Auto Monitor - 23 April 2012

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

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Vol. 12 No. 09

23 April 2012

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32 Pages

FOCUS

` 50

INTERVIEW

PLASTICS

“W ARE DEVELOPING A SNOW CUTTER, “WE W WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST SUCH COMPLETELY INDIGENOUS PRODUCT IN INDIA” IN

Pg 10-13

PR Naik, Director (Defence), BEML

Pg 8

Delphi engineers module upgrade Bhargav TS Bangalore

I

n order to leverage its Body Control Module (BCM) to the next level, Delphi has recently developed a 24-volt module for the commercial vehicle segment. The new BCM has been developed at Delphi’s Technical Centre in Bangalore.

The module offers the functionality expected in a standard BCM including an RF receiver for remote keyless entry and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

So far the centre has developed two kinds of BCMs for utility vehicles like Mahindra Bolero and XUV500.

In a recent interaction with Auto Monitor, the Director of Delphi Technical Centre India (TCI), Nambi Ganesh G said, “We will be supplying the BCM to major commercial vehicle manufacturers this year. The body computer becomes complete with an immobiliser and also with a keyless entry. Our BCMs

will have features like a tyre pressure monitoring system, different kinds of lamp controls and rain sensing sensors.”

Optimisation and advanced developments in terms of comfort, safety and variety are already presenting a great challenge for the vehicle electrical system. The BCM is the core component for the realisation of a broad range of functions. “The central control unit can combine classic power distribution and the safeguarding of relay and fuse boxes with the advantages of intelligent, micro-controller controlled systems. In addition, the modules play the deciding role in cost efficiency, as they enable the quantum of wiring within the vehicle to be reduced significantly by providing interfaces for CanBus systems,” Ganesh said.

The BCM checks, regulates and operates electronic devices present all through the vehicle.

When electric devices were initially introduced in cars and trucks, each device was governed

Nambi Ganesh G, Director, Delphi Technical Centre India

by a separate electric component.

There was an independent module for air-conditioning, interior lighting and door locks. The body control module integrates all these independent modules under one system so that they function together instead of functioning separately. This is also easier for manufacturing and troubleshooting.

While there are many different types of body control modules, they are generally like connecting sensors, switches and automatic reactions together in one computer system. These components are divided into inputs, such as sensor data on heat or speed, outputs, or ways in which, the module computer responds to regulate the vehicle’s electronic

functions. Inputs and outputs are further divided into analogue and digital types of information.

Analogue signals are used with modules that may change continuously (such as oil pressure), while digital signals are used for modules that can simply be on or off (like the headlights or the oilindication light).

According to Ganesh, Delphi will be looking into commercial vehicle space, since it is the fastest growing market in India.

He added that the company will also be looking at the other possible areas in the commercial vehicle segment.

Currently, the company is manufacturing the BCMs at its Chennai plant. Delphi’s Technical Centre India (TCI), which was established in Bangalore in the year 2000, has a team of engineers working on several advanced engineering systems including embedded software, mechanical engineering, product engineering design and other automotive engineering related fields.

Acquisitions, organic growth opportunities drive TVSL Our Bureau Chennai

T

he additional investment s t hat T VS L o g i s t ic s ( T V SL) has received though

DATA MONITOR Top 5 2W Makers Company

Mar-11

Mar-12

Change

HML

504,452

513,552

1.80%

BAL

220,084

210,383

-4.41%

HMSI

137,262

212,815

55.04%

TVS

162,719

160,736

-1.22%

27,212

34,618

27.22%

Suzuki

Top 5 2W Exporters Company

Mar-11

Mar-12

Change

BAL

54,308

90,465

66.58%

TVS

24,062

19,538

-18.80%

HML

11,400

14,738

29.28%

IYM

10984

12067

9.86%

HMSI

9,929

7,675

-22.70%

* Source: SIAM/ ** Excluding exports/ *** all sub segments considered/ ^ excluding MRPL

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co LP (with its affi liates, KKR) and the initial outside investor, Goldman Sachs, will propel the company grow both in terms of inorganic and organic ways.

According to the Managing Director of TVSL, R Dinesh, the additional funding will help the company to grow with its existing customer base. “We decided to go for the second round of funding because we see the market potential and opportunities for us to expand and grow globally. Besides growing with our existing customer base, we also look forward to our private equity investors, Goldman Sachs and KKR helping us expand our capabilities and geographic footprint.”

TVSL provides logistics solutions across multiple verticals including automotive, distribution, electronics, and discrete component manufacturing.

The company focuses on supply chain solutions, warehousing solutions, and asset-based value added services including mate-

rial handling and executive commutation. Currently, it has operations in few locations across the world including the US, UK, Europe and Thailand.

Recently, T VSL reached an agreement with KKR and Goldman Sachs for an investment of `268 crore. KKR will invest `242 crore (approximately $47 million), while G old ma n Sachs will make an addon investment. The primary proceeds will be used to further expand the company’s logistics business. This is the second time TVSL received private equity funding. Goldman Sachs made its initial investment in TVSL in 2008.

Executive Director, TVSL, S Ravichandran said, “Within the Indian logistics sector, we focus on the auto and discrete

R Dinesh, Managing Director of TVSL

manufacturing sectors. These industries are experiencing rapid growth driven by both domestic and export demand and currently have relatively low third-party logistics penetration compared to their global peers. This funding will help us to service our customers even better.”

“This investment is in line

with our ongoing strategy to partner with strong promoter groups and management teams in a sector, which builds on and benefits from the Indian industrial uptick. Logistics consolidation in an otherwise fragmented industry and best in class supply chain management are clear areas where KKR, partnering with TVSL, can add a lot of value,” said Member of KKR and Head of KKR India, Sanjay Nayar.

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs and Director, TVSL, Sanjeev Mehra concluded, “Since our initial investment in 2008, TVSL has demonstrated strong growth and successfully expanded across the globe, acquiring new commercial capabilities and establishing footprints in key geographies to extend its reach throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Goldman Sachs’ additional investment in this second round of funding further verifies and symbolises our conviction in the company’s strong future growth prospects.”

EDITORIAL Too little to offset

T

o give a fi llip to the industrial growth that will eventually stimulate the economy, the Reserve Bank of India has cut some key rates by 50 basis points or 0.50 percentage points in its annual monetary policy for 2012-13. The sudden slashing of key rates came as a surprise on two counts—one, the very move to reduce the rates since the central bank had increased the rates 13 times in 19 months beginning March 2010. Second, the quantum of reduction—the industry was expecting a cut of only 0.25 percentage points.

This move should see the cost of fi nance coming down and catalysing the growth in almost every sector. This will certainly boost positive sentiments. And it should be good news for the auto industry, since most of the segments had been struggling during last fiscal, primarily due to higher interest rates and other reasons including labour unrest at Maruti’s plant and supply issues. It all depends on the last mile connectivity, such as banks and other fi nancial institutions. Just before this issue went to press, the government had directed the banks and fi nancial institutions to revise the interest rates immediately. It sounds good. However, reduction in interest rates has come when the excise duty for all vehicles has already been increased by two percent in the Union Budget 2012. Though it is not possible for the apex bank to reduce more percentage points at one go, the eventual reduction in EMI is too little to offset the increase in the prices of vehicles.

The focus of the issue is plastics—an interesting material that has done many wonders and little blunders to mankind. Wonders, since the material has substituted a range of metals thereby reducing the weight and containing maintenance cost, while retaining the functionality, and blunders since it has become one of the several pollutants that affect the environment.

There is tremendous scope for Indian OEMs in substituting metals with plastics. For instance, the current average usage of plastics in a mid-segment car is around 70 kg in India, while its counterparts in the developed markets have almost doubled the figure. We have carried few articles in this issue that will give you an idea of how the material has boosted the automotive industry to the next level.

Wishing you much pleasure reading. Do send us your feedback.

T. Murrali t.murrali@infomedia18.in

QUOTES Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars on the new Oragadam-Chennai plant

Dr D Subbarao, RBI Governor, on Monetary Policy Statement for 2012-13

“It is the only Daimler plant in the world that houses products which combine Indian engineering with German and Japanese DNA under a single roof”

“Though inflation has moderated in recent months, it remains sticky and above the tolerance level, even as growth has slowed.”

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CONTENTS CORPORATE BharatBenz to roll out trucks from Sep’12

9

BharatBenz’s Oragadam facility, spread over 400 acres, is one of the three Daimler truck plants worldwide that combines truck assembly and component production under one roof

FOCUS: PLASTICS Plastic: Key material in light weighting

10

Automotive OEMs are actively looking to increase the usage of plastic-based automotive parts in manufacturing of vehicles

BASF invests `1,000 crore in new Gujarat plant

11

BASF’s new Gujarat site will be an integrated hub for polyurethane manufacturing and care chemicals division and polymer dispersions for coatings and paper

GLOBAL WATCH Ford innovation to cut accident risk

“We are planning for a separate production line for exports”

12

President, Wittmann Battenfeld India, Nandakumar T speaks to Auto Monitor about the company’s plans to create a separate production line for exports

20

New Ford B-Max has been engineered with smart technologies and reinforced with robust materials to better respond to emergencies

New cars 18 percent more fuel efficient: SMMT

22

New cars registered in the UK were 18 percent more fuel efficient than the average car on the road: SMMT

12

Manufacturers debate future technologies and the UK’s role

22

Automotive Council Technology Group is looking to secure the development of five ‘sticky’ technologies that will strengthen the long-term future of the UK automotive industry

30

THE OTHER SIDE

Electronics made of plastic

13

Researchers have created materials with an electrical conductivity a million and more times greater than the original dyes, with a doping ratio of no more than one percent

Machine manufacturers to garner higher share from automotive sector

16

8th Biennial Die & Mould International Exhibition opened on 19 April, 2012 to participation from local and global players in the machine tools segment and ran for four days

Würth joins IGTC for management training programme

17

Würth Group has entered into an agreement with the Indo-German Training Centre, Chennai for a Professional Management Training programme based on the German dual education system

Sumit Sawhney, VP, Sales, Marketing & Aftersales, GM India In nearly a decade innings with GM India, Sawhney has contributed immensely in the growth of car sales, network & business development, regional sales & service operations

EVENT OF THE WEEK

Eicher launches 11.14 truck Eicher Motos has launched a new truck—Eicher 11.14 claiming to be highly fuel ef cient with GVW of 14.5 tonne. According to the company, the new vehicle will provide enhanced bene ts to the 9-9.5 tonne payload customers with its modern looks, style and a host of value features.

The CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles Limited, Vinod Aggarwal said, “The highly fuel ef cient Eicher 11.14 with its value delivery at relatively lower cost is all set to bring about a pro table change in the way the 9-9.5 tonne payload capacity trucks operate in India.” The vehicle is the result of extensive research done by the company and is likely to be a game changer with its unique positioning and features. It will bridge the gap between the 12/13 T & 16 T segments, he added.

22

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Power & performance from best-in-class technology • Aesthetics, comfort & safety way beyond the ordinary

Auto Monitor

23 APRIL 2012

INTERVIEW

8

“We are developing a snow cutter, which will be the first such completely indigenous product in India” Bharath Earth Movers Limited (BEML), the country’s public sector defence vehicle and construction equipment manufacturing arm is looking at major business expansion. The company plans to launch the first completely indigenous snow cutter and 150-tonner dump trucks. Its new facility for aircraft assembly will start by September. Director, (Defence) PR Naik and Executive Director (Aerospace) Umesh Chandra recently spoke to Nabeel A Khan on the company’s future plans of a setting up a new plant. Excerpts from the interview.

PR Naik, Director, (Defence), BEML

How do you describe the economics of BEML in the current situation?

Naik: We are into three basic verticals—defence, earth moving equipment and rail-metro coaches. We have provided coaches for Delhi Metro and Bangalore Metro.

In the defence segment, the company currently has localisation going between 32-60 percent.

We are developing a snow cutter, which will be the first such completely indigenous product in India.

Tell us about your plans for new products?

Naik: Our new product portfolio plan is primarily the snow cutter. We are offering it at ‘no charge no commitment’ (under this, the company gives vehicle for trials to the army for free) to the Directorate General of Border Roads (DGBR) and hope that this will be successful and meet the requirements.

This would perhaps be the first snow cutter by an Indian manufacturer. The snow cutter will be working with the DGBR on the frontiers of India. The product is at par with the international product in terms of per hour snow cut.

This is being manufactured in KGF complex near Bangalore. This is our mother factory, which is spread across 2,000 acres, where we are overhauling our BMP (Russian term for a type of tank) and Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs).

We are also planning to manufacture Sarvatra bridges. We also have big test track here for Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV).

So far, snow cutters have been imported. What kind of cost benefits do you offer with your locally developed machines?

