Volkswagen Group opens group logistics service centre in Aurangabad

The new VW Group spare parts logistics facility in Aurangabad will help VW, Audi and Skoda dealerships in India to provide quicker, better and more efficient services to customers

The Volkswagen Group has opened its first logistics service facility in India, at Skoda India’s plant in Aurangabad. Set up with an investment of close to Rs 14 crore, this facility will be used to provide spare parts logistics services for Skoda, Audi and Volkswagen dealerships in the country.

The VW Group currently sources most of its parts from abroad, though a small fraction of parts are also locally sourced. To start with, the facility will store around 13,000 items, though this will be increased to 18,000 or more by next year.

‘Originally, all Audi and Volkswagen parts were sent from Singapore, which is the Asia hub. This process has now been entirely simplified and with a provision for future expansion of 3,600sq.m here in Aurangabad, we command reserves for a high growth potential of our business in India,’ said Maik Stephan, MD, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd. ‘The new setup will provide a smooth, easy and fast service for the entire Volkswagen Group in India,’ added Jean-Marie Lagey, MD – Technical Affairs, Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd.

‘The Volkswagen Group continues to expand in India and this group facility aims at improving the service that is provided to all our customers. This is an investment for the future and we want all our dealers on board to achieve greater success. Highly cost effective, it will make our dealer network stronger and provide flawless customer service. This facility will provide our dealers a central hub that will accomplish all their needs,’ concluded Stephan.

Bavina to launch electric car in India in 2011, gets land in Ranipet SEZ

This is what the Bavina Electro might look like, when it's launched in 2011. The picture is from Bavina's own website, though it isn't clear whether this is an actual prototype of just a digital rendering

Bavina Cars, which is working towards launching its first electric car in India by 2011, has now been allotted 100 acres of land in the special economic zone (SEZ) in Ranipet, which is promoted by the State Industries Promotion Corp of Tamil Nadu.

Bavina plans to invest about Rs 300 crore towards setting up its plant in Tamil Nadu, where it plans to produce up to 25,000 electric cars per annum from 2011 onwards. The Bavina car – tentatively named ‘Electro’ – is being developed in technical collaboration with Velozzi SpA Inc., which is based in Los Angeles, California, in the US.

The Bavina Electro will be a four-door, four-seater hatchback with metal bodywork and 28kW motor powered by a lithium-ion (?) battery pack. There will also be a small internal-combustion petrol engine, which will only be used for charging the car’s batteries when the car is on the move. According to the company, every litre of fuel used by the engine will ensure enough recharging of the batteries to ensure another 50km of travel!

According to the information available on the Bavina website, its car will be able to seat four adults and will be capable of hitting a top speed of more than 100km/h. Of course, we’re sure that many of the specs and tech details on this car will change by the time it’s launched, since EV technology is sure to make a lot of progress by 2011.

As of now, the Reva, built by the Bangalore-based RECC/Maini Auto, is the only electric car available in India. When it was first launched 5-6 years ago, the Reva was quite cutting-edge product for its time. RECC has recently developed a new version, which is powered by lithium-ion batteries, though it’s currently only available in Europe.

General Motors Company launched, wants to be lean, mean and profitable

The new General Motors Company will, in the US, focus on four core brands - Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC - and will consolidate its manufacturing operations in a big way

The new ‘General Motors Company’ (GMC) began operations yesterday, with a new corporate structure and a stronger balance sheet. ‘Today marks a new beginning for General Motors, one that will allow every employee, including me, to get back to the business of designing, building and selling great cars and trucks and serving the needs of our customers,’ said Fritz Henderson, president and CEO. ‘Today, we take the intensity, decisiveness and speed of the past several months and transfer it from the triage of the bankruptcy process to the creation and operation of a new General Motors.’

The new General Motors Company is now primarily owned by the governments of the United States, Canada and Ontario, and by a trust fund providing medical benefits to UAW retirees. Specifically, common stock will be owned by US Department of the Treasury (60.8%), UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust (17.5%), Canada and Ontario governments (11.7%) and the old GM (10%).

