Sunteți pe pagina 1din 116

MI-May-11.

indd 3

5/9/2011 2:21:50 PM

Contents

MAY 2011

20

34

editorial.............................................................................................................................. 8 Current affairs the real engine of growth ............................................................................................. 10 VehiCle industry Challenges ahead in 2011-12 for speeding auto industry ............................................... 12 Ashok Leyland aims to emerge worlds fifth largest bus market player ........................... 16 Tatas plan massive investment of Rs. 1.2 lakh crores in five years .............................. 18 Foton to set up Rs. 1,676-crore truck plant in India......................................................... 20 tatas Prima 3128.K is specially designed for construction & mining .............................. 22 MAN-Sinotruk joint truck brand for China and other Asian markets ............................... 24 Daimler receives RBI nod for financial services ............................................................. 26 suCCess story Kalyani & Meritor celebrate 30 years of successful partnership ...................................... 28 foCus on publiC transportation Distinct advantages of bus-based public transportation system ..................................... 34 London transport network in for massive expansion ....................................................... 36 Specially designed Tata buses for city transport ............................................................. 38 Ahmedabad BRTS gains global recognition .................................................................... 42 Volvo developing buses to attract more passengers ....................................................... 46 Growing preference for Allison automatic transmissions & hybrid systems .................... 48 ZF offers complete solution for low-floor buses ............................................................... 50 Bombardier launches PrimoveCity for zero-emission electric mobility ............................ 52 More Americans may switch over to public transportation .............................................. 54 Cummins ISBe is the natural choice for hybrids .............................................................. 56 Ashok Leylands decades-long association with Best ................................................... 57 Round-the-clock fire protection for bus & coach engines ................................................ 60
4 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 4

5/9/2011 2:21:54 PM

MI-May-11.indd 5

5/9/2011 2:21:56 PM

Contents

66

Our next issue

Focus on

Tyre IndusTry
For details email: motorindiamagazine@gmail.com motorindia@rediffmail.com

Neeta Tours & Travels buys Mercedes-Benz buses ........................................................ 62 Over 150 prominent exhibitors make Busworld Asia a big success .............................. 63 auto Components Eaton targets $500 million sales in India by 2015 ........................................................... 64 ARAI develops analog-to-CAn converter ....................................................................... 65 Dana Holding acquiring AILs truck axle business: Pact signed ..................................... 66 Knorr-Bremse benefits from global CV market revival .................................................... 68 Mahle Filters second plant opened at Parwanoo ........................................................... 70 Gates celebrates 100th Anniversary ................................................................................. 71 Delphi Automotives APU can cut diesel emissions from trucks ..................................... 72 lubriCants IOC aiming to become a world energy power ................................................................. 74 Gulf oil partners CsK ...................................................................................................... 75 shell Advance kicks off new marketing campaign ........................................................... 76 oil prices hit 2.5-year high ............................................................................................... 76 Castrol India Q1 net up 16.6% ........................................................................................ 77 tyres Continental to acquire Modi tyres ................................................................................... 78 Pneumatic tyres & tubes Quality Control Order coming into force on May 13 .............. 78 Surging rubber prices may cut tyre industry profitability : ICRA ..................................... 79 AUto seRvICe & AFteRMARKet ............................................................................... 80 DRIveR tRAInInG ......................................................................................................... 82 tURKeY AUto sCene .................................................................................................. 92 Men At the heLM ...................................................................................................... 100 stAtIstICs .................................................................................................................. 102
6 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 6

5/9/2011 2:21:58 PM

MI-May-11.indd 7

5/9/2011 2:22:00 PM

Publishers Gopali & Co., Quanta Zen Building, No.38, Thomas Road, 2nd Street, Off. South Boag Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017. Ph.: 24330979, 42024951. Fax: 044-24332413 Email: motorindia@rediffmail.com motorindiamagazine@gmail.com Founder M. Rajagopalan Mentor Rajagopalan Kalidasan Managing editor & Publisher R. Natarajan (Cell: 9381062161) Email: motorindia@rediffmail.com Assistant editor K.N. Ananthanarayanan (Cell: 9003053132) executive editor & General Manager K. Gopalakrishnan (42127950, Cell: 9840897542) Email: motorindia.india@gmail.com Business development Manager Ganesh Kalidas Manager (Advt.) B. Vijaya designer E. Marimuthu Mumbai: R. Balasubramanian G-102, Srinagar Co.Op. Housing Society, Off. P.L. Lokande Marg, Chembur (West), Mumbai - 400 089. Ph.: 022-25252377. Cell: 9323711291. Email: r.balagopali@gmail.com Bangalore: M.J. Saravanasundhar BS 23, 2nd Floor, Block B Ittina Neela, Near Gold Coins Club, Andapura, Electronics City P.O., Bangalore - 560 100. Cell: 9880974765 Email: saravanam_j@yahoo.co.in Allahabad: Shoubhik Sarkar, 196-A, Chak Raghunath, Jail Road, (Behind Asha Hospital), Naini, Allahabad - 211008 (U.P.) Ph: 0532-2696873 Cell: 9936245032 Email: sarkarshoubhik@rediffmail.com Member: INS / AINEC / IFSMAN
Edited & Published by R. Natarajan on behalf of Gopali & Co., Quanta Zen Building, No.38, Thomas Road, 2nd Street, T.Nagar, Chennai-17, and Printed by B. Ashok Kumar at Rathna Offset Printers, 40, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai-14

Editorial
Further petrol price hike inevitable
A further hike in petrol prices is almost a certainty. This is clear from the hints thrown by the Indian Oil Corporation Chairman, Mr. Ranbir Singh Butola, when he recently explained the difficulties related to oil supply management with the ever-rising world crude prices, now hovering around $125 a barrel, and with the IndianOil and other sister companies losing heavily on petro prices. He neither gave a time-frame for the price revision nor quantified the proposed price increase. But sources close R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher to the industry confirmed that a hike of upto Rs. 3 per litre is on cards and that an official announcement may be made during the fortnightly review of prices on May 15. By this time, all the State election results will have been out. Petrol price was last raised by Rs. 2.50 a litre in January which came a month after the previous hike of Rs. 3 on December 14 last and the seventh since February 2010. Since petrol was deregulated in June last year, no compensation is paid for losses incurred by the oil marketing companies. Their losses in marketing petro products like petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas are estimated to have touched a level of Rs. 17,400 crores. Their expectations of some duty reliefs in the Central Budget were belied. As on previous occasions, diesel and cooking gas may be exempted from the proposed hike in prices for fear of stoking an already high inflation and public anger. The worst hit by any increase in diesel prices are transporters of goods who naturally would pass the burden of the price hike to consumers who are already paying higher prices for their daily necessities. The proposed petrol price increase would worsen the plight of general commuters. Car owners, for instance, are now paying Rs. 12 more than what they paid for a litre of petrol last year. The general trend among the middle class now is to switch over to two-wheelers that consume less fuel or to trains and buses for daily commuting. Efforts are being made to bring in alternative fuels like natural gas for vehicles (NGV), LPG, CNG, etc., with varying degrees of success. Again, the Budget for 2011-12 has its special focus on hybrid and electric vehicles. Besides offering cut in excise duty on designing and manufacturing of hybrid vehicles, a National Mission for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles would be set up in collaboration with stakeholders for promotion of eco-friendly vehicles. It is high time that the Government took some serious measures in promoting alternate fuels rather than passing the burden to vehicle owners by increasing the fuel cost at frequent intervals.

www.motorindiaonline.com
8 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 8

5/9/2011 2:22:00 PM

MI-May-11.indd 9

5/9/2011 2:22:03 PM

current affairs

the real engine of growth


By R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher

India is indeed proving a real engine of growth with its clearly emerging a global hub for automobile engine manufacturing. This has been made possible with the increasing investments being made for capacity expansion as well as for setting up of additional units by leading automobile manufacturers in India. Most of them have also set new sales records by achieving a substantial growth in engine manufacturing. Let us start with the countrys largest automobile manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL), which is setting fresh sales records month after month by utilising the newly-introduced robust and fuelefficient K-series engine for its different vehicle models. Currently, its three K-series engine plants on which huge investments have been made are operational at Gurgaon, producing 77,000 engines per month. This engine facility has registered a high production of 8.5 lakh engines in just 29 months since its introduction in a A-Star model in October 2008. The companys original plan for a big celebration to mark this occasion has been dropped due to the recent natural disasters that hit Japan.
10 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Coming to the US giant, Ford, the company rolled out its 1,00,000th engine from its subsidiary, Ford Indias new engine plant at Maraimalai Nagar within just 14 months of commencement of production. Part of Fords $500-million investment at the Maraimalai Nagar site, the plant is designed to meet the growing local and export demand of vehicle manufacturers. This plant is the first Ford facility to feature a flexible production line manufacturing petrol and diesel engines. Today, the plant produces five Duratec petrol engine variants and one Duratorq diesel engine variant for Ford vehicles. It has also exported more than one-third of

the engines produced to South Africa and Thailand so far. Yet another US giant, GM India has also opened its new flexibleengine facility at Talegaon near Pune last year. The world-class engine facility, built in a record time of less than two years, would enable GM India to become more competitive and keep pace with the growing demand for its bestin-class vehicles. This is GMs first powertrain plant in the world that enables both petrol and diesel engines to be manufactured simultaneously. The state-of-the-art facility involving an investment of over $230 million has an initial annual production capacity of 1,60,000 engines and is designed to accommodate future expansion. The plant will also produce engines for small passenger cars manufactured by GM in India. Further, the construction equipment major JCB has recently unveiled its new fuel-efficient and BS III-compliant ecoMAX engine to be produced in the 76 hp to 150 hp range. This engine has been developed at an investment of Rs. 130 crores from the companys Ballabgarh facility in Haryana. w

MI-May-11.indd 10

5/9/2011 2:22:04 PM

MI-May-11.indd 11

5/9/2011 2:22:05 PM

vehicle industry

Challenges ahead in 2011-12 for speeding auto industry


It was like a cruise on an expressway with no traffic and potholes for the Indian automobile industry in fiscal 2010-11. A healthy 26.17 per cent growth in total vehicle sales during the year and the prospects of becoming the worlds sixth largest automobile market overtaking Brazil sounded pretty reassuring. Yet, the robust economic growth, more focus on rural areas and new model launches, which all helped in driving sales up last fiscal, are not going to be enough to sustain a high growth rate this financial year, cautioned the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). In the wake of rising interest rates, increasing commodity prices resulting in costlier automobiles and a high base effect, the industry body forecast that in 2011-12 the automobile sale growth rate will be down to 12-15 per cent. According to figures released by SIAM, total vehicles sales in India in FY11 stood at 1,55,13,156 units compared to 1,22,95,397 units in the previous financial year. We have ended the year on a reasonably high note. We have reached a very, very strong base after consistent good growth in the last six quarters, SIAM President Pawan Goenka said. He said a variety of factors, in12 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Mr. Pawan Goenka, SIAM President

cluding good GDP growth, higher spending on infrastructure development, strong consumer confidence, governments focus on rural areas, moderate price hike by the auto makers despite steep rise in commodity rates and introduction of new models helped the industry register the gains in the last fiscal. There were 24 new launches in the passenger vehicles segment last fiscal. For the two-wheelers, it was 16. Besides, passenger vehicle and two-wheeler industries saw 40 and seven refreshed versions respectively. Talking about the outlook for 2011-12, Mr. Goenka observed: We expect the growth for the in-

dustry to moderate and settle down at around 12-15 per cent this year. This year, we hope to overtake Brazil and become the number 6 automobile market in the world. The main reason for the predicted moderation in the growth rate is the ever increasing interest rates on auto loans, which is touching nearly 15 per cent in passenger vehicles and 19 per cent in commercial vehicles. Moreover, commodity prices increased by 8-10 per cent and it is expected to remain the same this fiscal too. The ability of the industry to absorb hike in commodity prices may not be as high as it was last year and hence would be passed on to consumers, Mr. Goenka said. Buying vehicles will thus become a costly affair this fiscal. Already in the beginning of this new financial year, companies such as Maruti Suzuki India and Tata Motors have hiked prices. In 2009-10, domestic auto sales were driven equally by all the segments. Passenger car sales rose by 29.73 per cent to 19,82,702 units from 15,28,337 units in the April-March period of the earlier fiscal. SIAM said market leader Maruti Suzukis sales during last fiscal jumped by 26.24 per cent at

MI-May-11.indd 12

5/9/2011 2:22:06 PM

MI-May-11.indd 13

5/9/2011 2:22:09 PM

vehicle industry
9,66,447 units, while its rival Hyundai Motors sales increased by 13.95 per cent to 3,58,904 units. Tata Motors witnessed a rise of 27.21 per cent at 2,56,202 units. On the total two-wheeler front, sales in FY11 grew by 25.82 per cent at 1,17,90,305 units compared to 93,70,951 units in FY10. Motorcycle sales were up 22.86 per cent at 90,19,090 units against 73,41,122 units in 2009-10. The countrys largest bike maker Hero Hondas sales rose by 14.73 per cent at 49,26,390 units. Bajaj Auto saw its sales climbing by 35.52 per cent to 24,14,603 units in FY11. Scooter sales during the year jumped by 41.79 per cent to 20,73,797 units from 14,62,534 units in the previous fiscal. Commercial vehicle sales increased by 26.97 per cent to 6,76,408 units from 5,32,721 units for the previous fiscal. Dwelling on the forecast, SIAM said passenger vehicles as well as passenger car segments would grow at the same pace of around 16-18 per cent. Utility vehicles would surge by 12-14 per cent, while the two-wheeler industry is expected to witness an increase of 12-14 per cent over last fiscal, according to Mr. Goenka. The commercial vehicle segment is likely to rise by 14-16 per cent. While light commercial vehicle would rise by 18-21 per cent, medium and heavy commercial vehicles sales are expected to be up by only 10-12 per cent. As for the three-wheeler segment, sales are likely to see a surge of 9-11
14 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

per cent. As far as exports are concerned, overseas shipments from India grew at a robust 29.64 per cent in 2010-11 riding on two-wheelers and commercial vehicles despite a sluggish demand from Europe, one of the main markets for small cars. According to the SIAM figures, total exports from the country stood at 23,39,333 units in last fiscal compared to 18,04,426 units in the year-ago period. During the fiscal, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers witnessed good growth in exports. The only low was the passenger vehicle segment, mainly because of slow recovery of the European market, Mr. Goenka said. After the slowdown of 2008-09, many countries in Europe had offered incentives in 2009-10 to customers for buying new cars in exchange of their old ones to help the auto industry. While sales picked up with the incentives, it has again dropped after the funds for the scheme dried up. Indias total passenger vehicle exports during last fiscal were up by a mere 1.64 per cent at 4,53,479 units as against 4,46,145 units in the previous fiscal. Passenger car exports touched 4,47,403 units against 4,41,709 units in the previous year, up 1.29 per cent. In 2010-11, Indias largest exporter Hyundai Motor saw a decline of 18.41 per cent at 2,33,069 units. Domestic market leader Maruti Suzuki was a distant second, registering 6.93 per

cent fall in overseas sales. However, export growth in the last financial year was robust in the two-wheeler category, which registered 35.04 per cent rise at 15,39,590 units as against 11,40,058 units in the previous financial year. The surge in two-wheeler exports was led by Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company with sales of their motorcycles and scooters in various overseas markets. Bajaj Autos overseas two-wheeler sales rose by 34.11 per cent to 9,72,437 units from 7,25,097 units in 2009-10. TVS Motor Company registered a rise of 38.52 per cent at 2,29,132 units as against 1,65,414 units in FY10. Domestic market leader Hero Honda saw its bike exports increase by 36.20 per cent at 1,33,063 units against 97,699 units in the previous fiscal. Commercial vehicle exports also registered a very robust growth of 69.51 per cent during last fiscal at 76,297 units, compared to 45,009 units in 200910. While light commercial vehicles saw an export jump at 91.28 per cent at 47,025 units, the medium and heavy commercial vehicles segments overseas sales grew 43.31 per cent at 29,272 units in 2010-11. SIAM also disclosed that threewheeler exports rose by 55.86 per cent to 2,69,967 units from 1,73,214 units in the previous fiscal. - PTI Economic Service

MI-May-11.indd 14

5/9/2011 2:22:09 PM

MI-May-11.indd 15

5/9/2011 2:22:11 PM

vehicle industry

Ashok Leyland aims to emerge worlds fifth largest bus market player
new Managing director dasari outlines fresh company vision
An exclusive report from Mr. R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher

Indian commercial vehicle market. Ashok Leyland Ltd. of the HinduHowever, he made it clear that ja Group is all set to become the maintenance of profitability will reworlds fifth largest player in bus main the core value of Ashok Leymanufacturing and the tenth largland. Since 75 per cent of the veest in trucks within the next five to hicle cost goes into raw materials, 10 years. the company will adopt a special This note of extreme optimism strategy on lean management. In was struck by the companys new the last six months, the company Managing Director, Mr. Vinod K. launched new vehicle models and Dasari, while addressing the first their variants, and within the next press conference in Chennai after 18 to 20 months, all the trucks will assumption of office. be made on the U-Truck platform. In order to achieve the comFurther, there are plans to doupanys ambitious targets, he said ble dealership outlets from 170 to Ashok Leyland has identified five 350 in two years. With this expankey areas, namely, Execution, Mr. Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director sion, the dealership will be in a Quality, Innovation, Performance position to attend to a service call and Efficiency (EQIPE). The other major goals are to get the coveted Denim Award as within four hours. Referring to export prospects, Mr. Dasari said AL is well as its greater focus on the branding exercise. looking at opportunities for partnerships at the global investing for the future As for its sales performance, Mr. Dasari said that level. Currently its vehicles have ready market acceptfor the first time the company has sold 11,000 units ance in Sri Lanka and the Middle-East countries, and in March 2011, and for 2011-12 it is targeting sales the company focus has now shifted to Africa, Latin of over one lakh vehicles in the domestic market com- America, CIS countries, etc. Earlier, in his introductory remarks, Mr. Dasari pointpared to 94,000 units in 2010-11. In order to meet the growing demand for its vehicles, Ashok Leyland ed out that the three main factors which encouraged will continue to invest on expansion of its various fa- him to join the company are its value system, robustcilities, including the Pantnagar as well as Alwar units. ness of the products manufactured, and the commitIt also has plans to make huge investment on the Nep- ment and dedication of its workforce. However, Mr. tune engines as well as develop the state-of-the-art R. Seshasayee, the current Executive Vice Chairman, new cabin. With all this, Ashok Leyland vehicles will continues to be his mentor. With his rich varied experience, Mr. Dasari joined have a new transmission, new engine and new cabin. With a view to bringing the latest technology through Ashok Leyland in 2005 as a Chief Operating Officer its new vehicle models, the company will double its ex- and contributed a lot for its increasing market share penditure on R&D activities. It is also investing on the in all sectors. w future growth in view of the growing competition in the
16 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 16

5/9/2011 2:22:11 PM

MI-May-11.indd 17

5/9/2011 2:22:13 PM

vehicle industry

tatas plan massive investment of Rs. 1.2 lakh crores in five years
Rs. 12,000 crores for Tata Motors
The Tata Group will invest up to Rs. 1.2 lakh crores across sectors in the domestic market in the next five years as it looks to more than double its revenues to $150 billion (about Rs. 6.64 lakh crores) by then. With over 90 operating companies, it will put in half of the planned investment in the power sector, while the other significant portions will be in the steel and automobile sectors. We have become a significant player globally in each of the sectors that we are present in. In the next five years, the pace of growth of the group will continue... The current investment assessment for the next five years is around Rs. 1.1-1.2 lakh crores, Tata Industries Managing Director Kishor A. Chaukar told PTI. Tata Industries is one of the investment arms of the Tata Group. This investment has been planned essentially for the Indian market, and it will be pumped in across various sectors like power, steel, automobiles, telecommunications and chemicals, he said while announcing the ambitious roadmap for doubling the turnover of the group in less than five years from now. The Mumbai-based conglomerate has already invested about Rs. 70,000 crores in the last three years. Asked about the expected revenue of the group after the proposed investment, Mr. Chaukar said: It will be more than double in less than five years. I think itll be
18 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

plans, Mr. Chaukar said: The major sector will probably be power as we are constructing an ultra mega power project in Gujarat and it requires quite a substantial amount. About half of the planned investment, that is, Rs. 50,000-60,000 crores will be by Tata Power in the next five years. The other significant investment will be in the steel sector, for which the group has earmarked an investment of Rs. 35,000 crores over and above Rs. 15,000-16,000 crores that has already been invested. BeMr. Kishor A. Chaukar, sides, Rs. 12,000 crores will be Managing Director, Tata Industries invested by Tata Motors and Rs. 8,000-10,000 crores will be in around $140-150 billion. the telecommunications division. The group has expanded to nearAsked whether the Tata Group is ly $68 billion at present from about looking for further acquisitions, Mr. $8 billion 10 years ago, and it will Chaukar said as and when oppormaintain such growth. tunities come we will look at it. On the mode of funding this inThe group has operations in over vestment, he said it will be a mix 80 countries across six continents of internal accruals and debt. We and its companies export products are generating a considerable and services to 85 countries. Emamount of internal accruals and at ploying around 3.95 lakh people the same time also reducing cur- across the world, it is present in rent debt, which will enable us to seven sectors communications raise debt. For this investment, the and information technology, engidebt: equity ratio will be around neering, materials, services, ener2:1, he added. gy, consumer products and chemiThe Tata companies clocked an cals. overall revenue of $67.4 billion The major Tata Group entities in(around Rs. 3.19 lakh crores) in clude Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata 2009-10. Of this, about 57 per Consultancy Services, Tata Power, cent was contributed by the domes- Tata Chemicals, Tata Global Bevtic businesses. erages, Indian Hotels and Tata Elaborating on its investment Communications. w

MI-May-11.indd 18

5/9/2011 2:22:14 PM

MI-May-11.indd 19

5/9/2011 2:22:16 PM

vehicle industry

foton to set up rs. 1,676-crore truck plant in india

Chinas leading truck manufacturer Beiqi Foton Motor has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra Government to set up a truck manufacturing facility in India. Beiqi Foton intends to invest Rs. 1,676 crores in this venture. The signing of the MoU and the investment to be made in India would serve as a key step for the truck maker to implement its strategies and is an important move for its globalization drive, said a company statement. The plant will be producing heavy
20 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

and light trucks according to the local market demand. The parts and components will be mainly sourced from local producers. The Indian commercial vehicle sector is the worlds fourth largest and is expected to grow rapidly. Foton is the first amongst the Chinese auto makers to invest and set up facilities in India, the Beiqi Foton Motor President, Mr. Jinyu Wang, said. With an investment outlay of Rs. 1,676 crores for Indian operations, Beiqi Foton aims to create products suited to meet the needs of Indian environment and conditions.

With these plans, Foton looks at creating tremendous business opportunities for local manufacturers. The process will also generate employment and growth opportunities for the region, more so since the core vision of the company is localisation. The Beijing-based company exports to over 100 countries across the world and operates six manufacturing plants in China, apart from running knocked down (KD) operations in Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kenya where vehicles are assembled. w

MI-May-11.indd 20

5/9/2011 2:22:16 PM

MI-May-11.indd 21

5/9/2011 2:22:18 PM

vehicle industry

designed for construction & mining


Tata Motors Ltd. has just launched its first 8x4 tipper the Construck Prima 3128.K. A part of the Prima range of tippers, it belongs to the Construck family, a wide range of powerful and fuel-efficient vehicles for the construction and mining industries. Construck Prima 3128.K is built for every construction site and for roads leading to it, with assured performance, productivity and return on investment. It has its unbeatable features like data logger that measures vehicle performance and driving practices along several parameters. The data can be downloaded on a daily/weekly basis, to ensure optimum vehicle usage. This also allows for an easy interface between the owner and the driver. The optimum performance of any vehicle depends on driver comfort. Construck Prima 3128.K offers comfort features in the cabin that take driving experience to new heights. Productivity is optimized through customised body options 18 / 20 / 23 cum box, 16 cum scoop, longer maintenance intervals, coupled with a large number of low maintenance or maintenance-free components and increase profitability. While your driver enjoys the world-class comfort, you enjoy complete peace of mind, knowing that every emergency will be taken care of. This is due to the strong support of a nation-wide Tata Motors servicing network. Best-in-class features of the vehicle include Common Rail 270 HP engine, long service intervals, 9-speed gear box, hub reduction rear axle, and Euro III and Euro IV compliance. The electronic control unit ensures systematic gear shifts and avoids wear and tear, while cabin

tatas prima 3128.K is specially


tilt lock button ensures driver safety. Driver comfort is furthered with 4-point suspended cabin with an air suspension reclining seat, ergonomic arrangement of switches and buttons, LED display, adequate storage compartments and remote keyless entry with central door locking. With the Indian economy entering a phase of rapid growth and transformation, theres need for construction vehicles which not only offer larger capacities and increased power but are also reliable, safe and tough performers. With all its advanced features Construck Prima 3128.K is your answer to increased productivity in your road construction business and faster returns on investment. w

22 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 22

5/9/2011 2:22:19 PM

MI-May-11.indd 23

5/9/2011 2:22:21 PM

vehicle industry

man-sinotruk joint truck brand for China and other asian markets
MAN and Sinotruk have unveiled a new joint truck brand for China and other growth markets in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Known internationally as SITRAK, the truck brand will be marketed under the Chinese name Shandeka in the home market of China. With three stylized ginkgo leaves, which symbolize endurance and vitality in Asia and act as the logo, the brand name stands for the good partnership between
24 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MAN and Sinotruk. While sales in China will be exclusively via Sinotruk, export markets will be served by the existing sales networks of MAN and Sinotruk. MAN will also participate in the sales in China as a result of its direct interest in Sinotruk. The companies expect yearly sales to total 200,000 trucks by 2018, of which 160,000 are for the Chinese market. Sinotruk and MAN showcased the new brands first product, the

SITRAK T7H, at their joint trade fair stand in Shanghai. The heavyduty T7H truck combines Sinotruks components and MAN technology. The T7H is due to go into production at the Jinan site in China in December next. Chinese customers will already be able to order the new truck in the first six months of 2012, while sale for export is slated for the second half of 2012. Sinotruk and MAN are co-operating on two levels: provision of capital and transfer of technol-

MI-May-11.indd 24

5/9/2011 2:22:28 PM

vehicle industry
ogy and management expertise. MAN invested Euro 560 million in Sinotruk in 2009 and has a direct interest in the Chinese manufacturer with a 25 per cent stake plus one share. The transfer of technology and management expertise is based on a contract signed by both partners regarding the granting of technology licences. MAN went into partnership with the Heavy Duty Truck Corporation (today Sinotruk) way back in 1983 for the construction and licensing of Steyr trucks. Sinotruk and MAN are thus united by a long history of working together. Trust is the very backbone of this co-operation. In just a short period of time, Sinotruk and MAN have developed a new truck brand, which we present to you together today at the Shanghai Auto Show. This day is a milestone for Sinotruk, since SITRAK will now enable us to offer our customers a Chinese truck with stateof-the-art technology, said Chunji Ma, Supervisory Board Chairman of Sinotruk. MAN CEO Dr. Georg PachtaReyhofen said: With SITRAK, we are adding a key element to our BRIC strategy. This heavy truck that is made in China complements MANs product and brand portfolio perfectly. Thanks to the excellent partnership with Sinotruk, we are able to take another important step in MANs global expansion today. Sinotruk is one of the largest truck manufacturers worldwide and is one of the few producers in China that can look back on a 50year history. Sinotruk is considered a heavy truck specialist, especially in China, but has significantly expanded its activities in recent years to include light commercial vehicles and construction vehicles. In 2010 the CNHTC Group generated revenue of Euro 8.05 billion. It also sold around 200,000 trucks, 60 per cent more than in the previous year. MAN Truck & Bus AG, headquartered in Munich, is the largest company of the MAN Group and a leading international supplier of efficient commercial vehicles and innovative transport solutions. In fiscal 2010 the enterprise, with around 31,000 employees, posted sales of more than 55,000 trucks and over 5,400 buses and bus chassis of the MAN and NEOPLAN brands worth 7.4 billion euros. w

