From the desk of Strategic Resources For any query, discussion or feedback, please contact Pavan Chandra, Head of Strategic Resources at pchandra@zenithoptimediaindia.com, +91-124-4195100. Office Address effective May 25, 2007 : 10th Floor, Vatika Tower, Block-B, Sector 54 Gurgaon -122002, Haryana, India.

Volume: II

May 25, 2007

Cars

Share Prices

 

NSE share prices as on May 15, 2007

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

 

26. Passenger Car Sales Up In April – May 12

Passenger Car sales increase in April

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) data, in April 2007, passenger car sales were 82,934 units, 11.25% growth, compared to sales of 74,542 units in April 2006. In passenger vehicles, Maruti remained at the top slot, recording growth of 16.44 % by selling 42,326 units. It was followed by Hyundai Motors India Ltd that sold 15,697 units, a 4.91% increase in sales. Tata Motors stood at the third position, with sales up by 21.85%, at 13,502 from 11,080 units.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

 27. Car Makers Chart 2007 Growth Path With Sedan – May 07

A3 segment grows by 18% in 2006-‘07

The Indian auto industry is witnessing the change of guard from small to A3 segment cars or sedans. The A3 segment grew by 18% in 2006-’07, compared to a 22.01% growth, in the passenger car segment and constituted 18% of the total car sales in India. Some 50 car/sedan launches are expected in 2007, out of which 50% is from the A3 segment. “With per capita income going up and increasing number of people going for bigger cars, the challenge before the automakers is to maintain the growth in this segment and this can be achieved only by bringing in new models or go in for a face-lift of existing models”, said Dilip Chneoy, DG, Society of Indian Auto Manufacturers (SIAM).

 

Source: The Times of India

 

 

28. Hyundai Motor Sales Rise 4.8% In April – May 02

Hyundai Motor records a rise of 4.8% in sales during April

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has recorded a growth of 4.8 and 4.6% in the domestic and export markets, respectively, for April 2007, compared to the corresponding month of 2006. Hyundai sold 27,069 units, of which the domestic market accounted for 15,728 and exports 11,341 units in April 2007. The company also claims to have sold 22,550 units in the A1 segment, comprising of hatchbacks Santro & Getz and 4,399 units in the A2 segment, comprising sedans Accent and Verna. It also sold 24 units in the A3 segment (Elantra), 65 units of the luxury sedan Sonata and 31 of SUV Tuscon.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

29. Skoda India April Sales Up One Pc – May 02

April sales for Skoda rise by 1%

Luxury carmaker Skoda India reported a marginal 1% jump in its vehicle sales during April at 1,000 units. The company sold a total of 984 units in April, including 48 units of its premium hatchback model Skoda Superb.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

30. Maruti Sales Rise 17 %In April – May 01

Sales of Maruti rise by 17% in April

Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL) posted a 17% increase in the domestic car sales for the month of April. The company sold 48,652 vehicles in April 2007, compared to 41,574 vehicles in April 2006.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

31. HSCI April Sales Up 7.5 Pc – May 01

Sales for HSCI rise by 7.5% in April

The Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) reported a rise of 7.5% in its sales for April 2007. According to company sources, the company sold 2,916 units of its mid-sized sedan Honda City, 1,481 of premium sedan Honda Civic, 255 of luxury sedan Honda Accord and 239 of SUV Honda CR-V.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

32. Spark Vrooms, Suzuki SX4 On Track, Logan Yet To Pick Up – May 14

Spark and Suzuki SX4 ahead of Logan

April 2007 witnessed the launch of Mahindra Renault Logan, the Chevrolet Spark and the Suzuki SX4. Although the car has been launched only in the Western and Northern India, Spark has been the most successful model for GM in India. SX4 by Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) also picked up sales, as the car’s top variant is becoming popular. However, Renault Logan by Mahindra has sold only 257 cars since its launch. According to Mahindra Renault officials, the sold vehicles are for demonstration and test drives. Deliveries of the car will begin from May 14.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

