Mumbai, Apr 16 () Bajaj Auto management has proposed salary cut for all employees with its MD Rajiv Bajaj himself to take 100 per cent pay cut for the extended lockdown period till May 3. According to a letter sent by the company's HR department to employees, there is need to bring down fixed cost in the wake of the lockdown due to coranvirus pandemic, hence the deductions needed. However, according to union sources, if the company resumes production from April 20 under the new guidelines by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the proposed 10 per cent salary reduction by the management will not be implemented. The letter from the HR department said: "We are extremely sensitive to the welfare of our workers and employees. If these deductions were to be made they would be fixed, balanced and measured and graded." It further said,"the Managing director has decided to take the initiative if such a decision is implemented, he will not receive any salary during this period."Automobiles and auto components production in the country is suspended since the imposition of the nationwide lockdown on March 25, which has now been extended to May 3. However, the industry is hoping to resume partial operations after the the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued guidelines for the extended lockdown period.As per the guidelines, manufacturing units located in rural areas can start operations under strict conditions. Besides, manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control in special economic zones (SEZ) and export oriented units, industrial estates and industrial townships can restart production from April 20."Due to unprecedented conditions, business and incomes have stalled in many areas and many companies have either announced or considering several cost-control measures, including some tough ones," the letter said."We will review it periodically as the uncertainties in the present scenario will be even greater," it said. Meanwhile, sources also said the Bajaj Auto workers union has agreed for a 10 per cent pay cut for the second phase of the lockdown period, if production does not resume from April 21. "We have given our consent to the management for a 10 per cent cut as we are fully aware of the situation the company and the country is going through," a union representative told . The company's three plants at Chakan, Aurangabad and Pantnagar together have around 5,000 permanent employees , he said. IAS ANUANU

Lockdown: Bajaj Auto proposes 10 pc pay cut for staff

Mumbai, Apr 23 () The Indian automobile industry, already dented by a protracted slowdown before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, is now staring at a severe and prolonged disruption due to domestic and global lockdowns and supply chain interruptions, a report said on Thursday. Currently, India sources 80-85 per cent of components for all vehicle segments domestically, mainly from clusters such as the National Capital Region (NCR, including Gurgaon, Manesar, Faridabad and Greater Noida), Pune (including Chakan, Talegaon and Ranjangaon) in Maharashtra, Mysuru in Karnataka, and Sriperumbudur and Hosur in Tamil Nadu. The rest is sourced through imports. "If rising COVID-19 infections lead to the lockdown being extended again in NCR and Pune clusters, there would be a material disruption in component supplies to vehicle makers - both sourced locally and imported," Ajay Srinivasan, director at rating agency Crisil Research, said. "Any extension of lockdown would dramatically increase the sourcing risk for products such as cast engine parts and transmission drives because major capacities are located in the Pune and Delhi-NCR belts. Passenger vehicles and two-wheelers will be particularly impacted since these two clusters are their major source of components," he added. According to Crisil, while tractors, which have medium-to-high dependence on NCR and Tamil Nadu, also face supply risk, the commercial vehicles are unlikely to be affected much because they source across clusters. As for imports, India is dependent on China for critical components such as electronic control chips, engine control units and sensors. If logistics between the two countries remains disrupted for longer, it may translate into higher procurement costs due to airlifting, the rating agency said in its report. Also, imports of engine components and drive transmission from the US and Germany are likely to be adversely impacted if manufacturing in these regions takes time to bounce back. For other components, there is a moderate dependence on imports. These include alloy wheels, which are mostly imported from countries in south-east Asia and China, it said, adding the two-wheeler players dependent on such imports could be affected. Going beyond these counts, logistics is also expected to cause some anxiety for vehicle makers, which mostly use the JNPT, Chennai and Mundra ports, and have about 95 per cent of goods transported from ports to manufacturing plants through roadways, according to the report. "Congestion following slower clearance of goods at ports stemming from labour shortage and lack of significant uptake in export volumes are expected to push up shipping freight rates, and also extend the turnaround times via road. This will drive up the cost for supply chains in the short term," said Hemal N Thakkar, associate director, Crisil Research. IAS ABMABM