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 25

MI-May-11.indd 25

5/9/2011 2:22:28 PM

vehicle industry

daimler receives rbi nod for financial services


Daimler AG has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India to set up a non-banking finance company for its financial services business in India. The new company, Daimler Financial Services India Private Ltd., will be a 100 per cent subsidiary of Daimler AG and is expected to be operational in the third quarter 2011. With business activities in over 40 countries, Daimler Financial Services is one of the leading automotive financial services companies in the world. Every second passenger car and every fourth commercial vehicle from Daimler is financed or leased by us. India is one of the fastest growing automotive markets and the Daimler Group has high expectations from this market, said Richard Howard, Member on the Board of Management of Daimler Financial Services AG responsible for Africa and Asia/ Pacific. Daimler Financial Services India will support the sales of MercedesBenz cars and Daimler trucks as there is a large demand for financing solutions in the market. It will initially invest upwards of $50 million as part of market entry. By providing innovative and customized finance and insurance solutions to dealers and customers, we intend to enrich the ownership experience of Mercedes-Benz and BharatBenz branded automotive products, under the MercedesBenz Financial and BharatBenz Financial labels, said Mr. Sidhartha
26 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Nair, Managing Director, Daimler Financial Services India Private Ltd. The product range of the new company will include financing, leasing, insurance and dealer financing for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars at market launch. The commercial vehicle finance products will be offered, for the newly developed Daimler truck brand for the Indian market, BharatBenz, in 2012, after the start of truck pro-

duction in Oragadam, close to Chennai. Daimler Financial Services AG has shown strong growth in the three other BRIC markets. Until year-end 2010, the contract volume of Daimler Financial Services in Russia increased by 25 per cent compared to the year before. In Brazil the increase was 35 per cent and in China even 100 per cent. w

MI-May-11.indd 26

5/9/2011 2:22:30 PM

MI-May-11.indd 27

5/9/2011 2:22:32 PM

success story

Kalyani & meritor celebrate 30 years of successful partnership


AAL rolls out one-millionth axle produced in India
By K. Gopalakrishnan

Mr. Chip McClure, Chairman, CEO and President, Meritor, Inc., and Mr. Baba Kalyani, Chairman, AAL., with the newly launched two-speed axle

Automotive Axles Ltd. (AAL), a joint venture of the Kalyani Group and Meritor Inc., celebrated its 30th anniversary with more than 1,000 customers, suppliers and employees attending the function held at its manufacturing facility in Mysore. Because of the trust reposed in us by our customers and the value recognized by our supplier partners, we have been able to achieve more than we anticipated when we began this joint venture 30 years ago, said Mr. Baba Kalyani, Chair28 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

man, AAL. This partnership has enabled us to provide evolving drivetrain solutions highly customized for the India landscape. Weve played an extremely important role in the modernisation of the Indian commercial vehicle industry. Established in 1981, AAL, with its manufacturing facilities in Mysore, is the largest independent manufacturer of rear drive axle assemblies in India. The company produces a wide range of rear drive axles for commercial vehicles ranging from six tons to 35 tons GCW; S-Cam

actuated quick change air brakes for commercial vehicles and trailer axles for 10 tons to 13 tons GVW. Marketing and field service support is provided by Meritor HVS (India) Ltd., also a joint venture between Kalyani and Meritor. Indias growth in the commercial vehicle and industrial markets has been significant, said Mr. Chip McClure, Chairman, CEO and President, Meritor, Inc. The ongoing development of this country and the aspirations of its people provide us with the opportunity to

MI-May-11.indd 28

5/9/2011 2:22:33 PM

success story
multiple ratio design facilitates fast track road infrastructure and hill climbing. The axle is available in nine ratio sets ranging from 4.10/5.59 to 7.17/9.77. other new products AAL is also planning to launch hub-reduction axles which are largely used in heavy duty applications like in minning and construction trucks. The third important new product development has been for Defence applications. AAL is a leading supplier of axles for Defence and military trucks. Mr. Kalyani said: We are the largest supplier of axles for the military segment in India. More than 80% of the military vehicles use our axles. Meritor has strong technology and capability on the military and defence applications. Globally, Meritor is the preferred drivetrain technology partner for major Defence applications worldwide. Meritor is highly committed to the military business and intends to make a significant investment in engineering and prototype development to support these pro-

Mr. Chris Villavarayan, Managing Director, Meritor HVS (India) Ltd

serve these markets. We value our relationship with the Kalyani Group and are proud to say it continues to be one of our most successful joint ventures. As part of the celebration, AAL displayed its 1,000,000th golden axle produced in India as a symbol of the strength of the partnership. The axle will be retained by the company as a memento. On the occasion, Mr. Baba Kalyani announced launch of four new products and outlined the companys ambitious growth targets. two-speed axle AAL announced launch of the first green axle, the new twospeed model MS 13 240. The axle is ideal for a range of commercial vehicles, including 4X2 dump applications as well as 4X2, 6X2 and 8X2 haulage vehicles. Full-scale production of the MS 13 240 series will start in mid-2011. Using proven drivetrain technology, weve developed a new twospeed axle for India that increases operational efficiency with extreme grade capability, said Mr. Ashok

Rao, President, AAL. With access to a global network of expertise, we are developing new green products engineered to provide our customers with axle solutions that offer energy efficiency, superior performance, and reliability. AALs new two-speed axle is customized for local operating conditions, while using proven technology developed for Meritor axle applications in various regions of the world, providing AAL customers with global quality at a local price. According to Mr. Raghunathan, Vice President, Meritor India, the MS 13 240 axle not only provides increased fuel efficiency but also improves turnaround time. The MS 13 240 is approximately 6-8 per cent more fuel efficient than a conventional axle configuration and offers tractionon-demand allowing the driver to effectively manage difficult gradients. The

Mr. Ashok Rao, President, AAL

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 29

MI-May-11.indd 29

5/9/2011 2:22:36 PM

success story

aals successful partnership with al


us representing Ashok Leyland at the highest level. Till 1980 AL was manufacturing axles in-house. In 1981, the company launched the first trucks with axles supplied by AAL. Mr. Vinod Dasari, Managing Director of Ashok Leyland, said: AL is the largest customer of AAL, and at the same time AAL is the single largest supplier for AL. We have grown together over the last 3 decades. In every single new vehicle that AL has launched, AAL was the first axle of choice and continues to be so. Today, the first of the U-Truck range, all of them, have been launched with Meritor axles. Mr. Dasari also observed: In 2007, when AL acquired AVIA in the Czech Republic, we wanted to do so some localisation, and the first thing we did was to change the axle. Today axles are supplied by AAL directly to AVIA. Avia Ashok Leyland also supplies chassis to Smith electric vehicles of the US, the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, and all these chassis carry a Meritor axle supplied from India. AL has set an ambitious target of becoming the global top 10 in trucks and buses in the next 5 years. This requires us to double the number of vehicle we manufacture over the next 5 years, and we expect that a majority of these vehicles will be fitted with AAL axles, he added.

Mr. Vinod Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, alongwith Mr. Baba Kalyani and Mr. Chip McClure

Automotive Axles Ltd. (AAL) has enjoyed a very long and successful relationship with Ashok Leyland. There is mutual respect between the two companies. Mr. Baba Kalyani, AAL Chairman, in his inaugural remarks, made a special mention of Mr. Ram Shahaney, Chairman Emeritus of Ashok Leyland, who was his mentor when he started AAL. Ashok Leyland gave us tremendous support from the initial years till today, and I am very happy that Mr. Vinod Dasari is here with grams, said Carsten Reinhardt, President of Meritors Commercial Vehicle Systems business. Our unique capability in developing specialized drivetrain solutions makes Meritor the right partner to deliver the technology required for highly advanced, next generation vehicle platforms. Finally, the fourth important product launch is axles for off-highway segment. The company is looking at the Indian market for grader axles, loader axles and other products. AAL has started with assembling axles for Catepillar in India. In January this year, AAL rolled
30 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

back the brake business into the JV. Apart from the facility in Mysore, it has established another facility in Pantnagar for manufacturing brakes systems. The new plant has capacity to manufacture 40, 000 brake systems per month. Currently 12 per cent of AAls total business comes from the brake business, and the target is to increase this further. In the future, the company plans to introduce advanced solutions in drum and disc brakes too. For the current year, AAL has set a target of Rs. 1,100 crores in turnover and hopes to double it by 2015. The company plans to set

up a greenfield facility for manufacturing axles, and a decision regarding this will be announced soon. The Mysore plant is running at full capacity. Globally, the trailer axles and aftermarket business are key components of the overall business of Meritor. The company plans to focus on both these segments in India too. It already set up an independent division to handle Commercial Vehicles Aftemarket at Meritor India. A state-of-art warehouse is being built in Pune to handle the aftermarket business. w

MI-May-11.indd 30

5/9/2011 2:22:37 PM

MI-May-11.indd 31

5/9/2011 2:22:40 PM

success story
Meritors vision is to be the recognized leader in providing advanced drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for the global commercial vehicle and industrial markets. India will play a key role in our achieving that vision - Mr. Chip McClure, Chairman and CEO, Meritor Inc.
At the 30th AAL anniversary function, Mr. Chip McClure thanked all the customers and suppliers on behalf of Automotive Axles and on behalf of Meritor for the long association and the mutually beneficial journey. We have come this far only because of our customers and suppliers and also because of the strength of the partnership we have shared with the Kalyani Group over many years, he said. We value this partnership, and the others that we have around the world, that have enabled Meritor to grow in important markets around the world. We look forward to many more years of association and success in the Indian market and the global market, Mr. McClure added. Talking on Meritors perspective of India and its long association in this region of the world through joint ventures, Mr. McClure said: India is one of our most important markets outside of North America. The opportunities arising out the development of this country and the aspirations of its people are significant. We see excellent opportunities in India in all the segments that we present globally. The recognition of India as a key market is not new it actually dates back to our Rockwell heritage. This recognition drove us to direct resources to this market knowing that some of the investments would not provide immediate results or returns. We are actively working in several segments in India. On-highway is our largest segment and will continue to be so in the days ahead. We have worked over the years to provide platforms that address various price-performance points for truck and bus applications. I am proud to say that at AAL we manufacture the most diverse range of axle platform (from C100 which uses a 12 to 160 which uses 18) in all of Meritors sites, Mr. McClure added. He observed: AAL is an integral part of our global gear engineering network. The engineers from AAL work in close co-operation with our engineers in the US to develop bus application gear sets for India and China.Mysore is the gear manufacturing hub for Europe. Talking about the new products, Mr. McClure said: We are now launching the two-speed axle which has been very successful in Mexico and Brazil. Apart from providing our customers with 6-8% fuel economy, the
32 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

India version is fitted with a patented fail-safe shifter mechanism to eliminate the learning curve for drivers. We are also launching the performance heavy duty hub reduction single and tandem axle shortly. For the bus segment, we will launch the 177 axle for the high horse power engines, ideally suited for heavy retarder loads. On the brake business, he said: We have rejuvenated our brakes strategy for India. This has involved the launch of a new facility in Pantnagar which will be followed by others. There will be more to come on new products in drum and air disc brakes. Incidentally, we were the first to launch completely indigenous air disc brakes in India. Meritor is aggressively expanding its off-highway business. We are working to build our presence in the off-highway segment in India. We are in the process of developing drivetrain solutions for rough terrain cranes, all terrain cranes, terminal tractors, fork trucks and motor graders. Finally, in our military business, we have a host of new drivetrain and suspension products in the process of being launched in next 12 to 24 months, added Mr. McClure. As part of its business strategy, Meritor plans to continue investing in people, products and processes. Meritors vision is to be the recognized leader in providing advanced drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for the global commercial vehicle and industrial markets. India will play a key role in achieving that vision. w

MI-May-11.indd 32

5/9/2011 2:22:43 PM

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 33

MI-May-11.indd 33

5/9/2011 2:22:45 PM

focus on public transportation


The problems faced by the public transport systems of todays major cities are very similar, all over the world. Whether were talking about London, Istanbul, Dubai or Bogot, population growth and changes in peoples mobility habits have a direct influence on the quality of life, above all, in terms of their environmental impact. Traffic jams, the result of an increase in the volume of traffic, have become a part of daily life. The use of private transport, as well as the distances that people commute, have risen dramatically. Urban infrastructures need to grow far more rapidly than they are currently doing. Along with calls for better protection of the environment, and the needs of an expanding and at the same time gradually ageing urban population for mobility as well as comfort, our towns and cities are burdened by a further factor: limited financial resources. In 2006, traffic was responsible for 23 per cent of worldwide CO2 emissions. If traffic volumes continue to increase in the same way as they have been doing in recent years, experts predict that CO2 emissions will rise by 57 per cent between 2005 and 2030, with 80 per cent of those emissions produced by the developing countries alone. A similar picture is developing in the major conurbations in Germany as well. Each year, road users in this relatively small country (in terms of its surface area) are caught in 160,000 traffic jams. In very straightforward arithmetic terms, every road user is therefore spending 2.4 days of each year in traffic jams. When you add it all together, the Germans are wasting 288 million litres of fuel and polluting the environment unnecessarily with an additional 26 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. The economic impact, just of traffic jams, amounts to some 122 billion euros each year. bus rapid transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has an important role to play in helping us cope with the urgent traffic and environmental problems of our towns, cities and conurbations. The key advantages include, above all, fast realisation and integration, comparatively low investment costs compared with rail-based systems and the flexibility with which they can be adapted to existing structures, extended or adapted. BRT is not intended to replace the existing transport infrastructures, but to take pressure off them by providing a complementary system. And to do so in all those places where established transport systems
34 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 34

5/9/2011 2:22:48 PM

focus on public transportation


have pretty well reached the limits of their capacity, but where the expansion of such systems is either not economically viable or not achievable within the necessary short time frame. By combining BRT with an existing system, it should be possible to create a coherent and efficient overall solution, quickly, that will satisfy all the many different demands made of it. The requirements for an urban transport system for the future are clearly defined. The key parameters for successful mobility concepts will be cost, capacity, comfort and flexibility. In evaluating the various approaches to providing a solution, the important criteria of flexibility and speed of realisation are taken into consideration, alongside economic efficiency. In comparison of different systems, todays BRT solutions have a clear edge over other transport systems. A study by the working group on bus systems at the German Road and Transportation Research Association (FSGV) into investment costs, as well as into overall annual depreciation and operating costs, revealed that, in terms of economic efficiency, BRT is significantly better than rail-based systems. While the saving in terms of pure investment costs is around 60 per cent, the annual running costs of a CapaCity, for example, are some 90 per cent lower than those of a tram. A look at the various costs on the basis of the same investment figure in each case reveals the following: while a BRT concept would be able to travel 426 km from Dubai to Muscat, the same investment in a tram system would just about reach a suburb some 40 km from Dubai. Were, however, the same sum to be invested in the construction of an underground railway system, the distance covered for the same money would be a mere 7 km. better quality of life The TransMilenio BRT system introduced in Bogot in 2000 is the textbook example of an effectively implemented transport solution and thus represents in many aspects the benchmark for a successful BRT system. Today, the whole city benefits from optimised, eco-friendly mobility, while the 84 km of the BRT system have delivered enormous improvements in terms of quality of life. A bus runs every 63 seconds. Thanks to BRT, a considerable proportion of peoples daily individual mobility requirements in Bogot, a city of seven million inhabitants, were
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 35

MI-May-11.indd 35

5/9/2011 2:22:51 PM

focus on public transportation


transferred onto the local public transport network. There is visibly less traffic in the city centre, a fact which, quite apart from conserving resources, means fewer accidents and reduced dust, noise and pollutant emissions, while also allowing pedestrians and cyclists to reclaim the citys streets and squares for themselves. Giving the more vulnerable members of the community, such as children and the elderly, more space to mingle freely, safely and without fear means that they communicate better with one another and are able to enjoy their surroundings with far more awareness. This applies both on the streets and in the buses themselves. A total of 1.7 million passengers use the BRT system every day. The lively atmosphere in central Bogot, as well as the positive image that this conveys to outsiders, can be attributed to the successful implementation of the BRT system. Much the same applies in the major cities of Istanbul and Nantes. While some 750,000 people travel each day on the BRT system on the Bosphorus, the BRT in the northern French city of Nantes has developed a character all of its own. The grands escogriffes, or beanpoles, as the specially designed articulated buses are affectionately known, are core to the overall concept of BusWay. The original proposal was to extend the tram network, at an investment of 22 million euros per km. BusWay was introduced at a cost of just 8 million euros per km a third of the costs, delivering the same speed, the same comfort and better flexibility. w
36 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

london transport network in for massive expansion

Londons transport network will see massive growth in both the number of passengers it carries and the number of services it operates, according to Transport for Londons (TfL) revised Business Plan. During the next four years a huge program of investment will see three tube lines fully upgraded with new trains on five lines, major progress on Crossrail, completion of the London overground network, traffic flow smoothed, completion of the Barclays Cycle Superhighways and extension of Barclays Cycle Hire, and the maintenance of the capitals bus network. The plan also sets out an increased savings and efficiencies program, totalling 7.6 billion ($12 billion), up from around 5 billion ($8 billion).

Despite an 8 per cent reduction in TfLs overall spending power following the Government Spending Review from 2010, there will be an unprecedented upgrade of the transport network. Over the course of the Business Plan, which runs until 2014-15, TfL will deliver transport for the London 2012 Olympic Games; a total of 4,000 traffic signals reviewed to reduce delays on the citys roads; introduction of a lane rental scheme to cut unnecessary delays caused by roadworks, subject to support from the Government; completion of all 12 Barclays Cycle Superhighways; the eastward extension of Barclays Cycle Hire scheme; and the Source London electric vehicle charging network. w

MI-May-11.indd 36

5/9/2011 2:22:53 PM

MI-May-11.indd 37

5/9/2011 2:22:56 PM

focus on public transportation

specially designed tata buses for city transport

Roads are the lifeline of any city, especially in India where a major part of passenger traffic is carried by roadways while a small percentage use rail transport. If this lifeline starts choking because of traffic jams, the city itself faces a crisis. Along with rising pollution, parking problems also get aggravated with the growing risk of road accidents. Much of the traffic congestion is due to a significant increase in vehicle population. People shun public transport, preferring to travel in their own vehicles. This is because of the unclean and inefficient public transport system available in most cities. The problem would get solved when travellers switch to a pubic transport system resulting in reduced congestion. This can be done by introducing a clean and
38 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

efficient public transport system which adds to the convenience of the commuter. In most developed countries, the penetration of buses is mugh higher than in India. We do not have an adequate number of buses to support the huge population. The Centre and many State Transport Undertakings are making efforts to modernize the mass transport in major cities of India. Bus manufacturers have agreed to co-operate with the Government to provide a clean and desired means of transport for daily commuters. Tata Motors has joined hands with the Government and introduced many buses for daily urban transport.

India is a diverse country with differing needs in different parts. Each city may have a different need of a bus for city transport. These are usually affected by factors like climatic conditions, pollution levels, the number of people commuting daily, etc. Hence Tata Motors has specially designed options for City

MI-May-11.indd 38

5/9/2011 2:22:58 PM

MI-May-11.indd 39

5/9/2011 2:23:00 PM

focus on public transportation


Buses. These are available in varied fuel options diesel, CNG and also the CNG electric parallel hybrid bus, the latest offering. The City Bus has been specially designed keeping in mind the comfort of city commuters. Low-floor and broad doors facilitate quick and easy boarding and alighting for passengers, making everyday travel hassle free. The Ultra Low Floor options are built for convenience of people who are differently-abled and may face difficulties when travelling on public transport. The City Buses are spacious and can seat up to 54 passengers, providing optimum comfort for even those who are standing. Moreover, shorter halt-times due to ease of embarking and disembarking saves time and fuel giving better run-times and improved economy to the bus operators. Robustly designed buses even offer better resale value. Clean and contemporary in looks, the City Bus has brought about an image makeover for public transport by making intra-city travel convenient and more dignified than ever before. These buses can be used in a BRTS provided with a fleet management system, including GPRS / GPS system, display / destination board, smart card reader and door control with RF tag, display at the bus stand with a back server, driver kit with bus controller and display system on the bus, and skills upgradation for drivers. Some of the cities where Tata Starbus is being used for daily commute are Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Kota, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Nagpur, Raipur and Aurangabad. The City Bus is available in a comprehensive range 20 seats to 67 seats. With several options present in the non-AC and AC categories,

there are different floor-height and step options in the range as well. These are available in BS III and BS IV specifications in diesel, CNG and CNG-electric hybrid options. At the forefront is Tata Motors where they take the lead to deliver environment-friendly buses with an aim to have a cleaner and greener world. For details, log on to www.buses. tatamotors.com or write to businfo@tatamotors.com w

Also provided are the following options for city transport to choose from based on the requirement: Seating capacity Available options 20 - 35 seater BS III Diesel: Starbus 24 Starbus 32 40 - 54 seater BS III Diesel: Starbus 40 Starbus 54 Customized BS III Diesel: Semi low Floor RE bus on LPO 1618 Semi low Floor RE bus on LPO 1618 AC Low entry RE bus on LPO 1624 Low entry RE bus on LPO 1618 Low entry RE bus on LPO 1618 AC BS IV Diesel: Low entry RE bus on LPO 1624 BS III CNG: CNG Low entry RE bus on LPO 1623 BS IV CNG: CNG Low entry RE bus on LPO 1623

BS IV Diesel: Starbus 24 Starbus 32 BS III CNG: Starbus 35 CNG BS IV Hybrid: Starbus Hybrid
40 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

BS IV Diesel: Starbus 40

MI-May-11.indd 40

5/9/2011 2:23:01 PM

MI-May-11.indd 41

5/9/2011 2:23:03 PM

focus on public transportation

ahmedabad brts
gains global recognition
The International Association for Public Transport (UITP) has presented the PT x 2 Award to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Urban Transport at CEPT University, the knowledge partner behind Ahmedabads bus rapid transit system (BRTS) called Janmarg. The Award recognizes CoEs efforts in contributing to UITPs mission of doubling the public transport market share worldwide by 2025. Janmarg was selected for its innovative design principles of identifying key nodes of the city and
42 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

connecting them through a comprehensive transport network. However, Janmargs emphasis on linking busy nodes and avoiding busy roads was not the only innovative aspect of the system. According to a 2009 article by the Institute for Transport and Development Policy (ITDP), beyond its physical design, Janmarg is the first system in India to implement institutional and contractual changes that are crucial to the fundamental delivery of BRT. Ahmedabad as a city was recognized as the winner of ITDPs 2010

Sustainable Transport Award, for which EMBARQ (the producer of this blog) was a member of the selection committee. The system was also awarded the regional Daring Ambitions Award at the 59th UITP World Congress held in Dubai recently. Selected from among exemplary projects and initiatives contributing to the PT x 2, the Daring Ambitions Award is an award that recognizes a very ambitious, comprehensive and daring policy or initiative aiming to strongly grow public transport

MI-May-11.indd 42

5/9/2011 2:23:04 PM

MI-May-11.indd 43

5/9/2011 2:23:07 PM

focus on public transportation


market share in a country, region or city. Today, Ahmedabads Janmarg system carries more than 100,000 passengers and generates Rs. 5.88 lakhs per day. Ahmedabad BRTS is a highly ambitious rapid transport system developed by the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) for the city, recognizing that no single mode would cater to the mobility needs of the city and that bus forms the most critical segment of the public transport system there. Residents of Ahmedabad seem to be relying more on BRTS as an alternative to AMTS buses. BRTS is turning out to be the most popular way to commute, especially from the western part of the city. 2010 sustainable transport award In 2010, Ahmedabads BRTS won the Sustainable Transport Award for the successful implementation of Janmarg. This Award is given annually to a city that uses transport innovations to increase mobility for all residents, while reducing transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions and increasing cyclist and pedestrian safety and access. Ahmedabads Janmarg BRT system is a sustainable model for the future of transportation in India. BRT systems can positively impact air quality if car and motorbike drivers start taking trips by bus, said Sophie Punte, Executive Director of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-ASIA). This is particularly important in Asian cities, where air pollution levels are often far above guidelines of the World Health Organization. In just a few years of operation, Janmarg has transformed the delivery of transit in South Asia. It uses innovative central median stations pulled away from the junctions. Bus stations feature passive solar design, an inexpensive way to keep stations naturally cool. The city is making continued efforts to be a leader in sustainable transport, incorporating high-quality pedestrian facilities in some corridors, as well as bicycle lanes. The Janmarg concept is influenced by the successful Transmilenio system built in Bogota and the BRT system of Curitiba. However, its planning and design is adapted to suit Ahmedabads specific conditions. The system gives top priority to buses, pedestrians and non-motorized transport, and this is achieved by segregating these modes from fast moving motorized traffic. Buses run on dedicated lanes provided in the centre of the road, while cyclists get their own dedicated track and pedestrians get wide footpaths. w

Van hools exquiCity bus platform

Van Hool has launched a multi-propulsion platform that serves as the basis for the vehicles for BRT projects. The Italian city of Parma has already ordered nine trolley buses based on this concept. The new BRT vehicles of Van Hool combine the flexibility of a bus with the efficiency of light rail.

