To comply with the restrictive guidelines issued by the government to contain the spread of the covid-19 pandemic, Ola and Uber suspended their services in March. The Government limited the movement of public and issued a lockdown, restricting people to stay at home, defying the whole purpose of these cab services. However, both cab aggregators have resumed their operations with emergency based services. These services are resumed only in select cities for now and will allow riders to book a ride to the hospital in case of an emergency.

Also Read: Hero Motocorp To Donate 60 First-Responder Mobile Ambulances

The lockdown disabled people to move freely and restricted all the means of public transportation too. People who needed immediate medical assistance and didn’t have any personal vehicle were finding it hard to make it to the hospital. Keeping the same in mind, Ola collaborated with the Haryana government first to provide convenient, reliable and safe transport to riders who need to access a hospital for medical purposes. These services are enabled for non-COVID cases and for the ones which do not require an ambulance. They have come up with a fleet of dedicated cars that are equipped with masks and sanitizers and will be operated by specially-trained drivers.

Anand Subramanian, Spokesperson and Head of Communications, Ola, said, “Trips to hospitals for medical urgencies are unavoidable, even in the current times. With Ola Emergency, we are able to facilitate trips to and from hospitals across the city through the Ola app. We are grateful to the Haryana Government for the opportunity to collaborate in serving the citizens. With over 100+ Hospitals in the city mapped, ‘Ola Emergency’ will be available 24×7 and will provide citizens with a reliable, convenient and safe transport solution for medical trips that do not require an ambulance.”

Ola is calling this service “Ola Emergency” and has already started operating in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Vizag, Bhubaneshwar, Nashik and Varanasi. They are planning to launch this service in other major cities soon.

When Ola launched this service, how could its arch-rival Uber stay behind? They also came up with ‘Uber Essentials’ that will facilitate essential travel for residents of Mumbai to start with. Uber too, has taken required permission from the authorities to operate amidst the lockdown and have been issued curfew passes by local law enforcement authorities to ensure seamless movement to medical facilities. Prabhjeet Singh, Director-Operations and Head of Cities, Uber India & South Asia, says, “In conformity with government guidelines, we urge people to stay safe and discourage non-essential travel. Through Uber Essential, we are selectively offering rides for essential services to cater to crucial medical travel requirements in Mumbai. Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we are leveraging our technology and network of driver-partners to enable citizens to access essential medical services, while simultaneously also helping authorities contain the spread of COVID-19. In the coming days, Uber plans to extend this service to additional cities across India.”

In an announcement made by GP Global, they have acquired lubricants assets of Grand Petroleum, Nigeria’s leading lubricants player and part of the Nosak Group, in order to expand and strengthen its presence in Nigeria and West Africa. The acquisition includes assets such as – lubricants brand – HiSpeed and a blending plant with an annual capacity of about 50,000 metric tonnes in Lagos, which includes storage tanks with a capacity of 6,000 kilometres.

GP Global will lead the operations of the newly acquired business with a strong team of Nigerians, several of them already part of the existing team. The operations of the Nigerian company are certified by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria as part of the MANCAP (Mandatory Conformity Assessment). It has built strong competencies in the manufacturing and sale of lubricant oils, toll blending, engine oils, hydraulic oils, automobile fuels and lubrication, industrial fuels and lubrication, and other speciality oils.

Also Read: Michelin And Enviro Partner To Develop Tech Which Transforms Used Tyres Into Raw Materials

“Nigeria is one of the core markets for our lubricants and base oil business with a significant opportunity now opening up to expand our presence in Africa. We have already built a strong lubricant market share in India and the Middle East. Through local manufacturing and a strong distribution network in Nigeria, the acquisition will position us one of the fastest-growing global lubricants and base oil businesses,” said Sudip Shyam, Global Head- Lubricants & Base Oil, GP Global.

“This is a strategic acquisition by GP Global that will consolidate our presence in key African markets. The strong manufacturing competencies that we gain through the acquisition of a wide range of lubricants and the advantage we gain in base oil trade will add to our market share. With this acquisition, we aim to grow our business of oil and agricultural products as well as build a strong retail network in Africa,” said Ajay Pandey, COO for Nigeria, GP Global.

The current health crisis requires everyone to come together and contribute in ways they can, whether it comes to an individual or large organizations. The automobile industry is contributing to the cause in umpteen ways and CEAT Tyres has joined in by initiating a sanitization drive of trucks delivering essential goods across Mumbai amidst the ongoing pandemic. CEAT has partnered with All India Truck Worker’s Association (AITWA), Bombay Goods & Transport Association (BGTA) and Western Union LPG Association (WULA) to sanitise trucks across various vehicle loading point such as Nhavasheva, Mahul, Jasai and area around the airport, which are key points of entry/exit of vehicles that bring goods to the city.

Also read: Michelin And Enviro Partner To Develop Tech Which Transforms Used Tyres Into Raw Materials

The sanitization drive includes sanitization of the truck cabin, distribution of face masks, sanitizers and food packets to the drivers and cleaners. Such a sanitization drive will ensure safety and wellbeing of the drivers that could aid in containing potential cases of the novel coronavirus. So far, sanitization drive has been carried out for over 811 trucks and the plan is to cover 1,000 truck by the end of 19th April 2020.

