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 : 10th Floor, Vatika Tower, Block-B, Sector 54 Gurgaon -122002, Haryana, India.

Volume: VIII

November, 2007

 

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Cars

Share Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and Market Share

 

 

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13. Motown Races At Flat Speed In October – November 09

High interest rates and liquidity crunch led to slow growth in sales during October: SIAM

According to sales data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), high interest rates and the liquidity crunch in the market resulted in slow growth in the cumulative sales of passenger cars, two wheelers, and commercial vehicle segments in October 2007. Sales declined by 0.65% to 10.11 lakh units from 10.17 units in October, 2006. The passenger vehicle segment grew 17% in October to 1,38,504 units due to good performance by companies such as Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) and General Motors India (GMI). Huge price discounts and aggressive festival offers helped car companies attract customers to their showrooms and increase sales in October.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

Trends, Marketing Initiatives and Others

 

 

14. Discounts Fail To Rev Up Auto Sales – November 02

Growth in auto industry continues to remain sluggish

The auto industry sales continue to remain sluggish despite huge rebates to increase festival demand. The high interest rates dampened sales in October regardless of some exceptional sales coming from new launches. Maruti Suzuki domestic sales grew at 15% to clock 64,258 units in October 2007 compared to 55,894 units in October 2006. Utility vehicle company Mahindra & Mahindra also reported a positive growth, up 46% to 23,578 units in October compared to 16,173 units in October 2006. The sales of premium car maker Honda Siel Cars continued to dip at 5% to 5,287 units.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

15. Tata Indica Experiments Online With The Xeta Shootout Contest – November 13

Tata Motors launches an online contest for its Indica V2 Xeta

As an extension of its long-running ‘You Gotta Be Dumb’ TV commercial, Tata Motors launched an online contest, the Xeta Shootout, for its latest car model, the Indica V2 Xeta. Customers can submit their own versions of an Indica Xeta ad on a website (www.thexetashootout.com), either by shooting a video of the ad or presenting a storyboard with pictures clicked by them.  With the campaign being targeted at young buyers, the campaign has only been launched online. Tata Motors plans to promote the contest through mass media and online cross promotions.

 

Source: Agencyfaqs

 

 

 

16. Maruti Leads In Customer Satisfaction For 8th Year In A Row – November 14

Maruti judged the best four-wheeler manufacturer in terms of customer satisfaction

Global consultancy and research firm JD Power Asia ranked Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) as the best four-wheeler manufacturer in the country in terms of customer satisfaction (838 points on a 1,000 point customer satisfaction index) for the eighth consecutive year in JD Power's customer satisfaction index report. MSIL was followed by Honda (765 points), Hyundai (745 points) and Toyota (740 points) at second, third and fourth places, respectively. MSIL’s special service package for women and its doorstep pickup and delivery of cars for servicing received special mention in the report. JD Power's customer satisfaction index study is based on responses from more than 5,300 owners of nearly 40 different vehicle models.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

17. Toyota Set To Drive Into Used-Car Market This Week – October 24

Toyota forays into used-car business through ‘Toyota You Trust’ programme

Japanese auto major Toyota is launching a used car programme ‘Toyota You Trust’, in an attempt to encourage exchange offers among customers. The used-car business will not only help in market penetration but will also be an additional source of revenue generation for the car maker.  Other automobiles companies such as Honda’s Auto Terrace, Hyundai’s Hyundai Advantage and Ford’s Ford Assured are also focusing on the used-car business.

 

Source: The Economic Times

 

 

 

Product Launches

 

 

18. Skoda Launches Ambiente; Fabia Next Year – October 24

SkodaIndia launched its luxury car Laura Ambiente on 24 October, 2007. The company also announced the launch of its hatchback model Fabia in Delhi Auto Expo by 2008.

 

 

 

19. Honda Siel Launches New Version Of Honda CR-V – November 07

On 7 November, 2007, Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) launched a new version of its sports utility vehicle Honda CR-V, which is priced between Rs 18.4 lakh and Rs 19.1 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

 

 

 

20. Hyundai Motor Unveils New Compact Car – October 31

On 31 October, 2007, Hyundai Motor India Ltd introduced its new compact car, 'i10' priced between Rs 3.39 lakh and Rs 3.98 lakh.  The new i10 is powered by a 1.1 litre petrol engine with five speed manual transmission.

 

 

 

21. GM India Launches Limited Edition Of Aveo – November 01

GM India, announced the launch of a new limited edition variant of its sedan Chevrolet Aveo priced at Rs 6,49,881 (ex showroom New Delhi) on 31 October, 2007.