Longer lockdown to badly hurt auto component clusters in NCR, Pune: Crisil Research

Mumbai, Jan 26 () Force Motors, the market leader in inter-city commuter vans, has lined up Rs 600 crore in fresh investment to develop two new models over the next two years.
 The proposed new models in the shared mobility space will come out from its soon-to-be-launched premium platform, code-named T1N, an export-focused premium van developed with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore and is getting ready for commercial production by the end of the year.
 "We have lined up Rs 600 crore in fresh capital investment to develop two new models for the next two years. These new vehicles will come out from our next generation monocoque platform coming up at our Pithampur, Indore, works for T1N," Prasan Firodia, managing director, Force Motors, told .
 Last week, the company, the largest van maker in the country with a market share of over 68 per cent, unveiled the van 'T1N', which will be mostly exported.
 The BSVI-compliant vehicle will also be available in electric and CNG versions and has been developed over the past four years at an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
 The company is building an entirely new bodyshop with robotic and laser-welding facilities with an installed capacity of 35,000 units for T1N, which will be an 18-seater van that boasts of 25 industry-first features.
 The new premium van will be export-focused and the Firodias, who were the pioneers of autorickshaws in the 1950s, will begin shipping the van to the Gulf markets first followed by North Africa, South Africa, the Asean, South America and the Saarc regions, Firodia said.
 On the rationale for launching a premium commuter van, Firodia said they want to use this van to be the springboard to become a global automotive company.
 The Pune-based company, which sells two commuter vans Trax and Traveller, nets almost 50 per cent of its income from its engine supply business with Mercedes and BMW now. It is also entering into an agreement with Rolls Royce to supply engines.
 In the quarter to September, Force had reported an 84 per cent plunge in net income to Rs 4.2 crore on a revenue of Rs 818 crore, which was down 5.6 per cent.
 Its association with Mercedes dates back to 1997, when Daimler AG decided to manufacture Mercs in the country. To date, it has supplied over 1,15,000 engines to Mercedes Benz India from its state-of-the-art dedicated facility at Chakan near Pune.
 Similarly, in 2015, BMW assigned Force to produce and test the engines for all cars and SUVs to be made in the country. Accordingly, it has built a dedicated factory closer to the BMW plant in Chennai and has supplied over 45,000 engines to the German luxury car maker.
 In March 2018, Force Motors entered into a joint venture (JV) with Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG to manufacture and supply worldwide, the 10- and 12-cylinder, series 1,600 engines for power generation and under-floor rail applications. The JV is slated to take off from April. BEN HRS

Force Motors plans Rs 600-cr capex to develop 2 new models

Swedish Prime Minister <keyword id="3242462" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Stefan-Lfven">Stefan Löfven</keyword> concluded his two-day visit to India in Pune, he toured the facilities of <keyword id="194619" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tetra-Pak">Tetra Pak</keyword> and <keyword id="6356812" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ericsson">Ericsson</keyword>, two leading Swedish companies in India. 
 
The Prime Minister unveiled commemorative plaques and planted a symbolic sapling. This visit emphasizes the continued importance of Pune as one of the major investment and industrial hubs for Swedish companies in India. 
 “Prime Minister Löfven was very happy to be in Pune, a city that has a long history of deep economic ties with Sweden. After having witnessed the scale and magnitude of the Make in India Week in Mumbai and a significant bilateral dialogue with PM Modi and other ministers from the Indian side, this visit to Swedish manufacturing facilities is a befitting close to his India tour. In Pune he sees the reality of how Sweden makes in India,” said Mr <keyword id="1441970" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Harald-Sandberg">Harald Sandberg</keyword>, Ambassador of Sweden to India. 
 
Upon his arrival Mr Löfven visited Ericsson’s upcoming facility at Chakan. Being set up with an initial investment of $15 million, Ericsson’s Chakan plant will serve as an export hub for the Company’s exports to South East Asia, West Asia and Sub Saharan Africa regions. The Company plan to manufacture current and future products for 2G, 3G and 4G technologies at this Plant including radio and microwave products. 
 
