Hyundai Motor India fastest to reach 20 lakh domestic production & sales milestone

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), the second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter, today reached a historic milestone with the sale of its vehicles reaching 20 lakh (2 million) mark in the domestic market.

On the occasion, H. W. Park, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL, said, “Today is a red-letter day for all of us at Hyundai family. We are extremely delighted to share this achievement with all our stakeholders and we believe this was possible because of our total commitment to the Indian market and the faith our customers have put in our products. Needless to say we will continue to build “Brand Hyundai” in the market here and bring in the best of products and technology.”

The first Santro rolled out in September, 1998. Right from the beginning HMIL has always been the trend-setter. From the record of setting up the plant in just 17 months to becoming the 2nd largest car manufacturer in just 6 months to rolling out 150,000 cars in about 25 months, Hyundai has fulfilled everybody’s expectations. Hyundai Motor achieved this remarkable distinction of reaching the 20 lakh car production for domestic market in a record time of about 12 years. In December, 2009, HMIL had touched the milestone of fastest production and sales of 25 lakh units (cumulative). With these achievements, HMIL becomes only the second manufacturer in India to have achieved these distinctions.

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General Motors cars to get expensive by January 2011

General Motor India is reporting a price hike early next year. The car maker would soon be investing $500 million in its expansion plans. There are plans to expand operations and launch new vehicles. The car manufacturer is also looking to ramp up dealership network all over the country by next year.


Speaking on the price hike, GM (India) Vice-President (Corporate Affairs) P Balendran said
"We are reviewing the cost pressure, but there will be an increase in prices across models from the first week of January. We typically increase prices between 1.5 per cent and 3 per cent." "He added, "There is a huge input cost pressure. Some component prices have increased between 5 and 15 per cent." Speaking on the investment plans, GM India President and Managing Director Karl Slym said, "We have invested over $1 billion so far and we plan to invest another $500 million for our future expansion."

The last price revision was done in June-July, after which GM had earmarked $500 million investment in the next two years to increase operations. Launching new vehicles and ramping up dealership network all over the country was also a part of the agenda. General Motors plans to launch 6 new vehicles in India over the next 24 months. The vehicles include van, hatchback, small car and the SUV models.

By: Amrith K.A.

Related Books:
General Motors X-Cars (Paperback )
General Motors N- Cars, 1985- 1998 (Paperback)
Motors Cars and Light Trucks

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Toyota's Small Car Etios Now For Indian Market

Toyota is all set to launch its extravagant small car named Etios in Indian market on 1st of December in Bangalore. The booking will most probably initiate in December month and in January the car will be seen in showroom first. At present in India Toyota is introducing Etios Twins with petrol engines only. But in years to come they expect the diesel version in the market.


All new Etios is designed seeing the Indian consumers taste and will give remarkable boost to the big brand of Toyota. The race in small car segment will be getting tough as Toyota is all set to give tough competition to its competitors. Etios was first seen and was highly appreciated by everyone in Delhi auto expo in the month of January 2010.

Toyota is on high success with its MUVs like Innova and sedans and recently the SUV Fortuner. According to some agencies reports Etios is targeting a sale of 65,000 units next year. Toyota’s second plant will have an initial annual production capacity of 70,000 units, which could be expanded up to two lakh units. To roll-out its first small car in India Toyota is investing Rs 3,200 crore to set up its second manufacturing facility in Bangalore. The second plant will first cater to the needs of Etios.

By: Ritika Jayaswal

Related Books:
Toyota (Paperback)
Toyota Camry (Paperback)
Toyota: Toyota Racing, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Corona, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Tacoma

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Spyker Cars- to foray into the Indian roads

Spyker- the renowned Dutch car manufacturer is reportedly all set to enter the Indian auto market. Spyker will import its cars in India. It has also shortlisted two potential partners that will sell its cars in Delhi and Mumbai to begin with. Additionally, the car manufacturer intends to launch the Spyker product in 2011 that will be a completely built unit imported from Netherlands.


Speaking about the purported launch, Spyker cars officially stated, “Spyker is always looking for the right partners in viable markets for the brand and we are discussing with a number of potential partners in many new markets, India included. Spyker has shortlisted the potential partners and we will announce the new retail partner when the arrangements are finalized. It is our intention to launch the Spyker product in 2011.”

Besides, some reports suggest that Spyker cars are in talks with potential dealers in Mumbai and New Delhi. On being questioned about the price, Spykar did not make any statements but said that going by the cost of their cars in London, the C8 Spyder Aileron will cost an estimated Rs 3.5 crores. Despite the costs, Spyker Cars have a Desi connection since one team, Force India, was originally owned by Spyker Cars.

On the global arena Spyker sells iconic models like the C8 series, the one driven by Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. The other models include LM85, C12 Zagato and D8 Peking-to-Paris.

By: Amrith K.A.


Related Books:
Spyker: Spyker Cars, Spyker F1, Spyker F8- VII, Mike Gascoyne, SAAB Spyker Automobiles
Motor Vehicle Manufacturers of the Netherlands: Daf Trucks, Spyker, Spyker Cars, Nedcar, SAAB Spyker
Spyker Formula One Drivers: Adrian Sutil (Paperback)

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