The new GM is built on four core brands (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC) in the US and has the largest, strongest car dealer network in the country, which will now offer a fresh line-up of cars, trucks and crossovers. According to GMC, the company will have a competitive cost structure, a cleaner balance sheet and a stronger liquidity position that will enable GM to invest in new products and key technologies.

The new GM wants to be much leaner than how it’s been in the past. In the US, by the end of 2010, the company will operate only 34 assembly, powertrain, and stamping plants, down from 47 last year, and capacity utilization is expected to reach 100% during 2011. Earlier this year, the company also accelerated its dealer consolidation efforts, with the goal of reducing the number of GM dealers in the US from 6,000 to approximately 3,600 by the end of 2010. Even so, GM will still have the largest dealer network in the US.

GM’s subsidiaries outside the United States – including GMI, the Indian arm – were acquired by the new company and are expected to continue to operate normally without any interruption.

‘Today we launch the new General Motors, and our promise is simple. We will be profitable, we will repay our loans as soon as possible, and our cars and trucks will be among the best in the world,’ said Henderson. ‘We recognize that we’ve been given a rare second chance at GM, and we are very grateful for that.’

In the meanwhile, while GM was busy restructuring and coming out of bankruptcy, Ford was, it seems, forging ahead with the business of selling cars. For the first time since 1931 - almost eight decades - Ford might inch ahead of GM this year in terms of total sales volumes in the US. According to analysts in the US, Ford might get ahead of GM because the latter is shutting down its Pontiac brand, which will result in significant loss of sales for GM/new GM.

2010-spec Porsche 911 GT3 to use Delphi’s MR powertrain mount

The next Porsche 911 GT3 will have... better powertrain mounts!! ;-))

Delphi Corporation has developed a new powertrain mount for use on high-performance cars and this will be first used on the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3. Using magneto rheological (MR) fluid that can change its dynamic rate in real time, the new MR mount reduces powertrain noise and vibration, and improves vehicle performance and stability.

‘This is the first technology that allows precise real-time management of the relevant frequencies created by an automotive powertrain, including the challenging low frequencies and higher amplitudes caused by transient torque events,’ says Delphi’s MR Mount manager, Timothy Schlangen. Now, you needn’t worry if that sounds like Greek or Latin, because we don’t understand the tech-heavy mumbo-jumbo either. What matters is, this MR mount thing can, apparently, improve a car’s performance, safety and refinement through vehicle-specific tuning.

Powertrain mounts provide a wide range of functions. As well as suspending the mass of the engine and transmission, the mounts provide a reaction point for torque, and isolate the body of the vehicle from powertrain noise and vibration. According to Delphi, its MR technology ‘almost completely eliminates the need to compromise the way the mounts behave for each function and each dynamic state by allowing the stiffness to be tuned to control appropriate powertrain frequencies in real-time.’

The Delphi system uses soft iron particles suspended in a base fluid, held within a cavity in the rubber body of the mount. When a magnetic field is applied by a coil, the particles become aligned, increasing the sheer stress and therefore the resistance to flow. The stronger the magnetic field, the higher the dynamic rate (effectively, the stiffness) of the system.

The current is controlled by a processor that receives data already available on the vehicle data bus. This data can include throttle position, road speed, engine speed, temperature and any other information required to deliver the level of control specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Closed loop feedback is provided by direct measurement of the fluid pressure in the system, ensuring real time compensation for changing conditions as the system components age.

‘The level of sound and vibration transfer can be greatly reduced. It also opens new opportunities for brand-specific tuning and vehicles whose character changes depending on the driver’s requirement, perhaps linked to other active systems such as dampers and a sports exhaust to transform the noise and feel at the flick of a switch,’ says Schlangen.

So the bottomline is, if you ever needed just one more reason to rush out and book a Porsche 911 GT3, Delphi’s just given you that reason… :-))

Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell takes the Porsche 911 GT3 for a spin...