Naik: Though this is still a prototype, we will ensure that it is at least 30 to 40 percent cheaper than the imported version.

A large deal of it will be passed on to the Indian customers. We expect to sell about 10 to 15 units a year.

What kind of investments are you planning in the immediate future?

Naik: We are looking at an investment of `150 crore in this fi nancial year, which we have to take to our board and get approved. The other products would be on the metro side. We would have catenary vehicles, all stainless steel and aluminium wagons, which will ensure that loads are carried at the lowest cost. Similarly, on the mining and construction side, we are looking 150-tonne dump trucks.

When are you planning to launch the dump trucks?

Naik: We are already quite advanced in terms of the design and planning. It will be out sometime in the course of this fi nancial year. We will fi rst put out a proto into the market and once it proves then the subsequent activity will take place.

Do you see any potential for large dump trucks, because traditionally in India smaller trucks are used in mining?

Naik: We see a tremendous

potential because the way mining industry is growing, soon the smaller sized dump truck will be phased out. Today, for example, even the 35 tonners are not so popular; it is the 150 tonne and above capacity truck that is going to be key product in the market.

What kind of revenue share do you get from earthmoving and construction equipment business?

Naik: The earth moving business is one of our key businesses for BEML, and it is divided into two sides; one of them is mining side and the second is construction. Mining includes very heavy dumpers and large size excavators such as the 60 tonners or the 100 tonners. On the construction side, we have excavators of 220 class and three tonners. Very recently, we have secured a contract for 26 units of BE 300 with the DGBR that is one thing we are very proud of.

What are the future plans for aerospace business?

Chandra: We are setting up a new factory purely from the exports perspective, where we can do major integration of the entire aircraft. This facility is coming up at Devanahalli SEZ (Bangalore).

The work has already started and expected to be ready by September this year. The plant will have complete assembly facility for the aircraft for both military and civilian applications. We have signed with a Russian helicopter company along with many other global giants.

23 APRIL 2012

Auto Monitor

C O R P O R AT E

9

start its commercial production

by June this year.

Managing Director, DICV, Marc Llistosella said that the a im ler India plan was to start commercial Commercial Vehicles production of 25-tonne trucks (DICV) will start rolland then move into 31 tonne. ing out trucks from its “We will be launching 17 modOragadam plant near Chennai, els of BharatBenz trucks in from September this year. The 18 months from September,” company’s `4,400 crore state-ofhe said. the-art manufacturing facility With a product portfolio of was inaugurated last Wednesday 17 models of BharatBenz comby Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, mercial vehicles by 2014, DICV is J Jayalalithaa along with the positioning itself for larger share senior management team of of the world’s third-largest marDaimler AG. ket with a volume of more than The Oragadam facility, spread 330,000 vehicles in the six to 49 over 400 acres, is one of the three tonnes category in 2012.

Daimler truck plants worldwide “Our work-force is primarily that combines truck assemIndian and has steadily increased bly and component production to include more than 1,400 under one roof. The company will employees today. Our focus on produce the BharatBenz prodlocalisation has resulted in more uct range for the Indian volume than 40 percent of our suppliers market. While some BharatBenz being located within 50 kilometruck models are based on the tre radius of the plant. Overall, Mercedes-Benz Axor platform, our BharatBenz trucks will have others are built on the Fuso a localisation rate of 85 percent in Canter series.

India,” said Llistosella.

The plant in Chennai has During the inauguration of an initial production capacity the new manufacturing facilof 36,000 units per year and is ity, the Chairman of the Board of designed to allow an increase up Management of Daimler AG and to more than 70,000 commercial Head of Mercedes-Benz cars, vehicles per year.

Dr Dieter Zetsche said, “Our At present, the company is runnew Oragadam-Chennai plant ning the third phase of its pilot shares Daimler’s stringent qualproduction and it is expected to ity standards with its sister plants around the world and is unique at the same time. It is the only Daimler plant in the world that houses products, which combine Indian engineering with German DICV will launch 17 models of Bharat Benz DNA under a sintrucks in 18 months from September gle roof. This way,

Our Bureau Chennai

Photograph: Bhargav TS

D

we are optimally positioning ourselves for one of the world’s strongest and fastest-growing truck markets.”

In order to make its Oragadam facility as its India hub for truck manufacturing, Daimler has decided to shift the production of the Actros range of premium heavy duty truck manufacturing from Pune. The Actros range trucks are specialised and used in the mining segment. The process had begun and expected to be completed by September this year.

Later, the Pune plant will focus on Mercedes-Benz cars, as part of its consolidation strategy.

After inaugurating the plant, J Jayalalithaa said, “The presence of Daimler in the state has strengthened Chennai’s reputation as the Detroit of India. I wish BharatBenz a big success.”

Zetsche said, “India’s truck market is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world. Wherever we go, we go there to grow and here in India we have the right products and the right people to replicate our success.”

Just-In-Time Manufacturing The plant will adopt a just-insequence methodology getting parts assembled just ahead of the production sequence in the assembly line. This is a step ahead of the famed just-in-time principle, said a company official. The plant also has an engine assembly section with a capacity to make 24,000 engines for heavy duty vehicles. Engines for the light duty trucks will be sourced from Pitampur, Madhya Pradesh.

The Oragadam plant is Daimler’s third largest facility outside Germany. Daimler will tie-up with 70 dealers at

Photographs: Bhargav TS

BharatBenz to roll out trucks from Sep’12

J Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister with the Daimler management team at the inauguration of the facility

the time of rollout. It plans to have 110 dealerships in place in 18 months.

Localisation Is The Key The trucks that will be produced in DICV will have 85 percent local content, for which, the company has tied up with 450 suppliers, most of them from the Chennai region. Llistosella said, “We are targeting 90 percent localisation by 2015 and 50 percent of this will come from Tamil Nadu.”

According to Member, Daimler Board of Management (responsible for trucks and buses), Andreas Renschler, the trucks will be tailor-made for the local market.

They need ten percent less diesel than trucks in the Indian market today, he said. These trucks will be priced higher by a “single digit percent” than the conventional trucks.

Low Cost Manufacturing The automation at the plant is optimised for low cost manufacturing, to pass on the cost-benefits

down the value-chain. The delivery system of cabs from the trim line to the chassis line is designed on the fishbone principle.

Standardised lean manufacturing principles based on the proven Daimler Truck Operating Systems have been integrated into most of the operations.

The in-house operations include Cab-in-White assembly (Body Shop), paint shop, engine and transmission assembly, cab trim assembly, chassis assembly and inspection and dispatch.

Apart from the manufacturing plant, the facility also houses a research and development centre and a test track.

The facility also has a six-km test track that was opened in 2010, and so far it has tested BharatBenz prototypes for more than 50 lakh km. The outer track is designed as a high-speed track that tests the part functionality of the truck.

The inner rough road track is designed to simulate Indian terrain and road conditions, which puts the trucks through gruelling durability tests.

Auto Monitor

23 APRIL 2012

PLASTICS

10

Plastic: Key material in light weighting Abhishek Parekh Mumbai

A

utomotive OEMs are actively looking to increase the usage of plastic-based automotive parts in manufacturing of vehicles. The trend has picked up pace in recent years leading to growing presence of plastic part suppliers, as well as raw material suppliers to set-up their manufacturing base as well as expand their footprint.

Any average passenger car manufactured in India could be fitted with around 100-140 kg of plastic-based components in the total weight of the car.

Currently, the ratio is much lower (around 70-80 kg) in average mid-sized car.

Member of the Board, Volkswagen India, Mahesh Kodumudi, in an earlier interaction with Auto Monitor pointed out that a major effort at localising components is to ensure that suppliers also source raw materials from local sources. He elaborated that this ‘deeper localisation’ is important from the perspective of keeping overall cost structures competitive for the company and its suppliers and help raw material suppliers achieve global benchmarks in terms of quality and delivery.

The efforts at cost reduction have caught the attention of suppliers to the auto component manufacturers as well. “We have

been trying to connect with our automotive sector customers to evaluate solutions that we could provide and not be the lowest cost supplier to the sector. The cost pressures for material suppliers to the automotive sector are immense but it is getting imperative for our customers to look for overall value preposition,” said Vice President, Business Unit, Semi-Crystalline Products, Asia Pacific, Lanxess AG, Christof Krogmann. He added that input prices calculation is done over the product life cycle and it is important for any component supplier to be competitive on that front. It is becoming increasingly critical to share expertise and global learnings with customers to gain confidence and additional business.

One of the key processes for manufacturing plastic components for automotive and engineering applications includes injection moulding. It is a process of forming a component forcing molten plastic material under pressure into a mould where it is cooled, solidified and subsequently released by opening the two halves of the mould. The process is used for a wide range of automotive parts for interiors and exterior applications.

Some of the advantages of injection moulding process include accuracy in weight of parts, choice of desired surface finish, colours as well as ultimate strength, faster production and lower rejection rates, faster start-up and shut down

procedures, minimum wastage, stability of processing parameters andversatilityinprocessingdifferent raw materials.

“The growing usage of engineering plastics prompted us to offer our services to automobile manufacturers as we have the capability to offer tooling solutions for large sized plastics parts.

We offer tooling solutions for heavy and bulky parts like plastics bumpers and body panels that no other tooling maker can provide,” said Chairman, Force Motors, Dr Abhay Firodia. He added that the company’s tooling division would further invest in tooling solutions to local and global players in order to help customers in their light weighting efforts.

“Thermoset is a higher strength material compared to thermoplastics and we are looking to have a presence in both these segments.

Thermoset is low volume and high strength technology while thermoplastics can enable production at very high volumes. Cost and other imperatives may imply that adoption rate for thermoplastics may be faster in India,” said Chief Marketing Officer, Plastic Omnium Varroc, BP Shiv.

The technology for making thermoplastic-based parts is very critical and the company worked with M&M for around 16 months to develop plastic fenders for its newly launched Mahindra XUV500. The component provides around two kg of weight saving per metre in case of plastics fenders as compared to

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the existing component. More pertinently, the company is working on rear closures systems for customers in India, which can save up to nine kg of weight for any vehicle as compared to current sheet metal based closures system.

The company global portfolio, which is being gradually introduced in India, comprises rear closure systems, fenders & fender modules, fascias, front end modules, structural parts, absorption systems, truck body panels and-

structure parts. Some of the major customers include Peugeot Citroen, Volkswagen, Mahindra, Bajaj Auto among others.

“Many of our products have been driven by regulation and efforts at weight reduction. Some of them may not be suitable for Indian market at current juncture due to cost and other factors but we are looking to have most of the products from our global portfolio in the Indian market over a period of time,” said Shiv.

Custom glass bending

A

t times a shimmering grey, at times more of a greenish colour, the glass facades of high-rise buildings are mostly fairly similar in appearance.

They become unique when individual glass elements are shaped differently, however. The problem is that manufacturing a large number of short runs of glass elements is complex and expensive. The glass bender must fi rst produce an appropriate mould, before laying the glass on top of the mould in a walk-in furnace.

At this stage, the glass is only in contact with the top edge of the mould. The furnace is closed and heated over a period of several hours until the material becomes viscous, sinks downward and takes on the shape of the bending mould. The process has its pitfalls, though: if the glass is not heated for long enough, it will not adopt the predefi ned shape. But if the process lasts too long, pressure marks form at the support points.

All that is set to change now, as researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Freiburg have developed a new glass-bending process as part of a sponsored joint project. “Our process is roughly six times faster than the conventional process, as well as being considerably more energy-efficient and cost-effective,” explained a scientist at the IWM, Tobias Rist. “It’s no longer necessary to produce a special steel mould.” Instead, the researchers have developed a mould, which changes according to requirements—it is vaguely reminiscent of the pin art gadgets that you can press your hand into to make an image. The mould starts out flat, with all the support points at the same height. Since the mould and the glass panel placed on it are moved into the furnace by machine, there is no longer any need to reheat the furnace for each batch of glass because the researchers can load it while it is in operation. The process saves a lot of energy and a few hours’ time which the furnace would

otherwise need to heat up and cool down.

For one thing, the temperature of the furnace is a few degrees below the temperature at which the glass becomes viscous. Another feature is that additional heat is applied to the glass using a stream of hot air or a laser only at those points, which are to be shaped, so that only these parts of the glass become viscous. The mould then adopts the desired geometry at the touch of a button. A device positions the support points so the glass is able to sink downward as dictated by its temperature and the shape of the mould.

The major advantages of this approach are that the material changes shape only at the desired points and that flat surfaces stay flat. They do not warp unchecked as before and do not bend back into shape again. This considerably improves the quality of the product’s appearance, with fewer distortions for example.

The material assumes the shape better and fewer indentations are formed in the glass.