The ExquiCity can be an articulated or bi-articulated bus. The nine ExquiCity hybrid trolley buses ordered by Parma will be fitted with driveline components from VosslohKiepe. Deliveries will start from mid-2012. w

44 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 44

5/9/2011 2:23:07 PM

MI-May-11.indd 45

5/9/2011 2:23:10 PM

focus on public transportation

Volvo is developing the buses of the future to attract more passengers. The features being employed are attractive designs, higher capacity and a structure that will shorten travel time.
The most efficient manner by which to resolve the traffic and environmental problems in cities is to get more people to leave their cars at home and use public transport instead. Success requires attractive,
46 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

comfortable and rapid transport systems. An increasing number of cities in the world are choosing to create such transport systems based on bus traffic, also known as Bus

Rapid Transit (BRT). A system that is based on buses is highly flexible, says Peter Danielsson, who is the BRT Manager at Volvo Buses. It is able to transport as many passengers as a rail-bound system, but

MI-May-11.indd 46

5/9/2011 2:23:13 PM

focus on public transportation


and have extensive experience of the demands placed on the transport system and the buses that are used there. Consequently, we have a broad range of buses for various applications within BRT, he adds. To encourage people to leave their vehicles at home and travel by bus instead often requires that the journey time is shorter by bus or at least will not take longer. Consequently, the BRT systems are based on providing the highest possible transport efficiency. It involves buses with high passenger capacity, regular departures, bus stops that facilitate rapid boarding and disembarkation, and in many instances separate bus lanes as well. In the cities that have introduced well-developed BRT systems, the improvements to the city environment are highly evident, according to Peter Danielsson. The portion of inhabitants that choose to use public transport has increased significantly, the air quality in cities is much better and the traffic has become safer. However, there is more to be done to increase the attraction of buses and reduce travel time further, both in BRT systems and normal city bus traffic. Volvo Buses is highly involved in this work, particularly through the major research program entitled European Bus System of the Future (EBSF). EBSF is a program that is supported by the European Union. Its goal is to make bus travel in cities more attractive by developing new buses, new solutions in infrastructure and collating the good examples that already exist. Some 47 partners participate in the research program, including the largest bus manufacturers in Europe, and the total budget is Eur 26 M. Jointly with our research company, Volvo Technology, we are developing an articulated bus with an optimal bus layout, says Peter Danielsson. The goal is for boarding and disembarkation to be as rapid as possible to reduce the time that buses stand still at bus stops. In the simulation tool, we were able to add various bus layouts to see which are the most efficient. Studies have also been conducted on how different types of passengers behave on buses when they board and disembark. Through an advanced simulation tool, the impact of the layout of the bus on the flow in the bus is then studied. It involves for example the number of seats and their locations, the number of doors, their sizes and locations, and where the ticket machine and seats for the disabled should be located. In the autumn, Volvo Buses will manufacture an articulated bus based on the new research findings, a bus that will be put into service in Gothenburg from December to verify the new solutions. The bus has, for example, a centrally-located drivers seat with a very short front overhang, which will make room for more passengers. With a flexible interior, the capacity on the bus can be further increased. He adds: We have also put more energy into creating an attractive bus design. We are convinced that it plays a key role when people choose how they travel. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 47

at only a fraction of the cost. Volvo Buses is currently the leading global manufacturer of buses for BRT systems. In South America, which has the largest portion of BRT systems in the world, Volvo Buses has a market share of more than 70 per cent in terms of buses for the systems. We have been involved since the first system was introduced in Curitiba in the 1980s

MI-May-11.indd 47

5/9/2011 2:23:16 PM

focus on public transportation

Growing preference for allison automatic transmissions & hybrid systems


nine additional cities, including Erdos, Xian, Haikou and Qujing. More than one thousand buses manufactured by Chinese OEMs and equipped with Allison transmissions were exported to 15 countries, with a record number of Chinesemanufactured buses with Allison exported to Australia. In India, where the major OEMs are Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, Allison was the exclusive automatic in all buses used for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. In 2010, demand for automatic transmissions in low and semi-low floor buses continued to spread across India. Over 2,000 Allison transmissions were sold in Indian buses across 15 cities, including new locations of Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chandigarh. In Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) specified Allisons T310 fully automatic transmission exclusively for its new Aero Star large transit bus for the Japanese market. This announcement marked the first time a Japanese transit bus exclusively adopted a fully automatic transmission. The new Aero Star automatic-equipped bus is compliant with Japans new emission regulations, which are the worlds most stringent, as well as Japans 2015 fuel efficiency standard for heavy-duty vehicles. Fuel economy is improved, while Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) is reduced. These benefits are achieved by combining a 7.5 litre, 6M60 engine with MFTBCs

Mr. Lawrence Love, Executive Director of International Marketing

Allison Transmission has once again announced record sales into the global city bus and coach market during 2010. With more than 15,000 units sold into this sector worldwide, Allison has further strengthened its position as a premier provider of automatic transmissions and hybrid systems. This success came as a result of increased customer demand for fuelefficient and reliable transmission technology. Bus fleets are choosing Allison, and manufacturers have increased availability of the Allison automatic option, says Lawrence Love, Executive Director of International Marketing. Allison supplies bus manufacturers in Europe, Russia, Asia, America, India and Australia. Our brand promise of unrivalled quality, reliability, durability, vocational value and customer service has been
48 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

important to our success. Allisons commitment to deliver these values locally ensures an appropriate level of service wherever buses operate in the world. Highlights for 2010 include many new releases with bus and coach manufacturers worldwide. Key OEMs in Japan, India, Turkey, China, Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic and the US added Allison transmissions to increase the attractiveness of their buses for both domestic and export markets. Global market overview In China, Allison and its customers had a busy 2010 supporting major public transportation programs for the Shanghai 2010 Expo and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, where a combined total of almost 700 Allison-equipped buses were in operation. Sales of city buses expanded into

MI-May-11.indd 48

5/9/2011 2:23:17 PM

focus on public transportation


BlueTec(R) technology and an Allison fully automatic transmission. In Korea, Allison fully automatic transmissions have been adopted by an increasing number of fleets in both low-floor and regular city buses produced by Hyundai and Daewoo Bus. In addition to serving the domestic Korean market, both Hyundai and Daewoo Bus regularly export Allison equipped buses to Taiwan, Australia and other countries. In Europe, several new OEM releases and further orders were executed for Allisons H50Ep hybrid system from operators graduating from initial trial purchases and demos. The Allison H50Ep has demonstrated outstanding reliability along with fuel savings of up to 22 per cent in European applications. Following an evaluation of automatic transmission options by the Czech manufacturer SOR last summer where Allison came out on top, providing fuel economy of 38.4 litres/100 km in certified SORT2 testing the company adopted the T280R transmission in its BN12 bus model. Other new SOR releases for the T280R are with the 8.5 mbus, where units have been delivered to the cities of Prague and Poland, and for the Allison H50Ep hybrid system in their NB18 hybrid model. Solaris of Poland is now offering the Allison T325R transmission in its Inter Urbino bus, with the first bus sold to a customer in Denmark. Russian OEM LiAZ has released the Allison T325R with the 6213 CNG articulated low-floor bus, and the first 10 buses have been delivered to Moscow. Turkish manufacturer Temsa Global released the Allison B500R transmission in the Cummins 345

EPA 10-powered TS35 coach for the US; the first 10 coaches were delivered in 2010. Allison is also now a standard release on the new Temsa Global MD9 (midi-coach). Isuzu Turkey confirmed an Allison release in its 9-metre Citimark bus, while the Burulas fleet in the northwestern Turkish city of Bursa has taken delivery of 18 new Allison T280R-equipped Otokar Doruk 215LE buses. In the Middle East, Allison expanded its customer base in Tunisia. International-Navistar supplied chassis for city buses in Tunisia via the local bus body-builder, Alphabus, Navistars importer in Tunisia. All are equipped with an Allison transmission and are in operation across Tunisia. In North America, the Orion bus, a brand of Daimler Buses North America, selected the Allison Hybrid propulsion system for release into its new Orion VII transit buses, while US OEM, New Flyer fulfilled large orders for Allison hybrid equipped buses from the cities of Seattle, Washington and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with deliveries of 148 and 119 buses respectively during 2010. Allison is now offered by the top five major hybrid

bus manufacturers in the US, and remains the largest supplier of automatic transmissions and hybrid systems into the North American bus and coach markets. In South America, Allison sales into buses more than doubled in 2010 as market conditions improved over 2009. MercedesBenz, as well as regional OEMs such as Agrale of Brazil and TATsa and Materfer of Argentina supplied buses equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions. Allison continues to expand its position in the global bus market and is pleased to see the confidence both OEMs and end customers placed in us during 2010. In addition, there are now more than 4,000 buses with the Allison H40Ep and H50Ep two-mode parallel hybrid systems in operation across 178 cities and nine countries worldwide, says Love. We estimate that our hybrid system has contributed to an overall fuel saving of over 65,000,000 litres of fuel to date and a corresponding reduction of over 170,000 metric tons of CO2. The benefits of operating an Allison automatic transmission or hybrid system extend beyond the initial purchase. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 49

MI-May-11.indd 49

5/9/2011 2:23:18 PM

focus on public transportation

Zf offers complete solution for low-floor buses


More metropolises worldwide like Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Zhengzhou and Changzhou, Istanbul, Teheran, Seoul and Sao Paulo are using BRT systems with low-floor buses. Also popular is low-floor technology from ZF, the world market leader in low-floor axle systems. BRT with low-floor buses is cheaper and requires much shorter planning and construction phases, says Frank Burkhart, head of sales for CV axle systems. This is firstly because the construction of platforms is no longer necessary, and secondly because low-floor buses can be used flexibly even where no BRT infrastructure is available. Chinas metropolises are growing fast. Traffic jams and smog are the order of the day. Traffic planners in China are relying on lowfloor buses with ZF technology for the BRT traffic concept. With this approach, China was very quick in taking a top position among worldwide BRT operators. The decision makers have clearly recognized the advantages: quick implementation, little space required at bus stops, quick boarding and alighting, and considerably reduced overall costs compared with systems that use platforms at bus stops. Also Istanbul, Teheran and Seoul have opted for BRT without platforms and are already benefiting from this decision. The latest extension of the BRT line in Istanbul via the Bosporus bottleneck shows very impressively how a short con50 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

struction phase, which minimizes disruptions in the traffic flow, considerably increases acceptance among the public. In the light of the next major events, the Summer and Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, etc., the planning for the BRT systems to be set up in Russia and Brazil is getting into top gear. With the BRT Sao Paulo, the trend can be observed that increasingly extra longfull lowfloor articulated or double-articulated buses with ZF axle technology are used on the BRT routes and are now no longer inferior to street car systems when it comes to transportation capacity. ZF driveline and chassis technology ZF supplies the technology for this kind of low-floor bus to nearly all renowned bus manufacturers worldwide: the low-floor front axle systems RL 75 A and RL 85 A with

a rigid axle support and the independent suspension RL 75 EC are used. The driven portal axle AV 132 and the non-driven portal axle AVN 132 are optimally suited as rear axles for articulated and double-articulated buses and enable a low-floor design to be used consistently. Level boarding minimizes stop times at bus stops and thus increases the BRT systems speed. The BRT package is completed by the Servocom steering system from ZF Steering Systems which convinces with high comfort and great handling. It is easy to steer with few steering wheel turns and small installation dimensions. The ZF powershift transmissions Ecomat 4 and EcoLife allow for best possible acceleration values and high top speeds with low consumption without any compromises on passenger comfort and noise quality. w

MI-May-11.indd 50

5/9/2011 2:23:18 PM

MI-May-11.indd 51

5/9/2011 2:23:20 PM

focus on public transportation

bombardier
launches

primoveCity

for zero-emission electric mobility


ombardier has announced the launch of Bombardier PrimoveCity, its new emobility solution, together with the establishment of a new centre of competence to enable the next generation of electric mobility. PrimoveCity addresses the range and recharging constraints of electric vehicles and promises to reshape transportation by providing common technology for all forms of electric vehicles, including trams, buses, commercial vehicles, taxis and cars.
The new centre of excellence is located at Bombardiers engineering and manufacturing site in Mannheim, Germany, which will also have a state-of-the-art testing and development facility opening in September next. The new e-mobility centre of competence will support future partnerships, projects and opportunities in the fast moving electric mobility sector. Having successfully demonstrated the Bombardier Primove technology with a low-floor tram in
52 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Augsburg, Germany, Bombardier is now further trialling the technology with a bus on a 125-metre stretch of road in Lommel, Belgium. The success of these first two initiatives encouraged Bombardier to launch the PrimoveCity program which will provide easy urban mobility for all types of electric vehicles. This summer tests will also begin with an automobile. Andr Navarri, President, Bombardier Transportation, said: The aim of the PrimoveCity program is to change the game in electric

mobility by providing easy, unlimited emission-free mobility in cities for all types of electric vehicles. Trams, buses, cars and trucks will be able to operate electrically without catenaries, cables, stops and long waits for batteries to recharge and, most importantly, they will be able to share the same infrastructure. Jeremie Desjardins, head of the PrimoveCity program, Bombardier Transportation, stated: We are proud to have reached this stage. After successfully concluding the

MI-May-11.indd 52

5/9/2011 2:23:23 PM

focus on public transportation

initial tests for trams and buses, Bombardier will continue to test additional elements for cars aiming to make this technology available for commercial operation very soon. It is important to note that Bombardiers objective is not to start manufacturing any type of non-rail vehicles but to offer the Primove technology to other industries also. Bombardiers PrimoveCity solution is changing the game in electric mobility, it aims to be the major enabler in achieving truly

sustainable urban mobility. No other e-mobility solution provides comparable benefits of dynamic charging, power, flexibility, safety and intermodality. PrimoveCity utilizes the Primove technology capable of providing power transfer for all electric vehicles. Using inductive energy transfer, Primove equipment mounted under the vehicle generates power from cables creating a magnetic field placed under the grounds surface. The system only energizes when it is fully covered by the ve-

hicle. Vehicle and wayside components are designed to meet all applicable safety standards. Reliable performance is ensured, even under adverse weather and ground conditions such as snow, rain, ice, sand or water. Bombardier Transportation, together with other leading industrial partners and universities, participates in the Flanders Drive project Inductive Charging for Electric Vehicles, which is financially supported by the Flemish Government. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 53

MI-May-11.indd 53

5/9/2011 2:23:25 PM

focus on public transportation

more americans may switch over to public transportation


A study released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) predicts that as gasoline prices continue increasing, Americans will turn to public transportation in record numbers. APTA is calling on Congress to address this impending demand by providing a greater long-term investment in public transportation.
pump is another wake up call for our nation to address the increasing demand for public transportation services, said APTA President William Millar. We must make significant, long-term investments in public transportation or we will leave our fellow Americans with limited travel options, or in many cases stranded without travel options. Public transit is the quickest way for people to beat high gas prices. Many of the public transit systems across the country are already seeing large ridership increases, some reaching double digits in February as compared to the previous year. For instance, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority in Pompano Beach increased by 10.6 per cent, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority of Philadelphia increased by 10 per cent, and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority of Oakland, California, by 14 per cent. w

The analysis reveals that if regular gas prices reach $4 a gallon across the nation, as many experts have predicted, an additional 670 million passenger trips could be expected, resulting in more than 10.8 billion trips per year. If pump prices jump to $5 a gallon, the report says an additional 1.5 billion
54 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

passenger trips can be expected, resulting in more than 11.6 billion trips per year. And if prices were to soar to $6 a gallon, expectations go as high as an additional 2.7 billion passenger trips, resulting in more than 12.9 billion trips per year. The volatility of the price at the

MI-May-11.indd 54

5/9/2011 2:23:26 PM

MI-May-11.indd 55

5/9/2011 2:23:28 PM

focus on public transportation

Cummins isbe is the natural choice for hybrids


The latest version of the 8 million strong Cummins B Series was on show at the UITP event in Dubai. The class leading ISBe4.5 and ISBe6.7 engines, displayed on the Cummins stand, were the most widely selected for low-carbon hybrid installations.
The ISBe engines meet Euro 5 and EEV emissions without the need for additional particulate filtration and the resulting installation and maintenance costs. The engines super clean design characteristics have enabled the particulates to be driven down to the levels required for EEV (0.02g/ kW/hr). The integrated Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) solution, designed in-house by Cummins Emission Solutions, easily reduces engine NOx to the required level for Euro 5 (2.0g/kW/hr). The high power-to-weight ratios of these engines means that, when installed in a hybrid installation, they are easily able to replace engines of higher displacement. For instance, the 4.5 litre ISBe hybrid engine will have the equivalent performance of the 6.7 litre ISBe in a standard diesel bus. The 6.7 litre ISBe hybrid will perform as well as Cummins ISLe 8.9 litre in a standard diesel bus. Cummins customers at UITP in, cluding Alexander Dennis, Solaris and VDL, have all developed successful hybrid buses using our engines that are delivering significant fuel economy and CO2 improvements, said Neil Pattison, Cum56 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

mins Automotive Business Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Our engineers work in close partnership with the OEM engineering teams to provide high quality installations that deliver both environmental and running cost benefits. Also on display at UITP was Cummins ISL G natural gas engine. Designed for urban bus applications it

is EPA2010, Euro 5 and EEV emissions capable. With excellent low end torque and maintenance-free aftertreatment, the ISL G delivers diesel-like performance and reliability. Operators can take advantage of the lower cost of natural gas as well as improve their environmental credentials. w

MI-May-11.indd 56

5/9/2011 2:23:29 PM

focus on public transportation

ashok leylands decades-long association with best


Ashok Leyland and BEST have always shared a very unique relationship. When BEST provided its services to the public, Ashok Leyland backed them up with solutions most conducive for Indian road conditions. Ashok Leyland is a unique solutions provider ensuring mass transportation for the public through innovative vestibule buses and double deckers which are considered the Mumbai heritage. Not only have they reduced traffic congestion by accommodating more passengers in the same bus, but also improved the economies of scale. The other outstanding models like CNG, low-floor and A/C coaches are all part of the huge fleet of BEST

The best way to experience Mumbai is by taking a drive around the city on a BEST bus. Any hardcore Mumbaikar would vouch for this statement. BEST stands for Brihan Mumbai Electricity Supply and Transport. It supplies electricity to the commercial capital covering 69 sq. km. and runs 3,400 buses on 340 routes covering more than six lakh km every day. Mumbai saw its first bus run on its streets on July 15, 1926. The people of Mumbai received the bus with enthusiasm, but it took quite some time before it really established itself as a standard mode of transport. The city has grown from a small trading center 70 years ago to be rightly called the first commercial capital of India. In almost all spheres of human activity. Mumbai has so many firsts to its credit. Likewise, BEST has scored many firsts in its long career.

that serves millions of Mumbaikars every day. All the Ashok Leyland chassis are tailor-made for BEST to cater to the customer needs, right from design stage. More than a means of transport, BEST, together with Ashok Leyland, has had many shared visions. This is clear from the usage of cleaner vehicles for a green tomorrow and inculcating a culture amongst the Mumbaikars to prefer public transport to personal vehicle owning. Right from the posh areas of Peddar Road in the city to the far-away suburbs, Mumbaikars never hesitate to travel in BEST. It is very normal to see someone walking out of an upmarket club like NSCI in Worli to get into a BEST to reach his residence on Peddar Road. For 70 years BEST and Ashok Leyland have served the Mumbaikars, moving over three million people everyday across various walks of life. They are truly proud of BEST. And Ashok Leyland is truly proud to be associated with BEST in its commitment to remain what it already is: the BEST.

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 57

MI-May-11.indd 57

5/9/2011 2:23:30 PM

MI-May-11.indd 58

5/9/2011 2:23:33 PM

MI-May-11.indd 59

5/9/2011 2:23:36 PM

focus on public transportation

Round-the-clock fire protection for bus & coach engines


Bus and coach fires are a global problem, resulting in considerable financial loss for the operator, posing a serious threat to the lives of the vehicle occupants, and jeopardising the companys ability to continue to provide the level of service expected by customers. In as many as 60 per cent of the cases, engine compartments, generators, electrical systems and heaters are the most common locations for the outbreak of fire. Yet they can be reliably protected with an automatic fire detection and suppression system. The system has been successfully fitted to more than 10,000 buses and coaches without a single instance of a properly installed and maintained system having failed to detect and suppress a genuine fire. The system called Firetrace is manufactured by Firetrace International and can be installed in new buses and coaches and retrofitted to existing vehicles to provide round-the-clock, unsupervised protection. It requires neither electricity nor external power. The solution comprises an extinguishing agent cylinder, which is usually mounted in or near the engine compartment, attached to specially-developed leakresistant polymer tubing. This proprietary Firetrace detection tubing is a linear pneumatic heat and flame detector that has the desired temperature-sensitive detection and delivery characteristics for even the harshest environments. Firetrace withstands harsh dust-laden environments, contends with extreme ambient temperatures, and stands up to shocks and intense vibration. In fact, Firetrace is the only Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed and Factory Mutual (FM) approved tube-operated system in the world that is tested as an automatic fire detection and suppression system. Once a fire is detected, the tubing ruptures and the ABC powder suppressant agent is automatically released, extinguishing the fire precisely where it starts and before it has had time to escalate or spread. This suppression agent is used for bus and coach applications because it is effective on every type of fire risk that is likely to be present. In addition to fuel and the risk of fuel line ruptures,
60 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

this includes any number of flammable liquids that are present throughout an engine compartment, including hydraulic, brake, automatic transmission and power steering fluids, plus combustible accumulated grease on the engine block. A major advantage of Firetrace over traditional bus and coach fire suppression systems such as fusible link system where the airflow in and around an engine compartment when a vehicle is in motion can seriously impair the systems performance and reliability,

airflow actually helps Firetrace to provide faster and more reliable detection and suppression in moving vehicles. This is because, with Firetrace, the detection tubing is routed throughout the engine compartment, and is positioned both above and behind the potential source of the fire to ensure that the airflow actually helps by directing the heat and flames towards the tubing. This contrasts with traditional systems where the heat and flame that typically rise from the source of a fire may be propelled away from the location of the fusible link when the vehicle is in motion, so activation is inevitably delayed. w

MI-May-11.indd 60

5/9/2011 2:23:37 PM

MI-May-11.indd 61

5/9/2011 2:23:38 PM

focus on public transportation

neeta tours & travels buys mercedes-benz buses


perience. It is a pleasure for us to be associated with a globally celebrated and trusted brand like Mercedes- Benz. It has been our endeavour to provide the highest level of comfort and luxury to our customers and with our association with Mercedes-Benz we are confident of providing the same and staying ahead of our competitors, Mr. Anil Savla of Neeta Tours and Travel added. The Mercedes-Benz bus embodies the brands global aspirations, displaying a blend of premium quality, outstanding cost-effectiveness and the highest safety standards. Apart from these attributes, Mercedes-Benz bus also comes with the assurance of a strong after-sales service network. The buses are built on the robust Mercedes chassis- 0 500 R series. Apart from the suave exteriors, the plush and airy interiors sport well designed passenger seats with amenities like personalized speakers, lights and AC controls; the bus also features state-of-theart suspension. The superior technology of Mercedes-Benz buses ensures an efficient performance and optimum cost of running which will result in a satisfactory vehicle ownership experience for Neeta Tours and Travels. Mercedes-Benz is a pioneer in the automobile industry by introducing the latest and the best in terms of technology, design and styling, comfort and safety. Mercedes-Benz is committed to introducing exciting products that ensure customer and commuter delight with a strong focus on providing world-class luxury experience. w

From left, Mr. Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India hands over the keys of eleven two axle Mercedes-Benz coaches to Mr. Anil Salva & Mr. Sunil Salva, Owners of Neeta Tours & Travels along with (second from left) Mr. Srinivas Chilukuri, General Manager Bus Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India.

Mercedes-Benz India has announced a significant deal comprising 30 units of 2-axle and 10 units of 3-axle coaches with Neeta Tours & Travels. The first lot comprising 11 buses was delivered at the Mercedes-Benz India plant at Chakan, Pune. Emphasizing the Travel with the Star experience, Mr. Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India Ltd., handed over keys of the vehicles to Mr. Anil Savla and Mr. Sunil Savla of Neeta Tours and Travels. The coach incorporates the hallmarks of the Mercedes-Benz brand, including high standards of safety, comfort, reliability and quality. Commenting on the deal, Mr. Sunil Savla, Owner, Neeta Tours & Travels, said: Our current fleet of Mercedes-Benz buses cumulatively
62 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

has excellent on-road performance and has had better revenue realisation than other coaches. This has convinced us in our decision to purchase the new set of 40 more Mercedes-Benz buses; with this our fleet of Mercedes Buses will go to up to 60. The customer feedback has been extremely positive for these buses and the reliability and comfort of a Mercedes-Benz bus remains unmatched. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Peter T. Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, MBIL, said: Mercedes- Benz has a strong legacy of 125 years and we are the pioneers and the largest bus manufacturers globally with the widest portfolio of product offerings. With our close focus on the Travel with the Star experience, it has been our constant endeavour to make every journey a unique ex-

MI-May-11.indd 62

5/9/2011 2:23:39 PM

focus on public transportation

over 150 prominent exhibitors make busworld asia a big success

Busworld Asia, the largest show for buses in the Asian region, successfully hosted the 10th edition at SAEC at Shanghai International Automobile City. More than 150 exhibitors participated in the three-day show which attracted over 20,000 visitors. Leading bus manufacturers from China, including Ankai, Bonluck, Hengtong, FAW, Zonda, Alfa Bus and Shuchi Bus and major global and Chinese component manufacturers like ZF, Allison, Cummins, Contitech, Firestone, Hubner, Telma, Jingyi and Songz attended the show. Busworld Asia has been showcasing the bus manufacturing industry in China for well over a decade. Today, China has become the bus

manufacturing hub of the world. With huge domestic demand for buses, Chinese manufacturers are also exporting buses to practically every country in the world, including the more mature European markets. Chinas domestic demand for buses is bound to increase, thanks to the Government policy of priority for public transport. By 2015, 50 per cent of passenger transport in central city will be public transport. Estimates indicate that the bus industry will grow by 20 per cent this year. Keeping pace with the current trends, this years show had a separate pavilion to showcase the latest developments and technologies in

the E-bus sector, including electric vehicles, energy market, storage technology, drive trains and vehicle construction. It also presented the latest innovations in electric mobility. Busworld has become the only platform for the global bus industry. The organisers are now making their presence felt in all emerging markets with their shows in China, India, Turkey, Brazil and Russia. The main show is held at Kortrijk in Belgium, which is undoubtedly the worlds best show for the bus industry. The next Busworld show will be held at Kortrijk during October 2126 next. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 63

MI-May-11.indd 63

5/9/2011 2:23:40 PM

auto components

eaton targets $500 million sales in india by 2015


needs of our global customers. Eatons Integrated Research and Development Center in Kharadi, Pune, continues to grow and will be adding 200 employees to its engineering and other professional services work. We are committed to increasing our research and development initiatives locally, as well as investing in our people and our communities in India, Cutler said. Eaton began operations in India in 1999 through the global acquisition of Aeroquip Vickers. Its presence has grown significantly in India through acquisitions, green field facility and wholly-owned subsidiaries. Today, it has four manufacturing plants and more than 2,300 employees in India and its electrical, hydraulics, truck and automotive businesses all have a significant and expanding presence in the country. first integrated test lab in india Eaton Corporation has also announced the opening of an integrated test lab for its vehicle and

Mr. Alexander M. Cutler, Eaton Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Eaton Corporation has announced a sales goal of $500 million in India by the end of 2015, which would triple its current revenue in the country. India will be an important part of our goal of generating 30 per cent of our sales from emerging markets, said Alexander M. Cutler, Eaton Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. We are excited about participating in the development of Indias infrastructure and in its manufacturing, transportation and power industries. Currently, Eaton has four manufacturing locations in India, all of
64 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

which serve the countrys expanding domestic market as well as some of the companys global requirements. Cutler also announced that Eaton will be entering the power distribution market in India by the end of 2011 and will establish sales, marketing, application engineering, and local manufacturing and assembly capabilities. India is critical to our growth. We see our participation in India first and foremost as an opportunity to support our customers in the fast-growing Indian domestic economy, and secondly as an opportunity to meet the

MI-May-11.indd 64

5/9/2011 2:23:41 PM

auto components
hydraulics products at Ranjangaon. The lab is located within the existing truck components plant premises with 38,000 square feet of testing area. Cutler observed: The new integrated test lab is an investment in efficient product design and innovation for our customers. Eaton has established a strong and growing engineering presence in India through the Professional Services Center in Kharadi, and the new lab will add significant value to our local manufacturing and engineering efforts. The lab can conduct hardware tests to validate current and future designs for both global and regional products. It can test numerous hydraulics components such as gear, vane and piston pumps, steering control units and valves for performance and endurance limits. In addition to the hydraulics components, the lab has capabilities to test vehicle products such as valve trains, synchronizers and roll over valves. The facility will also house a supercharger test stand in the future. As Eaton has grown globally, now generating 55 per cent of revenues outside the US, its commitment to engineering excellence continues to expand with facilities like the new test lab. From the transformational truck axle for a fledgling trucking industry that launched the company in 1911 to todays industry-leading uninterruptible power system equipment that helps provide safe, efficient electrical power in hospitals and data centers, innovative solutions have been a part of Eatons heritage throughout its history. w

arai develops analog-toCan converter


ARAI has developed a device to convert traditional analog data to a CAN message. With the help of this device, it will be possible to adapt network solutions to conventional older generation systems or systems where analog sensors need to be interfaced. The analog to CAN converter (AtCC) collects analog or digital information from the devices such as sensors or actuators and then converts the information in a CAN message onto the network (or vice versa). For example, use AtCC to read analog sensors data and output CAN messages to provide this information to the entire CAN network, viz., CAN-based cluster. SAE J1939 provides serial data communications between electronic control units (ECUs) in vehicles. The network is a specific communication system, supporting specific sets of applications and specific industry, rather than being generalized. Any electronic control unit (ECU) using J1939 is permitted to transmit a message on the network when the bus is idle. Every message includes a 29-bit identifier which defines message priority, what data

is contained within the 8-byte data array that follows the identifier, and which ECU sent the message. J1939-based protocols are used in diesel power-train applications and in-vehicle networks for trucks and buses, agriculture and forestry machinery (ISO 11783), truck-trailer connections, military vehicles (MiLCAN), fleet management systems, recreational vehicles and marine navigation systems (NMEA2000). AtCC is capable of converting legacy sensors data to CAN data and of monitoring of various engine sensors present in the older generation vehicles. Signal conditioning and monitoring of typical sensors like engine oil temperature, engine oil pressure, coolant temperature, transmission oil temperature and front brake air pressure is possible. Individual channel calibration, checking against thresholds and encode data as per SAE J 1939 are also possible. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 65

MI-May-11.indd 65

5/9/2011 2:23:42 PM

auto components

dana holding acquiring ails truck axle business: pact signed


Dana Holding Corporation has just signed a definitive agreement with Axles India Ltd. (AIL) to acquire select assets of AILs commercial truck axle business. Under the agreement, Dana will assume full ownership of AILs axle drive head and final axle-assembly operations. (The axle drive head includes the pinion, ring gear, differential lock, bearings, lube pump, and yoke inside the axle housing.) Dana will also assume responsibility for the marketing, sales and engineering of these medium and heavy-duty axles. AIL, a joint venture between Dana and two India-based companies, will continue to manufacture axle housings for Dana and other customers. AIL is a joint venture of Wheels India Ltd., Sundaram Finance Group and Dana Holding Corporation. Started in 1983, it supplies 180,000 pressed axle housings, from two manufacturing facilities, to medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle manufacturers annually. This agreement further extends our capabilities and operations in another rapidly growing market, said Mark Wallace, president of Danas Heavy Vehicle Products
66 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Group. With the compound annual growth rate of Indias commercial vehicle market at 8 per cent, we have high expectations for this investment. Danas Managing Director of India, BD Singh observed: Danas recognized manufacturing and engineering leadership will be a key advantage in growing this business. Introducing lean manufacturing and applying Danas product engineering experience will benefit all of our customers. Key customers of this business are Ashok Leyland and Mahindra & Mahindra.