“2016 is a milestone year for Ericsson in India as we strengthen our commitment to ‘Make in India’ by setting up our second manufacturing facility here at Chakan. The setting up of this hi-tech, export oriented manufacturing facility will generate employment as well as lead to the development of the vendor eco system in and around Pune. We are delighted and honored to have had the proud privilege of welcoming the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr Stefan Löfven to our facility.” said Mr Paolo Colella, Head of Region India, Ericsson. 
 Swedish companies’ operations in Pune date back to 1957, when a large area of land was allocated to those firms in that city, which was strategically a good location considering the proximity to Mumbai. In the 1960-70s Pune became an important industrial hub, where a second wave of Swedish companies like Alfa Laval, Tetra Pak, Sandvik and <keyword id="113732" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Atlas-Copco">Atlas Copco</keyword> were established. 
 
On his Pune trip, Prime Minister Löfven was accompanied by Ambassador of Sweden to India, Mr Harald Sandberg and Ms Fredrika Ornbrant, Swedish Consul General for Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa.

Swedish majors Ericsson and Tetra Pak showcase how #SwedenMakesinIndia

<keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>’s ‘Make in India’ has had a far reaching effect. His thundering voice resonating till <keyword id="87" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Germany">Germany</keyword> is something wonderful! As per a news report by The Economic Times, German auto major Volkswagen is planning to make India a low-cost manufacturing hub, catering to both the emerging as well as developed markets. 
 As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, the company will be investing Rs 1,500 crore for localisation and produce cost effective products, <keyword id="159682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Volkswagen-India">Volkswagen India</keyword> chief representative Mahesh Kodumudi told on the sidelines of the Hannover Fair. 
"We are looking at making India a low-cost manufacturing hub catering to emerging and developed export markets. In 2014, we exported 65,000 cars which is 60 per cent of our production from the Chakan plant," Kodumudi told the ET. 
 
"We are looking to export 70,000 cars this year," he said. 
 
The company will also increase production capacity at the Chakan and Aurangabad units in the next two years. 
 Volkswagen AG chief executive <keyword id="192806" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Martin-Winterkorn">Martin Winterkorn</keyword> has said to the ET, "India is and will remain an important strategic growth market for the <keyword id="166267" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Volkswagen-Group">Volkswagen Group</keyword>. We are convinced that VW will take on a key role in the Indian automobile market in the long-term. We are driving localisation forward with our new engine assembly plant in Pune." 
 
VW plans to increase production to 200,000 units by 2018 and add more new models from the 130,000 units Chakan plant. 
Kodumudi said the company is looking at getting into top down segment and focus will be on building the brand. The company is planning to reintroduce the Passat sedan and a new model of the iconic Beetle this year. 
 
India has good potential to grow. Last year the country produced 2.4 million units and this year the target is 2.5 million, which will grow to 4-4.5 million by 2020, he said. 
 
Kodumudi, however, pointed out that the frequent policy change and large currency fluctuations have hampered growth of the industry in last two years. 
 
"Now we need the government to create stable policy framework and labour reforms, which need to be simplified. This will help gain confidence of foreign investors. We also need to talk about FTA with the EU to help the growth of the industry," he said. 
The company is also talking to the government over the cut in export incentives from 4 to 2 per cent in the recent new Foreign Trade Policy. "This move will hit the company's export plans. We are hopeful of the government restoring export incentives," he added. 
 
 
 (Image: reuters)

Your Volkwagen Polo may soon be ‘Made in India’

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> has unveiled it's made-in India, made-for-India sub-compact sedan, the Ameo. The German carmaker will however remain mum about the price till the 2nd half of 2016, when it will be officially launched. 
 However, the car is expected to be price between Rs.5.5-7 lakhs, making it a tough rival to the likes of Tata Zent and <keyword id="2046302" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Hyundai-Xcent">Hyundai Xcent</keyword>. 
 The Ameo offers best-in-class safety features and the company looks to offer superior build quality and a great driving experience that it truly <keyword id="6361865" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Volkswagen">Volkswagen</keyword>. 
 Under the hood, the <keyword id="3214023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Volkswagen-Ameo">Volkswagen Ameo</keyword> comes fitted with the 1.2-litre MPI petrol and the 1.5-litre TDI diesel engines. 
 