But how long does the glass need to be heated for? And what is the ideal temperature? “While the conventional process relies a great deal on trial and error, we simulate the process and the material behaviour on a computer. We then compare the outcome with the results from physical tests so we can identify and implement the most favourable process conditions,” said Rist. The researchers are also able to regulate and monitor the temperature during the process. So far they have processed sheet glass measuring up to approximately one square meter. The next steps will see the sizes increase and the shapes become even more complex; for example the scientists are aiming not only to produce hemispherical structures but also to go one step further and create aspherical forms. There is also scope for the specialists to improve bending processes or develop processes for producing sheet glass with functional coatings.

(Courtesy: Fraunhofer Institute)

23 APRIL 2012

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PLASTICS

11

BASF invests `1,000 crore in new Gujarat plant Our Bureau New Delhi

B

ASF India Limited will invest `1,000 crore to set-up a new chemical production site at the Dahej Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), located on the west coast of Gujarat. The plant will become operational by 2014.

The new site will be an integrated hub for polyurethane manufacturing and will also house production facilities for care chemicals division and polymer dispersions for coatings and paper. With this new production site, BASF aims to ensure local supply for growing markets and industries such as automotive, appliances, footwear, construction, adhesives, architectural coatings, paper

With the new production site, BASF aims to ensure local supply for growing markets and industries such as automotive, appliances, footwear, construction, adhesives, architectural coatings, paper and personal care and personal care. The project will be fi nanced by BASF India through internal accruals and loans.

“India is set to become a pil-

The polymer dispersions facility at the site will produce Acronal and Styrofan (key ingredients for architectural coatings) that will be supplied across north and west India

JP Plaschem, Sumitomo in tie-up Our Bureau Mumbai

S

ingapore-based Sumitomo Chemical has collaborated with Mumba i-based JP Plaschem for advanced material solutions for the automotive and engineering segments. The partners are looking for a singlestop-solution for customers like Lumax Industries, Varroc, Minda and Fiem. Sumitomo will supply Sumipex PMMA, an acrylic resin to the manufacturers.

Sumipex PMMA is manufactured at the Singapore plant with the technology from Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical and has notched up sales of over one lakh metric tonne per year globally. It is a synthetic polymer of methylmethacrylate that is an amorphous, hard & stiff, transparent thermoplastic commonly known as acrylic. It provides clarity, weather resistance, good abrasion resistance, lustre and colourability.

Being the international marketing and sourcing division of J P Group, JP Plaschem represents multinationals for promoting, marketing and distribution of various engineering polymers and sheets in India, Middle East, Russia and Europe. The company now has business covering India, Indian subcontinent, Middle East, Europe and South America.

With current sales facilitation of over 1,000 MT per month of polymers and sheets, the company is looking at doubling the volume by 2015 with the support of principals and customers.

Tranztar sales up 80 percent in last fiscal Our Bureau Mumbai

T

ranztar sold more than 7,000 tippers and 1,500 trailers, a growth of 80 percent and making it the largest player in the tipper and trailer market in India. Tranztar has emerged as India’s largest and fastest growing, fully integrated manufacturer of tippers, trailers and other special commercial vehicle applications for heav y trucks in India. Tranztar has also received a large order for the export of special trailers to Ghana and Tanzania, which would be fulfilled during the current year.

In addition, it has recently launched a new range of transit mixer called TM 6SH, which has been designed especially for Indian conditions. During the fi rst quarter of this fi nancial year, Tranztar also plans to launch bulkier vehicles and tanker applications in the Indian market.

Tranztar products are custom designed using advanced engineering techniques to suit specific applications. They are manufactured at AMW’s Bhuj facility. Tranztar is the leading tipper, trailer and other commercial vehicle applications manufacturer in the country.

It is part of the AMW Group.

Currently, there are over 15,000 Tranztar tippers and 2,500 trailers ply on Indian roads. Tranztar has the capacity to manufacture 24,000 tippers and 3,000 trailers and other CV applications at its plant in Bhuj, Gujarat.

At the groundbreaking ceremony of the facility

lar of growth in Asia Pacific.

The country’s changing demographic profi le and the resulting need for improved quality of life are driving increasing market demand. With the new manufacturing facility, we will be able to serve our customers better by developing solutions that meet their individual needs as well as strengthen their competitive advantage,” Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, BASF SE, Dr Martin Brudermueller said.

The Da hej site complement s t he ex i st i ng manufacturing set-up of BASF in India and will support and con-

tribute to the growth of the Indian chemical industry.

According to the company, the location offers excellent investment conditions and a favourable business environment due to the proximity to raw materials as well as customers. With this new project, it expects to grow business in the important northern and western regions of India.

The new plant will employ more than 250 people at full capacity, primarily in operations.

T he i nteg rated polyurethane facility will produce Elastollan TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), Cellasto NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness)

parts and Polyurethane Systems, which is supported by new production facilities for important precursors, comprising polyetherols and polyesterols plants as well as an MDI splitter.

The polymer dispersions facility at the site will produce acronal and styrofan (key ingredients for architectural coatings, adhesives, and construction), styronal and basonal for paper coating and basoplast for sizing.

The plant will predominantly serve customers located in the northern and western parts of India. BASF currently produces dispersions at an existing plant in Mangalore.

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23 APRIL 2012

PLASTICS

12

“We are planning for a separate production line for exports” Wittmann Battenfeld India Private Ltd, the subsidiary of Wittmann Kunststoffgeräte Gmbh–one of the leading global manufacturers of plastic processors, is planning to triple its capacity soon.

It is also planning a new greenfield facility. The President of the company, Nandakumar T tells Bhargav TS about the company’s plans to create a separate production line for exports. Excerpts from the interview: The industry is moving towards light weight products.

What is Wittmann’s solution to the changing trend?

Recently, we have started talking to a few OEMs in India for reducing the weight of the plastic parts in the vehicles. We have started analysing a few components for reducing the weight by ten to 15 percent. The weight reduction is achieved by our unique process called gas injection technology and gas filling technology. By using this we are going to achieve the weight reduction. We have started studying those parameters and in another couple of months we will be having the entire solution.

What are the current trends in the gas injection moulding process?

The Indian market has started moving towards the gas injection moulding techniques for reducing the weight of the components. German passenger

car manufacturer, Volkswagen has started using this process for manufacturing clutch pedals. Usually, it is manufactured in metal, but now we have replaced this clutch pedal with plastics by deploying gas injection. It has the strength of the same metal.

What are the other technologies that you are planning to adopt in the Indian market?

The biggest trend in European market is ball feeding technology. This technology is widely used in the front and the back of the dashboards to achieve glossy finish. To achieve this, it requires high energy conservation and higher cycle time.

We have reduced the cycle time from 80 seconds to 30 seconds.

There is a saving of 50-second cycle time for this glossy surface.

Thus, this is the new technology that we are supplying to the markets worldwide. This technology is commonly used by BMW and Audi and the weight reduction

is achieved between ten and 15 percent.

Can these technologies be adopted in the existing machines?

Yes, we can do it. This new technology can be implemented in the existing machine by carr ying out minor changes in the moulds. For this, we are in touch with few OEMs in India and we have also come up with some new concepts in the double injection process.

In this process, the inner layer is done with low cost materials and the other layers are done with high cost materials. This enhances the thickness of the components and at the same time, the flexibility or rigidity of the component will be more.

What are the current trends in automation?

The current trend for automation is that many customers are looking for automation due to increase in production and increase in managing manpower handling charges. So automation is the biggest task presently for the industry.

What is the current demand for injection moulding machines?

If you look at the injection

moulding machine market, the small customers except entire solution to be offered by the machine manufacturers. The customers require single solution from the small auxiliary equipment to big robots. This kind of demand is increasing in markets worldwide and India is getting tuned too. Recently, it is getting triggered to Indian market, but worldwide, it is getting changed to single brand suppliers, who supply the entire solution with one brand name.

How has the injection moulding machinery market evolved over the years?

The Indian injection molding market is shifting slowly towards electrical segments. There is a big gap between the production cost and the selling cost. To get profitability year-on-year, there is an increasing demand for low energy consumption machines.

At Wittmann as a group, we started our energy conservative program in 2001, much earlier when compared to our competitors. The main advantage of our products is energy efficiency, which helps us to grow in the Indian market.

Are there plans for supplying raw materials along with machineries?

Since we are the manufacturers of capital equipments, we don’t want to tap other markets like production of components or raw material suppliers.

Could you tell us about your customers in the automotive segment?

In the auto industry, we are supplying to Maruti Suzuki, Ford India, Tata Motors, Hyundai Motor India and to many Tier I and Tier II manufacturers.

What are the expectations of customers in India in terms of automation?

The expectations in India in terms of technology are that they require higher technology at lower price. This is the biggest expectation in India, and there is a big gap between the demand and the equipment that we supply. Earlier in 2005, there was no demand for robots in India, but now, it has changed and people have started understanding the need for robots and the automation levels.

What is unique in your approach to cater to the Indian requirements?

To address the Indian market, we supply entire solutions to our customers. We go with value added services; after installing the machineries at our customers’ place, we educate them in improving the efficiency and reducing the cycle time. This helps us in building confidence with our customers by increasing their productivity and profitability.

Can you elaborate on your capacity expansion plans?

We will strengthen our presence in the worldwide market this year by expanding our Battenfield machine plant in Hungary, Austria and China.

Recently, we commissioned our plant in Chez Republic. In India, we are moving to a bigger place, where our capacity will be tripled and soon we will be planning for another facility.

Could you throw little light on your export business from India?

We are exporting to certain markets worldwide like South Africa, Austria and Uzbekistan.

We are also planning to add a separate production line for the export market in our Chennai plant. At present, we are manufacturing 20 machineries per month, and out of that, 10 will be exported.

23 APRIL 2012

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PLASTICS

13

Electronics made of plastic

W

hen the concept was fi rst proposed, it was dismissed as being unrealisable, “It’ll never work,” commented one expert assessor of an application for research funding.

Today, 15 years later, the physicist Professor Karl Leo and two of his colleagues have been presented with the ‘Deutscher Zukunftspreis’, one of Germany’s most prestigious research awards, for what was once a highly controversial idea. Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS in Dresden, Leo has devoted most of his career to organic electronics. Until now, most electronic components have been made of inorganic silicon. The brittle material is a good semi-conductor, but its manufacture requires a highly sophisticated process. It involves growing large crystals at high temperatures and then cutting them into thin slices known as wafers.

The more elegant solution is to use an organic material, a type of dye commonly used in the production of road signs. Such materials have the advantage that they can be applied as a coating on flexible fi lms and other substrates. This gives rise to endless new possibilities, such as displays that can be rolled up and carried in a vest pocket or switchable window panes that light up at night to illuminate rooms while hardly consuming any electricity. On the other hand, organic dyes are poor electrical conductors. But this is where the once-mocked ingenious idea comes into play: their less-than-satisfactory conductivity can be increased by doping, ie adding a small amount of another chemical substance.

After years of experiments, the researchers have succeeded in creating materials with an electrical conductivity a million and more times greater than the original dyes, with a doping ratio of no more than one percent.

The ‘Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2011’, endowed with Euro 250,000, has been awarded by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany every year since 1997. It honours outstanding innovations that have made the transition from the research laboratory to industrial practice, thus helping to create jobs. Fraunhofer is a frequent winner of this prize, no doubt because it operates precisely at this interface between the world of research and the commercial market. This time, the jury chose to honor organic electronics, which Leo describes as a technology “that will revolutionise our lives”.

The ultrathin semi-conductor coatings have already made

The more elegant solution is to use an organic material, a type of dye commonly used in the production of road signs. Such materials gives rise to endless new possibilities their way into mass production.

They are equally versatile as the silicon chips that preceded them, for instance converting electrical energy into light just as easily as they convert sunlight into electricity. Novaled AG has adopted the first approach, using the technology to produce materials for displays and lamps, while Heliatek GmbH has chosen to focus on photovoltaics. Both of these companies are spin-offs created by former members of Professor Leo’s research team. By now they employ a total of nearly 200 people, and work closely together with other Dresden-based companies in a technology network.

This year’s Zukunftspreis is shared by the founders of these two spin-offs, Jan BlochwitzNimoth (Novaled) and Martin Pfeiffer (Heliatek), and their mentor, Professor Leo. Novaled AG is slightly further ahead in terms of marketing: the company is already mass-producing materials for cellphone displays. In two or three years’ time, it intends to start supplying materials for ultra-flat TV screens that display true-to-life colours and consume a minimum of energy. “OLED displays combine the best qualities of LED and plasma screens, the two technologies currently available,” said Blochwitz-Nimroth.

They are more energy-efficient than plasma TVs and deliver sharper images than LED technology, because they don’t need backlighting.

