in focus auto components
other stars of the show a TEXT: S M BOOTHEM
t the 11th Auto Expo 2012, there were beautiful cars, girls and bikes attracting huge crowds on one side of Pragati Maidan. At the other end, component manufacturers and other players were busy showcasing their products. Ten years ago, these manufacturers had small booths, but today the stalls are on par with international standards. Apart from Indian companies, a sizeable number of automotive components companies showcased their products and technologies. The participating countries included Belarus, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and the UAE.
NBC’s new logo
National Engineering Industries (NEI) unveiled its new brand logo recently. The company plans to invest around Rs 100 crore annually for the next five years which will go towards capacity enhancement in its existing three plants. It will also set up a fourth plant.
smart phones, equipped with the first commercial implementation based on the MirrorLink standard, allowing users to navigate, listen to music, and place calls from the car’s dashboard. The ICS-X8 has been developed under a partnership between Alpine and Nokia. The solution also provides standard hands-free operation of a mobile phone via Bluetooth connection.
Kohler’s new engines
Kohler Engines unveiled the new 2012 version of the KD441 engine with improved power, torque and fuel efficiency and also showcased a range of engines for ‘last mile connectivity’ vehicles.
built India’s first diesel engine and a leader in centrifugal castings, had its four-cylinder engine unveiled by Chief Guest James Bevan, British High Commissioner Designate. The engines will be produced both for gensets and other fixed speed applications as well as variable speed and vehicle applications.
KPIT solutions
KPIT Cummins announced its In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) platform is now compliant with GENIVI Compliance Specification Release 1.0. The platform contains core services and frameworks to enable faster, contextaware HMI (Human Machine Interface) and application development.
PACCAR’s tech centre
PACCAR launched its new technical centre in Pune with its partner KPIT. The centre will have 200 employees and will focus on engineering, information technology, and component sourcing. It also showcased its premium DAF CF truck at the Auto Expo.
Bosch India’s big plans
Automotive components manufacturer Bosch announced an investment of Rs 2,200 crores. Dr Bernd Bohr, Chairman of the Automotive Group and Member, Board of Management Robert Bosch GmbH, stated that the investment would be spent over a period of two years and used for capacity augmentation, diversification and new technology development.
Alpine’s X8
Alpine Electronics launched an all new ICSX8 App Link station, compatible with Nokia 54 Auto India february 2012
The engines are available in diesel, petrol and CNG variants for both three and fourwheelers. They are manufactured at the manufacturing facility at Aurangabad.
4-Cylinder Engine
Cooper Corporation Ltd, a company which
German Automotive industry
In 2011 German brands nearly doubled their market share to five per cent while the markets increased by eight per cent. German group brands pushed up their sales by 80 per cent to over 120,000 million passenger cars. This is the fourth time that the VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie) has initiated the German pavilion as part of the official foreign trade fair program at the Auto Expo with the slogan ‘Made in Germany’.
OTHER LAUNCHES Firefox introduces Trek Elite 9.9 and Firefox MTV cycles
Firefox Bikes introduced the most expensive bicycle from its stable in India. The TREK ELITE 9.9 SSL is priced at Rs 4.25 lakhs. Being a full carbon-frame bike, it weighs only 10kg and has hydraulic shocks, high performance brakes and 30 speed variations.
tions Industrial Development Organization and the International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (UNIDO-ICHET) based in Istanbul. Mahindra and Mahindra developed the vehicle. Air Products USA acted as project partner and sponsor by providing the hydrogen refuelling station and management and technical services.
50 per cent jump in overall sales at 6,000 units this year. The company, which launched ‘Man Airobus’ here, said bookings for the Rs 60 lakh bus have already started and it plans to sell around 250 units by the year end.
Lohia’s Humsafar
Lohia Auto Industries has launched its CNG/ Diesel Variant-HUMSAFAR EURO III Commercial three-wheeler. The company says it’s cost-effective, eco-friendly, comfortable with maximum mileage and durability. Lohia Auto
Motor Home
Paracoat Products Ltd, have tied up with Van Tech of Japan and Siam Motorhome Co of Thailand, and launched their ready- to-use ‘Motor Home cum Office’ called PCP Terra which is suitable for seven people. It is fitted with air-conditioners, a heater, refrigerator, microwave, shower and washroom, kitchen and stereo system. It has a reverse camera to assist the driver to reverse with a monitor on the front console. The price for PCP Terra will be between Rs 31 and 37 lakhs.
also specializes in the EV (electric vehicle) segment with three products named Fame, Oma Sar and Genius.
HyAlfa’s 3-wheelers
HyAlfa, the world’s first fleet of hydrogen fuelled three-wheelers were launched at the Auto Expo. The one-million dollar project has taken three years to complete, with half of the costs co-funded by the United NaFirefox Bikes were in tandem with the Auto Expo 2012 eco-friendly theme. It is the only biking company to display its exclusive collection of bikes. This year it showcased Madone 3.1, Trek 4300D, Fisher Marlin, Firefox MTV Thor, MTV Dirt, MTV Smoke, MTV Hades, Colorado Firefox Viper, Firefox Target, Firefox Road Runner, Firefox Alpha, and Firefox Dart 2.5 along with bike accessories and lubricants.
RiO’s new look
Premier’s RiO has a fresh look which includes new curvy headlamps, an integrated grille and spoiler. There is a new hood and side panels. The RiO’s engines include a 1173cc, 1.2-litre petrol engine based on AVL technology delivering 77bhp and 15kpl. Both the petrol and diesel (TUD5) versions are available. The RiO is priced at Rs 4.7 lakhs to Rs 6.35 lakhs (ex-showroom, Pune).
MAN Force Airobus
German based commercial vehicle maker Man Force Trucks announced its foray into the bus segment with the company eyeing a
february 2012 Auto India 55