Bajaj Auto to rethink small CV project
At a time when Tata Motors is looking at increasing production capacity for the Ace, and Piaggio and M&M are also looking at getting into the mini-truck segment in a big way by the end of this year, Bajaj Auto seems to be having second thoughts about entering the small commercial vehicles segment. The company is, in fact, said to be looking at postponing its entry into this segment to mid-2011.
According to reports in the media, Bajaj Auto now believes that doing an 'Ace-type' product will not work unless the Bajaj vehicle is offered at a significant cost advantage. Since the Ace has the first mover advantage and since Tata Motors is anyway a dominant player in the commercial vehicles segment in India, Bajaj Auto wants to make sure its small LCV has a clearly defined USP, which would allow it to take on similar vehicles from Tata, Piaggio, M&M and possibly others, including a few Chinese manufacturers.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Lithium-ion battery tech breakthrough
One of the things that's hampering the development of new electric cars - and the public adoption of existing ones - is the time it takes for EV batteries to recharge. With existing EVs, their batteries usually need a few hours to charge fully, while some EVs are fitted with a small IC engine that can charge the car's batteries on the run.
Now, Byoungwoo Kang and Gerbrand Ceder - researchers at MIT - have developed a new Lithium-ion battery technology that could allow electric car batteries to get fully charged in just five minutes. While explaining that technology is beyond the scope of this article, two companies are said to have licensed the technology already.
However, the MIT researchers' technology will involve a new approach to manufacturing lithium-ion battery materials, and production-ready Li-ion batteries made using the new technology are expected to be ready only by 2011-12.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Ultra Motor reveals it’s plans for India
Ultra Motor Company(UMC) has re-affirmed it's milestones for the Indian market. After successful achieving it's goals in FY07-08 the company has set a growth target of over 50% for FY08-09. The global electric vehicle company is also planning to have 180 dealerships across the India by end of March this year.
Additionally, the company is also looking forward to associations with BTL agencies to enter the semi-urban markets as a part of it's marketing strategy for FY10. UMC is planning to augment numerous BTL initiatives to support it's distribution network and increase organic growth.
According to Joe Santana, Chairman, UMC, UK, India is one of the largest two-wheeler markets in the world and hence continues to be one of the most important markets for them. Santana also said that the company will remain focused on their plans for the Indian market and are committed to grow in the electric two-wheeler market in India.
The UK-based company currently sells electric scooters for both the high speed and high range category of electric two-wheelers in India. UMC has already established the range of 'Ultra Motors' electric scooters with over 160 dealerships across 17 states.
[Via: Bike]
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