Retail News CRM

Category: Automotive

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Auto and Car news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Geely Automobile Steps Toward Mainland China Listing

    Geely Automobile Steps Toward Mainland China Listing

    Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd said its board has approved a preliminary proposal to list new renminbi shares on mainland China’s Nasdaq-like STAR board, sending its Hong Kong-listed shares up as much as 7% on Thursday.

    The Zhejiang-based automaker is currently listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with a market capitalization that exceeded HK$120 billion ($15.48 billion) in morning trade.

    Geely Automobile and sister company Volvo Cars, which parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd bought from Ford Motor Co in 2010, are planning to merge and list in Hong Kong and possibly Stockholm – as well as on the mainland, if Geely Automobile’s latest proposal receives final approval.

    Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, led by billionaire Li Shufu, has a number of other investments including owning 9.7% of Germany’s Daimler AG, 49.9% of Malaysia’s Proton, and a majority stake in British sport car brand Lotus.

    Luxury EV brand Polestar is gearing up to take on Tesla in China, while Alibaba-backed Xpeng also has its sights set on the U.S. brand.

    Geely Automobile in a filing late on Wednesday said the proposed renminbi shares would be listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s STAR board and would not involve the conversion of existing shares. It said its board will hold further talks on the size of the issue.

    Funds raised will be used for “business development and general working capital of the Group,” it said, without elaborating.

    “We believe such proceeds are likely to be used for the Volvo merger, although Geely cannot explicitly state it before the merger approval by disinterested shareholders,” said analyst Shi Ji at Haitong International.

    “It is a good way for the company to raise funds as valuations in the A-share market are usually higher than the H-share market,” Shi said, comparing mainland and Hong Kong markets.

    Geely Automobile plans to introduce six models under the Geely, Lynk&Co and Geometry marques this year. It sold 1.36 million cars in 2019 and targets sales of around 1.4 million vehicles this year. It reported profit of 8.19 billion yuan ($1.16 billion) last year.

    Last month, it raised HK$6.48 billion from a share placement.

  • BMW Introduces New Service And Repair Packages For BMW And Mini Cars

    BMW Introduces New Service And Repair Packages For BMW And Mini Cars

    BMW India has introduced new service maintenance packages for BMW and Mini cars in the country. There will be multiple options for the same, based on duration/mileage. ‘Service Inclusive’ offers a range of service packages that cover maintenance, inspection, and wear and tear. BMW offers another range of services called ‘Repair Inclusive’, which takes care of standard warranty extension. Customers just need to make an upfront payment and can avail a wide variety of services. Customers can choose packages according to their usage and needs. The prices of the service/maintenance package will be pre-fixed. The customers have the option of extend or renew the ‘Service Inclusive’ package as well.

    Arlindo Teixeira, acting President, BMW Group India said, “BMW Group India aftersales products and services have a simple aim – Empowering customers to enjoy the journey, mile after mile, year after year. With Service and Repair Inclusive, our customers have complete peace of mind. They don’t have to waste a moment thinking about the cost of maintenance or wear and tear because they know they own the best coverage for their BMW or MINI. It’s all there with Service and Repair Inclusive: the expertise of our service specialists, the use of Original BMW Parts, and the great feeling of knowing their car is in the very best of hands. With new additional benefits, we will continue to offer the best-in-class value while our exceptional service standards will continue to create an unmatched ownership experience.”

    BMW offers three Service Inclusive packages which are Oil Service Inclusive, Service Inclusive Basic, and Service Inclusive Plus. Each package has a different gamut of services that can be availed. Customers can pick anyone for a duration/mileage of their choice starting from 3 years / 40,000 km and extend it up to 10 years / 200,000 km.

    The base oil service package includes only the oil change and oil-related services of the cars and is meant for people whose usage is quite low. The service inclusive basic package includes regular maintenance such as engine oil service, top-ups, a replacement for air filter, fuel filter, microfilter, spark plugs, and brake fluids. The service inclusive plus includes replacement of items that are commonly susceptible to wear and tear such as brake pads, discs, wiper blades, clutch, and all. This is in addition to all the services offered by service inclusive basic.

    Customers can purchase Service Inclusive for their existing cars as well, where the package begins from the date of purchase and not from the date when the warranty starts. For customers with high usage, service packages are available in the business portfolio.

