Tata Motors sell 87,566 units in July 2013 globally

 Tata Motors Group sells 87,566 units in July this year including Jaguar Land Rover, while the cumulative sales for the fiscal stood at 335,067 vehicles. According to a company statement, the global sales for commercial vehicles that includes Tata, Tata Daewoo and Tata Hispano Carrocera range stood at 40,882 units, while the cumulative CV sales was pegged at 161,088 units.

The global sales of Tata passenger vehicles in July 2013 logged 35,162 vehicles. Jaguar posted a sales of 7,174 units during the month under review, while the cumulative sales stood at 25,751 vehicles. The sales of Land Rover for July this year was 27,988 units and the cumulative sales stood at 100,031 units. The cumulative sales for Jaguar Land Rover for the fiscal stood at 125,782 vehicles, noted the statement.

Mahindra to set up vehicle assembly plant in Ghana

Mahindra & Mahindra, leading sports utility vehicles manufacturer in India, driving on the back of the sales of 3,500 SUVs and pick-up vehicles in the last seven years had decided to establish an assembly unit and service centre on a 9.5 acre land at Accra, the capital city of Ghana, along with its alliance partner, according to an IANS report,

'The decision to set up a plant in Ghana was trigerred by the need to look into the humungous investment potentials and service the needs of the vehicle market in the West African region', Thomas Svanikier, Executive Chairman of Svani Motors, the vehicle's sole distributor in Ghana, was quoted as saying by the report.
'The Automobile Plaza would explore the potential of the fast expanding local automobile market and offer quality and affordable vehicles and services to meet increasing market demand in Ghana and other neighbouring countries,"' the official pointed out.
Stating that in excess of 3,500 Mahindra vehicles had been sold over the past seven years to state institutions, private organisations, industries, UN agencies and individuals in Ghana, Svanikier went on to add that Mahindra, which controlled 20 percent of the imported vehicle market in the country, was currently making waves with the latest generation of Mahindra vehicles - the Mahindra XUV 500, the Mahindra Genio and the Mahindra Xylo.
Mahindra's senior general manager for the African region, Sanjay Jadhav, was quoted as saying by the report: "We are a well-recognised brand in Ghana and have a strong presence in the institutional segment with our pick-up and SUV range. The introduction of the new range of Mahindra vehicles in the country was part of the efforts to improve the comfort levels of customers. This is also in line with the Mahindra brand philosophy of Rise, which includes Driving Positive Change in the Market with Alternate Thinking. Our aim is to offer mobility solutions to customers in Ghana that meet their needs". As part of Svani's efforts to make it easy for more people to afford vehicles, the firm has joined with local financial institution Fidelity Bank to provide financial assistance to customers through hire-purchase and lease schemes.

Tata Motors celebrates Light & Intermediate Commercial Vehicle Trucks and Buses 'Freedom Campaign' on occasion of Independence Day

Tata Motors today announced a host of new service offerings for its Light and Intermediate commercial vehicles and bus range to celebrate a special 'Freedom campaign' on occasion of the Indian Independence Day. These include three Year or 300,000 kilometers warranty,  24x7 Tata Alert service, attractive Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) rates, increase in engine oil drain interval and Triple Benefit Insurance, a press note issued by the company said.

Commenting on the introduction of the 'Freedom Campaign', R Ramakrishnan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, said: “Tata Motors’ commercial vehicles have been an integral part in  the nation’s economic growth wherein the Intermediate and Light Commercial Vehicle Range of Trucks and Buses have played a pivotal role – be it inter and intra-city goods transport, specific applications or passenger transport. Our customer-centric and innovative offerings promise high up-time and low maintenance, and in these challenging economic circumstances, help enhance the business proposition for the vehicle owners so that they may run their businesses with “Freedom from all worries” about their Tata vehicles in the fleet". 

