What was once the most affordable inline-4 motorcycle on sale in India, a slightly updated 2020 Benelli TNT 600i has gone on sale in China. The motorcycle was first showcased at the EICMA 2019 and features mild styling updates and some new features. It could arrive in India and find its way to Benelli dealerships if the company decides to update the bike’s engine to meet the stricter BS6 norms.

As of now, the 2020 Benelli TNT 660i is available only for non-European markets and is still powered by a 4-cylinder in-line engine, with liquid cooling and a double overhead camshaft. The updated motorcycle gets a restyled, full-LED headlight and a completely digital TFT dashboard with new graphics on the tank cowl. Powering the bike is a motor which cranks out 80.4 HP at 11,000 rpm and maximum torque of 55 Nm at 8,500 rpm. It has been equipped with wet-sump lubrication, wet clutch, and a six-speed gearbox. The exposed frame consists of a main steel trellis frame, accompanied by sturdy aluminium plates in the swingarm pivot area.

Also Read: Benelli India Announces Raiders Club For Imperiale Owners

The suspension system features an upside-down fork with 50 mm diameter and at the rear, an aluminium alloy swinging arm has been paired with a monoshock adjustable in the spring preload and rebound damping. The braking system boasts of a 320 mm diameter semi-floating double disc at the front, bloc radial callipers with 4 horizontally opposed pistons, whilst the rear system features a 260 mm diameter disc. Wheels are aluminium alloy 17” rims fitted with 120/70 and 180/55 Pirelli rubber. Fuel tank capacity stands at 15 litres.

In terms of styling, the rest of the bike is identical to its predecessor. A new-gen model is in the works and has been spied earlier. It looks sharper in terms of styling in comparison to the current-gen TNT 600. When the current bike was displayed at EICMA 2019, Benelli’s official release did not say if the bike met Europe’s latest emission norms. Since it won’t be available in those markets, the possibility of it still being a Euro 4 bike is quite likely. Whether Benelli updates the engine to meet India’s new pollution norms or gets the new-gen TNT later could be anybody’s guess.

With an increased focus on cutting down vehicular emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) are fast gaining popularity. It was clearly evident from the increased number of electric vehicles showcased at the AutoExpo 2020 that makers have started devoting their focus and resources towards EVs. Royal Enfield, a brand known to dish out retro-styled motorcycles with unique-sounding engines, has taken the electric route too.

The Royal Enfield Photon is essentially a Bullet that’s been stripped of its petrol engine as well as drivetrain, and instead, gets a huge battery and a hub-mounted electric motor. It has been developed by Royal Enfield in partnership with UK-based EV manufacturing company ‘Electric Classic Car’. Electric Classic Cars are known for electrifying high-end cars, like those from Porsche and Maserati. This time, however, they’ve picked up a Royal Enfield Bullet and replaced its gasoline-powered engine with an electric motor.

This Royal Enfield Bullet Photon is powered by a Newton-based Electric Classic Cars battery which produces a maximum power of 15.6 bhp. The exact torque figure is yet to be disclosed but it is suggested that a similar 14Kw hub motor claims to crank out some heavy twist. Royal Enfield claims the range to be around 128 km and it’ll do a top speed of 112 km/h.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Shares Maintenance Tips; Extends Service And Warranty Support

The chassis and suspension components have been carried forward from the petrol version, which means the motorcycle will pretty much handle in a similar fashion especially since the weight of the bike is more or less similar although it will cut down the noise and vibrations substantially. It gets a 280mm disc up front and a 240mm unit at the rear. To make the bike electric, the company had to do away with the original bike’s single downtube frame and design a bespoke cradle that’d house the batteries. When one looks at this section of the bike for the first time, it does come across as odd but the battery casing has been neatly integrated and it doesn’t really stick too far out on either side.

In fact, the case has silver fins, as you would see on an air-cooled petrol-powered engine. As far as cooling is concerned, the batteries are liquid-cooled, with the entire system fitted neatly in the case. There are four lithium-ion batteries in the pack, each producing 2.5 kWh, or 10kWh in all. They can be charged using a regular, public charging facility, and the company claims it takes 90min to charge it to full capacity. In the UK, the Photon costs £20,000 which is approximately Rs 18.6 lakh in Indian currency. That’s many times more than what the regular model costs but it’s still cheaper than the Harley-Davidson LiveWire, which costs almost £30,000 (approximately Rs 28.4 lakh). However, it’ll get costlier in India when you include import duties and taxes. But to add to that, the Photon does look really good and the idea of converting a classic vehicle to a full-electric might appeal to a niche group that treasures such motorcycles.

A rugged, yet, premium-looking SUV which can take most things you can throw at it, the Mahindra Scorpio is now BS6-compliant. It is now only offered with a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine which cranks out 140 HP and 320 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. There is no automatic gearbox available as an option and there are four trim levels on offer – S5, S7, S9 and S11. The 4WD version which was available earlier has been discontinued too. All four trim levels are equipped with Mahindra’s micro-hybrid tech.

In terms of variant-wise seating configuration, the base S5 trim offers 7 and 9 side-facing seating options. The S7 and S9 trims get 7 side-facing and 8 front-facing seats, while the top-spec S11 offers 7 captain seats or 8 front-facing seating. All variants get LED DRLs except for the base S5 trim and only the S11 gets chrome inserts on the front grille and alloy wheels. The rest make do with steel-type wheels. All variants come fitted with dual airbags and ABS as standard in addition to an engine immobilizer, seatbelt reminder lamp, speed alert chime, auto door lock and a manual override system. The BS6 Mahindra Scorpio is available in four colours – Pearl White, Napoli Black, Molten Red and Dsat Silver.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV500 BS6 Details Revealed

Bookings are now open online and prices should be announced once the current situation improves. There are no visual or other such changes applied with this update as an all-new model has been in the works and should be out, sometime next year. The next-gen Scorpio should offer the choice of a punchy petrol engine and will be underpinned by a revised architecture along with improved drivetrain and suspension components. As of now, the homegrown automobile manufacturer is busy assisting the country in its fight against covid-19. Mahindra has been quick in deploying its skilled engineers to develop a cost-effective ventilator. Its other facilities are also chipping in by developing face masks and equipment which is vital for frontline health workers to keep themselves safe.

