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Gopala Rao Uppala Appointed as CTO of EV Manufacturer Etrio

Jayashankar Menon ETRIO, Gopala Rao Uppala 0 Comment November 17, 2022

The Hyderabad based cargo EV Original Equipment Manufacturer, Etrio Automobiles Private Limited has announced the appointment of Gopala Rao Uppala as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). A veteran EV engineering leader, Uppala has close to two decades of industry experience and expertise spanning across EV Architecture Design, Electric Motor Design and Development, EV Powertrains, Battery Pack Design and Development, Product Design and Lifecycle Management and Vehicle Integration.

**Gopala Rao Uppala is the new CTO of EV Manufacturer Etrio.**

In his new role as Etrio’s CTO, Uppala will be leading the company’s comprehensive technology roadmap for enabling next-gen EV products. Furthermore, he will be guiding and leading the technology teams at Etrio to provide full-stack of tech-enabled solutions across the company’s product portfolio in a bid to accelerate the adoption of reliable and intelligent products designed for manufacturability and serviceability for better operational economics and enhanced customer delight. Prior to joining Etrio, Gopala has anchored strategic product engineering initiatives to support the growth objectives of several global auto majors like Ashok Leyland, VE Commercial Vehicles (a Volvo Group and Eicher Motors Joint Venture), General Motors and Force Motors, where he led vehicle engineering and EV architecture.

**Kalyan C Korimerla, Co-Promoter and MD of Etrio**

Wile reacting to the appointment of Uppala as CTO, Kalyan C Korimerla, Managing Director & Co-Promoter, Etrio said: “We are delighted to onboard Gopala Rao Uppala into the core management team at Etrio. EV products in near future will combine the power of intelligent tech with superior engineering methodologies and therein lies our leverage. As a leading EV OEM focused on ground-up EV design and bolstering the ecosystem, we are leveraging emerging technology and data analytics to improve operational efficiencies and experience for our customers. We aim to bring digital transformation firsts to the EV industry in the years to come, and to that end, believe Gopala Rao will help us give form to our product-tech roadmap.”

**Hyderabad Based EV Manufacturer ETRIO.**

On joining Etrio, Uppala said: “I am thrilled to be joining Etrio as its CTO. Given the company’s laser-sharp focus on data and tech-driven product innovation, I am certain that I shall be able to contribute to Etrio’s growth story in the near future. I am looking forward to introducing new tech innovations and features to Etrio’s existing product portfolio, as well as simultaneously designing new products with cutting-edge technology at its core, thereby raising the bar for Etrio’s vehicles and enabling the company’s continued success in the EV-logistics segment in India.”

An alumnus of IIM-Kozhikode and a Post Graduate in Automobile Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Gopala has, through the last decade of his career, anchored strategic product engineering initiatives across various companies to support their growth objectives. On the other hand, Etrio is a tech-driven EV-maker with the vision to “lead cargo fleet electrification”, that creates vehicles used in cargo and logistics designed to address the last mile applications of its customers in e-commerce, logistics, FMCG, farm-to-fork, waste management, and other retail applications.

Founded in 2017, Etrio is an EV OEM with the vision to ‘lead cargo fleet electrification’ making electric cargo vehicles used in logistics. Etrio is transforming the environment, lives, and businesses and driving EV adoption at scale in the country. Today, the company’s product portfolio has a wide range of electric vehicles across payloads ranging from 350 kg to 700 kg across three and four-wheeler segments.

Etrio introduced India’s first certified electric light commercial vehicle and Country’s first FAME certified Three-Wheeler in the L5 category. Its EVs are currently operating at global companies such as Amazon, IKEA, Big Basket, Reliance JioMart, FlipKart/Walmart, and Nestle, to name a few.

Etrio creates superior customer experiences by leveraging its practical insights and a deeper understanding of how EV cargo performance can be made better. Etrio’s learnings stem from extensive experience and data insights gathered from pioneering retrofitment (ICE to EV conversion) in India.

Etrio’s vehicles have cumulatively accumulated approximately 5 million in-service kms., thereby enabling the company to constantly learn from important data points on the performance of various key parameters of the vehicles in real-world use-cases. The company is now committed to building AI-driven reliable and intelligent products for optimized supply chain planning, better operational economics and enhanced customer delight.

Automobile News/ Award News/ Breaking News/ Business News/ Featured/ Tyre News

Deming Prize For Apollo Tyres’ Chennai Manufacturing Plant

Jayashankar Menon Apollo Tyres Chennai Plant, Deming Prize 0 Comment November 17, 2022

Apollo Tyres, one of the leading automotive tyre manufactures have announced that it’s manufacturing plant in Chennai has been awarded with the prestigious Deming Prize.

