Top Stories
Maruti Suzuki to focus on employee rehabilitation
Taking an important initiative towards employee rehabilitation, Maruti Suzuki is roping in India's leading psychologists and psychiatrics for counseling its injured employees. The employee welfare team set up last week is quickly assessing individual needs with help of 'specialists on board' to conduct individual/ group therapy session for the injured. The counseling sessions kick off this week.
Meanwhile, employees joined Awanish Kumar Dev's family in a prayer meeting held at Srf Sathya Sai International Center, Pragati Vihar, Mew Delhi.It has been thirteen days post acts of violence and arson at the Manesar Plant, the culprits continue to be at large.
The Company continues to be concerned about the safety and security of fts people, hence not in a position to take a decision on resuming operations at the Manesar plant.
The Company will announce its decision to this effect only when it is assured of employee safety.
The labour violence which rocked the Manesar facility on July 18th, 2012 led to nearly 100 injured and one fatality. A General Manager, Awanish Kumar Dev, died in the violence. Nearly 100 managers and supervisors sustained injuries and had to be hospitalised. The attackers also set fire to the office wing and the main gate.
Thereafter, the Company declared a lock-out at its Manesar facility on July 21 citing that safety and health of employees was its paramount concern. Unless those were ensured, it could not undertake operations.
On the ground, the Company is also reaching out to its customers who have booked cars and explaining them the situation. The sales executives at dealerships are also being trained to convey the situation to new customers.
Fire broke out at TVS Motor's paint shop at Hosur plant
TVS Motor Company Ltd has announced a fire broke out in the early hours of July 29, 2012 in the paint shop in one of the Company's plants at Hosur.
The plant that suffered damage has been adequately insured. Production is not expected to be disrupted, in view of the availability of spare capacity.
The extent of damage and possibility of restoring the damaged unit to normalcy as early as possible are being assessed.
Results
Audi continues impressive sales performance in India; sales 98% up in July 2012
Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, continued to perform successfully in India as it marked up a sale of 680 cars in July 2012 - a growth of 98% over the same period last year (July 2011: 343 cars). The brand with the four rings grew by 49% during January to July of 2012, selling 4680 vehicles as compared to 3145 vehicles sold during the same period last year.
“Each month of this year has seen Audi India grow from strength to strength. A total of 4680 cars have been sold so far this year and the 49% growth clocked is remarkable thus making India among the top 3 growth markets YTD of AUDI AG worldwide. Despite speculation about economic upheavals, we are charging ahead on a well mapped out route towards leadership. We have a target of 8000 cars to be sold this year. I am confident that our robust customer proposition will help us surpass targets yet again this year”, said Mr. Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India.
Leading the growth for Audi in India is the Audi A6 along with the new Audi A4 and the Audi Q3. The strengthened ‘A’ range of limousines with the Audi A8 L, Audi A6, and Audi A7 Sportback have also caught a lot of attention. The new Audi A4 with its progressive design, efficient driving dynamics and class defining interiors is doing exceptionally well with the younger audience. The launch of the Audi Q3 in June further boosted sales with 500 bookings received within 5 days. 200 of these were delivered in June itself, and bookings are now open for additional 500 cars. Audi continues to dominate the luxury SUV segment, with the Audi Q5, Audi Q7 and now Audi Q3 and the super sports car segment with its Audi R8, Audi R8 Spyder and Audi RS5. Read more…
Atul Auto Q1 net profit up 18%
Maruti July sales at 82,234 units
M&M registers 19% growth during July 2012
Hyundai Motor domestic sales up by 7.6%
Toyota Kirloskar registers 7% growth in July
Bajaj Auto July sales at 3.44 lakh units
TVS Motors July sales at 1.6 lk units
Tata Motors registers 15% growth during July 2012
Fiat Q2 net profit down
Domestic News
Mercedes-Benz India unveils 'Mercedes-Benz Magazine' in India
Mercedes-Benz India unveiled the 2nd anniversary edition of the premium lifestyle magazine 'Mercedes-Benz Magazine' in India. The special edition was unveiled by renowned author Chetan Bhagat, who is also the Guest Editor of the magazine and Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India. Mercedes-Benz Magazine is the only premium lifestyle magazine to be published by any automobile manufacturer in the country today.