Closing of the transaction, expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year, is subject to government regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Danas investment of $13 million in this transaction is expected to generate approximately $50 million in annual revenue. Dana broke ground in December on a new $20 million technical center in Pune, which will support commercial vehicle customers as well as automotive and off-highway vehicle manufacturers. w

MI-May-11.indd 66

5/9/2011 2:23:43 PM

auto components

stoneridge - Minda JV to focus on cV segment


As the market expands into more sophisticated products, the joint venture will expand its product offering by manufacturing, distributing and selling various hightemperature and other sensor products also utilizing applicable technical information licensed by Stoneridge. The products will serve the commercial vehicle and four-wheel (car) product markets. Stoneridge will be paid royalties from the Minda-Stoneridge joint venture for these more technically advanced products. Minda will now be able to expand its product offerings beyond instrumentation and gauges into the sensor markets, and sales of these products will be limited to the India, Southern Asia and Indonesia regions. Mindas annual sales are expected to increase to $50-75 million within the next two to three years, compared with $33.4 million in 2010. Minda has been a valued partner to Stoneridge since 2004, and the joint venture has played an important role in our strategic global expansion, said John Corey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stoneridge. As we move forward under our new agreement, our expanded relationship with Minda will help us continue to take advantage of our outstanding growth opportunities in the Asian markets. w

Mr. John Corey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Stoneridge

Stoneridge, Inc. has announced that it has extended its current joint venture agreement with the Minda Group to add Stoneridge sensor technology and products in India which will enable the company to accelerate its expansion in the fast-growing end markets in Asia. The initial stages of the agreement will allow the joint venture to expand its product offering by manufacturing, distributing and selling various speed, low- and midtemperature, position and level sensors, as well as utilize applicable technical information licensed by Stoneridge. The products will serve the commercial vehicle and two, three and four-wheel product markets.

Bosch Ltd.s revenue up 31.1 per cent


Bosch Ltd. has registered a revenue growth of 31.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period last year. The growth has been in all segments of the automotive and non-automotive markets, resulting in an impressive increase in overall business. Consistent and all-time performer, the Diesel Systems business, posted an impressive growth of 37 per cent. Other businesses Automotive Aftermarket, Power Tools and Security Technology divisions also saw robust double-digit growth of 22.7 per cent, 29.2 per cent and 41.2 per cent respectively. Gasoline Systems clocked a growth of 9.9 per cent. Net sales and income from operations in the first quarter of the year stand at Rs. 2,072.7 crores, which is 31.1 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2010. Profit before tax is Rs. 404.1 crores, an increase of 38.4 per cent compared to the same period last year, while profit after tax rose 35.4 per cent to Rs. 274.4 crores. The operating profit has increased by 39.9 per cent over the previous three months. The increase in interest income in particular has been due to higher interest rates. Overall, good growth has been maintained in the first quarter of this year as well. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 67

Mr. V.K. Viswanathan, Managing Director, Bosch Ltd.

MI-May-11.indd 67

5/9/2011 2:23:44 PM

auto components

Knorr-Bremse benefits from global CV market revival


The Commercial Vehicles Division of the Knorr-Bremse Group shared in the accelerating recovery of worldwide commercial vehicle markets in 2010 and posted sales of EUR 1.70 billion (2009: EUR 1.22 billion). Despite this recovery, commercial vehicle markets in both Europe and North America still remained well below the pre-crisis levels in 2010. Development of the worldwide production network was advanced in the Commercial Vehicle Systems Division by moving the Czech production site to Liberec of the Czech Republic early in 2010, and innovative production and logistics concepts were introduced at this site. In 2010, the Commercial Vehicle Systems Division was voted the Best Brand in the Commercial Vehicle Sector in the brakes category for the fifth time running. The group increased its sales by just under EUR 1 billion, or 34.5 per cent, to EUR 3.71 billion for fiscal 2010 (2009: EUR 2.76 billion). This revenue growth can be in particular attributed to strong gains by the Rail Vehicle Systems Division in Asia, as well as worldwide recovery in commercial vehicle markets. The Rail Vehicles Division increased its sales to EUR 2.02 billion (2009: EUR 1.55 billion). In addition to regional growth, the focus in the past year was on targeted acquisitions and joint ventures to expand its market presence. With the acquisition of the Sigma Coachair Group in Australia, Knorr-Bremse
68 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

has become one of the worlds leading manufacturers of rail vehicle air-conditioning systems. The acquisition of Heine Resistors in Dresden led to strengthening of the power resistor segment. In addition, completion of the joint venture with Icer Brakes in May expanded the divisions product portfolio with organic brake linings and brake pads. Among other things, as part of

its strategic development of production sites, the worlds largest Knorr-Bremse rail vehicle plant was opened in Budapest, Hungary, in 2010. The factory in Suzhou, China, was also expanded. Incoming orders increased to EUR 4.04 billion (2009: EUR 3.18 billion) for the group, based on consistently high demand from China in the Rail Vehicle Systems Division, as well as a near-doubling

MI-May-11.indd 68

5/9/2011 2:23:45 PM

auto components
of incoming orders in the Commercial Vehicles Division compared to the previous year. Net income was EUR 239 million (2009: EUR 99 million), which corresponds to a net return on sales of 6.4 per cent (2009: 3.6 per cent). The Knorr-Bremse Group workforce grew by 12.8 per cent from 14,432 to 16,277 salaried employees, or 18,053 employees, including leased workers. This expansion took place owing to positive business development, particularly in Asia, as well as first-time consolidation of new companies. Group-wide, 57 per cent of workers were employed in Europe, 22 per cent in the Americas and 21 per cent in Asia/Australia at 2010 year-end. In Europe, sales increased to EUR 2.29 billion (2009: EUR 1.84 billion). In a weak market environment, marked by numerous project postponements in the local passenger rail and freight markets, the Rail Vehicle Systems Division showed a positive sales trend with growth of 14 per cent, due in particular to increased deliveries to Asia. This significant growth in Europe can be attributed to the Commercial Vehicle Systems Division in particular, which increased its sales

by 41 per cent over the previous year. This division benefited from the continuing recovery in the commercial vehicle industry as a result of an improved business environment, and saw further expansion of its market presence. The group achieved sales of EUR 892 million for the entire Americas region (2009: EUR 661 million). Sales for companies in the Asia Pacific region in 2010 grew by over 90 per cent to 1.04 billion EUR (2009: EUR 529 million). The Rail Vehicles division more than doubled its sales, and thus once again surpassed the previous years record sales by a significant margin. The Knorr-Bremse Group expects overall positive business development for 2011 in an environment of continued volatility. It anticipates positive market development for both divisions in Europe, particularly in freight and commercial transport. In North America, recov-

ery is expected in the rail-based freight market, as well as a moderate increase in commercial vehicle production. In South America, there are signs of stabilization at a high level for both divisions. In Asia, good opportunities for growth continue to develop in the rail and commercial vehicle market, though these will be influenced by further developments in Japan. w

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 69

MI-May-11.indd 69

5/9/2011 2:23:47 PM

auto components

mahle filters second plant opened at parwanoo


Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, recently inaugurated the second plant of Mahle Filter Systems (India) Ltd. (MFSI), a leading manufacturer and exporter of automotive filters, at Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh. The new plant caters to a new product range utilising enhanced technology to service the requirement of MFSIs existing and new customers like Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, M&M, GM, Bosch, etc. It will also cater to the export and the replacement markets in India. On the occasion, Mr. K.C. Anand, Member, Deep C Anand Foundation, Anand Automotive Group, observed: In the initial stage, the 45th plant of the Anand Group will generate direct and indirect employment for more than 150 people and increased production in future will result in further job opportunities. This project once again demonstrates the groups commitment towards of Himachal Pradesh, particularly Parwanoo, where it has manufacturing facilities since 1976. Mahle Filter Systems India, a joint venture between the Mahle Group of Germany and Anand, earlier known as Purolator India Ltd., was established in 1966 to manufacture an extensive range of air, oil, fuel and hydraulic filters for application in the automotive, railway, aviation and earthmoving industries both for OEMs and aftermarket. The plant which went into production in March 2010 will gener70 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh along with Mr. K.C. Anand, Member, Deep C Anand Foundation, Anand Automotive Group, and Mr. Sunil Nair, COO, Mahle Filter Systems India

ate a revenue of Rs. 25 crores this year. The proposed installed capacity of the plant is expected to be 22 million filters per annum, said Mr. Sunil Nair, COO, Mahle Filter Systems India. Said Mr. Anand: Anand is among Indias leading manufacturers of automotive systems and components with a record for supplying virtually every vehicle and engine manufacturer in the country. With the largest range of automotive components, the group recorded a sales turnover of $700 million in 2009, with a target to achieve $2 billion by 2014. The group has an investment plan of Rs. 1,3001,500 crores for the next five years for new plants and new joint ventures in the automotive sector and capacity building in the existing

plants. Anand firmly believes that a successful business is substantially about people and its dedicated workforce of 8,000 people as its most valued asset. Anand targets to achieve an employee strength of 13,000 in 2014. It also strongly believes in women empowerment, he added. The new Mahle plant at Parwanoo will manufacture the PU moulded filter elements, ecological plastic embedded filter elements, lube oil spin-on filters with new crimping design, and high technology air management products. The process in the plant will include polyurethane moulded elements, filter paper embedment into plastic and felt media, crimping process for sheet metal parts. w

MI-May-11.indd 70

5/9/2011 2:23:49 PM

auto components

Gates celebrates 100th anniversary


When Charles Gates, Sr. bought the Colorado Tire and Leather Company in 1911, little did he know that his small shop in Denver, Colorado, would evolve into one of the worlds largest manufacturing enterprises. This year Gates Corporation marks 100 years of innovation and service, and celebrates its position as a world leader in engineering, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of industrial and automotive belt and hose products, systems, components and services. From a modest beginning, Gates Corporation, formerly known as the Gates Rubber Company, has charted a global course that has seen it expand into 29 countries around the world. Its success is attributed to the commitment and passion of many, including its employees, customers, suppliers, etc. Gates today continues to power progress by delivering innovative solutions that help support customers in markets in nearly every country in the world, from industrial and automotive original equipment manufacturers and replacement markets to agriculture, transportation, mining, oil & gas, construction, food processing and many others. It focuses on driving innovation in power transmission, fluid power and fluid transfer, green technologies, energy management and resource extraction and delivery. Many of the worlds best companies have chosen the Gates brand for 100 years. Jim Nicol, Chairman of Gates and CEO of Tomkins Ltd., Gates parent company, stated: Customer service and innovation have been the hallmarks of Gates in our first 100 years. As our company expands globally, these hallmarks of customer service and innovation continue to enhance the value of the Gates brand. We are delighted to celebrate this milestone and a legacy few companies ever realize with our employees and customers around the world, and we look forward to even greater success over our next 100 years. More than 100 Gates manufacturing, distribution, technical and sales/service facilities around the world will celebrate this milestone with events and activities throughout the anniversary year. Recent product range expansion Gates has recently expanded all of its product lines for the accessory belt drive system and is now market leader in replacement parts for this crucial system. The company does not only offer the highest coverage but also has all elements for the accessory drive on range: from OE equivalent multi-ribbed belts, all necessary metal components and expert tools to routing diagrams and technical bulletins. Gates now offers the independent aftermarket more than 98 per cent coverage of the European car park with multi-ribbed belts and tensioners. With the addition of ever more accessories to car engines, the accessory belt has become a vital element in the engine. Gates suggests using multi-ribbed belts made out of EPDM only, since they offer the best resistance against high and low temperatures. EPDM belts are also preferred by the OEMs. All of Gates Micro-V XF belts for the aftermarket have an EPDM construction offering a perfect fit and a reliable power transmission under all circumstances. Gates does not only provide highest coverage for multi-ribbed belts but also offers a large range of metal components, such as tensioners, idlers and torsional vibration dampers. The latest addition to the accessory product range is a well-thought-out line of overrunning alternator pulleys. All wear and tear parts of the accessory belt drive system are now available from one and the same supplier. For those cars which are not equipped with automatic tensioners anymore, Gates also offers the necessary components under the trade name Stretch Fit. All belt routing diagrams are freely available for all car mechanics. With ever more complex belt drive lay-outs, these diagrams are no luxury. In combination with technical bulletins tackling specific belt drive problems, they offer invaluable information for every workshop. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 71

MI-May-11.indd 71

5/9/2011 2:23:49 PM

auto components

delphi automotives apu can cut diesel emissions from trucks


Delphi Automotives Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) has been designated an Emerging Technology by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recognizing the technology as a potentially effective and efficient way to reduce harmful diesel emissions from heavy duty commercial trucks. Delphis SOFC APU utilizes diesel fuel from the trucks main tank to generate electricity to power equipment in the trucks cab, including air-conditioning, television, refrigerator and microwave. Currently, drivers and fleets power those accessories by idling their main engines or with diesel engine APUs. The EPAs Emerging Technology Program supports development of new technologies that reduce diesel emissions from the existing fleets and provides manufacturers such as Delphi with feedback from the fleet partners on their technology while getting real road experience. According to the EPA, heavy duty trucks and buses today account for about one-third of NOx emissions and one-quarter of particulate from all highway cars and trucks, even though they only comprise two per cent of the total number of vehicles on the road. As a result of the SOFC APU being added to the emerging technology list, it now is approved for use in Emerging Technology Program grants on highway class 8 tractors equipped with sleeper compartments and powered by heavy duty diesel engines certified to 2007, 2008 or 2009 model year emission standards. The SOFC provides an innovative and valuable advantage to achieving the goals of reducing emissions by commercial vehicles. Our current design has emission levels already below standards that will be required by 2012, said Andrew Rosenblatt, business development manager, SOFC. The EPA Emerging Technology designation supports our effort as we validate the SOFC for use on the road in this market. During the next year, Delphi will continue to prove the technologys durability and performance as it progresses toward the next step with the EPA, moving from an emerging technology to the agencys Verified Technology List. According to the EPA, a technology can be placed on the Verified List only after significant levels of emission reductions are proven through a thorough technical review and tightly controlled testing. Inclusion on the EPAs Verified Technology List would mean the agency approves of Delphis SOFC APU for use in diesel retrofit programs, and this innovative Delphi technology would be well positioned to address a market application requirement. w

72 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 72

5/9/2011 2:23:50 PM

corporate news

exide industries net profit up 24%


Exide Industries Ltd.s net turnover for the year ended March 31, 2011, rose 20 per cent to Rs. 4,554 crores. Net profit during the period jumped 24 per cent to Rs. 666 crores. During the fourth quarter of the financial year, the company clocked a net turnover of Rs. 1,226 crores and a net profit of Rs. 164 crores, showing a growth of 19 per cent and 22 per cent respectively over the corresponding period of the previous year. The Exide Board of Directors has declared a final dividend of Rs. 0.60 per share. Added to the interim dividend of Rs. 0.90 per share declared earlier, this takes the total dividend for the financial year to Rs. 1.50 per share. Commenting on the improved results for the year, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. T.V. Ramanathan, said: The buoyant demand in the automotive OE segment continued into the fourth quarter as well. Consequently, we had to divert some capacity from our aftermarket business which again put pressures on our margins in the 4th quarter. We are confident that ongoing work on fresh capacity creation will ease the capacity constraints by the end of the 2nd quarter of the current financial year 2011-12. Lead price, which plays a major role in any battery manufacturers financial fortunes, continued to remain very high in the international markets. Unlike previous years, the company was not able to recoup the entire lead cost push from the market and had to opt for a reduced margin. As for Industrial Battery Division, in the inverter segment demand has not sufficiently picked up due to pleasant weather conditions still subsisting. Over the years we have been gradually increasing the percentage of recycled lead, manufactured in our own dedicated smelting units, in our batteries. This is not just to ensure better control over the critical and volatile raw material, but also our contribution and commitment to the environment. The more we recycle the better it is for our environment, Mr. Ramanathan said. Out of capital expenditure of Rs. 425 crores committed for the year ended March 31, 2011, the actual payout was Rs. 275 crores. The capital expenditure for the current year is reckoned at Rs. 370 crores. All the subsidiary companies were profitable during the year. Despite increased competition from both domestic and foreign players, the company continues to be the countrys leading lead acid storage battery manufacturer, he added. w

Essar strip production mill commissioned


Essar Steel has just commissioned its state-of-the-art compact strip production mill (CSP) mill with a capacity of 3.5 mtpa. This is a key part of Essar Steels plans for expanding its steel production capacity at its Hazira complex from 4.6 mtpa to 10 mtpa. The expansion costs Rs. 13,500-crores. This will be Indias largest flat steel facility at any single location and among the 10 largest facilities in the world. It will also be one of the few steel facilities which are fully integrated and will produce the entire range of flat products. The total investment in Essars Hazira steel complex is Rs. 30,000 crores. The plant is capable of producing strips of thickness as low as 0.8 mm, which is the thinnest rolled steel in India. The CSP mill equipped with most advanced level automation system was supplied by SMS Siemag, Germany. The products from the mill have diverse applications in general engineering, hydrocarbon industry, automotive industry and also for LPG, welded tubes and electrical steel. It is capable of producing high strength steels, including Dual Phase steel. As a part of this expansion, Essar Steel has already commissioned two iron making units a blast furnace with a capacity of 1.73 mtpa and a DRI unit of 1.74 mtpa, a Conarc furnace of 2.5 mtpa and a continuous caster of 1.45 mtpa. Further, the company also recently commissioned Indias first 5-m wide plate mill with a capacity of 1.5 mtpa and a pipe mill with an annual capacity of 0.6 mtpa. In addition, Essar has also invested in supporting infrastructure at Hazira that includes power plants of 1015 MW at a cost of Rs. 3,450 crores and an allweather port of 30 mtpa at a cost of Rs. 1,350 crores. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 73

MI-May-11.indd 73

5/9/2011 2:23:50 PM

lubricants

ioC aiming to become a world energy power


The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), a Fortune 500 company, is all set to become a world energy power. The Corporation is already maintaining its leadership in automotive lubricants supply and setting fresh records year after year. Among the various goals set by the Corporation is the one to become a world energy supplier at the earliest. This was stated by Mr. D.S.L. Prasad, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Tamil Nadu, while addressing the PRSIs National PR Day celebrations on the theme Changing Face of PR, in Chennai. Referring to the frequent fuel price hikes, Mr. Prasad pointed out that during the major world crude crisis during 2006, IOC, BPCL and HPCL were the only companies that could withstand the shock and maintain regular fuel supply. However, the crisis forced most of the private sector oil companies to close down because of unviable operations. Even today India imports 70 per cent of its crude requirements spending huge foreign exchange. Still IOC is one among the few Corporations to maintain a good track record with high profitability. On the Corporations multifaceted PR activities aimed at reaching its vast customer base, he said an integrated corporation like IOC, with divisional structure to support its various activities, should have a strong set-up of PR personnel striving to establish a friendly public face and to efficiently communicate with the various interested groups. Considering the large size of the organisation, the PR groups role is very challenging in designing a number of tools to with
74 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Mr. D.S.L. Prasad, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., TN

which communicate with the public as well as the employees and other stake-holders of the organisation. The IOC Marketing Division has different types of PR communication to reach retail outlet dealers and LPG distributors through newsletters like Prena and employees and their families through house journals like IndianOil News. The Director (Marketing) communicates with the employees through posters called insight to inspire (i to i) to convey the organisations achievements and concerns. He reaches out to the public through press conferences and interviews to highlight the key developments and to convey vital information necessary for the public. Similarly, the Chairman also directly communicates with the employees through Straight Talk. Mr. Prasad explained that the PR role has undergone radical changes over the years, from communicating bare essentials about an organisation to creating a positive opinion in the public mind through

different channels of communication. This also helps the organisation feel the public pulse, so that the changes necessary can be made to meet the public aspirations. Internet and Intranet communication is now being extensively employed to inform the public and also to solicit complaints related to deficiency in service and for public suggestions for service improvement. There is also need to have a system in place to receive public complaints, and then record and resolve the same at the quickest possible time. Though it gives a strong image and message across the organisation, it is really a very difficult PR exercise. Mr. Prasad further observed that high public awareness on environmental issues is throwing up a new challenge for big organisations like IOC. This makes it necessary to demonstrate that adequate care and precaution has been taken in establishing and maintaining oil installations. Location of such units is also becoming important because it involves additional equipments to take care of environmental needs. Referring to safety concerns, Mr. Prasad pointed out that recurrent safety failures in the oil industry would affect the image of the Corporation. The public very often lose their trust and question the safety precautions taken by it in delivering products like LPG cylinders and services. It is through the PR exercise that the public are assured of safety. Care has also to be taken against spread of strong negative sentiments and public reactions to protect the image of the Corporation, he added. w

MI-May-11.indd 74

5/9/2011 2:23:51 PM

lubricants

Gulf Oil partners CSK


and build a strong relationship with our consumers, B2B customers and trade partners. Gulf Oil is an internationally recognized brand and is present in over 100 countries. IPL offers us an ideal platform for increasing visibility both within India and in markets like the Middle East, Sri Lanka, the UK, Australia and other cricket playing nations across the world. The key objective would be to connect with the cricket loving enthusiasts using this exciting and entertaining cricket platform. Gulf has already launched a slew of consumer and trade promotions across India to capitalise on this association. This includes schemes like Gulf kharido Match Dekho for the Influencers for its products and a sequel of its immensely popular consumer promotion last year Gulf King of the Road offer for consumers. To add to the excitement, the company is planning to offer an opportunity to its customers to interact with the members of the CSK team through a promotion called Gulf Ka Superking which will be run in select cities. Mr. Rakesh Singh, Head - Marketing, India Cements, says: Gulf is a cult brand and has a tremendously rich history. Over the last few seasons of IPL, they have integrated the platform extremely well with their marketing strategy and have benefited the brand as well the teams they have associated with. We are excited to have them as our long-term sponsors and are sure that association will be synergistic for both Gulf and CSK. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 75

Mr. Ravi Chawla, President, Lubes division Gulf Oil with CSK Captain, MS Dhoni

Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd. has announced its alliance with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the Official Team Partner in continuation of its association with IPL over the past two years. This association is a part of the brands increased focus on Youth through Sports Marketing, including cricket and motorsport, to augment its market share in India. Chennai Super Kings, the IPL season 3 champions and 2010 Champions League winners, commands a lot of respect and admiration for its performance and sportsmanship spirit. The team has been a consistent performer across all the IPL seasons under the leadership of M.S. Dhoni, who is not just a great player but also a great leader and has led India to its historic win in the 2011 ICC World Cup. Chennai Super Kings was rated the Most Valuable Team in Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2010,

and this association is a strategic move to increase the brands market share in the South and on a macro perspective to enhance the brand image. The Gulf logo the iconic Orange disc will be on the right chest of the CSK jersey and the partnership will entail a series of marketing activations and advertising campaigns to promote the brands values. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ravi Chawla, President - Lubes Business, India, said: With this partnership with Chennai Superkings, Gulf Oil, which has a long and distinguished history with motorsports in India and abroad, has reiterated its strategic focus on the Youth TG and Cricket as a brand building tool in India. We have witnessed direct and measurable impact of our association with IPL in the last two seasons and look forward to leveraging our association

MI-May-11.indd 75

5/9/2011 2:23:51 PM

lubricants

shell advance kicks off new marketing campaign


After the launch of the highly acclaimed Crystal Car and Cut Car brand campaigns, Shell Lubricants is set to unveil yet another advertising campaign focusing on Shell Advance 4-stroke portfolio based on RCE technology. The campaign will focus on the biker community and riders will finally be able to see how Shell Advance protects its bike engines and keeps the engine clean in all road conditions. The new campaign is spearheaded by a powerful TV commercial which highlights the unique and superior technology, which stands for reliability of oil performance, control via smoother gear shifts and enjoyment of a low vibration ride. Since reliable performance comes from a protected engine, the new campaign dia: Through our brand campaigns, we at Shell Lubricants always try to showcase the latest global technologies which enable us to offer our consumers powerful performance and fuel efficiency. The new campaign highlights our advanced expertise so that vehicle owners are reassured that their engines are treated with the best care and protection. Shell Advance products have been uniquely formulated to keep the engine clean, giving better responsiveness straight out of the bottle, thus facilitating enhanced efficiency and fuel economy of twowheelers. The campaign will include Shell Advance ULTRA, Shell Advance AX7, Shell Advance AX5 and Shell Advance AX3. w

Mr. Donald Anderson, Country Head of Lubricants, Shell India

will enlighten bikers on the role of Shell Advance in optimizing the power and performance of bikes which will help them to put up their best performance. Said Donald Anderson, Country Head of Lubricants, Shell In-

oil prices hit 2.5-year high


World oil prices jumped during the week ended April 8 to the highest levels since 2008, driven by Middle East supply fears and a weak dollar. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in May hit $124.84 a barrel, the highest price since early August 2008. New Yorks main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, soared to $111.90, a level last
76 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

seen in September of the same year. By April 8 on Londons Intercontinental Exchange, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in May soared to $125.33 a barrel from $118.21 a week earlier. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) or light sweet crude for May increased to $111.58 a bar-

rel from $107.50. The market rose sharply during the week ended April 8 on the back of violent unrest in Libya, popular unrest in the wider Middle East, and as the dollar weakened against the euro. Another day and another upside move on oil, said PVM Oil Associates analyst David Hufton. All eyes are focussed on Libya

MI-May-11.indd 76

5/9/2011 2:23:52 PM

lubricants
and the news for those looking for a quick resumption of supplies and lower oil prices is not good. Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafis troops have destroyed the infrastructure of the only oilfields under the control of his opponents, cutting off their only source of finance. As the uncertainty continues in Libya, Gulf States have piled pressure on Yemens embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh, saying they expect him to quit following more than two months of bloody protests. Elsewhere, major oil exporter Nigeria announced on April 7 a third delay in legislative polls, due at the week-end, in some parts of the country after failure to overcome logistical problems. Added to the mix, fresh data showed that US initial jobless claims tumbled three per cent during the week, reinforcing signs that the troubled labor market is on the mend in the US, the worlds biggest oil consumer. Traders were also watching carefully the latest news on the eurozone debt crisis after Portugal became the third eurozone member after Greece and Ireland to seek a debt bailout. w

Castrol India Q1 net up 16.6%


Castrol India Ltd. put up a strong performance with profit after tax growing by 17 per cent to Rs. 137 crores during January-March 2011. Net sales were up by 15 per cent to Rs. 751 crores. Commenting on the results, Mr. Naveen Kshatriya, Vice Chairman, Castrol India Ltd., said: This is a good performance with net sales and PAT both showing a sharp increase. Margins have improved despite significant raw material cost increase, primarily driven by proactive pricing. We also grew volumes during the quarter under review, reflecting the underlying robustness of our strategy and the intrinsic strength of our brand. Castrol enjoys Olympic Brand status in India, and we continued our investment in the brand through our sponsorship of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Our Castrol World Cup brand and cricket is extremely strong. This will help us build a deeper relationship with both current and new consumers, he added. The base oil and additive cost environment was challenging in the current quarter, and this trend is likely to continue over the short term. This may put pressure on the company margins and volumes. We expect to meet this challenge with continuous innovation, focus on cost efficiency and up-trading consumers to superior products. We remain confident of a sustainable long-term improvement in our financial performance. Our confidence is based on the superiority of our products, strong customer relationships, proven track record of improving operational efficiency and sustained investment in brand and organizational capability building, observed Mr. Kshatriya. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 77

Mr. Naveen Kshatriya, Vice Chairman, Castrol India Ltd

ka Hero consumer promotion drew over 200,000 registrations, whilst our initiatives in the digital space provided insights and analysis which helped enhance the fans enjoyment of the game. Research indicates that the association between the Castrol

MI-May-11.indd 77

5/9/2011 2:23:53 PM

tyres

Continental to acquire modi tyres


Continental, the worlds fourth largest tyre manufacturer, has signed an agreement with Modi Rubber Ltd. (MRL), for acquisition of a 100 per cent shareholding in Modi Tyres Company Ltd. (MTCL), its subsidiary. The completion of the transaction depends on the fulfilment of several conditions. After completion of the transaction, MTCL will become a fully-owned subsidiary of Continental Corporation. The company will focus on local production and distribution of bias and radial truck/bus tyres as well as radial passenger car tyres for the Indian market. This development underlines Continentals commitment to the Indian market and is part of the companys strategy to invest in growing markets in Asia for its core businesses. With sales of Euro 26 billion in 2010, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tyres and technical elastomers, it contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. w

pneumatic tyres & tubes Quality Control order coming into force on may 13
The Quality Control Order, 2009, for pneumatic tyres and tubes for automotive vehicles will come into force from May 13, according to a communication received by the All India Tyre Dealers Federation (AITDF) from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. The order stipulates that no person shall manufacture, import, store for sale, sell or distribute pneumatic tyres which do not conform to the specified standard of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and which do not bear the standard mark of the Bureau. The implication of this official notification is that tyre dealers should
78 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

not purchase, store, sell and distribute tyres and tubes for two/ three-wheeler vehicles, passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, tempos and buses after May 13. Any violation of the notification would attract heavy penalty. However, it is understood that tyre dealers would be able to hold on to the unsold inventory of tyres and tubes, even if it is not ISI (BIS) marked, if the purchases were made before May 13. Normally, on the sidewalls of a tyre, manufacturing details are duly embossed. Tyre dealers may also be having the invoices mentioning the purchase date.

