Second edition of Parx Super Car Show 2010 in Mumbai on Jan 31

The second edition of the Parx Super Car Show which has been conceived and organised by Gautam Singhania is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on January 31, 2010. The first-ever display of India's most expensive cars which took place on April 5, 2009 saw Mumbaikars assemble early on the Sunday morning to witness this automobile spectacle.

 

It is to be mentioned that the Parx Super Car Show plans to establish a forum for car enthusiasts to interact and display their sensational cars. Gautam Singhania happens to be the founder & Chairman of the Super Car Club of India.

 

Parx Super Car Show 2010 is being sponsored by XXX Energy Drink, in association with IIFL and that's what XXX energy drink is all about. As the Title Sponsor of Parx Super Car Show, the XXX energy drink reflects sheer excitement and pure power unleashing raw energy. The brand XXX is creation of .Sachin J.Joshi, vice-chairman of GT&T Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of JMJ group, a Rs.1000 crore company that is into diverse businesses.

 

It is also to be mentioned that Joshi is a young dynamic personality who believes in etching a mark through his business acumen. As an individual he reflects style and class which is also seen in his passion for cars. A proud owner of Bentley, Continental GT speed 2010, Mercedes CL 63 AMG and Mercedes CL 500.

 

He says – "I believe in accelerating towards life with extreme energy, high excitement and sheer drive; which is why Parx Super Car Show appealed to me instantly as it also reflected the XXX brand personality of extreme energy and extreme excitement."

The adrenalin rush that one experiences after having a XXX energy drink is the same as driving these super fast cars. Everything about these cars is extreme from power, size, and speed to prize.

 

Following a display of the cars at Vidhan Sabha Parking Lot, the show will involve a parade through the roads of Mumbai from the display venue via Breach Candy through the Sea Link to Bandra (East) and back via Peddar Road to the venue, to provide a flavor of these cars to Mumbaikars. The Parx Super Car Show will showcase ionic dream machines such as Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, Bentleys, Rolls Royce Phantom, Lotus Elize Ariel Atom and others.

Motherson Sumi Q3 2009-10 PAT at Rs. 77.88 crore

Motherson Sumi Systems, the flagship company of the Samvardhana Motherson Group reported a profit after tax of Rs. 77.88 crore for the third quarter ending 31st December this financial year. It is to be mentioned that the company had a PAT of Rs 25.39 crore during the corresponding period last fiscal. However, the results of the two corresponding fiscals are not comparable because of acquisition of UK-based VisioCorp's rear view mirror business in Europe March last year for 25 million euro. The company reported total sales of Rs 1,782.27 crore during the third quarter. It had sales of Rs 546.49 crore during the year-ago period.

 

"Our domestic wiring harness business registered a good growth on the back of revival in the auto industry. Besides, the European subsidiary Samvardhana Motherson Reflectec (SMR) has also turned profitable after we acquired it last year," Motherson Sumi Systems Chief Operating Officer Pankaj Mittal told PTI, adding that  the company has operationalised three new facilities for wiring harness during the past few months and one more would soon come on stream. He also mentioned, "The new plant at Chennai will be exclusively catering to the demand of Nissan's facility there. Besides, we have put on stream facilities at Pune, Noida and Kandla during this fiscal." 

 

It is to be mentioned that MSSL is is a joint venture between Samvardhana Motherson Group and Sumitomo Wiring Systems (Japan). MSSL is one of the largest manufacturers of Automotive Rearview Mirrors for passenger cars in the world together with being the largest manufacturer of automotive wiring harnesses in India. It also supplies plastic components and modules to the automotive industry. Other product range of MSSL comprises of rubber components for automotive and industrial applications, high precision machined metal parts, injection molding tools and HVAC Systems. The integration of diverse products and technologies leading to comprehensive solutions is a unique advantage, which makes the company a globally preferred solutions provider. MSSL has presence in 21 countries and has manufacturing bases in five continents across the globe to support its customers.

Michelin India opens its second truck service centre for South India in Sankari

Michelin, a worldwide leader in tyres and mobility, opens its second truck service centre MTSC, (Michelin Truck Service Centre) in the Southern region in Sankari, near Salem. MTSC is a one-stop-shop for Bais, radial tyre and related services for trucks. Apart from the application based Tyre recommendation & sales, MTSC's gamut of services include Wheel Alignment, wheel balancing, professional tyre repair service, greasing etc. The MTSC was inaugurated by Philippe Neyrat, commercial director, Michelin India, in the presence of Harkesh Jaggi, manager Distribution, B. Kumar, National Sales Manager, TB and other officials & guests.  

