Autocar Professional magazine, August 15 issue preview

The August 15 issue is full of verve and Zest. Yes, the cover story is about Tata Motors’ first model in its Horizonext growth strategy – the all-new Zest compact sedan launched at a very aggressive price. Importantly, Tata Motors has brought best practices from Jaguar Land Rover into the Zest, adopting several processes to change the overall approach to developing, manufacturing and selling cars. Read the story to find out just how.

We’ve also got Hormazd Sorabjee’s exclusive interview with Hironori Kanayama, president and CEO of Honda Cars India, who says “We want to be the most trusted company in India” and details the plan to cater to pent-up demand, expansion into Tier 3 and 4 cities, the upcoming new Jazz and the company’s absence in the compact SUV segment.

Apex Indian auto component industry body ACMA is doing yeomen work in assisting smaller players. We speak to Srivats Ram, chairman of the ACMA Centre for Technology (ACT) that is helping companies improve their manufacturing excellence and competitiveness. Then, we find out from six companies how the ACT programme has benefited them.

Satara-based Cooper Corporation, the largest manufacturer of cylinder liners in India, is targeting a Rs 1,000 crore turnover by FY2016. What is the growth path planned? We reveal all.

Couple of CV industry stories too. As Jost India nears its first decade, it has created momentum in the OE and aftermarket for tractor-trailers and now aims to tap new opportunities in the truck market. And, for Schwing Stetter India, the government’s infrastructure-led growth plan can only be good news.

Plenty of market analysis in this issue. Along with full India market vehicle July 2014 sales data, we reveal how the market share stacks up among Indian, Japanese, European and American carmakers over five years (2009-2014). 

Finally, in our ASEAN Auto Market Trends report, find out why the Philippines could be the surprise package in the region.