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Domestic car sales July 2009
August 11
Local car sales in India rose at the fastest pace in more than two years in July as lower interest rates, new models and the onset of several festivals lifted demand. July sales increased 31% to 115,067 cars from 87,901 a year earlier, according to data issued by the SIAM. The growth in July is the sixth consecutive monthly rise and the biggest percentage gain since February 2007.
| Company |
Units sold July 2009 |
YoY % growth |
| Maruti Suzuki |
60012 |
31 |
| Hyundai |
23193 |
54 |
| Tata |
14537 |
21 |
| Honda |
4857 |
12 |
| GM |
3729 |
-16 |
| Mahindra and Mahindra |
11660 |
74 |
Source: Wall Street journal and company press releases
Automatic car sales shift into top gear (C and D segments witness increase in sales)
August 23
Sales of automatic cars in India are increasing. Companies like Honda Siel, Skoda Auto, Hyundai Motor, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are selling different models of automatic cars pushing sales. While the demand for automatic transmissions cars in small car segment is yet to pick up, C and D segments is witnessing increasing sales.
Source: Economic Times
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 Tata to build high capacity Nano engines (owing to demand from the export market)
August 26
Tata Motors is planning to develop higher capacity engines for its Nano car. The company plans to target the domestic as well as foreign markets with the Nano cars fitted with these higher capacity engines. Tata Motors had launched the Nano to cater to the lower income group, but has now decided to upgrade the vehicle to a higher version owing to demand from the export market.
Source: Business Standard
M&M biz in used car market picks up (MFCW registers 66 % growth in sales at 11,000 cars during Apr-Jul 2009)
August 28
The used car business in India is picking up with Mahindra First Choice Wheels (MFCW) registering 66 percent growth in sales at 11,000 units during Apr-Jul 2009. MFC aims to sell 20,000 vehicles by end-2009 by expanding its dealerships to 120 outlets from 70. It also plans to increase its super stores to 12 from six in 2010 by opening stores in places like Ahmedabad, Chennai and Bangalore.
Source: Financial Express
Maruti Suzuki customers most satisfied: JD Power survey (followed by Honda Siel Cars India Ltd and Toyota Kirloskar Motors)
August 28
An annual survey conducted by JD Power has revealed that customers of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) are the most satisfied as per a survey of 11 car manufacturers, while Tata Motors Ltd has been relegated to the least favoured spot. The customers of MSIL have rated the company as their top choice in terms of new vehicle purchase experience. MSIL is followed by Honda Siel Cars India Ltd (HSCIL) and Toyota Kirloskar Motors, both ranking second on the customer satisfaction scale. JD Power is an automotive research and consultancy services provider.
Source: Economic Times Top
Hyundai Getz to be phased out, another small car by 2011 (the company intends to relaunch the Santro with a facelift and make India an i20 hub)
August 28 and August 29
Hyundai Motor India Ltd intends to phase out the Getz and promote i20 in its place. The company is planning to launch another small car in India by 2011. Hyundai intends to relaunch the Santro with a facelift in September 2009. Moreover, it is planning to export its car, i20, to 42 non-European countries. The company is exporting the car to 47 countries in Europe, West Asia, Africa and Latin America. Hyundai has received initial orders from South Africa, Israel and Indonesia.
Source: Business Line
 Toyota in talks with vendors to reduce investment on mini car (is investing Rs. 32 billion for setting up a new production facility in Bangalore, benefit from FTA with Thailand)
August 25 and August 29
Toyota is in negotiations with vendors to minimise investment on its small car to be launched in early 2011, and to procure components at lower rates. The company is investing Rs32 billion for setting up a new production facility in Bangalore. The company plans to produce 70,000 units of the small car in the first year. Toyota is also planning to make India as an export hub for its small cars utilising India's free-trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand, which is likely to allow the company to import duty-free components and engines into the country.
Source: Business Standard Top
Tata Motors stake in Thai venture (it may have to buy Thonburi's 20 % stake in Thailand venture)
August 17
Tata Motors is expected to acquire the entire stakeholding of its partner Thonburi Automotive in its Thailand venture in case the overseas partner is unable to raise fresh equity. The Indian car major has indicated that it may have to buy Thonburi's 20 percent stake in Tata Motors (Thailand) Ltd in case the joint venture is unable to raise fresh equity for its operations.
Source: Business Line
 
New luxury car models lined up for India
August 29
BMW India and Mercedes Benz India are launching new models in the luxury car segment in India. While BMW is launching its petrol variant of the 7-Series cars in Sep 2009 and Z4 in Oct 2009, Mercedes Benz will launch its advanced version of E-Class by end of 2009.
Source: Financial Express
Nissan fast tracks India car plan (and reconfirms its commitment to invest Rs 4,500 crore in seven years in Tamil Nadu)
August 25
Nissan of Japan is likely to launch its first India-made Nissan car by end of Jun 2010. It has drawn up a plan for India that includes a range of five locally made cars and four imported models. It also reconfirmed its commitment to invest Rs45 billion in seven years in Tamil Nadu. Its manufacturing plant near Chennai is expected to be commissioned in Mar 2010 with a capacity of two lakh units.
Source: Business Line
Auto companies hire global designers for edge (even though Tata drops Pininfarina plans)
August 28
Indian automobile manufacturers are meeting top global auto- designers to improve their in-house design functions and give their products a cutting edge. The car manufacturers include Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), Tata Motors Ltd, Mahindra & Mahindra and Bajaj Auto Ltd. The domestic automobile manufacturers have conducted several rounds of interviews at an event of the Society of Automotive Engineers with designers from companies in UK and USA, including those working for BMW and Chrysler. Moreover, Tata Motors Ltd (TML) may not launch a bid to acquire a majority stake in car design firm, Pininfarina of Italy as the company has lost key people from its design team. However, TML is expected to pick up a minority stake in Pininfarina as and when it opens a centre in India.
Source: Economic Times
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Skoda to drive true blue performance car to India(RS in India)
August 9
Skoda Auto India plans to launch Rally Sport (RS) car in India with two variants. It will be showcased in Delhi and Mumbai cities soon. RS car will have a 2.0-Litre TSI engine with 200 PS on tap or a 2.0-Litre TDI oil burner that churns out 170 PS. The appeal of RS lies in the fact that it is an everyday sports car.
Source: Economic Times
Dassault systems plans virtual auto dealership simulators in India (enables a prospective car owner to select his vehicle and gets a feel of the interiors and exteriors)
August 6
Dassault Systemes, Paris, plans to launch virtual automotive dealership simulators in the Indian market. The virtual dealership enables a prospective car owner to select his vehicle and gets a feel of the interiors and exteriors before actually buying it. The virtual dealership simulators is likely to provide the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) an opportunity to save resources, besides managing their inventory in a more cost- effective manner. Dassault Systemes has six offices across India and a development centre each at Pune and Bangalore.
Source: Business Standard
Americans ready to buy Indian cars (11% of Americans consider buying a car from India)
August 1
Opportunity for Chinese and Indian Brands in the USA, a survey by AutoPacific of the US, has revealed that Americans are willing to buy cars from India and China. According to the survey, 15 percent of the new car buyers in the US are willing to consider purchasing their next car from China, while 11 percent consider buying a car from India.
Source: Business Standard
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