Contents 98 56th Anniversary edition 66 For circulation at ACMA & sIAM AnnuAl SeSSionS and nAMAkkAl Auto FAIr Editorial.............................................................................................................................. 8 Current affairs Wind blowing southward.................................................................................................. 10 vehiCle zone (Cover story) Ashok Leyland Dost really customer-friendly .................................................................. 12 Scania gearing up for on-road battle ............................................................................... 28 Tata Motors developing new CV models to tackle competition – Ratan Tata ................. 56 Piaggio to introduce alternate fuel three-wheeler variants .............................................. 84 vehiCle zone Volvo multi-axle buses with extra features for KSRTC .................................................... 66 Eicher bags major GSRTC order for bus chassis ............................................................ 92 BharatBenz Power Yatra A grand success ...................................................................... 98 Kerala leads in SML-Isuzu sales for seventh consecutive year .................................... 134 Daimler maintains market lead with splendid performance ........................................... 172 Component zone Rane’s special focus on innovation to meet challenges ahead ....................................... 24 Accelerated auto sector growth boosts Brakes India prospects ...................................... 51 Cummins Turbo Technologies bets on Indian operations ................................................ 60 Eberspaecher bus AC systems evoke more demand...................................................... 78 Madras Engineering Industries’ expanding customer base ............................................. 94 WABCO INDIA’s vigorous drive to ensure higher vehicle safety ................................... 118 Oerlikon Graziano develops new synchronizers for trucks............................................ 136 SKF opens two more labs at GTCI ................................................................................ 152 4 MOTORINDIA l August 2012 Contents 128 our next Issue Heads to AutoMeCHAnIkA FrAnkFurt & IAA HAnnover auto industry Visibly changing trends in commercial vehicle segment ................................................. 22 Tata Motors outlook distinctly positive: Standard & Poor’s .............................................. 72 Indian steel output capacity may double in five years ................................................... 126 Taiwan keen on better ties with Indian auto component firms ....................................... 158 GaraGe equipment MAHA India offers high quality alignment systems for CVs ............................................. 74 Madhus now offers Hunter’s two revolutionary products ............................................... 129 tyres JK’s Chennai plant begins CV tyres production ............................................................ 106 JK Tyre’s exclusive Truck Wheels centre opened in Coimbatore .................................. 138 Continental’s new CT scanner for tyre testing launched ............................................... 146 CEAT India Road Transportation Awards presented ..................................................... 154 lubes & fuels Castrol continues powering lubricant industry growth ................................................... 108 Nandan Petrochem’s quality lubricating oils and greases ............................................. 144 loGistiCs BLR’s overall expansion to offer unique logistics solutions ........................................... 148 How to devise integrated freight movement plan for Chennai ....................................... 164 HEIL Trailer solutions offer huge benefits to oil transport sector ................................... 112 MBtech Group’s global expertise in automotive solutions ............................................ 142 Construction equipment industry to get big boost ......................................................... 156 statistiCs ............................................................................................................... 