*C. Thomas Mathew, Unit Head, Apollo Tyre (Left) receiving the Deming Prize.*

The Chennai unit is the largest tyre manufacturing facilities in Asia and Deming is one of the highest awards on Total quality Management (TQM). C. Thomas Mathew, Unit Head, Chennai Plant, Apollo Tyres received the coveted Deming Prize from the Deming Prize Committee in Tokya, Japan on November 14, 2022.

Considered to be a gold standard of quality, the Deming Prize was bestowed upon Apollo Tyre’s production facility for achieving outstanding performance by practicing TQM, in addition to utilising statistical concepts and methodologies based on the company’s excellent business philosophy and leadership.

Sathish Sharma, President – Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres, while speaking about winning the Deming Prize said: “We are honoured to receive the prestigious Deming Prize. In keeping with our resolve towards customer centricity and business excellence, we committed to the TQM journey more than a decade ago. The Deming Prize is a testimony of our relentless effort and ability to deliver the best in terms of quality and experience to our customers.”

Deming Prize is the oldest and most widely recognised award given to organisations that have established customer-oriented business objectives and strategies and implemented TQM to achieve them. These awards are sponsored by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers, and since 1951, when it was instituted, is the gold standard all around the world.

*Apollo Tyres’ Chennai Manufacturing Plant receives the prestigious Japanese Deming Prize.*

Highly automated and equipped with advanced manufacturing practices, Apollo Tyres’ Chennai Plant is servicing multiple Indian and global OEMs. The tyre manufacturing plant of Apollo is built over 128 acres and has the capacity to produce around 850 metric tonnes of tyres a day. This plant has seen an investment to the tune of Rs. 5,000 crore till date and produces high end radial tyres for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Automobile News/ Breaking News/ COVID-19 News/ CSR News

COVID-19: Royal Enfield contributes Rs.2 crore towards TN Disaster Relief fund

Jayashankar Menon COVID-19, MK Stalin, Royal Enfield, Royal Enfield CSR, Tamil Nadu Disaster Relief Fund, Vinod K Dasari 0 Comment June 9, 2021

As part of corporate social responsibility, the Chennai-based two-wheeler manufacturer Royal Enfield, part of Eicher Group has contributed Rs.2 crore to the Tamil Nadu Disaster Reief Fund on June 8, 2021 amidst ongoing initiatives towards COVID-19 pandemic support in the state.

***COVID-19: Royal Enfield contributes Rs.2 crore towards TN Disaster Relief Fund.***

Vinod K Dasari, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Enfield met the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin at the General Secretariat and presented a cheque of Rs.2 crore for COVID-19 relief work undertaken by the State Government in the presence of MP, RS Bharathi, Plant Head G Rajagopal and Head of Plant HR Dr. Arul Anand Prabhu.

Speaking about the CSR, Dasari said: “Tamil Nadu is the home of Royal Enfield motorcycles and we are committed to support the State in all its efforts to combat the devastating second wave of the pandemic. Our commitment to extend support to the state government today is being accompanied by a host of initiatives that Royal Enfield is undertaking in the region to extend relief to the community. We continue to assess the situation closely and will undertake any further steps required to extend further support towards relief and rehabilitation efforts in the long run.”

Achievers News/ Automobile News/ Truck News

Abutani Trucking achieves milestone of delivering 1000 BharatBenz trucks in North East

Jayashankar Menon Abutani Trucking, BharatBenz, DIVC, Karabi Doley, Rajaram Krishnamurthy 0 Comment March 24, 2021

Abutani Trucking, the authorised dealer of BharatBenz trucks in Assam since 2017, celebrated a sales milestone of delivering 1000 BharatBenz trucks to its patrons in the North East. BharatBenz tankers and mining applications are widely favoured in the region thanks to their reputation for safety and best-in-class features.

***Abutani Trucking achieves milestone of delivering 1000 BharatBenz trucks in North East***

The sales milestone is a testament to growing customer faith and confidence in BharatBenz products. Abutani Trucking provides sales and service for the complete range of 9-49 tonne BharatBenz trucks.

Speaking on the new milestone, Rajaram Krishnamurthy, Vice President, Marketing , Sales & Customer Service at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) said: “We are delighted to congratulate Abutani Trucking on their delivery of 1000 BharatBenz trucks. The North East region has a high demand for tipper trucks and that has helped us increase our market penetration. With a product portfolio offering best-in-class features, excellent safety, swift servicing, and smooth driving, BharatBenz is quickly becoming the CV manufacturer of choice.”

