New Delhi: Lots of automobile launches have been announced this month. Even some companies are going to hike the price of their vehicles from April 1, 2019. Here is a list of all the happenings in the automobile sector.
Maruti drives in Ciaz with new 1.5-litre diesel engine
The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Thursday launched mid-size sedan Ciaz with a new 1.5-litre diesel engine, priced at Rs 9.97 lakh onwards (ex-showroom Delhi). The entry-level Ciaz Delta variant is priced at Rs 9.97 lakh, Zeta at Rs 11.08 lakh and top-end Alpha trim at Rs 11.37 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom Delhi).
BMW launches 530i M Sport in India, priced at Rs 59.2 lakh
German luxury carmaker BMW on Thursday launched 530i M Sport in India, priced at Rs 59.2 lakh (ex-showroom). The model now comes with a petrol engine, is locally produced at Chennai and is BS-VI compliant, BMW said in a statement. The 530i M Sport comes with technologies such as display key which allows drivers to keep round the clock contact with car. It also has a gesture-control feature that recognises six pre-defined hand movements for control of a number of functions, it said.
TVS Motor drives in Apache RTR range with ABS
TVS Motor Company on Thursday said it has upgraded its entire Apache RTR bike range with anti-lock braking system (ABS) technology. With ABS, TVS Apache RTR 160 is priced at Rs 85,510, TVS Apache RTR 180 is tagged at Rs 90,978, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at Rs 89,785 and TVS Apache RTR 200 at Rs 1.11 lakh. The motorcycles are already on sale in market to ensure proactive compliance to the regulatory requirement laid down by the central government.
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TVS Motor also launched Apache RTR 160 4V in Colombia. The motorcycle comes with a 159.7 cc, single-cylinder 4-stroke oil-cooled engine that churns out 16.5 PS of power.
Ola to invest USD 500 million in self-drive service
Ola Fleet Technologies, an arm of cab-hailing major Ola, will get about USD 500 million funding through a mix of equity and debt over the next two years as it looks to launch self-drive service in the country. This service, which is in a small-scale pilot in Bengaluru currently, is expected to be launched over the next few weeks.
Ola has also rolled out its cab service in the UK's Birmingham, Liverpool and Reading cities, offering private hire vehicles and black cabs to commuters.
Royal Enfield launches Bullet Trials 350 and 500
Niche bike maker Royal Enfield on Wednesday said it has launched all new Bullet Trials Works Replica range in India. The Bullet Trials 500 is priced at Rs 2.07 lakh, while Bullet Trials 350 is tagged at Rs 1.62 lakh (ex-showroom). The bikes come with various features like dual channel anti-lock braking system(ABS), trimmed mudguards, a single seat, and luggage carrier.
Sri Lanka launches first ever electric 'tuk tuk'
Sri Lanka has launched the first ever electric three-wheeler, a popular mode of public transport, keeping in line with the government's vision of creating a greener, healthier environment on Thursday. Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama launched the electric three wheeler in the country on Wednesday.
Daimler and Geely to develop next generation Smart car
Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler and Chinese auto giant Geely announced plans on Thursday to develop the next generation of electric Smart cars to be made in China in a joint venture. Under the agreement, expected to be finalised by the end of 2019, the new vehicle will go on global sale in 2022.
GoZero Mobility enters India, launches two e-bikes
British electric bike and lifestyle brand GoZero Mobility forayed into Indian market on Wednesday with the launch of two electric bikes, One and Mile. One is priced at Rs 32,999 and Mile is tagged at Rs 29,999.
Mahindra to increase price of vehicles by up to Rs 73,000 from April
Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Thursday said it will increase the price of its passenger and commercial vehicles by Rs 5,000 to Rs 73,000 from April to partially offset the impact of rising input costs. The price of the company's vehicles will go up by 0.5 per cent to 2.7 per cent from next month due to the price hike, the company said in a statement.
Other companies to increase the vehicle cost
Earlier this week, French car maker Renault had announced increase in price of Kwid range in India by up to 3 per cent from April. Last week, Tata Motors had also announced increase in price of its passenger vehicles by up to Rs 25,000 from April on account of rising input costs and external economic conditions. Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover which have also stated that they would raise price of select models from April. Automaker Nissan India on Friday has said that it will increase the price of Datsun GO and GO+ models by up to 4 per cent with effect from April 1. Isuzu Motors India has also said on Friday that it will increase prices of its commercial pick-up range - D-MAX Regular Cab and D-MAX S-CAB by up to 2 per cent with effect from April 1.
TATA Motors first Indian automaker to sell 1 million units in a year
Tata Motors, has become the first Indian automaker to cross the 1 million annual sales mark, surpassing Chinese giants SAIC and Changan. It has sold a total of 1.049 million units in 2018 against 0.986 million units sold in the year 2017, as per a report in The Times of India.