To reach out to the needy people during this lockdown, CEAT has also initiated voluntary distribution of food packets across India. So far, more than 68,500 food packets have been distributed in Mumbai, Nashik, Chennai, Vadodara, Jaipur and Jabalpur with an average of 5,800 freshly cooked food packets distribution on a daily basis during this critical time.

CEAT Tyres functions under the leadership of RPG Foundation which has deployed their COVID-19 Warriors who are relentlessly working towards reaching the common goal of ensuring safety and wellbeing of people around them. The COVID-19 Warriors are employees from the RPG Group who have been distributing food and masks across the plant and corporate office regions either with the help of the company or at their own expense. Some of the employees have also conducted programs to increase awareness on the precautionary measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Commenting on the support, Mr Arnab Banerjee, Chief Operating Officer – CEAT Tyres Ltd said “CEAT Tyres along with RPG Foundation and other relevant authorities has undertaken various tasks with a commitment towards helping the society in every possible manner to fight this pandemic. The sanitisation drive, distribution of food packets and deployment of our ever ready COVID-19 Warriors are all initiatives that are aimed at providing essential care during these unprecedented times.”

Honda Motorcycle USA a.k.a. Honda Powersports has launched the new ADV150 premium adventure scooter in the US. The Japanese bike maker has priced the scooter at USD 4,299 which translates to roughly Rs 3.28 lakh INR (ex-showroom). The Honda ADV150 made its debut in Indonesia in July last year. It sports styling, never seen before for a 125cc scooter. It clearly takes its inspiration from its 745 cc sibling, the X-ADV. Now Honda calls this an ‘adventure scooter’ which might be a stretch even though the ADV150 does have some impressive dual-sport characteristics to justify its price tag. Although it is meant to be ridden on the tarmac, the profoundly rugged design theme makes it look ready to take on any kind of terrain.

In terms of styling, it is a marked shift from the usuals. The design combines a maxi-scooter with modern aesthetic elements. As many have pointed out the overall design looks like a dressed-up PCX. Right from the large front apron, twin LED headlamps and an adjustable windscreen, the neat tail section and the fuel tank lid in the centre are in line with the design language of the larger X-ADV. For off-road riding, it also gets an upswept exhaust.

It does offer a host of features too, where the list includes full-LED lighting, adjustable windscreen, digital instrument console, keyless ignition, 27-litre under-seat storage, two-litre storage compartment at the front, USB charging, etc. The instrument cluster is a negative backlit unit and for safety, the Honda ADV150 is supported by the Honda Smart Key and alarm system. Although the footrest provision looks too compact due to the step-through design, the spacious seat speaks about the comfort it offers. The edgy tail lamp completing the sleek tail section is also LED. 

Furthermore, the ADV150 delivers a unique riding experience thanks to its design. Honda has equipped the ADV with a 14-inch front and 13-inch rear wheel which are suspended by premium Showa suspension – telescopic forks and dual gas-charged shock absorbers. Stopping power comes from a disc brake with single-channel ABS at the front and drum brake at the rear.

Also READ: The NMax Looks Bright For A Spot In Yamaha India’s 125cc Scooter Range

In terms of dimensions, the Honda ADV150 measures to be 1,950mm long, 763mm wide and 1,153mm high. Just like Honda’s PCX, the ADV150 is powered by a 149cc, SOHC, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine which produces 14.3bhp of power at 8500 rpm and 13.8Nm of peak torque at 6500 rpm. This motor is mated to a variomatic transmission.

The ADV150 will be available in dealerships in the US starting June this year where only a single colour option will be available – Matte Black Metallic. Does it have a scope of coming to India? The chances are bleak, owing to its premium price tag and the cost-sensitive nature of the Indian market.

In what seemed inevitable, Honda has decided to pull the plug on yet another commuter scooter, Cliq. The Honda Cliq has been removed from the official website and is unlikely to get the mandatory BS6 emission norm update in future as well. This is the third scooter which Honda has removed from their portfolio.

Honda had already confirmed last year that the Cliq won’t be part of their schemes in the BS6 era. They had stated that there are no plans of updating the Honda Cliq to the BS6 emission norms. However, the scooter was present on the website, with Honda trying to sell off the last remaining units left in stock. Now, since the implementation of the BS6 emission norms from the 1st of April,2020 the scooter has officially reached the end of its life cycle. The main reason why Honda decided not to update the Cliq was its low demand and even low sales figures.

The Honda Cliq was launched aiming at the entry-level scooter segment in the Indian market. However, with better products such as the Dio and the Activa on offer, the Honda Cliq failed to catch any sort of interest.

Also READ: Honda ADV150 Adventure Scooter Launched In The U.S.

The Cliq was powered by the same 109.19cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine, which also powered other Honda scooters. The engine produced 8bhp of power at 7000 rpm and 8.94Nm of torque at 5500 rpm and was mated to a continuously variable transmission.

However, the Honda Cliq isn’t the only model which the company has removed from their website. Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India(HMSI), has removed all BS4 models from its list, this includes both bikes and scooters. Although certain models such as the Honda Grazia and the CB Hornet 160R are expected to make a return after receiving a BS6 update at a later stage.

As of now, there are only three models of scooters enlisted in Honda’s official website that are- the Activa 6G, Dio and Activa 125 all of which have received their BS6 update. In fact, Honda was the first two-wheeler manufacturer to introduce a BS6 model, this was in the form of their Activa 125. Since then, the company also introduced the SP125 motorcycle, apart from updating other models such as the Unicorn, CB Shine, Activa 6G and the Dio.