Karabi Doley, Dealer Principal, Abutani Trucking, said: “Abutani Trucking has always strived to offer world-class products and unmatched customer experience. We extend our gratitude to all our customers for their immense faith in us and BharatBenz products. We have been increasing our service set-up as the volume base for BharatBenz trucks increases in the north East. We are also planning upcoming set-ups in Dibrugarh, Barpeta and Numaligarh.”

Growing PAN-India network with customer-focused features and services DICV continues to invest in the expansion of its presence across the country. In the North East, Abutani Trucking is present in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura.

It may be recalled that in 2020, DICV inaugurated ten new dealerships in a single day, taking total touchpoints beyond 250 and increasing servicing capacity by 13,000 vehicles a year. BharatBenz has set a benchmark in providing a highly skilled and experienced workforce to every sales and service touchpoint in the pan-India network. The trained manpower understands the diverse needs of the customers and provides impeccable onsite services. It comes well equipped with high productivity tools, advanced guided diagnostics, and mobile service vans. The dealerships offer a series of advanced services like cashless zero-depreciation insurance, full maintenance contracts, extended warranty, 24×7 roadside assistance, vehicle tracking systems, and driver training.

Automobile News/ Breaking News/ Business News

2021 Ford Trends Report: Consumers Resilient and Adaptive Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

Jayashankar Menon 2021 Automotive Trends, 2021 Ford Trends Report, COVID-19, Sherryl Connelly 0 Comment January 13, 2021

2020 has been a year no one saw coming. COVID-19 has wrought economic, political and emotional chaos, testing the limits of individuals, families, healthcare systems and whole sectors of societies.

***2021 Ford Trends Report: Consumers Resilient and Adaptive Amid Covid-19 Pandemic***

Yet as the ninth annual Looking Further with Ford Trends Report* highlights, the global pandemic also reveals just how resilient people can be in finding ways to cope and adapt.

***Sherryl Connelly, Ford Motor Company. Image Credits: Ford Motor Company.***

Sheryl Connelly, Global Consumer Trends and Futuring Manager for Ford Motor Company said: “As we barrel into 2021 and look forward to a post-pandemic world, it’s clear that the changes brought about by COVID-19 have changed us – but to what degree? Ford and other companies are keenly interested to know what changes will stick long after COVID is in our rearview mirror. And while no one can predict the future, that doesn’t mean we can’t prepare for it.”

In a global survey of 14 countries, 69% of respondents say they are overwhelmed by the changes they see taking place in the world. When asked how well they have adapted to the changes during the pandemic, 53 % say adapting has been “harder than I imagined,” while 47% say it has been “easier than I imagined.” Younger generations have taken it harder than their older peers: 63 % of Gen Zers say adapting has been harder than they imagined, vs. 42 percent of Boomers who say the same.

The 2021 Ford Trends Report examines these changing patterns in consumer behaviour and attitudes around the globe to help decision makers understand how these shifts may influence our world in 2021 and beyond. Other trends highlighted in the report include:

Pressure Points:

Worldwide, anxiety is high — fueled by fears of contracting COVID-19 and concerns about the pandemic’s impact on communities, employment, education and more. 63 percent of adults globally say they feel more stressed than they did a year ago, and 4 in 5 say they should take better care of their emotional wellbeing. Acutely aware of the implications of the pandemic on mental health, people are finding innovative ways to cope and connect.

Time to Escape:

“What day is it?” has become a common refrain as the demarcations between work and life disappear. To beat back the monotony of the pandemic and the confines of home, consumers are looking for new ways to escape – and many are seeking refuge in their vehicles. More than 1 in 4 adults globally who own a vehicle say they use their vehicle to relax. Close to 1 in 5 say they use their vehicle to find privacy. And 17% say they use it as a place to work.

The Company You Keep:

The pandemic has put a spotlight on consumer’s need for companionship and reshaped their sense of family. Loneliness is pervasive across the globe—one in two people say they feel lonely on a regular basis. Younger generations feel this most acutely: Gen Zers are nearly 2x as likely to say they feel lonely on a regular basis as Boomers (64% versus 34%). As a result, many are reconsidering where they live, moving closer to family, and finding companionship in new ways – online and off.

· Minding the Gap: Worldwide, gaps in inequality and inequity loom large – particularly as the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on low-income communities, ethnic minorities and women. As consumers become more aware of the divide, brands are stepping up as activists and entrepreneurs. 76% of adults globally say they expect brands to take a stand on social issues – and 75% say they think brands today are trying to do the right thing.

