Day 2: What they told us at Auto Expo 2012
As Auto Expo 2012 moves on, NDTV Profit spoke to the heads of many of the auto majors. Here is a look at what they said.
The second day of the 11th Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan Delhi saw companies like Hero, General Motors, Toyota, Maruti Suzuki continue to draw media attention. This follows a slew of product launches by Maruti, Honda, BMW, JLR, Tata Motors, Nissan among others on Thursday.
Check the video: Day 2 at Auto Expo 2012
Friday was equally glamorous with many new launches from Hero, General Motors, Toyota and Maruti. As the exhibition moves on, NDTV Profit spoke to the heads of many of these auto majors. Here is a look at what they said.
Force Motors:
As Force Motors unveils 4X4 version of Force one SUV, Traveller Hybrid, & Traveller 26 at Auto Expo, this is what Abhay Firodia, Chairman, Force Motors told NDTV Profit:
Monocoque 26 seater platform has been developed with investment of Rs 80 cr. We are spending 3 to 4 per cent of turnover on R&D. As we go forward, we will be spending more on hybrid technology. Hybrid Technology is the technology of the future. We hope to bring hybrid vehicles to the market in one and a half years.
Traveller 26 is priced from Rs 11.4 Lakh to Rs. 14 Lakh. It is to be launched in the market in next 6 months. We see the auto sales growing above 10 per cent in 2012 and don't see commodity prices going up anymore. We will be able to maintain margins.
Traveler hybrid has been developed in partnership with Ricardo Plc and Locomotive technologies of UK.
Maruti Suzuki:
Maruti Suzuki unveiled Ertiga, powered by the 1.3 litre K-14 petrol engine that will give a mileage of 16 kmpl. Its other variant will be available with a 1.3 litre D 13A diesel engine and will give mileage of 20.77 kmpl.
This is what C.V. Raman, General Manager, Maruti Suzuki told NDTV Profit:
There is requirement of compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MVPV) in India. We are trying to create new segment as 15 per cent of car market belongs to utility vehicles. We see huge demand in this segment.
Ertiga has no comparison in the MPV segment. It is 4.2 metres in length compared to other vehicles, which are 4.4 metres and above. It is a sporty design yet passenger like and moves away from commercial image. It is derived from the swift platform; we have made it longer by 310 millimetres for more cabin space.
Production capacity is not an issue as we will manufacture it in the Gurgaon plant.
Hero Motocorp:
Two-wheeler maker Hero Motocorp unveiled its first hybrid scooter – Leap at Auto Expo 2012 in Delhi on Friday. It has been fully developed by Hero MotoCorp, with no involvement on part of Honda.
Here is what Pawan Munjal, MD and CEO, Hero Moto Corp told NDTV Profit:
This is a landmark day for Hero Moto Corp as it is a huge leap for Hero Moto Corp technology. Leap scooter is the first ever Hero Moto Corp technology product and the first ever hybrid scooter from India
We have developed the Hero Leap with technological support from an international consultant. We want to focus on exporting Leap to countries in Africa and Latin America.
We expect to see a growth of 18 per cent in the two wheeler segment.
General Motors:
General motors unveiled Chevrolet SAil premium hatchback and Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) concept, it’s the first two products from its joint venture with SAIC.
Along the sidelines of the launch, Lowell Paddock, President and MD, GM India told NDTV Profit:
Chevrolet Sail will be a strong addition to GM's mini car portfolio in India. Sail hatchback will go on sale later this year and has been built for emerging markets.
Engineers at GM technical centre in Bangalore, India spent a year and half to engineer this platform, specifically for the Indian market.
Sail is powered by GM's Smartech engine and both petrol and diesel variants will be offered.
Chevrolet MPV concept has been engineered for MPV-B segment. It has been also developed by GM technical centre India in association with the British automaker Lotus, for world's emerging markets.
Mahindra:
Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and MD of Mahindra Group unveiled the all new Mahindra Reva. We managed to get an interview with the Mahindra honcho. He is what he said:
'Indians are fascinated with automobiles. We want to be game changers in mobility space. We are promoting green technology because we want to have a hand in shaping the eco system. Mahindra Reva is the next step towards green technology.