    With ‘Repair Inclusive’, the standard warranty on a vehicle can be extended even after the initial period of 24 months for unlimited mileage, up to a period of 6 years. The cost for all necessary repairs is covered within the agreed mileage/duration. In case of change of ownership of the car, Service and Repair Inclusive are easily transferable as well.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Lamborghini Urus Gets A New Pearl Capsule Design Edition

    Lamborghini Urus Gets A New Pearl Capsule Design Edition

    Italian Supercar marque Lamborghini’s first SUV in the market, the Urus has just got a new design edition to its name. The Pearl capsule edition aims to make the Urus even more appealing than before by using dual color tones outside and inside the car along with black accents at several places. The Urus Pearl Capsule is available on Urus model year 2021, alongside an extended range of colors and features following the first full year of Urus production in 2019.

    The customer has the option to choose from three base colors. These are Verde Mantis (green), Arancio Borialis (orange) and Giallo Inti (yellow). This base color is complemented well by the use of gloss black paint which has been applied on the lower bumpers, locker covers as well as the roof. The 23-inch taigete alloys get a shiny black color to match with the base color accent. To match the exterior paint the two-tone theme is carried forward into the cabin as well. Base colour accents and stitching is seen at many places like seats, cup holders, dashboard and grab handles.

    The 2021 Model year Urus also features an optional park assist feature

    The Lamborghini Urus Pearl Capsule models also gets logo embroidery on the seat, carbon fiber and black anodized Aluminium details and the optional fully-electric seat that features airy perforated Alcantara. It continues to run on a 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine which offers a maximum power output of 650 bhp at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 850 Nm at 2,250 – 4,500 rpm. It accelerates from 0-100 kmph in just 3.6 seconds and hits a tops speed of 306 kmph. For the time being the car is being sold in Europe, USA and China.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • BMW S 1000 XR Teased Ahead Of Launch In July

    BMW S 1000 XR Teased Ahead Of Launch In July

    After introducing the F 900 R and the F 900 XR in the country, BMW Motorrad India is now gearing up to launch the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR sports tourer. The upcoming offering has been teased on the company’s social media handles and comes with several upgrades over the current model. The 2020 BMW S 1000 XR made its global debut at EICMA 2019 in November and brings the prowess of the S 1000 RR’s engine with the versatility of a tourer in a compelling package. The model locks horns with the likes of the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S and the Kawasaki Versys 1000 in the segment.

    The 2020 BMW S 1000 XR has been comprehensively updated and comes with a new frame, new design language and a new engine as well. Sharing its underpinnings with the S 1000 RR, the sports tourer also loses those famed asymmetrical headlamps for a sharper-looking front design. The sports tourer gets a standard two-step adjustable windscreen and sharper bodywork. The new flex frame uses the engine as a stress-member that have improved the ergonomics on the motorcycle. The swingarm is 19 percent lighter than the older version, while the bike has lost about 10 kg over its predecessor.

    Power on the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR now comes from the 999 cc in-line four-cylinder petrol engine that has been tuned for more relaxed usability. Unlike the BMW S 1000 RR, the S 1000 XR misses on ShiftCam technology or variable valve timing, and belts out 163 bhp at 11,000 rpm and 114 Nm of peak torque at 9250 rpm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed transmission but the top three gears get longer ratios that alter performance for more highway-dedicated duties.

    The new S 1000 XR also comes with a semi-active suspension that is electronically adjustable and will alter the response setting depending on the terrain the bike is riding on. The bike rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with spoked wheels as an option but the S 1000 XR is not an adventure motorcycle and has limited abilities off-road. It also comes with road-spec tires, while the whole bucket electronic wizardry has been carried over and includes the six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, lean sensing traction control, drag torque control, bi-directional quick-shifter, cruise control, hill assist, wheelie control and more. There are four riding modes – Road, Rain, Dynamic and Pro. The bike also gets a TFT screen, keeping up with the times.