Tyre dealers are advised to strictly follow the Quality Control Order 2009 which mandates stock and sale of tyres and tubes that are ISImarked on the sidewalls and certification from BIS. Already a large majority of tyre brands are duly ISI marked / certified, but, unfortunately, only a few of the small-scale natural rubber tube manufacturers have applied for, or taken to BIS certification. Tyre dealers should be very careful in stocking or selling such uncertified natural rubber tube brands. This is essential to ensure better consumer safety. w

MI-May-11.indd 78

5/9/2011 2:23:53 PM

tyres

surging rubber prices may cut tyre industry profitability : ICRA


The Indian tyre industry staged a strong recovery in 2009-10, supported by a sharp revival in demand and relatively stable rubber prices. However, benefits accruing from a low-cost structure were short-lived, as natural rubber prices surged since December 2009, thereby making a severe impact on margins, despite industry-wide price revisions by tyre manufacturers. ICRA expects the profitability of tyre manufacturers over the next 12-15 months also to be affected by the expected supply gap for rubber, despite the robust demand for tyres. The domestic industry faces the threat of increasing penetration of Chinese tyre imports into the Indian truck and bus (T&B) radial tyre segment, at least partly contributed by domestic capacity constraints. The industry is currently at a structural inflexion point in the T&B segment, with the Indian markets converging towards the global trends of radials in the commercial vehicle segment. Anticipating the immense potential in the industry, particularly for radials, many industry majors have announced large capital expenditure plans for the next two years. Rising raw material costs as well as increased debt, higher interest and depreciation charges are likely to keep the industry profitability under pressure over the medium term in spite of the strong growth potential. The favourable outlook on OEM demand, growing replacement base and the overall recovery in the economy underpins ICRAs favourable secular demand outlook for tyres. The benefits of the ongoing OEM demand growth is also expected to trickle down to robust replacement demand with a lag. As with all auto ancillaries, raw material cost volatility and price pressure from OEMs remain inherent risks for this industry. Following close on the heels of four-five healthy quarters of demand growth and softer rubber costs, the industry is witnessing margin pressure due to rising input costs. With no significant supply additions for rubber expected over the next 12-15 months, rubber prices may remain high over the next four-six quarters. Further, pressure from OEMs and cheaper Chinese imports will curb pricing power in the domestic industry to some extent. In addition, the envisaged capital expenditure plans for the next two fiscals is expected to limit the financial flexibility of tyre manufacturers. With their large-scale economies and favourable cost structures, Chinese manufacturers are likely

to continue to be an import threat for domestic participants. However, with the anticipated increase in domestic capacities by 2013, issues of domestic capacity constraints will be remedied. Further, with the commissioning of the new tyre capacities by 2013, the changing dynamics of demand-supply and technology transition towards radials are set to bring about a marked change in the industry over the medium term. Mr. Subrata Ray, Sr. V.P & Head. Corporate Ratings, ICRA, says: While demand in the industry is expected to be robust going forward, cost pressures, particularly from natural rubber, remains a challenge. Ability to successfully pass on the input cost increases to the end customer will be critical for the industry. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 79

MI-May-11.indd 79

5/9/2011 2:23:54 PM

auto service & aftermarket

auto dealerships in overdrive: Crisil


Automobile dealerships in India are showing a healthy improvement in their credit quality, buoyed by surging business volumes and enhanced capital structure and liquidity. This is reflected in the upgrades outnumbering downgrades in CRISILs portfolio of auto dealerships during the 12 months through January 2011. It upgraded seven of its outstanding ratings in the auto dealership sector and downgraded one. These were CRISILs observations from a study it conducted on in the last two years, in line with the growth trajectory of auto manufacturers. Demand for passenger cars and CVs witnessed a year-on-year growth of 25 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, in 2009-10 and are expected to grow at 30 per cent each in 2010-11. CRISIL believes that the business risk profiles of auto dealers will continue to benefit from the surge in passenger car and CV demand, and grow by around 15 per cent annually, over the medium term. This is based on the past two years. Says Mr. R. Vasudevan, Head, CRISIL Ratings: The improvement in profitability was supported by the surge in sale of vehicles in the past couple of years; the dealers benefited from economies of scale, higher commissions and increased share of revenues from the high-margin spares and services segment. The auto dealers financial risk profile is constrained by their highly leveraged capital structure, stretched liquidity, and weak debt protection metrics. The total outside liabilities to tangible net worth (TOL/TNW) ratio of CRISIL-rated players was five times as on March 31, 2010. However, says Mr. Gurpreet Chhatwal, Director, CRISIL Ratings: CRISIL-rated players, whose ratings were upgraded over the past 12 months, improved their working capital management by reducing inventory holdings, thus strengthening their capital structure and liquidity. The dealers whose ratings were upgraded reduced their average inventory holding period by 25 per cent in 2009-10, compared with the three preceding years, thereby improving the TOL/TNW ratio to four times. However, the expected surge in demand, over the medium term, will result in large incremental working capital requirements. Adds Mr. Chhatwal, Continued higher dependence on external sources of funding to meet incremental working capital requirements will constrain auto dealers capital structure and liquidity, and may restrict much of the benefits of improved business prospects. w

its 126 rated entities in the auto dealership sector, which accounts for around 23 per cent of the commercial vehicle (CV) and passenger car market (based on revenues) in India. Auto dealers constitute the critical last-mile link between the auto manufacturer and the end customer. Hence, the dealers fortunes mirror those of the auto makers. This is reflected in the healthy growth in revenues, size and profitability of CRISIL-rated auto dealers
80 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

the premise that increasing affordability and new car launches will fuel demand for passenger cars, while rising industrial activity and healthy freight traffic will drive demand for CVs. Typically, auto dealers operate in a restricted geography, within a limited size, and their margins are low. The average operating margin of CRISIL-rated entities was 2.50 to 2.75 per cent, historically; however, the average margin has improved to about three per cent in

MI-May-11.indd 80

5/9/2011 2:23:54 PM

auto service & aftermarket

mahindra pre-owned car sales, service centre opened in Chennai


Mahindra First Choice Wheels has further expanded its southern footprint with the launch of its first 2S SuperStore in Chennai located at Poonamalee High Road. It is spread across 27,000 sq. ft. and is an integrated sales and service facility. The showroom was inaugurated by Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group, and Mr. Rajeev Dubey, President (HR, After-Market & Corporate Services), and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. I am delighted to inaugurate Mahindra First Choices very first 2S SuperStore in Chennai, a city which boasts of a rich tradition of organised retail. As the leaders in the preowned car business in India, we are constantly endeavouring to offer our customers new services which will provide them with greater value and convenience. The 2S format is a further step in that direction, said Mr. Mahindra. Mr. Dubey observed: The 2S format is part of our strategy to leverage synergies between our sales and services division, thereby creating greater value for the consumer. Since its introduction, this format has generated an enthusiastic response from our customers who can avail of sales, services and repairs of pre-owned cars under one roof. The showroom displays a wide range of cars across segments. Services offered will include purchase and sale of pre-owned cars, car finance and insurance, a commitment card which will cover both 24X7 roadside assistance across the country and a conditional warranty

Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group, and Mr. Rajeev Dubey, President (HR, After-Market & Corporate Services), and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (extreme right) with company officials at the inauguration

on pre-owned cars, accessories and RTO transfer. It will also incorporate a shop floor consisting of 13 bays with the capacity to service 800 vehicles per month. The pre-owned car market in Chennai is growing at a rapid rate with sales of about 5,500 cars per month. Mahindra FirstChoice Wheels aims to sell over 10,000 cars there this year. Mahindra FirstChoice Wheels is the countrys preferred pre-owned car mart and its only organized multi-brand player, with 134 outlets in 82 towns. The company plans to expand this number to 300 outlets in the next three years. This implies that customers will soon be able to choose from a range of certified pre-owned cars throughout India, including the metros and Tier-2 towns and cities. Tremendous attention to detail is required to ensure that each preowned car meets a high level of quality. Before purchasing the car, a trained engineer thoroughly inspects

the vehicle and also sees to it that all papers are in order. After purchase, every car is refurbished and undergoes an extensive 118-point quality check by a trained engineer, as part of the companys robust certification process. The objective behind the care and diligence exercised is to present the customer with a car in mint condition. In short, buying a pre-owned car from Mahindra FirstChoice offers several advantages, including quality assurance, safety and a hasslefree driving experience. Mahindra FirstChoice also offers 24x7 road side assistance and warranty on certified pre-owned cars. The warranty, subject to specific terms and conditions, covers the important parts of the car. This assistance, subject to specific terms and conditions, assures the certified used car buyer that should the car break down, he will be provided assistance. This warranty and road side assistance gives tremendous peace of mind to buyers. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 81

MI-May-11.indd 81

5/9/2011 2:23:55 PM

driver training

foundation laid for ashok leylands Chindwara driver training institute

Mr. Kamal Nath, Union Minister for Urban Development, unveiling the plaque on the occasion of foundation laying of Ashok Leylands new Driver Training Institute at Chindwara in the presence of Mr. R.N. Rao, Special Director - Sales & Marketing, and Mr. K.C. Balasubramanian, Assistant General Manager, Sales & Marketing Group, Ashok Leyland.

Mr. Kamal Nath, Union Minister for Urban Development, recently laid the foundation for Ashok Leylands new Driver Training Institute at Chindwara in Madhya Pradesh. The function was held in the presence of an array of government officials and senior personnel from the company. Spread over 15 acres, the institute will have all the necessary facilities for heavy commercial vehicle driver training, including 8-curve and S-curve tracks, 6 lane roads, village roads and a state-of-the-art simulator. Ashok Leyland will provide trained manpower and develop and conduct
82 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

appropriate courses. Speaking at the function, Mr. Kamal Nath said: This Centresponsored institute will help the drivers to know the fundamentals of heavy duty commercial vehicle driving. The comprehensive driver engagement programme will enable drivers to handle the overall on-road safety measures efficiently and help them avoid mishaps. The Indian automobile industry is growing at a rapid pace and the increased focus on road and infrastructure development will boost freight movement across the country. This driver training institute will help create

more employment opportunities in the region. Commenting on the development, Mr. R. Seshasayee, Executive Vice Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said that AL is one of the few auto companies that has instituted a comprehensive driver engagement programme to strengthen its relationship with the driver community. The company is already running two driver training institutes in the country, at Namakkal in Tamil Nadu and at Burari, near Delhi, that train about 40,000 drivers every year with more such being planned in Haryana and Rajasthan. w

MI-May-11.indd 82

5/9/2011 2:23:56 PM

driver training

hGta centre for training truck drivers opened

Mr. Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland Ltd., Mr. Suresh Chanda, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Mr. C.L.N. Gandhi, Addl. Transport Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh, inaugurating the driver training institute

The Hyderabad Goods Transport Association (HGTA) has opened its Transport Training & Development Institute (TTDI) at Autonagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad covering an area of 9,000 sq. ft. The brainchild of the 39-year-old HGTA, this is the first such centre to train truck drivers, cleaners, hamalis, the staff of transporters, etc. Inaugurating the Institute in the presence of Mr. Suresh Chanda, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Mr. C.L.N. Gandhi, Addl. Transport Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh, and other dignitaries, Mr.

Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland Ltd., said drivers need to be groomed well. India boasts of 32 lakh truck drivers, of whom only two lakh drivers have undergone formal training. Ashok Leyland alone has trained five lakh truck drivers. The remaining 25 lakh drivers operate trucks without any training. That is why we have joined hands with various State Governments to set up eight truck driver training insitututes across the country in the next six months. We are also associating ourselves with other associations to set up

another five driver training centers. In Andhra Pradesh we have joined hands with three organizations for driver training. Mr. Dasari dismissed the general impression that his company has become too old after 60 years, and said 80 per cent of Leylands manpower is deployed on machines less than five years old. The company proposes to invest Rs. 200 crores for product development in the current year. Asked about the reported move to restructure the Ashok Leyland brand by the Hinduja Group, Mr.
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 83

MI-May-11.indd 83

5/9/2011 2:23:57 PM

driver training
Dasari made it clear that there would not be any change in the brand name. It would be the endeavour of the company to grow as one of the top 10 truck and one of the five top bus manufacturers in the world. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gandhi observed that Andhra Pradesh has many truck driving institutes, but almost 90 per cent of them are fake. Mr. Suresh Chanda, in his address, said that there are plans for two checkposts, one each at Tada and Itchapuram, which will be more driver-friendly. The drivers need not get down from the vehicle to show the documents. The inaugural function was attended by about 300 representatives, including the top brass of the transport industry from across In-

dia, including those from the All India Motor Transport Congress, All India Transporters Welfare Association, Bombay Goods Transporters Association, Vijayawada Goods Transporters Association and the

Krishna District Lorry Transporters Association. Representatives of manufacturers of vehicles, tyres and lubricants, as well as those from finance and insurance companies also graced the function. w

84 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 84

5/9/2011 2:23:59 PM

driver training

indian tipper driver wins Volvo asia fuelwatch contest


Lars Mrtensson, Environment Director, Volvo Trucks Corporation, presented the trophy. Volvo trucks are designed to offer higher fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The Volvo Trucks Driver Training Center in Bangalore has trained more than 25,000 drivers and educated them on the importance of safety and fuel efficiency, because superior driving skills play an important role while driving high performance Volvo trucks to improve productivity and efficiency. The objective behind the Fuelwatch competition is to set fuel efficiency benchmarks in actual driving conditions and creMr. Gosula Venkata Suresh, the Indian driver from KPCL, Andhra Pradesh, ate greater awareness about fuel-efficiency receiving the Award among drivers through improved driving Volvo Fuelwatch Competition is a fuel-efficiency behaviour as well as fleet operators resulting in imcontest for Volvo Tipper drivers held in Asian coun- proving total cost of ownership. Volvo Trucks is the tries. The Indian Fuelwatch final was held at a mining first company in India to conduct such a competition, site in Dhanbad in October 2010. The winner and said Mr. Somnath Bhattacharjee, President, Volvo the two runner-up drivers from India qualified for the Trucks India. w Volvo Asia Fuelwatch competition along with drivers from Indonesia. The Asia Fuelwatch Competition was held in a stone quarry near Gothenburg, Sweden, on April 14 last. The competition was the ultimate test for Volvo drivers to achieve highest fuel efficiency in real life driving conditions in off-road applications. The competition is organized by Volvo Trucks to bring out the importance of the skills of a driver that play a critical role in driving high performance Volvo Tippers to achieve higher efficiency and productivity, which results in better profitability for fleet operators and eventually creates a huge positive impact on the environment with reduced emissions. Mr. Gosula Venkata Suresh, the Indian driver from KPCL, Andhra Pradesh, achieved the highest fuel-efficiency at the Volvo Asia Fuelwatch competition and was adjudged the winner. Mr.
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 85

MI-May-11.indd 85

5/9/2011 2:24:01 PM

highways development

anti-corruption drive: nhai to reward whistle-blowers


NHAI has come out with a Secret Service Fund that is aimed at rewarding whistle-blowers and cleansing the system at a time when the highways regulator is battling serious corruption charges and is set to roll out Rs. 3 lakhcrore projects. For the first time, we have decided to offer cash rewards to informants providing authentic information regarding corruption and irregularities. For this, we have instituted a Secret Service Fund earmarking Rs. 10 lakhs for 2011-12, NHAI Chief Vigilance Officer Aloke Prasad told PTI Economic Service. The move, on the lines of the reward system offered by Indian police to informers on crime cases, is the first such step by NHAI to refurbish its image, as it faces corruption charges in appointments and bids and has drawn flak from a parliamentary panel. Cash rewards of up to Rs. 25,000, depending on authenticity of information and in terms of gain to the organisation, would be given to the informants whether from NHAI or from the general public, Mr. Prasad said. A person can receive a maximum
86 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

of four awards or maximum Rs. 50,000 in a fiscal under the Cash Reward Scheme. Also, the scheme has a provision to penalise false information providers with an intention to cause undue harassment to any person in any manner. Mr. Prasad, an IPS officer, said the step to give cash incentive to people is aimed at making NHAI a zero corruption organisation and follows the pattern of Indian

police, which doled out such rewards to informants. In line with the whistle blower policy of the Central Vigilance Commission, the identity of the informer will be kept strictly confidential, he added. Meanwhile, the highways regulator faces serious corruption charges. Last year, CBI arrested some senior officials on graft charges, while the Central vigilance commission raised fingers at its ap-

pointment process for senior-level posts. Its vigilance wing has already submitted a report on the irregularities in the appointment process last year while the Road Transport and Highways Ministry has also admitted serious administrative lapses on NHAIs part. A parliamentary panel last recently asked NHAI to focus on developing roads rather than finding avenues to fill its coffers, expressing concern over the tardy progress of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP). The Committee hopes that NHAI will concentrate more on development of roads rather than finding avenues to fill its coffers..., the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, chaired by Mr. Sitaram Yechury has said in its latest report. NHDP being implemented by , NHAI, is one of the largest road development programmes undertaken by a single authority in the world and involves widening, upgrading and rehabilitation of about 54,000 km under seven phases. The Government has envisaged a massive investment of Rs. 3 lakh crores under NHDP 60 ,

MI-May-11.indd 86

5/9/2011 2:24:01 PM

highways development
per cent of which is estimated to come from the private sector. Unfolding huge opportunities for the private sector in the highways development, the Ministry will soon seek their participation in 170 projects under NHDP to be built under the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode entailing an investment of Rs. 1.19 lakh crores. A top Road Ministry official said the projects will be implemented by NHAI which is the nodal agency of the Transport Ministry. Under this plan, the biggest investment opportunity lies in NHDP phase IV for widening and upgrading of 95 road stretches in various State. The cost of the projects under phase IV is estimated at Rs. 44,857 crores, he said, adding that 35 projects would be bid out under NHDP phase V, the cost of which has been calculated at Rs. 39,476 crores. The remaining projects fall under phase II and III with an estimated investment of Rs. 29,440 crores. Phase II of NHDP involves widening and improvement of the North South-East West corridors while phase III involves upgradation mainly into four-lane of high density national highways, through the Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) mode. Similarly, phase IV pertains to 2-laning of the highways with paved shoulders, while under phase V the Government plans 6-laning of the 4-lane highways comprising the GQ and certain other high density stretches. The Government has envisaged a massive investment to the tune of Rs. 3 lakh crores under NHDP 60 , per cent of which is estimated to come from the private sector. Meanwhile, the Government also plans to build two new expressways linking neighbouring the pink city Jaipur and Chandigarh to the national capital ventures that are likely to cost up to nearly $3 billion (Rs. 12,750 crores). Among many problems faced by NHDP is lack of a permanent chief. The Government has extended the tenure of National Highways Authority of India chief R S Gujaral till June 30, and the process is on for appointing a regular Chairman on the post. Mr. Gujaral, the Road Transport and Highways Secretary, was given additional charge of NHAI Chairman for three months with effect from January 1 this year after expiry of the tenure of the former chief, Mr. Brijeshwar Singh, in December 2010. We have given extension to Mr. Gujaral for another three months. Meanwhile, the process is on for selection of a regular Chairman for NHAI, Road Minister C P Joshi has said. The government had almost a year ago constituted a panel under Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar to select a candidate for the post as former Chairman Singh was scheduled to retire on August 2010. But a regular Chairman could not be appointed till date. The committee had interviewed about a dozen candidates, including the then Civil Aviation Secretary, Mr. M. Madhavan Nambiar, besides the Mr. Singh and Mr. Gujaral. However, owing to delays, Mr. Singh, a 1975 cadre IAS officer, was given extension from September 2010 to November 2010 and then till December 2010. The Government had initiated the selection process for the NHAI Chairman twice. It had advertised for the post with a five-year term for the second time in June last year. The initial appointment committee was scrapped after a controversy erupted over former Road Secretary Brahm Dutt applying for the coveted post, even though he was a member of the selection committee. Those who had applied for a second time included former NHAI member K S Money, former Urban Development Secretary M Ramachandran and former Civil Aviation Secretary M Madhavan Nambiar, besides Mr. Gujaral and Mr. Singh. The Government had said the eligibility criteria for the post included at least 15 years of experience in the field of finance and financial management, besides holding the post of Secretary to the Government of India or its equivalent. The regular appointment on the post assumes importance as, besides other crucial highways programmes, NHAI is implementing several vital road projects, including NHDP The Road Ministry has . set a target of building 20 km of roads a day, and as per the programme NHAI will have to award at least 7,300 km this fiscal, for which a financing plan has been approved by a ministerial panel. - PTI Economic Service

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 87

MI-May-11.indd 87

5/9/2011 2:24:01 PM

industry update

hybrid vehicle technology workshop largely attended


ment for HEVs & EVs. Different service providers exhibited the latest technologies being put to use for the development of sustainable HEV & EV program across the globe. Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Mr. Dinesh Tyagi, Dr. V. Sumantran, Executive Director, Ashok Leyland, Mr. Saurabh Dalela, Addl. Director, ICAT, and Mr. Vikram Gulati, Director, Automobiles, DHI, graced the valedictory session with their presence. Owing to the challenges faced by energy security, depleting fossil fuels, growing global warming and environmental and health issues are the major problems. In view of the challenges faced by the automotive industry, hybrid and electric vehicle technologies are being developed to address these issues. The Government is keen on formulating a policy, wherein it is proposed to create a national level apex inter-ministerial structure to address the challenges toward promoting domestic manufacturing of hybrid/electric vehicles in India. The Finance Minister, in his Budget speech, has announced special budgetary provisions for promoting HEVs and EVs in India. He has also announced that to provide green and clean transportation for the masses, the National Mission for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles will be launched in collaboration with all stakeholders. w

Mr. R.C. Bhargava, Chairman, MSIL, lighting the lamp to inaugurate the workshop. Others are Mr. Dinesh Tyagi, Director, ICAT, (extreme left) and Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Joint Secretary, Dept. of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public enterprises

The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) organized a workshop on hybrid electric vehicles & electric vehicles in New Delhi on April 4 and 5. Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, inaugurated the workshop in the presence of Mr. R.C. Bhargava, MSIL Chairman, Mr. Dinesh Tyagi, Director, ICAT, and Ms. Pamela Tikku, Senior General Manager, ICAT. The workshop addressed the latest technological innovations with the real-world data aimed at successful identification of the road map for the hybrid and electric vehicle implementation regime in
88 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

India. More than 150 delegates attended different sessions that focused on various research and development activities, industry practices, testing methodologies and standards, energy storage concerns and regulatory and commercial aspects. There were also panel discussions with experts. The main speakers were from leading R&D institutes such as Argonne National Laboratory, Department of Energy, USA, Ohio State University, AVL of GRAZ, FEV and TUV Rhineland of Germany, IDIADA of Spain, and University of Technology, Sydney. There was also a concurrent exhibition showcasing R&D tools for vehicle and component develop-

MI-May-11.indd 88

5/9/2011 2:24:02 PM

auto finance

Magma Fincorp annual PAT up 71%


The fourth quarter results of Magma Fincorp Ltd. reflected strong all-round performance by the company for the financial year, with a significant increase in disbursements, revenue, PBT, PAT and in assets under management (AUM) over the corresponding quarter last year. Disbursements increased at a steady 41 per cent to Rs. 1,955 crores, while revenue increased 24 per cent to Rs. 269.8 crores. The company recorded profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 44.9 crores, an increase of 70 per cent over the corresponding period last year. The annual results reflect the interventions made by the company during the last three years in terms of strengthening its processes, underwriting norms and performance parameters. Magma registered annual disbursals of Rs. 5,415 crores, up 33 per cent over FY 10, resulting in improvement in its market share in the car, tractor and commercial vehicle segments. Annual too has been able to grow its disbursals in Q4 by 41 per cent. We successfully increased the share of our high yield products to 19 per cent from 13 per cent which, along with superior treasury management and efficiency in handling the cost of funds ensured that we achieved NIM of 5 per cent for the year. The proudest highlight of our performance of the year is our collections efficiency which touched a new high and has now set new industry benchmark at 101.7 per cent. As a consequence, our write-offs have gone down considerably from Rs. 41 crores in FY 10 to Rs. 24 crores for FY 11, which translates into an all-time low 0.24 per cent of AUM. With the expansion of its network in the western and southern markets, Magma is now at the cusp of an explosive growth and is looking to grow its topline by 50 per cent during FY 12 with specific focus on the high yield segments of tractors and used CVs. w

r e v - enues grew by a solid 21 per cent to record Rs. 874 crores and PAT registered in FY 11 was the highest-ever for the company at Rs. 122.1 crores, up 71 per cent. Incidentally, this is the first time that the company registered PAT of over Rs. 100 crores in a financial year. Commenting on the companys performance, Mr. Sanjay Chamria, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, said: Magma has responded brilliantly to the market opportunities in all the product segments, be it commercial vehicles, car or the high yield products such as tractors, Suvidha (refinance) or SME loans. Aligned with the rapid growth in primary sales, Magma

shriram transport finance fares very well


The net interest income of Shriram Transport Finance Company Ltd. (STFC) for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2011, increased by 25.63 per cent to Rs. 811.81 crores as against Rs. 646.19 crores of the same period of the previous year. Profit after tax rose by 28.82 per cent to Rs. 340.62 crores (Rs. 264.42 crores). The earning per share (basic) surged by 25.92 per cent to Rs. 15.06 from Rs. 11.96. The net interest income for the year ended March 31, 2011 increased by 39.91 per cent to Rs. 3,102.54 crores as against Rs. 2,217.55 crores the previous year. Profit after tax rose by 40.86 per cent to Rs. 1,229.88 crores (Rs. 873.12 crores). The earning per share (basic) for the year surged by 32.61 per cent to Rs. 54.49 from Rs. 41.09. The Board has recommended a final dividend of Rs. 4 (40 per cent) per share. This is in addition to the interim dividend of Rs. 2.50 (25 per cent) per share declared at the Board Meeting held on October 27, 2010, making a total dividend of Rs. 6.50 (65 per cent) per share. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 89

MI-May-11.indd 89

5/9/2011 2:24:02 PM

vehicle insurance

Need for permanent mechanism to fix third party motor insurance premium
The insurance regulator IRDA has decided to revise the premium on mandatory third party motor insurance liability cover by 65-70 per cent with effect from April 25. However, living upto their reputation, motor insurance companies all over the country virtually stopped issuing the third party insurance cover to commercial vehicle owners from the middle of April, according to an IFTRT report. There were reports that vehicle owners were being forced to pay enhanced premium to motor insurance companies. Naturally, there were protests by transport operators, and IRDA had to caution motor insurers in this regard. Some of the transport associations have threatened to launch a nationwide agitation unless the motor insurance companies withdraw this unjustified hike in premium for third party motor insurance cover. But, saner elements among truck owners do not resent the hike in premium rates. However, they are of the view that the premium hike just cannot be a panacea for the ills because the malady is much deep rooted. IRDA, finding no permanent solution to the third party insurance losses due to heavy claims, constituted the third party Motor Insurance Loss Pool Account with the contribution from insurers to bring down motor insurance losses on this count. However, this
90 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

remedy too has failed to help the motor insurers in curbing or balancing their mounting losses from third party motor insurance. The key reasons for mounting third party insurance claims on commercial vehicles are rampant overloading of goods carriages / trucks in contravention of Sections 113 and 114 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and the entry of unskilled truck drivers, leading to increase in fatal road accidents on the highways. Settlement of insurance claims is normally delayed, with small compensation paid. The middleman having a nexus with insurers takes away a significant part of the settled amount. Commercial vehicle owners do not really resent the hike in third party premium rates because IRDA, in its intensive course of deliberations with various stakeholders in the past several years, had prepared an Exposure Draft on the review of motor insurance premium rates for third party liability. It has also seriously examined the data provided by motor insurance firms on the losses being suffered by them on this count. Hence, the threat of agitation by a powerful section of road transporters, mostly transport intermediaries, is untenable and unfair. The moot point still remains that periodic upward revision in third party motor insurance liability cover premium is the only pana-

cea to take care of future losses to motor insurance firms. What needs to be done by IRDA and the Ministry of Finance is to bring about changes in the rules and regulations governing the filing of third party claims, settlement of claims in a time-bound manner and also fix a ceiling on the claim awards by the motor insurance tribunals. Today third party motor insurance claim can be filed from any part of the country, and there is no time-limit to file the claim. This leads to arbitrary claims by motor insurance firms. The entire process of third party motor insurance claim system requires a major overhaul. This possibly can render third party motor insurance claims fair and equitable to the stakeholders, claimants and motor insurance companies. It is high time the Centre and the insurance regulator realized that it is a clear-cut case of systemic failure and that the solution lies not in frequently revising the insurance tariff but to correct the fundamental maladies in the system. Efforts should be made to bring in a permanent mechanism to fix third party motor insurance premium rather than permitting ad hocism by motor vehicle insurers in dealing with this sensitive issue involving over six million commercial vehicle owners. w

