Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Tata Motors to set-up truck and bus assembly lines in South East Asia and Latin America

The Indian auto giant, Tata Motors is mulling to establish its truck and bus assembling lines in the foreign markets like Latin America and South East Asia. Tata Motors is currently the largest commercial vehicle maker in the Indian market. The company has already commenced the assembling work of its commercial trucks in the South African market.



While speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the silver jubilee celebration of company’s popular vehicle Tata 407, Mr. Ravi Pisharody, Tata Motors President for Commercial Vehicle Business, said, "We are looking for land in Latin America and South East Asia."

So far, the company has sold over 5 lakh units of Tata 407 model. The mini truck has been appreciated by the auto enthusiasts for its performance and it accounts for a market share of 75 percent in its category. The Tata 407 has offered goods transportation and people movement solutions to varying degree of users.

While commenting on the success of Tata 407, firm’s Managing Director for India Operations PM Telang said, "We are grateful to our customers who have acknowledged our understanding of their needs and our engineering capabilities. We will continue to add new features to the range matching customer requirements."

Source: Car Trade India

 

Tata Motors Ltd to announce Q2 results on Nov 14, 2011; Analysts Estimates

A meeting of the Board of Directors of Tata Motors Ltd will be held on November 14, 2011, to consider the audited Standalone Results as well as the unaudited Consolidated results (with limited review) for the second quarter ended September 30, 2011 of the Accounting Year 2011-2012 (Q2).



Tata Motors Sept qtr PAT seen up at Rs 2134.1 cr: Emkay


Emkay Global Financial Services has come out with its earning estimates on automobiles sector for the quarter ended September 2011. According to the research firm, Tata Motors September quarter net sales are expected to go up by 20.7% at Rs 34741.4 crore, year-on-year, (YoY) basis.

The company's net profit is expected to go up 1.1% at Rs 2134.1 crore on YoY basis.

Tata Motors Sept qtr PAT seen up at Rs 2325 cr: KRChoksey


KRChoksey has come out with its earning estimates on automobiles sector for the quarter ended September 2011. According to the research firm, Tata Motors September quarter net sales are expected to go up by 16% at Rs 31188 crore, year-on-year, (YoY) basis.

The company's net profit is expected to go up 17% at Rs 2325 crore on YoY basis.

Tata Motors Sep qtr PAT seen at Rs 1973cr: Angel Broking


Angel Broking has come out with its earning estimates on automobile sector for the quarter ended September 2011. According to the research firm, Tata Motors September quarter net sales are expected to go up by 21% at Rs 34581 crore, year-on-year (YoY) basis.

The company's net profit is expected to go down by 11.2% at Rs 1973 crore on YoY basis.



Source: MoneyControl

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Freelander 2 Scooped testing; Facelift on the cards?




Jaguar-Land Rover’s least priced product in India, the Freelander2 SUV’s CKD assembly in India began a few months ago at the former Tata-Mercedes Benz plant at Chikli, off Pune. ICB managed to snag a lightly camouflaged Freelander2 on testing rounds late yesterday. While it remains to be seen what are the changes that the India assembled Freelander2 will bring to the table when it does see the next facelift, the camouflaging does point out to the fact that Jaguar-Land Rover is up to something with the Freelander2 SUV.

ICB reports that a mild mid career facelift might be what is in the offing for the Indian Land Rover Freelander2. Another story we’re hearing about is that Jaguar-Land Rover, with the help of Tata Motors and its vendors, is embarking on an aggressive cost reduction spree on the Freelander2 by increasing local content. This can ensure that Tata-JLR can take on the European competition by playing the value card, along with the snob value of the Land Rover badge. 2 wheel drive anyone? Whatever be the case, the coming months will reveal what Tata-JLR is up to with the Freelander2.




For now, here’s a brief overview of what the Freelander2 SUV is all about. The 2011 Land Rover Freelander2 SUV comes in an all diesel line up. Both the common rail, turbo diesel engines displace 2.2 liters but come with varying power outputs. The TD4 SE variant gets 150 PS while the SD4 HSE variant gets a peak power rating of 190 PS. Torque outputs though remain same for both the engine tunes at 420 Nm. The engine is mated to a six speed automatic transmission. The TD4 SE variant is priced at an ex-showroom price of around INR 36 Lakhs while the SD4 HSE variant is priced at around INR 41 Lakhs.

Source: Indian Cars Bikes

Chery QQ found Testing in India, Possibly working with Tata Motors




Can an alliance across the Himalayas possibly bare fruit? Chery are reportedly working to align themselves with Tata, India’s biggest auto maker, in a bid to take on another potential 1 billion customers in a rapidly growing market. Pictures of a Chery QQ testing on Indian roads have lead to the rumor mill going in to over drive in the Chinese media. Of course with Tata’s ownership of Jaguar and Land Rover, which are currently negotiating a joint venture with Chery for Chinese production, Tata maybe inviting Chery to India for assistance in the Indian market.

From an outsiders point of view, the Indian auto market has yet to take off, with sales still being relatively low and with few domestic manufacturers, on the other hand the Chinese auto market is jam packed with manufacturers and sales figures that are retreating from all time high sales growth figures. So could Chinese manufacturers take on India? there is a good chance for them, despite the naysayers that say Indian consumers will never buy a Chinese car, but lets not forget the common man is hardly interested in state politics or history, he wants to trade his motorbike in for a car.

Chinese media are also speculating that Tata maybe looking for just a bit more than localized production for the Land Rover Freelander in China, some media are guessing that LR maybe shopping for diesel engines as well – of course Chery have already developed a series of diesel engines for their potential push in to the European market, so who knows if JLR’s will be carrying Chery engines in the future.

Source: China Car Times

Jaguar Land Rover's Chinese sales for first three quarters grow 60%

Jaguar Land Rover



Jaguar Land Rover China announced that its total sales in China from the beginning of the year to the end of the third quarter totaled 29,377 units, the Beijing News reported today. The figure is 60 percent higher than last year and has allowed Jaguar Land Rover to complete its yearly target far ahead of schedule.


Since the establishment of an independent Chinese sales company, the two brands have been seeing strong consistent growth in the country. Of the total orders so far this year, 25,557 were for Land Rover vehicles, while the remaining 3,820 units sold were Jaguars, representing year-on-year growth of 60 percent and 77 percent, respectively. New models performed especially strongly, with sales of the Range Rover Evoque (pictured) near 6,500. Jaguar Land Rover is also rapidly expanding its sales network in the country, with construction on its hundredth Chinese dealership in Henan's capital of Zhengzhou having officially started.

Source: Gasgoo Autonews