    The 999 cc in-line four-cylinder motor does not get ShiftCam tech from the S 1000 RR on the S 1000 XR

    Pricing on the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR is expected to remain identical to the current model and we expect the sports tourer to carry a price around ₹ 18-20 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the exchange rate. The S 1000 XR is expected to go on sale sometime next month.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Porsche Panamera 4 10 Years Edition Unveiled

    Porsche Panamera 4 10 Years Edition Unveiled

    Porsche India has unveiled a special Panamera 4 10 Year Edition model to commemorate the luxury sports saloon’s 10th anniversary in the country. Launched at ₹ 1.60 crore (ex-showroom, India), the special edition model comes with an extensive range comfort and performance features, all offered as part of the standard equipment, and no extra cost. Furthermore, the Panamera 4 10 Year Edition also comes with special design highlights that help the anniversary edition stand apart from the regular Porsche Panamera 4. Compared to the regular Panamera 4, which is priced at ₹ 1.48 crore (ex-showroom, India), the anniversary edition is ₹ 11.47 lakh more expensive

    The Porsche Panamera 4 10 Years Edition gets 21-inch satin-gloss White Gold Metallic Panamera Sport Design wheels

    Announcing the launch of the Panamera 4 10 Year Edition, Pavan Shetty, Director of Porsche India said, “With more than 250,000 Panamera cars delivered around the world since its launch, our luxury saloon has established itself as a coveted model in the last decade. The new Panamera 4 10 Years Edition represents this remarkable achievement. In a market where many luxury vehicles are chauffeur driven, it’s rewarding for me to see the Panamera remains as the only prestige saloon in our market which is focused equally towards the driver as well as its passengers. It’s a true sports car for the drive to the office and fun on the track.”

    The Porsche Panamera 4 10 Year Edition comes with the company’s Matrix LED headlamps, and 21-inch satin-gloss White Gold Metallic Panamera Sport Design wheels. Other visual cues include – white gold metallic “Panamera10” logos on the front doors, the door sills, and the on the front passenger trim panel. The entire cabin is draped in black faux leather with contrast white gold stitching. In terms of features, the car comes with a panoramic sunroof, 14-way comfort seats with the Porsche crest on the head restraints, soft-close doors, digital radio and a BOSE Surround Sound system are also included as standard equipment.

    Porsche also offers PDLS Plus, Lane Change Assist, Park Assist, including a reversing camera. Furthermore, the car also comes with adaptive three-chamber air suspension, including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Power Steering Plus as standard. Under the hood, the Panamera 4 10 Year Edition comes with the 2.9-litre, biturbo V6-engine developing 326 bhp, and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 262 kmph. Plus it gets all-wheel drive.

    Lees ook:

  • Royal Enfield To Shut Down Several Regional Offices

    Royal Enfield To Shut Down Several Regional Offices

    Iconic Indian motorcycle brand Royal Enfield has decided to shut down as many as 12 regional offices, including its corporate office in Gurugram as part of latest cost-cutting measures in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. An internal circular made the announcement to Royal Enfield employees that all regional teams across the country will continue to work from home, and that the lockdown has already “provided an opportunity to pilot the work from home set up.” Offices in Gurugram, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jharkhand, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar and others will be shut down immediately.

    The circular stated that “the admin team has begun the process of renegotiating the terms for an early exit for the remaining RO (regional office) locations, where the lock-in period is beyond one year, but sales, service, apparel employees in these regions will continue on a work-from-home basis.”

    Royal Enfield’s international sales are led by the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650

    A spokesperson has confirmed the development. More details are expected to be announced soon. The move comes at a time when the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and subsequent countrywide lockdown across many countries in the world have hit sales and revenue hard for most businesses. The Indian auto sector has been no exception either and has been facing increasing pressure after a countrywide lockdown which saw near-zero sales in April for Royal Enfield and a 69 percent sales decline in May 2020.

    On June 12, 2020, Eicher Motors, the parent company of Royal Enfield announced its financial results for the fourth quarter, which reported a decline of nearly ₹ 300 crore in revenue from total operations. Royal Enfield’s Chief Commercial Office (CCO) Lalit Malik confirmed the decision to shut down regional offices after announcing the March quarter results. The last quarter of this fiscal was particularly challenging in the wake of the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, Royal Enfield said in a statement. The company’s manufacturing and retail operations were suspended between March 23 and May 5 as per government directives. The company has since resumed operations and more than 90 percent of its retail network is now operational.

