Register for our free newsletterManufacturers setting yearly goals is common practice, and it’s no rare thing for them to do so a year or two in advance. Audi has taken that a bit of a step further, though – unveiling plans to sell 800,000 electrified cars in the year 2025. That’s no mean feat, especially for a brand that currently offers only two hybrid cars – with the all-electric e-tron SUV on the horizon – but it has an ambitious plan to reach that target: it aims to introduce at least one electrified variant of every car it offers by then, with more than 20 to be available. The e-tron SUV heading to market later in 2018 is the first step on Audi’s ‘Roadmap E’ electrification plan, with an e-tron Sportback to follow next year. After that, an Audi Sport e-tron GT is planned for 2020, along with an all-electric model in the premium compact segment. It’s not just its range that the German manufacturer plans to make environmentally … [Read more...] about Audi targets 800,000 electrified sales in 2025
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Honda Malaysia confirms Takata driver airbag inflator rupture in fatal crash on Jan 1 – vehicle part of recall
Honda Malaysia, following an inspection with the Royal Malaysia Police, has confirmed that a Takata driver airbag inflator ruptured in a crash in Selangor on January 1, 2018. The crash involved a 2004 Honda City, and resulted in the death of the driver, although an official cause of death has yet to be determined.According to an official statement from the company, the vehicle was listed as part of its product recall announced on May 21, 2015. The recall involved the replacement of Takata-made driver and passenger airbag inflators with newly-produced inflators on affected models.The company stated several notification letters urging customers to send their vehicles in for the necessary parts replacement have been sent out, based on the information in its database. However, these letters were not sent to the current owner due to a change in vehicle ownership, and records show the recall replacement for both front inflators were never completed. Honda Malaysia also stated that the … [Read more...] about Honda Malaysia confirms Takata driver airbag inflator rupture in fatal crash on Jan 1 – vehicle part of recall
India’s 2-Wheeler industry targets sustainability, merges focus with vision
Autocar Professional’s Two-Wheeler Industry Conclave 2018, held on January 18, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi, proved to be a melting pot of this dynamic vehicle segment, one where key industry stakeholders, representing OEMs, component suppliers, dealers and also a premier R&D and testing agency of the government took centre-stage, discussing and debating a host of challenges and even more opportunities.The day-long event drew a packed house, comprising delegates from all sections of the automotive industry – OEMs, component suppliers, dealers, financial analysts, software and hardware developers and even start-up founders. The Conclave’s lead sponsor and technology partner was Siemens while the silver sponsors were Continental and Infineon Technologies. Supporting the event as association partners were apex industry bodies ARAI, FADA, SMEV and SAE India, while Roland Berger was the technology partner. The first Two-Wheeler Industry Conclave … [Read more...] about India’s 2-Wheeler industry targets sustainability, merges focus with vision
15 per cent dip in sales: Why Renault is struggling to grow in India
But 2017 has been a different story for Renault in India. The three-digit growth of 2016 and a bigger base made it challenging for the firm to sustain growth. Renault has not reported its volume for last calendar year but data collected from Siam shows that the carmaker sold 112,492 units in 2017. This is a decline of 15 per cent over the record 132,235 vehicles it sold in 2016. It is learnt that Renault had set a business plan to clock sales of 120,000 units last year but it could not meet this target. Renault did not respond to a questionnaire from Business Standard. The decline in volume is primarily linked to a drop in sales of the Kwid, an SUV styled small entry segment car that triggered the spectacular growth in 2016. The car, once seen as a strong competitor to India’s most sold car, Maruti Suzuki Alto, brings 81 per cent of volume for the French carmaker. But Kwid, in 2017, could not maintain or build upon the volume it clocked in the first full year after the September … [Read more...] about 15 per cent dip in sales: Why Renault is struggling to grow in India
Mercedes-Benz India sells record 15,330 units in 2017 (+16%)
Mercedes-Benz India, the largest luxury car brand in the country, has announced record sales of highest ever yearly, half-yearly and also Q4 sales in 2017. By registering record sale of 15,330 units in the January to December 2017 period, Mercedes-Benz grew its sales volumes by a robust 15.9 percent, firmly maintaining its strong hold on the dynamic Indian luxury car industry. Commenting on the company’s robust performance, Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz today remains the most preferred luxury car brand in India and our increasing sales volumes, firmly underlines the customer’s trust on a winning brand. Our market strategy is well founded and highly customer-centric, enabling us to contribute to the economy by doubling our volumes in the span of a few years. 2017 was a successful year for us and the decision to introduce the Long Wheelbase E-Class was strategic and highly successful. We are in particular … [Read more...] about Mercedes-Benz India sells record 15,330 units in 2017 (+16%)