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Car sales gain momentum in April

11th May 2008, 11:31 am
The domestic auto market is showing signs of revival thanks to the 4 percentage point cut (400 bps) in excise duty on cars and two-wheelers announced in February. April witnessed a jump of more than 17 per cent in the car segment, while sales in the utility vehicle segment rose by 31 per cent, as compared with the corresponding month last year.
 
According to the figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the passenger-vehicle segment, which also includes multi-purpose vehicles, grew by 21 per cent. The motorcycle sales grew by 8 per cent during the month.
 
While 84,283 cars were sold in April 2007, 98,740 cars were sold last month. Sales were led by models from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and General Motors (GM). Anticipation of a hike in prices in the coming weeks also pushed sales.
 
“Benefits of the excise duty cut can be seen in individual sales of companies, such as Maruti, Hyundai and GM. These collectively command over 66 per cent of total sales,” said an analyst. 
 

SPUTTERING GROWTH
   Apr ?8 Mar ?8 Apr ?7 y-o-y
Apr  Chg (%)
Commercial vehicles 33,271 56,262 30,914 7.60
Passenger cars 98,740 128,074 84,283 17.10
Multi-purpose vehicles 9,070 9,570 6,118 48.20
Utility vehicles 22,203 28,811 16,862 31.70
Two-wheelers 616,038 630,976 570,381 8.00
Scooters/scooterettes 81,002 83,022 72,369 12.00
Motorcycles/step-through 501,592 506,884 463,091 8.30
Electric 2-wheelers 500 1,002 1,578 -68.30
Source: Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers
 
Maruti Suzuki posted a growth of 22 per cent during the month, selling 59,539 units. Hyundai Motor India sold 21,501 units, up by 36 per cent. Meanwhile, GM sold 5,563 units, growing by 24 per cent. In all, 1,30,013 passenger vehicles were sold in April.
 
Forecasts of a decelerating market due to shrinking credit options and high interest rates had no effect on sales of two-wheelers. Sales of motorcycles and scooters grew by 8.31 per cent and 11.93 per cent, respectively. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, witnessed a declined of 68 per cent in turnover.
 
Motorcycle manufacturers sold 5,01,592 units this year, as compared with 4,63,091 in April last year. Market leader Hero Honda saw a growth of 9 per cent, selling 2.86 lakh units. Bajaj Auto posted a growth of 23 per cent, selling 2.03 lakh units.
 
Hero Honda said its expansion in rural areas helped boost sales. Bajaj said growth was seen mainly in the 125cc-plus category, where it has a 50 per cent market share. Sales in the overall commercial vehicles for April this year grew by 7.62 per cent: 33,271 units were sold as compared with 30,914 units in April 2007.

Category: Auto part industry  |  Comment

Sad news: a racer die in the “24 Hours of LeMons crash”(Photos)

11th May 2008, 07:20 am

We all saw the report from Murilee just under an hour ago, and now we’re hearing from numerous sources that the 24 Hours of LeMons race has taken a tragic turn. Our sources tell us the driver of the Volvo 242 Turbo in Gulf Oil colors (pictured above before the race, and below from the Thunderhill LeMons race last year) has died. We’re waiting on more as we hear it from team V8olvo as well as others at the Altamont 24 Hours of LeMons. If this news ends up being true, our prayers, thoughts and well-wishes go out to the family, friends and teammates. All we do know for sure is that racing has been halted for the day and will supposedly resume again tomorrow. Although if it is true, that may just be wishful thinking. Updated below the jump — and with new photos below thanks to Mark Pitts

  • Continue reading ‘Sad news: a racer die in the “24 Hours of LeMons crash”(Photos)’ »

    • Category: car racing  |  Comment

    Greener new generation Audi A3 range majors on efficiency

    10th May 2008, 11:26 pm
    May 9, 2008
    Raft of enhancements for 2009 Model Year versions of premium compact hatchback includes all-inclusive CO2 reductions.
    • Visually and mechanically enhanced A3 3dr range available to order from Friday May 2nd, and 5dr A3 Sportback from Monday May 19th for first deliveries in July 2008
    • OTR prices range from £14,995 to £27,720
    • S3 becomes available for the first time in five-door Sportback form
    • Advanced common rail 2.0-litre TDI first seen in A4 Saloon is adopted by A3 in 140PS and 170PS forms, bringing significantly improved efficiency, acoustics and refinement
    • Improvements to 1.4 TFSI, 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI petrol engines boost efficiency
    • Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping as used by the TT and R8 becomes available as an option for selected models
    • New seven-speed version of S tronic dual clutch transmission for selected models, including, at a later date, the S3
    • New faster-reacting quattro four-wheel-drive system for A3 and S3
    Reed the Whole virsion

    Category: Uncategorized, auto related news  |  1 Comment

    Opel RAK 2: enough to blow up a whole neighborhood

    10th May 2008, 11:22 pm

    Opel RAK 2

    It’s no surprise at all that the rocket age began in Germany. But a story that includes dropping V2 rockets on the innocent population of London in the Blitz began 15 years earlier, and the only explosives involved were the 24 rockets with 265 pounds of propellant behind Fritz von Opel’s head.

    The dream started in 1927 when Max Valier, a South Tyrolean astronomer, test pilot and author of The Advance into Space approached von Opel seeking support for his rocket engine research. Von Opel, himself a race car driver and pilot, recognized the potential of rocket technology as well as its advertising value for his family’s company. From then on, Opel’s factory in Rüsselsheim began researching innovative modes of propulsion, measuring the thrust of various rocket types on a specially-constructed test bench. Engineer and rocket-maker Sander, based near Bremerhaven, delivered state-of-the-art solid-fuel rockets to them. Sander already had made his reputation manufacturing rockets for maritime rescue operations; his missiles were used to propel ropes to ships in distress.

    By the spring of 1928, the company announced Continue reading ‘Opel RAK 2: enough to blow up a whole neighborhood’ »

    Category: Auto industry, Car Pictures  |  Comment
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