MI-May-11.indd 90

5/9/2011 2:24:03 PM

auto scene

australian automotive mission to india for exploring business tie-ups


India is Australias fastest growing export market, having grown at an average annual rate of 25 per cent since 2005. Although the Victorian automotive industry is small by world standards, it is one of the few global locations that has the full range of capabilities to take a vehicle through the entire development process, from concept to delivery. This was observed in an exclusive interview to MOTORINDIA by Mr. Barry Comben, member of the Australian Automotive Industry Innovation Council who headed the recent Australian Automotive Mission to India. Though several visits have already been made by Australian auto companies to India in the last several years, some good beginning has been made at long last for doing business with Indian companies. Basically, the main purpose of the Australian Automotive Mission to India was to present the range of Australian product technologies and explain the research capabilities. Following the Australian Automotive Mission tour in February 2010, Davies, Craig Pty. Ltd., one of the member-companies, has received an initial order for supply of electric water pumps (EWPs) from Mahindra & Mahindra for its Scorpio vehicles. EWP comes with several features like more power per litre engine capacity. Also the engine computer can set temp to economy or power like auto gearbox switch, as well as it can set temp to high or low depending on ambient temp, manufacturing base in Victoria. Interestingly, Indias own 2011 International Car of the Year and most awarded car ever the Ford Figo was designed and engineered at Fords Victorian premises. Further, out of five technology centres of Toyota in Asia-Pacific, one is located in Melbourne. advantage australia According to Mr. Barry, progressively for the last 25 years, the Australian Government has reduced duties to five per cent and making it a free trade economy. This offers immense scope to attract overseas investments into Australia. If India also reduces its 60 per cent import duty drastically, it can also attract foreign investments, including from Australian companies. Australia currently exports 40 per cent of its vehicle output, particularly passenger cars, to different countries, including the Middle East and North America. Besides, there are a lot of companies indirectly exporting technology to the world market. On the other hand, already Mahindra & Mahindra has started exporting its vehicles to Australia through its agents. During its 10-day visit to India, the Australian Automotive Mission visited manufacturing facilities of Mahindra Reva and TVS Motor in Bangalore, Renault Nissan Technology Business Centre and Mahindra Research Park in Chennai, Mahindra & Mahindra in Mumbai, Anand Group and NATRIP in Delhi, and General Motors in Pune. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 91

Mr. Barry Comben, member of the Australian Automotive Industry Innovation Council

and increase engine life due to better temp control. The 40-year-old Davies, Craig is a leading supplier of electric water pumps for various vehicle manufacturers and the products are innovative in technology and are patented. MTM, yet another Australian company, has got an order from Mahindra & Mahindra for supply of auto gear shifts. With this, Mr. Barry is fully confident that Victorian automotive manufacturers have greater potential for business relationship with the Indian auto sector. If the volume of orders from Indian automobile majors is quite high, the Australian auto companies are keen to establish a joint venture in India. Mr. Barry pointed out that most of the multinational automobile OEMs that have established their facility in India, namely, Ford, Toyota and GM, are also having their

MI-May-11.indd 91

5/9/2011 2:24:03 PM

turkey auto scene

automechanika istanbul 2011 proves the largest-ever turkish auto fair

he powerful Turkish automotive industry hosted its most successful fair ever Automechanika Istanbul 2011 at the TYAP Fair and Congress Center during April 7 to 10. With 1,099 exhibitors, 484 of whom were international exhibitors from 38 countries, the fair was indeed the largest such event ever held in Turkey. This exhibitor increase of 33.5 per cent comes at a time when the Turkish economy experiences a 9 per cent growth rate and confirms the positive development of the market.
92 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Automechanika Istanbul 2011 also closed with a new visitor record: 36,126 professional visitors came to Istanbul to visit the 6th edition of the fair. A record in the record is the number of international vistors: 7,622 international buyers came to Automechanika Istanbul 2011, an increase of 11 per cent compared to the last edition. The organizers of the fair, Messe Frankfurt Istanbul and HannoverMesse International Istanbul, are very, very happy. Automechanika Istanbul 2011 highlighted Turkey once again as a global automo-

MI-May-11.indd 92

5/9/2011 2:24:04 PM

turkey auto scene


tive business platform. We are proud to have organized such a professional and international fair, and the satisfaction of all participants confirms to us that the investments made in the concept and promotion of the fair were the right ones, stated the General Managers of the organizing companies, Aleksandar Medjedovic and Alexander Khnel. Automechanika Istanbul 2011 offered new opportunities to develop business and to enter new markets by meeting a large number of international participants. This is a very unique meeting platform for national and foreign automotive professionals alike. Exhibitors and visitors of Automechanika Istanbul will always be one step ahead. A unique feature of Automechanika Istanbul is its international profile and the positioning of the fair in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Turkey itself is home to a large and multinational production base for both passenger and commercial vehicles. The fair has therefore a natural attraction for international suppliers. Combined with the highly experienced Turkish producers of parts and components, Automechanika Istanbul takes the position of the leading event for South-Eastern Europe, the Near East and Central Asia. All exhibitors reported a large number from visitors from those three regions. This regional coverage in a unique advantage of our fair, explained Aleksandar Medjedovic. This year, Automechanika Istanbul hosted Serbia as the Partner Country for the first time. Serbia has its growing and attractive automotive industry, which is opening its doors for production expansion and investments by international partners. A national stand organized by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and a Serbian Automotive Forum on the first day of the fair attracted attention from all participants and from the media, putting a spotlight on a new automotive industry star in the region. Automechanika Istanbul was again held concurrently with Petroleum Istanbul, the international exhibition for upstream and downstream equipment, technology and services.

Having both events at the same time created once again synergies for both sides. The petroleum sector is closely linked to the automotiove industries in Turkey and in the region, and the parallel organization allowed all participants an insight that is otherwise hard to find, stated Mr. Tayfun Yardim, Project Manager of Automechanika Istanbul. The fair once again featured a high-profiled conference program called Automechanika Academy. This years main topic was E-cars and E-mobility. Attendees from Turkey and abroad confirmed the quality of speakers and the trend-setting orientation of the conference. The next edition of Automechanika Istanbul will be held in April 2013. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 93

MI-May-11.indd 93

5/9/2011 2:24:05 PM

turkey auto scene

H.E. Mr. Taner Yildiz, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey delivering the inaugural address at the Automechanika Istanbul 2011.

Mr. Aleksandar Medjedovic, Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt Istanbul, welcoming the gathering at the inaugural function

Mr. Alexander Kuhnel, General Manager, Deutsche Messe, making his remarks

Mr. Mihailo Vesovic, Vice President, Serbian Chamber of Commerce, delivering his special address

Mr. Celal Kaya, President, TAYSAD, presenting his views

A serious business transaction at the exhibition

94 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 94

5/9/2011 2:24:07 PM

turkey auto scene

automechanika istanbul grows in size and popularity


LcVs dominate the Turkish auto sector
A special report from Mr. R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher

further increase the bilateral trade Automechanika Istanbul, the Turkand cordial relationship between ish regions most dynamic and comTurkey and Serbia for which many prehensive event for the automotive agreements, including an FTA, have industry, held during April 7-10, has already signed. Serbias FTA with grown both in size and popularity. Russia will indirectly benefit Turkish The steady growth of this fair over exporters. the past several years prompted the a morale-booster organizers to provide additional Since Turkish manufacturers never space this year in a new hall at the compromise on quality, the GovTYAP Convention and Congress ernment extends full support to Center in Istanbul to better serve exthem in all their major initiatives. hibitors and visitors alike. As a morale-booster to the counThis was disclosed by Mr. AleMr. Aleksandar Medjedovic, trys growing economy, the Governksandar Medjedovic, Managing Managing Director, ment came out with its new AutoDirector, Messe Frankfurt Istanbul, Messe Frankfurt Istanbul motive Policy in December last that while addressing the select few offers several incentive schemes for the development visiting global journalists immediately after the Automechanika Istanbul 2011 inaugural function. With of electric vehicles in the country. Taking advantage the gradual increase in the number of exhibitors, the of this, leading automobile companies such as Merexhibition space was expanded from three to 12 halls cedes, Renault and Fiat are planning to launch electric vehicles in the domestic market. this year. Today there are 18 automobile companies operatHe said the factors that contributed to the success of the show are the terrific ongoing growth in the Turkish ing in Turkey, of which 17 have a joint venture with auto sector as in India, China, Europe, etc., the prag- local players. Surprisingly, the light commercial vehimatic approach of the Turkish auto companies which cle segment in Turkey is currently a dominant player are also investing a lot on R&D in order to develop compared to other segments. the right product, and the huge investments made by supply Chain system at its best Mr. Medjedovic further observed that the Supply Messe Frankfurt to make the event truly international. All this has had its favourable impact, with the Chain System in Turkey has also been very well recnumber of exhibitors crossing 1,000 companies from ognised globally. This has encouraged Turkish auto35 countries. The show attracted around 35,000 visi- mobile manufacturers to go in for 80 per cent local tors from 100 nations, including Serbia which was contents in vehicle production. On the export front, the Turkish auto component the Partner Country. Of added importance is that the number of exhibitors from China almost doubled this manufacturers have achieved a four per cent growth year. Incidentally, Serbia has emerged a popular na- in 2010 to touch the $30 billion level and are targeting exports worth $75 billion by 2023, he added. tion for vehicle repairing activities of high standard. w According to Mr. Medjedovic, the fair is expected to
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 95

MI-May-11.indd 95

5/9/2011 2:24:07 PM

turkey auto scene

turkish auto component manufacturers for closer ties with indian counterparts
An exclusive interview with Ms. zlem Glen, Secretary General, TAYSAD

The Association of Automotive Parts & Components Manufacturers (TAYSAD) of Turkey had its humble beginning in 1978 with just 13 entrepreneur companies. Today, as a sole and most competent representative of the Turkish automotive supplier industry, TAYSAD has now grown into a 300-member association, representing 65 per cent of the output of the automotive sub-suppliers industry and 70 per cent of the industrys exports. Nearly 80 per cent of its members are located in the Marmara region, 12 per cent in the Aegean region and eight per cent in other parts of Turkey. TAYSAD members recruit 90,000 employees, and with sub-suppliers this figure reaches approximately 150,000. Since India has already emerged one of the fastest growing nations in auto components production, TAYSAD is looking for closer relations with its Indian counterpart, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). In an exclusive interview to MOTORINDIA, Ms.
96 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

zlem Glen, Secretary General, TAYSAD, said that in order to widen the relationship between the two associations, a 17-member ACMA team visited Turkey last year and had a B-2-B meeting with the Turkish suppliers who are TAYSAD members. This meeting is expected to yield fruitful results for the Turkish auto component manufacturers since some of the Indian component producers have shown interest for setting up a joint venture unit in India. She said that as the Indian auto sector is growing very fast and is also well recognised at the global level, Turkish auto companies are keen to provide technology transfer for their Indian counterparts, particularly those doing business with global OEMs such as Volkswagen, Renault, etc. Today, Turkish auto components are exported to countries like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the UK, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, North Africa, etc., and the focus has now shifted to India, she added. w

MI-May-11.indd 96

5/9/2011 2:24:08 PM

events

aCma-fapma pact renewed


Building linkages globally for strengthening mutual business cooperation has been ACMAs initiative over the years. The latest link to the global scenario was made by renewing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers (FAPM), Australia, at a ceremony held in New Delhi on April 15, during the recent visit of the Victorian automotive delegation from Australia. FAPM and ACMA have been fostering close co-operation since 1992 when they signed the MoU. The MoU was renewed by Mr. Arvind Kapur, ACMA Vice President, and Mr. Richard Reilly, CEO, FAPM. Mr. Arvind Kapur, in his presentation on the occasion on Auto Com-

Mr. Richard Reilly, CEO, FAPM, (left), and Mr. Arvind Kapur, ACMA Vice President, renewing the MoU

ponent Industry in India: Growing Capabilities & Strengths, referred to the Indian aftermarket having a diverse customer base with rapid growth in vehicle demand and

poor road conditions which have automatically created demand for a fully equipped after-sales and replacement market. w

lucas tVs enters racing circuit


Championship. Lucas TVS was part of the Rams Racing Team which had six racing cars under the FISSME category. All the six vehicles were fitted with components manufactured and supplied by Lucas TVS. They were also fitted with starter motor and ignition distributor manufactured by Lucas TVS Auto Electricals and batteries and ignition coils from Lucas Indian Services. The JK Tyres FISSME championship is a national-level racing platform for aspiring race drivers. The one held in Chennai recently was the sixth edition of the championship. Brakes India, part of the TVS Group, has been active in the racing circuit and has been associated with the Rams Racing Team for the past four years.
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 97

Auto components major Lucas TVS, part of the TVS Group, has made an entry into the racing circuit by participating in the recently held JK Tyres FISSME

MI-May-11.indd 97

5/9/2011 2:24:09 PM

automation

Vdma robotics and automation faring extremely well


The industry is in a brilliant shape, said Dr. Michael Wenzel, Managing Director of Reis Holding GmbH, Obernburg, and Chairman of VDMA Robotics + Automation, at a press conference in Frankfurt. For 2011 we expect turnover to grow by 18 per cent to EUR 8.9 billion, which is already very close to the result of the all-time high reached in 2008 (EUR 9.3 billion). The manufacturers of robotics and automation do not only see great potential for further growth in their major export markets (China, South Korea and ASEAN), but also in Germany for 2011. North America and the Central and Eastern European countries with comparably low automation penetration still have untapped demand potential. The automotive industry, too, will further invest in new technologies and use new materials. This creates massive demand for new production facilities or refitting existing ones worldwide, Mr. Wenzel added. Producers of robotics and automation, including industrial image processing, assembly and handling technologies and robotics, generated a significant increase in turnover of 21 per cent, i.e., EUR 7.5 billion, in 2010, the first year after the crisis. Hence, the turnover approximated the level of 2006 after 2009 had brought the industry back to the turnover levels of 2002. In 2010 exports were key for the quick recovery. Foreign turno98 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

Dr. Michael Wenzel

ver increased by an incredible 31 per cent. China has become the largest export market by far with respect to all three industry sectors, before North America and the Central and Eastern European countries. In the course of the year, the dynamic development had also gained a foothold in the domestic market, where turnover augmented by 12 per cent in total. The positive development was propelled in particular by the automotive industry where major investments in production sites at home and abroad immediately set in when the crisis started to fade. With a share of nearly 60 per cent it remains the largest customer for robotics and automation, said Mr. Wenzel. The turnover generated by the robotics manufacturers in 2010 came in on EUR 2 billion, which is 24 per cent more than in 2009. With respect to the current year,

further growth in the region of at least 10 per cent to EUR 2.2 billion is expected. Apart from the automotive industry, it was the food industry that significantly increased its use of robotics on the German market in 2010. Robot manufacturers have also identified the global pharmaceutical, cosmetics and plastics industries as sectors with significant robotic investment potential. In 2010 global robot deliveries, especially to Asia, and in particular to China, augmented markedly, reaching new heights. In particular the electronics and automotive industry have splashed out on new equipment. Although global robotics sales to Europe and America increased tangibly compared to 2009, they did not reach the record levels of 2008. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has just announced that 115,000 industrial robots were supplied in 2010. This means that the number of units sold worldwide has nearly doubled compared to the weak preceding year. IFR expects a bright future for robotics, especially due to the massive demand from China and other Asian growth regions. Robot sales are expected to grow by 10 to 15 per cent in 2011. This would mean a new record of 130,000 units sold. Mr. Wenzel observed: Because of the catastrophe in Japan, supply chains, possibly also for robotics, could be affected. This may lead to longer delivery periods for components. To what extent the delivery

MI-May-11.indd 98

5/9/2011 2:24:10 PM

automation
period for robots will be influenced remains to be seen. Assembly and handling technology reached a growth in turnover of 17 per cent to EUR 4.3 billion in 2010. After orders received and turnover had plummeted in 2009, first the manufacturers of components managed to achieve a considerable increase. Systems turnover improved only moderately in 2010, whereas orders received have already risen sharply by two thirds. The resulting turnover, however, will not be realised before 2011 or 2012. Exports of assembly and handling technology increased by nearly 29 per cent in 2010. In particular China, central and eastern Europe as well as France boosted foreign sales and are expected to do so also in the current year. The manufacturers of assembly and handling technology see themselves well-prepared, because new electronic devices (e.g., tablet PCs) and ever shorter model cycles for electrical consumer goods massively promote electronics and semiconductor production. Industrial machine vision, where turnover in 2010 increased by 32 per cent to EUR 1.3 billion, has achieved a new record figure. With domestic turnover rising by 23 per cent, the sector nearly managed to reach its record mark of 2008. In all other regions, and in particular in Asia with top performer China, new all-time highs have been recorded. For 2011 companies sampled expect their turnover to grow by 11 per cent to EUR 1.4 billion, a hitherto unrivalled result. Automated photovoltaic production has already started using robots, assembly and handling technology as well as machine vision to achieve grid parity for solar energy. Another task at hand is the optimisation of battery production. To achieve a breakthrough for

electro mobility, large quantities of high-performance batteries are needed, and their profitable production largely depends on clever automation solutions, explains the VDMA Robotics and Automation Chairman. Robots, handling technology and machine vision enable the production of particularly lightweight body panels made of fibre-reinforced composites for highly economical cars. w

first ever automationexpo a big success


Chennai Trade Centre hosted AutomationExpo 2011 during April 21-23, the regions most comprehensive automation technology showcase. It was the first-ever focused exhibition organised in south India where exhibitors offered automation solutions for all industry segments. The exhibition covered factory automation, process automation, building automation, drives & controls, robotics, instrumentation, sensors and solutions. Over 100 exhibitors from across five countries showcased the cutting-edge solutions in automation technology at the event which presented the finest opportunity for visitors to view whats new and how can automation upgrade and make more efficient their manufacturing facilities or services. AutomationExpo 2011 had exhibitors from, besides India, Germany, Singapore, China, Holland and the US, and the show had some of the biggest names in the field of automation technology, such as, Schmalz, Sercos, B & R Automation, Rockwell Automation, Sick India, Pepprl + Fuchs, Schneider Electric, Bosch, Delta, Multivista Automation, Cryotron Magndrives, Trio Motion, ECI, Jove Multisystems, etc. The exhibition saw several world class automation solution providers presenting their technology in the region for the very first time. Innovations, product launches and state-of-art solutions were all the high point of the exhibition. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 99

MI-May-11.indd 99

5/9/2011 2:24:11 PM

men at the helm

new Ceo & md of rnaipl


Renault-Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd. (RNAIPL) has announced the appointment of Mr. Kou Kimura as the new Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director for its manufacturing facility at Oragadam, near Chennai. Mr. Kimura who was promoted from his previous position of SVP Plant Operations of the Oragadam facility replaces Mr. Akira Sakurai who successfully steered RNAIPL operations in the initial phase of production. Mr. Sakurai has now been appointed SVP Manufacturing & In, dustrial Engineering Division at the corporate headquarters in Japan. Mr. Kimura is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Touhoku University in Japan. He started his career in Nissan Motor Ltd.s (NML) Oppama Plant in Japan in 1977. Before coming to India, he has held various positions with Nissan in Japan and the UK.

seki inaba new hsCi director (marketing)


Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. (HSCI) has appointed Mr. Seki Inaba as Director, Marketing, with effect from April 1. He takes over from Mr. Tatsuya Natsume who moves to Philippines as President and CEO, Honda Philippines. Mr. Natsume had been associated with HSCI for the past four years and played a significant role in the growth of the company. On his experience in India, Mr. Natsume said: India is one of the most dynamic economies and among the fastest growing automobile markets in the world. It has been a great experience and an exciting journey for me to be a part of HSCI. I will take back good memories of my stay in India and look forward to my new assignment. Mr. Inaba will be one of the nine directors at HSCI and will be heading marketing, sales and after-sales operations, reporting directly to the President and CEO, Mr. Takashi Nagai. Mr. Inaba has been associated with Honda for more than two decades and brings with him excellent sales & marketing experience with an in-depth understanding of consumer trends in different markets.

Ms. Jayshree Venkatraman passes away


MOTORINDIA deeply mourns the sad demise of Ms. Jayshree Venkatraman, Chairman of AMCO Batteries Ltd., on April 5. It is an irony that Ms. Jayshree passed away within days of her being appointed Chairman of the company. Young and highly-talented, Ms. Jayshree had been guiding the fortunes of AMCO Batteries all these years and had taken the company to great heights despite stiff competition from rivals in the field.
100 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 100

5/9/2011 2:24:12 PM

men at the helm

b. muthuraman is new Cii president


Mr. B. Muthuraman, Vice Chairman, Tata Steel Ltd., and Chairman, Tata International Ltd., has been elected President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2011-12. He succeeds Mr. Hari Bhartia. A. B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Madras, Mr. Muthuraman also holds an MBA degree from XLRI Jamshedpur. He joined Tata Steel in 1966 and has held various positions in the company. He is on the boards of several companies like Bosch Ltd., Tata Industries and Strategic Energy Technology Systems Pvt. Ltd. He is also Chairman of the Board of Governors of XLRI and the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jamshedpur. A member of the Business Advisory Council of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Mr. Muthuraman is the recipient of several prestigious Awards like the Distinguished Alumnus Award, IIT Madras (1997), Tata Gold Medal, Indian Institute of Metals (2002), CEO of the Year Award, IIMM (2002) and the National HRD Network Pathfinders Award 2004 in the CEO category.

dr. sakakibara chosen new ifr president


The IFR Executive Board has elected Dr. Shinsuke Sakakibara, Managing Counselor, Fanuc Corporation, Japan, and Mr. Arturo Baroncelli, Comau Robotics, Italy, as the new IFR President and Vice President respectively. Dr. Sakakibara Dr. Shinsuke Sakakibara has announced that he will continue to strengthen IFR as the most important organization for the world robotics community. The key focus areas will be continuing strong publication-related activities, the acquisition of members associations of emerging robot markets and the implementation of a new concept of the worldwide robotics conference, the ISR. I am looking forward to a close and fruitful co-operation with our members and the IFR Secretariat. Mr. Arturo Baroncelli stated: Let us continue to work together for a further growth of IFR and the development of Mr. Arturo Baroncelli the robot industry. Mr. Baroncelli is member of the IFR Executive Board since 2008. Between 1998 and 2009 he was Executive Board Member of SIRI, the Italian Robotics association. In 2005, he was presented the Engelberger Award for Application. w

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 101

MI-May-11.indd 101

5/9/2011 2:24:14 PM

statistics
Comparative Production, domestic sales and exports date for : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment
Apr-Mar10

(Number of Vehicles)
(%change)

Production
Apr-Mar11 (%change)

Domestic Sales
Apr-Mar10 Apr-Mar11 (%change) Apr-Mar10

Exports
Apr-Mar11

I Passenger Vehicles (PVs) Passenger Cars 1932,620 2453,113 UVs 272,883 318,576 MPVs 151,908 215,607 Total Passenger Vehicles (PVs) 2357,411 2987,296 II Commercial Vehicles (CVs) M&HCVs Passenger Carriers 46,011 54,552 Goods Carriers 204,122 289,990 Total M&HCVs 250,133 344,542 LCVs Passenger Carriers 34,746 38,008 Goods Carriers 282,677 370,185 Total LCVs 317,423 408,193 Total II Commercial Vehicles (CVs) 567,556 752,735 III Three Wheelers Passenger Carrier 530,438 698,811 Goods Carrier 88,756 100,742 Total Three Wheelers 619,194 799,553 IV Two wheelers Scooter/Scooterettee 1494,409 2144,765 Motorcycles/Step-Throughs 8444,857 10527,111 Mopeds 571,070 704,575 Electric Two Wheelers 2,567 0 Total Two wheelers 10512,903 13376,451 Grand Total 14057,064 17916,035

26.93 16.74 41.93 26.72

1528,337 272,740 150,256 1951,333

1982,702 324,212 213,507 2520,421

29.73 18.87 42.10 29.16

441,709 2,823 1,613 446,145

447,403 3,789 2,287 453,479

1.29 34.22 41.79 1.64

18.56 42.07 37.74 9.39 30.96 28.60 32.63 31.74 13.50 29.13

43,083 201,861 244,944 34,413 253,364 287,777 532,721 349,868 90,524 440,392

47,553 275,235 322,788 37,480 316,140 353,620 676,408 426,943 99,079 526,022

10.38 36.35 31.78 8.91 24.78 22.88 26.97 22.03 9.45 19.44 41.79 22.86 23.53 25.82 26.17

6,069 14,356 20,425 2,706 21,878 24,584 45,009 172,468 746 173,214 30,125 1102,978 6,905 50 1140,058 1804,426

10,605 18,667 29,272 3,799 43,226 47,025 76,297 268,434 1,533 269,967 52,312 1480,983 6,295 0 1539,590 2339,333

74.74 30.03 43.31 40.39 97.58 91.28 69.51 55.64 105.50 55.86 73.65 34.27 -8.83 35.04 29.64

43.52 1462,534 2073,797 24.66 7341,122 9019,090 23.38 564,584 697,418 2,711 0 27.24 9370,951 11790,305 27.45 12295,397 15513,156

summary report (Media) for the month of : March 2011


Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer
I Passenger Vehicles ( PVs ) A: Passenger Cars BMW India Pvt Ltd Fiat India Automobiles Pvt Ltd Ford India Pvt Ltd General Motors India Pvt Ltd Hindustan Motors Ltd Honda Siel Cars India Ltd Hyundai Motor India Ltd Mahindra Renault Pvt Ltd Maruti Suzuki India Ltd Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd SkodaAuto India Pvt Ltd Tata Motors Ltd Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd Volkswagen - Audi Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd Total A: Passenger Cars

(Number of Vehicles) Exports Cumulative April-March

Production For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March

Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010


559 2,159 9,063 9,464 1,062 5,862 31,501 351 67,978 419 21 1,824 23,865 1,120 153 744 156,145

Cumulative April-March

For the month of March 2010

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11


767 1,865 10,154 7,750 845 3,520 31,701 1,018 95,388 718 2,072 2,734 22,841 4,277 454 8,095 194,199 3,461 24,804 34,324 70,636 9,037 61,329 314,967 5,332 765,533 3,611 207 17,502 201,399 10,140 1,961 4,094 1528,337

2011 2009-10 2010-11


0 0 1,114 1,364 1,537 12,155 486 399 0 1 105 89 285,658 233,069 1,000 1,904 146,156 136,026 0 0 0 55,321 16 0 5,637 7,075 0 0 0 0 0 0 441,709 447,403

328 794 2,765 5,347 2,723 2,011 26,196 21,816 7,819 12,217 36,573 109,468 9,672 8,807 69,118 90,027 997 786 9,013 7,179 6,340 6,765 65,735 60,484 53,775 58,992 589,536 594,601 614 1,005 6,225 11,702 84,156 109,003 920,292 1105,067 400 575 3,369 5,732 0 10,277 0 75,029 1,503 2,993 15,576 22,197 22,949 29,837 178,097 271,544 962 4,538 9,797 19,336 0 0 0 0 0 8,166 328 53,584 192,238 256,766 1932,620 2453,113

6,281 0 0 21,112 200 122 95,395 154 1,578 87,153 33 26 7,202 0 0 58,951 18 9 358,904 23,534 23,730 10,009 0 0 966,447 15,443 11,383 5,987 0 0 12,551 0 13,457 21,693 0 0 256,202 329 289 19,225 0 0 3,982 0 0 51,608 0 0 1982,702 39,711 50,594

102 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 102

5/9/2011 2:24:14 PM

statistics
summary report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March March 2010
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 379 0 0 0 0 41 0 420