Solar cells made of organic materials have not yet reached the mass market. Heliatek GmbH expects to start production sometime next year. The company’s latest prototypes have an efficiency of ten percent, which is not yet high enough to compete with conventional silicon cells. “But in the longer term we will reach efficiencies approaching 20 percent”, Professor Leo stated. Moreover, organic cells have other advantages compared with silicon technology, foremost among them a simpler—and therefore cheaper—manufacturing process.

The method employed by Karl Leo and his prize-winning former colleagues involves depositing microscopically thin layers of the

Red, green and blue OLEDs with an active surface area of 2x2 millimeters, being tested for performance

(L-R) Prof Dr Karl Leo, Dr Martin Pfeiffer & Dr Jan Blochwitz-Nimoth in the lab

organic material on a substrate.

These coatings have a thickness of no more than one fi fth of a micrometer—one thousand times thinner than in conventional solar cells. Only about a gram of semiconductor material is needed to coat a surface area of one sq mt—in a process that takes place at room temperature, not at the 1,000 or so degrees Celsius required to produce inorganic cells.

This not only saves energy but also allows PET films to be used as the substrate, instead of the heatresistant glass that was previously the only option. PET is the same plastic used to make bottles for soft drinks. It is cheap, light and flexible.

The prize-winners have developed a continuous process based

on roll-to-roll technology that enables the solar cells to be manufactured cheaply in large numbers.

The resulting lightweight modules can be installed on roofs too weak to support the weight of standard photovoltaic panels.

Before making its fi nal choice, the jury had shortlisted three projects as potential winners of the ‘Deutscher Zukunftspreis’.

A second project rooted in Fraunhofer research was among this year’s fi nalists, competing alongside the organic electronics team. These researchers have developed an advanced photovoltaic technology, known as “concentrated photovoltaics (CPV)”, which consists of very-high-efficiency solar cells

and sun-tracking concentrator modules. The nominated team comprised Andreas W. Bett, deputy director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Hansjörg Lerchenmüller from Soitec Solar and KlausDieter Rasch from Azur Space Solar Power.

It was thus against such strong competitors that the organic electronics team led by Professor Leo won the ‘Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2011’. German President Christian Wulff presented the award to Professor Karl Leo, Dr Jan BlochwitzNimoth and Dr Martin Pfeiffer in mid-December 2012.

(Courtesy: Fraunhofer Institute)

Auto Monitor

23 APRIL 2012

AUTONOMICS

14

Budget to not significantly impact automobile sector growth In the Union Budget 2012-13, new levies were introduced across automobile segments.

Besides the hike in basic excise duties for cars and UVs, commercial vehicles (CVs) and twowheelers, the finance minister specifically hiked duties for premium segments like imported luxury cars. However, as the taxes in the volume-heavy small car segment were not increased significantly, we expect the overall impact of the Budget on cars and UVs to be minimal.

For CVs, the proposed duty structure aims to incentivise sales of fully-built trucks as against chassis-only sales. Likewise, aid to the agri-sector is expected to marginally prop two-wheeler and tractor sales.

Demand For Sedans, Imported Luxury Cars To Be Hit With respect to cars and UVs, the fi nance minister hiked the basic customs duty on imported luxury passenger vehicles costing over `two million, to 75 percent from 60 percent. While this would encourage local assembling of luxury cars in the medium term, demand for luxury cars imported as completely built unit (CBUs) will be hit in the short run. Similarly, sales of sedans are likely to have moderate growth in 2012-13, as the basic excise duty has risen to 24 percent from 22 percent.

Additionally, the excise duty on sedans measuring above four metres in length, with an engine capacity of over 1.2 and 1.5 litre, for petrol and diesel respectively, has been increased to 27 percent from the earlier tax structure of 22 percent + an additional fi xed duty of `15,000. We therefore expect prices of such sedans to increase in 2012-13, lowering demand. As a positive, there have been no additional levies on small and compact cars, which contribute to over half of total annual domestic sales volumes.

A marginal rise in buyers’ disposable incomes—with the basic income tax slab raised to `0.2 million from `0.18 million—and an additional deduction of 50 percent on investments of `50,000, under the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGES), will help car demand. However, as the rise in ownership costs will exceed the rise in disposable incomes, any benefits that could aid car demand will be neutralised.

The Budget has also waived off duties for certain components of electric cars, which will promote further research and launch of new models in that segment.

Overall, CRISIL Research expects the Budget’s impact on cars & UVs sales to be neutral. In 2012-

A marginal rise in buyers’ disposable incomes & an additional deduction under RGES, will help car demand. However, rise in ownership costs will neutralise car demand 13, cars & UV sales are expected to recover from current lows, growing by 10-13 per cent on the back of a low base.

New Duty Structure Discourages ‘Chassis-only’ Sales As with other segments, basic excise duty on commercial vehicles has been hiked to 12 percent from 10 percent. However, the major change is in the form of a new duty structure—which aims to discourage deals where transporters buy only the truck chassis from the OEM and get the body built from unorganised players, who are not covered by excise duties. Earlier, a fi xed duty of `10,000 + a 10 percent or 22 percent tax (based on chassis type) was prevalent. Under the new duty structure, the fi xed duty of `10,000 on chassis sales was removed and the ad valorem tax was increased by three percent, besides the basic duty hike of two percent. Thus, chassis-only sales will now be charged at 15 percent or 25 percent tax (based on chassis type).

The new structure will aid the purchase of fully-built vehicles, where only the basic duty of 12 percent will apply. Players buying only the chassis, will thus pay a minimum duty of 15 percent (two percent increase in basic duty + the three percent additional on the cha ssis pr ice).

Higher taxes will hit transporters harder, especially in case of high tonnage vehicles, chassis of which are costlier. Overall, growth in commercial vehicles sales is expected to slow to 12-14 percent in 2012-13, on lower MHCV sales, which will be hit relatively harder

TARIFFS (Percent)

CUSTOMS 2011-12 2012-13

EXCISE 2011-12 2012-13

New Cars1 -Completely knocked down units (CKD)#

10.3

10.3

-

-

-Semi-knocked down units (SKD)

61.8

61.8

-

-

-Completely built units (CBU)^^

61.8

61.8

-Specified small cars2

-

-

10.3

12.4

-Other than specified small cars 3

-

-

22.7*

24.7*

Utility Vehicles

10.3

10.3

22.7*

24.7*

Two-Wheelers

61.8

61.8

10.3

12.4

Trucks (LCVs & MHCVs)

10.3

10.3

10.3

12.4 @ 12.4 @

Buses (LCVs & MHCVs)

10.3

10.3

10.3

Tractors

10.3

10.3

-

-

Steel Items

5.2

7.7

10.3

12.4

Pig iron

5.2

5.2

10.3

12.4

Engine & Engine Parts - Four-wheelers

7.7

7.7

10.3

12.4

- Two-wheelers

7.7

7.7

10.3

12.4

- Four-wheelers

10.3

10.3

10.3

12.4

- Two-wheelers

10.3

10.3

10.3

12.4

7.7

7.7

10.3

12.4

Drive transmission, steering, suspension, braking parts,silencer, exhaust pipes & radiators

Electrical Parts 4

LCV: Light Commercial Vehicles; MHCV: Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles 1 All Hybrid cars and cars based on fuel cell or Hydrogen cell technologies enjoy

concessional excise duty of 4 per cent 2 Specified small cars include cars with length not exceeding 4,000 mm and engine

capacity not exceeding 1,200 cc for petrol cars and 1,500 cc for diesel cars.

3 Others will include cars with length exceeding 4,000 mm and

engine capacity not exceeding 1,200 cc for petrol cars and 1,500 cc for diesel cars.

4 Customs duty for air conditioner machine parts is at 10.3 per cent

@Tax of 15 per cent or 25 per cent is applicable on transactions where only the CV’s chassis is sold * Additional duty of 3 per cent will be charged on cars and utility vehicles exceeding length of 4000 mm and which are of 1500 cc and above # CKD for vehicles with pre assembled engine and transmission parts is 30 per cent ^^Customs duty on CBUs priced (CIF) over $40,000, with engine capacity exceeding 3000cc for petrol-run vehicles, 2500 cc for diesel-run vehicles, is 77.3 per cent

Source: CRISIL Research by the new duty structure than LCV sales.

Agri-Incentives To Prop Up Sales Of Tractors And TwoWheelers Additional interest rate subvention of three percent for prompt loan payments by farmers and a 21 percent increase in agri-credit allocation to `5,750 billion are expected to have a marginally positive impact on tractor sales and two wheelers.

Two-wheeler sales are expected to grow by 10-12 percent in 201213, after growing by 14 percent in 2011-12 owing to the expected slowdown in rural demand.

Tractor sales are expected to grow by three-five percent in 2012-13 after recording a 14 percent CAGR over the last two years.

Overall Impact On Sector To Be Neutral CRISIL Research expects that growth across industry segments would remain stable in 2012-13, with cars & UVs sales rising the fastest during the year, on a low base. Although the taxes on sedans and imported luxury cars would temper demand a little, discounts from automakers would drive a healthy growth in sales during the year. CRISIL Research therefore estimates that

the impact of the Budget on the auto industry is neutral.

(Please note that the views expressed here are those of CRISIL Research and not of CRISIL’s Ratings division. CRISIL Research operates independently of and does not have access to information obtained by CRISIL’s Ratings Division.)

Auto Monitor

23 APRIL 2012

C O R P O R AT E

16

Machine manufacturers to garner higher share from automotive sector Our Bureau Mumbai

T

he best machine with weak tooling is not as good as a poor machine with excellent tooling. We need to make an effort to get the best tooling solutions for further growth of the manufacturing sector in India— stated Chairman, Force Motors, Dr Abhay Firodia, while inaugurating the 8th Die & Mould India International Exhibition at the Bombay Exhibition Centre recently.

Firodia added that India has been competing with global players in machining and tooling solutions over the last two decades despite a much longer history of manufacturing. Indian manufacturing and engineering activities started way back in 1860s with the setting-up of railway workshops and seventh generation of engineers are currently working across sectors to provide manufacturing edge.

He added that most factors like availability of quality manpower, technical solutions and growing market for tooling solutions are in the country’s favour and it is for the industry players to grab the opportunity.

Participation from the user industries included players from the automotive, medical equipments, aerospace and general engineering segments. “We are looking for higher participation from the private sector for areas as critical as control surfaces for aircraft and tooling is likely to

be very critical,” said Head, Nasikbased H A L’s MiG Complex, PG Deshmukh.

He added that private players, both local and global ones, need to proact ively assess the needs of the manufacturing sector and provide customised solutions for its growth. He added that the opportunities arising from offset clause in the defence and the civilian aerospace segments may open up major business for tooling segment in India.

The tooling suppliers need to keep pace with latest innovation in the global tooling industry. President, TAGMA India, SC Kalyanpur, said that the association is making efforts to widen the participation of the exhibitors. Apart from newer launches and debut participation of several players from China, South Korea and Japan, the show created an opportunity for exhibitors to participate with potential customers through live demonstrations and presentations.

The 7th Die & Mould India International Exhibition witnessed around 21 percent growth in number of exhibitors, 15 percent growth in the number of visitors and 17 percent in the

Private players need to provide customised solutions for growth.

Opportunities arising from offset clause in the defence & civilian aerospace segments may open up business for tooling segment in India—PG Deshmukh, Head, HAL’s MiG Complex (L-R) Dr Abhay Firodia, Chairman, Force Motors, and P G Deshmukh, Head, MiG Complex, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Nashik, cutting the ribbon to mark the inauguration of the 8th Die & Mould India International Exhibition

exhibition area. It attracted participation from countries like China, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Czech Republic, Portugal, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and the US. TAGMA India estimates may surpass these estimates in terms of exhibitors and participants for the 8th Biennial Die & Mould India International Exhibition.

The exhibition opened on 19 April, 2012 to participation from local and global players in the machine tools segment and ran for four days.

The show was spread over the 20,000 sq mt venue in Mumbai. A major highlight of the four-day exhibition was an opportunity for live demonstration of tooling solutions to participants in close

to actual working environment.

This allows for live feedback from potential customers.

“TAGMA India has been doing a noteworthy job over the years but we still have some way to go in terms of widening the participation level as well as advance information dissemination for the event to potential participants and customers. It needs to raise the profi le of the show to a higher level with industry feedback and visitors comments and also look to improve the infrastructure,” said Vice President, Commercial, Rasandik Engineering Industries India Ltd, Mohan Lal Sukhal.

Many other regular participants at TAGMA India and other industry shows also echoed Sukhal’s view, but were satisfied with the participation and arrangements as well as the visitor profi le.