Mitsubishi, Suzuki should ‘forget’ the US car market, say analysts

Mitsubishi and Suzuki cars have very little brand recognition in the US...

According to a Bloomberg report, Suzuki Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. might be forced to leave the US car market, due to plunging sales and excess plant capacities in North America. Both carmakers have been present in the US for more than two decades, but are now witnessing their worst ever performances in that market.

In June this year, Suzuki logged a 78% decline in sales in the US while Mitsubishi’s sales were down 51%. According to one Tokyo-based analyst, both car manufacturers should simply withdraw from the North American market. ‘It’s time for them to decide whether they pay a high price to continue business there or stop the bleeding,’ says Yuuki Sakurai, CEO, Fukoku Capital Management Inc. Indeed, another Japanese car manufacturer – Isuzu – has already left the US car market earlier this year.

Suzuki and Mitsubishi are, more or less, out of the reckoning already, in the US. According to automotive research analysts, car buyers in the US don’t even think of these two brands when deciding on which new car to buy. Both are among the bottom five, out of 35 car brands that are tracked in the US by Strategic Vision. In order to change that, both companies would have to invest heavily in marketing activity and neither is likely to be in a position to do so. ‘We’re not talking about a one-time investment, but a consistent, sustained effort. If they’re looking for a quick fix, continuing in the market will be tough,’ says Sakurai.

On the other hand, the carmakers are quite adamant on continuing in the US. ‘We will never give up the US market. The U.S. will return to being the world’s biggest market,’ said Osamu Masuko (President - Mitsubishi Motors) recently. However, Mitsubishi does plan on changing its product mix for the US and will look at launching hybrid, EVs and other smaller, more fuel-efficient cars there, including the i-MiEV electric car, in 2010.

Suzuki, too, still hasn’t given up on the US. The company continues to work on its new mid-size sedan, the Kizashi, with which it hopes to take on cars like the Accord and Camry in the US. However, the Suzuki name is associated with smaller cars in the US (as, we suppose, elsewhere in the world…) and peddling a bigger car may be a challenge for the company.

‘It makes more sense for Suzuki to put its limited resources into small cars and forget about America,’ says Yasuaki Iwamoto, an automotive analyst at the Tokyo-based Okasan Securities Co.

All-new Jaguar XJ unveiled in London, coming to India in 2010

The glorious new Jaguar XJ. Yes, this looks absolutely terrific!!

Jaguar Cars officially unveiled the all-new XJ car at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London, yesterday, in a ceremony hosted by Jay Leno. ‘The new XJ is truly beautiful, exhilarating to drive, and with its bold, enlightened approach to design, it meets the challenges of our fast-changing world. It reimagines the ultimate sporting luxury car,’ said Mike O'Driscoll, MD, Jaguar Cars.

‘The new XJ is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the quintessential Jaguar. Its visual impact stems from the elongated teardrop shape of the car’s side windows, that powerful stance and its wide track. It is the most emphatic statement yet of Jaguar’s new design direction,’ says Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar Cars. The XJ is available to order now (dependent on market), with the first customers due to receive their cars in early 2010. Prices for the new XJ range start at £52,500 (Rs 42 lakh).

The new Jaguar XJ is available in standard and long-wheelbase versions, with a choice of 3.0-litre V6 diesel, 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol and 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engines. All engines are mated to a shift-by-wire six-speed automatic transmission that also allows the driver to shift gears manually (without using a clutch) via steering wheel-mounted paddles. Of course, the car comes with a long list of high-tech bits like air suspension, Adaptive Dynamics (continuously variable damping), Active Differential Control, LED taillights and a host of others.

Inside the car, in addition to the traditional leather-and-wood sumptuousness, there’s a dual view 12.3-inch high-definition Virtual Instruments console and an 8-inch touch-screen that can project DVD movies or television programmes to the passenger, while the driver views vehicle functions or follows satellite navigation. Sound options include a 1200W Bowers & Wilkins system, which is comparable in audio quality to the best in-home entertainment. Options include hard drive-based audio and navigation systems, and comprehensive connectivity for portable audio and video devices via the powerful Media Hub.