Mahindra Racing has announced its Driven by Design campaign for the fifth consecutive year, but this time with a twist. Launched on World Art Day, the team is calling artists from across the world to get inventive and send their isolation creations to competition@mahindrafe.com. Entries can also be sent via Mahindra Racing’s social media channels. Unlike previous seasons, this year’s competition is open to all forms of creativity with the theme ‘What’s Your Art?’

The Driven by Design isolation creation can include any type of art, from drawings and written pieces to musical scores and model cars. All artistic pieces can be submitted as images, videos or in written form. The team’s favourite pieces will be featured on its social media channels as it uses art to bring Mahindra Racing fans together during this period of isolation. Team Principal, Dilbagh Gill, will also choose a selection of his favourite entries to win a video call with himself and one of the Mahindra Racing drivers.

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

To help get the creative juices flowing, Mahindra Racing has teamed up with renowned contemporary British artist Popbangcolour to present three art tutorials. Tune in to the team’s social media channels on Friday 17 April, Wednesday 22 April and Monday 27 April 2020 at14:00 (BST). More information can also be found at mahindraracing.com/dbd

Talking about the initiative, Dilbagh Gill, Mahindra Racing CEO and Team Principal, says, “We’ve been asking our creative fans to be involved in our Driven by Design campaign since the 2016/17 season. This year, we want submissions to include all forms of creativity so we can celebrate the diversity of talent out there. For the last five years, I’ve enjoyed looking at all the artwork, so with complete creative freedom in the hands of our passioneers, I can’t wait to see what pieces of rt we receive. Mahindra Racing has enjoyed working with Popbangcolour on our race posters so far this season, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with Ian Cook on this campaign.”

In a major setback to the automotive industry, auto manufacturing has not been included in the list of activities that will be allowed after April 20. A day after Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced an extension of the nationwide lockdown to May 3, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a notification with a new list of activities allowed under the lockdown starting April 20. Industry experts expected auto manufacturing to make the cut since it is one of the biggest contributors to the nation’s GDP.

The decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs seems to have overridden the recommendations provided by the Ministry of Commerce. The Ministry of Commerce had earlier written to the Ministry of Home Affairs with suggestions to widen the scope of activities allowed within the lockdown. It suggested that big industries such as auto manufacturing should be allowed to commence operations on a limited scale. In its letter, the Ministry of Commerce deemed the activities “essential to improving economic activity (sic) and provide liquidity in the hands of the people”.

Also READ: Navi Mumbai Police Transforms Police Vans Into Mobile Sanitisation Hubs

The Ministry of Commerce had proposed big industries such as automotive manufacturing could commence operations with 20-25 % capacity in a single shift. Not allowing auto manufacturing during the extended lockdown period is a serious concern for automakers. As per estimates provided by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the auto industry in India is losing around Rs 2,300 crore every day due to lockdown. It may be recalled that most auto companies had shut down operations a day before the lockdown came into force from March 23, 2020. With the lockdown extended, cumulative losses of auto companies will be twice as that of earlier estimates.

The latest extension of lockdown has created other problems for the auto industry as well. This extension will likely delay the deadline for BS-IV vehicle registration and also defer the window for sale available to automotive retailers to sell remaining BS-IV stock. This will require a new order from the Supreme Court that had earlier provided time till April 30 for such registrations. The 10-day window provided by the Supreme Court to sell BS4 models will also have to be deferred.

Even during the lockdown, automakers have come up with innovative ways to boost their sales. Many companies have launched online sales platforms that allow customers to buy their vehicle online. Customers have the option to take delivery at the dealership or get the vehicle home delivered. Customers can also opt for finance options, offers, and exchange services, all of which are processed online. However, deliveries of products will only commence after the current situation eases out.

The World’s favourite action camera company, GoPro transformed how an individual captures memories. The company’s products are also widely used in the AV space, where creators, including auto journalists, make the most of a GoPro’s versatility to deliver high-quality content. Not unaffected by the current crisis which is global in nature, the company has announced that its 2020 product roadmap, which includes new hardware, software and subscription products that will serve both GoPro camera owners and smartphone-only users will remain on track. However, the action camera maker will restructure operations to become a more efficient and profitable direct-to-consumer-centric business.

GoPro will aim to achieve a $100 million reduction in operating expenses for this year. This will be achieved by including a workforce reduction of more than 20% and plans to further reduce non-headcount related operating expenses to $250 million in 2021. GoPro will continue to sell to select leading retailers in key regions where consumers prefer to purchase offline or indirectly. However, the Company will be shifting primarily to consumer-direct sales to drive growth in regions where GoPro.com already enjoys a strong share of the market.

Also Read: Watch Johnny Dumfries Deploy His Best Skills To Tame The Lotus 98T Turbo F1 Car

To lead the Company’s direct-to-consumer growth initiatives spanning hardware, software and subscription sales, GoPro has appointed Aimée Lapic as Chief Digital Officer. Ms Lapic brings years of experience building successful digital businesses, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer for Pandora, and prior to that at the Banana Republic where she was Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager for BananaRepublic.com.

