The Madras High Court had in its order passed in May in TVS' appeals allowed TVS' application for an interim injunction restraining Bajaj from in any way interfering with the manufacture and marketing of TVS' products using internal combustion engines with three valves and two spark plugs pending disposal of TVS' suit against Bajaj for unjustified threats of infringement.

The Supreme Court has directed TVS to maintain and file accounts of sales which shall be verified by a receiver to be appointed by the Madras High Court. Further the Court has directed that the suit before the Madras High Court be heard on a day to day basis on commencement after Dussehra vacations and that the hearing be concluded by 30 th November 2009.

The Company will take steps to obtain all necessary certifications required under law such as under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, before commencing sales of twin spark plug TVS-Flame.

While Hero Honda's low cost bike may be targeted at rural customers, the company will not compromise on quality, performance and durability. Also, unlike some Honda bikes sold in other Asian markets, the low-cost Hero Honda machine will not be a step-thru, since consumers in India tend to look at all step-thrus as mopeds and accordingly expect such bikes to be priced like a moped.

Hero Honda is actually not the first Indian company that's working on low-cost motorcycles. Bajaj Auto is also working on a similar machine, which may be manufactured in China. Bajaj's bike may be sold in the Chinese market as well as other Asian markets, before being launched in India. Right now, details on Bajaj's Chinese-built bike are scarce, but the machine is expected to have a 100-125cc engine and may be priced between Rs 25,000-28,000.

[Via: indiaautomotive]

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.