According to Jaguar, the XJ is at least 150 kilos lighter than its rivals, thanks to its aerospace-inspired aluminium body technology. This, according to the company, significantly improves performance, handling and economy, while delivering increased strength, refinement and safety.

We’ll admit we’re hugely impressed with the new XJ – the car certainly looks like it has what it takes, to take on the best from Germany, Italy and Japan. And, of course, since Tata Motors is now the official Jaguar importer in India, we’re sure the XJ will also come to India in 2010. However, moving away from the glamourous XJ for a minute, let's remember that Jaguar is in significant financial trouble right now. In fact, the Tata-owned JLR recently posted an annual loss of Rs 1,700 crore. However, Tata Motors is confident that its Jaguar and Land Rover brands will once again be profitable in about two years from now. We wish them all the best!

Here's a video of the new Jaguar XJ on the move and (below) some pics from yesterday's launch function in London...

Piaggio to launch MP3 Hybrid in Europe

The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid, the world's first production-ready hybrid scooter, is ready to go on sale now!

The Piaggio MP3 three-wheeler is already one of the most intriguing, technologically sophisticated scooters in the world. And soon, it will be the world’s first scooter with dual powerplants – a conventional 125cc petrol engine, and a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor.

The MP3 Hybrid, which is slated to go on sale in Europe very soon, is fitted with Piaggio’s hybrid drive system which was developed specifically for two-wheelers (or, well, three wheels in the MP3’s case!) and combines the advantages of a petrol engine with those of an electric motor. This is a ‘parallel hybrid’ system where the combustion engine and electric motor are mechanically and electronically linked, and simultaneously supply power to the rear wheel in perfect synergy.

The internal combustion engine, in addition to powering the MP3, also recharges its batteries on the run. And whenever the rider calls for hard acceleration, the electric motor kicks in, supplementing the petrol unit to provide a significant boost in performance. Plus, the scooter’s automatic transmission, electric starter and ride-by-wire throttle control ensure sparkling performance that’s ideal for the cut-and-thrust of city traffic.

New-age hybrid trikes/scooters like the MP3 may well be the future of urban commuting

The MP3 Hybrid’s ride-by-wire control system and its Vehicle Management System (VMS) decides how much power to draw from the petrol engine and the electric motor in relation to the effective operating conditions, in order to optimise both performance and consumption. This synergy between the two powerplants not only offers better performance but also reduces fuel consumption – the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid can return up to 60km/l of fuel efficiency. For shorter journeys, the rider can also choose to ride in electric-only mode, cutting out on fuel costs completely.

The best part is, the MP3 might actually come to India in the next 2-3 years. Piaggio, which currently only has commercial vehicle operations in India, is committed to ramping up its operations in this country in a much bigger way. The Italian company has plans to start manufacturing its scooters (and perhaps motorcycles as well, from the half-dozen brands it owns!) in India, which is likely to happen by 2011-12. We’ll keep you posted on Piaggio’s India plans, so watch this space...

Here's a road test video of the Piaggio MP3 500 (non-hybrid). Has to be one of the coolest, most intriguing scooters we've ever seen...!

Fuel-injected Hero Honda Karizma ZMR revealed!

With a full fairing and PGM-FI, here's the new Hero Honda Karizma ZMR!
Pic: xBhp

Bike enthusiasts in India have been waiting for ages for Hero Honda to come up with an answer to the Bajaj Pulsar 200 / 220 DTS-i machines, and that bike finally seems to be ready. While it's yet to be launched officially, the Hero Honda Karizma ZMR has been 'unveiled' on the Internet, thanks to an enterprising photographer who scooped this 'spy shot' of the new bike.

