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On November 13, TKM had suspended 39 members of the union, who, it alleges, were involved in acts of misconduct. They were placed under suspension, pending enquiry. Prior to this, Toyota had declared a lockout at both its plants, located in Bidadi, Karnataka, after the workers called a strike following the suspension of the union’s treasurer early in November

Harley-Davidson to showcase 2021 lineup on January 19

The Harley-Davidson Pan America was first showcased in concept form back that the EICMA show last year. The only thing we know however of the bike is what it will look like and the new engine.

Audi gears up for new A4 launch next month

Audi India had decided to offer vehicles only in petrol and other alternate fuel technologies although it ruled out exiting diesel engines totally when the BS-VI emission norms kicked in from April 1 this year.

Hyundai to unveil Ioniq 5 electric SUV in early 2021

As for the Ioniq 5 itself there are very few details available. We do know that the SUV will get three ‘extras’, features that will be announced alongside that car’s reveal.

Hyundai Motor receives 30,000 bookings for new i20 in 40 days of launch

The company, which is the second largest passenger vehicle maker in the country, said it has already delivered 10,000 units of the model so far.

This week in Auto: Auto demand improving but can production keep up?

Here is the list of all the important events that occurred in the auto sector this week

Tractor industry headed for a bumper finish, set to record best-ever sales

The ongoing protests by farmers, however, could disrupt sales in December. Currently, tractor sales are on track to go past the lifetime record set in 2018. Sales between January and November 2020 stood at 7.4 lakh, whereas the industry ended 2018 with sales of 7.9 lakh tractors

Maruti Suzuki launches online car financing platform 'Smart Finance'

The company is initially launching the platform in 30 cities through its premium car retail chain Nexa, targeting salaried customers with plans to expand its mass market chain Arena and customer base by the fourth quarter of this fiscal.

Long, steady auto demand depends on economy, COVID-19 situation: Maruti Suzuki

"The auto industry was expecting a large decline in consumer interest in terms of bookings and inquiries. Although there has been a decline, it is marginal and certainly not as much as the expectations or the fear that was in the industry," Maruti Suzuki India Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) Shashank Srivastava told reporters in an interaction on Wednesday.

Why India’s top 5 carmakers control 85% of the passenger vehicle market

Riding on launches and brand loyalty, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Kia Motors and Mahindra are dominating India’s passenger vehicle segment, despite the presence of large, recognised global brands such as Renault, Ford, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen. Indeed, market leader Maruti Suzuki managed to retain its share despite not having any launches during the year so far.

TVS Srichakra lines up Rs 1,000 crore cap-ex spread over three-year period

The investment spread over a three-year period would result in 25-30 percent increase in two-three wheeler tyre capacity and also doubling of 'off-highway' tyre at its facilities in Madurai and Pant Nagar, respectively.

Recovery in full speed: Cars, SUVs record best-ever November sales

November saw 4 percent growth in retail sales to little over 2.91 lakh units

Aptera showcases new electric car that may never need to be charged

The new electric vehicle will sport a 100 kWh battery pack, but its USP is the solar roof array. Aptera says the solar-powered car charges up to 45 miles per day and doen’t necessarily use the energy stored in the battery

Why did Maruti Suzuki sales fall in November 2020?

Sales fell by 2.4 percent during the month while the industry grew by 9 percent during the same month. Record low factory inventory and production shortages the factors. Company fears December figures to be even lower.

Partnership with Harley to accelerate premium segment strategy: Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp, which is the leader in the budget bike segment (100-110cc), is also in the process of developing electric two- wheelers for both mass and premium segments.

NGT junks review plea alleging falsification of emission readings by Mercedes Benz

The NGT dismissed the plea saying there is no tangible material to support that there has been violation of law.

The joy of owning an electric vehicle: Here are reviews of five EV owners

The wow factor, the torque and the green number plate... owners of electric cars and two-wheelers share their experience

This week in Auto: Nitin Gadkari speaks his mind once again

Read about what Nitin Gadkari said and other important things that made headlines from the world of automobile during the week gone by.

Hyundai recalls 129,000 US vehicles for engine issue

The recall covers some 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles because connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

OLX merges online brand with offline CashMyCar for seamless car trade-in experience

OLX has announced the launch of an all-new car buying and selling platform called OLX Autos, which will integrate the company’s online portal with its current offline brand CashMyCar

Porsche appoints Manolito Vujicic as head of India operations

Manolito Vujicic would start his tenure from February 2021, following his departure from the position of Porsche Brand President at PAIG (China) Automobile Investment Co in Hangzhou, China, it added.

BMW announces exit from Formula E racing after 2021

BMW entered Formula E back in 2018 and has since claimed a number of wins and podiums. The company has been using Formula E as a 'tech lab' for the development and transfer of technology from racing to mass production. They now claim that tech transfer has all but reached its limits

BMW Gran Coupe 2 Series price in India: Black Shadow Edition launched at Rs 42.3 lakh, only 24 units for sale

BMW Gran Coupe 2 Series price in India: The limited-edition Black Shadow will get mostly aesthetic updates including M Performance parts.

2021 Kawasaki Ninja 250 revealed for Japan; unlikely to make it to India

The Ninja 250, in Japan, gets two new liveries – Metallic Grey and the green KRT edition, and that is all that is new to the bike.

Maruti Suzuki, Toyota likely to jointly develop Creta, Seltos rival from 2022: Report

the new SUV will employ Toyota’s DNGA platform and will measure 4.3m in length. But while the underpinnings will remain identical, just like the Vitara Brezza/Urban Cruiser, the new SUV could feature its own distinctive styling to better tell the brands apart.