Key elements of these offerings include three year or 300,000 kilometers warranty – the entire MCV Range of buses along with the ICV Trucks range will now be with enhanced warranty, lower ownership costs for its 7T, 9T and 11T Trucks and MCV buses, due to the engine oil interval doubled to 40,000 kms from the existing 20,000 kms. Besides that, other offers include triple benefit assurance, an industry first that offers customers zero depreciation insurance, coverage of loss of income and entitlement to reimbursement of full price the vehicle at the current price, in case of total loss, multi-tiered AMC rates that could offer greater flexibility and choice to the customers to cater to their varying needs and to keep their costs in check and 24x7 Tata Alert service for its ICV trucks, that ensures that a vehicle is put back on the road within 48 hours from the time restoration work begins. In case of major repairs and the vehicle carrying perishable goods, ‘Tata Alert’ will provide load transfer assistance. Through ‘Tata Alert’, drivers will receive on-site breakdown assistance within four hours of dialing a toll-free helpline number (1800-209-7979). By virtue of this campaign, Tata Motors brings industry-leading value-added service offerings, and new product improvements for enhanced product ownership experience to celebrate its customer’s “Freedom of Choice” and the company’s promise to give them 'Freedom from Worries'.
Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs. 1,88,818 crores ($ 34.7 billion) in 2012-13. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, Spain, South Africa and Indonesia. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India.  With over 7.5 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country’s market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fourth largest truck and bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, South America, CIS and Russia.

Hero Cycles open All-Aluminium cycle manufacturing plant in Ghaziabad

Hero Cycles Ltd, the world's largest manufacturer of bicycles yesterday inaugurated its new All Aluminium Cycle plant at its existing facility in Ghaziabad, ushering in a new era for cycling industry in India.

With this the company will indigenise its production of aluminium cycles in India by manufacturing its own aluminium frames that make cycles lighter and more efficient, a company statement said.

New plant

 
The new manufacturing plant brings with it a historic change in Hero's bicycle manufacturing capacity and the facility is equipped to produce 100,000 bicycles annually. What is more, it would further allow the cycle manufacturer to boost its indigenous production of high end bicycles and shift gears in its production technology, noted the statement.

Inaugurating the state-of-the-art, ultra modern facility, company Co-Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj Munjal said: “We feel elated to witness a major shift as far as our production technology is concerned. This new facility will be producing Aluminium bicycles, giving our products a new dimension and an edge over our competitors. We will be able to serve our customers more efficiently and effectively keeping our past impeccable record as a customer-friendly company, intact". So far, Hero Cycles used to import aluminium frames for production of its high end bicycles. The production will now be indegenised and cut costs. Hero Cycles has two high end brands in Urban Trail and Sprint.

Indegenised production

“Hero Cycles Ltd will bring greater technological advancement  in its production at every level in tune with our past record of being a market leader, not just in terms of sales but also in terms of innovation. Our plans to go global and make a foothold in Africa, parts of Europe and South-east Asia will get a major impetus with the advent of this hi-tech unit and our renewed vision to serve our customers in the best way possible", the official pointed out.

Ambitious growth

Though, in the past, few more players have manufactured Aluminium cycles, but not at this comprehensive level. Hero Motors will be the first Indian company to have started this major shift. The management which has set up an ambitious target of 15 percent growth rate for this year, is working on a gamut of ideas including expansion, bringing higher technology and innovation in production and targeting high-end customers.

High-end segment

The company also plans to aggressively target the high-end segment in the future. With its all aluminium bike range ‘Octane’, Hero Cycles plans to reach out to those who have a certain passion for adventure and are not ready to compromise with quality.

Localisation

Hero Motors  is also contemplating on localising the production of key components like internal gear hubs, electric drive units and front forks that are currently being imported for manufacturing purposes. This would be done through strategic tie ups. The company had recently laid the foundation of a huge production unit in Bihar’s Bihta Industrial and Logistics Park, near Patna with a mammoth one million production capacity.

It was a major indicator of the Hero Cycles Ltd’s aggressive expansion plans. The plant is expected to go on stream next year. By the same year, another manufacturing plant is set to become operational in Mangli in Punjab.

Mahindra to demerge truck and bus division into a new entity, M&M Limited

Homegrown auto major, Mahindra & Mahindra Limite had reaffirmed its commitment to its truck and bus division, renaming the erstwhile Mahindra Navistar Automotive Ltd as Mahindra Trucks and Buses Ltd (MTBL), which is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the $16.2 billion Mahindra Group. Subject to regulatory approvals, the company also intends to demerge its trucks and buses operations from MTBL into Mahindra & Mahindra to derive greater synergies. What is more, the auto maker also announced plans to invest Rs 200 crore to further strengthen its existing product line up and start exploratory work for new product lines that could lead to further capital infusion of over Rs 300 crore in due course, a company statement said.