Ever since the Maruti-Suzuki Jimny was showcased at the AutoExpo in February 2020, people have been relentless as when will the capable little thing make its debut here. The carmaker had clarified that it was on display to gauge the crowd’s response and the decision to launch it or not will be taken after that. The response prior to the SUV being parked on Indian soil was full of enthusiasm and has been just the same even after the event. However, before getting to it, some things need to be made clear.

The current, fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny has been on sale worldwide since 2018. While there are two versions of the Jimny on sale in Japan – the standard model and the Sierra, the European market just has the latter. The standard Japan-spec Jimny meets that country’s requirements to qualify as a Kei car which has a 660cc petrol engine and is 3.4m long. The wider, Suzuki Jimny Sierra (which from now on will be referred to as the Euro-spec Jimny) gets a bit of body cladding that makes it a bit bigger, nearly 3.6 metre long and comes with a larger 1.5-litre K-series petrol engine. 

The Jimny has had somewhat a sensational sales run in markets abroad. So large has been the demand that the waiting period for one has been exceeding more than six months. This is because as of now, the Jimny is manufactured only in Japan’s Kosai facility. The plant has now reached its full capacity and Suzuki is in dire needs to expand its production capacity. And that’s where India and Maruti Suzuki come into the picture. 

To supplement production from Kosai, Suzuki is said to be setting up a new assembly line for the Jimny at its plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat, where it has unutilised capacity. Hence, large export volumes are what will give Maruti Suzuki the economies of scale needed to make the Jimny viable for production in India. Local manufacture is said to commence in the second-half of 2020, with the first six months of production meant exclusively for exports. 

The Euro-version, Jimny Sierra, will be manufactured and exported to the international markets. The Indian spec, however, will be a lot different than that the international spec. For the Indian market, Maruti-Suzuki is reported to be developing a 5-door SUV with a longer wheelbase which will cater to a larger audience, ideal for family buyers as well and thus making it viable for the Indian market. 

Even after a stretched wheelbase, the overall length of the India-spec Jimny is expected to stay under 4 metre which will make it in the same league as that of the Vitara Brezza. However, it will be interesting to see whether or not the stretched dimensions and longer wheelbase could impact the off-road capabilities of the SUV. 

Also READ: BS6 Mahindra Scorpio Specifications Revealed; 4WD Version No Longer Available

Crucial aspects of the car can be expected to remain the same. This means that the Indian version of the car will be built on a ladder-frame chassis. It will feature rigid axles on both ends and send power to all four wheels with a low-range transfer case. However, there is also speculation that Maruti might offer a front-wheel drive for its base variant. 

In terms of powertrains, it will be offered with the same 1.5 litre K15B petrol engine as the international model. This engine is also offered in the Indian market with the Ciaz, Ertiga and the newly launched Vitara Brezza facelft. This engine generates about 105 hp of maximum power and 138 NM of peak torque. However,in the international version, the engine generates slightly lower numbers than these. It is likely to be paired with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter as optional, similar to the Vitara Brezza.

Even though the Indian model will likely be a sub-4 metre SUV, it will lose out on the ‘small-car’ tax sops since it uses a 1.5 litre petrol engine. Even so, Maruti may target a sub-Rs 10 lakh price tag for the model. There will be some price overlap with Maruti’s other compact SUV, the Vitara Brezza, but given their fundamental differences, the two SUVs will cater to very different buyers. While the Brezza caters to people who seek the luxury of an SUV in an affordable budget, the Jimny will focus on buyers who are off-roading enthusiasts. To add further distinction to the package, Maruti could retail the Jimny from its premium Nexa outlets. The Jimny will fill the void left by the Maruti Gypsy, when it was discontinued for public in 2018.

Production for the 5-door version is expected to commence six months after production of its 3-door version will commence in June for exports solely. The Jimny will not have a like-for-like rival purely because of its dimension as an off-roader. However, once it goes on floor, it will compete against the likes of Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha. The new-gen Thar and Gurkha are expected to go on sale later this year. What makes us a little skeptical about the Jimny’s introduction in India is the fact that a few months prior to the Expo, Maruti Suzuki had announced that the Jimny won’t go on sale here. So the sudden change in plans has us thinking. We’d wait until we see the car in flesh and gladly rub our eyes. We hope we do.

Suzuki India launched the Burgman 125 in 2018 as a premium scooter which borrowed styling cues from its elder siblings. Elsewhere, Suzuki has a complete line up of maxi-scooters of different displacements under the Burgman moniker. They recently unveiled the 2020 iteration of the Burgman 200 which looks like the perfect premium scooter for India. Are we ready for one? Going by the current trend where even youngsters are more inclined towards gearless machines, we certainly are! What’s new about the 2020 Burgmann 200? While most of the things remain the same, it now offers three colour options – white, black and silver.

Also read: Aprilia SXR 160 – All You Need to Know

It continues to derive power from 200cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled good for churning out 17.7bhp. Like before, the engine is mated to a CVT transmission system. That is some good amount of power as compared to the gearless scooters that we have here. It makes even more power than some of the 150cc motorcycles that are being sold in our country. The new 2020 Suzuki Burgman 200 gets a 13-inch front wheel up front along with a 12-inch wheel at the rear. Suspension duties are performed by telescopic forks at the front along with a rear monoshock.

Braking duties are handled by a 240mm disc brake for the front wheel along with a single 240mm rear disc and these are linked to dual-channel ABS for better safety. Maxi-scooters are designed keeping long-distance riding comfort in mind and Suzuki’s Burgman series is particularly famous for that. Comfortable riding ergonomics, a peppy engine, a large windshield up front, and all combined together, it makes these machines easy within the city and for the occasional trip to another city nearby.