Tooling industry contributed around `13,225 crore in 2010-11 to the GDP and aided all manufacturing sectors in achieving consistent quality and productivity helping contribute to the growth of the manufacturing sector. TAGMA India has been looking to promote the die & mould sector through initiatives like organising conferences, seminars and exhibitions on international scale to promote Indian machine tool industry.

The exhibit range in the Die & Mould International Exhibition included press tools, mould base, standard parts, hot runner systems, tool steel, heat treatments, texturing gauges, CAD/CAM, die spotting, machine tools and accessories/consumables for machine tools and moulds. The solutions are aimed at improving productivity, quality and reduce costs for the customers.

23 APRIL 2012

Auto Monitor

C O R P O R AT E

17

Würth joins IGTC for management training programme Mutual understanding and flexibility offered by IGTC are deciding factors Our Bureau Chennai

G

ermany-based Euro 9.7 billion Würth Group has entered into an agreement with the Indo-German Training Centre, Chennai for a professional management training programme based on the German dual education system. Würth’s wide product range includes products for automotive technology/ service maintenance, chemicals, engine oils, adhesives/abrasives, cutting devices, fasteners, furniture and construction fittings, industrial safety products and much more.

The company is also in the process of fi nalising space for a large warehouse in Chennai in order to export Würth products from Chennai to South East Asian countries, including Thailand and Philippines. While the major part of the group’s business is in Germany, the growth is in Asia, according to the Head of Business Development Asia, Würth Group, Benjamin Würth.

This is the fi rst time that the company, which is engaged in five diversified business lines of auto— metal, wood, construction and industry and having a presence in 84 countries—is associated with training in Asia. The company has similar tie-ups in many European countries, “India is the first country in Asia and we have plans to extend this to other countries in the continent,” he said.

The objective of this strategic alliance is to develop the employees of Reinhold Würth India Private Ltd to enable them

face the challenges of managing business and contribute their ideas and creativity to the organisation in promoting achievements as a part of the corporate culture.

Regional Director, IndoGerman Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), S Raj said that with over 66,000 employees globally, the core strength of Würth Group is its people. This includes 1,400 employees in India, and growing. “We are extremely happy that Würth group decided on partnering with us,” he said.

Under this agreement, IGTC, which is a training and education initiative of the IGCC, will offer a Postgraduate Programme in Business Administration (PGPBA), a basic two-year course with a specialisation in ‘Wholesale and Foreign Trade.’

Upon the successful completion of this programme, trainees of the company shall be awarded a Post-Graduate Programme in Business Administration Certificate by IGTC.

Methodology During the programme, classes will be held at IGTC every alternate months and practical training during the other months at Reinhold Würth India. A total of 40 different subjects will be covered in the programme. The fi rst batch of the programme will commence in August 2012.

According to Bernha rd Steinruecke, Director General, IGCC, vocational training is an integral part of German education system and IGCC. This is one of the main reasons for a small country like Germany which has

a population of 80 million, to be a champion in exports.

Four Pillars The four strong pillars of Germany’s success are fi rstly— SMEs (known as mittelstand in Germany), which are family owned organisations and form a large part of Germany’s business.

Würth is one of the champions and is now run by the third generation of founder.

Secondly, vocational training in Germany has been developed over two centuries.

Nearly 40 percent of the people in Germany are trained thoroughly in vocational schools.

Thirdly, trade fairs—more than 100 of the 150 odd trade shows held globa lly, ta kes place in Germany. There are brands like the IA A, Hannover Fair, which witness the convergence of the world to showcase innovation and technolog y.

Fourthly, chamber system in the country is unique and very strong. There are over 120 offices of chambers in 80 countries working towards the promotion of trade and industry. This collaboration with Würth is only a start of many more to come, he said.

The Deciding Factor Benjamin Würth said that after having talked to various colleges in India, the group found great hope in IGCC and was, therefore, happy to collaborate with IGTC. There was excellent mutual understanding and respect for each other and the f lexibility offered by IGTC was the deciding fac-

(L-R) S Raj, Regional Director, IGCC, Bernhard Steinruecke, Director General, IGCC & Benjamin Würth, Head of Business Development Asia, Würth Group, at the signing of the MoU for the training programme

tor. The experience with the chamber network in Germany is also satisfactory. “While we are starting with 15 trainees to begin with, this would lead to similar arrangements with other centers over the next three to five years.

Würth is a people driven organisation and it is therefore important to educate and train people to generate growth. The group’s vision 2020 for India is to achieve Euro one billion sales with about 11,000 to 14,000 people. The company expects to cross Euro 38 million during the current year with about 1,400 employees. The group’s way of giving back to the country and society is education, which is a prime mover. This alliance with IGTC is a step in the right direction, he said.

The Managing Director of Reinhold Würth India Private Ltd Sai Prasad said that the company jointly with IGTC will craft fi ne men and women to walk into the future. This is a part of taking responsibility of shaping a better

future for some. In a country with a population of over 1.2 billion, India offers the best opportunity for growth. A small step for education and business for achieving larger things, he said.

Würth Group was founded,

by Adolf Würth at Kunzelsau in Germany in 1945. In the initial stage it was involved in the business of screws and fasteners. At present it has over 1.4 lakh products. In India, the group started its operations through Würth India Private Ltd in 1996 in Mumbai with three employees. Currently it has four legally independent companies Würth India in Mumbai, Reinhold Würth India in Chennai, Marion Würth India in Delhi and Bettina Würth India in Kolkatta. The group has about 40 regional offices with over 1,400 employees, and a turnover of approximately `140 crore. It also has three other allied companies, namely Hahn & Kolb and Würth Industry in Pune and Würth Elektroniks in Bangalore.

Auto Monitor

The passenger car segment grew by 2.19 percent during April-March period last fiscal, while the utility vehicles grew by 16.47 percent and the multi-purpose vehicles grew by 10 percent in last fiscal.

Toyota led the passenger car segment with a growth of around 373.18 percent from 19,225 units to touch 90,969 units last fiscal, as compared to the previous period. M&M registered the highest growth in the multi-purpose vehicle segment with 2,582.43 percent growth to touch 25,644 units in April-March 2012 period.

Passenger Cars 2010-11

2011-12 8.55%

BMW*

3,171

3,442

Fiat

21,112

16,073

Ford

95,395

90,423

-5.21%

GM

86,919

86,847

-0.08%

LCVs (PC+GC) OEMs ALL

7,205

2,949

58,951

54,108

HMIL

358,904

387,168

M&M

10,009

17,839

MSIL

966,447

855,730 -11.46%

Merc

2,731

Renault

-

3,597

Skoda

21,693

32,334

Tata

255,704

257,966

2011-12

702

7,991

Force

21,673

24,399

-8.22% HM 7.88% 78.23%

1038.32%

312

189

M&M

104,632

127,029

MNAL

9,812

10,320

Piaggio

9,124

10,592

Swaraj

4,220

4,537

203,600

266,164

7,771

9,610

361,846

460,831

12.58% -39.42%

21.41% 5.18%

Scooter/Scooterettees 7.51%

OEMs

162.42% Tata VECV - Eicher

49.05%

Total

19,225

90,969

Audi

1,205

2,319

VW

51,607

2010-11

2011-12

30.73%

-100.00% BAL

27

-

HML

342,991

418,224

23.66% 21.93%

27.36% HMSI

893,335

1,224,599

M&M 2W

155,260

134,518

SMIL

230,603

288,604

TVS

435,388

496,896

Total

2,057,604

2,562,841

37.08%

0.88% 373.18%

TKM

Domestic two-wheelers sales witnessed a growth of 14.16 percent in the last fiscal to touch 13,435,769 units against 11,768,910 units during the same period in the previous fiscal. Mopeds, motorcycles and scooters grew by 11.39 percent, 12.01 percent and 24.55 percent respectively.

The motorcycle sales grew to 10,096,062 units in AprilMarch period as compared to 9,013,888 units in corresponding period in the previous fiscal.

In the Motorcycle segment, Royal Enfield sales were up by 44.19 percent in April-March period, while Bajaj Auto’s sales grew by around 6.3 percent to touch 2,566,757 units compared to 2,414,606 units in same period the previous fiscal.

In the Scooter segment, the sales of Hero MotoCorp grew by 21.93 percent while TVS Motor sales grew by 14.13 percent in this period.

Hero MotoCorp reported its best sales for March at 513,552 units, registering a jump of 1.8 percent over the same month last year. Bajaj Auto witnessed flat growth in its March sales at 210,383 units against the same month in the previous fiscal.

TVS Motor Company reported total domestic two-wheeler sales of 160,736 units in March registering a decline of 1.22 percent. HMSI registered the highest growth in domestic twowheelers sales at around 55.04 percent to touch 212,815 units in March this year.

16.09% 13.44%

3,098 32,978

2010-11

-59.07%

HM

12,567

The overall commercial vehicles segment registered a growth of 18.20 percent in April-March, 2012 as compared to the same period last fiscal to touch 809,532 units. M&HCVs sales grew by 7.94 percent to touch 348,701 units compared to 323,059 units in the same period in the previous year. The LCV segment grew by 27.36 percent to touch 460,831 units in this fiscal, compared to 361,846 units in the same period last fiscal.

Three-wheeler sales were relatively flat at 513,251 units in April-March period compared to 526,024 units in same period previous fiscal. Passenger carriers fell by 4.5 percent in April-March while goods carriers registered growth of 6.31 percent.

ALL registered the highest growth in the LCV segment to touch 7,991 units. Atul Auto registered highest growth in threewheeler segment to touch 26,698 units.

-23.87%

HSCI

Nissan

Two-Wheelers

Commercial Vehicles

Passenger Vehicles

OEMs

23 APRIL 2012

A N A LY S I S

18

92.45%

2.19%

Total 1,972,845 2,016,115

25.15%

M&HCVs (PC+GC)

51.68%

78,275

-13.36%

OEMs

2010-11

2011-12

ALL

83,098

81,118

AMW

6,792

10,021

-2.38%

14.13% 24.55%

47.54%

UV OEMs

2010-11

JCBL

2011-12

-

1

103

85

Motorcycles/StepThroughs

-

858.20% BMW Force

256

Daimler*

2,453

3,430

48.31%

5,087

M&M

0

OEMs

-17.48% -

0

BAL

-28.64% Ford

3,142

2,242

GM

20,067

23,201

2010-11

2011-12

2,414,606

6.30%

2,566,757

176.52%

15.62%

MNAL

1,265

3,498

Swaraj

7,883

8,276

Tata

192,127

207,014

VECV - Eicher

30,223

37,400

HDMC 4.99%

HML

-

0

716

4,926,390

5,651,056

14.71%

-23.04% HM

2,569

1,977

HSCI

512

319

HMIL

462

1,611

ICML

652

488

-37.70% 248.70% -

VECV - Volvo

-25.15%

M&M

169,205

202,217

MSIL

5,666

6,525

Merc

197

403

Nissan

460

290

Renault

1,278

1,755

Tata

41,674

47,775

TKM

64,863 687

1,062

VW

3

6

Total

315,123

2010-11

19.51% 15.16%

Total 323,059

14.64% 6.74%

M&M

956

25,644

Maruti

160,626

144,061

Tata

51,755

65,093

100.00%

213,574

234,945

355,497

RE

54,475

78,546

SMIL

50,678

50,031

17.28% 28.09% 44.19% -1.28%

7.94%

348,701

-1.65%

TVS 632,150

621,738 12.01%

OEMs

2010-11

2011-12

Atul

19,149

26,698

Bajaj

205,603

202,979

39.42%

Force

143

11

M&M

62,142

67,440

Piaggio

202,591

184,362

Scooters

14,039

17,589

TVS

22,357

14,172

Total

526,024

513,251

Mopeds/Electric OEMs

2010-11

2011-12 11.39%

-1.28 TVS

8.53%

697,418

Electrotherm*

776,866

NA

- 0.00% 11.39%

16.47%

2,582.43%

Total

20.42%

-92.31%

54.59%

-37.97% 147

771,721

277,546

M&M 2W

604 684

658,043

IYM

3-Wheelers (PC+GC) 37.32%

2011-12

237

568

HMSI

Total 9,013,888 10,096,062

-

367,012

Force

1,000

Volvo Buses

MPV OEMs

-39.60%

-36.96%

69,234

Audi

23.75%

104.57%

367

Skoda

7.75%

10.31% 25.77% 10.01%

-9 %

Total

697,418

776,866

25.29% -36.61%

-2.43%

* Data not available since August 2008 onwards * BMW monthly data not available

Auto Monitor

23 APRIL 2012

G L O B A L WAT C H

20

Ford innovation to cut accident risk New Ford B-Max has been engineered with smart technologies and reinforced with robust materials to better respond to emergencies

A

ll-new Ford B-MA X is engineered to deliver outstanding protection in all accident situations as well as providing best-in-class access to vehicle cabin. “Maintaining occupant safety and delivering all the benefits of the Ford easy access door system was a key objective for us,” said Chief Programme Engineer, Ford of Europe, Klaus-Peter Tamm. “The development team used innovative eng ineering solut ions—a nd filed multiple patent applications—in the development of

this unique car.”