    Apart from popular models like the Bullet, Royal Enfield is expected to introduce several new models in the next 3-4 years

    Despite the challenges, Royal Enfield continues to remain bullish. Chief Executive Officer Vinod Dasari said in a statement that Royal Enfield has had the best ever export performance in international markets during the year with a 96 percent increase compared to last year. And Royal Enfield continues to strengthen its distribution network in India and international markets. In the January to March 2020 quarter, Royal Enfield added 100 new Studio Stores, taking the overall retail touchpoints to 1,521 across India, with 921 dealerships and 600 Studio Stores.

    Lees ook:

  • Fiat Chrysler Plans To Resume Panda Production On June 16

    Fiat Chrysler Plans To Resume Panda Production On June 16

    Fiat Chrysler (FCA) plans to resume production of its Panda small car at its plant in Pomigliano, near Naples in southern Italy, on June 16, a union representative said on Wednesday.

    The restart, initially scheduled for June 8, had been postponed this month because of weak demand in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

    The company has informed unions that production would restart at pre-crisis levels, said Gianluca Ficco of the UILM union.

    “FCA told us it aimed to give continuity of production and jobs, even if that will also depend on demand, which is still very weak,” Ficco said. “So we can’t rule out further stops if demand proves too weak”.

    Reuters sources say EU competition watchdogs may demand concessions before clearing Fiat-Chrysler’s proposed merger with Peugeot-maker PSA.

    A spokesman for the Italian-American carmaker confirmed plans to restart Panda production on June 16.

    FCA has already resumed regular production of vans and of Jeep’s Renegade and Compass models in Italy, as well as preparatory work for the new electric Fiat 500 small car.

    Ficco said he hoped that the new hybrid version of the Panda would help to support volumes and that the government would agree measures to support demand and production in the Italian automotive industry.

    Italy is considering incentives of up to 4,000 euros ($4,550) to buy the latest generation of petrol and diesel cars, joining France and Germany in offering support to an industry that has been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis

    Lees ook:

  • Volkswagen Appoints Ralf Brandstaetter As VW Brand CEO

    Volkswagen Appoints Ralf Brandstaetter As VW Brand CEO

    Volkswagen replaced Herbert Diess as chief executive of the VW brand on Monday and installed chief operating officer Ralf Brandstaetter to lead cost-cutting efforts at the company’s largest plants in Germany.

    The management reshuffle comes after weeks of squabbling between Volkswagen’s powerful labor leaders and managers over the pace and scale of cost-cutting plans to free up resources for a radical shift toward electric cars.

    Volkswagen said Brandstaetter would take over on July 1 to give Diess, who remains group chief executive, more leeway to run the rest of the company, which includes brands such as Audi, Bentley, Skoda, Lamborghini, and Porsche.

    Herbert Diess to continue to hold his position as the Chief Executive Officer of the Volkswagen Group

    “Ralf Brandstaetter is one of the company’s most experienced managers,” Diess said in a statement. “I am therefore very pleased that Ralf Brandstaetter will be forging ahead with the development of the brand as CEO.”

    Volkswagen said Diess retained overall responsibility for Volkswagen passenger cars and that the management reshuffle would also result in the departure of procurement and components chief Stefan Sommer.

    Sommer joined VW in 2018 and oversaw ambitious procurement plans, including the construction of large factories to power Volkswagen’s ambitious electrification shift as the carmaker encountered supply bottlenecks.

    Volkswagen India has launched the Polo and Vento TSI Edition in India. Hero announces the price hike of Destini BS6. Bajaj Auto Opens Showrooms

    Earlier on Monday, sources told Reuters that Volkswagen’s supervisory board was hosting an extraordinary meeting to discuss replacing Diess as CEO of the VW brand.

    Diess is trying to get the company’s powerful labor leaders, who control nine of the 19 seats on the supervisory board, to agree to painful cost cuts.

    The savings are designed to help pay for a 34 billion euro (29.89 billion pounds) investment in electric and autonomous cars and 50 billion euros for EV battery procurement.

    Diess also came under pressure after Volkswagen was forced to halt sales of its newest VW Golf model because of software glitches at a time when the company is preparing to mass-produce VW’s ID.3 electric car.