GoPro’s shift to a more consumer-direct approach includes the following expense reductions:

• $100 million reductions in non-GAAP operating expenses in 2020 and plans to further reduce operating expenses into 2021 to $250 million
• Workforce reduction of over 200 employees, or more than 20%
• Office space reductions in five geographies
• Sales and marketing expenditure reductions in 2020 and beyond
• Additional reductions in spending across the business

Commenting on the decision, Nicholas Woodman, GoPro’s founder and CEO said, “GoPro’s global distribution network has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, driving us to transition into a more efficient and profitable direct-to-consumer-centric business over the course of this year. We are crushed that this forces us to let go of many talented members of our team, and we are forever grateful for their contributions.”

GoPro also shared that at his request, Mr Woodman will forego the remainder of his salary through the end of 2020. Additionally, as of April 14, 2020, GoPro’s Board of Directors volunteered to forego the remainder of their cash compensation through the end of 2020. Additionally, GoPro is withdrawing its Q1 and full-year 2020 guidance due to global uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is providing a preview of its Q1 results:

• Revenue of approximately $119 million
• Non-GAAP EPS loss is expected to be in the mid $0.30 loss per share range
• Street ASP of $350, a 23% sequential increase
• Sell-thru of approximately 700,000 cameras during the quarter
• Reduced channel inventory by nearly 30%
• Cash and equivalents of $125 million as of March 31, 2020

The restructuring of GoPro’s business will result in an estimated aggregate charge of $31 million to $49 million. Cash expenditures will be approximately $5 million of the estimated aggregate charges in the second quarter of 2020 as a result of a reduction in force. The remaining expenditures are approximately $26 million to $44 million primarily pertaining to planned reductions of office space (including $4 million of non-cash charges) and approximately $5 million for other non-cash charges. The Company anticipates the majority of the office space charges will result in future cash expenditures through 2027. The Company anticipates that a substantial portion of these restructuring charges will be reflected in its second-quarter results.

As a committed corporate, Toyota India has been studying and observing the evolving situation in the country and is determined to devise simple and practical solutions to arising problems in hopes to help the country and the industry recover from the inflictions of the COVID 19 pandemic. Taking into account the complete shut-down of operations due to the pandemic and the possibility of a restart of manufacturing post 20th April in light of Government directives, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has used its years of rich knowledge, expertise and access to global best practices to devise a comprehensive ‘Restart Manual’ as a guide for industries to follow post the lockdown withdrawal. Scroll down for the complete manual.

As a proactive measure, with an intent to support the manufacturing sector, TKM management had put together a team of cross-functional experts to go into minutest details of various operations and create a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) that would ensure the safest possible restart to manufacturing by securing the workers from any health hazards. This manual is in consonance with the broad Government guidelines that have been issued and will be used by TKM, its suppliers and has also been shared as a reference document with all Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) members. TKM also intends to share it with a wider segment of Industry through industry association platforms like CII.

Also Read: Toyota Kirloskar Motor And Supply Partners Ramp Up Production of Face Shields

Toyota India’s Restart Manual is an all-inclusive guide for reorganizing and safely resuming business operations to near normalcy after the lockdown is lifted. This initiative will aid the Government, stakeholders and the community at large by creating detailed reference document for the industries to safeguard and ensure the health, well-being and safety of all their employees thereby also enriching the lives of the communities. TKM has already shared the Restart Manual with not just Toyota suppliers but also with ACMA, other suppliers in the industry and is planning to share this manual with other industry players as well. Check out the 47-page manual which can be useful for individuals too:

Mahindra Emirates Vehicle Armouring (MEVA) is one of the world’s leading armoured vehicle manufacturer. The UAE-based division is highly-experienced in building high-quality up armoured vehicles and tactical armoured vehicles. It manufactures armoured vehicles in the engineering facility and the associated research and development centres located in UAE and Jordan to extend customised solutions based on vehicle armouring specifications worldwide.

Featured here is the Armoured Specialist Vehicle Pickup which is offered in Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) and Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) versions. Under the ammo-proof shield is a donor vehicle whose panels was replaced with a new 360-degree ballistic protection shell providing the perfect solution for defence, paramilitary and police forces operating in inner-city and off-road rough terrain environments.

Also Read: Mahindra’s In-House Developed Ventilator Nears Completion

The MEVA ASV pickup comes with 11 (3 + 2 + 6) seats, B6 protection, run-flats, and a turret and gun mount with 360° rotation. The ASV pickup is designed for its high off-road capabilities and durability and comes fitted with a heavy-duty suspension system including brakes, suspension and all-terrain tyres which are reinforced to cope with the armouring weight of the vehicle and for better drivability. Available in both LHD and RHD, the ASV Pickup’s rear cargo area is customizable for various operational profiles dependent on client requirement.

To move all that mass, powering this mean-looking Mahindra is an 8-cylinder 4.5-litre turbodiesel engine which cranks out 195 Hp @ 3,500 rpm and 430 Nm of torque between 1200-3200 rpm. All that power is routed to all the four wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox, allowing the driver to be in complete control of the vehicle. Standard kit on the ASV includes power steering, CEN B6 protection, Fit for Radio (FFR), multi-layered ballistic glass, engine & battery protection, run-flat system (as per finabel 50km), protected fuel tank, roof hatch with 360 °, fire extinguisher, intercom system, siren, public address system and additional water/fuel storage cans.