33. Luxe Wheels Set To Turn Wallet-friendly – May 05

Luxury car makers enter pre-owned car market

Luxury car manufacturers, such as Bentley, Porsche and Mercedes Benz, have entered the used car market to cater to the high aspiration level of customer and increasing demand for their vehicles in India. “The customers of high-end luxury cars dispose of their vehicles within 24 to 36 months, compared to other segments where a customer keeps the car for at least four years”, said ICICI Bank MD (car loans) R Narayanan.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

34. Hyundai Opens Mega Showroom In Bangalore – May 01

8,000 sq.m mega showroom opened by Hyundai in Bangalore

Showcasing its entire range of models, Hyundai Motor India has opened its biggest car showroom spread across over 8,000 sq.m in Bangalore. Advaith Hyundai holds the record of selling the largest number of Hyundai cars in the world by a single dealer. In 2006, Hyundai’s market share in the country was 18.2 % and that in Bangalore was 23%.

 

Source: The Hindu Business Line

 

 

35. Daimler May Launch More Merc Models – April 30

More Merc models likely to be launched in India

Looking at the increasing preference for Mercedes Benz models by Indian customers, the company is planning to launch more models in the near future. According to Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and C.E.O. of DaimlerChrysler India, “The demand for the high-end car is being fuelled by the software professionals and entrepreneurs from the real estate business”.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

36. Nissan To Drive More Cars In India – April 23

Nissan to launch more cars in India

In 2007, Japanese carmaker Nissan plans to introduce more cars in the luxury car and sports utility vehicle (SUV) segments. According to Yoshie Motohiro, M.D., Nissan Motor India, "At present we are not looking at volumes in car sales but building the brand Nissan in India by bringing in some of our best selling global models”. On the SUV front, Nissan is likely to launch another version of its X-Trail, which will come with a petrol engine.

 

Source: The Times Of India

 

 

37. Logan Effect: Mid-Size Car Market Sees Price Shake Up – April 20

Launch of Logan expected to impact the mid-size car market

According to industry experts, factors, including the launch of new models, higher interest rates and volume pressure, have affected the lower mid-size sedan market. After the launch of the aggressively-priced Mahindra Renault Logan, other players in the category are likely to revamp their marketing strategies by offering discounts and free accessories and rationalising the product line-up. Currently, all models of the Maruti Esteem, available in Delhi and Mumbai, are offered a discount of approximately Rs 30,000. Ford India’s Ikon is also offering an MP3 player, as an added accessory with Ikon’s base model in some markets.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

38. Nissan Set To Enter Small Car Market – April 20

Nissan to introduce small cars

Japan’s Nissan Motor has decided to enter the small car category and be a formidable player in the country. Currently, Nissan’s Indian presence is limited to SUVs and luxury sedans. “To be competitive in India, we need to have a presence in the compact and small car segment. We are keen to enter the volume and low-price segment”, Nissan Motor India Managing Director Yoshie Motohiro said. The company will manufacture compact cars from its Chennai facility, which is being established under a three-way joint venture with Renault and Mahindra & Mahindra.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

39. Ford India To Open 135 Outlets In FY `08 – April 20

135 new outlets by Ford India in 2007-‘08

Ford India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of US-based Ford Motor Company, is planning to open 135 new outlets (dealership facilities) across the country in the FY 2007-‘08. Currently, the company has 115 outlets, including 15 in Maharashtra.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

40. BMW Eyes Northern Market – April 16

BMW targets the North Indian Market

In 2007, BMW India, a subsidiary of the BMW Group, expects to sell 150 cars in the Punjab region of India. In addition to its existing dealership in Chandigarh, the company is planning to start another dealership in Ludhiana. In the second half of 2007, BMW will launch the five series and X5 for sale in India. According to the BMW India President Peter Kronschnabel, “Punjab has high potential because of high disposable income and high living standards. Chandigarh has per capita income of approximately $1,200”.

 

Source: Business Standard

 

 

Product Launches

 

41. Now, A Classic Indigo – May 13

To offer more choice to and attract buyers, from the entry-level sedan segment too, Tata Motors has launched Indigo XL Classic on May 03, 2007. The Indigo XL Classic petrol is priced at Rs 5.35 lakh and the DICOR diesel variant at Rs 6.15 lakh (both ex-showroom, Delhi).