The 2nd Anniversary of Mercedes-Benz Magazine packs a delectable read as it offers a sumptuous spread of lifestyle elements comprising the best from the world of design, art, culture, fashion, cinema, sports, racing, music, glitz and glamour, technology, travel, food and architectural innovation. Emotionally appealing photos, high quality design and typography with a light touch provides a subtle framework for the content that goes well beyond the product world of Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz owners are characterized by their global lifestyle, their appreciation for the finer things in life and their enduring quest for excellence and perfection. These are precisely the aspects that the Mercedes-Benz Magazine offers to the readers- a vibrant cultural tapestry from all over the globe. The new Mercedes-Benz Magazine boasts of supreme journalistic appeal with wide spread photos that reflects the prevalent social milieu. The core philosophy of luxury has guided the magazine since its inception in 1954. The kaleidoscope of life presented in the pages make the Mercedes-Benz Magazine an emotionally appealing page turner.
The 2nd anniversary edition of Mercedes-Benz Magazine is guest edited by noted writer Chetan Bhagat and has an exclusive racy interview with the living legend, the seven-time Formula One racing World Champion Michael Schumacher along with his teammate from the Mercedes AMG Petronas team driver Nico Rosberg. The Mercedes-Benz Magazine also features "Candid Confessions" with style icon and Bollywood celebrity Malaika Arora Khan. The content of the second anniversary edition is a rich blend of global imagery and narration punctuated with interesting highlights of Mercedes-Benz India activities.
Talking about the Mercedes-Benz Magazine, author Chetan Bhagat said, "Trendy, young and appealing- the classic values of the Mercedes-Benz brand also find their way into the Mercedes-Benz Magazine! It is a statement of a modern global lifestyle and as the guest editor; I take pride that the Magazine too will delight the readers with its blend of content from near and far. It goes beyond cars and extends into the lives and passions of people- most of them are renowned names because the brand enjoys a distinct patronage. I have ensured that the Mercedes-Benz magazine is racy, engaging and sexy, a highly recommended read whether you are at home or jet setting across the globe!" Read more…
Shriram Transport's Public Issue of NCDs oversubscribed
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Launches “Liva TRD Sportivo”
Mahindra Reva receives prestigious IGBC ‘Platinum’ Rating
Scania Commercial Vehicles India holds ground-breaking ceremony
Audi launches sporty Audi A8 L 4.2 TDI q variant in India
M&M signs agreement with Telephonics Corporation
Global News
Jaguar XK represents XKR Special Edition models
Every Jaguar XK represents a compelling combination of advanced engineering and cosseting luxury, yet the latest additions to the evolving range – the XKR Special Edition models – further enhance that luxury quality through the introduction of hand-crafted 'Artisan' interiors.
Available in both coupe and convertible form, the Special Edition model's Artisan interior introduces the use of tactile 'scraffito' finished leather to the front seats, instrument binnacle, door and rear quarter casings. In combination with Poltrona Frau leather headlinings, new veneer finishe in Shadow Walnut and standard features including a 525W Bowers & Wilkins sound system, 16 by 16 way adjustable heated Performance seats, a heated steering wheel and keyless entry/start, each Special Edition model promises a heightened level of opulence and comfort.
To complement the sumptuous use of materials, Jaguar's design team, led by Director of Design Ian Callum, specified two exclusive Artisan interior colourways for the Special Edition models; Navy with Jet headlining and Truffle with Canvas headlining. Convertible hood colours have also been carefully selected and include Black, Blue, Grey and Brown. Special Edition treadplates and stainless steel pedals are additional discreet enhancements.
An exterior paint palette of six colours includes the exclusive Special Edition colour of Celestial Black, with Crystal Blue, Lunar Grey, Polaris White, Rhodium Silver and Ultimate Black being the alternative options. A new 20-inch alloy wheel design completes the exterior changes; the Orona wheels having a polished finish.
XK: an advanced choice
Whether in coupe or convertible form, each Special Edition model benefits from the advanced engineering techniques inherent to the entire Jaguar XKR range. Jaguar is industry-leading in its use of aluminium technology, and both coupe and convertible models utilise riveted and bonded aluminium monocoque construction that means light weight, exceptional rigidity and strength. In combination with continuously variable adaptive damping – standard on all models – and 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 petrol engine in 510PS supercharged form, the result is a beautifully damped yet controlled ride, precise handling, and effortless performance when required.
Chrysler Q2 net profit up 49% to $755mn