Good Buy:

Amid the pandemic, how we buy – and what we seek to buy – has transformed. Companies big and small are adapting at blazing speed – and many consumers are embracing and enjoying the new normal. 75 percent of adults globally say they appreciate the ways in which companies have improved the shopping experience since the pandemic began – and 41% say they don’t want to go back to the way they shopped before the pandemic.

Traffic Detour:

The pandemic may have you feeling stuck, but we are not at a standstill – personal transportation is flourishing. Motorcycle sales have soared and cities have shut down streets to make space for cyclists. Car sales have boomed as people seek security in knowing they can control their environment. And smart city planning is accelerating the way for fully implemented autonomous driving. 67% of adults globally say they are “hopeful about the future of autonomous vehicles,” and 68% of parents say they’d rather see their children ride in a self-driving car than with a stranger.

Sustaining Sustainability:

In the early days of the pandemic, air quality emerged as a possible silver lining to the worldwide lockdown, but that optimism quickly diminished as the world retreated to plastics and other disposables – making it clear that being sustainable and staying sustainable are not always in lockstep. Younger generations are particularly concerned: 46% of Gen-Z-ers globally say the pandemic has made us more wasteful – and 47% say that long-term, the pandemic will have a negative impact on the environment.

Automobile News/ Breaking News/ Business News/ Electric Vehicles News

Hero Electric launch City Speed E-Bikes priced at Rs.57,560

Jayashankar Menon Hero Electric City Speed, Sohinder Gill 0 Comment October 15, 2020

India’s Largest Electric two-wheeler company, Hero Electric announced the launch of an all-new segment called ‘City Speed’ catering exclusively to the city commuters.

***Hero Electric launch City Speed E-Bikes priced at Rs.57,560***

City Speed E Bikes offer higher cruising speed and gradeability to easily ride on the flyovers and slopes. Hero’s city speed scooters are therefore a perfect combination of performance and price giving the best value for money to a discerning customer.

As part of the ‘City Speed’ portfolio, Hero Electric will introduce three new E Bikes of its popular electric scooters i.e. Optima-hx, Nyx-hx, and Photon-hx. The new E Bikes will be available in 500+ Hero Electric dealerships across 25 states in India. The e-scooters will be priced from INR 57,560 making them the most affordable electric two-wheelers in the category. In some places like Delhi there will an additional subsidy to further bring down the prices.

The company believes in transforming the way the country commutes and is now bringing to its customers the perfect two-wheeler to navigate through the city at least running cost and huge savings in the “total cost of ownership”. It is Hero Electric’s endeavour of making the country greener and to be the best in ‘Zero Pollution’ transportation in the country through its wide range of Electric Vehicles is supported by their Mission “No Emission”.

Commenting on the announcement, Sohinder Gill, CEO, Hero Electric India said, The current E bike market is polarised with bikes available in low speed, very low price or high speed, very high prices. After years of research we have developed electrical power trains that have ‘best in class’ efficiencies, using the least amount of battery power, giving adequate pickup and speeds to go in tandem with the speed of traffic on our city roads. Using these power trains we have now launched a new range of bikes starting at Rs.57,560 that have a comfortable driving range from 70 km to 200 km. These bikes are so designed to give enough power and punch and great economy without stressing the batteries, resulting in high range per charge and very long life of the batteries.

Hero Electric scooters are a perfect match for people who want to switch to clean and green mobility. With options ranging from lightweight to city speed to high-speed performance scooters, the brand offers both, first-time buyers and enthusiasts a variety of scooters to choose from. The city speed E Bikes of Optima, Nyx, and Photon packs range, reliability, performance, and comfort. Hero Electric’s products are gender agnostic with designs that can blend into anyone’s lifestyle and offer last-mile connectivity at minimal cost and zero emissions.

Hero Electric’s proposition is in line with the government’s vision to promote and foster the adoption of electric mobility in India. The company will further invest in R&D to introduce technologically advanced products that India needs in order to make the switch from ICE vehicles.

HERO ELECTRIC is one of the oldest and India’s Largest Electric two-wheeler company and has been at the forefront of the electric 2-wheeler industry. The company’s manufacturing unit is in Ludhiana and it sells a wide range of electric scooters. Hero Electric currently has around 610 sales and service outlets spread across the country. It has a lot of firsts in the industry ranging from developing and launching the first lithium ion based electric scooter in India to launching the unique concept of charging stations for anywhere, everywhere charging. With close to 3 lakhs electric two-wheelers in India, the company has been delivering sustainable travel solutions from the past 12 years and counting & has played a very important role in developing the EV market in the country.

