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Author: admin
• Friday, July 09th, 2010
Pragmatism seems to be Hyundai Motor India Ltd.’s (HMIL) chosen path of
approach for this year. This is evident in the growth designs that it has charted
out for itself. No flashy targets, no flamboyant proclamations, no seemingly
unfeasible objectives.
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The country's second largest car maker aims to register a volume growth of
approximately 16 percent this calendar year. This is in tune with the industry’s
expected growth rate of 15-16 percent. From a purely statistical point of view,
this number is lower than the 20.8 percent growth rate that the automaker had
achieved in 2009.
 
The growth that Hyundai plans to achieve will primarily be propelled by the
introduction of one renovated and one new model in the market, over the next
year. In line with this approach, the company recently launched a revamped
version of its mid-sized Verna Sedan. The advanced edition has been
moderately priced between Rs 6.56 and Rs 9.22 lakhs. The Verna Transform
as it is called, has been built on the original Verna’s technical features, but is
fortified with trendier exteriors and interiors.
 
HMIL has in place two manufacturing facilities in Chennai, with and is capable
of rolling out six lakh units per year. Of these two manufacturing units, it’s the
one at Irungattukottai that has been responsible for the roll out of the Verna
Transform, with a total investment of Rs. 60 crore being pumped into the project.
Going ahead, HMIL plans to launch its sports utility vehicle Sante Fe in the
market. This release is planned for the end of the year, and will give wings to the
firm’s efforts to strengthen its product portfolio. The company is also planning to
expand its dealership outlets to 390 across the country by the end of this year.
Currently, the number of such outlets stands at 90.
Author: admin
• Wednesday, July 07th, 2010

Mercedes-Benz introduces CGI

In a move that could give a fillip to India’s evolving image as an automobile
player, iconic car maker Mercedes-Benz is looking to India for its auto-
component needs. Mercedes Benz is planning to ramp up its sourcing
from India and make its Indian operations a keystone of its growth story.

Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India shared this
vision, “The company had identified India as a key market for its cars and was
looking to make India a part of the Mercedes-Benz story worldwide.”
He said that the company was benchmarking on quality, best delivery capability,
and best price. India and China are on top the heap. From all signs given out
by the German manufacturer, the Indian shift is not a short term logistical step.

The intent to give India top billing will start off with the R&D centers the company
plans to ramp up in Pune and Bangalore. India is the biggest R&D center outside
of Germany. Mercedes Benz is looking to add more engineers to its rolls as the
two centers begin to scale up from auto-parts development to motor and variant
development. Since 2006, the headcount at Bangalore and Pune has more than
doubled from 200 to 550.
The strategic move from the German passenger carmaker comes at the right
time. The Indian car market has been surging upward. Mercedes is banking
on this growth and the opportunity to piggyback its own exports from India by
placing itself here, where the action is. Wilfried Aulbur says that India could
become another Korea with some time and investment.
The other good news that came out was the expected launch of the smaller A-
Class Merc on the Indian roads. Though, no time frame was specified, the launch
was said to inevitable. India is earning its spurs on the automotive scene. The
three pointed star will add more sheen to it.

Author: admin
• Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
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Author: admin
• Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
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