Mahindra Trucks and Buses Ltd. has also announced new branding for its heavy commercial vehicle range. The multi-axle trucks will now be called Mahindra TRUXO 25 and TRUXO 31; Tractor Trailers will be called Mahindra TRACO 35 and TRACO 40; and the tippers will be called Mahindra TORRO 25 and TORRO 31.

Speaking on this new development, Dr Pawan Goenka - President Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, said: “We are fully committed to our commercial vehicles business and intend to focus on running the LCV, Truck and Bus business as a separate division post the proposed demerger, with the objective of growing our presence in the Indian commercial vehicle industry. We plan to invest significant resources over the next few years which will help us strengthen our existing product range and refurbish the current LCV range. Exploratory work has also begun for the introduction of new products that will help address the ICV and MCV segments in the 7.5 to 16 ton GVW category”.

Nalin Mehta, Managing Director and CEO, Mahindra Trucks and Buses Limited, said: “The new nomenclature and rebranding demonstrates our long term commitment to the commercial vehicle business which has the full support of the Mahindra Group. While our name has changed, what remains unchanged is our determination to deliver on our customer’s evolving needs. With a powerful range of products including HCVs, LCVs and buses, and a continued focus on breakthrough innovations we will continue to deliver market-leading performance and enhanced products and services for the Indian transport industry”.

Today, with over 100,000 LCV trucks and buses and more than 8,000 HCV trucks on Indian roads, Mahindra services them with a 24x7 service network of more than 1,591 touch points that includes 57, 3S dealerships, 271 authorized service points drawn from other dealers within Mahindra's Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors network and nearly 1,263 roadside assistance points strategically located on important trucking routes. This network will be further expanded by leveraging synergies following the demerger of operations.

Pioneering initiatives

In tune with its commitment towards the business and customers, Mahindra Trucks and Buses has launched several pioneering initiatives such as: the five years or 500,000 kilometers Warranty, which is transferrable and an industry first. For tippers, the company has launched on-site warranty and has also rolled out an attractive AMC package. Furthermore, the auto maker also Offers such as up to 100 percent finance on Chassis and up to five year loan tenure.
Mahindra Trucks and Buses is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the $ 16.2 billion Mahindra Group and provides an entire line of integrated trucking solutions. It comes with first in Industry five years or 500,000 kilometers transferable Warranty and a most cost effective AMC, with over 1591 service points, including 57 3S dealerships, 271 Authorised Service Points drawn from other dealers of Mahindra Automotive and Farm sectors. The company also has India’s first multi-lingual helpline, which is manned by technical experts to provide instant support along with the NOW mobile service vans and workshops.
The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise through solutions that power mobility, drive rural prosperity, enhance urban lifestyles and increase business efficiency. A $ 16.2 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 155,000 people in over 100 countries. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, after-market, information technology and vacation ownership. In addition, Mahindra enjoys a strong presence in the agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel, commercial vehicles and two wheeler industries. In 2012, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. In 2013, the Mahindra Group received the Financial Times ‘Boldness in Business’ Award in the ‘Emerging Markets’  category.

Jaguar Land Rover sells 31,611 vehicles in July 2013 up 21 percent

The British marquee auto maker Jaguar Land Rover, leading manufacturer of premium cars in the UK and part of the Tata Group has sold 31,611 vehicles in July 2013, its best ever July performance, registering an increase of 21 percent in contrast with the year ago period.


According to a company statement, during the first seven months of the year, JLR sold 241,801 cars, up 15 percent. July sales were strong for Jaguar Land Rover in Asia Pacific, which showed an upward tick of 43 percent, the China Region, also showing an upward spiral of 36 percent, while North America posting a surge of 31 percent, the UK up eight percent and other overseas markets up 29 percent.

Europe sales

Sales in Europe were flat. For the first seven months of the year sales were up in all major regions with Asia Pacific up 29 percent, the China Region up 18 percent, North America and the UK both up 15 percent Europe up five percent and other overseas markets up 20 percent.