Aprilia too, showcased their SXR 160 at the Auto Expo 2020 and are planning to bring the SXR series of Maxi scooters to India in September this year. We hope Suzuki India takes things a notch above for the current portfolio and adds this bigger Burgman to the range. Our folks seem to love these things and the really expensive Honda Forza 300 scooter is a great example.

Tata Motors launched its ‘Click To Drive’ digital sales platform which enables customers to buy a Tata Motors car with a click of a button, from the comfort of their homes, without having to step inside a showroom. The ‘Click to Drive Platform’ has been integrated with all Tata Motors dealers from more than 750 of the brand’s outlets across the country. The platform would also offer home delivery of vehicles at a later date.

To avail the service, customers need to register on the ‘Click to Drive’ website and select a product of their choice from the Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle portfolio with the assistance of an innovative video brochure. The video brochure will help customers discover each car and its features. The newly launched Tata Altroz also comes with an immersive virtual showroom experience, called Imaginator, which allows customers to customize the vehicle by selecting from a range of variants and colours as well as factory customization options. 

Once the customers are done with the vehicle selection, they can then select the dealer nearest to them or preferred dealer from any of our 750 + outlets across the country, for either home delivery or click & collect at the dealership, at a later date. After this, customers would have to pay the booking amount online, post which the customer receives an immediate order confirmation by email. 

Also READ: Hyundai Announces The Launch Of ‘Click to Buy’ Platform Across India

Following the booking, customers are contacted by the Tata Motors call centre and a sales consultant from their preferred dealership guides them through the entire purchasing process, including providing the on-road price, the option for financial assistance, exciting offers available on the products and valuation of their existing car. The entire sales process is completed virtually using online communication tools such as emails, WhatsApp and video calls. Customers can access the platform by visiting the site https://cars.tatamotors.com/click-to-drive

Earlier, Hyundai launched a similar platform named as ‘Click to Buy’ which was made available across the country earlier this month. The introduction of an online sales platform gives customers another avenue to purchase cars thus improving the convenience by reducing the need to physically visit a car showroom and in a way improving customer relations by providing services at their doorstep.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is a capable go-anywhere motorcycle which needs no introduction. A great machine for the outdoors, the bike truly comes into its own when the going gets rough. On the open road, it can cover long distances while cruising comfortably at 100 kmph or so, however, anything more than that, and it starts moving out of its comfort zone. Transforming the standard bike, Thundercloud Customs, a motorcycle customisation shop in Ahmedabad, has built a Himalayan-based, single-seater, bobber-like, fast machine.

 

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Project: Thundercloud – Part 1 Clutchless upshift: Quick Shifter in action. #powertronic #royalenfield #bullet #interceptor #motorcycle #continentalgt #himalayan #classic #india #enfield #madelikeagun #royalenfieldindia #caferacersofinstagram #royalenfieldlovers #biker #royalenfieldclassic #ride #bikelife #bike #bulletlovers #royalenfieldbullet #twins #royalenfieldhimalayan #royal #beardlife

A post shared by Thundercloud Customs (@thundercloudcustoms) on Dec 22, 2019 at 5:56am PST

We’ll get to the visual details, however, what’s interesting about this build is that it has been fitted with a quickshifter (upshifts only) and claims to hit a top speed of 180 kmph. How does it manage to do that? It has been fitted with a Powertronic ECU which runs two modes – M1 and M2. The former is the more conservative between the two but still makes the bit hit 100 kmph from a standstill in about 6 seconds. M2 makes things more aggressive and allows the bike to achieve the same result in under five seconds. Other performance upgrades include a barrel ghost exhaust system and a custom 14-teeth front sprocket.

Also Read: Eimor Customs’ Graphite Is A Royal Enfield Inspired By A Legendary Bicycle

 

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PROJECT: RUMBLE (Prototype) A Cafe Racer inspired build based on Royal Enfield’s Himalayan. #royalenfield #royalenfieldcustom #royalenfieldindia #royalenfieldhimalayan #powertronic #barrelexhaust #caferacersofinstagram #bulletlovers

A post shared by Thundercloud Customs (@thundercloudcustoms) on Apr 12, 2020 at 10:40am PDT

In terms of visuals, the sub-section of the chassis has been chopped off and the Himalayan has been fitted with a custom sub-frame which only allows seating for one. Instead of the 21″ front wheel on the standard bike, both ends have been fitted with 17″ rims, which were borrowed from a KTM to keep weight in check. However, to maintain the retro appearance, those rims have been retrofitted with wire spokes. Other cosmetic additions include a custom 7″ headlight and its holder, clip-on handlebars and custom switches, a customised triple clamp, taillight and saddle.

 

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A post shared by Thundercloud Customs (@thundercloudcustoms) on Mar 7, 2020 at 1:02pm PST

From the factory, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is now available with a BS6 engine and in new colour options. Although we are yet to ride one, many suggest that the engine has now become more refined and with things like switchable ABS for the rear wheel, the bike’s capabilities have improved. When we can, we’ll ride one and tell you more. Until then, stay home and stay safe.

After revealing the specifications of the Radeon BS6, TVS Motor Company has now officially launched the updated version of the motorcycle in India. The popular commuter bike is now dearer by Rs 6,632. The new BS6 TVS Radeon comes in three variants. The standard base variant with drum brakes is now priced at Rs 58,992, whereas, the special edition drum and disc models have been priced at Rs 61,992 and Rs 64,992, respectively (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi). The same variants of the BS4 counterpart were cheaper at Rs 52,360, Rs 54,260 and Rs 56,360, respectively (all prices are ex-showroom).

Apart from the new prices, TVS has also revealed complete technical specifications of the BS6 Radeon. While the bike continues to be powered by the same 109.7cc, air-cooled engine, the carburettor is now replaced by a fuel-injection system, as is the norm with all the BS6 compliant engines. The performance figures now stand at 8.08bhp and 8.7Nm. This means, while the power output has seen a slight decrease of 0.12 hp, the torque remains the same as the BS4 model. It continues to be paired with a four-speed gearbox. With the BS6 update, the company claims a higher fuel efficiency for the Radeon, 15 percent to be precise.