 

Speaking at the opening, Philippe Neyrat, commercial director, Michelin India, said, "We see India as an economy developing at an accelerated pace, with focused growth in infrastructure. The highways across the country carry heavy traffic; therefore, that is where the demand for a service centre was inevitable. In keeping with its commitment to India, Michelin offers services mainly for radial tyres, which help contribute to save fuel, up to 10 per cent.  Truck Radial is the way of the future, it helps reduce the cost of the fleet owner by reducing his fuel bill and the overall tyre cost." 

 

The opening of the second MTSC in South deepens the availability of Michelin products and services along India's highways and will help to meet the soaring demand for Michelin Radial tyres. Being a one stop shop where all these services would be provided under one roof, MTSC would save the customer's time and expenditure on maintenance/ servicing. 

 

Sankari is one of the historic town located around 35 km south-west of Salem. It is situated on the Salem-Coimbatore National Highway-NH47, in Salem District, Tamil Nadu and is very famous for Lorry/truck industries and its allied business. In order to service the needs of our valued clients for both Radial Truck Tyres & Tyre related services, Michelin has opened its second MTSC centre in Tamil Nadu.

 

K.K. Natesan & K. Ramesh, owners Sri Manikandan Tyres, said, "We are pleased and honoured to be associated with Michelin Tyres as their partner in MTSC. Partnership with Michelin, an international leader in tyre technology, makes it possible for us to cater to huge market of Radial Truck Tyres in this district. It also enables us to provide the best possible Tyre related services using the latest machinery and well trained staff." 

 

MTSC is an internationally successful format, particularly in the Asia Pacific region and we see it growing in India too. Michelin has maintained leadership position for more than 100 years, thanks to its relentless efforts in research and development. 

 

Michelin is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tyres for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles/motorcycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, trucks and the US space shuttle. It also offers electronic mobility support services, on ViaMichelin.com, and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has around 115,000 employees and operates 68 production plants in 19 different countries.

 

 

BPCL third quarter profit plummets 52 per cent to Rs. 379 crore

Bharat Petroleum Corporation has reported a 52.6 per cent decline in its net profit at Rs 379.09 crore for the third quarter ended 31st December, 2009. The state-owned company posted a net profit of Rs 799.84 crore in the year-ago period. The net sales of HPCL shot up to Rs. 32,161.24 crore during Q3 FY 2009-10 from Rs. 31,884.48 crore in the same period last year. The company's market sales rose to 7 million tonnes compared to 6.84 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

 

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is one of India's largest PSU companies, with Global Fortune 500 rank of 287 (2008), with its corporate office located at Ballard Estate, Mumbai. Bharat Petroleum is considered to be a pioneer in Indian petroleum industry with various path-breaking initiatives such as Pure for Sure campaign, Petro card, Fleet card etc.

 

BPCL's growth post-nationalisation (in 1976) has been phenomenal. One of the single digit Indian representatives in the Fortune 500 & Forbes 2000 listings, BPCL is often referred to as an 'MNC in PSU garb'. It is considered a pioneer in marketing initiatives, and employs 'Best in Class' practices.

North-East centre of NATRiP Dholchora inaugurated by Industry Minister

The Dholchora Campus of the National Institute for Automotive Inspection, Maintenance And Training was inaugurated by the Hon. Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh. In attendance was an impressive political entourage consisting of local luminaries like Shri Dinesh Prasad Goala, Hon. Minister for Urban Development Housing, Government of Assam, Shri Kabindra Purkayastha, Hon. MP from Silchar, Dr. Rumi Nath, MLA from Borkhola and of course our very own former Minister of Heavy Industries, Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev and a plethora of other dignitaries, including Shri Rajesh Singh, CEO and Project Director, NATRIP.

 

Inaugurating the Dholchora campus, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Hon. Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises stated that this was a very important centre to come up in this region and not only a pride for the North-Eastern parts but the entire country. He emphasized that such a centre would encourage OEMs to set up factories here and accompanying ancillary units like components would surely fuel economic growth in this region. Hon. Minister stated that with modern driving aids like the Driving simulator present here, people could practice driving virtually without endangering other road users and become proficient drivers within a short period of time. He vowed to carry on the good work done by his predecessor, Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev and promised full support to all running projects.