Designed specifically for the Indian car market, this is Volkswagen's first sub-compact vehicle in the country. The Ameo was developed at the company's Chakan plant in Maharashtra, and features the highest percentage of localization. 
 After today's premiere, it will be showcased at the <keyword id="2855210" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Auto-Expo-2016">Auto Expo 2016</keyword>. 
 
Image credit: Volkswagen

Volkswagen Ameo Unveiled in India!

The country’s largest luxury car brand, <keyword id="25952" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mercedes-Benz">Mercedes-Benz</keyword>, has rolled out its locally-built GLC SUV, making it the ninth luxury vehicle to be produced out of its factory in Pune. 
 
“Mercedes-Benz now boasts of having the largest ‘Made in India’ portfolio in the luxury car segment,” said a company statement. 
 
The move to produce the SUV at its Chakan plant in Pune comes on the back of increasing demand for GLC, which made its India debut in June this year. 
 
Local production is expected to result in considerable reduction in the waiting period for the SUV. It is also timed with the onset of festive season to spur volumes. 
 
The locally produced GLC comes in three variants GLC 220 d 4matic Style (₹47.9 lakh, ex-showroom, New Delhi), GLC 220 d 4matic Sport (₹51.5 lakh) and GLC 300 4matic Sport (₹51.9 lakh). 
 “We are enthused by the customer response to this dynamic GLC SUV, which has already become one of Mercedes-Benz’s highest selling products, and we are very confident that it will replicate the global success in India as well. With the localisation and availability in petrol and diesel, we are confident that the GLC will become an attractive proposition for our discerning buyers,” <keyword id="2981742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Roland-Folger">Roland Folger</keyword>, Managing Director &amp; CEO, <keyword id="184004" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mercedes-Benz-India">Mercedes-Benz India</keyword>, said. 
 
The company said GLC offered affordable and convenient service packages starting at ₹ 63,000 for the petrol variant and ₹ 78,000 for the diesel variant. 
 
A vast majority of company’s current volume products are now locally made in India. 
 “The rolling-out of the ‘Made in India’ GLC underscores our positive outlook for the Indian market, as we look forward to introducing more locally produced vehicles depending on future market growth,” said <keyword id="362905" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Piyush-Arora">Piyush Arora</keyword>, Executive Director, Operations, Mercedes-Benz India.

Mercedes-Benz launches 'Made in India' GLC SUV at Rs 47.9 lakh

In a bid to further strengthen its position in the attractive market that India offers, German luxury car maker Mercedes- Benz has launched S 400 sedan in India. The luxury sedan would be priced at Rs 1.31 crore (ex-showroom Hyderabad). 
 
The model has been launched in Hyderabad as of now, and will be locally produced at its Chakan plant in Pune. 
 
"With the launch of the S 400, we further extend the S-Class model range and also bolster our strong presence in the prestigious S-Class segment," Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Roland Folger said. 
 
He added that the company believes in introducing the latest products and variants in the market at regular intervals, so that customer interest and curiosity can be maintained. 
 
"This strategy we firmly believe has contributed to our unmatched success in India," Folger added. 
 
"This is yet another firm affirmation of our vision of 'Make in India', and our unwavering commitment to the Indian customer in presenting the best of our global offerings," Folger further said. 
 
Talking of specifications, the car boasts of a 3-litre, V6 petrol engine with a maximum torque of 480Nm and power of 324bhp. Paired to a 7-speed automatic gearbox, it comes with various safety features including eight airbags, electronic stability program (ESP), 360 degree surround view camera and an active park assist. 
 