Key features of the allnew B-MAX include the following: High Strength Steel Front and rear doors are reinforced with ultra-high-strength boron steel in key load-bearing areas with high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels accounting for 58 percent of the body and door structure.

In the event of a side impact, the door frames work together to absorb crash energy. In extreme instances, special crash catchers

Unique crash test procedure ensures that Ford B-Max door system is safe and unique

(which lock the doors together), a reinforced latch mechanism and an integrated central pillar combine to ensure the doors remain fi rmly attached to the roof and floor structure.

Seven Airbags Just like Fiesta, the new B-Max offers seven state-of-theart airbags: driver and front-seat passenger airbags, 3D Thorax side airbags, curtain airbags that run the entire length of the cabin and a driver’s knee airbag.

B-Max is the fi rst Ford to enable deactivation of the front passenger airbag, for those carrying a rear-facing child seat, through a standard instrument panel switch.

The front seats have been specially designed with integrated seat belt and restraint systems, while the seat structure and mounting points are fabricated from high strength steels to ensure excellent crash protection. Both front seats also feature a new four-way adjustable head rest which can be moved horizontally for increased comfort and safety. The driver’s seatbelt features twin pretensioners and the rear seats are equipped with Isofi x mountings for easy fitment of child seats.

Pedestrian Protection B-Max has been engineered to

In the event of a side impact, the door frames work together to absorb the crash energy thus making it safer for the passengers

reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians. The cowl area, found between the hood and windscreen, has been designed to lessen the effect of head impacts by minimising hard contact points. Ford has also installed a new dual motor windscreen wiper system in B-Max, which allows the motors and wiper mechanism to be moved away from the centre of the vehicle.

Safe & Smart Technologies The Ford car will be offered with a suite of smart and safe technologies designed to help drivers avoid accidents and support them should they fi nd themselves in an emergency situation.

The B-ma x will be the fi rst Ford in Europe available with Emergency Assistance (enabled by SY NC), which assists occupants in placing a call to emergency services directly in the event of an accident, as standard and without subscription.

Ford also will offer its award-

The development team used innovative engineering solutions—and filed multiple patent applications—in the development of the unique car —Klaus-Peter Tamm Chief Programme Engineer, Ford, Europe winning Active City Stop technology on B-Max. This system monitors the road ahead and applies the brakes automatically if it detects a collision with a slowmoving or stationary vehicle in front of the car. As with all Fords, B-Max features Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)—a braking and stability system that helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle under extreme conditions.

THE T HE JJOURNEY OURNEY OF OF A T THOUSAND HOUSAND M MILES ILES STARTS WITH ONE STEP S TARTS W IT H O NE S TEP

VTUEEE V TUEEE 2012 2012

G-ARC (NATRiP, Chennai Centre)

CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED COMPUTING (C-DAC), PUNE

G-ARC (NATRiP, Chennai Centre)

Auto Monitor

22

23 APRIL 2012

G L O B A L WAT C H

New cars 18 percent more fuel efficient: SMMT

N

ew cars registered in the UK in 2011 were, on average, 18 percent more fuel efficient than the average car on the road, according to fi gures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in its 11th annual New Car CO2 report.

The data analysing the emissions of all new cars registered in the UK showed a continued trend in falling emissions and improving fuel efficiency. 2011 emissions fell by 4.2 percent year-on-year to 138.1g/km CO2 (equivalent to 52.5mpg), down by more than 23 percent since reporting began in 2000.

The report shows that in 2011, almost half of new cars (46.8 percent) had emissions below the 2015 European legislative target of 130g/km CO2 . Additionally, over 65,000 vehicles were exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) with sub-100g/km cars (equivalent to about 70 mpg,) almost doubling their market share to 3.4 percent.

We are seeing steady improvement in conventional technologies & the emergence of alternative technologies, creating one of the most innovative periods for the global automotive industry— Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive Reductions in average emissions were made across all segments (car sizes) versus 2010, contributing to the significant drop over the past decade.

Executive and Specialist Sports made the biggest reduction over the past year, falling 9.5 percent and seven percent respectively on 2010 fi gures while the Executive (-34.9 percent) and Mini (-29.9 percent) segments

recorded the biggest improvements against the 2000 levels.

SMMT, Chief Executive, Paul Everitt said, “Industry can be proud of the progress it has made in reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency, 23 percent since 2000. The UK motor industry recognises its responsibilities and the industrial opportunities from the transition to ultra-low carbon vehicles. Future environmental and economic success will be determined by sustained investment in new technology, R&D, infrastructure and consumer incentives. We are seeing steady improvement in conventional technologies and the emergence of a range of alternative technologies, creating one of the most innovative periods for the global automotive industry.”

Achieving record market shares, diesel and AlternativelyFuel led Veh icles (A F Vs) continued their rise in popularity, taking 50.6 percent and 1.3 percent of the 2011 market respectively. Petrol-electric hybrids accounted for 92 percent of all AFV volumes in 2011 with an average CO2 output of 104g/km, some 25 percent below the UK average. Though market development is in its earliest stages, EV registrations rose by 557 percent in 2011 to 1,098 units, aided by the introduction of new models and the Plug-In Car Grant.

The UK automotive is a global leader for low carbon R&D, productivity and quality, exporting its products around the world. To retain this position and meet the stringent EU legislative target of 95g/km CO2 by 2020, successive governments must commit to a strong long-term industrial policy that provides the certainty required by international fi rms to sustain investments in low carbon R&D in the UK. The government needs to provide consistency on taxation and maintain and expand incentives like the Plug-In Car Grant, which encourage consumers to move towards low carbon and more fuel-efficient technologies.

Manufacturers debate future technologies, UK’s role in the global sector

T

he fou r t h SMMT International Automotive Summit, is scheduled to be held at Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf, and feature a seminar, ‘Innovation in Ultra-Low Carbon Technology’, supported by EDF Energy, on the 12 June, 2012.

Sta r t ing w it h t he work of the Automotive Council Technology Group and its bid to secure the development of five ‘sticky’ technologies that will strengthen the long-term future of the UK automotive industr y, through the challenges of attracting global R&D investment to UK facilities and an in-depth analysis of the full range of ultra-low carbon technologies coming to market. The stream will address the emerging trends and consider how the UK can win an

ongoing share of the growing economic opportunity.

Speaking about the stream, Manager of B2C Product Development at EDF Energy, Bethan Carver said, “The electrification of transport will require the development of innovative technologies to enable motorists to maximise the cost and carbon saving potential of plug in vehicles. Energy suppliers will play a key role in the development and deployment of these technologies and associated customer offers.”

Continued investment in R&D, particularly in the area of low and ultra-low carbon technologies, places UK automotive at the centre of low carbon innovation. On top of consistent year-on-year reductions in average new car CO2 emissions, the UK market for alternatively-

fuelled vehicles reached a record 1.3 percent market share in 2011.

An emerging and receptive market is a great influencing factor to attracting investment in R&D, product design and manufacture, but an attractive business environment is also the key.

Vice President Vehicle Design and Development at Nissan Technical Centre Europe, Jerry Hardcastle is expected to discuss the importance of the collaborative relationships the UK boasts between industry, academia and government before a panel debate on, ‘Building Ultra-Low Carbon R&D In UK Automotive’, that will look at recent government action to make the UK’s R&D tax credit regime more globally competitive and what still needs to be done.

The later session will bring together a range of senior vehi-

cle manufacturer executives to present on and discuss the range of ultra-low carbon technology being developed by the global industry. The talk on ‘From Innovation To Market: Turning Technologies Into Revenue’ will include speeches from Global Head of Electric Vehicles, Renault, Thierry Koskas, and Director of Future Technologies, V W Group, Professor Wolfgang Steiger in addition to other speakers still to be announced.

Along with opening keynote speeches from BMW Board Member, Global Sales and Marketing, Ian Robertson and Peter Tyroller, Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH, experienced heads from the world of automotive will be seated on the panels for other streams at the Summit covering The ‘Changing Face Of Vehicle

Continued investments in R&D in low carbon technologies, places UK automotive at the centre of low carbon innovation. And, an emerging market is a great influencing factor to attracting investments, but an attractive business environment is also key Retail’ supported by GForces Web Management and ‘Growth In The Supply Chain’, supported

by KPMG LLP.

PADMINI VNA MECHATRONICS PVT. LTD.

PADMINI VNA

Regd. Office : 5, Padmini Enclave, Haus Khas, New Delhi -110016 Factory : Jal Vihar, Basai - Garhi Road, Dhankot, Distt. Gurgaon, Haryana (India) Ph.: +91-124-3207398/99 Mobile : +91 9818610607, +91 9810384215 E-mail : sales@padminiengg.com, Website : www.padminivna.com

Auto Monitor

23 APRIL 2012

N A M E R I C A N A S S E M B LY

26

AUTOFACTS Global Automotive Outlook, 2009 Q1 Release PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

North America Assby Tracking 2 -2012 (Tracking by Brand & Nameplate) February 2012 Ownership Org/

Last 3 Months

YOY

Assembly

YOY

Volume

% Chg

Share %

Share Chg

13,983

28.2%

1.1%

Ford Mustang

7,353

23.3%

Mazda Mazda6

6,630

Brand & Nameplate AutoAlliance International (USA)

BMW (Germany)

Year to Date

YOY

Assembly

YOY

Volume

% Chg

Share %

Share Chg

YOY

Assembly

YOY

Volume

% Chg

Share %

0.0

36,990

47.2%

1.0%

Share Chg

0.2

26,074

57.8%

1.0%

0.6%

(-0.0)

19,624

55.0%

0.6%

0.1

14,217

65.9%

0.6%

34.0%

0.5%

0.0

17,366

0.1

39.3%

0.5%

0.1

11,857

49.0%

0.5%

0.1 0.3

0.2

27,248

29.3%

2.1%

0.1

73,884

40.3%

2.1%

0.3

53,179

40.7%

2.1%

BMW X3

12,707

44.7%

1.0%

0.1

34,578

69.8%

1.0%

0.3

25,159

60.7%

1.0%

0.2

BMW X5

10,255

17.1%

0.8%

(-0.0)

27,557

24.3%

0.8%

0.0

19,769

30.7%

0.8%

0.0

BMW X6

4,286

21.4%

0.3%

(-0.0)

11,749

16.0%

0.3%

(-0.0)

8,251

17.6%

0.3%

(-0.0)

197,540

35.3%

15.0%

1.3

549,920

40.4%

15.5%

2.1

382,823

34.0%

15.1%

1.3 0.1

Chrysler Group LLC (USA) Chrysler 200

11,102

36.7%

0.8%

0.1

29,567

80.5%

0.8%

0.3

19,849

32.6%

0.8%

Chrysler 300

8,047

927.7%

0.6%

0.5

19,724

2419.0%

0.6%

0.5

14,781

1787.7%

0.6%

0.5

Chrysler Town & Country

8,688

28.3%

0.7%

0.0

26,587

4.6%

0.7%

(-0.1)

16,188

3.6%

0.6%

(-0.1)

Dodge Avenger

8,648

54.5%

0.7%

0.1

21,673

67.6%

0.6%

0.2

15,028

64.8%

0.6%

0.2

Dodge Caliber

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.4)

3,867

-59.3%

0.1%

(-0.2)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.4)

Dodge Caravan

16,638

23.5%

1.3%

(-0.0)

44,949

20.7%

1.3%

(-0.0)

30,722

13.3%

1.2%

(-0.1)

Dodge Challenger

3,925

31.6%

0.3%

0.0

11,057

31.5%

0.3%

0.0

7,439

10.5%

0.3%

(-0.0)

Dodge Charger

7,758

-25.2%

0.6%

(-0.4)

22,378

22.6%

0.6%

0.0

15,897

-7.4%

0.6%

(-0.2)

Dodge Dakota

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

Dodge Durango

3,621

-47.2%

0.3%

(-0.4)

10,229

-41.5%

0.3%

(-0.3)

6,236

-55.6%

0.2%

(-0.4)

Dodge Journey

9,804

24.7%

0.7%

0.0

27,642

18.0%

0.8%

(-0.0)