Additional options which can be ticked include:

• Tactical Command & Control with Mapping
• Gun Ports
• Stealth Mode (Blackout Option)
• Surveillance / ECM /C&C Configuration
• Tire Inflation System
• Electric Winch
• Advance Light Packages
• Screen and Windows Mesh Protection
• HF/VHF/UHF Radio
• Bio-Hazard kit
• Blast Mitigation Floor Mat
• Fire Suppression System

The covid-19 scare has grappled the entire society. The number of people affected and casualties have been on the rise in the country. In these testing times, many industrialists and companies have come forward to lend a helping hand to the people amidst this worldwide crisis. Hyundai Motor India has been a part of the group and among other initiatives, has handed over COVID-19 Advanced Diagnostic Testing Kits to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The globally proven Diagnostic Kits worth Rs 4 Crore have been imported from South Korea and offer high levels of accuracy, catering to the testing requirements of over 25,000 individuals. These Diagnostic Kits are also being exported to the USA, Europe and other countries.

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

As part of its road map of giving back to society, Hyundai has developed a series of initiatives to assist the Government in the battle against COVID-19. These range of initiatives include:

• Donation of Rs 5 Crore to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Relief Fund
• Augment the supply of ventilators and other respiratory aids such as the in-house developed Ambu Bag Actuator
• Distribution of PPEs, masks and other safety kits
• Distribution of dry rations to adversely impacted sections of society

Hyundai also had previously announced some initiatives to support its customers in these challenging times.  HMI will offer extended support of 2 months to those customers who were unable to avail vehicle’s Warranty/Extended Warranty/Free Service due to Health Emergency or Dealership shutdown in affected cities. Customers (Doctors/Police/Bankers etc) who are in essential services are already being given Roadside Assistance by Allianz Partner/Dealers, in case of any emergency.

Commenting on the handover, Mr SS Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “As a socially responsible and caring brand, Hyundai is committed to the fight against COVID-19. To provide further assistance to the Government’s efforts, we have handed over Globally Proven – COVID-19 Advanced Diagnostic Testing Kits imported from South Korea. These highly accurate diagnostic kits can help the Government scale up the testing efforts in affected regions and arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.”

With Bharat Stage 6 norms now applicable across the country, Audi India’s website has been updated to only list vehicles which conform to the new pollution norms. It has resulted in the A3, A4 and A5 sedans to go missing from the portfolio, along with the Q3, Q5 and Q7 SUVs. The current line-up lists the A6 and A8 sedans along with the flagship Q8 SUV. All three were launched this year and are only available with petrol-powered, BS6-compliant engines.

As per engines too, only two BS6 powertrains are available in the current parts bin. A 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol unit which powers the A6 and another 6-cylinder turbo petrol which propel the A8 and the Q8. The word around is that going forward, Audi India might not plonk BS6 motors into any of the de-listed cars and will instead introduce facelifts or new-generation models which have been in the pipeline. Besides the current portfolio, all other aforementioned de-listed Audis have either been facelifted or a new-generation model has been introduced elsewhere.

Also Read: Exploring The Charms Of Karnataka With An Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI

Considering the current scheme of things, the refreshed A6 sedan now misses out on air suspension but offers other features like the Audi Virtual Cockpit, dual touchscreen displays in the centre console, driver-assist features, 4-zone AC and lots more. The car also gets MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) technology that runs via the alternator starter and additional lithium-ion battery and 12V subsystem. Powering the car is Audi’s 2.0-litre TFSI engine which is now BS-VI compliant. This engine can generate 245 HP and 370 Nm of peak torque while being paired with a 7-speed S-Tronic transmission that can propel the car from 0-100 kmph in 6.8 seconds. Prices for the new Audi A6 start from INR 54,20,000 (ex-showroom, India).

On the other hand, the flagship Q8 and A8L are flagship products which ask for INR 1.33 crore and INR 1.56 Crore, respectively (ex-showroom). Both are fully-loaded with the very best that Audi has to offer and powering both is a 3.0-litre V6 TFSi which cranks out 350 hp and 500 Nm torque, paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox for both the vehicles.

In its third generation now, the Hyundai i10 has been one of the most popular cars in its segment. Dubbed the Grand i10 NIOS, the hatchback was launched in August 2019 and was offered with three engine options- 1.2-litre petrol, 1.2-litre diesel and the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Now Hyundai Motors have added a CNG option to the existing lineup of the Nios. The CNG kit is offered in two variants: Magna and Sportz. They are priced at Rs 6.63 lakh and Rs 7.16 lakh and cost Rs 73,000 more than their petrol counterparts who ask for Rs 5.9 lakh and Rs 6.43 lakh, respectively.

Being a bi-fuel version, under the hood, the CNG variants get a BS6-compliant 1.2-litre Kappa Dual VTVT based petrol engine that generates 69PS of power and 95Nm of torque. This comes mated only to a 5-speed manual gearbox. On the other hand, the standard 1.2-litre petrol motor produces 83 PS and 114 Nm (4 PS and 19 Nm more) and is paired to either a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AMT.

Also READ: Hyundai Motor India Hands Over Advanced COVID-19 Testing Kits To ICMR

As far as features are concerned, the CNG variants offer the same features as offered in their petrol counterparts. This means the Magna version gets central locking, speed-sensing door locks, day/night IRVM, passive keyless entry, tilt-adjustable steering, rear AC vents, 2-DIN music system with Bluetooth support, and more. The Sportz version additionally gets features like projector fog lights, reverse parking camera, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. However, the CNG variant does miss out on the 5.3-inch digital speedometer with MID which is offered in the petrol version of the Sports variant and instead comes with a regular analogue unit.