Some other features to make the drive safe and smooth include massage function with six different programs, individual entertainment systems in the rear and Burmester 3D surround sound system with 24 speakers. 
 
<a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TYaxtEoTmXA/maxresdefault.jpg">Image source</a>

Mercedes S 400 launched in India, will be locally made in Pune

Your wait for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=mahindra">Mahindra &amp; </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=mahindra">Mahindra</a>’s next <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=SUV">SUV</a> is going to end soon as the Indian auto major is launching its new compact SUV-TUV300- next month on September 10 in Maharashtra. 
 
With this new SUV, M&amp;M is enhancing its product portfolio and strengthen its position as a leading manufacturer of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=utility+vehicles">utility vehicles</a> in India. 
 "We will be launching our new compact SUV named TUV300 at Chakan plant, where we also produce other products like the XUV500," <keyword id="6357096" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mahindra-Mahindra">Mahindra &amp; Mahindra</keyword> (M&amp;M) President &amp; Chief Executive, (Automotive) Pravin Shah told news agency PTI. 
 
TUV300, a compact sub-four metre SUV, will be positioned as a true blue SUV and is expected to compete with the likes of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=toyota">Toyota</a> Etios Cross, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=hyundai">Hyundai</a> 120 Active and Fiat Avventura which are priced at a range of Rs 6.23 lakh and Rs 8.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). 
 
TUV300 has been inspired by a battle tank with raised shoulders, high front nose, flat roof, high ground clearance and straight bonnet, the company said. 
 
Mahindra &amp; Mahindra is targeting to address needs of those customers who are looking for a pure SUV in the compact segment as TUV300 has been designed and developed in-house by the Mahindra design team. 
 
The company added the research and development of Mahindra TUV300 has been carried out at the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai. 
 
(Image: Indiaautosblog)

Mark September 10 on your calendars! M&M is launching its much-awaited SUV TUV300

Many international auto manufacturer are now looking forward to entering the Indian industry and the list includes auto giants like South Korea's Kia Motor, <keyword id="117665" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Daihatsu">Daihatsu</keyword> from <keyword id="6374528" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toyota">Toyota</keyword>, PSA Group's Peugeot Citreon and three car makers from China, Beiqi Foton, <keyword id="64310" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="SAIC">SAIC</keyword> and Changan Automotive, who are devising an India strategy to be part of market set to be the third largest in the world by the end of the decade. 
 Reportedly, Kia Motor would be the first to announce its entry in India. The company is close to finalising the location in <keyword id="37102" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> for its plant and is set to launch its cars in India by 2019. Daihatsu and Toyota has just kicked off the emerging markets compact car company to plan products for the emerging markets like India while PSA Group will finalise its India partnership by 2018 with an eye on 2020-2021 roll-out. 
 
Chinese automaker, Beiqi Foton which originally acquired a land in Chakan, Pune, to enter the Indian commercial vehicle space, decided to shift focus and bring in passenger vehicles under Borgward brand. The company has already started discussing with vendors a plan to localise a large Van and clutch of SUVs in India by 2019-2020. 
 <keyword id="4581" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="general-motors">General Motors</keyword>' Chinese joint venture partner, Shangai Automotive Industry Corporation or SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, is feverishly negotiating with <keyword id="44666" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="General-Motors-India">General Motors India</keyword> to acquire the latter's Halol facility. The negotiation is expected to conclude soon. 
 Experts feel that the Indian market will see cumulative 60 million cars hitting the roads in the next one decade and clearly they won't be from the <keyword id="44883" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maruti-Suzuki">Maruti Suzuki</keyword> and <keyword id="596" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyundai">Hyundai</keyword> stables alone. 
 
"With Chinese market correcting itself and a lot of matured markets seeing marginal growth, India is on everyone's radar. Not only will the market expand, there will be more choices and the competition will further intensify, thereby making consumers the winner,' Gaurav Vangaal, senior analyst for forecasting at IHS Markit Automotive, told ET. 
 
