I N D I A ’ S N O . 1 M A G A Z I N E F O R A U T O M O T I V E N E W S , V I E W S & A N A LY S I S
Auto Monitor ekly e W
Vol. 12 No. 25
13 August 2012
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JATROPHA BIODIESEL: A CSMCRI PERSPECTIVE Pg 10 0
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Hella aims for deeper penetration in electronics, vehicle safety Nabeel A Khan New Delhi
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ella India Automotive Private Ltd (HIAPL), erstwhile Hella India Electronics (HIE), sees a high potential for products like BCMs (Body Control Modules) as well as remote key and CAPE (Car Access Passive Entry) systems. It has developed a modular concept, which can be tailored to this cost sensitive vehicle segment. T he ma nu fact u rer of components and systems for lighting technology and electronics sees a rise in demand for fuel efficient vehicles in the Indian market. Hella has tuned a number of products catering to the emerging requirements of OEMs. The company’s portfolio includes products like battery sensors and voltage stabilisers to i mplement id le-stop functionality and fuel control modules to reduce the average
power consumption of the fuel pump. Cu r rent ly, t he industry demand is driven by the increasing fuel prices, which is the cost of ownership, government regulations on environmental target, emission control norms, and competition with respect to global OEMs. With all the major global vehicle manufacturers making their foray into the Indian market, the ready availability of advanced features has fuelled the demand for electronic content in the vehicles here. In order to cater to the rising demands of the ‘more aware end customers’ for safety, comfort and to ‘stay connected’, the pressure on OEMs to enhance the electronic component usage has significantly gone up. In fact, high electronics content is now one of the main differentiating factors contributing to the success of the respective vehicles.
(Left) Hella Keyless Remotes (Right) Hella Rain Light Sensors
The key features that are sought after are fuel efficiency, comfort and safety. In the recently held Auto Expo 2012, a shift in trends was observed viza-viz the previous Auto Expos. The driving and differentiating factors this time were high electronics-based passenger comfort and safety enhancing feat u res. A not her t rend leading to enhanced electronic component usage is driven by the government regulations. “In the area of fuel efficiency, we don’t see a big difference rather a greater need for cost sensitive
vehicles as these products help to reduce the cost of ownership. The challenge will be to make comfort features cost competitive for B and even A segment cars. We will see B segment cars in the future with BCMs, RKE (Remote Keyless Entry) and CAPE (Car Access Passive Entry) systems,” said MD, HIAPL, Naveen Gautam. Products contributing to fuel efficiency include FCM (Fuel Control Module), EVP (Electronic Vacuum Pump), IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensors) and DC/DC converters & stabilisers. In addition to this, the company
Land Rover helps Tata Motors cruise tough market conditions Our Bureau Mumbai
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jump in sales of the Land Rover has helped Tata Motors’ consolidated performance in the first quarter of this fiscal. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sales grew by around 34 percent from 62,090 units, including 50,747 units of Land Rover in the first quarter of FY 2012 to 83,452 units (including 71,678 units of Land Rover). T he Ch i nese ma rket contributed 22.2 percent for JLR in the first quarter this fiscal as compared to 15.7 percent in the same period last fiscal with a 91 percent growth. The Land Rover volumes were majorly driven by successful debut of Range Rover Evoque (26,946 units) in the key markets globally in the first quarter this fiscal. Tata Motors reported consolidated revenues (net of excise) of `43,324 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, posting a growth of 30 percent over `33,289 crore in the corresponding
quarter of the previous year. The standalone revenues of Tata Motors were down by around nine percent to touch `10,586 crore in the first quarter this fiscal as compared to `11,624 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. The net revenues at JLR grew by around 35 percent to touch £3.63 billion in the first quarter this fiscal as compared to £2.7 billion in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. The company’s standalone revenues were impacted by weak macroeconomic parameters, excise duty increases and poor availability of freight, which resulted in pressure on volumes in the MHCV segment, according to a company release. The company pointed out that competitive pressures on pricing in certain commercial and passenger vehicle segments and lower volumes, impacted the operating margins. The operating profit (EBITDA) stood at `774 crore in the quarter ended 30 June, 2012, as compared to `1,020 crore in the corresponding
sees an increase in Drive by Wire, where HIAPL is offering APS as well as torque and angle sensors for power steering. In terms of growth, Hella is targeting a CAGR of around 25 percent by 2015. “In these areas, we are working on a variety of products in the market like EVP, FCM, battery sensors, DC/DC converters and stabilisers, oil sensors, Position Sensors (CIPOS) such as steering or throttle position sensors and APS (Accelerator Pedal Sensor) where we are one of the leaders in the global market,” added Gautam.
Tata MPVs to offer protection to Jharkhand police Our Bureau New Delhi
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period last year. The company’s sales (including exports) of commercial and passenger vehicles for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, stood at 190,483 units, representing a decline of 3.6 percent, as compared to the corresponding period last year. The company’s passenger vehicles, including Fiat and Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles distributed in India, stood at 62,619 units for the quarter ended 30 June, 2012, a decrease of 9.9 percent over the corresponding
period last year. The company is working on various initiatives in the passenger car segment including expansion of distribution network, product refreshments, brand building and promotion activities and cost reduction and qualit y enhancement initiatives. It is looking to have newer variants in the Prima range of CVs, Ultra range of LCVs, additional Ace variants, Safari Storme, new Manza, and a CNG version of the Nano.
hark hand Police Force recently received delivery of five Tata MPVs (Mine Protected Vehicles) to secure the police personnel against improvised explosive devices like mines. These MPVs are based on modular flexibility and integrate V-shaped hull blast protection technology ideally suited for security operations. They are capable of protecting the occupants from threats like ambushes and sudden violent attacks, powerful explosive mines and heavy gunfire, which makes these vehicles highly useful for combat. Speaking on the occasion, V P(Defence & Government Business), Tata Motors, Vernon Noronha said, “The Tata MPVs will take protection of the Jharkhand Police to the next level, even against improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines.” The company will set up its dealer network and service station in inaccessible areas of Jharkhand in order to ensure spares availability.