 

Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Hon. Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises especially mentioned that this centre would help upgrade the driving skills in this region and make the on road vehicles better maintained with fast upcoming facility of automated Inspection and Maintenance, the first of its kind in this region. He said that the mechanics training institute would also help in better maintenance of vehicles thereby improving the overall road safety profile in the north east.

 

Hon. Minister for HI and PE also inaugurated the driving simulator, the first in this region and one of handful in the country.

 

While the Indian Automobile Industry is growing at an impressive rate, there is a growing concern regarding the increase in number of accidents taking place on Indian roads. India accounts for about 10% of road accident fatalities world-wide equivalent to hundred and twenty thousand lives. Also, as per a survey, India looses around Rs.55,000 Crores annually due to the road traffic accidents.

 

This necessitates important action to be taken by the automobile researchers and engineers for promoting vehicle safety. Road Safety in the developing countries is assuming a serious dimension with fatal and serious accidents on the rise. Other areas of concern are the constant rise in number of traffic violations, and unabated congestion resulting in road rage, crime, and pollution.

 

At the Dholchora campus in Silchar, a hill driver Training centre equipped with training tracks, and a driving simulator is already functional. This, coupled with knowledgeable and efficient trainers will help train commercial vehicle drivers to drive safely in hilly terrain and all weather conditions. This is especially important, considering the fact commercial drivers spend most of their working life on roads, which leave a lot to be desired in terms of safety, signage etc.

 

The biggest bane of most truck drivers is undoubtedly overloading and sometimes rash driving. However, it has been seen that with proper instruction and education, most truck drivers refrain from such counterproductive practices. Also, concepts of scientific traffic management, usage of vehicle controls and systems i.e. turn signal indicators, importance of maintenance and basic driving skills like hill holding with load, are in a position to be taught today. Currently, experts are imparting lessons both on the simulator, as well as in a mix of theory classes and practical demonstration training.

 

Jaffirbond, which is racing towards its finish line, is almost ready to start what has been envisioned as the most important factor which could make our roads safer today: Inspection and maintenance (I and M). Today, there are more vehicles on the road than ever before, and this has compounded the problems of maintenance and upkeep of all vehicles, especially commercial ones. Studies show that sometimes even basic maintenance is lacking like tyre tread depth, usage of lights, especially blinkers and rear combination lamps etc. are woefully inadequate. Add to this overloading and bad driving practices and a sure recipe for disaster raises its ugly head. The Jaffirbond campus aims to impart quality education on I and M to students who will be the future of the vehicle industry of India and thereby create a whole new generation of youngsters who will be the demand of the automobile industry of tomorrow. Further, the Jaffirbond campus unique I and M initiative is likely to be involved in the national Inspection and Certification (I and C) regime, which is being initiated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in North-Eastern areas.

 

The Dholchora and Jaffirbond campuses are a unique collaboration between the Government, the public and industry. With the first batch of instructional sessions already underway, this centre is poised to play a leading role in the entire northeastern area, given the fact that the North-East is primarily a hilly region and has some of the most beautiful (and dangerous) roads in the entire country.

 

National Automotive Testing and R and D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP), the largest and one of the most significant initiatives in the automotive sector so far, represents a unique joining of hands between the Government of India, a number of State Governments and Indian Automotive Industry to create a state of the art Testing, Validation and R and D infrastructure in the country. The Project aims at creating core global competencies in the automotive sector in India and facilitates seamless integration of Indian Automotive industry with the world as also to position the country prominently on the global automotive map. The facilities under NATRiP at Manesar, Chennai, VRDE Ahmednagar , ARAI Pune, Rae Bareilly, Silchar and Indore will not only provide comprehensive homologation and product testing and validation facilities for vehicles and components but will also foster global competencies for generic research and development geared to catapult India into the league of nations with automotive excellence. NATRiP centers will house several Centre of Excellence for advanced research in emerging areas of technologies.