"As we have yet to formally announce any final decision to enter the Indian market, I am afraid that we cannot comment nor confirm any of the rumors as such,” a spokesperson for Kia Motor, told ET. 
 PSA Group Chairman Carlos Tavares had recently confirmed that India is part of its Push to Pass mid-term plan. The company is learnt to have had talks with Mahindra &amp; Mahindra, <keyword id="42747" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Motors">Tata Motors</keyword>, General Motors India and <keyword id="132800" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindustan-Motors">Hindustan Motors</keyword> for contract manufacturing in India. It is likely to produce cars on contract manufacturing but will sell the cars through its own independent outlets, said one of the eight people cited above. Once the partnership is finalised in 2018, PSA is likely to start selling cars by 2020-2021. 
 
Come October 2017, Indian safety standards are set to be overhauled, which will mandate a frontal and a side crash, making cars more safer and would have a fuel efficiency norm with star rating, which is in the pipelne and finally the biggest change in terms of stringent BS VI emission norms to be implemented by 2020, all this will align Indian market with global stage, which may have led to increased interest say experts.

Half a dozen international car makers are hoping to enter the Indian market. Here’s why

Your dreams of driving an SUV to the rocky mountains gets a new up gradation with Mahindra TUV 300. Slated for a September release, the sub-4m SUV's nomenclature stands for 'Tough Utility Vehicle'. 
 
TUV 300 is a brand new platform in terms of its body and interiors and falls in the Sub-4 meta segment," Pawan Goenka, M&amp;M's executive director and president of automotive and farm equipment sectors revealed while speaking to ET Now, " 
 
"The TUV300 is not designed to be a crossover, it is a true blue SUV, traditional Mahindra style," he added. 
 
Goenka told ET Now that TUV300 is not a replacement to the Bolero or any Mahindra product. 
 
"We would like to ensure this SUV has all the requirements that users would like to see in this new segment," Goenka told ET Now. 
 
Mahindra sought help from Italian design house Pininfarina for the design of the TUV300, according to Indianautosblog.com. 
 
While the TUV's platform is ready for a 4WD system, Mahindra will not offer it at the launch. It is a 'global product' and will have a LHD version, Mahindra confirmed. The vehicle was developed at the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai and will be manufactured at the Chakan plant, which presently makes the XUV500. 
 
The firm, Goenka told ET Now, is working on a series of clutch-less models to tap into increasing demand among India's urban automobile buyers. 
 
Automated manual transmission (AMT), a clutch-less technology that is more fuel-efficient than manual transmission and nearly as comfortable as automatic without adding much to the cost, is what Mahindra is betting on. 
 
This comes days after Hyundai unveiled its much awaited SUV, Creta. On the other hand, Honda is considering introducing a compact SUV in the country and has undertaken a study on it. Speaking about new launches, company director and senior vice president - marketing &amp; sales, Hiroyuki Shimizu recently said Honda has no plans for more new launches this year, but is seriously considering the compact SUV segment.

​Mahindra TUV 300 is here! Time to move over SUVs?

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> has played the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Mahindra">Mahindra</a> card just ahead of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Delhi+Auto+Expo+2016">Delhi Auto Expo 2016</a>. The company is set to have the World Premiere of its exciting new <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Sub-Compact+Sedan">Sub-Compact Sedan</a>, the Ameo on 2nd February. 
 This new <keyword id="3219430" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sub-Compact-Sedan">sub-compact sedan</keyword> is quite obviously based on the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Vento">Vento</a>. Spy images suggest it to be inspired from the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Skoda+Rapid">Skoda Rapid</a>, and the tail lamps look suspiciously like that of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Hyundai+Xcent">Hyundai Xcent</a>. 
 
We can expect the Ameo to put up a strong fight against the likes of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ford+Figo+Aspire">Ford Figo Aspire</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Hyundai+Xcent">Hyundai Xcent</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Maruti+Suzuki+Swift+Dzire">Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Tata+Zest+">Tata Zest </a>as it would be priced competitively between Rs. 5–7 lakhs. 
 Here are a few things you must be interested to know about the <keyword id="3214023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Volkswagen-Ameo">Volkswagen Ameo</keyword>: 
 
Volkswagen’s First India Attempt 
The Ameo is the company’s first attempt at the sub-4 metres vehicle market. While some say the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> is way too late to the party, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> enthusiasts are at the edge of their seats to see how the Ameo fares at the face of such adversity. 
 
