Autocar Professional’s December 1 issue is about industry changing dynamics

The last month of this calendar year has opened and brings along with it the penultimate Autocar Professional edition of 2020. And it’s filled to the brim with exciting industry news, views and analysis aplenty. Let’s begin with the cover story, where global electronics major Hella says hello to the Indian two- and three-wheeler industry with a new charge.

So bullish is the company on this segment and vehicle electrification that it has set up a brand-new subsidiary – Hella eMobionics – to penetrate this large market with tailor-made technologies and products. Managing Director Dr Naveen Gautam reveals the well-thought-out diversification strategy.

The past fortnight saw lots of automotive action, especially on the crash-testing front. The latest round of Global NCAP’s SaferCarsForIndia saw a mixed bag of results ranging from three stars for the Kia Seltos, two for the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and zero stars for the Maruti S-Presso. We lay bare the findings. David Ward, President and CEO of Global NCAP, while warding off suggestions that a 56kph crash test is ideal for made-in-India cars, says the country is seeing growing vehicle speeds and urges OEMs to make passenger-side airbags as well as ESC standard fitment. He is now looking forward to testing an Indian EV.

Just as this issue went to press came the news that Mahindra & Mahindra’s recently launched Thar SUV had recorded a strong four-star GNCAP crash test rating. That’s would spell good news for the company, whose DNA is utility vehicles and aims to regain lost market share, currently down to 15 percent from 21 percent a year ago. We spill the beans on the six new products coming from M&M next year.

The Covid pandemic has compelled companies to implement new strategies to win buyers and influence potential customers. Find out how Tata Motors’ contactless servicing builds customer connect.

Tata Ace turns petrol sipper, shipping from India, Atmarnirbharta
Even as the PV segment turns overwhelmingly in favour of petrol, commercial vehicle market leader Tata Motors is adopting petrol technology to protect, and grow, its turf by plonking an upgraded Nano engine in its high-selling small mini-truck, the Ace. We have the details of how the petrol variant is faring in the marketplace.

Not many know that Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, which sells the BharatBenz brand of trucks and buses, is also a major exporter or that it has shipped over 35,000 CVs and 150 million parts to 50 markets globally. Managing Director and CEO Satyakam Arya speaks to Autocar Professional.

Atmanirbharta is the buzzword that has self-reliance written all over it. According to Alexander Klotz, Head of Technical Center India, Continental Automotive India, a focused local product development strategy, which banks on global R&D competence to adapt well-proven technologies, can pay dividends in India.

Global updates on two, four and more wheels
Vehicle electrification is seeing a number of start-ups actively engage in innovation, particularly on two wheels. One such example is Damon Motors’ high-voltage HyperDrive powertrain platform on which wide range of high-performance models and sub-models can be built upon. We unplug the development story.

India is a growth lever for Yamaha Motor Corp, which is seeing a smart uptick in sales, similar to that in Thailand and Vietnam albeit Indonesia remains a worry for the Japanese OEM.

Can a car be made entirely from recycled waste? Yes, it can as Luca, a zero-waste car which uses PET bottles, plastic toys and household waste in its construction, shows.  

Meanwhile, Traton, Volkswagen Group’s truck and bus unit (which found the Indian CV truck market a tough nut to crack), is eyeing business opportunities in North America and Asia for products and electric mobility and new growth levers are Navistar and Hino. We have a comprehensive analysis.

Where to buy?
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