India’s domestic car sales takes downward trajectory, dips by 24%

Reinventing Mobility – The Automotive Industry in India
India has come a long way from the days when the automotive industry in India was characterized by limited choice, old technology, obsolete designs and endless waiting period to be a proud owner of a vehicle. In sharp contrast, today, India is the seventh largest vehicle manufacturer, the second largest two wheeler manufacturer and the fifth largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world. The Indian auto industry today churns out a large number of new model and variant launches every year and exports almost 12% of the vehicles produced by it to the most competitive auto markets globall

Strike at Maruti Suzuki plant
The workers at Suzuki’s Indian unit, Maruti Suzuki went on flash strike today. The company has announced that it has stopped production at its Manesar plant, which manufactures the popular 'Swift' hatchback among other models. The company said in a statement, "The MSIL management is in the process of preparing schedules for casual workers. The striking workers did not give us any notice before dumping the production today," the spokesperson said. "The workers' action clearly violates the agreement that they had signed with the management on 1 October. It is a breach of faith ... a mockery."

Mercedes-Benz reports record sales for Sep month and third quarter
The global sales of luxury car Mercedes-Benz rose two per cent in year-on-year terms in September. The company, Daimler AG, said in a statement that it sold 120,982 Mercedes cars last month. This its highest-ever for the month. Since January 2011 sales now total to 919,288 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, an increase of 7.6%. “We continue to grow,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. “After posting a record in the second quarter, we also achieved our highest sales ever in September and for the third quarter as a whole. Positive momentum w

Labour strike at Maruti Suzuki's plant called off
The over a month long labour unrest between the management and workers of Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant ended on Saturday following talks brokered by the Haryana government.

In an agreement, the workers agreed to sign the contentious good conduct bond laid down by the management. Under the agreement, the company agreed to conditionally take back 18 trainees who were suspended.

However, it would not take back the 44 regular employees against whom disciplinary action was taken and that they would be under suspension.

The talks were brokered by the Haryana government with officials

Toyota reports best production figures for the first time in 12 months
Toyota Motor’s August production figure shows that the domestic production rose for the first time in 12 months as company tries to come out of impact of March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster. Its subsidiary Daihatsu also reported the first increase in eleven months. The output for Hino was higher for the third consecutive month. The domestic production increased by 12.0 per cent on year-on-year basis. Domestic output by Toyota alone rose 11.9 per cent to 252,374, also the first gain since the March disasters caused supply chain disruptions and power supply problems that forced plant shutdo

Rane Group acquire stakes in defence and aerospace parts company SasMos HET Technologies
Channai headquartered auto components manufacturer, Rane Group has acquired 26 per cent in SasMos HET Technologies Pvt Ltd for an undisclosed sum. SasMos Het was founded by by HG Chandrashekhar. The company manufactures cable assemblies, wiring harness, panel boxes, and electro-mechanical assemblies used in the aerospace and defence industry. "Today is a momentous step forward as Rane ventures into this new area. We feel there are significant growth opportunities both in India and as an exporter. This entry also opens a new knowledge base for Rane in electronics, which will have a synergy with