It all comes down to pricing and features, buddy! 
 
Safety and Features 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> has promised best-in-class safety, build and drivability, and they’re hard to ignore. 
 
Mind, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ford+Figo+Aspire">Figo Apsire</a> already offers security features like ABS, EBD and 6 Airbags, so the Ameo might be small, but it has pretty big shoes to fill. 
 
Design 
Sub 4-metre car buyers are not only worried about frugality, but also look at a car’s design to match their own personal style statement. 
 
The Ameo shares its styling and design with the Polo and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Vento">Vento</a>. The front and side look considerably like the Polo, while the rear looks somewhat like the new Vento. 
 
Will car buyers like it? Only time will tell. 
 
Made in India 
The biggest draws for the Ameo is that a German brand built a car for India, in India. The car has been developed and designed at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Volkswagen">Volkswagen</a>s’ Chakan plant. 
 
Will the company get its design cues right? Let’s wait till 2nd Feb to get a definitive answer. 
 
Engine Options 
Under the hood, the Ameo borrows a lot from elder sibling, the Polo. 
 
That would mean the Volkswagen Ameo is expected to come fitted with the Polo’s 1.2-litre MPI petrol and 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine options, both mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. Throw in the company’s much hyped 7-speed DGS gearbox, and the car’s a steal! Fingers crossed. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

You Searched For "Chakan plant" and got 12 results

Lockdown: Bajaj Auto proposes 10 pc pay cut for staff

PTI

Longer lockdown to badly hurt auto component clusters in NCR, Pune: Crisil Research

PTI

Force Motors plans Rs 600-cr capex to develop 2 new models

PTI

Swedish majors Ericsson and Tetra Pak showcase how #SwedenMakesinIndia

BI India Bureau

Your Volkwagen Polo may soon be ‘Made in India’

BI India Bureau

Volkswagen Ameo Unveiled in India!

Saikat Pyne

Mercedes-Benz launches 'Made in India' GLC SUV at Rs 47.9 lakh

BI India Bureau

Mercedes S 400 launched in India, will be locally made in Pune

BI India Bureau

Mark September 10 on your calendars! M&M is launching its much-awaited SUV TUV300

BI India Bureau

Half a dozen international car makers are hoping to enter the Indian market. Here’s why

BI India Bureau

Mahindra TUV 300 is here! Time to move over SUVs?

BI India Bureau

All you need to know about the hottest new Sub-Compact Sedan – the Volkswagen Ameo

BI India Bureau

You Searched For "Chakan plant" and got 12 results

Lockdown: Bajaj Auto proposes 10 pc pay cut for staff

PTI

Longer lockdown to badly hurt auto component clusters in NCR, Pune: Crisil Research

PTI

Force Motors plans Rs 600-cr capex to develop 2 new models

PTI

Swedish majors Ericsson and Tetra Pak showcase how #SwedenMakesinIndia

BI India Bureau

Your Volkwagen Polo may soon be ‘Made in India’

BI India Bureau

Volkswagen Ameo Unveiled in India!

Saikat Pyne

Mercedes-Benz launches 'Made in India' GLC SUV at Rs 47.9 lakh

BI India Bureau

Mercedes S 400 launched in India, will be locally made in Pune

BI India Bureau

Mark September 10 on your calendars! M&M is launching its much-awaited SUV TUV300

BI India Bureau

Half a dozen international car makers are hoping to enter the Indian market. Here’s why

BI India Bureau

​Mahindra TUV 300 is here! Time to move over SUVs?

BI India Bureau

All you need to know about the hottest new Sub-Compact Sedan – the Volkswagen Ameo

BI India Bureau

Mahindra TUV 300 is here! Time to move over SUVs?