Tata Steel JV with Nippon Steel for auto cold-rolled flat products

Tata Steel Board has approved a framework for a joint venture between Tata Steel Limited (TSL) and Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC) for the production and sales of automotive cold-rolled flat products at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India to address the localisation needs of Indian automotive customers for high-grade cold-rolled steel sheet and contribute to further expansion of the Indian automobile industry. TSL will hold 51 per cent and NSC will hold 49 per cent of equity capital of the Joint Venture company.

 

The above joint venture aims to capture the growing demand for high-grade automotive cold-rolled flat products in India by setting up a Continuous Annealing and Processing Line (CAPL) with a capacity of 600,000 tonnes. NSC will transfer its technology for producing high-grade cold-rolled steel sheet for automotive application, including skin panels and high tensile steels.

 

NSC and TSL have a long history of cooperation in the field of automotive flat products and other areas of mutual interest. Through this project, NSC and TSL have decided to strengthen the partnership by entering into a joint operation. The companies will target conclusion of the joint venture agreement by June 2010 and start-up of operations before March 2013.

 

In addition to this, both companies will continuously discuss further collaboration in other fields such as automotive CGL or up-stream processes etc.

 

Established in 1907 as Asia's first integrated private sector steel company, Tata Steel Group is among the top ten global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of over 28 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). It is now the world's second-most geographically-diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and a commercial presence in over 50 countries. The Tata Steel Group, with a turnover of US$ 29 billion in FY '09, has over 80,000 employees across five continents and is a Fortune 500 company.

 

HPCL posts net profit of Rs. 31 crore during third quarter of current financial

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation has reported a net profit of Rs. 31 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2009. The company had a net loss of Rs 422 crore in the same period previous fiscal, HPCL said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. However, the company's total income dropped to Rs. 28,099 crore for the October-December quarter, from Rs. 29,541 crore in the same period last fiscal.

 

It may be recalled that HPCL's Mumbai Refinery rolled out the first batch of  BS-IV MS [Petrol] for meeting their North and North West needs. The aforesaid refinery had undertaken the project for up-gradation of Motor Spirit Fuel quality to meet BS-III & BS-IV specifications. This project consists of three major units namely, Naphtha Hydrotreating / Catalytic Reformer, FCCU Naphtha Hydrotreater and Isomerisation unit.

 

These units are getting commissioned phase-wise from May, 2009 and on 4th January, 2010; HPCL's Mumbai Refinery has achieved one more significant step by manufacturing BS-IV MS which is mandatory as per the Auto Fuel Policy for implementation of BS-IV Fuel in select 13 cities and BS-III Fuel in rest of the country. HPCL plans to supply BS-IV MS from their marketing installations / depots, effective 1st April, 2010.

 

However, as a pre-preparatory [dilution] exercise, the BS-IV MS was rolled out on 4th Jan., 2010, only to HPCL's Marketing installations. The first batch of EURO-IV MS was launched at the hands of their chairman & managing director, Arun Balakrishnan in the presence of director (Marketing), S. Roy Choudhury, director -HR, V. Vizia Saradhi, director – Finance, B. Mukherjee, director - Refineries, K. Murali and other Senior Officials from HQO and Mumbai Refinery.

 

This is a rare distinction that HPCL, Mumbai Refinery is the first among all Public Sector Refineries in manufacturing BS-IV MS production, having stringent quality, specs like Sulphur less than 50 PPM, Olefins less than 21 per cent and Aromatics less than 35 per cent.

Daimler AG to roll out India-specific trucks from Chennai by 2012

Even after disengaging with Hero Motors for the commercial vehicle joint venture, the Indian arm of German commercial vehiclemaker-Daimler AG has categorically stated that it would continue to pursue its plans to make trucks and buses in India on its own.

 

Furthermore Daimler India is also planning to invest €700 million to increase the production capacity of its trucks in its manufacturing plant at the SIPCOT Industrial Park in Oragadam, near 40 km from Chennai (in Tamil Nadu). Of late, it has been learnt from a senior official of its Indian arm (Mercedes-Benz India) that Daimler AG is developing a truck especially for the Indian market that will hit the roads by 2012. At present, Daimler has presence in the Indian passenger car and commercial vehicles segment through Mercedes Benz India. The company rolls out Actros range of mining trucks and buses from its Chakan plant in Maharashtra. 