Toyota not to manufacture Suzuki Brezza at India plants

In March 2019, the board of Maruti Suzuki cleared proposals to partly source the Brezza compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) from Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM) as a part of the broader non-equity based agreement signed between Suzuki and Toyota in February 2017.

Specs comparison: Nissan Magnite vs Kia Sonet vs Hyundai Venue vs Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Nissan Magnite is the cheapest compact SUV at Rs 4.99 lakh and this fairly justifies the kind of tech it delivers. Most of what you would get on the other SUVs on the list are also available on the Magnite in the higher trim levels.

Mick Schumacher to make F1 debut in 2021; will race for Haas

Mick has signed a multi-year deal and his debut in F1 will mark the 30th anniversary of senior Schumacher’s own entry into the league.

Nissan Magnite priced at Rs 4.99 lakh, cheapest in compact SUV category

Nissan Magnite price in India: Though the prices are introductory and valid till December 31, 2020 the starting price is a full Rs 1.72 lakh less than its nearest rival Kia Sonet

Tesla's Elon Musk not in favour of hostile takeovers

In an email to Tesla staff on December 1, Elon Musk emphasised the need to control spending in order to remain profitable

Porsche Cayenne Coupe Review: The has-it-all SUV

Cayenne Coupe drive: The luxury vehicle ticks the handling, power, off-road capability, looks and practicality boxes.

Car demand in November outshines last year's sales; Maruti Suzuki sees a decline

The seven passenger vehicle (PV) making companies which control 90 percent of the market recorded a growth of 12 percent to 268,050 units, as per data shared by each carmaker

Ashok Leyland sales up 5% in November to 10,659 units

Domestic sales increased 4 percent to 9,727 units as against 9,377 units in November 2019, Ashok Leyland said in a regulatory filing.

Toyota Kirloskar logs 2.4% rise in November sales

"The company has been witnessing a gradual yet steady recovery owing to factors such as pent up and festive season demand as well as the consolidation of the market at the lower end due to increasing preference for personal mobility amongst customers,” TKM Senior Vice President Sales and Service Naveen Soni said in a statement.

Skoda Karoq Review: Is the 5-seater what the Yeti should have always been? 

The Skoda Karoq has all the makings of a popular and premium family car. What, if anything, can hamper its success? 

Bajaj, Pierer Industrie propose to move KTM stake to new holding company

The discussions between the two companies are at a very preliminary stage and this disclosure is being made only by way of abundant caution, Bajaj said today

Toyota launches its new fuel cell sedan, promising better performance and range

A year after presenting its prototype at the Tokyo Autoshow, Toyota is launching its new-generation Mirai, a pioneering vehicle model in hydrogen fuel cell energy. With better performance and longer range, this new Mirai will roll out in European dealerships through mid-2021.

Exclusive: Bajaj, KTM parent firm restart talks on stake transfer

Bajaj Auto holds 48% in the Austrian bike maker. The discussions are being held between Bajaj Auto International Holding BV, the Netherlands-based subsidiary, and Pierer Industrie AG, the parent company of Pierer Mobility AG.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 review: Our favourite Royal Enfield

Of course, you have the rivals like the Jawa, Benelli Imperiale 400 and the new Honda H’ness CB350, but these bikes rival the Classic 350 more closely.

2020 Audi RS7 review: Can it be your ultimate everyday car?

A look at whether this 600hp, four-door torpedo strikes the right balance between being enthralling, engaging and practical.

This week in Auto: Government plans 69,000 charging kiosks at fuel pumps

Here is the complete look at what else made headlines during the week

US agency opens probe into 115,000 Tesla vehicles over suspension issue

The auto safety regulator said it was opening a preliminary evaluation into 2015-2017 Model S and 2016-2017 Model X vehicles after receiving 43 complaints alleging failure of the left or right front suspension fore links.

TVS Motor Company launches AR app for A.R.I.V.E for customers

Currently, the app is capable of only showcasing the flagship models, the Apache RR 310 and the Apache RTR 200 4V, but the entire lineup is expected to be updated at a later time.

Nissan India announces expansion of dealership, service station network

The expansion is in line with the Nissan NEXT strategy to prioritize and invest in the Indian market for sustainable growth, the company said in a release.

Royal Enfield Classic 350: New colours, more customisation options now on offer

The two new colour options give the Classic 350 a more youthful look, and the company has also introduced a range of customisation options using the Make it Yours programme.

Kawasaki ZX-10R and ZX-10RR unveiled; India launch expected in 2021

The Kawasaki H2 series of bikes belong in the top class of motorcycles, and while the ZX-10 bikes were sharp themselves, the company has decided to make the smaller sibling ride more in line with the bigger bikes.

Should car companies follow Indian standards for crash tests or those of pvt agencies, asks Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava

He was responding to tests done by Global NCAP, a UK-based agency. While many Indian firms like M&M and Tata Motors fared well in these tests, Maruti did not perform well. Tata Motors then posted many sarcastic tweets on Maruti.

HMSI launches special edition of Activa 6G to mark 20 years of scooter brand in India

Celebrating the success of Activa’s 20-years unparalleled journey of leadership and trust of over two crore Indian customers, the company has launched the special 20th-anniversary edition of Activa 6G, HMSI said in a statement.

Toyota Etios marks 10th anniversary next month: A look at the company’s ambition during the launch, and where it stands now

Toyota launched the Etios in 2010, with the aim of increasing its share in Indian car market from 3% to 10% by 2015. Today, its market share is still around 3-3.5%. With most models failing, the company is sticking around, pinning hopes on India’s move towards electric mobility over the next few decades.

Mahindra Thar scores four stars in Global NCAP crash ratings

The ratings are based on the offset frontal crash test at 64 km/h and while the report stated that the bodyshell itself was stable and capable of further loading, the footwell area was unstable.