20,531

31.0%

0.8%

0.1

Dodge Nitro

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

1,495

-75.7%

0.0%

(-0.2)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

Fiat 500

6,093

278.4%

0.5%

0.3

16,886

420.9%

0.5%

0.4

12,269

387.3%

0.5%

0.4

Fiat Freemont

4,732

-

0.4%

0.4

15,261

-

0.4%

0.4

11,008

-

0.4%

0.4

Jeep Compass

11,104

46.8%

0.8%

0.1

29,798

65.8%

0.8%

0.2

21,053

35.8%

0.8%

0.1

Jeep Grand Cherokee

20,113

79.5%

1.5%

0.5

57,399

66.9%

1.6%

0.4

41,089

80.7%

1.6%

0.5

Jeep Liberty

11,340

81.3%

0.9%

0.3

30,872

106.4%

0.9%

0.4

21,412

104.5%

0.8%

0.3

Jeep Patriot

12,912

117.9%

1.0%

0.4

31,859

47.6%

0.9%

0.2

23,479

66.9%

0.9%

0.2

Jeep Wrangler

6,565

34.6%

0.5%

0.0

18,568

29.7%

0.5%

0.0

12,618

27.4%

0.5%

0.0

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

9,927

13.9%

0.8%

(-0.1)

28,529

19.8%

0.8%

(-0.0)

19,794

13.5%

0.8%

(-0.1)

Lancia Grand Voyager

491

-

0.0%

0.0

1,464

-

0.0%

0.0

948

-

0.0%

0.0

Lancia Thema

165

-

0.0%

0.0

1,663

-

0.0%

0.0

913

-

0.0%

0.0

Ram Cargo Van

996

-

0.1%

0.1

2,807

-

0.1%

0.1

1,938

-

0.1%

0.1

Ram Pickup

33,930

25.7%

2.6%

0.0

93,597

25.3%

2.6%

0.1

67,894

27.7%

2.7%

0.1

Volkswagen Routan

941

-59.6%

0.1%

(-0.1)

2,049

-61.6%

0.1%

(-0.1)

1,737

-54.4%

0.1%

(-0.1)

15,933

37.8%

1.2%

0.1

42,825

35.3%

1.2%

0.1

31,479

41.4%

1.2%

0.2

Daimler AG (Germany) Freightliner Sprinter

813

18.5%

0.1%

(-0.0)

2,169

18.7%

0.1%

(-0.0)

1,575

17.3%

0.1%

(-0.0)

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

3,360

40.0%

0.3%

0.0

9,280

33.8%

0.3%

0.0

6,720

43.6%

0.3%

0.0

Mercedes-Benz M-Class

10,080

43.2%

0.8%

0.1

27,072

43.4%

0.8%

0.1

20,160

50.2%

0.8%

0.1

Mercedes-Benz R-Class

1,680

16.7%

0.1%

(-0.0)

4,304

7.5%

0.1%

(-0.0)

3,024

7.7%

0.1%

(-0.0)

Ford Motor Company (USA)

214,693

8.0%

16.3%

(-2.4)

608,957

16.2%

17.2%

(-0.8)

415,174

10.4%

16.4%

(-1.8)

Ford C-MAX

45

-

0.0%

0.0

47

-

0.0%

0.0

47

-

0.0%

0.0

Ford Crown Victoria

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.5)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.6)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.6)

Ford Edge

14,116

0.9%

1.1%

(-0.2)

42,304

11.3%

1.2%

(-0.1)

29,561

7.5%

1.2%

(-0.2)

Ford Escape

28,410

13.6%

2.2%

(-0.2)

79,673

17.3%

2.2%

(-0.1)

56,107

10.9%

2.2%

(-0.2)

Ford E-Series

13,709

-1.6%

1.0%

(-0.3)

33,039

-0.7%

0.9%

(-0.2)

21,871

-14.0%

0.9%

(-0.4)

Ford Expedition

5,339

27.2%

0.4%

0.0

15,570

32.7%

0.4%

0.0

10,510

40.6%

0.4%

0.1

Ford Explorer

13,423

17.3%

1.0%

(-0.1)

41,772

37.2%

1.2%

0.1

28,563

42.6%

1.1%

0.2

Ford Explorer Sport Trac

-

-

-

-

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-

-

-

Ford Fiesta

9,906

18.8%

0.8%

(-0.0)

31,781

13.2%

0.9%

(-0.1)

22,273

15.7%

0.9%

(-0.1)

Ford Flex

2,209

35.0%

0.2%

0.0

7,961

26.6%

0.2%

0.0

5,450

17.3%

0.2%

(-0.0)

Ford Focus

20,533

251.3%

1.6%

1.0

59,779

592.1%

1.7%

1.4

39,995

550.9%

1.6%

1.3

Ford F-Series

67,077

7.9%

5.1%

(-0.8)

185,650

19.1%

5.2%

(-0.1)

129,807

19.7%

5.1%

(-0.1)

Ford Fusion

25,198

10.9%

1.9%

(-0.2)

63,862

-1.7%

1.8%

(-0.4)

41,168

-15.1%

1.6%

(-0.7)

Ford Ranger

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.7)

4,301

-75.3%

0.1%

(-0.5)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.7)

Ford Taurus

5,671

-12.8%

0.4%

(-0.2)

18,732

40.1%

0.5%

0.1

13,182

26.6%

0.5%

0.0

Lincoln Mark LT

13

-79.0%

0.0%

(-0.0)

44

-31.3%

0.0%

(-0.0)

38

-40.6%

0.0%

(-0.0)

Lincoln MKS

1,070

5.1%

0.1%

(-0.0)

3,427

47.5%

0.1%

0.0

2,274

62.0%

0.1%

0.0

Lincoln MKT

985

235.0%

0.1%

0.0

2,212

56.9%

0.1%

0.0

1,577

37.5%

0.1%

0.0

Lincoln MKX

2,773

1.4%

0.2%

(-0.0)

8,529

4.2%

0.2%

(-0.0)

5,550

1.3%

0.2%

(-0.0)

Lincoln MKZ

3,440

0.9%

0.3%

(-0.1)

8,077

10.3%

0.2%

(-0.0)

5,610

-2.2%

0.2%

(-0.1)

Lincoln Navigator

776

-19.1%

0.1%

(-0.0)

2,197

-0.6%

0.1%

(-0.0)

1,591

-10.5%

0.1%

(-0.0)

Lincoln Town Car

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

Mazda Tribute

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

Mercury Grand Marquis

-

-

-

-

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

Mercury Milan

-

-

-

-

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-

-

-

26,205

18.3%

2.0%

(-0.1)

73,462

17.0%

2.1%

(-0.1)

52,541

18.2%

2.1%

(-0.1)

Subaru Legacy

17,013

21.2%

1.3%

(-0.0)

48,359

21.3%

1.4%

(-0.0)

34,101

21.5%

1.3%

(-0.0)

Subaru Tribeca

361

-38.0%

0.0%

(-0.0)

1,140

-33.8%

0.0%

(-0.0)

774

-38.3%

0.0%

(-0.0)

Toyota Camry

8,831

17.1%

0.7%

(-0.0)

23,963

13.0%

0.7%

(-0.1)

17,666

16.6%

0.7%

(-0.0)

297,045

18.9%

22.6%

(-0.9)

760,328

10.5%

21.4%

(-2.1)

550,411

15.9%

21.7%

(-1.3)

Fuji Heavy Industries (Japan)

General Motors Company (USA) Buick Enclave

5,897

-12.5%

0.4%

(-0.2)

15,085

-15.1%

0.4%

(-0.2)

11,145

-10.7%

0.4%

(-0.2)

Buick LaCrosse

3,971

-40.1%

0.3%

(-0.3)

12,009

-14.1%

0.3%

(-0.1)

7,470

-19.6%

0.3%

(-0.2)

Buick Lucerne

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.3)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.3)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.3)

Buick Regal

1,105

-

0.1%

0.1

7,240

-

0.2%

0.2

3,433

-

0.1%

0.1

Buick Verano

4,946

-

0.4%

0.4

11,600

-

0.3%

0.3

9,069

-

0.4%

0.4

Cadillac CTS

5,173

-2.8%

0.4%

(-0.1)

14,970

-3.2%

0.4%

(-0.1)

9,485

-15.1%

0.4%

(-0.2)

Cadillac DTS

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

Cadillac Escalade

1,203

-8.4%

0.1%

(-0.0)

3,625

-0.9%

0.1%

(-0.0)

2,587

-5.3%

0.1%

(-0.0)

Cadillac Escalade ESV

580

28.6%

0.0%

0.0

1,699

4.7%

0.0%

(-0.0)

1,210

22.0%

0.0%

(-0.0)

Cadillac Escalade EXT

254

12.4%

0.0%

(-0.0)

555

-11.8%

0.0%

(-0.0)

387

-16.1%

0.0%

(-0.0)

Cadillac SRX

7,371

22.6%

0.6%

(-0.0)

20,939

15.1%

0.6%

(-0.0)

15,275

26.1%

0.6%

0.0

Cadillac STS

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

Chevrolet Avalanche

2,555

50.6%

0.2%

0.0

6,118

20.8%

0.2%

(-0.0)

4,299

21.8%

0.2%

(-0.0)

Chevrolet Aveo

6,916

55.2%

0.5%

0.1

17,258

40.8%

0.5%

0.1

13,711

58.9%

0.5%

0.1

Chevrolet C2

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.4)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.3)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.3)

Chevrolet Camaro

6,701

-30.2%

0.5%

(-0.4)

24,684

-7.4%

0.7%

(-0.2)

17,428

-11.0%

0.7%

(-0.3)

23 APRIL 2012

February 2012 Ownership Org/ Brand & Nameplate

Auto Monitor

N A M E R I C A N A S S E M B LY Volume

YOY % Chg

27

Last 3 Months Assembly Share %

YOY Share Chg

Volume

YOY % Chg

Year to Date Assembly Share %

YOY Share Chg

Volume

YOY % Chg

Assembly Share %

YOY Share Chg

Chevrolet Captiva

4,237

45.8%

0.3%

0.0

12,662

66.9%

0.4%

0.1

8,512

65.6%

0.3%

0.1

Chevrolet Colorado

4,133

28.5%

0.3%

0.0

10,728

18.8%

0.3%

(-0.0)

7,887

21.0%

0.3%

(-0.0)

Chevrolet Corvette

1,191

-2.5%

0.1%

(-0.0)

2,995

22.1%

0.1%

0.0

1,984

23.9%

0.1%

0.0

Chevrolet Cruze

26,092

15.4%

2.0%

(-0.1)

62,342

-2.6%

1.8%

(-0.4)

49,643

10.5%

2.0%

(-0.2)

Chevrolet Equinox

22,852

13.8%

1.7%

(-0.2)

62,249

13.4%

1.8%

(-0.1)

44,227

12.9%

1.7%

(-0.2)

Chevrolet Express

7,760

38.3%

0.6%

0.1

17,722

6.9%

0.5%

(-0.1)

12,711

9.0%

0.5%

(-0.1)

Chevrolet HHR

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.5)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.6)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.6)

Chevrolet Impala

16,486

0.6%

1.3%

(-0.3)

44,855

-5.5%

1.3%

(-0.4)

32,670

-5.4%

1.3%

(-0.4)

Chevrolet Malibu

22,812

25.3%

1.7%

0.0

61,280

44.9%

1.7%

0.3

44,343

71.8%

1.8%

0.5

Chevrolet Silverado

52,429

27.3%

4.0%

0.1

123,904

13.5%

3.5%

(-0.2)

91,343

25.5%

3.6%

0.1

Chevrolet Sonic

9,124

-

0.7%

0.7

24,706

-

0.7%

0.7

16,832

-

0.7%

0.7

Chevrolet Suburban

5,557

86.7%

0.4%

0.1

12,804

22.8%

0.4%

0.0

9,819

54.7%

0.4%

0.1

Chevrolet Tahoe

10,538

48.4%

0.8%

0.1

23,737

8.2%

0.7%

(-0.1)

18,989

22.8%

0.8%

0.0

Chevrolet Traverse

8,695

-6.8%

0.7%

(-0.2)

21,359

-15.5%

0.6%

(-0.3)

14,962

-18.5%

0.6%

(-0.3)

Chevrolet Volt

2,347

276.1%

0.2%

0.1

3,932

138.7%

0.1%

0.1

2,347

94.9%

0.1%

0.0

GMC Acadia

7,574

13.3%

0.6%

(-0.1)

23,096

6.0%

0.7%

(-0.1)

13,974

-4.7%

0.6%

(-0.2)

GMC Canyon

1,014

9.1%

0.1%

(-0.0)

3,030

16.9%

0.1%

(-0.0)

2,015

13.3%

0.1%

(-0.0)

GMC Savana

3,284

20.1%

0.2%

(-0.0)

7,932

23.4%

0.2%

0.0

5,432

11.8%

0.2%

(-0.0)