This launch was on the expected lines since the recently launched compact sedan, Hyundai Aura, which is based in the same platform as the Nios, has been offered with a CNG option. Since the Grand i10 Nios is the only car in its segment to offer a CNG option, the CNG variants have no direct rivalry as such. The standard Grand i10 Nios, however, goes up against the likes of the Maruti-Suzuki Swift, Maruti-Suzuki Ignis and Ford Figo.

Go to any hill-station in the Himalayas and you will find the long-discontinued Tata Sumo still serving as a trusted workhorse with yellow plates. What was introduced as a people-mover, way back in 1994, the Sumo was a successful product for the homegrown brand. During its 15-year-long product cycle, it was offered with multiple engines and seating options, before it finally drove into the sunset last year. Now, a YouTube channel which goes by the name of Motorwala has imagined a new-gen Tata Sumo, which borrows a lot (or all of it) of styling cues from the Range Rover Evoque and one of Ford’s popular SUVs.

The digitally-imagined fascia is a well-defined modern interpretation which does not stray too far from the original’s boxy and butch-looking front. Head-on, it looks purposeful, what with that upright stance, a wide and straight bonnet line and those horizontally-placed headlights which flank a massive honeycomb grille. Underneath, large cutouts in the bumper make space for LED blocks, with air vents placed in the centre and lower down. Looks neat, isn’t it? Like it’s all done professionally. But once you are done admiring, know that it’s the 2020 Ford Explorer you are looking at!

Also Read: This Digital Render Of Tata Motors’ Premium Sedan Is Full Of Sharp Imagination

Moving towards the rear and the side profile, it’s nothing but a Range Rover Evoque with different-looking taillights. Moving over the copy-paste job, even with the arrival of smashing-looking things like the Harrier and the Nexon, discontinued products like the Safari and the Sierra still hold a special place in many minds. No wonder that the Sierra concept which was displayed at the Auto Expo this year made a lot of grown men teary-eyed.

On the other hand, to keep the Safari’s legend alive, Tata Motors showcased a ‘Safari Edition’ Hexa. It could go on sale once the Hexa is updated to meet the new BS6 norms, which it will in due time, as confirmed by the manufacturer. All this just goes on to show that Maruti Suzuki might be the number one carmaker in India in terms of sales, but Tata Motors has earned a special place in the hearts of people.

Honda first showcased the CBF190X in China at the 14th International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition back in 2016 and now they have rolled out the 2020 iteration of the same. The 2020 Honda CBF190X is priced at Rs. 1.77 lakhs (16,380 Yuan). If you’re wondering whether it will come to India or not, chances are, most likely it won’t because Honda has developed the CBF190X exclusively for China and is a product of Honda-Sundiro joint venture that also manufactures some other sub-200cc motorcycles like the CBF190TR and CBF190R.

Also Read: Honda ADV150 Adventure Scooter Launched In The U.S.

In the 2020 iteration, it has received some minor changes over the previous version. The basic recipe still remains the same though as it continues to be an affordable ADV tourer. The updated 2020 version of the CBF190X brings in new decals along with a new brand insignia of the Honda-Sundiro JV. The overall design of the Honda CBF190X is highlighted by stylish V-shaped LED headlamps, a pretty large front windscreen, 12-litre fuel tank, metal bash plate and gold-plated USDs. All these combine to lend it an ADV appeal. The looks are slightly inspired by its bigger cousin, the Honda Africa Twin.

Other changes in the updated version include a side-mounted exhaust instead of an underbelly unit which was seen in its previous version. Apart from the visual differences, it has also resulted in a bump in overall ground clearance which now stands at 150 mm. even the diameter of the tubular-type handlebar has been reduced for easier handling and higher riding comfort. Now it also gets a gear position indicator in the instrument cluster. The CBF190X is powered by a 184.4 cc single-cylinder 2-valve engine that is an air-cooled unit coupled with Honda’s fifth-generation PGM-FI electronic fuel injection technology. This motor is capable of producing maximum power of 16.8PS and a peak torque of 16.3Nm. The Honda CBF190X is available in 5 colour options – black, white, red, grey and tri-colour. Though it is very much assured that it won’t be making its way here but nevertheless, it would have been a welcome offering and would have given the Hero Xpulse 200 a tough competition.

The automotive industry makes up about 50% of India’s industrial GDP and is one of the biggest employers both through direct and indirect employment. As the country’s wheels of progress await for the brakes of lockdown to be released, the novel Coronavirus disease continues to wreak havoc across the world and pose as one of the biggest challenges to humanity. The devastating effect of this crisis on economies including India is very much visible with the impact only expected to increase in the coming months. Given the situation, Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Consulting & Solutions India has put across a detailed study on how the industry can restart operations to cushion out the impact to some extent.

Irrespective of the scenario that will prevail eventually, the report depicts the ‘new normal’ that the automotive industry should be prepared for once the crisis is over. While scenarios of the impact have been well documented by both national and international bodies and firms, this report dwells on the challenges at a micro-level across the stages of the Automotive value chain in India and suggests suitable solutions that could be incorporated to run operations. The report identifies the challenges faced at each stage of the value chain i.e. Product Development, Procurement, Manufacturing, Finance, Logistics, Sales, Marketing & Aftersales, based on the context and configuration of each of the stages for different players.