Also READ: TVS Apache RR 310 Imagined As A Streetfighter

The changes in the powertrain have meant that the kerb weight has also increased. This means that the bike now weighs 116 kg for the drum variant, which is 4kg more than that of the BS4 model. The disc version, meanwhile, has a kerb weight of 118 kg. The TVS Radeon gets its stopping power from 130mm drum brakes at both ends along with an optional 240mm disc brake at the front.

Besides these revisions, TVS has kept the Radeon BS6 identical to its BS4 counterpart. In terms of dimensions, the Radeon continues the measure 2025mm x 705mm x 1080mm (LxWxH) and has respective wheelbase and ground clearance of 1265mm and 180mm. The Radeon has been fitted with a 10-litre fuel tank and with the substantial increase in fuel efficiency, one can now expect a decent extension in the overall range. The TVS Radeon competes against the Hero Splendor iSmart 110 and the Bajaj Platina.

The BMW R NineT is one of the most visually appealing café racers available in the market today. This motorcycle from the Bavarian manufacturer is no slouch either as it is powered by their distinctive yet legendary boxer twin engine. The BMW R NineT has served as a blank canvas for many customisation houses and we have witnessed many gorgeous customs carved out of an R NineT which were proper eye candy. However, Zillers Garage from Moscow has upped the game to a whole new level with this aviation-themed custom build.

Also read: Custom Royal Enfield Himalayan With A Quickshifter Claims To Hit 180 Kmph

Ziller Garage is run by Dmitry Golubchikov who has put in the required brains by partnering with Mikhail Smolanovym to build this rather distinctive custom with the much needed assistance of his crew. Mikhail Smolanovym is a Russian and world champion in motorcycle customisation. The bodywork that we see here is all handmade and crafted by professionals infusing passion and hard work together.

Ziller Garage also brought John Red Design into the game and after the design was rendered using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) modelling, Mikhail Smolanovym changed the suspension settings to reduce the ground clearance and get the bike as close to the asphalt as possible. The bodywork hides away all the electricals and mechanical bits and only the 1,170 cc boxer engine remains visible. There is no word regarding any mechanical changes to the engine so it would be safe to assume that they haven’t fiddled with the engine. In the stock form, the engine delivers 110 hp at 7,750 rpm.

Other custom bits include those sprouting handlebars along with tank-mounted switchgear, custom footpegs, clutch and brake master cylinders. The stock instrument cluster has made way for a minimalistic digital speedometer mounted on the fuel tank. This custom R NineT was unveiled virtually because of the coronavirus outbreak. We couldn’t have imagined the BMW R NineT to look like this, even if it’s custom made. That is the essence of customisation after all. To bring out of the box ideas to life and pull off something unique. This BMW R NineT has surely excelled in that regard.

The Auto industry was already dealing with a slowdown before the current crisis added to its troubles. Among the worst-hit in the current situation, automobile retailers still have a huge inventory of BS4 vehicles piled up, although some manufacturers are coming forward to take back the pile and also offer financial and other forms of assistance. Earlier, the Apex Court of India had allowed the sale of BS4 vehicles for 10 days after the lockdown, however, only 10% of the lot could be sold and it was not applicable for the Delhi-NCR region.

With the lockdown now extended until the 3rd of May, the Federation Of Automobile Dealers (FADA) has yet again written to Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, on behalf of Automobile Retail Industry’s 2nd set of submissions regarding the challenges posed due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Here’s what a copy of the official letter looks like:

To,

Shri Narendra Modi Ji

Honourable Prime Minister of India

Dear Sir, Greetings from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the apex body of Automobile Retail in India!

Founded in 1964, FADA India represents over 15,000 automobile dealers having 25,000 dealerships including 30 Associations of Automobile Dealers at the Regional, State and City levels accounting for 90% of Automobile Sales and Service in India. Together we employ over 40 Lakh Employees in the Country at Dealerships and Service Centers with 25 lakh direct employees and another 15 Lacs are Indirectly Dependent on Dealerships for their Livelihood.

Auto Sales has a Positive Impact not just on the Manufacturers and Dealers but also has a multiplier effect in the Economy. Sale of 1 vehicle benefits many. Banks, Insurance Companies, Component sales, sale of oils, paints, glass, plastic and rubber and many more along with generating direct and indirect employment.

APPEAL FROM AUTO RETAIL SECTOR

COVID-19 has come as a shock to all of us as the Indian Auto Industry was Preparing for recovery in Sales Growth after 15 months of a downturn. A new normal growth rate is going to be set, post the COVID-19 which is projected to be far lower than the normal, under which we have been operating in recent times. SIAM has projected that the country will witness a huge drop in Auto Sales Which Could be as high as 35% for some Segments. This is over and above the 18% De-Growth of FY20.

If Not Supported in Such a Scenario, Many Auto Dealers Will Go Out of Business and along with them the Livelihood of Hundreds of Thousands which we Employ.

1. Auto Dealers businesses range from Rs 10 Cr to Rs 1,000 Crores, but the majority of the Auto Dealerships are family-run small scale businesses spread across every nook and corner of the country. Each Dealership on an average employs 70-150 people. Majority of the employment is hired locally thus not displacing them from their home locations.
2. For the last 15+ months, the Auto Industry has Already been under an Unexpected Severe SlowDown. More than 275 Dealerships had to Shut Down During this Period and Thousands of Jobs were Lost in the Process.

We would like to bring to your notice following Suggestions which needs your immediate attention with a Request for Urgent Action. These Suggestions if acted upon immediately, will help us remain afloat in these unprecedented times and also help save Lakhs of Jobs in the Process.

1. Working Capital Support

• Reset the Clock For the Period of the Lockdown for Auto Dealers on All Working Capital Limits. (Complete Waiver of Interest on All Category of Loans from Banks and NBFC’s for thePeriod)
• Extend 4% Interest subvention/subsidy for working capital/loan requirements to companies for a period of 9 months Post the Lockdown
• Allow 20% additional overdraft on sanctioned Credit limits for a period of 6 months Post Opening to Support Salary Disbursements and Other Fixed Expenses Cash

2. Salary of Employees for the Lockdown Period Should be Paid through ESIC as this is a Health Pandemic and Salary Liabilities Should be Covered under the Same by ESI.