 

"We (Daimler) are developing a totally new truck for the Indian market and it will be rolled by 2012 from the Chennai facility," Mercedes-Benz India managing director and CEO Wilfried Aulbur told reporters in New Delhi. He said the India-specific truck will be in various categories and will have new branding under Daimler operations.  He added, "Our existing Mercedes range of trucks are premium and hence expensive ones. Therefore, we are creating a new product, and in future there will be Daimler trucks across all spectrums."   

 

Even though the timeline of the proposed investments could not yet be ascertained. Industry sources on condition of anonymity have revealed that the is meant to be commissioned in a 1,000 acre-plot at Chennai at an initial capacity of 70,000 trucks per year and provide direct employment to around 2,000 people.

 

It is to be mentioned that last year, Hero Group and Daimler AG had agreed to form a JV- Daimler Hero Motor Corporation (DHMC) - in which Daimler was supposed to have a 60 per cent stake and the Hero Group the balance. The partners had earlier earmarked an investment outlay of Rs. 4,400 crore for the JV, including setting up a manufacturing plant. Hero Daimler JV was to manufacture light and medium commercial vehicles initially, and heavy duty vehicles then. The light and medium commercial vehicles were to be launched by 2010, while the heavy commercial vehicles were to roll out by 2012. But, more than a couple of months back Hero Group had decided to pull of the venture, citing the unfavourable conditions in the CV industry globally.

Michelin India rolls out Tyreplus in Madurai

Tyreplus, a joint initiative by Michelin Tyres, the world leader in tyre technology and Sundar Tyre Mall opened in the city of Madurai today. The opening ceremony was attended by Philippe Neyrat, commercial director, Michelin India, in the presence of Prashant Sharma, manager, Distribution, PC, Shantanu Deshpande, manager, Marketing (PC & TB) and other officials & guests. 

 

The 'Tyreplus' store located at Nehru Nagar is spread over a total area of around 4,000 sqft and has a pleasant ambience, innovative display of Tyres and accessories and a workshop, fully-equipped with latest machinery to handle all tyre and related services, an exercise undertaken by Michelin Tyres for all its 'Tyreplus' outlets across the world.  

Speaking at the inauguration, Philippe Neyrat, Commercial Director, Michelin India said, "Since last decade the industry has witnessed an exceptional rise in customer demand for quality services. The objective for bringing 'Tyreplus' to India was to make available the choice of brands of tyres and related services to Indian car owners and drivers under one roof at fair and competitive prices." 

 

"'Tyreplus' is an addition to Michelin's initiative of innovative distribution programs that aim to enhance retail experience for customers. We are confident that this new distribution programme/ concept will appeal to the consumers in this region", he further added. 

 

Also present at the occasion, K.S Palanikumarasamy &.K.S.P Sundaravel, owners said, "We are delighted to have got this opportunity to be associated with Michelin tyres, which is synonymous with quality and excellent technology. Together we hope to present to our customers with the best products and services available in the market."  

Tyreplus, supported by Michelin, a worldwide leader in tyres and mobility, is the automotive service network provider of high quality products and preventive maintenance services for cars at affordable prices. Under the one-stop-shop concept, 'Tyreplus' offers a variety of quick automotive services helping customers to minimize the time and money involved in maintaining their vehicles. 

 

Established in 2002 in Asia, Tyreplus is a global Michelin initiative to establish networks of independently owned tyre outlets in various countries through a licensee program offered by the tyre maker. The program has 1,000 participating stores in China, Australia, Thailand, India, Saudi Arabia and Russia.  

 

Michelin is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tyres for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles/motorcycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, trucks and the US space shuttle. It also offers electronic mobility support services, on ViaMichelin.com, and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in more than 170 countries, has around 120,000 employees and operates 68 production plants in 19 different countries.  

Maruti Suzuki ships out 500 units of Ritz superhatch to Indonesia

In its bid to enhance its foothold in the South East Asia markets, Maruti Suzuki India Limited is now looking to export its models to countries like Indonesia. Of late, PTI has reported that the country's second largest car export had already made first shipment of 500 units of Ritz to the Indonesian market. Ritz is available in two variants-1.2 litre petrol and a 1.3 litre diesel engine. The move to target South East Asian markets with Ritz comes just after its A-Star premium compact car crosses one lakh units mark for exports in December, within 11 months of starting overseas shipments. It was reported earlier that the A-Star is exported to 44 countries, predominantly in Europe, along with Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

"Indonesia is a prime destination for Ritz. On Wednesday, the first lot of 500 units of Ritz, sporting 1.2 litre petrol engine, is being dispatched to Indonesia," a senior company official was quoted as saying to PTI, adding that "A-star and Ritz represent important steps by an Indian company to emerge as a car manufacturer with global appeal. It is in line with parent Suzuki Motor Corp's vision of turning India into a global hub for compact cars."