Automobile News/ Breaking News/ Business News/ Car News

Kia Motors celebrates India foray in style with the launch of Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition

Jayashankar Menon Kia Motors, Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition, Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition India 0 Comment October 15, 2020

Kia Motors India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation, today launched the Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition to celebrate its one-year milestone in India.

***Kia Motors celebrate first anniversary of its foray into the Indian market with the launch of Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition car***

The limited edition Kia Seltos will be available exclusively in the HTX trim starting at an exciting price of INR 13,75,000 (ex-showroom, pan India). The Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition comes with many exterior and interior changes over the regular Seltos including Tusk Shape Skid plate with Silver Diffuser fins, Tangerine Fog Lamp Bezel, 17” Raven Black Alloy Wheels with Tangerine Centre cap, Black One tone Interiors, Raven Black Leatherette Seats with Honeycomb Pattern and more, making it more rugged, stylish and distinctive. This edition of the Seltos comes equipped with Remote Engine Start for Manual Transmission; also, the length of this car is increased by 60mm over the regular Seltos. The Seltos Anniversary Edition will be available in four exterior colours: one monotone Aurora Black Pearl colour, and three dual tone colour schemes – Glacier White Pearl with Aurora Black Pearl, Steel Silver with Aurora Black Pearl and Gravity Grey with Aurora Black Pearl.

Commenting on the occasion, Kookhyun Shim, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kia Motors India said “The launch of Seltos in 2019 laid a strong foundation for Kia as a brand in the country. The Kia Seltos with its premium features, distinctive design, supreme quality, powerful engine options and addictive performance set new benchmarks and redefined the mid-SUV segment. Carefully designed to meet all the unmet demands of mid-SUV buyers in India, Kia Seltos became an instant hit and a runaway success. Today, we are extremely excited to launch the Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition which not only celebrates its success in the country but also the love that we have received from our customers in India.”

***Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition launched in India, commemorating one year presence in India.***

Price

Ex-showroom prices (in INR):

Engine	Variant	Price (Rs.)
Smartstream Petrol 1.5	Anniversary Edition 6MT	13,75,000
Smartstream Petrol 1.5	Anniversary Edition IVT	14,75,000
Diesel1.5 CRDi VGT	Anniversary Edition 6MT	14,85,000

Specifications

Kia Seltos has been a significant product which altered the way automotive design is perceived in India. To celebrate the design prowess of the Seltos, the Anniversary Edition comes with Tusk Shape Front Skid plate with Silver Diffuser fins, Raven Black Rear Skid Plate with Silver Diffuser fins, Tangerine Fog Lamp Bezel, Tangerine Dual Muffler Design, Side Sill with tangerine inserts & Seltos Logo, 17” Raven Black Alloy Wheels and Tangerine Centre Wheel Cap giving it a rugged and adventurous appearance, highlighting its badass nature.

The interior of the anniversary edition Seltos is accentuated with Black One tone interiors and the Raven Black Leatherette Seats with Honeycomb Pattern gives this car a sturdier look from inside as well. On the exterior, the Seltos Anniversary Edition gets an increase in length by 60 mm compared to the regular Seltos and this adds to the robust character of the vehicle. Additionally, the proud owners of this special edition Seltos will be able to flaunt this exclusive car as it also sports a ‘1st Anniversary Edition’ Badge at the rear. The Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition is available in both petrol and diesel engines – a versatile Smartstream Petrol 1.5 paired with six-speed manual and IVT transmissions, and an efficient Diesel1.5 CRDi VGT paired with a six-speed manual.

Total Disruption

With the runaway success of the Seltos, Kia Motors India completely disrupted the Indian automobile industry. The company has introduced this special edition to celebrate the incredible achievement of the Seltos with several enhancements to the car. Kia Seltos has been a revolutionary product in terms of design and quality that transformed the mid SUV segment in the country with its class leading offering and category busting features. Kia Seltos has received a tremendous response from customers across the country and has marked 1 Lakh unit sales in less than a year’s time. Specifically made keeping in mind the needs of young-at-heart and tech-savvy customers in India, the Seltos has constantly been one of the top-selling mid-SUVs in the country delivering unparalleled customer delight.
In April 2017, Kia Motors signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, to build a new manufacturing facility in Anantapur District and completed and commenced the mass production in August 2019.

***Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition launched in India, marking it’s presence for the last one year.***

The manufacturing facility has an annual production capacity of approximately 300,000 units. Kia Motors India has launched two vehicles for Indian market – The Seltos and The Carnival and has made a mark in India with product and service quality and reliability. The Seltos, establishing itself as a trusted product by brand Kia, has crossed 100,000 sales milestone in just one year of its sales period. Kia Motors is globally known to make quality vehicles which address the gaps in the automotive market and Seltos too have won many accolades in India. Tasting initial success, third product of Kia Motors India the Sonet has secured 6523 bookings on the first day of commencement of pre-bookings. In April 2020, Kia’s two global products Telluride and Soul EV have bagged world’s most prestigious automotive awards – The World Car of the Year and The Urban Car of the Year respectively at the WCOTY 2020. Kia Motors India has the widespread network of 265 customer touchpoints, in 160 cities across Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities in India.

Automobile News/ Breaking News/ Business News

Kia Sonet Compact SUV officially rendered in India

Jayashankar Menon Karim Habib, Kia Sonet Compact SUV 0 Comment July 24, 2020

Kia Motors India, the wholly owned arm of Kia Motors Corporation yesterday officially rendered its new production ready compact SUV, Kia Sonet.

***Kia Sonet Compact SUV officially rendered in India***

The official rendering Kia Sonet, targeted at youthful and spirited buyers, with its sophisticated modern design, fascinating features and unmatched sense of dynamism. The official rendering of showcased Kia Sonet’s bold, powerful and distinctive design DNA, in addition to the corroboration of a new design benchmark in the compact SUV class. The Kia Sonet concept was unveiled for the first time at the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo and received widespread acclaim. The Kia Sonet is aiming at setting new design benchmarks and inject a new dynamism in the compact SUV segment.

Kia’s rendering of the Sonet emphasize the brand’s dynamic DNA, merging emotive design with a premium and youthful appeal to create a strong on-road presence. The bold design of the compact SUV combines Kia’s signature design traits, such as the prominent ‘tiger nose’ grille, with a three-dimensional ‘stepwell’ geometric grille mesh for a strong visual impression. Its aggressive stance indicates its rugged appeal, while showcasing the car’s India-inspired influences in Kia’s signature grille.

***Karim Habib, Senior Vice President, Kia Motors India.***

Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Design Centre at Kia Motors Corporation said: “With the new Kia Sonet, we had the ambition to give this compact SUV a strong and muscular character found only in much larger vehicles. With this in mind, we have designed what we believe is a great SUV with a uniquely sporty attitude, a confident stance and a dynamic silhouette. We also gave the new Kia Sonet an uncompromising attention to detail and a selection of colors and materials that could have only be inspired by the great cultural heritage that our designers found all over India. As a whole we believe the new Kia Sonet will be a fantastic SUV with a very compelling and attaching character to our young and young at heart, always connected customers in India and beyond.”

With its brand slogan of ‘The Power to Surprise’, Kia Motors India strives to identify and fulfil unmet needs and desires of customers in order to offer an unparalleled ownership experience, as seen with the recent launch of Seltos and Carnival in the market. Upon launch, the Sonet will stand out not only due to its eye-catching design, but also with its excellent build quality, class-leading features, connectivity innovations, choice of powertrains, and comprehensive safety equipment.

In April 2017, Kia Motors signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, to build a new manufacturing facility in Anantapur District. Construction of Kia Motors’ first manufacturing facility in India has been completed and commenced the mass production in August 2019. The manufacturing facility has an annual production capacity of approximately 300,000 units. Kia Motors has made a mark in India with its first product – the Seltos establishing itself as a trusted brand with record bookings of 6,046 on the first day of bookings. Kia Motors India has the widespread network of 265 customer’s touchpoints, in 160 cities across Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities in India.

Automobile News/ Breaking News/ Featured

Ducati Museum to be reopened on July 4, 2020

Jayashankar Menon 0 Comment July 3, 2020

On Saturday July 4, 2020 on the same date that the Italian motorcycle factory was founded 94 years ago, the Ducati Museum and the Fisica in Moto educational laboratory of the Borgo Panigale factory will reopen their doors to visitors, after the forced stop due to the health emergency.

***Ducati Museum to be reopened on July 4, 2020***

The reopening will be gradual. Until September 30, 2020 the visit to the Ducati Museum and the educational laboratory will be limited to Saturday and Sunday, with the exception of the weeks from August 3-9, 2020 and from August 17-23 when visits on weekdays will also be possible. A single ticket will be available for visitors at the special price of € 25, which includes admission to the Museum and a guided tour of the Fisica in Moto Laboratory, a truly unique opportunity to discover the history of the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer and the laws of physics applied to the world of motors. Visits to the factory remain suspended for safety reasons, but a new virtual tour will be soon available on the Ducati.com website which allows visitors to go inside the production lines.