    Lees ook:

  • China Auto Sales Growth Seen For Second Straight Month

    China Auto Sales Growth Seen For Second Straight Month

    China’s vehicle sales are estimated to rise 11.7% on year in May, its top auto industry body said on Tuesday, cementing hopes of a recovery in the world’s biggest auto market with the first back to back monthly sales increase in about two years. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), in a post on its official WeChat account, said vehicle sales were estimated to rise to 2.14 million in May. It said the numbers were based on sales data it had collected from key companies, without giving further details.

    China’s vehicle sales are estimated to rise by 11.7 percent on-year in May,

    CAAM expects January to May auto sales in China to fall 23.1% year on year to 7.9 million units.

    As the global auto industry is hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, China has become a ray of hope for automakers including Volkswagen and General Motors

    In April, China’s auto sales hit 2.07 million units, up 4.4% from a year earlier, the first monthly sales growth in almost two years, CAAM data showed.

    China is expected to see a drop of 15 percent in auto sales, even if the COVID-19 outbreak is contained effectively

    It cautioned last month that even if China contains the outbreak effectively, its auto sales are expected to drop 15% this year, from over 25 million vehicles in 2019. If the pandemic continues, the annual sales contraction will likely be by up to 25%.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Aston Martin To Shed Upto 500 Jobs In Cost Cutting Drive

    Aston Martin To Shed Upto 500 Jobs In Cost Cutting Drive

    British luxury carmaker Aston Martin plans to shed up to 500 jobs as it seeks to bring its cost base into line with reduced sports car production levels, it said on Thursday. The job cuts come a week after Aston Martin confirmed that Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG, would become chief executive on August 1, replacing Andy Palmer. The 107-year old firm said the job losses reflected lower than originally planned production volumes and improved productivity across the business. An employee and trade union consultation process will be launched in the coming days.

    An employee and trade union consultation process will be launched in the coming days

    Aston Martin, famed for being fictional secret agent James Bond’s car of choice, has seen its share price plummet since floating in October 2018. Last month it posted a deep first-quarter loss after sales dropped by almost a third due to the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

    “The measures announced today will right-size the organizational structure and bring the cost base into line with reduced sports car production levels, consistent with restoring profitability,” it said.

    Aston Martin’s DBX SUV will be a key product for boosting volumes

    It said its first sports utility vehicle (SUV), the DBX, which is key to boost volumes and appeal to new buyers including more women, remains on track for deliveries in the summer and has a strong order book.

    Aston Martin is also reducing costs and removing non-critical expenditure in other areas, including contractor numbers, site footprint, marketing and travel. It said the restructuring is expected to deliver total annual savings of about 38 million pounds ($47.6 million). Restructuring costs are expected to be about 12 million pounds. Shares in Aston Martin, down 78% over the last year, closed Wednesday at 68.9 pence, valuing the business at 1.05 billion pounds.

    Lees ook:

  • Volkswagen Group Considering More Cost Cuts To Cope With Downturn

    Volkswagen Group Considering More Cost Cuts To Cope With Downturn

    Volkswagen is considering more cost cuts to help cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, a spokesman for the German automaker said on Saturday.

    The issue was recently discussed at an internal event, the spokesman said, when asked about a report in industry magazine Automobilwoche.

    “There were general deliberations about what further cost measures could be taken to respond to the pandemic,” the spokesman said. “There are no concrete decisions yet.

    Volkswagen and Daimler both said Wednesday that they foresaw full-year profits despite taking a beating from the global virus crisis.

    Automobilwoche quoted Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess as telling top managers at a meeting on Thursday: “We must significantly cut R&D expenditure, investments and fixed costs compared with the previous planning.”

    The group’s net liquidity would “continue to decline at least until July due to weak demand”, the magazine, citing participants at the event, quoted Diess as saying, adding that not all group brands would achieve a positive result in 2020.

    This meant the main VW passenger car brand must reduce its so-called material overheads by 20%, the magazine said.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Renault Finalises 5 Billion Euro State-Backed Loan

    Renault Finalises 5 Billion Euro State-Backed Loan

    Renault finalized on Wednesday a 5 billion euro ($5.60 billion) loan from with the French government, strengthening the carmaker’s finances in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which has ravaged the auto industry.

    Renault said that the credit facility carried a guarantee from the French state – which owns a 15% stake in Renault – of up to 90% of the total amount borrowed.