3. Grant of MSME Extension to Auto Retail: We request the Government to kindly include Wholesale and Retail Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles in MSMED Act from 1st of April. A Request to the MSME Ministry has already been Put up with Details in the Month of September 19 and we request Fast-Tracking and Immediate Favorable Consideration. The subsidies and incentives received under the MSME division will provide much-needed relief to Automobile Dealerships which provide direct and indirect Employment to Lakhs.

These Temporary Support Measures are Extremely Urgent and Important to help us Cushion the Shock to Our Cash Flows and the Only Way for us to Continue in Business till demand comes back to Normalcy.

Demand Restoration

The Post Covid Scenario is Expected to Dent the Consumer Sentiment Further and Till a Complete Cure is not Found, Confidence on Spending will be Very Low with the Fear of Another Lockdown Hanging Out there. We would hence like to Suggest Demand Boosters which if implemented, will attract Auto Demand and Overcome the Dent in Consumer Confidence to Some Extent till Complete Economic Normalcy is Restored:

• Reduction of GST or Direct Benefit Transfer: A Reduction in GST for a Temporary Period will lower the Cost of Acquisition and will Be a Good Incentive towards stimulating Demand. The Automotive Sector is impacted by very High GST Rates and the net impact ranges from 29% to 50% depending on the category of the vehicle. Alternatively, a Direct Benefit to Consumers of 3-4% Interest Rate ReductionThrough Banks and NBFC’s will also reduce the Overall Cost of Owning a Vehicle and can also be an Alternate or Additional tool for Demand Generation
• Extend Depreciation Benefits For FY21 and Include Individual Buyers: To boost vehicle demand further, we request that Corporate Depreciation Scheme which was valid till 31st March’20 be extended till FY 2021. Apart from this we also propose that similar benefits be allowed to individuals for FY2021 at an effective rate of 25% (WDV). This will not only help in increasing the number of individuals filing their IT Return but will also help in igniting automobile demand from individuals and will thus up the GST collection for the Government
• Attractive Incentive-based Scrappage Policy: It should be introduced immediately for all vehicles which are running on the road prior to 2010. The “Cash for Clunkers” programs in the USA and EU should be looked into as they were implemented successfully. Evidence shows that “Cash for Clunkers” saw its best response during economic downturn/recession and preponed their Purchases due to The Incentives Offered, thereby Boosting the Demand Engine. “Cash for Clunkers” scheme was introduced for a short time period of 5-7 months. It has been used as a demand revival tool at different time points in the West.
• Priority Sector tag for Auto Industry: The Government should include Auto Industry in Priority Sector lending so that both Retail and Wholesale Financing can be made available easily. This will also help the banks allot a certain portion of their funds for this sector, both for Dealers and Retail Customers and Ensure the much-needed Credit Support to Spur Demand. The priority sector tag can be given to the Auto Sector for a period of 12 months until normalcy is restored.

Sir,

The Current Situation Can Lead to an Existential Situation for Many of Our Members and Their Employees. Majority of them are Small Scale Family Run Businesses with No Financial Sustenance for Such a Crisis after already having gone through a tough period in the past 15 months.

Over the Years, Auto Dealership Business Model has come under Severe strain with Increasing Costs and LowOperating Margins Thereby Reducing Our Sustenance Towards any Such Shocks as this Current Corona Situation and its After Effects.

While We are taking it up With SIAM at a Complete Change of the Business Model to Build up Sustenance for the After Effects of Covid1-19 and for any Future Disruptions, the Immediate Situation is Extremely Bleak if not Supported.

We hence Earnestly Appeal to serious consideration to our requests and suggestions and due recognition as Being One of the Contributors Towards Our Nations Past, Current and Future Progress. In Anticipation of Support from You and Assuring you of Complete Support from the Auto Dealership Community, together we will fight and eradicate Coronavirus from our Country.

Hoping and Praying for Our Country and Humanity to Overcome this Crisis at the Earliest.

The world right now is grappling with the scare of covid-19. With the ongoing lockdown across the country due to the scare of the deadly coronavirus, Renault India has introduced a few measures to help ease the challenges faced by the consumers and dealers. These measures are aimed at mitigating the challenges faced by customers due to the current situation.

The company has announced a relaxation on warranty and Periodic Service schedules for its customers during this lockdown period. In addition, the extension on the warranty period will also apply to vehicles that have extended warranty policies. Roadside assistance continues to be available to customers. Apart from this, the company has also sent vehicle maintenance tips to its customers so that they can keep their cars in running condition even during this lockdown period.

In addition to this, Renault has also launched an online booking campaign, ‘Book Online Pay Later’, which lets the customer book a Renault vehicle online, whether on the Renault India website or on the My Renault App, without paying any immediate booking amount. This action is further substantiated by the use of digital modes of communication with the prospects, providing them with all the information at home.

The My Renault App is a customer app widely used by Renault’s existing customers and updates them on all the latest information about Renault. It is also used by prospective buyers to explore the Renault range of vehicles or book one online. After the booking procedure, a dedicated salesperson will contact the customer via email, Whatsapp, etc. and provide them with all the information they need at home.

At the same time, Renault has also held the interest of dealers as a key priority. Renault has announced incentives and relaxation on targets to ease the effects of the current lockdown situation. On the other hand, it has also set up a task force to facilitate financial transactions with the dealership networks and has extended support to dealers in terms of inventory holding costs. The company has also started a special program on skill development and online training of network sales teams.

Not only Renault but a number of automakers including Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Hyundai, Tata and Toyota have also announced the extension of warranty plans and service schedules for their existing customers in view of the current situation. Covid-10 has impacted many aspects of personal and professional lives. Therefore, companies have come up with various initiatives to help people overcome the obstacles in these challenging times.