Social Distancing

In line with the safety regulations against the spread of Covid-19, access to the facilities will be allowed for a maximum of 7 people per turn and after booking and purchasing the ticket on the website ducati.com/ww/en/borgo-panigale-experience. Visits are scheduled every 15 minutes from 9.00 am to 18.00. For the entire period of stay within the company area it will be necessary to always keep social distancing of at least 1 metre and it is mandatory to wear a surgical mask. In the event that the visitor does not have one, it will be provided by the Museum staff. In order to ensure greater availability for visitors and avoid gatherings, the maximum duration of the visit is one and a half hours (45 minutes at the Museum and 45 minutes at the Fisica in Moto Laboratory).

New experiences to discover the territory

It will also be possible to combine a visit to the Ducati Museum and the educational laboratory with the new ‘experiences’ that the Ducati Museum staff offers visitors. These are options, in any case related to the visit of the Museum and of Fisica in Moto, which are divided into two types of proposals that aim to discover the history, tradition and beauty of the Emilia-Romagna area of which Ducati is one of the most representative brands. The proposed itineraries can be done in one day, visiting Bologna riding one of the new Ducati e-bikes, accompanied by E-xplora guides certified by the National MTB Academy. Or by motorbike, divided over several days, independently but with the possibility of following an expressly designed itinerary, renting a Ducati to travel in the beauty of the Apennine landscape or experience the Romagna Riviera, reaching it through alternative roads and routes that can be enjoyed on the motorcycle

Here are the proposals:

E-bike: Bologna by E-xplora – a short and a longer tour to visit the city centre of Bologna, its historical monuments and the Bolognese hills on a Ducati Scrambler e-bike in one day. In both tours visitors will be accompanied by an E-xplora certified National MTB Academy guide. The cost of the city centre tour is € 65, with the city centre and Bologna hills tour € 85, Ducati Scrambler e-bike rental and guide included. For those who so desire, there is also an opportunity to have lunch at the Ducati Scrambler Food Factory in Bologna.

Motorbike: Mid-Reno and Savena Valley – a perfect route for a motorbike tour, to discover the ancient history of the Bolognese Apennines and its waters along two legendary roads: the “Porrettana” and the “Futa”. From the Ducati Museum, in fact, you can easily take the “Porrettana”, the road between Bologna and Pistoia built in the crucial years of our country, between the wars that brought about the independence and the unification of Italy. To be done independently or by renting a motorcycle at the Ducati Factory Store (price list for motorcycle and clothing rental on the Ducati website).

Motorbike: The Stradelli Guelfi. From the Middle Ages to the origins of Romagna motorcycling, from Baracca and Taglioni, to Cervia and Cesenatico, the origins of the Mototemporada Romagnola – the Stradelli Guelfi route represents an intelligent alternative to go to the seaside, avoiding the daily summer traffic heading for the destinations of the Romagna Riviera and retracing the roads that tell the origins of motorcycling in the region. An authentic example of a “slow ride”, the Stradelli cover the stretch of Romagna that arrives at the Riviera of Ravenna, immersed in the colourful countryside. To be done independently or by renting a motorcycle at the Ducati Factory Store (price list for motorcycle and clothing rental on the Ducati website).

To learn more about the stages of the different routes go on the Ducati website. For information and reservations, write directly to the Ducati Museum reception service: accreditamento.visitatori@ducati.com.

Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. – A Sole Shareholder Company – A Company subject to the Management and Coordination activities of AUDI AG. Founded in 1926, since 1946 Ducati has been manufacturing sport-inspired motorcycles characterised by high-performance Desmodromic engines, innovative design and cutting-edge technology. With its factory located in Bologna’s Borgo Panigale district. The model range covers several market segments with the following families: Diavel, XDiavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, SuperSport and Panigale. In 2015 Ducati presented the Ducati Scrambler: a new brand made of bikes, accessories and apparel that that stands out for its creativity and self-expression.

