Made in India Vehicles

[gslv mk3]

TVS Motors plans Rs 500 cr investment in ops this year, new launches

By Swaraj Baggonkar

Chennai-headquartered TVS Motors will pump in Rs 500 crore into operations this year, launch a high-powered motorcycle and a scooter as well as develop a new generation engine.

The capital expenditure earmarked for this year is higher than the previous years as the company gears up to build on its strengths, which is scooters and its partnership with German giant BMW for premium motorcycles.

Besides new launches the increased spend will also encompass boosting plant capacity at its three locations. TVS, which surpassed Bajaj Auto in two-wheeler sales last year to become the third biggest, will thus increase two-wheeler capacity to nearly 4.5 million from 3.5 million at present.

The company's average spend used to be in the region of Rs 300-400 crore as capital expenditure (capex) every year. Only three years ago its capex was just Rs 250 crore. A TVS spokesperson declined to provide details of new product-related plans of the company but confirmed that the company will spend Rs 500 crore this year.

Among the events lined up this year is the design and development of new generation concept engine as well as design development and productionisation of a new engine for international business.

Further, a premium motorcycle (to be called Apache RR or Akula) developed jointly with BMW will go into production later this year. This will be the most powerful and expensive product from the TVS stable expected to be priced between Rs 1.25-1.5 lakh.

“The company has a strategic partnership with BMW Motorrad to develop and manufacture sub-500cc bikes both for domestic and global markets. The BMW G310R is the first motorcycle to be manufactured under this partnership and manufacturing and exports of this motorcycle have commenced. The company will launch their own motorcycle based on this common platform in FY17-18”, stated TVS Motors.

The Apache RR programme is running nearly two years behind schedule. Even BMW, which has committed itself to launching the premium bike in India, will not launch the vehicle until next year. This is despite the bike being presently exported from the country.

TVS Motors clocked a growth of 13 percent last year to 2.48 million units beating the industry’s growth of 7 percent during the same year, as per data supplied by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Last year TVS became the second highest seller of scooters beating the volumes of Hero Motocorp. Its scooter sales grew by 7 percent last year to 8.26 lakh. Motorcycle volumes also grew by 9 percent to 7.73 lakh units.

 

[gslv mk3]

First Batch Of New Tata Nexon SUV Rolls Out Of Ranjangaon Plant

 

[Bagee]

Bajaj close to acquiring performance bike brand Ducati?

One of India's major two-wheeler manufacturers, Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL), is likely to announce acquisition of the European performance motorcycle brand - Ducati.

At the company's annual general meeting on Thursday, Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of BAL, told shareholders that the company is close to settle a new alliance.

"We are very close to finalising a very promising alliance. It's not certain that it will happen, but if it happens, it will open up enormous possibilities for the company," Rajiv said.

He also told that if things go in the ballpark, an official announcement will be made within the next two weeks. However, any Bajaj official declined to name the brand that the company is in talks with.

Around a month back, Harley-Davidson and Bajaj were reportedly in talks with Volkswagen group to take possession+ of its Audi-controlled Ducati motorbike brand. The reports also suggested that there are numerous other groups bidding for its acquisition, including the Indian manufacturers - Hero MotoCorp and Royal Enfield.

A recent update on Reuters news agency suggests that Italy's Benetton family seeks to make Ducati motorbikes Italian again. "Ducati has received several tentative bids with the Benetton family's investment vehicle Edizione Holding valuing the Monster motorbike maker at $1.2 billion," one of the sources told Reuters.

At the same time, an Italian news website reported that KTM AG, 48 per cent of whose equity stakes are owned by Bajaj Auto, is closing in on the Ducati brand

So, the possibility of Bajaj closing the deal to acquire Ducati and announce another iconic international brand under its umbrella is rather high.




The Pune-based auto major is already making good use of the technology provided by its Austrian partner in making advanced motorcycles at an economical cost. Now, it will be interesting to see how the performance brand Ducati gels with the Indian automaker, if the acquisition is concluded successfully.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ed-launched-in-india/articleshow/59682597.cms

 

[gslv mk3]

Tata Nexon

https://twitter.com/x/status/889803989134393344

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https://twitter.com/x/status/889850939481309184

https://twitter.com/x/status/889791744962772992

 

[Jackdaws]

Tata Nexon

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It's high time Tata start using CVT or regular AT in their better models than using AMT. Only Hexa has a proper AT. From what I understand, even Nexon will come with AMT.

