Bajaj strikes Gold at last

Bajaj Auto Ltd., India's second largest two-wheeler maker announced recently that it has created a record of sorts by selling 500000 units of it's smash hit 100cc model, the Discover 100 DTS-Si in 225 days. This, along with the other recent runaway hit, the Pulsar 135LS, has put Bajaj back on the right track after what seemed to be a lull in the company's planning and product portfolio. The Bajaj Discover 100 DTS-Si was launched in July last year and if you remember correctly, I had predicted that this bike would be a mega hit and boost the fortunes of Bajaj.  Before the launch of these models, it was pathetic to see Bajaj losing marketshare and sales month-on-month compared to it's competitors, both big and small, who were growing like anything.

"The twin successes of the 100cc Discover DTS-Si and also the recently-launched Pulsar 135 LS has boosted our marketshare to 27.3 per cent in February. We were unable to meet the demand and there was a stock-out situation in some dealerships," Bajaj Auto's CEO (Two-Wheelers), Mr.S.Sridhar said. 

We can only hope that Bajaj does not lets its customers down this time by discontinuing the new models within months after it's launch and replacing it with something else. Case in point, being the Platina and the XCD. Both these bikes were not duds and sold in quite good numbers before being axed by Bajaj for reasons only known to Bajaj. Hope Bajaj is listening.

Maruti-Suzuki manufactures 1 Millionth Car in 2009-10

Maruti-Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL), which makes every second car sold in India and which commands a 54% share in the Indian automotive market created history on 23-Mar-2010 (Tuesday), when it manufactured the 1 Millionth Car of the year 2009-2010. By doing so, Maruti-Suzuki has joined an elite group of companies across the world that makes and sells more than a million cars a year. The list of companies doing so include Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Renault, Suzuki and Nissan. A blazing red Maruti-Suzuki Swift took the honors of being the millionth car of the financial year 2010. The journey of Maruti-Suzuki has been in sync with the growth of Indian Automotive Industry. While the Indian market has grown from a meagre 40,000 units annually when the first "Maruti 800" was rolled out in 1983 to the current 2 million units a year, Maruti-Suzuki has kept pace with a vice-like grip of the market and maintaining it's 50% plus market share even after the advent of global competition.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr.R.C.Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti-Suzuki said, "The landmark attained by Maruti-Suzuki fully establishes the validity of the late Prime Minister Smt.Indira Gandhi's vision when she decided to create Maruti Udyog. This vision has been fulfilled because of outstanding entrepreneurship of Mr.Osamu Suzuki, the excellent cooperation which existed between the Government of India and Suzuki Motor Corporation, and the enormous dedication, hard work and commitment of all Maruti-Suzuki employees over the last more than 26 years. The future beckons and Maruti-Suzuki will not be found wanting. Mr.Osamu Suzuki, Chairman and CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation was among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.

With this, Maruti-Suzuki has become the first Indian automotive company to join the exclusive million club. Hope Tata and Mahindra follows suit and does India proud in the near future. 

Tata Nano goes up in flames in Mumbai

The little wonder from Tata, called the Nano, which made the entire world sit up and take notice of India is now creating headlines across the world for all the wrong reasons. Seriously, the Tata Nano is "Frugal Engineering" at it's best and it has sent the right notes across the automotive industry, what with many other companies now trying to emulate Tata in making a similar-priced and similar-sized car. At this juncture, it's very unfortunate that a brand new Tata Nano, which was just delivered to the owner and was being driven home (by a company chauffeur as the owner did not know how to drive!) caught fire in the middle of the road in Mumbai. The owner should consider himself extremely lucky for not ending up toasted in the car thanks to a motorbike rider who alerted him and the driver by showing signs to look at the back of the car. Only then it dawned on them that the Nano's engine at the rear was on fire. Minutes after they stopped and got down from the car, the entire car was engulfed in flames as is visible from the picture.

Like all bad factors coming against a good thing, this incident and the previous one of a parked Nano catching fire in Ahmedabad will make doomsayers across the world to start their stupid comments about Tata, it's quality, it's cost-cutting and Indian manufacturing, etc. For all those people, I would just like to say one thing - even Toyota, considered as the God of Quality until very recently was not spared from problems. As a responsible company, I hope Tata comes out with a clear explanation of the incident and put all doubts to rest once and for all. I was telling this before and will continue to say this in future too - Hats off to Tata for coming up with the Nano !!!

Renault-Nissan Alliance inaugrates Chennai plant

Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt. Ltd. (RNAIPL) inaugurated it's Chennai plant on 17-Mar-2010 and formally started it's manufacturing operations in the country. The event was presided over by the honorable CM of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M. Karunanidhi and the CEO & Chairman of Renault-Nissan, Mr. Carlos Ghosn. The plant, when ramped up to it's full capacity, will be able to produce 400000 cars a year and would entertain a total investment of about Rs.4500 Crore. The plant will initially start producing the Nissan Micra small car from May-2010 and the domestic sales of Micra will start from July this year. Going further, models like Renault Koleos and Renault Fluence will be made in the plant with domestic sales scheduled later in the year or early next year. The significance of this plant is that this is the first dedicated Alliance plant in the world, designed for making both Renault and Nissan cars.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Carlos Ghosn said, "Our plant in Chennai represents a key milestone for the Renault-Nissan alliance in India." Mr. Akira Sakurai, MD and CEO of RNAIPL said "The opening of any new plant is a significant achievement, but the speed and quality of execution at this plant in Chennai has been exceptional."

With the opening of Renault-Nissan plant, Chennai is now playing host to 7 of the global Top 20 Automobile Companies. Apart from Renault-Nissan, the other automobile majors present in Chennai include BMW, Daimler, Ford, Hyundai and Mitsubishi thus cementing Chennai's position as the "Detroit of South Asia".

Hyundai Motor India rolls out 1 Millionth Export Car

Hyundai Motor India achieved a significant milestone on 22-Feb-2010 by rolling out it's 1 Millionth Export Car from India. The vehicle which did the honors was the new i20 which was shipped to Australia for the first time to mark the occasion. Being an industry trendsetter for exporting cars from India, Hyundai has achieved this milestone in a little over a decade thus making it the fastest automobile company in the country to reach this milestone.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. H. W. Park, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL said, “Reaching the 10 lakh export car landmark is not only a significant milestone but also a matter of great pride for the Hyundai family as it showcases the global success story that Hyundai as a brand enjoys. I take this opportunity to thank all our customers and stakeholders for their trust and support which has helped us reach this landmark. In the future we are sure to increase our overseas presence as we add more markets.” HMIL began exporting cars in the year 1999 with a batch of 20 Santros to Nepal. The first major export shipment of 760 Santro & Accent cars to Algeria from Chennai port happened on July-21-2000. 

Milestones of HMIL Exports from India:

• Oct-31-2004 - 100000
• Oct-18-2005 - 200000
• Oct-31-2006 - 300000
• Aug-06-2007 - 400000
• Mar-27-2008 - 500000
• Feb-22-2010 - 1000000

While it took 8 long years for Hyundai to reach the first 5 Lakh milestone in  exports, the second 5 Lakh cars took just 2 years. The major contributors for HMIL in exports are the Santro, i10, i20, Getz and Accent. Though Getz has been discontinued recently, the other four models continue to rake in good volumes for HMIL from as much as 110 countries across the world. As a matter of fact, Hyundai has made India it's global small car hub and HMIL is the only Hyundai plant in the world producing i10 and i20 till now. So, the next time when you see any of the Hyundai cars listed above anywhere in the world, be proud of the fact that they have been manufactured right here in India.