Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles is looking to start selling the E2O in European markets like UK and Norway by the end of the year. The company is working on features like power steering, airbags, ABS and enhanced battery to make the car suitable for introduction into the proposed markets. UK and Norway offer incentives for electric vehicles, where Mahindra Reva has sold more than 1,500 and 500 Reva cars, respectively. This has prompted the company to think about introducing the E2O in the two countries. Additionally, Mahindra Reva is also looking at an entry into Sri Lanka, which is another country that offers incentives on electric cars. About four months ago, the company entered Nepal and just a week ago, started selling cars in Bhutan. Around 30 E2O cars have been exported to the two countries till now. The E2O was launched in India in the first half of 2013 and priced between Rs. 5.95 - 6.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The high price car ensured the car's failure in the market. … [Read more...] about Mahindra Reva to export E2O to UK, Norway, Sri Lanka
Lanka electricity company
‘We are on a journey now and we want to make this into a great company. So the best is yet to come.’
With a slew of strong restructuring initiatives across its core and non-core operations, Vinod Dasari, the managing director has transformed Ashok Leyland into a lean and aggressive company with global ambitions, earning him Autocar Professional’s Man of the Year 2016 title. An interview by Sumantra B Barooah. What were the three or four key pillars on which you based your turnaround plan? So as far as initiatives were concerned, I think the first big one was on the basis of a massive fixed cost reduction program. It was called K54 and we launched a product cost reduction program. Also, we created something called Gen Mod, which meant new generation of new models. We also said that we need to focus a lot on the brand. So at a time when there were all kinds of crisis going on, we hired Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He was the national cricket captain, known more in the North and East, where our market share was low, but he also happened to be the captain of Chennai Super Kings. He is … [Read more...] about ‘We are on a journey now and we want to make this into a great company. So the best is yet to come.’
Made-in-India Ashok Leyland Circuit electric bus unveiled
Ashok Leyland has unveiled a brand new series of electric buses for the Indian market. Dubbed the Circuit range, the new platform is designed and engineered indigenously, and will spawn a number of future electric bus models, says the company. The first product of this range was showcased at the launch of the Circuit range. As per Ashok Leyland, the new Circuit bus is the first ever electrified bus that’s been produced completely in India. While Ashok Leyland has not divulged the exact specifications of the new 31 seater electric bus, the company claims that it will have a range of 120 kilometers on a single charge. The drivetrain is made up of lithium-ion batteries and the entire battery pack can be charged within 3 hours. The Circuit electric bus can reach up to a top speed of 75km/h. Among other highlights, the bus has an on-board fire detection and suppression system, on-board diagnostics, regenerative braking, USB mobile chargers for passengers, on-board Wi-Fi, etc. … [Read more...] about Made-in-India Ashok Leyland Circuit electric bus unveiled
Mahindra To Start Exports Of e2o To Europe & Sri Lanka In 2014
The Mahindra REVA e2o has been a sale dud in India, thanks to the high price tag that comes with the electric vehicle. With no subsidies from the government, lack of infrastructure and the NEMMP 2020 being far out of sight, Mahindra is finding it difficult to push the e2o out of showrooms. The company will start exporting the electric car to the UK, Norway and Sri Lanka by the end of 2014, where there is a higher demand for such vehicles. Several international markets offer subsidies to promote the use of electric vehicles in order to curb CO2 emissions, helping manufacturers price the car more competitively. Moreover, users also get exemption from a number of taxes that otherwise would be applicable to conventional vehicles. Both the UK and Norway provide huge subsidies on electric vehicles, where Norway has zero-import duty to promote the e-vehicle concept. The Mahindra REVA e2o for the European markets will be equipped with more power and an extended battery range. The e2o will … [Read more...] about Mahindra To Start Exports Of e2o To Europe & Sri Lanka In 2014
Sri Lanka wants to import more EVs
electric vehicles into the country. The island's network of charging stations will be expanded to encourage imports, and even better, the current heavy import fee will be lightened.At a media briefing last week in Colombo, Sampath Marenchige, president of the Vehicle Importers' Association of Lanka, said that the Sri Lanka's motor vehicle market is moving toward EVs because they're "zero pollution." The largest vehicle importers' organization in the country (over 280 companies) believes importing electric vehicle will be an important trend in 2014 – a significant development for the local car market. The fast expansion of a charging network on the island is another significant indicator of EV growth in the small country off the southern coast of India.The media briefing was held to promote EVs and to praise the recent decision by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal to withdraw the 100-percent cash margin requirement for importing vehicles. The cash margin requirement was … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka wants to import more EVs