Automobile manufacturers from around the world are coming up with new ways every day to provide relief funds for the Covid-19 outbreak. Porsche too has decided to contribute to the cause by auctioning the last of the previous-gen 911. The proceeds from the auction will go directly towards the relief fund for the pandemic. The last generation Porsche 911 is in its limited-edition ‘Speedster’ avatar. The auction will take place online and will be handled by RM Sotheby’sauction on 15th April 2020 at 11 a.m. eastern time, ending on April 22 at 1 p.m. eastern. Interested parties should head over to RM Sotheby’s dedicated site to register.

Also read: All-Electric Porsche Taycan Is The World Performance Car For 2020

It isn’t the first time that Porsche is auctioning its fine piece of machinery to the public because back in 2018, they also auctioned a special edition 911 Turbo Project Gold which sold for nearly $3.4 million US! Expect this Porsche 911 Speedster to surpass that amount significantly. The whole amount from the auction will go to the United Way Worldwide fund.

The whole journey of the Speedster trim of Porsche 911 is very interesting, Porsche wasn’t planning to build a speedster in the first place and unveiled it just in its concept form. After the concept gained huge popularity among the circles of car enthusiasts, they demanded Porsche to put it into production and guess what? They obliged. Porsche finally decided to make 1,948 units of the 911 Speedster.

They didn’t develop it from ground up though as the chassis was borrowed from 911 GT3 and the body shell from the Carrera 4 Cabriolet. By fusing it all together, they formed a roofless, two-door limited production sportscar that marks the last of the analogue Porsche’s ever. Under the hood lies a 4.0-litre, naturally aspirated Flat-6 engine that delivers 493 hp and redlines at a whopping 9,000 rpm! It was certainly built for purists, the reason why Porsche has coupled the engine with a 6-Speed manual transmission instead of going with an automatic transmission. The most striking design element of the Porsche 911 Speedster has to be the double-bubble designed rear end.

It will go under the hammer at the RM Sotheby’s auction on April 15 which will be held online. For the person who bids the most, Porsche has some more things on offer apart from the already exclusive 911 Speedster. The owner will receive a 911 Speedster Heritage Design Chronograph wristwatch with a letter of authenticity – proving it is the final example and a rare opportunity to privately tour the Porsche development centre and test track in Weissach, Germany.

For a vast country like India, the current lockdown has made reaching rural and remote areas considerably difficult. Considering the same, Hero MotoCorp has pledged to donate 60 units of its first-responder mobile ambulance to authorities. The move will definitely assist our frontline workers in reaching hard to access areas in our battle against covid-19.

Also read: BS6 Hero Xpulse 200T Appears On Website Ahead of Launch

Regular-sized ambulance vans find it considerably harder to penetrate the remote and rural areas and now that the pandemic has started reaching even the distant corners of the country, this initiative by Hero became the need of the hour. These custom-built utilitarian mobile ambulances will provide medical assistance to the otherwise hard to reach areas.

These mobile ambulances are built around the Xtreme 200R motorcycle. Though it is due for a BS6 upgrade but even in its BS4 guise, it was a potent motorcycle. The peppy engine and riding dynamics make it a capable utilitarian mobile ambulance. As per the company, the ambulance accessories’ kit includes first-aid kit, oxygen cylinder, fire extinguisher, a siren as well as ‘laying-down’ arrangement for the patient. The Xtreme 200R in its BS4 guise used to make 18.4 PS of power at 8000 rpm and 17.1 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm from its 199.6 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. The engine came mated to a 5-speed transmission. These custom built first responders will be provided to multiple authorities across the country.

Hero’s efforts aren’t limited to just this as previously the Hero Group has committed a corpus of Rs 100 Crore (US$ 14 million) as aid for the ongoing COVID-19 relief-efforts in India. Half of this sum, or Rs 50 Crore, is being contributed to the PM-Cares Fund and the remaining Rs 50 crore is being spent in other relief efforts. The contribution doesn’t end here as the BML Munjal University – run by the Hero Group at Dharuhera in the state of Haryana in India – has offered its 2000-bed hostel for use as isolation & treatment ward by the local health department. Hero MotoCorp is also distributing more than 15,000 meals to daily wage-workers, stranded laborers and homeless families in several areas of Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat every day.

For a motorcycle which was introduced in India in 2011, the Honda CBR250R carried on for too long, without any updates. What was once a popular choice, for the lack of freshness, the bike’s appeal faded as fresh, feature-loaded and more powerful competitors arrived. The India-spec CBR250R soldiered on until now with the same mechanical components and the only update it ever received was an LED headlight and some new colour options. As India has finally moved into the BS6 era, the quarter-litre machine is no longer listed on HMSI’s website and that spot will either be filled in by another motorcycle or remain vacant.

Along with the CBR250R, the X-Blade and Hornet have also gone missing from the website too. However, in the case of these two, they should make a comeback for being recent, popular and attracting good sales numbers month-on-month. With the CBR250R gone, the entry-level premium motorcycle in Honda’s portfolio is the CB300R, which by the way, hasn’t been upgraded to meet BS6 norms either. The word around is that the bikemaker is mulling the option of manufacturing a sub-500cc product in India (the CB300R arrived in CKD form) and the BS6 CB300R could be introduced after a brief period of absence. Goes without saying, the current situation will also add more time to that timeline.

Also Read: Honda Takes The Wraps Off The 2020 CBR250RR

In November last year, Honda had announced that it has plans to double its portfolio of premium motorcycles from the current 7, taking it up to 13. The company also revealed that 5 new “Fun” models will be introduced in India. It had mentioned that it would ensure that all existing 7 models, ranging from 300cc to 1800cc will be practically brand new after they get the latest global updates. With a renewed focus on ‘Make in India for the World’, Honda would foray into mass production of select big bikes from India, from its current CKD / CBU operations. Also, the brand’s presence across the country would be enhanced as the Silver wing mark will expand aggressively pan India from 23 to 75 cities.