 

[gslv mk3]

It's high time Tata start using CVT or regular AT in their better models than using AMT.

Renault duster too has AMT, right ?

 

[Jackdaws]

Renault duster too has AMT, right ?

Yes - as does all of Suzuki except the Baleno. It is a cheap technology, so the benefit can pass on to the consumer - but it is not a great AT and gives trouble in the long run. Hyundai uses conventional ATs - so it is not as if it should difficult to get the conventional ones in this price bracket. Of course, fuel economy takes a bit of a hit. AMT is not widely used anywhere but in India.

 

[GuardianRED]

It's high time Tata start using CVT or regular AT in their better models than using AMT. Only Hexa has a proper AT. From what I understand, even Nexon will come with AMT.

Agree - just the stupid customer perception coupled with been price sensitive that few people are ready to pay high price for AT and that too for an indian brand! BUT go ga-ga over a foreign brand

Hopefully all this changes

 

[Jackdaws]

Agree - just the stupid customer perception coupled with been price sensitive that few people are ready to pay high price for AT and that too for an indian brand! BUT go ga-ga over a foreign brand

Hopefully all this changes

Actually lots of people are buying ATs. But the customer is not well-informed enough to know that AMT is a pretty pedestrian technology. European brands are struggling. Chevy is shutting show end of year. Only Ford is doing okayish among non-Asian brands.

 

[GuardianRED]

Actually lots of people are buying ATs. But the customer is not well-informed enough to know that AMT is a pretty pedestrian technology. European brands are struggling. Chevy is shutting show end of year. Only Ford is doing okayish among non-Asian brands.

There is still the Japanese and the Korean Brands ... and it is this price sensitive nature that even those vehicles with AMTs and AT are not fully load specs compared to their MT variants (looking at all Maruti). Heck even safety is price sensitive , which is sad.

 

[boxer_B]

Tata Motors reveals key features of Nexon compact SUV

1. Multi Drive Modes:

As the name suggests, the Tata Nexon+ will come with multiple drive modes, including Eco, City and Sport, to deliver performance as per the requirement of the driver. The Sport mode delivers full 260Nm torque (Diesel), while the City mode helps in city traffic. The Eco mode is said to provide significant fuel saving during long runs.

2. Floating dash-top HD touchscreen:

The 6.5-inch HD touchscreen display on the dashboard of Nexon is adjustable. The company claims it not only makes infotainment usage easy but also reduces "eye-off road time" for added safety.

3. Engines:

The company has already revealed that its upcoming SUV will be powered by two new engines, a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol from the Revotron series and a 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Revotorq series. Both the engines will be available with a 6-speed transmission which is also new.

4. Harman infotainment system:

Like the Tiago and the Tigor, the Nexon also comes with a Harman infotainment system. The 8-speaker system is equipped with Android Auto, while Apple Carplay will be offered soon. The system comes with the ability to read text messages and voice based reply commands.

5. Big central console with sliding tambour door mechanism:

Tata Motors claim that the central console of the Nexon is inspired by high-end cars to provide a grand, premium and sporty feel. Also, the sliding tambour door mechanism allows easy storage space inside the car.

 

[GuardianRED]

 

[boxer_B]

For guys who wanted to directly run towards River / Sea / Swimming pool without worrying about keys getting wet or falling from Shorts, Nexon gives you the option

*Smart entry key along with wearable wrist watch key

Other unique features in this segment by Nexon

*Umbrella holders
*Isofix

 

[padamchen]

SUV?

Looks like a hot hatch to me.

To be honest, found the Hexa ugly. Even the Aria had more road presence.

Cheers, Doc

 

[boxer_B]

SUV?

Looks like a hot hatch to me.

To be honest, found the Hexa ugly. Even the Aria had more road presence.

Cheers, Doc

Doc,

I know you like to cruise around on Royal Enfield but it cannot give you feeling of a cabin, a personal space either when on highway or in city.

My car has cool blue LED's under the dashboard which invites to a smooth,comfortable ride whilst becoming a movable bar . Again stress is on personal, mobile space even if you are away from home on a holiday.

Nexon maynot look mini SUV from outside, but in the interior it will satisfy you while opening beers in the cabin. That's one of the most important aspect for me.