Also Read: Toyota India Shares Comprehensive ‘Restart Manual’ For Industries To Operate Safely Post Lockdown

The report suggests a set of Strategic Imperatives for each of the aforementioned subsets, clearly defining the immediate focus and the subsequent steps that will help stabilize and eventually bring the automotive sector back on track once the lockdown is relaxed. The report also highlights that this crisis brings to the fore an opportunity for Indian auto part makers increase their participation in the global value chain by becoming an alternative to China in the changing geopolitical world order and for this in some cases, a technology acquisition may be imperative. Given the financial distress across the world, the more financially sound players in the country could also acquire firms and technologies in this period and that would help position them as effective alternatives while also furthering the true Make in India spirit.

However, the report leaves a caution that despite all measures, an infection can still seep in and to manage and contain that, the most essential thing will be traceability right from the part being made at a supplier site to the truck carrying it to the people working on it to finally the vehicle it goes into and the sales agent who sells the vehicle. Therefore, use of technology to get a digital signature of not just the part but also the personnel coming in contact with it will have to be maintained across the value chain so that a quick and effective containment can be carried out in case of an infection.

The report sums up with an appeal to the Government to help in creating enabling conditions both through fiscal and non-fiscal means. One of the key things it recommends is a clear-cut guideline arrived at in conjunction with medical and health experts in what can be and what cannot be allowed. Besides, consistency on policies related to safety, emissions, etc. to avoid undue stress and continuity of business plans and stimulus packages to catalyze the restart of the industry.

Ashim Sharma, Partner & Group Head – Business Performance Improvement (Auto, Engineering & Logistics), NRI (Nomura Research Institute) Consulting & Solutions, said, “Evolving product features based on emerging hygiene and disinfection needs, localization, increased degree of automation, digitization and innovations in financing and a set of economic stimulus by the government are the needs of the hour that will see us through this crisis. A clear guideline and policy for safe working similar to running of hospitals to start work at factories, the interstate movement of goods, reduced interest rates, adequate moratorium period, demand generation through fiscal & non-fiscal measures such as subsidies and scrappage policy, and last but not the least, a massive push to the ‘Make in India’ campaign will prove to the key differentiators for Indian automotive sector in the post lockdown phase.”

“In a nutshell, we need to live with this new normal and while saving lives is and should be the primary objective, we must implement strategies to ensure livelihoods can also be saved to limit the devastating effect it could have on the millions in our country as well as the positioning of our country in the global ecosystem,” added Mr Sharma.

In terms of electric mobility, India’s automotive industry is still at an infant stage. However, stricter emission norms have forced auto manufacturers to focus on electric vehicles for the future. In the current scenario, widespread adoption of electric vehicles can only happen in the scooter market because of the affordability and feasibility of batteries. However, last year was a benchmark for electric vehicles in cars when the first production EV was launched in the Indian market in the form of Hyundai Kona and towards the end of the year, two manufacturers added their products in the EV segment as well. MG and Tata revealed their respective EVs- ZS EV and Nexon EV in December 2019 and officially launched them in January 2020. 

Among all three, the Tata Nexon EV has been the most accessible electric car in India. Upon its launch earlier this year, the Nexon had received positive feedback from the consumers. Amidst the struggling period in March 2020, Tata Motors sold an appreciable 198 Nexon EV units. In comparison, MG Motors managed to sell 116 units of the much more expensive and bigger ZS EV. That’s a difference of 82 units while Hyundai Kona EV sales for the month stood at 14 units. 

Also Read: Tata HBX Mini SUV: What We Know So Far

Just like Tata Nexon, Hyundai is also working on a subcompact electric crossover with a target price range of Rs 10-15 lakh ex-showroom. Unlike the Hyundai Kona and MG ZS EV, the Tata Nexon EV was mostly developed in India, for India. Another interesting point to note is that Tata Motors achieved this while facing one of the biggest sales declines in recent history.

The Tata Nexon EV was launched in three variants with prices starting from Rs 13.99 lakh to Rs 15.99 lakh, ex-showroom. Tata sells the SUV right now in only a few cities in India. The claimed range is 321 km whereas the charging time is reported as 80 per cent in one hour with a fast charger. Deliveries of the SUV started sometime in March. The 2020MY Nexon EV is the first product from Tata Motors’ electric portfolio to be powered by the ‘Ziptron powertrain’. This couples a permanent-magnet AC motor to a 30.2kWh lithium-ion IP67-certified battery pack and together they generate an output figure of 127 bhp of power and 245 NM of torque with an ARAI claimed range of 312 km. The Nexon EV will soon get a direct rival in the form of the eKUV100 which is expected to be launched later this year in the same price bracket.

In present times, Tesla is that one carmaker who’s bearing the lantern of autonomous and electric vehicles. Last April, Tesla announced that it will be launching a fleet of self-driving robotaxis in the USA and now that 2020 is here, Elon Musk took to Twitter, responding to a query that the company is very much ready with the concept of Robotaxi and will be launching it by the end of this year. However, the play here is, even if Tesla manages to bring in a fleet of Robotaxis, will the regulatory bodies allow them to operate on public roads?

Also read: Dubai Police To Soon Add The Tesla Cybertruck To Their Fleet Of Exotic Cars

As a bleeding-edge company, Tesla’s plans have always been very ambitious and this too follows the same footprint. The territory of achieving SAE level 5 autonomy is still uncharted and Tesla has only achieved at best, SAE Level 2 autonomy. What’s even more ambitious is that Tesla envisions 1 million of these fully autonomous cars on the road as a part of its Robotaxi network.