(Number of Vehicles) Exports Cumulative April-March

For the month of

2011 2009-10 2010-11


176 1,161 380 1,378 223 0 0 21 16,434 1,179 0 0 375 4,929 5,348 31,604

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11


0 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 254 27 0 0 0 38 0 354 0 19 0 7 0 0 0 38 2,109 57 0 0 0 593 0 2,823 0 73 0 5 0 0 0 0 2,719 226 0 0 0 766 0 3,789

B: Utility Vehicles (UVs) BMW India Pvt Ltd 0 Force Motors Ltd 708 Ford India Pvt Ltd 451 General Motors India Pvt Ltd 1,653 Hindustan Motors Ltd 281 Honda Siel Cars India Ltd 0 Hyundai Motor India Ltd 0 Intematlonal Cars & Motors Ltd 82 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 14,446 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd 833 Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd 0 Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd 0 SkodaAuto India Pvt Ltd 0 Tata Motors Ltd 4,731 Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd 5,739 Total B: Utility Vehicles (UVs) 28,924 C: Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPVs), Van type Force Motors Ltd 0 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 0 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd 11,099 Tata Motors Ltd 4,347 Total C: MPVs, Van type 15,446 Total Passenger Vehicles (PVs) 236,608 II Commercial Vehicles (CVs) M&HCVs A: Passenger Carriers Ashok Leyland Ltd 2,107 JCBL Ltd 21 SML Isuzu Ltd 337 Tata Motors Ltd 2,064 VE CVs - Eicher 210 Volvo Buses India Pvt. Ltd. 52 Total A: Passenger Carriers 4,791 B: Goods Carriers Ashok Leyland Ltd 7,220 Asia Motor Works Ltd 352 Daimler India Commercial Vehicles 0 Force Motors Ltd 0 Mahindra Navistar Automotives 0 Mercedes Benz India Pvt Ltd 33 SML Isuzu Ltd 403 Tata Motors Ltd 19,414 VE CVs - Eicher 2,500 VE CVs - Volvo 122 Total B: Goods Carriers 30,044 Total M&HCVs 34,835 II Commercial Vehicles (CVa) LCVs A: Passenger Carriers Ashok Leyland Ltd 120 Force Motors Ltd 765 Hindustan Motors Ltd 0 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 421 Mahindra Navistar Automotives 0 SML Isuzu Ltd 223 Tata Motors Ltd 1,971 VE CVs - Eicher 194

0 393 46 260 480 798 5,899 8,749 718 1,166 5,917 8,645 2,649 3,147 415 331 2,599 3,142 14,918 18,502 1,833 1,615 16,453 20,063 1,643 2,578 278 220 1,654 2,570 0 0 66 56 474 512 0 0 0 121 14 467 819 610 70 20 1,010 611 153,618 172,714 14,247 16,350 150,627 170,214 4,572 5,015 677 620 3,932 5,666 0 0 21 113 149 683 0 0 68 29 212 479 0 1,469 0 275 0 1,276 35,206 40,923 4,038 4,959 35,516 44,223 53,559 64,476 5,791 5,449 53,703 64,863 272,883 318,576 28,268 31,584 272,740 324,212

51 0 327 0 33 0 237 0 0 668 0 1,218 0 579 0 889 0 0 14,734 103,015 163,279 10,875 14,416 101,325 160,626 150 118 4,794 48,893 50,783 4,366 5,030 48,931 51,755 0 31 20,247 151,908 215,607 15,241 20,058 150,256 213,507 150 149 308,617 2357,411 2987,296 199,654 245,841 1951,333 2520,421 40,281 51,097

0 0 0 0 1,362 2,014 251 273 1,613 2,287 446,145 453,479

2,031 12 385 1,612 283 71 4,394 8,850 774 11 0 159 0 568 20,017 3,028 118 33,525 37,919

19,604 179 2,281 21,238 2,125 584 46,011

24,795 67 3,474 22,944 2,702 570 54,552

2,263 21 341 2,482 237 62 5,406

2,312 12 560 2,158 286 72 5,400

16,405 179 1,863 22,101 1,928 607 43,083

20,425 67 3,363 20,696 2,442 560 47,553

281 0 25 506 0 0 812

416 0 1 439 22 0 878 412 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,195 201 0 1,808 2,686

2,080 0 110 3,741 138 0 6,069 3,616 0 0 0 0 0 161 9,103 1,476 0 14,356 20,425

4,808 0 8 5,574 200 15 10,605 5,334 0 0 0 0 0 178 11,824 1,331 0 18,667 29,272

43,943 69,535 6,959 8,884 40,730 62,674 475 3,525 6,578 563 815 3,792 6,793 0 0 193 0 48 0 214 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,536 0 218 0 843 0 174 101 7 0 215 83 0 4,189 4,826 484 589 3,864 4,447 0 130,976 177,140 18,365 21,180 133,036 171,431 980 20,415 29,005 2,701 3,262 19,218 27,748 113 899 1,076 85 70 1,006 1,002 0 204,122 289,990 29,164 35,066 201,861 275,235 1,568 250,133 344,542 34,570 40,466 244,944 322,788 2,380

134 859 0 0 397 330 1,547 439

1,126 5,948 1 5,246 0 1,948 18,254 2,223

983 8,473 4 0 4,844 2,864 17,825 3,015

77 738 0 456 0 246 2,143 266

116 889 0 0 355 383 1,813 404

812 5,779 4 5,025 0 1,835 19,162 1,796

699 8,332 4 0 4,785 3.020 18,123 2,517

12 4 0 0 0 0 190 0

28 5 0 0 0 2 591 45

283 161 0 247 0 28 1,581 406

164 122 0 12 0 34 3,016 451

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 103

MI-May-11.indd 103

5/9/2011 2:24:14 PM

statistics
summary report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010
3,960 0 1,008 28 10,893 306 680 127 19,450 770 33,262 37,222 77,688

(Number of Vehicles) Exports Cumulative April-March


671 0 77 0 1,528 0 0 93 3,349 75 5,122 5,793 8,479 2,706 0 71 0 7,289 0 52 473 13,357 636 21,878 24,584 45,009 3,799 0 208 0 11,809 0 18 547 29,520 1,124 43,226 47,025 76,297

Cumulative April-March
34,413 0 5,730 281 81,291 0 11,094 1,802 149,322 3,844 253,364 287,777 532,721 37,480 1 8,126 324 103,661 5,449 9,124 1,273 182,895 5,287 316,140 353,620 676,408

For the month of March 2010


206 0 13 0 1,039 0 12 5 2,059 52 3,180 3,386 5,766

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

Total A: Passenger Carriers 3,694 3,706 34,746 38,008 3,926 B: Goods Carriers Ashok Leyland Ltd 0 0 0 24 0 Force Motors Ltd 787 975 5,735 8,849 846 Hindustan Motors Ltd 55 16 277 341 54 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 11,763 12,481 90,214 115,906 10,518 Mahindra Navistar Automotives 0 377 0 5,701 0 Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd 904 653 11,095 9,140 927 SML lsuzu Ltd 111 183 1,871 1,716 279 Tata Motors Ltd 19,427 23,553 168,744 221,376 15,787 VE CVs - Eicher 432 753 4,741 7,132 445 Total B: Goods Carriers 33,479 38,991 282,677 370,185 28,856 Total LCVs 37,173 42,697 317,423 408,193 32,782 Total Commercial Vehicles 72,008 80,616 567,556 752,735 67,352 III Three Wheelers A: Passenger Carrier Atul Auto Limited 712 898 5,049 10,456 785 Bajaj Auto Ltd 34,031 40,533 337,125 435,721 12,579 Force Motors Ltd 2 192 1,068 293 34 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 2,779 4,602 31,723 47,741 2,845 Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd 12,486 13,233 134,650 157,370 11,504 Scooters India Ltd 760 839 5,965 7,118 667 TVS Motor Company Ltd 2,450 4,427 14,858 40,112 2,060 Total A: Passenger Carrier 53,220 64,724 530,438 698,811 30,474 B: Goods Carrier Atul Auto limited 719 1,065 7,330 8,865 717 Bajaj Auto Ltd 373 602 9,082 4,679 1,718 Force Motors Ltd 100 0 1,231 15 118 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 1,690 1,875 13,994 17,462 1,527 Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd 5,383 5,856 50,906 62,458 5,081 Scooters India Ltd 812 901 6,213 7,263 716 Total B: Goods Carrier 9,077 10,299 88,756 100,742 9,877 Total Three Wheelers 62,297 75,023 619,194 799,553 40,351 IV Two wheelers A: Scooter/Scooterettee Bajaj Auto Ltd 0 0 4,460 0 62 Hero Honda Motors Ltd 22,940 37,559 212,751 360,443 23,550 Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India 78,459 79,786 753,517 906,324 77,618 LML Limited NA NA NA NA NA Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd 13,675 11,123 69,772 170,714 12,753 Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd 17,250 21,653 141,353 230,718 17,416 TVS Motor Company Ltd 30,678 49,187 312,556 476,566 27,376 Total A: Scooter/Scooterettee 163,002 199,308 1494,409 2144,765 158,775 B: Motorcycles/Step-Through Bajaj Auto Ltd 257,871 307,005 2513,903 3404,103 194,784 Hero Honda Motors Ltd 394,053 477,886 4383,493 5048,251 381,690 Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India 68,630 64,973 524,677 743,869 59,260 India Yamaha Motor Pvt Ltd 24,899 35,504 283,971 362,345 17,864 LML Limited NA NA NA NA NA
104 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

930 4,986 10,261 0 18 17,128 164,502 201,246 15,070 15,576 0 477 36 42 70 3,964 30,642 45,083 180 156 11,763 130,138 141,042 498 1,492 731 5,723 6,918 0 0 1,510 13,400 22,357 518 2,917 36,026 349,868 426,943 16,308 20,229 1,059 7,302 8,889 0 0 645 11,548 4,357 0 0 1 1,222 107 0 0 1,805 13,796 17,059 156 96 5,881 50,659 61,549 47 29 730 5,997 7,118 0 0 10,121 90,524 99,079 203 125 46,147 440,392 526,022 16,511 20,354

29 250 164,909 231,107 602 154 609 2,265 4,603 17,155 0 0 1,716 17,503 172,468 268,434 28 6 0 174 9 0 313 333 396 1,020 0 0 746 1,533 173,214 269,967

0 35,732 80,085 NA 12,771 21,565 40,980 191,133 220,081 468,720 57,177 25,784 NA

3,760 208,440 739,947 NA 70,008 140,983 299,396 1462,534 1781,768 4293,991 452,116 223,305 NA

27 342,991 893,335 NA 158,733 230,603 448,108 2073,797

0 784 782 NA 112 0 1,128 2,806

0 2,240 1,232 NA 224 0 1,675 5,371

1,092 5,832 11,397 NA 1,592 146 10,066 30,125

0 18,482 13,792 NA 1,738 144 18,156 52,312

2414,603 50,064 54,308 4926,390 8,614 9,160 658,067 6,769 8,697 277,546 9,596 10,984 NA NA NA

725,097 972,437 91,867 114,581 68,121 90,445 65,123 95,529 NA NA

MI-May-11.indd 104

5/9/2011 2:24:14 PM

statistics
summary report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March March 2010 (Number of Vehicles) Exports For the month of Cumulative April-March

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd 0 49 0 8,556 0 0 0 5,181 Royal Enfield (Unit of Eicher Ltd) 4,702 6,277 52,780 57,351 4,369 5,952 50,098 54,475 Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd 4,490 6,056 49,157 51,648 4,119 5,647 47,486 50,678 TVS Motor Company Ltd 66,700 73,721 636,876 850,988 46,283 57,580 492,358 632,150 Total B: Motorcycles/Step-Through 821,345 971,471 8444,857 10527,111 708,369 840,941 7341,122 9019,090 C: Mopeds TVS Motor Company Ltd 54,521 65,443 571,070 704,575 53,010 64,159 564,584 697,418 Total C: Mopeds 54,521 65,443 571,070 704,575 53,010 64,159 564,584 697,418 D: Electric Two Wheelers Electrotherm (india) Ltd NA NA 2,549 NA NA NA 2,482 NA TVS Motor Company Ltd 0 0 18 0 0 0 229 0 D: Electric Two Wheelers 0 0 2,567 0 0 0 2,711 0 Total Two wheelers 1038,868 1236,222 10512,903 13376,451 920,154 1096,233 9370,951 11790,305 Grand Total of All Categorles 1409,781 1700,478 14057,064 17916,035 1227,511 1465,909 12295,397 15513,156

0 0 0 0 387 410 2,216 2,606 220 116 2,111 704 17,837 22,062 148,443 204,681 93,487 105,737 1102,978 1480,983 1,102 1,102 325 325 6,905 6,905 6,295 6,295

NA NA 50 NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 97,395 111,433 1140,058 1539,590 159,953 191,363 1804,426 2339,333

Company-wise summary report for the month of : March 2011


Ashok Leyland Ltd 11,015 Asia Motor Works Ltd 774 Atul Auto Limited 1,963 Bajaj Auto Ltd 348,140 BMW India Pvt Ltd 970 Daimler India Commercial Vehicles 11 Fiat India Automobiles Pvt Ltd 2,011 Force Motors Ltd 3,238 Ford India Pvt Ltd 12,597 General Motors India Pvt Ltd 10,185 Hero Honda Motors Ltd 515,445 Hindustan Motors Ltd 1,025 Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India 144,759 Honda Siel Cars India Ltd 6,765 Hyundai Motor India Ltd 58,992 India Yamaha Motor Pvt Ltd 35,504 International Cars & Motors Ltd 21 JCBL Ltd 12 LML Limited NA Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 36,060 Mahindra Navistar Automotives 933 Mahindra Renault Pvt Ltd 1,005 Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd 11,172 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd 124,916 Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd 575 Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd 10,277 Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd 19,742 Royal Enfield (Unit of Eicher Ltd) 6,277 Scooters India Ltd 1,740 SkodaAuto India Pvt Ltd 3,368 SML Isuzu Ltd 1,466 Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd 27,709 Tata Motors Ltd 86,289 Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd 9,886 TVS Motor Company Ltd 192,778 VE CVs - Eicher 4,503 VE CVs - Volvo 118 Volkswagen - Audi 0 Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd 8,166 Volvo Buses India Pvt. Ltd. 71 Total 1700,478 16.60 119.89 37.18 19.11 195.73 -26.15 37.09 52.32 -10.07 23.61 -23.11 -1.58 6.70 9.70 42.59 -74.39 -42.86 15.95 63.68 -18.30 30.00 32.79 5.16 33.50 10.69 124.09 36.50 27.46 15.20 47.53 24.90 34.98 -3.28 36.54 20.62 95,337 47.41 11,312 21.65 83,799 44.61 856 11.46 10,306 6,578 86.61 815 44.76 6,793 79.14 0 0 19,321 56.08 1,989 32.42 19,150 55.84 18 256 3844,503 34.21 237,854 13.73 2620,233 33.58 69,884 7.29 1203,718 5,740 107.59 1,027 69.75 7,079 79.62 0 0 193 48 214 0 0 21,816 16.72 1,865 -13.62 21,112 -14.88 122 -39.00 1,364 26,706 34.32 3,097 26.20 25,483 33.24 187 216.95 557 112,615 187.12 10,485 10.62 98,537 166.87 1,578 924.68 12,155 108,529 29.15 9,365 -17.10 107,216 23.11 26 -21.21 404 5408,694 17.68 504,452 24.48 5269,381 17.03 11,400 21.30 133,063 10,102 -7.61 1,093 -21.59 10,100 -7.98 0 1 1650,193 29.10 137,262 0.28 1551,402 30.14 9,929 31.49 104,237 60,484 -7.99 3,576 -39.68 59,463 -3.79 9 -50.00 89 594,601 0.86 31,822 1.02 359,371 14.09 23,730 0.83 233,069 362,345 27.60 25,784 44.33 277,546 24.29 10,984 14.46 95,529 610 -25.52 20 -71.43 611 -39.50 0 0 67 -62.57 12 -42.86 67 -62.57 0 0 NA NA NA NA NA 355,041 20.44 33,591 13.51 336,906 19.73 2,034 15.96 17,138 12,081 879 - 11,077 0 0 11,702 87.98 1,018 190.03 10,009 87.72 0 1,904 179,270 156.94 12,771 0.14 163,914 134.14 224 100.00 1,738 1273,361 23.88 110,424 38.85 1132,739 30.08 11,528 -26.07 138,266 5,833 64.63 831 85.91 6,753 69.89 0 0 75,029 - 2,101 2,260.67 13,030 3,009.79 13,457 55,321 228,968 16.43 18,324 4.64 211,715 10.33 1,521 173.07 18,193 57,351 8.66 5,952 36.23 54,475 8.74 410 5.94 2,606 14,381 18.09 1,461 5.64 14,036 19.76 0 0 23,666 51.94 3,009 64.97 22,969 31.24 0 0 12,880 25.18 1,659 22.89 12,103 29.25 96 220.00 767 282,366 48.22 27,212 26.36 281,281 49.25 116 -47.27 848 802,535 33.44 77,431 8.99 745,325 22.29 5,932 44.51 58,048 83,812 32.29 9,726 40.73 84,088 31.71 0 0 2072,241 34.97 164,229 27.58 1800,033 31.39 26,979 31.06 246,635 41,854 41.86 4,722 29.41 37,994 41.84 343 107.88 3,106 1,076 19.69 70 -17.65 1,002 -0.40 0 0 0 454 196.73 3,982 103.06 0 0 53,584 16,236.59 8,095 988.04 51,608 1,160.58 0 0 570 -2.40 72 16.13 560 -7.74 0 15 17916,035 27.45 1465,909 19.42 15513,156 26.17 191,363 19.64 2339,333 72.37 349.12 35.08 22.44 -35.38 690.83 -18.05 36.20 31.09 -15.24 -18.41 46.69 62.18 90.40 9.17 -6.31 260.19 17.60 -0.65 -62.43 69.42 47.57 16.94 29.64

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 105

MI-May-11.indd 105

5/9/2011 2:24:15 PM

statistics
Flash report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March March 2010 (Number of Vehicles) Exports For the month of Cumulative April-March

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

I Passenger Vehicles (PVs) A : Passenger Cars - No. of seats including driving not exceeding 6 A1: Mini - (Upto 3400 mm) Maruti Suzuki India (Maruti 800) 3,008 3,757 39,356 Tata Motors (Nano) 4,330 9,317 29,639 Total 7,338 13,074 69,195 A2: Compact (3401-4000mm) Fiat India Automobiles (Palio, Fiat 500, Grande Punto) 1,409 1,234 14,934 Ford India (Fusion, Figo) 5,934 10,650 8,505 General Motors (Spark, U-VA, Beat) 8,306 7,719 60,320 Honda Siel Cars India (Jazz) 960 240 10,209 Hyundai Motor India Ltd (Santro, Getz, i10, i20) 49,616 54,164 542,369 Maruti Suzuki India (Alto, Wagon R, Zen-Estilo, Swift, Ritz, A Star) 70,756 91,294 781,059 Nissan Motor India (Micra) 0 10,277 0 SkodaAuto India (Fabia) 536 1,800 5,947 Tata Motors (Indica) 14,108 12,524 122,001 Toyota Kirloskar Motor (Etios-Liva) 0 0 0 Volkswagen India (Polo) 0 3,919 0 Total 151,625 193,821 1545,344 A3: Mid-size (4001-4500 mm) BMW India Pvt Ltd (Z4 Roadster) 0 0 0 Ford India (Ford Ikon, Fusion, Fiesta) 1,885 1,567 28,068 General Motors (Chevrolet Aveo (NB)) 512 146 3,832 Hindustan Motors (Ambassador, Lancer, Cedia) 997 786 9,013 Honda Siel Cars India (City) 4,112 5,805 45,980 Hyundai Motor India (Accent, Verna) 4,109 4,810 46,741 Mahindra Renault Pvt Ltd (Logan) 614 1,005 6,225 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (SX4, Dzire) 10,392 13,952 99,877 Nissan Motor India (Nissan 370Z) 0 0 0 Tata Motors (Indigo, Indigo Marina) 4,511 7,996 26,257 Toyota Kirloskar Motor (Etios-Sedan) 0 3,587 0 Volkswagen - Audi (TT, R8) 0 0 0 Volkswagen India (Beetle, Vento) 0 4,066 0 Total 27,132 43,720 265,993 A4: Executive (4501-4700 mm) BMW India Pvt Ltd (3 Series) 280 594 1,531 Fiat India Automobiles (Linea) 1,314 777 11,262 General Motors (Chev Optra (NB), Cruze) 854 942 4,966 Honda Siel Cars India (Civic) 1,088 420 6,689 Hyundai Motor India (Elantra) 0 18 0 Maruti Suzuki India (Kizashi) 0 0 0 Mercedes-Benz India (C-Class, SLK Roadster, CLK Cabriolet, E-Coupe) 98 266 1,585 SkodaAuto India (Octavia, Laura) 657 725 6,463 Toyota Kirloskar Motor (Corolla) 962 951 9,797 Volkswagen - Audi (Q5) 0 0 0 Volkswagen India (Jetta) 0 0 273 Total 5,253 4,693 42,566 A5: Premium (4701-5000 mm) BMW India (5 & 6 Series) 48 200 1,234 Honda Siel Cars India (Accord) 180 300 2,857 Hyundai Motor India (Sonata) 50 0 426
106 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

39,338 67,963 107,301 12,862 90,633 74,207 3,510

2,762 2,915 4,710 8,707 7,472 11,622 956 7,210 8,195 571 1,106 8,926 6,448 152

33,028 30,350 63,378 13,676 7,825 61,022 7,541

26,485 70,432 96,917 12,102 78,116 72,062 4,862

1,014 0 1,014 151 0 33 2

598 0 598 92 1,478 26 2

5,626 0 5,626 756 0 402 51

12,462 0 12,462 1,200 11,017 265 17

537,451 28,749 29,896 284,109 323,538 21,966 20,592 933,076 54,763 78,460 633,190 808,552 14,355 10,757 75,029 0 2,060 0 12,302 0 13,457 11,233 769 1,753 6,501 11,078 0 0 143,278 11,618 6,937 114,415 97,845 315 262 58 0 0 0 0 0 0 29,124 456 3,881 698 28,904 0 0 1910,461 113,287 139,619 1128,977 1449,361 36,822 46,666 180 18,835 4,050 13 1,853 419 10 1,228 198 46 26,499 3,793 264 17,279 3,586 0 154 0 0 16 1,568 0 74 0 14 0 0 0 1,826 0 49 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 49 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 6 3,138 0 28 0 27 0 0 0 3,299 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 1 0

266,664 210,220 139,991 122,867 0 55,321 16 0 4,739 5,652 0 0 0 0 412,619 406,559 0 1,537 81 0 54 18,994 1,000 539 0 898 0 0 0 23,103 0 358 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 361 0 0 0 0 1,138 129 1 60 22,849 1,904 697 0 1,423 0 0 0 28,201 0 164 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 172 0 9 0

7,179 1,062 845 49,898 4,338 2,773 56,931 2,708 1,782 11,702 351 1,018 132,653 10,453 13,910 0 0 1 60,303 7,537 7,197

9,037 7,202 45,028 46,631 30,418 35,099 5,332 10,009 99,315 131,272 0 10 56,634 87,925

8,575 0 3,257 0 8,101 0 0 3 0 30 20,049 62 3,994 192 18,778 370,355 28,796 36,216 276,294 366,186 2,462 8,954 11,770 4,692 18 0 2,337 6,859 10,703 0 3,591 51,386 2,705 2,384 201 298 1,203 850 742 0 0 101 721 983 32 142 5,072 194 211 44 305 759 1,104 379 0 103 360 591 953 110 205 4,869 392 216 23 1,517 11,128 5,821 5,985 0 0 1,675 7,831 9,743 293 2,444 46,437 1,509 2,775 440 2,381 9,010 11,505 5,012 2 138 2,766 6,598 10,707 803 3,221 52,143 3,080 2,446 265

MI-May-11.indd 106

5/9/2011 2:24:15 PM

statistics
Flash report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March
1,438 207 3,170 397 1,202 760 11,898 389 2,662 239 4,017 417 2,383 663 16,172 556

(Number of Vehicles) Exports Cumulative April-March


0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0

For the month of March 2010


0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

Mercedes-Benz India (E-Class, ClS) 243 269 1,409 2,737 255 305 Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd (Teana) 0 0 0 0 21 11 SkodaAuto India Pvt Ltd (Superb) 310 468 3,166 4,105 334 390 Toyota Kirloskar Motor (Camry, Prius) 0 0 0 0 137 67 Volkswagen - Audi (A4, A6) 0 0 0 0 113 236 Volkswagen India (Passat, Touareg) 0 181 55 820 84 0 Total 831 1,418 9,147 12,952 1,393 1,640 AS: Luxury (5001mm & above) BMW India Pvt ltd (7 Series) 0 0 0 0 54 60 Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd (S-Class, SL-Roadster, Maybach) 59 40 375 658 63 53 Volkswagen - Audi (Q7, A8) 0 0 0 0 8 105 Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (Phaeton) 0 0 0 0 0 15 Total 59 40 375 658 125 233 Total Passenger Cars 192,238 256,766 1932,620 2453,113 156,145 194,199 I Passenger Vehicles (PVs) B: Utility Vehicles (UVs) B1: Max Mass upto 3.5 tonnes (a) : No. of seats including driver not exceeding 7 (M1 (B1)) BMW India Pvt Ltd (X3, X5, X6) 0 176 0 393 46 260 Force Motors Ltd (Trax) 14 20 39 49 15 20 Ford India Pvt Ltd (Endeavour) 451 380 2,649 3,147 415 331 General Motors India (Tavera, Captiva) 711 565 6,322 7,706 886 787 Hindustan Motors Ltd (Pajero) 281 223 1,643 2,578 278 220 Honda Siel Cars India Ltd (CR-V) 0 0 0 0 66 56 Hyundai Motor India Ltd (Tucson) 0 0 0 0 0 121 Mahindra & Mahindra (Scorpio, Bolero Soft Tops, Hard Tops, Xylo) 8,755 10,568 90,892 106,690 8,650 10,320 Maruti Suzuki lndia Ltd (Vitara) 0 0 0 0 19 14 Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd (GL-Class, M Class) 0 0 0 0 21 113 Nissan Motor India (X-Trail) 0 0 0 0 68 29 SkodaAuto India (Yeti) 0 375 0 1,469 0 275 Tata Motors Ltd (Safari) 2,474 3,015 19,817 26,329 2,012 2,688 Toyota Kirloskar Motor (lnnova, LC 200, Fortuner) 3,398 3,208 28,291 37,656 3,414 3,234 Total 16,084 18,530 149,653 186,017 15,890 18,468 (b) : No, of seats Including driver exceeding 7 but not exceeding 9 (7+1 & 8+1) (M1 (B2)) Force Motors Ltd (Trax) 0 0 10 0 0 0 General Motors India (Tavera) 105 95 1,517 1,371 105 94 International Cars & Motors (Rhino) 82 21 819 610 70 20 Mahindra & Mahindra (Scorpio, Bolero, Hard Tops, Soft Tops, Xylo) 5,507 5,866 54,975 64,572 5,402 6,025 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (Gypsy) 833 1,179 4,572 5,015 658 606 Tata Motors (Sumo, Safari, Winger) 2,032 1,866 9,157 13,672 603 507 Toyota Kirloskar Motor (Innova) 2,341 2,140 25,268 26,820 2,377 2,215 Total 10,900 11,167 96,318 112,060 9,215 9,467 Total B1 26,984 29,697 245,971 298,077 25,105 27,935 B2: Max. Mass upto 5 tonnes (a) : No, of seats including driver not exceeding 13 (M2 (A1)) Force Motors Ltd (Trax, Traveller) 694 1,141 5,850 8,700 703 1,146 General Motors India (Tavera) 837 718 7,079 9,425 842 734 Mahindra & Mahindra (Hard Tops, Bolero, Soft Tops) 184 0 7,751 1,452 195 5 Tata Motors Ltd (Sumo Winger) 225 48 6,232 922 1,423 1,764 Total B2 1,940 1,907 26,912 20,499 3,163 3,649 Total Utility vehicles (UVs) 28,924 31,604 272,883 318,576 28,268 31,584 C: Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) - Van type vehicles & Max Mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (M1 (C)) Van, Type

498 559 0 0 466 766 0 0 0 42 0 0 1,353 1,923 0 0 1528,337 1982,702 39,711 50,594

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 441,709 447,403

480 41 2,599 7,681 1,654 474 14

798 49 3,142 9,365 2,570 512 467

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 261 0 0 0 0 0 0 261 0 0 0 116 0 21 0 137 398 0 0 2 20 22 420