GMC Sierra Pickups

23,110

38.2%

1.8%

0.2

53,041

18.0%

1.5%

(-0.0)

38,247

29.7%

1.5%

0.1

GMC Terrain

11,172

23.8%

0.8%

(-0.0)

30,256

20.5%

0.9%

(-0.0)

22,003

18.6%

0.9%

(-0.0)

GMC Yukon

5,145

35.8%

0.4%

0.0

11,959

-4.8%

0.3%

(-0.1)

9,296

6.2%

0.4%

(-0.1)

GMC Yukon XL

3,292

39.8%

0.3%

0.0

7,819

-0.6%

0.2%

(-0.0)

6,147

26.7%

0.2%

0.0

Opel-Vauxhall Ampera

1,529

-

0.1%

0.1

2,138

-

0.1%

0.1

1,529

-

0.1%

0.1

Saab 9-4X

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0) 1.2

Honda Motor Company (Japan)

151,818

38.8%

11.5%

1.2

405,745

31.1%

11.4%

0.8

301,564

36.3%

11.9%

Acura CSX

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

Acura MDX

6,358

23.7%

0.5%

(-0.0)

17,951

23.0%

0.5%

0.0

12,890

14.6%

0.5%

(-0.0)

Acura RDX

69

-95.6%

0.0%

(-0.1)

1,858

-64.4%

0.1%

(-0.1)

82

-97.7%

0.0%

(-0.2)

Acura TL

4,017

157.7%

0.3%

0.2

13,980

164.3%

0.4%

0.2

9,721

185.0%

0.4%

0.2

Acura ZDX

223

23.2%

0.0%

(-0.0)

372

-17.3%

0.0%

(-0.0)

223

-32.4%

0.0%

(-0.0)

Honda Accord

36,643

54.9%

2.8%

0.6

92,004

33.1%

2.6%

0.2

71,976

48.9%

2.8%

0.5

Honda Civic

40,316

68.9%

3.1%

0.8

118,889

75.3%

3.4%

1.0

84,678

69.2%

3.3%

0.9

Honda Crosstour

3,056

63.5%

0.2%

0.1

7,685

85.1%

0.2%

0.1

5,057

50.1%

0.2%

0.0

Honda CR-V

29,816

47.1%

2.3%

0.4

70,610

15.0%

2.0%

(-0.1)

56,987

34.2%

2.3%

0.2

Honda Element

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

Honda Odyssey

15,538

26.4%

1.2%

0.0

41,973

24.1%

1.2%

0.0

30,402

27.3%

1.2%

0.0

Honda Pilot

14,672

5.3%

1.1%

(-0.2)

35,349

-1.2%

1.0%

(-0.2)

26,365

1.3%

1.0%

(-0.2)

Honda Ridgeline

1,110

-40.6%

0.1%

(-0.1)

5,074

16.4%

0.1%

(-0.0)

3,183

-0.2%

0.1%

(-0.0)

59,091

20.2%

4.5%

(-0.1)

153,281

15.0%

4.3%

(-0.2)

115,172

21.1%

4.5%

(-0.1)

Hyundai Elantra/i30

9,203

-0.4%

0.7%

(-0.2)

23,650

-17.3%

0.7%

(-0.3)

18,630

7.8%

0.7%

(-0.1)

Hyundai Santa Fe

9,230

7.7%

0.7%

(-0.1)

20,418

-26.0%

0.6%

(-0.4)

17,233

3.9%

0.7%

(-0.1)

Hyundai Sonata/i40

19,677

4.9%

1.5%

(-0.3)

55,574

24.4%

1.6%

0.0

39,494

6.0%

1.6%

(-0.2)

Kia Optima

10,567

-

0.8%

0.8

26,600

-

0.8%

0.8

19,051

-

0.8%

0.8

Kia Sorento

10,414

-17.2%

0.8%

(-0.4)

27,039

-16.5%

0.8%

(-0.3)

20,764

-13.3%

0.8%

(-0.3)

Hyundai Motor Company (South Korea)

Mitsubishi Motors Corp (Japan)

2,790

-32.3%

0.2%

(-0.2)

6,545

-30.1%

0.2%

(-0.1)

4,542

-40.6%

0.2%

(-0.2)

Mitsubishi Eclipse

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

Mitsubishi Endeavor

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

Mitsubishi Galant

2,790

-5.3%

0.2%

(-0.1)

6,545

-5.2%

0.2%

(-0.1)

4,542

-22.3%

0.2%

(-0.1)

110,091

23.2%

8.4%

(-0.0)

307,674

19.4%

8.7%

(-0.1)

221,493

21.9%

8.8%

(-0.1) 0.0

Nissan Motor (Japan) Infiniti JX Series

348

-

0.0%

0.0

443

-

0.0%

0.0

385

-

0.0%

Nissan Altima

29,731

16.6%

2.3%

(-0.1)

83,628

19.9%

2.4%

(-0.0)

58,760

20.2%

2.3%

(-0.0)

Nissan Armada

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.1)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.2) 0.1

Nissan Frontier

6,663

48.2%

0.5%

0.1

18,283

52.1%

0.5%

0.1

12,909

46.4%

0.5%

Nissan March

7,635

1036.2%

0.6%

0.5

21,172

3050.6%

0.6%

0.6

15,811

2252.8%

0.6%

0.6

Nissan Maxima

6,708

11.7%

0.5%

(-0.1)

19,074

12.8%

0.5%

(-0.0)

13,779

18.9%

0.5%

(-0.0)

Nissan NV-Series

836

10.9%

0.1%

(-0.0)

2,515

163.9%

0.1%

0.0

1,762

84.9%

0.1%

0.0

Nissan Pathfinder

2,334

-27.8%

0.2%

(-0.1)

7,822

-20.9%

0.2%

(-0.1)

5,279

-21.9%

0.2%

(-0.1)

Nissan Pickup

6,531

95.2%

0.5%

0.2

15,184

58.1%

0.4%

0.1

11,836

58.4%

0.5%

0.1

Nissan Sentra

12,861

-12.1%

1.0%

(-0.4)

34,668

-22.6%

1.0%

(-0.6)

25,675

-18.7%

1.0%

(-0.5)

Nissan Tiida

14,155

167.3%

1.1%

0.6

42,715

161.0%

1.2%

0.6

30,170

163.5%

1.2%

0.6

Nissan Titan

2,532

5.0%

0.2%

(-0.0)

6,689

11.2%

0.2%

(-0.0)

4,910

10.0%

0.2%

(-0.0) (-0.3)

Nissan Tsuru

4,252

-35.6%

0.3%

(-0.3)

11,938

-38.4%

0.3%

(-0.3)

8,886

-35.8%

0.4%

Nissan Versa

13,377

8.3%

1.0%

(-0.1)

36,698

-3.9%

1.0%

(-0.3)

26,594

-0.5%

1.1%

(-0.2)

Nissan Xterra

1,968

-16.3%

0.1%

(-0.1)

6,405

-0.6%

0.2%

(-0.0)

4,467

-2.2%

0.2%

(-0.0)

Suzuki Equator

160

23.1%

0.0%

(-0.0)

440

2.3%

0.0%

(-0.0)

270

-3.6%

0.0%

(-0.0)

Tesla Motors (USA)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

126

-64.4%

0.0%

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

Tesla Roadster

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

126

-64.4%

0.0%

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

139,204

28.6%

10.6%

0.4

391,283

23.8%

11.0%

0.2

281,399

26.3%

11.1%

0.3

Lexus RX Series

7,184

6.9%

0.5%

(-0.1)

20,636

11.2%

0.6%

(-0.1)

14,707

10.0%

0.6%

(-0.1)

Toyota Avalon

3,149

-12.6%

0.2%

(-0.1)

8,747

-14.0%

0.2%

(-0.1)

6,436

-12.1%

0.3%

(-0.1)

Toyota Camry

32,662

89.8%

2.5%

0.9

94,726

80.2%

2.7%

0.9

68,112

87.7%

2.7%

0.9 0.1

Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan)

Toyota Corolla

25,778

33.6%

2.0%

0.1

67,064

23.6%

1.9%

0.0

49,717

27.8%

2.0%

Toyota Highlander

11,135

17.3%

0.8%

(-0.0)

30,188

10.6%

0.9%

(-0.1)

22,164

13.4%

0.9%

(-0.1)

Toyota Matrix

2,247

72.4%

0.2%

0.0

5,302

14.4%

0.1%

(-0.0)

4,331

33.3%

0.2%

0.0

Toyota RAV4

14,167

0.1%

1.1%

(-0.3)

43,097

6.1%

1.2%

(-0.2)

28,935

0.6%

1.1%

(-0.3)

Toyota Sequoia

1,957

37.7%

0.1%

0.0

5,852

25.5%

0.2%

0.0

3,931

34.6%

0.2%

0.0

Toyota Sienna

12,173

4.9%

0.9%

(-0.2)

35,473

4.1%

1.0%

(-0.2)

25,167

6.0%

1.0%

(-0.2)

Toyota Tacoma

11,627

18.5%

0.9%

(-0.0)

34,102

3.1%

1.0%

(-0.2)

23,792

12.8%

0.9%

(-0.1)

Toyota Tundra

10,645

20.3%

0.8%

(-0.0)

30,808

25.2%

0.9%

0.0

21,959

16.3%

0.9%

(-0.0)

Toyota Venza

6,480

36.4%

0.5%

0.0

15,288

31.8%

0.4%

0.0

12,148

39.7%

0.5%

0.1 0.0

Volkswagen (Germany)

59,178

43.9%

4.5%

0.6

135,630

15.3%

3.8%

(-0.2)

95,417

23.8%

3.8%

Volkswagen Beetle

6,295

-

0.5%

0.5

11,574

-

0.3%

0.3

9,026

-

0.4%

0.4

Volkswagen Bora

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

28

-79.7%

0.0%

(-0.0)

-

-100.0%

-

(-0.0)

Volkswagen Golf/Jetta Variant

13,045

5.8%

1.0%

(-0.2)

29,408

-16.6%

0.8%

(-0.4)

20,277

-12.2%

0.8%

(-0.3)

Volkswagen Jetta

30,438

5.8%

2.3%

(-0.4)

68,620

-16.6%

1.9%

(-0.9)

47,314

-12.2%

1.9%

(-0.7)

9,400

-

0.7%

0.7

26,000

-

0.7%

0.7

18,800

-

0.7%

0.7

1,314,819

23.8%

100.0%

-

3,546,650

21.5%

100.0%

-

2,531,268

22.7%

100.0%

Volkswagen Passat Total Light Vehicle

-

Auto Monitor

28

CLASSIFIEDS

23 APRIL 2012

The leading source for automotive parts, components & accessories.

23 APRIL 2012

Auto Monitor

CLASSIFIEDS

29

ADVERTISERS’ LIST Advertisers’ Contact Details

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Auto Monitor

30

Getting Personal with Sumit Sawhney, VP, Sales, Marketing & Aftersales, GM India

If not in the auto industry, where would you be?

Aviation What car do you drive? What do you dream of driving?

Captiva Your most recent indulgence…

I think flying is my hobby, I like to do that What are you currently reading?

Nothing What is Mr Sawhney doing when not talking auto?

Aviation and talking to people Outdoor activity you would miss office for…

My interest is clearly aviation and travelling and interacting with people Where did you go for your last holiday?

I travel for small intervals. I am flying to central India for two days You get angry when…

On a professional front, if business results are not as per expectation; any sub-optimal efforts annoys me What is the one thing you would like to change about you?

Maintain better work-life balance

Illustration: Sachin Pandit

Best thing to have happened to you…

Being in the auto industry

23 APRIL 2012

THE OTHER SIDE

In Person Sumit Sawhney was appointed as the Vice President-Sales, Marketing & Aftersales, GM India with effect from August, 2010. In his current role, Sumit Sawhney is responsible for the VSSM (Vehicle Sales, Servicing & Marketing) function for the Indian sub Continent.

He is based in the Marketing ng Office, Gurgaon and reports to the President & Managing Director of GM M India.

Sawhney who joined GM M India in 2001, has contributed immensely mensely in the growth of car sales, network work & business development, regionall sales & service operations. In his earliarlier role as Director (Sales), he had done an excellent job to o increase sales of the compa-ny and contributed for the growth of GM’s business in India. He has over 15 years of experience in the areas of sales, marketing and network development.

An experience I won’t forget…

Nothing specific that I can think of

Regn. No. MH/MR/WEST/20/2012-2014. RNI No. MAHENG/2000/11414 Licenced to post at Mumbai patrika channel sorting office G.P.O. Mumbai 400 001.

Date Of Mailing:16th & 17th Fortnightly Issue. Date Of Publication: 13th of Every Month

32