Commenting on the July performance Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover Group Sales Operations Director said: “This has been another record month for Jaguar Land Rover driven by particularly strong performances in the US, China and Asia Pacific. Jaguar has delivered a very strong performance with solid growth in China and North America thanks to the refreshed XJ and XF models. Land Rover has again seen record sales this month with continued strong global demand for the new and refreshed model line-up".
Jaguar
In July, Jaguar sold 6,157 vehicles up 65 percent reflecting continued strong demand for all XF derivatives and the introduction of the F-TYPE. XJ also performed well in the month up 52 percent following a solid performance in both the US and China. Jaguar demonstrated growth in all of the major regions: the China Region up 221 percent, North America up 63 percent, Asia Pacific up 32 percent, the UK up 31 percent, Europe up 28 percent and other overseas markets up 64 percent. Calendar year to date, Jaguar sold 43,793 vehicles up 33 percent with increases in each major region: 98 percent in the China Region, 28 percent in North America, 23 percent in the UK, 22 percent in Asia Pacific, 15 percent in Europe and 25 percent in other overseas markets.

Land Rover
Land Rover set a new July sales record retailing 25,454 vehicles, up 14 percent. Solid performances were seen across the new and refreshed line up with a particularly strong month from Discovery 4 up 37 percent. Positive performances were recorded in: Asia Pacific up 46 percent, North American up 21 percent, the China Region up 20 percent and the UK up three percent. Sales in Europe were down by 5% due to Range Rover Sport run out.

Calendar year to date, Land Rover sold 198,008 vehicles up eleven percent with a strong performance from Freelander up 27 percent and all-new Range Rover retailing 25,863 units. Positive growth was seen in all major regions: Asia Pacific up 30 percent, the UK up 13 percent, North America up eleven percent, the China Region up eight percent, Europe up four percent and other overseas markets up 20 percent.

RN Rao is the new Director of sales and market at Asia Motor Works

India's third largest heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer, Asia Motor Works (AMW) announced that the appointment of RN Rao as Director, Sales and Marketing. He will be responsible for marketing, sales, service and product development. He will be based at the Company's corporate office in Mumbai, according to a company statement.

Rao is a Mechanical engineer from VJTI, Mumbai and holds a Post Graduate degree in Marketing Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. He began his career with Lucas TVS and subsequently joined Ashok Leyland, where he has worked in several management positions in the Company. He has over 30 years experience in the industry and has worked in several regional and national assignments.

Anirudh Bhuwalka, Managing Director & CEO, AMW said that Rao's rich experience in the commercial vehicles industry in India will help AMW achieve its aggressive plans of growth.

AMW Motors (AMW) is India's third largest manufacturer of heavy commercial vehicles and has achieved a unique position in India's transportation sector through innovative engineering and customer orientation. AMW is the fastest growing truck brand in India with an annual volume growth of over 100 percent for the last three years. In addition AMW has a dominant presence in the fast growing Tipper segment. Its vehicles are the preferred choice in the mining, construction and infrastructure sectors, where they operate under very arduous road and load conditions. 

Widening footprint 

The company has a widespread and growing dealer and service network across India with 123 dealerships and over 1,500 touch points. This network includes sales and service centres, authorised service outlets, mobile vans, workshops and a 24X7 helpline called 'AMW Seva' which ensures a rapid response to customer needs.Wide Product Range AMW offers trucks ranging from 16 to 49 tonnes and has pioneered several segments in the Indian CV market. The AMW 49 ton model created the segment
and was India's largest tractor-trailer at launch. In addition, AMW also created the construction and mining segments in the Indian CV market with its range of tippers. AMW won the prestigious 'CV Maker of the Year Award' 2012 by Apollo-CV Magazine. In addition, AMW won the 'Truck of the Year' award from NDTV in January 2008. The company also received the coveted 'CV
Innovation of the Year 2009-10' award for its 3123 model. AMW CV Applications was given the 'Truck Application Builder of the Year- 2010' award for its Tranztar brand of fully built vehicles.

Manufacturing Facilities 

AMW's fully integrated manufacturing facility in Bhuj, Gujarat, has a planned capacity of 50,000 commercial vehicles per annum. The facilities include a fully integrated assembly line, contemporary cab and paint shops and world class testing facilities. AMW's 200-seat research centre focuses on research and development of new products and technologies that impact performance characteristics, safety, environment and comfort.