Full details are, of course, not available at this time but from what’s evident from the picture is that the bike has been given a full fairing, redesigned body panels and Honda’s PGM-FI fuel-injection technology. It’s ironical that Bajaj actually took a step backwards and went from FI to carburettors on its top-of-the-line Pulsar 220, while Hero Honda is forging ahead with fuel-injection, which seems to be the right thing to do.

We will have to wait and see whether Hero Honda has increased the Karizma’s engine displacement and power output, but in terms of the suspension, there seems to be a disappointment. The Karizma ZMR is still fitted with twin rear shocks, rather than the more contemporary monoshock, which usually works so much better. Bikes like the Honda Unicorn, Yamaha FZ16, Fazer and YZF-R15 all have monoshock rear suspension, and Hero Honda should have definitely moved on from twin rear shocks to a monoshock setup on the ZMR.

The wheels and tyres on the Karizma ZMR also seem to be on the skinny side, which is again a let down. Yamaha has been the first company in India to use wide, sticky, tubeless radials on its bikes and that’s definitely the way ahead. Before launching the bike, we hope Hero Honda will reconsider and fit wider wheels and soft, sticky, tubeless radials on this machine, which would let riders exploit its performance potential to the max.

More specs, details and pics coming soon, we hope. So stay tuned…!

Mercedes-Benz launches folding bike for urban commuters

A Mercedes-Benz for just Rs 86,000...

If you drive around in an E280, you can’t possibly buy just any old bicycle for your school/college-going kid. Indeed, what you must get for him/her is Mercedes-Benz’s latest folding bike, which should be just perfect for a spot of commuting in the city.

The Mercedes-Benz bike, which costs the equivalent of Rs 86,000 in Europe, is fitted with an eight-speed sequential ‘clutchless’ transmission from Shimano, powerful disc brakes all-round and fully independent front and rear suspension. According to a press release from Mercedes-Benz, ‘The folding bike is perfect for the urban commuter, or the non-driver who has always hankered after something bearing the three-pointed star.’

The bike’s folding mechanism is easy to operate and takes just a few seconds, and there are two different folded positions for maximum convenience. When in the completely folded down position, the bike measures just 80x80x35cm and can easily be stored in the boot of a car.

Since it’s a Mercedes-Benz product, the folding bike comes with lots of high-spec bits – an adjustable gel saddle, Continental tyres with reflective side walls, folding pedals, sprung-flick bell, a protective fabric cover bag and even a luggage rack for added practicality.

Want one for yourself or your kid? Pedal down to your friendly neighbourhood M-B dealership and ask them to import one for you now!

NATRIP to reduce paperwork, reduce car homologation time in India from 90 to 60 days

It currently takes about three months for car manufacturers to homologate a new car in India and the process, it’s often said in many quarters, is just too long and tiresome. At last, however, salvation may be at hand for long-suffering carmakers. According to a report on Live Mint, the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP) is now making efforts to cut down the time taken in the homologation process from 90 days to 60 days.

The first step in the above process will be allowing car manufacturers to submit all required documents electronically, rather than on paper. Since extensive documentation is required, doing away with paper will save huge amounts of time and effort, and will make for much faster transfer of information and easier accessibility at all times.

At any time during the homologation process, carmakers will also be able to check (via the NATRIP/ICAT websites or perhaps another website that would be set up specifically for this purpose) and see what stage their vehicle is at, and the progress made on the homologation process till that date.

Another change that NATRIP plans to implement is that manufacturers will not have to submit documents repeatedly, for parts that might be common between cars built on the same platform.

NATRIP plans to first implement these changes at the Manesar, Haryana-based International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), where most of the newer cars being launched in India are homologated. The new policies and systems will later also be implemented at the Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

In terms of the ‘bigger picture’ scenario, NATRIP will also start sending data on newly homologated vehicles to RTO offices around the country, electronically, rather than on paper. However, for this to happen, RTO offices all over India will first have to be fully computerised, which could itself take anywhere from 2-5 years.