In a separate media report, Maruti Suzuki had also revealed that it is looking to enhance its export base by entering into markets in the Middle East, South America, West Asia and Australia. "We are currently exporting our cars to the European countries but now we will start exploring new markets such as Africa, South America, the Middle East and Australia to boost our exports," a senior official told reporters in Chandigarh recently.

Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki has said that is aiming to clock 1,000,000 units in sales during the current financial year on the back of resurgence in the domestic car market and stable demand in the overseas markets. However, the company has maintained that it sees
the next year challenging on rising raw material prices and a possible roll back of government stimulus package. It is to be mentioned that Maruti, Maruti, in which Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp has 54.2 per cent stake, has already sold nearly 731,000 vehicles in the first three quarters of this year.

The company's chairman R.C. Bhargava was quoted as saying to Reuters exclusively,"All these are concerns and it is not possible to make a firm accurate forecast of what will happen in the next 15 months," he told Reuters in an interview, referring to the outlook for the coming year.  He added, "Sales in 2009-10 are expected to jump 26 per cent from 792,166 units in the previous year, with exports set to double to 145,000 units. Bhargava said exports were likely to be maintained in 2010-11, with sales to new markets such as Africa, Australia and New Zealand. An end to a scheme to scrap older cars in Europe this year is expected to have a significant impact on the sales of Maruti's A-Star hatchback, which is exported to several countries there including Germany, Britain and France.

Mahindra Automotive Sector wins SP Jain Marketing Effectiveness Conclave trophy for 2010

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.'s Automotive Sector recently received the prestigious SP Jain Marketing Effectiveness Conclave trophy for 2010. The winning team presented a paper titled 'Market Dominance: The Mahindra Way - Portfolio Strategy & Brand Differentiation for Effective Marketing' which saw them edge out stiff competition from other final round companies, namely, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, HDFC Bank and Raymonds to lift the trophy. 

 

"Mahindra's auto sector has always been known for its innovative, path-breaking and most talked about marketing campaigns and strategies, whether for the iconic Scorpio, the evergreen Bolero or  for the fun & trendy XYLO. This award is a clear validation of our winning formula!" said Vivek Nayer, senior vice-president, Marketing, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. 

 

A total of 22 teams from various corporates submitted their papers in the first round of the competition. A shortlist of 13 teams then submitted a written case study, with four teams selected to make presentations and compete in the final round for the coveted trophy. 

 

Jury members included eminent names such as Dr. Vithala R. Rao from Johnson School, Cornell University, K.S. Ramesh, ex ED & CEO, CavinKare, V. Shantakumar, ex CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi, Kinjal Medh, COO, Cogito Consulting and Prof. S.K. Palekar of SPJIMR. 

 

It is to be mentioned that the SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai, is a premier Business school which has been consistently ranked among the top 10 B-Schools in India. The SPJIMR Marketing Impact Awards (SMIA) is an annual affair which rewards marketing initiatives based on their impact. This event felicitates those corporate houses that have solved a business problem or exploited a market opportunity with marketing initiatives that are significantly more impactful than those of their competitors.  

 

The awards attempt to prove that the effectiveness of marketing can be demonstrated and quantified. As an academic institution which believes in 'Influencing Practice', SPJIMR provides a platform to share the best practices and stimulate new thinking on how to measure and isolate the long term impact of marketing initiatives on business. 

 

Nissan India ‘V’ platform to offer hatch, sedan and a mini-MPV versions

Japan's third largest carmaker, Nissan Motor Company, which had earlier said it will offer 5 locally-built cars in the Indian market, is looking to leverage on its 'V' platform. Initially, the company will roll out a hatchback car, which will replace the March/Micra subcompact in Europe, following a sedan version next year and later a mini-MPV.