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 112 0 0 0 0 17 0 129 0 0 0 142 27 21 0 190 319 35 0 0 0 35 354

0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1,493 0 0 0 0 138 0 1,633 0 0 38 533 57 286 0 914 2,547 19 5 83 169 276 2,823

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,260 0 0 0 0 262 0 1,522 0 1 0 1,405 226 382 0 2,014 3,536 73 4 54 122 253 3,789

88,566 105,353 91 96 149 212 0 19,199 683 479 1,276 25,862

28,448 37,968 149,608 188,620 0 2,063 1,010 0 1,379 611

54,265 63,399 3,841 5,570 5,487 5,431 25,255 26,895 91,921 103,285 241,529 291,905 5,876 6,709 8,596 9,319

7,796 1,462 10,830 12,930 31,211 32,307 272,740 324,212

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 107

MI-May-11.indd 107

5/9/2011 2:24:15 PM

statistics
Flash report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March March 2010 (Number of Vehicles) Exports For the month of Cumulative April-March
0 0 0 0 1,362 2,014 251 273 1,613 2,287 446,145 453,479

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

Force Motors (Trip) 0 51 0 327 0 33 0 237 0 0 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (Gio) 0 668 0 1,218 0 579 0 889 0 0 Maruti Suzuki (Ominl, Versa/EECO) 11,099 14,734 103,015 163,279 10,875 14,416 101,325 160,626 150 118 Tata Motors (ACE Magic) 4,347 4,794 48,693 50,783 4,366 5,030 48,931 51,755 0 31 Tatal MPVs 15,446 20,247 151,908 215,607 15,241 20,058 150,256 213,507 150 149 Total Passenger Vehicles (PVs) 236,608 308,617 2357,411 2987,296 199,654 245,841 1951,333 2520,421 40,281 51,097 II Commercial Vehicles (CVs) M&HCVs A: Passenger Carriers A1: Max. Mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes (M3 (B1)) (b) : No. of seats including driver exceeding 13 (M3 (B2)) Ashok Leyland ltd 137 147 1,549 1,551 83 219 1,107 1,588 44 51 JCBL 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 SML Isuzu 326 378 2,236 3,400 339 541 1,821 3,287 25 1 Tata Motors ltd 349 368 4,343 5,473 559 652 5,251 5.684 5 58 VE CVs - Eicher 203 245 1,910 2,430 232 259 1,726 2,285 0 19 Total A1 1,015 1,138 10,039 12,854 1,213 1,671 9,906 12,844 74 129 A2: Max. Mass exceeding 12 but not exceeding16.2 tonnes (M3 (C)) (b) : No. of seats Including driver exceeding 13 (M3 (C2)) Ashok Leyland ltd 1,970 1,884 18,055 23,244 2,180 2,093 15,298 18,837 237 365 JCBL Ltd 21 12 178 67 21 12 178 67 0 0 SML Isuzu 11 7 45 74 2 19 42 76 0 0 Tata Motors 1,715 1,244 16,895 17,471 1,923 1,506 16,850 15,012 501 381 VE CVs - Eicher 7 38 215 272 5 27 202 157 0 3 Volvo Buses India 42 31 500 281 42 35 506 288 0 0 Total A2 3,766 3,216 35,888 41,409 4,173 3,692 33,076 34,437 738 749 A3 : No. of seats including driver exceeding 13 and max. mass exceeding 16.2 tonnes (M3 (D)) Passenger Carrier (D) Volvo Buses India 10 40 84 289 20 37 101 272 0 0 Total A3 10 40 84 289 20 37 101 272 0 0 Total M&HCVs (Passenger Carriers) 4,791 4,394 46,011 54,552 5,406 5,400 43,083 47,553 812 878 II Commercial Vehicles (CVs) M&HCVs B: Goods Carriers Bl : Max Mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes (N2 (A3)) Ashok Leyland Ltd 237 369 1,992 3,013 161 427 1,502 2,811 132 13 SML Isuzu Ltd 403 568 4,189 4,826 484 589 3,864 4,447 0 0 Tata Motors Ltd 2,228 2,079 20,471 18,898 2,872 3,042 21,214 25,489 256 204 VE CVs - Eicher 2,032 2,244 17,549 22,879 2,213 2,493 17,099 22,583 37 41 Total 4,900 5,260 44,201 49,616 5,730 6,551 43,679 55,330 425 258 B2: Max. Mass not exceeding 16.2 tonnes (N3 (A)) (a): Max. mass exceeding 12 tonnes but not exceeding 16.2 tonnes (N3 (A1)) Ashok Leyland Ltd 1,878 2,374 14,426 20,820 1,759 2,393 11,884 16,833 269 257 Tata Motors Ltd 5,803 5,937 39,688 52,189 4,599 5,766 35,496 41,122 377 715 VE CVs - Eicher 239 600 2,034 4,335 245 536 1,225 3,523 66 160 Total B2 7,920 8,911 56,148 77,344 6,603 8,695 48,605 61,478 712 1,132 B3: Max Mass exceeding 16.2 tonnes - Rigid Vehicles (N3 (B1)) (a) Max. mass exceeding 16.2 tonnes but not exceeding 25 tonnes Ashok Leyland Ltd 3,249 2,024 19,606 24,060 3,183 2,440 18,747 22,595 0 93 Asia Motor Works Ltd 232 696 2,872 5,796 446 740 3,063 6,055 0 0 Force Motors Ltd 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mahindra Navistar Automotives 0 65 0 680 0 92 0 339 0 0 Tata Motors Ltd 7,355 5,478 56,795 57,082 7,046 5,728 54,231 55,581 337 202 VE CVs - Eicher 128 97 497 882 140 112 502 805 10 0 VE CVs-Volvo 0 2 14 3 0 2 13 14 0 0 Total 10,964 8,362 79,785 88,503 10,815 9,114 76,556 85,389 347 295

306 0 110 353 93 862 1,774 0 0 3,388 45 0 5,207 0 0 6,069

265 0 8 742 136 1,151 4,543 0 0 4,832 64 2 9,441 13 13 10,605

500 161 1,892 550 3,103 2,279 4,038 830 7,147 214 0 0 0 2,859 84 0 3,157

321 178 2,549 651 3,699 4,133 6,095 676 10,904 288 0 0 0 2,505 4 0 2,797

108 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 108

5/9/2011 2:24:15 PM

statistics
Flash report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March March 2010
0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 357

(Number of Vehicles) Exports Cumulative April-March

For the month of

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11


2,214 48 111 0 4,518 105 30 7,028 16,140 2,500 11,215 0 214 0 478 215 83 10,341 30,542 351 698 941 816 14,348 44,046 90,904 129,435

2011 2009-10 2010-11


0 0 0 0 74 0 0 74 369 5 0 0 0 304 12 0 321 3,478 0 0 0 0 675 0 0 675 3,472

(b) Max. mass exceeding 25 tonnes Ashok Leyland Ltd 645 2,471 2,901 12,216 761 Daimler India Commercial Vehicles 0 11 0 193 0 Mahindra Navistar Automotives 0 71 0 814 0 Mercedes-Benz India 33 0 174 101 7 Tata Motors Ltd 4,028 6,482 14,021 48,930 1,792 VE CVs - Eicher 101 58 326 751 103 VE CVs - Volvo 121 71 872 890 84 Total 49,211 9,164 18,294 63,895 2,747 Total B3 15,892 17,526 98,079 152,398 13,562 II Commercial Vehicles (CVs) M&HCVs B: Goods Carrier B4: Max Mass exceeding 16.2 tonnes - Haulage Tractor (Tractor-Seml Tralier/Trailer) (N3 B2)) (a) Max mass exceeding 16.2 tonnes but not exceeding 26.4 tonnes Ashok Leyland 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0 (b) Max mass exceeding 26.4 tonnes but not exceeding 35.2 tonnes Ashok Leyland Ltd 499 783 2,650 4,458 519 Tata Motors Ltd 0 0 1 0 1,057 Total 499 783 2,651 4,458 1,576 (c) Mass exceeding 35.2 tonnes Ashok Leyland Ltd 712 829 2,368 4,968 576 Asia Motor Works Ltd 120 78 653 782 117 Mahindra Navistar Automotive 0 23 0 42 0 Tata Molors Ltd 0 41 0 41 999 VE CVs - Eicher 0 29 9 158 0 VE CVs - Volvo 1 45 13 183 1 Total 833 1,045 3,043 6,174 1,693 Total B4 1,332 1,828 5,694 10,632 3,269 Total M&HCVs (Goods Carrier) 30,044 33,525 204,122 289,990 29,164 Total M&HCVs 34,835 37,919 250,133 344,542 34,570 II Commercial Vehicles (CVs) LCVs A: Passenger Carrier A1: Max Mass upto 5 tonnes (a): No. of seats includlng driver exceeding 13 (M2 (A2)) Force Motors Ltd 729 852 5,775 8,313 710 Hindustan Motors Ltd 0 0 1 4 0 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 271 0 3,057 0 275 Mahindra Navistar Automotive 0 251 0 2,974 0 Tata Motors Ltd 520 349 4,427 3,591 393 Total A1 1,520 1,452 13,260 14,882 1,378 A2: Max. Mass exceeding 5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes (M3 (A)) (b) : No. of seats including driver exceeding 13 (M3 (A2)) Ashok Leyland Ltd 120 134 1,126 983 77 Force Motors Ltd 36 7 173 160 28 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 150 0 2,189 0 181 Mahindra Navistar Automotives 0 146 0 1,870 0 SML Isuzu Ltd 223 330 1,948 2,864 246 Tata Motors Ltd 1,451 1,198 13,827 14,234 1,750 VE CVs - Eicher 194 439 2,223 3,015 266 Total A2 2,174 2,254 21,486 23,126 2,548 Total LCVs (Passenger Carriers) 3,694 3,706 34,746 38,008 3,926 II Commercial Vehicles (CVs) LCVs B: Goods Carriers B1: Max. Mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (N1)

0 0 651 991 1,642

0 0 3,409 5,514 8,923

0 0 4,347 8,471 12,818

69 69 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 74 1,568 2,380

0 0 48 0 48 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 49 1,808 2,686

410 410 137 0 137 71 0 0 10 0 0 81 628 14,356 20,425

433 433 124 0 124 35 0 0 0 0 0 35 592 18,667 29,272

759 2,688 4,873 75 729 738 15 0 26 1,135 6,240 10,226 16 41 139 38 52 172 2,038 9,750 16,174 3,680 18,673 28,992 35,066 201,861 275,235 40,466 244 ,944 322,788

884 0 0 193 372 1,449 116 5 0 162 383 1,441 404 2,511 3,960

5,621 4 2,814 0 5,199 13,638 812 158 2,211 0 1,835 13,963 1,796 20,775 34,413

8,183 4 0 2,873 5,267 16,327 699 149 0 1,912 3,020 12,856 2,517 21,153 37,480

4 0 0 0 45 49 12 0 0 0 0 145 0 157 206

0 0 0 0 30 30 28 5 0 0 2 561 45 641 671

156 0 112 0 89 357 283 5 135 0 28 1,492 406 2,349 2,706

112 0 0 0 225 337 164 10 12 0 34 2,791 451 3,462 3,799

MOTORINDIA l May 2011 109

MI-May-11.indd 109

5/9/2011 2:24:15 PM

statistics
Flash report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March
6,627 324 103,661 9,124 152,201 271,937 1,219 0 1,134 8,419 10,772 1 280 0 4,315 1,273 22,275 5,287 33,431 316,140 353,620 676,408

(Number of Vehicles) Exports Cumulative April-March


60 0 6,213 52 10,797 17,122 9 0 0 210 219 0 2 1,076 0 473 2,350 636 4,537 21,878 24,584 45,009 165 0 11,516 18 24,897 36,596 19 0 0 758 777 0 24 293 0 547 3,865 1,124 5,853 43,226 47,025 76,297

For the month of March 2010


13 0 909 12 1,641 2,575 0 0 0 58 58 0 0 130 0 5 360 52 547 3,180 3,386 5,766 63 0 1,486 0 2,484 4,033 10 0 0 119 129 0 4 42 0 93 746 75 960 5,122 5,793 8,479

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

Force Motors Ltd 613 800 3,691 7,288 681 853 3,678 Hindustan Motors Ltd 55 16 277 341 54 28 281 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 11,022 12,481 84,240 115,906 9,990 10,893 76,487 Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd 904 653 11,095 9,140 927 680 11,094 Tata Motors Ltd 16,042 19,185 139,260 186,591 12,723 15,872 121,403 Total 28,636 33,135 238,563 319,266 24,375 28,326 212,943 B2: Max Mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 5 tonnes (N2 (A1)) Force Motors Ltd 157 99 1,876 1,231 131 101 1,886 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 199 0 1,474 0 181 0 1,469 Mahindra Navistar Automotive Ltd 0 18 0 1,106 0 0 0 Tata Motors Ltd 793 1,295 5,428 9,612 689 1,025 3,933 Total 1,149 1,412 8,778 11,949 1,001 1,126 7,288 B3 : Max Mass exceeding 5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes (N2 (A2)) Ashok Leyland Ltd 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 Force Motors Ltd 17 76 168 330 34 54 166 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 542 0 4,500 0 347 0 3,335 Mahindra Navistar Automotive 0 359 0 4,595 0 306 0 SML lsuzu Ltd 111 183 1,871 1,716 279 127 1,802 Tata Motors Ltd 2,592 3,073 24,056 25,173 2,375 2,553 23,986 VE CVs - Eicher 432 753 4,741 7,132 445 770 3844 Total 3,694 4,444 35,336 38,970 3,480 3,810 33,133 Total LCVs (Goods Carriers) 33,479 38,991 282,677 370,185 28,856 33,262 253,364 Total LCVs 37,173 42,697 317,423 408,193 32,782 37,222 287,777 Total Commercial Vehicles 72,008 80,616 567,556 752,735 67,352 77,688 532,721 III Three Wheelers A: Passenger Carrier A1 : No. of seats including driver not exceeding 4 & Max. Mass not exceeding 1 tonne Atul Auto Limited 712 898 5,049 10,456 785 930 4,986 Bajaj Aulo Ltd 34,031 40,533 337,125 435,721 12,579 17,128 164,502 Force Motors Ltd 0 0 174 0 3 0 152 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 2,779 4,502 31,693 45,012 2,844 3,839 30,387 Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd 12,486 13,233 134,650 157,370 11,504 11,763 130,138 Scooters India Ltd 464 503 3,087 4,169 418 443 3,029 TVS Motor Companv Ltd 2,450 4,427 14,858 40,112 2,060 1,510 13,400 Total 52,922 64,096 526,636 692,840 30,193 35613 346,594 A2: No. of seats including driver exceeding 4 but not exceeding 7 & Max. Mass not exceeding 1.5 tonnes Force Motors Ltd 2 192 894 293 31 0 325 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 0 100 30 2,729 1 125 255 Scooters India Ltd 296 336 2,878 2,949 249 288 2,694 Total 298 628 3,802 5,971 281 413 3,274 Total Passenger Carrier 53,220 64,724 530,438 698,811 30,474 36,026 349,868 B: Goods Carrier B1 : Max. mass not exceeding 1 tonne Atul Auto Limited 719 1,065 7,330 8,865 717 1,059 7,302 Bajaj Auto Ltd 373 602 9,082 4,679 1,718 645 11,548 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 1,690 1,365 13,974 12,276 1,527 1,256 13,777 Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd 5,383 5,837 50,818 62,292 5,081 5,881 50,659 Scooters India Ltd 542 563 3,468 4,810 519 508 3,418 Total 8,707 9,432 84,672 92,922 9,562 9,349 86,704 B2: Others Force Motors Ltd 100 0 1,231 15 118 1 1,222 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd 0 510 20 5,186 0 549 19 Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd 0 19 88 166 0 0 0 Scooters India Ltd 270 338 2,745 2,453 197 222 2,579 Total 370 867 4,084 7,820 315 772 3,820 Total Goods Carrier 9,077 10,299 88,756 100,742 9,877 10,121 90,524 Total Three Wheelers 62,297 75,023 619,194 799,553 40,351 46,147 440,392
110 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

10,261 0 18 201,246 15,070 15,576 10 0 0 42,566 180 156 141,042 498 1,492 4,134 0 0 22,357 518 2,917 421,616 16,266 20,159 26 42 70 2,517 0 0 2,784 0 0 5,327 42 70 426,943 16,308 20,229 8,889 4,357 11,932 61,549 4,697 91,424 0 0 156 47 0 203 0 0 96 5 0 101

29 250 164,909 231,107 0 0 609 2,265 4,603 17,155 0 0 1,716 17,503 171,866 268,280 602 154 0 0 0 0 602 154 172,468 268,434 28 0 313 306 0 647 6 174 333 858 0 1,371

107 0 0 5,127 0 0 0 0 24 2,421 0 0 7,655 0 24 99,079 203 125 526,022 16,511 20,354

9 0 0 0 90 162 0 0 99 162 746 1,533 173,214 269,967

MI-May-11.indd 110

5/9/2011 2:24:15 PM

statistics
Flash report (Media) for the month of : March 2011
Category Segment/Subsegment Manufacturer March 2010 Production For the month of Cumulative April-March Domestic Sales For the month of March 2010 Cumulative April-March March 2010 (Number of Vehicles) Exports For the month of Cumulative April-March

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

2011 2009-10 2010-11

IV Two wheelers A: Scooter/Scooterettee : Wheel size less than or equal to 12 A1: Engine Capacity less than 75 cc Mahindra Two Wheelers 2,065 271 2,290 10,947 1,526 566 1,626 9,706 0 0 0 0 TVS Motor Company 2,516 1,752 26,721 19,063 2,249 1,729 24,568 21,120 0 0 0 0 Total 4,581 2,023 29,011 30,010 3,775 2,295 26,194 30,826 0 0 0 0 A2: Engine Capacity 75 cc and above but less than 125 cc Bajaj Auto 0 0 4,460 0 62 0 3,760 27 0 0 1,092 0 Hero Honda Motors 22,940 37,559 212,751 360,443 23,550 35,732 208,440 342,991 784 2,240 5,832 18,482 Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India 78,459 79,786 753,517 906,324 77,618 80,085 739,657 893,335 782 1,232 11,397 13,792 Mahindra Two Wheelers 11,610 10,852 66,650 159,114 11,227 12,205 68,077 148,169 112 224 1,459 1,738 Suzukl Motorcycles India 17,250 21,653 141,353 230,718 17,416 21,565 140,983 230,603 0 0 146 144 TVS Motor Company 28,162 47,435 285,835 457,503 25,127 39,251 274,828 426,988 1,128 1,675 10,066 18,156 Total 158,421 197,285 1464,566 2114,102 155,000 188,838 1435,745 2042,113 2,806 5,371 29,992 52,312 A3: Engine Capacity 125 cc and above but Iess than 250 cc Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India 0 0 0 0 0 0 290 0 0 0 0 0 LML NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Mahlndra Two Wheelers Ltd 0 0 832 653 0 0 305 858 0 0 133 0 Total 0 0 832 653 0 0 595 858 0 0 133 0 Total Scooter/Scooterettee 163,002 199,308 1494,409 2144,765 158,775 191,133 1462,534 2073,797 2,806 5,371 30,125 52,312 IV Two wheelers B: Motor cycles/Step-Throughs : Big Wheel size more than 12 B2: Engine Capacity 76 cc and above but less than than 125 cc Bajaj Auto 143,333 171,924 1437,546 1831,942 103,891 109,255 928,882 1159,187 35,222 38,256 533,126 639,463 Hero Honda Motors 367,730 443,033 4135,344 4695,069 356,746 434,812 4055,304 4589,003 7,590 8,792 82,824 102,524 Honda Motorcycles & Scooter India 18,772 16,337 28,578 191,845 16,901 12,587 25,087 165,866 1 4,000 24 28,547 India Yamaha Motor 7,059 5,138 77,338 69,920 4,573 4,413 62,555 67,420 1,527 400 9,026 8,648 Mahindra Two Wheelers 0 49 0 8,556 0 0 0 5,181 0 0 0 0 TVS Motor Company 40,944 51,856 444,306 598,159 36,668 45,033 359,689 477,543 9,412 13,982 90,851 109,468 Total 577,838 688,337 6123,112 7395,491 518,779 606,100 5431,617 6464,200 53,752 65,430 715,851 888,650 B3: Engine Capacity 125 cc and above but less than 250 cc Bajaj Auto 114,538 135,081 1076,357 1572,161 90,893 110,826 852,886 1255,416 14,842 16,052 191,971 332,974 Hero Honda Motors 26,323 34,853 248,149 353,182 24.944 33,908 238,687 337,387 1,024 368 9,043 12,057 Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India 49,858 48,473 496,099 551,861 42,359 44,577 427,023 492,188 6,768 4,697 68,097 61,898 India Yamaha Motor 17,840 30,366 206,633 292,425 13,281 21,366 160,715 210,067 8,069 10,584 56,097 86,881 LML Ltd NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Suzuki Motorcycle India 4,490 6,056 49,157 51,648 4,119 5,647 47,486 50,678 220 116 2,111 704 TVS Motor Company 25,756 21,865 192,570 252,829 9,615 12,547 132,669 154,607 8,425 8,080 57,592 95,213 Total 238,805 276,694 2268,965 3074,106 185,211 228,871 1859,466 2500,343 39,348 39,897 384,911 589,727 B4: Engine Capacity 250 cc and above Honda Motorcycle & Scooter 0 163 0 163 0 13 6 13 0 0 0 0 India Yamaha Motor 0 0 0 0 10 5 35 59 0 0 0 0 Royal Enfield (Unit of Eicher Ltd) 4,702 6,277 52,780 57,351 4,369 5,952 50,098 54,475 387 410 2,216 2,606 Suzukl Motorcycle India 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 4,702 6,440 52,780 57,514 4,379 5,970 50,139 54,547 387 410 2,216 2,606 Total Motorcycles/step-through 821,345 971,471 8444,857 10527,111 708,369 840,941 7341,122 9019,090 93,487 105,737 1102,978 1480,983 C: Mopeds: Engine capacity less than 75 cc & with fixed transmission, big wheelsize> 12 Engine Capacity<75 cc Mopeds TVS Motor Company 54,521 65,443 571,070 704,575 53,010 64,159 564,584 697,418 1,102 325 6,905 6,295 Total Mopeds 54,521 65,443 571,070 704,575 53,010 64,159 564,584 697,418 1,102 325 6,905 6,295 D1: Electric Two Wheelers Electrotherm (India) Ltd NA NA 2,549 NA NA NA 2,482 NA NA NA 50 NA TVS Motor Company 0 0 18 0 0 0 229 0 0 0 0 0 Total Electric Two Wheelers 0 0 2,567 0 0 0 2,711 0 0 0 50 0 Total Two wheelers 1038,868 1236,222 10512,903 13376,451 920,154 1098,233 9370,951 11790,305 97,395 111,433 1140,058 1539,590 Grand Total of All catagories 1409,781 1700,478 14057,064 17916,035 1227,511 1465,909 12295,397 15513,156 159,953 191,363 1804,426 2339,333

Source: SIAM
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 111

MI-May-11.indd 111

5/9/2011 2:24:15 PM

technology

fascinating silicone meeting both automotive needs and challenges


Silicones are amazing materials with a unique potential to improve the world we share. They are revolutionizing our present and shaping our future. Silicones answer the automotive needs of today and the challenges of tomorrow! They make our journeys safer and more enjoyable. They improve the performance and fuel efficiency of our automobiles and add years to their useful lives. Silicones have unique properties that enable them to thrive in harsh engine compartment, under-vehicle, weather, and driving conditions: They are stable over a wide range of temperatures, from -50 to 200C (-58 to 392F) and resistant to thermal shock. This enables flexible joint movement with excellent sealability. Silicones resist moisture, pressure, salt spray, engine fluids, and UV light. They have stable dielectric properties, even at high frequencies. With very low water absorption, they have excellent sound and vibration damping capabilities. Silicones are so unique and versatile that they are used to solve problems and improve performance in virtually every automotive

system. The technology offers component manufacturers cost-effective sealing solutions that improve performance and productivity. Silicone elastomers create rugged seals, hoses, boots and mounts that reduce maintenance and help extend vehicle life. Custom silicone fluids offer controlled torque transfer properties that optimize performance of engine cooling fan clutches and all-wheel drive transfer units. auto electronics Silicones enable development of the increasingly smaller, more powerful and more sophisticated

Silicones for automotive applications perform many different functions air and fluid delivery, airbag coating, electrical insulation and protection, interior and exterior finishes, leak prevention, light management, lubrication, plastic and rubber part fabrication, polish, cleaner, and tyre dressing formulations, sealing and bonding, sound and vibration damping, and thermal management.
112 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

auto electronics. Silicone sealants reliably seal electrical connections and instrument lenses. Silicones also protect and dissipate heat from electronic engine, transmission and gearbox controllers and protect sensitive circuits from the environment. Silicone sealants and elastomers help manufacturers fabricate parts and systems that can withstand the heat, pressure, aggressive fuels and coolants found in todays engine compartment. This contributes to fuel-efficient engine performance. Robotically dispensed, advanced liquid silicone elastomers also speed parts production. Silicone coatings add unique, consumer-pleasing touch, appearance and sound-reduction qualities to leather, fabric and plastic. Silicone protectants can also improve the long-term reliability of the electronic modules that control information and entertainment dis-

MI-May-11.indd 112

5/9/2011 2:24:16 PM

technology
and O-rings insulate headlamps and tail lamps from moisture and dust, even at extreme high and low temperatures. They also keep windows, doors and sunroofs from leaking. Further, silicone technologies help improve the performance of anti-lock braking (ABS) and ESP (stability) systems. In brake applications, silicone lubricants, greases and pastes help reduce vibration, noise, and squeaking. Temperature-resistant silicone muffler hangers and dampers also reduce noise and vibration. The airbag is one of the outstanding developments in the field of vehicle safety. Silicone coating ensures the fabric, which protects the driver and passengers, has controlled inflation/deflation and dependability and remains gas-tight and heat-resistant during inflation. Silicones are all around you, improving your driving experience in diverse and unexpected ways. Silicone joint sealants and waterproofing chemicals extend the life of roads and bridges. Silicone materials enable light-emitting diode (LED) traffic signals to shine more brightly. And silicones in auto care products help you polish and protect your auto investment. Visit Dow Cornings Fascinating Silicone Discovery Center to see the thousands of ways in which silicones can help improve the quality of our lives and advance innovation. w

plays and luxury seats. Silicones reduce annoying squeaks and rattles. They protect and improve the appearance of exterior finishes and hold trim firmly in place. Silicone seals

top syntec-Conseil ranking for michelin


Michelin has been ranked the top brand in trust and service quality by Syntec-Conseil en Relations Publiques. The online survey of 1,200 people in France analyzed companies reputation in five key areas: trust, service quality, employer brand, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. While Michelin ranked first on the trust and service quality parameter, the brand also got an overall second rank in corporate reputation. The Michelin corporate community is made up of nearly 111,000 people, representing 120 nationalities, whose diversity, professionalism and commitment are a valuable asset and a source of creativity. Mr. Nicolas Beaumont, Managing Director, Michelin India Tamil Nadu Tyres Pvt. Ltd., said: Respect for people is one of Michelins core values, which means enabling our employees to develop skills and capabilities aligned with the companys needs. It also means paying close attention to working conditions and safety issues. Inspired by its founders, Michelin is dedicated to enhancing mobility through innovation and quality. Our customers too associate us with safety, reliability, technology and expertise, and we are glad to be recognized as the top brand for service quality and trust. Said Thierry Wellhoff, President of Syntec-Conseil en Relations Publiques: Michelin is a very forthright, dependable company whose behavior is consistent with the image it projects. Michelin is a true believer of Indias success and trusts that the country holds tremendous potential for the Michelin Group in terms of establishing an employer brand that is backed by trust and service quality. In India, the company has been constantly generating employment with 248 employees, making space for more. With an investment of Rs. 4,000 crores in seven years the plant will be spread over an area of 290 acres and will absorb a minimum of 1,500 workers. Community engagement is one of Michelins key goals. A global plan to engage with the local communities is in the process of being defined and put in place. For the time being, various health camps such as paediatrics, gynaecology and general health camps are being conducted in the rural areas of the country. With agriculture being one of the mainstays of the community, Michelin has also helped with the de-silting of irrigation channels. w
MOTORINDIA l May 2011 113

MI-May-11.indd 113

5/9/2011 2:24:18 PM

114 MOTORINDIA l May 2011

MI-May-11.indd 114

5/9/2011 2:24:19 PM

S-ar putea să vă placă și