In a quest to achieve full autonomy, Tesla rolled out a stoplight and stop-sign feature as a software upgrade but the idea of achieving a sort of autonomy that would allow for driverless passenger vehicles is still a far cry. Even if we assume that Tesla manages to click all the checkboxes above, it would still be uncertain that whether the regulatory bodies and authorities will allow Tesla to put this initiative into motion on open public roads.

But it is Tesla we are talking about, headed by a very optimistic Elon Musk. The man, his ideas, and his workforce have always surprised us with the innovation they bring to the table and more so, putting them into reality. 2020 isn’t over yet and Tesla is putting all its brains and muscles in turning this into a reality. The company has already grabbed some big investors regarding this initiative despite the lockdown still being active. As of this moment, we aren’t sure whether Tesla would be able to pull off this rather ambitious project, but if there’s one company which can actually make this work, it is definitely Tesla.

Announcing its quarterly sales figures, BMW Group India on Thursday stated a total sales of 2,482 cars, which is a combined number of BMW (2,365) and Mini (117). BMW saw a significant contribution of over 50% coming from the locally-produced Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) range including the BMW X1, BMW X3, BMW X5, and the range-topping BMW X7. A strong contribution also came from the BMW 5 Series and the BMW 3 Series sedans.

BMW India had launched the new X1 in March at an introductory price of Rs 35.90 (ex-showroom). On the other hand, the brand also introduced the new 530i Sport in February at a starting price of Rs 55.40 lakh (ex-showroom). In comparison, its staunch rival Mercedes-Benz India sold a total of 2,386 cars in Q1 2020. With this, BMW has claimed the top spot in luxury car sales over Mercedes-Benz India, which has happened after seven years, although overall sales figures are 17.84 per cent down in comparison to the previous year.

Mini India, a part of the BMW Group India, registered sales of 117 units during the first three months of 2020. According to the data provided, the iconic MINI Hatch and the locally-produced MINI Countryman together commanded a share of over 60% in MINI sales. Mini India had launched the new Clubman Indian Summer Red Edition in February at an introductory price of Rs 44.90 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also READ: Tesla Ready To Introduce Robotaxi By The End Of This Year

On the other hand, BMW Group India’s premium motorcycle manufacturer BMW Motorrad reported sales of 1,024 units in the January-March period of 2020. The momentum for BMW Motorrad was primarily driven by the hugely popular BMW G 310 R and the BMW G 310 GS motorcycles which commanded a share of over 80% in the yearly sales. The BMW R 1250 GS / GSA, the BMW F 750 / 850 GS / 850 GSA and the BMW S 1000 RR were also a favourite among motorcycle enthusiasts.

The manufacturer says that the BMW Financial Services India played an instrumental role in facilitating sales performance under challenging market conditions. The customised and flexible financial solutions were valuable to the clientele of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad.

Commenting about the figures registered, Mr Rudratej Singh, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group India said, “The coronavirus pandemic presents a mammoth challenge to public health, industry, economy and our business. With the strength of its admired brands and superior products, BMW Group India will remain resilient and responsive in every way. The current situation has brought many operational difficulties and eliminated valuable physical interactions with customers at dealerships.”

About the challenging market conditions prevailing due to the coronavirus pandemic, he further added that BMW Group India has introduced innovative, contactless and safe ways to meet the requirements of existing as well as potential customers together with dedicated dealer partners, expert teams and a strong backbone of processes and until normalcy returns, the company’s focus will be on consistent digital interaction with its customers and maintaining the performance.

The Mercedes-AMG G63 6×6 was mad when it first came out. It still is. Probably the maddest among All things Mad from Germany. But when it comes to loosening the screws of imagination and pulling off the cables, the digital world is where the tools are at. Take this rendered 6×6 for example. Where the original machine threw quite a lot of rule books out of the window, this digital render burnt those and everything else that was left. This jaw-droppingly sweet blasphemy is not recent and was posted on a London-based automotive concept and design studio’s Instagram account – Yasid Designs.

Called the ‘Mutant’ for all the right reasons, where the original could allow decent-sized mountain ranges to pass underneath, this render believes in making its wide-body kit kiss the ground. Helping it achieve that is a massive rear wing and probably air suspension which lowers the ride height.

Interestingly, where the original ran a twin-turbo V8, this imagined madness wants its motor to breathe free. The rear cargo area has been chopped to accommodate the humongous wing and a bony cage keeps those twin axles and everything at the back together. Straight pipes and massive rubber for the rear section announce this monster’s intent.

Also Read: 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Fails Moose Test Like A Bowling Ball Hitting A Strike

In it’s saner but still outlandish stock form, only 100 units of the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 were made and all were sold out in a blink. Measuring 5867 mm in length, 2111 mm in width and 2209 mm in length, the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 is powered by a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 536 hp and 760 Nm of torque to all six wheels, helping the machine reach 100 kph in about six seconds until things maxed out at an electronically limited top speed of 160 kph. This six-wheeled Mercedes-Benz is equipped with not three, but five locking differentials, its 37-inch tyres are 12.5-inches wide and the ground clearance is a mammoth 460mm. Also, the 6×6 is certified to wade through 1000mm of water. Each was priced at over 370,000 GBP!