Electric Nano to run on British and Scandinavian roads

The electric version of the much publicized Nano by TATA motors is expected to hit British and Scandinavian roads in next 3 years.

The electric version was unveiled at Geneva Autoshow 2010 along with displaying Aria, Xenon, Indica EV. TATA had displayed the electric version of Indica in Delhi Autoexpo 2010.

TATA is making serious bid to gain early mover advantage to take the slice of lucrative European green car market where the EU is committed to reduce the emission by 20% in 5 years. TATA is running initiatives through its subsidiary TMETC in UK for all its EV vision. It had acquired 50.3% in Norwegian electric technology company Miljo. The TMETC, TATA motors European technology centre based at Coventry in West Midlands is an effort to bring in the best of talent from European OEM in vehicle technology, engineering and R&D.
TATA motors recently had Carl-Peter Foster, ex-GM Europe Head as group CEO including India.

TATA cars are expected to take Chevy Volt and GM Ampera head-on as the Volt/Ampera have created enough buzz about their launch this year in Europe.

The Indica EV version is expected to be launched by September this year in Norway and by end of this year in UK. The Indica is expected to run 200kms for full charge.

Nissan entering small car segment in India via Micra

Nissan motors that has been talking of entering Indian car market with small car in sub $5000 segment has announced in Geneva Auto show the launch of Micra model based on V-platform that would potentially produced from Chennai in southern part of India. Chennai would be one of the four global locations.

Nissan has also announced that it is talking to Ashok Leyland, the commercial vehicle maker in India to tie up for the small car production. Nissan already has a collaboration with Ashok Layland for LCV, powertrain and technology development areas with AL having 51% stake and Nissan the rest 49%.

Indian auto industry scoring like Sachin Tendulkar

Majority of Indian auto OEMs have scored highest ever sales in a month for the month of February 2010.

Maruti the market leader in sales has recorded highest ever sales of 96659 units, Hundai Motors 54617 units spearhead the sales numbers. Tata motors has seen record 98% growth in its media and heavy commercial segment, 67% in Commercial vehicle segment. The commercial vehicle segment has seen a painful last year is seeing a breather with new vehicles being rolling over again on roads. Toyota motors has seen a records 101% growth in sales that include the Innova, corolla and Fortuner models.

Govt’s stimulus, dealer discounts and initial grape wines of price hikes after budget have contributed to the rush, however the budget and increase in price of commodities, increase in excise on key raw materials and fuel price hike would probably put a break on this run in the next quarter as a whole.

	Feb-10	Feb-09
Hundai Motors
growth	42.80%
sales	54617	38235
domestic	31001	21215
export	23616	17020
Maruti suzuki
growth	22.50%
sales	96650	79190
domestic	84765	70625
export	11885	8565
TATA motors
growth	56%
sales	66190	42493
cars	43.70%
sales	29241	20348
exports	3237	1318
lcv	21764	11100
M&HCV	17441	349
cvs	39205	23454
M&M
growth	35.65%
sales	26580	19594
three wheeler
	6907	3415
utility vehicles	24.18%
	18280	14720
logan	537	1008
cv growth	89.80%
cv sales	856	451
exports	1314	300
Toyota
growth	101%
cars, SUV	5993	2976

GM
growth	126%
sales	11111	4921
Ashok Leyland
growth	142%
sales	7869	3245
domestic	7902	2669
export	777	576
Honda
growth	12.50%
sales	6275	5579
Mercedes
growth	78%
sales	439	246
Audi
sales	252	113