Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) posted a marginal growth of 0.18 per cent in its PV sales at 1,39,440 units. Rival Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) also posted 0.65 growth at 45,803 units.

Similarly, homegrown utility vehicles major Mahindra & Mahindra also saw 0.88 per cent rise in its PV sales at 23,864 units last month.

In passenger cars segment, MSI's sales stood at 1,01,865 units, down 4.12 per cent. HMIL's car sales was also down 1.58 per cent at 35,439 units last month. Honda Cars India, however, saw its car sales grow 51.67 per cent to 14,383 units.

In the two-wheeler segment, SIAM said total sales in January were down 5.18 per cent to 15,97,572 units compared to 16,84,761 units in the year-ago month.

Motorcycle sales last month declined 2.55 per cent to 10,27,810 units as against 10,54,757 units in the same month a year ago.

Market leader Hero MotoCorp's bike sales last month was down 4.95 per cent at 5,16,451 units. Rival Bajaj Auto, however, posted growth of 24.67 per cent at 2,03,358 units last month. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India's bike sales stood at 1,28,525 units, down 24.19 per cent.

Total scooter sales last month declined by 10.21 per cent at 4,97,169 units as against 5,53,695 units in January last year, SIAM said.

Market leader HMSI's scooter sales were at 2,72,170 units, down 14.77 per cent. Chennai-based TVS Motor Co also saw its scooter sales dip by 0.41 per cent at 83,794 units.

Suzuki Motorycle India, however, witnessed a 60.28 per cent jump in it scooter sales at 61,348 units last month.

SIAM said sales of commercial vehicles were up 2.21 per cent to 87,591 units in January.

Looking to buy a budget car? Maruti Suzuki launches new version of WagonR

The new WagonR with one-litre engine will deliver a fuel efficiency of 22.5 km per litre while the bigger 1.2 litre petrol powertain would return efficiency of 21.5 km per litre.

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Wednesday launched a new version of its hatchback WagonR priced between Rs 4.19 lakh and Rs 5.69 lakh (ex-showroom).

The new WagonR comes with a new 1.2-litre petrol engine option along with another choice of 1-litre powertrain. It also comes with an automatic gear shift variant.

The one-litre manual versions are priced at Rs 4.19 lakh and Rs 4.69 lakh while the automated gear shift trim is tagged at Rs 5.16 lakh.

The 1.2-litre variants are priced between Rs 4.89 lakh and Rs 5.69 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).

"I am sure, the all-new WagonR will become a preferred choice just not for families but also for young and dynamic buyers," MSI MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa told reporters here.

The vehicle has been developed on the Suzuki's fifth-generation HEARTECT platform and is wider and longer than its outgoing version.

As a result, the boot space has also gone up in the new model to 341 litres.

The company said the use of high tensile steel has improved the overall safety, rigidity and NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) performance in the new offering.

The third generation WagonR comes with various safety features like driver airbag, ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) and front seat belts reminder, speed alert system and rear parking sensors.

The company has already received 12,000 bookings for the model.

MSI has sold around 2.2 million units of the model till date in the country.

According to the company, the new WagonR with one-litre engine will deliver a fuel efficiency of 22.5 km per litre while the bigger 1.2 litre petrol powertain would return efficiency of 21.5 km per litre.

Article Source BS