 

 

42. Maruti Set To Re– Enter SUV Segment With Vitara – May 10

Maruti Suzuki is planning to re-enter the sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment with the launch of its all new Grand Vitara in the coming three months. The new Vitara will be a five-seater SUV, fitted with a two litre petrol engine and competitively priced in the range between Rs 16 to 17 lakhs.

 

 

43. Hind Motors Plans New Variants For Lancer And SUV Range Soon – May 10

By June 2007, Hindustan Motors (HM) is likely to introduce new variants of its existing range of sedan, Lancer and sports utility vehicle (SUV), Montero.

 

 

44. Coming Up: A Used-Car ‘Superstores’ Chain – May 08

Automart India, the used car business of Mahindra & Mahindra, is planning to establish a chain of mega-sized used car showrooms across the country. The company has plans to start its first centre at Goregaon, a Mumbai suburb, by June 2007.

 

 

45. Fiat Auto Plans India Launch Of Linea In 2008 – May 07

Fiat Auto Spa launched its C-Segment car Fiat Linea in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 04, 2007. The company is planning to launch the car in India in 2008.

 

 

46. Maruti Launches Premium Sedan 'SX4' – May 07

MUL launched its premium segment sedan SX4, priced between Rs 6.18 to 6.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), on May 07, 2007. 

 

 

47. Tata Motors Introduces Indigo XL Classic – May 03

On April 26, 2007,  Tata Motors launched a new model in its Indigo XL range, which is available with a longer wheel base in petrol and diesel variants.

 

 

48. Chery May Drive Into India With Small Car – May 01

China’s largest carmaker Chery Automobiles is likely to partner with Delhi-based International Cars & Motors Ltd (ICML), makers of Sonalika tractors, to introduce a small car in India by 2008.

 

 

49. MLR Cars To Roll Out By Mid-2009 – April 30

By mid-2009, Hyderabad-based MLR Motors will launch its 900 CC (two-box) and 1,500 CC (three-box) diesel variant cars. Brand name of the car is not yet decided.

 

 

50. Merc Showcases CL And S 320 CDI L Class Coupes – April 29

On April 28, 2007, Mercedes–Benz launched the CL-class and S 320 CDI L models, priced at approximately Rs 1.20 crores.

 

 

51. Xinitis to roll out four-wheelers, trucks, buses by 2008 – April 28

By 2008, Kolkata-based Xinitis Group, an established name in computer hardware, two wheelers and bicycles, plans to introduce cars, trucks and buses in collaboration with a Chinese company.

 

 

52. Nissan To Roll Out Low-Priced Cars For Emerging Markets In 2010 – April 26

By 2010, Nissan Motor Co plans to introduce three inexpensive passenger vehicles for the emerging markets, including Brazil, Russia, India and China.

 

 

53. Nissan Rolls Out Luxury Sedan Teana – April 19

To tap the growing high-end car market in India, on April 19, 2007, Japanese automobile company Nissan introduced its second vehicle, the luxury sedan Teana, at New Delhi. Priced at Rs 20.67 lakh, the car will be imported from its Kyushu plant in Japan.

 

 

54. GM May Take Spark Off Maruti, Hyundai – April 18

On April 18, 2007, one of the world’s biggest carmakers General Motors (GM) made its entry in the Indian small car segment with the launch of Chevrolet Spark in four models.

 

Advertising Campaigns

 

 

55. Fiat Palio Stile Campaign Explores Nostalgia – April 27

Fiat’s new campaign creates nostalgia

Fiat’s new Palio Stile commercial, which has been on air from April, tries to depict the old and the new. The campaign has attempted to remix the old-world trust of the Fiat brand with the modern day advances of technology. The campaign, created by the advertising agency Orchard, has gone the remix way with the evergreen Hindi song, ‘Meri Sapnon Ki Rani’ from the film ‘Aradhana’. The tagline ‘Those fun times, reloaded…’ endeavours to communicate the memories of long drives that were associated with the Fiat years ago.

 

Source: Exchange4Media

 

 

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