Bajaj & KTM to make 3 vehicles
Austrian two-wheeler maker KTM Power Sports is developing three intra-city transportation models - a trike, a budget car and a scooter - in a joint collaboration with Bajaj Auto. Bajaj, India's second-largest motorcycle maker, owns 21 per cent stake in KTM.
All of the models will be marketed in developing countries and will have petrol, diesel and electric variants. KTM officials had earlier said that it was studying the possibilities of entering the small-car segment alongwith Bajaj.
Bajaj Auto, which is also one of world's largest three-wheeler manufacturers, will bring its expertise in low-cost engineering to the table. The Pune-based company recently unveiled its indigenously developed ultra low-cost car LITE at the Auto Expo earlier this year.
When contacted, Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto, declined to offer any comments on the matter. There is, however, no confirmation if the low-cost car will make its way to India as Bajaj Auto has already signed an agreement with Renualt and Nissan to develop a 'ultra low cost' car for the Indian market, which will be retailed at $2,500-$3,000.
The KTM-Bajaj car will be a four-seater urban runabout, which is under KTM's new 'innovative urban transportation concept'. Such vehicles are cheap yet frugal and fun to drive. The scooter, however, will be made available in the Indian market and is already under development. A launch by 2010 launch is likely for the model.
Hero Starts Export Electric Vehicles
Rising fuel costs are boosting the Indian E-Bike and e-Scooter market. Supported by subsidies and V.A.T. redemptions by regional governments the Indian sales have grown very quickly. Local manufacturer Hero Electric is investing in new assembly lines and facilities to meet the demand.
But Hero Electric is not merely focusing on the domestic market, it is also working on exporting Electric Vehicles (EVs) to other markets. "We have set up an export team to focus on the markets of Latin America and the Middle East. We are planning to begin exports to Latin America from next year," revealed Naveen Munjal, CEO of Hero Electric.
"Our target for the current fiscal year is about 70,000 EVs," said Naveen Munjal. It is planning to sell 125,000 EVs next year. "According to current trends, the Indian EV market could grow to more than 200,000 units in 2009," estimates Naveen Munjal.
Hero is planning to launch a high speed model within the next three months. Currently, it has eight models comprising four e-scooters and four e-bikes. "We launched our new Optima Plus model in July at a price of INR 31,000 (€ 464)."
M&M planning to buy another two wheeler manufacturer
It seems Mahindra and Mahindra is on an acquisition drive, after acquiring Kinetic Motors and Engines Engineering Spa., Mahindra and Mahindra is now planning to acquire Italian two wheeler manufacturer, Malaguti Moto.
Apart from Malaguti Moto, Mahindra and Mahindra is also in talk with several Chinese two wheeler manufactures and seems to be taking its decision to foray in the two wheeler segment quite seriously.
[Via: Indiaon2wheels]
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