    Renault has sealed a state-backed loan totaling 5 billion euros, sparking a big jump in its share price Wednesday.

    Banks BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, HSBC France, Natixis, and SocGen were involved in the credit deal.

    Renault also said in a statement that the loan would help finance the company’s liquidity requirements.

    The carmaker announced last week plans to cut about 15,000 jobs worldwide, including 4,600 in France, where the company will seek voluntary departures and use retirement schemes.

    The announcement sparked weekend protests at some factories, including at Maubeuge in northern France, although Renault’s chairman Jean-Dominique Senard has pledged the site will not be closed.

    Lees ook:

  • Maserati’s First Hybrid Car Coming Soon

    Maserati’s First Hybrid Car Coming Soon

    It was in June 2018 that Maserati announced that it will be launching four new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models by 2022 and last year it confirmed that the first electrified model in its line-up would be the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid which will be introduced in 2020. Well! The carmaker has now shared that its next launch will be the Ghibli Hybrid and also took to twitter today to showcase its intention to bring it out soon.

    The dramatic video shows the company’s logo – the Trident – sourcing its power from a thunderbolt, giving us a clear reference to Zeus from Greek mythology. The Maserati Ghibli Hybrid will be manufactured at the Modena plant where the company is significantly upgrading the production line and is investing 800 Million Euros in a new production line. Maserati in its five-year plan, had also announced that it will bring refreshed versions of the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans before it gets built on a completely new platform by 2022. Moreover, the Levante SUV will also be updated, and we’ll also see a new smaller SUV joining the Maserati portfolio before 2022. Based on a completely new platform, the new Levante along with the Ghibli and Quattroporte will also be offered with an electrified powertrain for the very first time.

    At present, the Maserati Ghibli, on sale, in India is offered with a twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that is designed by Maserati Powertrain and is built at the Ferrari plant in Maranello. The engine is Euro6 compliant and promises an exciting drive while keeping the emissions in check. The petrol engine also comes with a new exhaust system controlled by pneumatic valves. Moreover, the engine features advanced valve control technology with hydraulic roller finger followers and four-cam phasers, twin-turbocharging and direct injection technology.

    Lees ook:

  • Volkswagen To Install Porsche’s CEO As Volkswagen Brand Chief

    Volkswagen To Install Porsche’s CEO As Volkswagen Brand Chief

    Volkswagen Chief Executive (CEO) Herbert Diess will promote Porsche CEO Oliver Blume to become head of the Volkswagen brand as part of a broader management reshuffle, Auto Motor and Sport said on Tuesday citing company sources.

    Blume will be moved to the VW brand to help the company get a grip on production issues with the VW ID3 electric car and the Golf 8, the auto industry publication said on Tuesday. Launch And The Volkswagen T-Roc compact SUV has been finally launched and is the brand’s most affordable SUV in India at present. The T-Roc comes to India as a CBU and despite that gets a highly competitive price tag for its fully-loaded variant.

    Bernhard Maier, currently head of VW’s Skoda brand, will become head of Porsche, Auto Motor and Sport said.

    Herbert Diess is currently head of multi-brand Volkswagen Group as well as head of the VW brand.

    Volkswagen declined to comment.

  • JK Tyre Announces Entry Into The US Market

    JK Tyre Announces Entry Into The US Market

    JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. today announced the commencement of operations in the United States. JK Tyre has set up a new entity – Western Tires INC – based at Houston, Texas, thereby, embarking upon an aggressive plan to take the Global business to the next level. The company, headquartered in India, has been exporting to the United States for over two decades through a network of local partners and with the acquisition of JK Tornel and enhancement of capacity at JK Tyre India, there has been a steady growth in the global markets including the US. With the formation of the Western Tires INC, the company now has its own marketing arm for the United States that will focus on sales, service and network expansion. To ensure an efficient delivery model, the after-sales service will be backed by a team of technical experts from India and Mexico.

    Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. said, “The United States has been an important export market for us. The fact that we are now setting-up our operations here goes to show the significance of this country in our larger global expansion plans.”

    JK Tyre’s product performance has helped the company gain acceptance in the US market across multiple segments, such as Truck and Bus Radial tires, passenger car tires and light truck tires. The company is focused on further driving sales in these segments through the introduction of new products and enhancement of sales channels.