While making that announcement, Mr Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. had said, “Globally, Honda has a strong legacy of fun riding – be it for fun urban riding, super-sport racing, luxurious touring or even off-roading. Starting April’19, Honda spearheaded its new premium bike business identity under the Silver Wing-Mark brand. Honda will unleash Phase II of its premium business vertical in the new BS-VI era. Customers can expect double the fun with 13 iconic global models including 5 brand new models. This will be supported by an exclusive  network for sales and service in 75 cities.”

Hyundai launched the facelifted version of Elantra in late 2019 but at that time, they were offering this premium sedan with just a petrol engine. At that time, it wasn’t quite clear if Hyundai will introduce a new diesel engine with the Elantra. The carmaker has now begun offering Elantra with the same 1.5 litre oil burner unit which does the job in Kia Seltos and recently launched Hyundai Creta.

Also read: 2021 Hyundai Elantra Launched In South Korea

The 1.5 litre diesel engine which works under the hood is good enough for 115bhp and 250Nm of peak torque. Like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, it will come mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox in Elantra as well. This diesel unit makes considerably less power than what we have seen in the BS4 Elantra. Earlier, the Elantra came with a 1.6-litre diesel engine which produced 128 BHP and 260 Nm of peak torque. The 1.5 litre diesel engine will also be used in the new Verna.

Apart from introducing the diesel engine with the new Elantra, Hyundai also announced that they will be offering Elantra diesel with just two variants: SX and SX (O) which translates to the fact that they have indeed discontinued the base S trim. Both the trims that are being offered with the new Elantra diesel match the trims on the petrol when it comes to features.

The SX trim which is the base variant now comes with features like six airbags, rear-view camera, auto headlamps, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Blue Link connected car tech, cruise control and more. If you pay some premium and get yourself the top spec SX (O) variant of the diesel Elantra, it will get you additional features such as powered driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, LED headlamps, wireless phone charger, leatherette upholstery and front parking sensors.

Hyundai will officially launch the diesel Elantra once the lockdown ends and the price is expected to hover between 16-21 Lakh. It will face direct competition from the Honda Civic.

Yamaha has launched a new colour edition of the NMax 125 cc maxi-scooter in Japan. The new colour option of matte blue is part of the MY2020 update. When combined with the blacked-out parts like the windscreen, floorboard, exhaust, and alloy wheels, the 2020 Yamaha NMax 125 looks quite sporty in the new Matte Blue colour. It should appeal to a lot of new buyers. Yamaha has carried over two colour options from MY2019: Matte Grey Metallic and White Metallic. The Vivid Purplish Blue Cocktail colour option has been discontinued.

Last year, Yamaha India decided that it will make and sell only 125cc scooters in India, a decision which is more in sync with the brand’s sporty and premium appeal. The official website of Yamaha Motor India now lists only the Fascino 125 FI, RayZR FI 125 and RayZR Street Rally 125 FI. In the current scheme of things, the NMax looks like the perfect addition, as things like the Burgman already exist and more choices are always welcome.

In the process, Yamaha has done away with- the Fascino 110, RayZR 110 , RayZ 110 and Alpha, all of which came with a 113 cc motor. Since the BS6 norms comply to use fuel injection instead of a carburetor in all two-wheelers, the overall efficiency, even though slightly, has increased and therefore Yamaha has decided to concentrate on making sporty products which attract a certain section of buyers- the youth. Yamaha has thus acknowledged that hereafter, it will concentrate on performance driven products.

Apart from the new colour option, the Yamaha NMax 125 remains the same. It features a sporty and aggressive design with LED headlamp and LED taillight. It has a seat height of 765 mm and weighs 127 kg. The instrument cluster is all digital with oval shape. Both the front and the rear wheels get disk brake setups with dual channel ABS.

The 2020 Yamaha NMax is powered by a 124 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that is equipped with a fuel-injection system which generates an output of 12 PS pf maximum power and 12 Nm of peak torque. This motor comes with Yamaha’s Blue Core technology for enhanced fuel economy and improved performance. Yamaha claims a fuel efficiency of about 43 kmpl for the NMax 125. The scooter goes on sale from April 25,2020 in Japan with no extra charge on the Matte Blue colour option.

KTM has issued a recall for their ADV tourer 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R is the USA. 3,164 units are affected which were manufactured between February 14, 2019 and December 2, 2019. The recall is issued due to the faulty rear brake and KTM has issued a notice for the respective owners to contact the dealers and get their parts replaced. In a scrutiny which was done by KTM, they figured that the the rear brake system may fail due to the excessive heating of the rear brake hose.

Also read: The ‘Super Scalpel’ KTM Duke 890 R Could Be Headed To India In 2021

It is a very grave issues as it might lead to a crash or an injury, the reason why they have decided to sort out this issue by ordering a recall. The statement emphasised on the intensity of the issue and has deemed critical to replace the brake line which stretches between the rear brake calipers and the ABS modulator. To counter the issue which has cropped up, KTM has developed a new rear brake line which comprises a longer metal fitting and is claimed to have improved heat transfer. This is not the only change which will happen during the recall as KTM also added that it is important to change the round head Torx screw over the the rear brake lever. The owners of the affected units are ordered to carry a letter of the recall to their dealers for the replacement of the affected parts.

The 790 Adventure and the 790 Adventure R use the same engine as the 790 Duke. The 799 cc LC8c parallel-twin engine produces nearly 103 PS in the 790 Duke. Though when it comes to the Adventure twins, the engine is tweaked to deliver more low end grunt and has been detuned to deliver 95 PS in the ADV. Both the adventure twins are loaded to the brim with a comprehensive electronics package which includes riding modes such as Street, Offroad, Rain and Rally. The package also includes Traction Control which can be adjusted up to 9 levels.

The world at the moment is trying its best to tackle the pandemic of covid-19. In India, the number of affected people has risen exponentially in the past week. With the lockdown extended to May 3, 2020, the fight against covid-19 seems to have just started. Many industrialists and companies have come up with numerous CSR related activities to help people facing challenges.