Meet the Supernova EV, first Indian electric car
Back to the Future? An Indian company says it has plans for a sporty-looking electric vehicle that can go about 300 miles on a single charge. In a bit of a throwback, the car uses a lead-acid battery.The company is called Supernova and its car is called, yes, the SNEV. Granted, it helps that the car is a two-seater with a fiberglass body (it looks like it comes from from Sterling Kit Cars) because that keeps the weight down to about 2,000 pounds. It's not exactly cheap. The company says it will price the EV at about $40,000. Supernova calls the EV "India's first green sports car" and says the car tops out at 100 miles per hour. Its sporty looks have already lured about 250 people to sign up for reservations. The car, which takes five hours to fully recharge, is also almost 90-percent recyclable. Production is said to start in late 2015.EV-making news has been pretty limited out of India, though Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. has sporadically put out information of its Reva e2o. This past … [Read more...] about Meet the Supernova EV, first Indian electric car
GM India inaugurates power-train plant at Talegaon
General Motors India has started a new new flexi-engine facility today at Talegaon near Pune.The company has invested $230 in this new facility.The new engine plant will produce engines for small passenger cars manufactured by GM in India. This is GM’s first power train plant in the world that enables both petrol and diesel engines to be manufactured simultaneously.Speaking on this occasion,Karl Slym president and MD, General Motors, said, "This is the first plant of GM which has both petrol and diesel flexibilities. It has capacity of producing 1.6 lakh units in first phase and will increase production up to 3 lakh into second phase. The opening of our new facility will enable our company to become more competitive and keep up with the growing demand for our vehicles. GM India’s sales have grown significantly since we began rolling out our mini-cars, the Chevrolet Spark and Beat, at our Talegaon plant about two years back."GM will export these engines to the Asian … [Read more...] about GM India inaugurates power-train plant at Talegaon
Mahindra to launch new cars in Sri Lanka
The $7.1 billion Mahindra Group, one of India’s leading business houses, today revealed its plans to launch new models to augment its presence in the automobile market in Sri Lanka."In keeping with our long term plans for this region, we are soon going to enhance our current product portfolio in the market with the launch of several new products, including the Maxximo, a technologically modern sub 1 tonne pick up and HCVs (Heavy Commercial Vehicles)", Group’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director Anand Mahindra said. Mahindra added the company was also studying the possibility of introducing an electric car, the Mahindra Reva, in Sri Lanka in future.Mahindra has already established a base in Sri Lanka where it has been selling its range of tractors and utility vehicles for over a decade.Mahindra’s Automotive Sector has sold over 4,000 vehicles in Sri Lanka since its market entry. The company vice chairman said the launch of the company's compact truck the Mahindra … [Read more...] about Mahindra to launch new cars in Sri Lanka
After GM exit, Chinese JV Partner SAIC to enter India with MG brand
US car maker General Motors (GM) might have announced its exit from India, but its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC Motor Corporation Ltd is all set to enter India with the Morris Garages (MG) brand, an iconic British brand that it had acquired in 2008. The $100-billion SAIC, which is bullish on the Indian automobile market, that is slated to become the world's third largest by 2020, would have a dedicated manufacturing facility in the country, and would be the first Chinese automaker to do so. The operations are likely to commence in 2019 from a fully-owned facility, and functional-level appointments have already begun. It has registered its Indian subsidiary as MG Motor India and a corporate headquarter is planned in Gurgaon.SAIC, which is a joint venture partner of GM in China, was looking at the Halol factory of GM which was shut down by the latter on April 28 this year. As such, SAIC signed a term sheet to evaluate the Halol plant. But this April, the company said the … [Read more...] about After GM exit, Chinese JV Partner SAIC to enter India with MG brand
Hero to buy into tech partners
Hero MotoCorp has decided to pick up minority equity stakes in three global technology partners to ensure its technology edge after the end of its 26-year joint venture agreement with Japan’s Honda Motor Corporation.“These are long-term arrangements, and there is every likelihood that sooner rather than later we will financially get involved in these companies,” said Pawan Munjal, managing director and chief executive officer, Hero MotoCorp. To start with, Hero MotoCorp is looking at picking up a minority stake in the US-based Erik Buell Racing (EBR), a maker of performance bikes, with which it had signed a partnership agreement in February this year.In March, the company had roped in Austrian engine developer and maker AVL, which has also provided technology to Bajaj Auto. It has now tied up with another undisclosed technology partner. Talking of the latest association, Munjal said, “This firm has end-to-end capability in all kinds of two-wheelers. … [Read more...] about Hero to buy into tech partners