 

While inaugurate company's dealership in Pune, Nissan Motor India CEO Kiminobu Tokuyama  confirmed that five of the nine models due for launch in India till 2012 will be made at the company's Chennai facility. Three of them will be on the newly-developed compact car 'V' platform. The first will be a hatchback, followed by a sedan in 2011, while the third model is yet to be finalised, he said. The remaining four models will be imported as completely-built up (CBU) cars from Japan.  

 

"The Chennai factory, co-owned by French partner Renault SA, plans to ship 110,000 units of Nissan's new global compact car in 2011, mainly to Europe, expanding that to 180,000 "in the near future", Tokuyama said.  Even though Tokuyama did not disclose how many of the compact cars it will build for local consumption, he said Nissan wanted to at least match its global market share of about 5.5 percent in India as soon as possible.

 

When queried about the company's global sourcing plans, Kiminobu Tokuyama, managing director told reporters, "India will be export hub for components for our plants in Taiwan, Thailand and Japan. For 2010, we are planning to source US$10 million worth of volume from India, which would be scaled up to US$ 20 million by 2011 and US$ 40 million by 2012." He further stated, "We have appointed 97 suppliers across India, some of whose products will be exported to overseas plants," Tokuyama said. Among the parts Nissan Motors is planning to export from India are engine pistols, clutch discs and starter motors.

 

Three Audi models wins ‘Best Cars of 2010’

Audi has continued its success story in the 'Best Cars of 2010' readers' poll conducted by the magazine "auto motor und sport" (ams). Readers voted three Audi models – the Audi A4, R8 Spyder and Audi Q5 (which are also sold in the Indian market)– into first place in their categories. Second places for the Audi A3, A6 and R8 Coupé rounded out the outstanding result.

 

The three first-place finishes once again made Audi one of the most successful brands in the readers' poll. The Audi R8 Spyder finished top of the category "Convertibles" this year at the first time of asking. Rupert Stadler, chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG, took receipt of the award in the "Alte Reithalle" in Stuttgart. In the "Off-road vehicles" category, the Audi Q5 left its competitors trailing. The award was accepted by Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi AG. 

 

And in the 'Midsize class' category, the Audi A4 was the undisputed number one for the third successive occasion. Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at Audi AG, received this award on the company's behalf in Stuttgart.

 

These impressive results were rounded out by the three second-place finishes. Readers of ams voted the Audi A3 into second place in the 'Lower midsize class' category, a feat emulated by the Audi A6 in the 'Upper midsize class' and the Audi R8 Coupé in the 'Sports car' categories.

 

This was the 34th time that the magazine "auto motor und sport" had conducted this poll, with almost 100,000 readers casting their votes for 326 models in 10 different categories.

 

 

Hyundai Motor net profits up by 104.5 percent helped by India and China operations

Hyundai Motor Company has announced that its net profit increased by 104.5 per cent to 29.615 trillion Won from a year earlier helped by brisk sales in China and India which on a unit sales basis posted y-o-y gains of 93.6 per cent and 14.4 per cent, respectively. South Korea's largest automaker, saw 2009 sales rise 11.7 per cent y-o-y to 3,106,178 units (domestic plants: 1,611,991 units, overseas 1,494,187 units) a year earlier. 

 

Despite the 23 per cent y-o-y sales improvement in its home market in Korea to 701,469 units and the Korean won's appreciation against the US dollar (15 per cent gain) and the Euro (10.1 per cent gain), Hyundai saw 2009 sales revenues slip by 1.0 per cent y-o-y to 31.859 trillion won on reduced export shipments from its Korean plants. 

 

Aided by favourable exchange rates and the company's widely implemented cost-cutting efforts, operating profit also rose by 19.1 per cent to 22.350 trillion won despite higher marketing, dealer and brand development expenses which are necessary to secure future competitiveness. 

 

Domestic sales recovered by 23.0 per cent y-o-y thanks to the successful launch of new models, Equus, Tucson ix and Sonata and tax benefits extended between May and December to new car buyers trading in vehicles 10 years or older.  However, export sales from the three Korean plants fell 17.1 per cent to 910,522 units due to reduced demand in Russia while production of the i30 compact hatchback picked up pace at the newly opened manufacturing plant in Czech. 

 

By region, Hyundai saw a rise in market share in developed countries such as the United States and the EU despite strong headwinds in those regions last year.  In China, Hyundai registered an impressive 94 per cent growth in sales by selling 570,300 units and become the 4th largest company in the country.