One such auto company, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is also continually engaging with and supporting other stakeholders who are making efforts to fight this pandemic. As a part of this endeavour and in keeping with its continued backing to supplier development activity, TKM has partnered with Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs Pvt. Ltd. to significantly enhance the capacity to manufacture face shields for public health workforce and law enforcement agencies in the state of Karnataka.

Based out of Bangalore, Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs Pvt Ltd., a major manufacturer of springs in India, has taken a proactive initiative to develop and produce face shields in order to assist the healthcare department, hospitals, diagnostic centres, and other medical facilities who are on the foreground in the fight against COVID-19 outbreak. Initially, the company was producing 275 units of face shields per day. However, with the support of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, with its expertise in Toyota Production System (TPS), the company has managed to ramp up the production and has successfully started manufacturing over 5500 units.

The results thus far have been promising and the company is now planning to focus on scaling up the production to much beyond 10,000 units per day, in the coming days. This step is likely to go a long way in supporting the government’s efforts in battling against this disease.

Commenting on the developments, Mr Raju B Ketkale, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said “Amidst the pandemic that ails the country and the repercussions of the countrywide lockdown, Toyota lauds the Government for its proactive measures in fighting the virus and is prepared to support them in every possible manner. Toyota has always supported its supplier partners and when Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs Pvt Ltd announced their plans to develop and manufacture face shields for the public health workforce, we joined their initiative to share our best practices in Toyota Production System (TPS) and enhance their manufacturing capacity of face shields in support of their cause. I congratulate both the teams in achieving such fantastic scaling in a short time despite so many constraints. Times like these call for all of us to come together and put our collective efforts and come out victorious.”

Also READ: Hyundai Motor India Foundation Donates INR 5 Crore to Tamil Nadu Government

Post successful production of over 5500 units of face shields per day, Toyota will continue to support the supplier partner and assist them in enhancing the productivity by resolving issues related to workforce, layout modifications and other operations to reach a production capacity of much beyond 10,000 units per day. In similar lines, Toyota will continue to look for more collaborations and is open to assist any critical component manufacturers in order to strengthen the fight against COVID-19.

TKM added that they have been observing the evolving situation and responding appropriately in accordance with guidance issued by the Government. The company added that it will keep on watching the situation and take appropriate countermeasures in order to support the Government to the required extent and deal with contingencies that may arise in the future.

It won’t be wrong if we say that the covid-19 pandemic outbreak is the greatest threat the human civilisation has faced in recent times. It has brought the whole world to a standstill with several countries issuing nationwide lockdown including India. Yesterday, it was made official that the lockdown will be extended till 3rd May. The fact that a country as vast and diverse as India has to take such crucial steps to curb down the spread of coronavirus is a testimony that the situation has turned very critical. While we sit comfortably in our homes, several warriors are fighting this battle against the pandemic risking their own lives. The police force is one of them. They are at very high risk and are more exposed than the rest of us. Several measures are being undertaken to protect these warriors. Recently, Navi Mumbai Police took it to twitter to announce that they have transformed some of their police vans into mobile sanitisation hubs.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Police Painting Number Plates, Here’s Why!

Image Credits: Twitter/Navi Mumbai Police

These mobile sanitisation hubs boast of many advantages, the primary one being their ability to be driven to any point in or outside the city limits where help is needed regarding the sanitisation process of the police force in no time. This will certainly help in reducing the overall risk that the police force is exposed to. They have to patrol the whole city to keep the people inside and to main law and order. The police force is also helping out the respective authorities in the distribution of food, medicines and other essential items.

Image Credits: Twitter/Navi Mumbai Police

The main takeaway from the current situation is that we have to practice social distancing but that isn’t possible with the front line warriors as they have to constantly be vigilant in the current scenario. Such measures are deemed very necessary to curb down their exposure to the coronavirus. The need of the hour is to come up with more such ideas so that the spread of this pandemic doesn’t shoot through the roof. Tamil Nadu police too came up with a rather unique idea to keep people off the roads. They started painting the number plates of the vehicles and are looking forward to implementing a new rule under which only vehicles with a particular colour will be allowed on the roads on a particular day.

For the tire industry and its customers, recycling is a major issue. Each year, about 1 billion tires reach the end of their life. To address this, Michelin is partnering with Enviro to develop and industrialize on a large scale an innovative pyrolysis technology to recycle tires at the end of their life. Thanks to this recycling technology, tires considered as used, give birth to new quality raw materials.

A Swedish start-up of 20 employees founded in 2001, Enviro developed a technology to modify the chemical composition and physical phase of the pneumatic material during the pyrolysis process, while ensuring minimal energy consumption. This innovative technology enables to produce high-quality products such as recovered carbon black, pyrolysis oil, steel or gas, and products that can then be re-incorporated into the production circuit of different industrial sectors. Thanks to this recycling technology, tires that are now considered as waste will be recycled into raw materials. This technology consists of chemical decomposition of an organic compound by a sharp increase in its temperature. It allows the extraction of new products not initially contained in the organic compound.

Also Read: Michelin Energy XM2+ Tyre Review

The envisioned partnership between Michelin and Enviro is based on four axes:

• Development Agreement to deploy Enviro’s pyrolysis technology on a larger scale
• Michelin’s stake of 20% of Enviro’s capital, amounting to 32,526,262 SEK (around 3 million €), or the equivalent of 116,165,223 shares, making Michelin the largest shareholder. The Group will support developing Enviro by its board representation expected to be proposed to the shareholder vote. The shareholding subscription has been signed on April 15th
• The common project to build a factory to industrialize the technology. The location of the plant will be confirmed at a later date
• A joint Supply Agreement between Michelin and Enviro

This partnership will allow the complementary know-how of the two companies to be pooled in order to accelerate progress in tire recycling. Michelin will bring its industrial know-how to the plant’s construction project and its know-how in terms of research and development and production. Enviro will bring its patented pyrolysis technology, which will produce high-quality products. Discussions are ongoing between the two companies with the objective to conclude a final agreement by mid-2020.