178 6 MOTORINDIA l August 2012 MOTORINDIA Editorial publishers Gopali & Co., Quanta Zen Building, No.38, Thomas Road, 2nd Street, Off. South 56 years, still going strong Boag Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017. Ph.: 24330979, 42024951. Fax: 044-24332413 Email: [email protected] Having successfully completed 56 founder M. Rajagopalan years, MOTORINDIA, the popular mentor Chennai-based automobile monthly, has Rajagopalan Kalidasan just entered its 57th year of dedicated managing editor & publisher service to the automotive industry and R. Natarajan (Res: 24343475 Cell: 9381062161) trade. The journal’s unbroken journey Email: [email protected] for nearly six decades, with uninterrupted assistant editor K.N. Ananthanarayanan (Cell: 9003053132) publication every month since inception, executive editor & General manager is indeed exceptional, and the credit for K. Gopalakrishnan this achievement goes to the late M. Ra- (42127950, Cell: 9840897542) Email: [email protected] jagopalan, the veteran journalist, who editorial Correspondent launched the new journal almost single- N. Balasubramanian (Cell: 9840597082) Email: [email protected] handedly. Of course, he had the moral marketing support for his venture from his close as- R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher G. Mohan sociates in leading Madras-based compa- N. Ananthan nies of the day with whom he had close rapport. What inspired Rajagopalan, designer E. Marimuthu whose Birth Centenary is being celebrated this year, to launch the automobile reGIONAL MANAGers journal was his firm belief that, unlike the other sectors, the automotive indus- mumbai try in India, as elsewhere, has its encouraging future with its role in transport R. Balasubramanian (Cell: 9323711291) of men and material which is most vital for industrial growth. G-102, Srinagar Co.Op. Housing Society, Off. P.L. Lokande Marg, Chembur (West), Now the Indian auto sector represents almost all international players of Mumbai - 400 089. Ph.: 022-25252377. world repute who keep expanding their operations despite several odds. The Email: [email protected] Automotive Mission Plan (2006-16), also announced by Dr. Manmohan Singh Coimbatore Ganesh Kalidasan (Cell: 9790926388) as Prime Minister, for developing the auto sector on a sustainably long-term Flat No.A1-42, TVH Ekanta basis envisages the sector’s annual turnover growth from $45 billion to $145 No.5/179, Masakalipalayam Road Uppilipalayam, Coimbatore 641015. billion in 2016. Its contribution to the Indian GDP is projected to increase to Email: [email protected] 10 per cent from five per cent, and the sector is expected to create an addi- bangalore tional 25 million jobs across the value chain. J. Saravanam (Cell: 9880974765) BS 23, 2nd Floor, Block ‘B’ Ittina Neela, Near The Indian auto industry potential was fully reflected in its quick recovery Gold Coins Club, Andapura, along with the Chinese industry from the worst-ever recession of 2008 when Electronics City P.O., economies around the world were completely paralysed. While the US and Bangalore-560100. Email: [email protected] Western auto industry reported nil or negative growth during the crisis, the allahabad Indian industry bounced back with redoubled vigour and registered positive Shoubhik Sarkar (Cell: 9936245032) 196-A, Chak Raghunath, Jail Road, growth. Not that the Indian industry is back to normal. After a two-year rapid (Behind Asha Hospital), Naini, growth of 24 per cent during 2008-09 and 2009-10, the rate has once again Allahabad - 211008 (U.P.) Ph: 0532-2696873 Email: [email protected] slowed to three per cent. However, based on the industry performance over the last two decades, this may be taken as a temporary phase, and the auto Member of INS / AINEC / IFSMAN sector is bound to be back on its track sooner than later. Edited & Published by R. Natarajan on behalf of Gopali & Co., Quanta Zen Building, It is worth mentioning here that MOTORINDIA is the one and only au- No.38, Thomas Road, 2nd Street, T.Nagar, tomotive publication that has been closely associated with the growth story Chennai-17, and Printed by B. Ashok Kumar at Rathna Offset Printers, 40, Peters Road, of the Indian automotive industry. We would like to sincerely thank all its Royapettah, Chennai-14 readers, advertisers and well-wishers for their whole-hearted support for its www.motorindiaonline.com success all along. 8 MOTORINDIA l August 2012 Current AFFAIrs Wind blowing southward By R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher A recent study has revealed that the assumed office last year under the at least 10 areas that act as nuclei of southern region, led by Tamil Nadu, able leadership of Ms. J. Jayala- innovation, and 2,000 km of 6/8 lane is faring far better than the other re- lithaa as Chief Minister, there has highways. gions in terms of industrial and in- been a significant increase in invest- As far as Karnataka is concerned, vestment growth. The report points ment flows into the auto sector. Of the State continues attracting huge out that Tamil Nadu has achieved utmost significance is the signing of investments from the automotive 9.4 per cent growth in GDP as com- MoUs with