In 2017, Ducati has presented the Panigale V4, the first Ducati production bike to mount a four-cylinder engine derived directly from the Desmosedici GP engine. Ducati iconic motorcycles, together with an extensive range of bike accessories and technical and lifestyle apparel, are distributed in 90 countries worldwide. In 2019 Ducati delivered 53,183 bikes to customers, consolidating its sales over the 50,000-bike threshold for the fifth year running. Ducati competes in both the World Superbike and MotoGP World Championships. In Superbike, Ducati has won 17 Manufacturers’ titles and 14 Riders’ titles. Ducati has been competing in MotoGP since 2003, winning both the Manufacturers’ and Riders’ titles in 2007.

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Hero Electric forge alliance with Punjab Government to support EV Infrastructure

Jayashankar Menon EV Hub, Government of Punja, Hero Electric, Naveen Munjal 0 Comment December 8, 2019

India’s biggest electric vehicle brand, Hero Electric today announced its collaboration with the Government of Punjab to support and develop the EV infrastructure in the state.

***Hero Electric forge alliance with Punjab Government to support EV Infrastructure***

The E2W brand will work in conjunction with the government to attract existing and potential players to invest in the state as part of their e-mobility vision. Through this partnership, the state aims at appealing to manufacturers to not just make in India but, make in Punjab.

Hero Electric recently announced an investment of INR 700 crore in its R&D, model portfolio, dealer network, localization and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ludhiana.

Hero Electric has played a major role in India’s goal towards electric mobility and has been an integral part in appealing people to adopt a zero-emission and eco-friendly way of life. As a part of this partnership with the Punjab government, Hero Electric wants to further strengthen its role as a leader in the space by investing in Punjab to develop the state as the EV Hub of India.

The Government of Punjab has proactively encouraged electric mobility and development of infrastructure with lucrative incentives and other beneficial schemes for ease of business, which has helped in the growth of the overall E2W industry. Punjab offers net GST reimbursement for 7 years up to 100% FC, employment subsidy of up to Rs. 48,000 per year for 5 years and being one of the most well-connected states in India it also offers ease of logistics among others, which make it appealing to the existing as well as potential electric vehicle manufacturers. Additionally, Punjab has robust connectivity and proximity to OEM Clusters in NCR, Haryana and Rajasthan, which account for 60% of India’s total production of two-wheeler segment. This will further help in making driving down the transportation costs of the existing and new businesses.

Commenting on the collaboration, Naveen Munjal, MD, Hero Electric said “When I look back, I realize that it was the right decision to set up our first plant in Ludhiana, Punjab. The state has always supported us in all our endeavors, and we have found the right partner in them. The fact that has always enabled Punjab to be ahead of other states, is the its readiness to embrace and promote e-mobility in the state and the number of incentives offered to attract investment from existing and new businesses. I am sure, Hero Electric and the state of Punjab can together make a considerable difference and lead the e-mobility in the country.”

Hero Electric recently announced the commencement of its #CodeGreen campaign to highlight the importance of e-mobility in the conservation of environment. CODE GREEN aims to celebrate the users of Zero Emission, Zero Fuel, Hero Electric Scooter and be seen as the Hero they are and what better way to stand out than be seen sporting your contribution in a crowd full of grey and black. Under this umbrella campaign, Hero Electric also inaugurated its green helmet initiative and handed over green helmets to the proud owners of Hero Electric e-scooters, the ‘Eco Heroes’ – ambassadors for clean and green mobility. The brand plans to drive this message further and promote #CodeGreen by partnering up with media houses, government and environment evangelists to spread the benefits and use-case for electric vehicles in India through various on-ground and digital activities.

Hero Electric will continue to innovate in this space and lead electric mobility in the country. Hero Electric plans to take the 615 touchpoints presently to 1000 by end of 2020 and make the brand accessible even in the most interior parts of the country. The company has aggressive investment plans in the next three years to ramp up production capacity of its electric scooters to 5 lakh units annually, with a focus on low-speed scooters for last mile connectivity.

About Hero Electric India:

HERO ELECTRIC is a pioneer of electric mobility and the largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer in India. The company has set up a manufacturing unit at Ludhiana, Punjab, with a total installed capacity of 100,000 units per annum. Hero Electric currently has over 610 sales and service outlets spread across the country, including top metros, min-metros, and even smaller towns.

Hero Electric launched the first Lithium-ion based electric scooter in India and introduced the unique concept of charging stations for anywhere and everywhere usage. With close to 300,000 electric two-wheelers in India, the company has been delivering sustainable mobility solutions for the past 12 years. It continues to play a significant role in developing the EV market in the country.

Hero Electric has been at the forefront of the electric two-wheeler revolution in India and encourages all to switch to electric mobility. It is committed to its philosophy of the #SmartMove by actively working towards generating awareness to curb air pollution through the umbrella campaign #CodeGreen.

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