Continue reading “WAF Gurus Live 21 Managing Teams & Businesses amidst the Second Wave “
The electric-car maker in January registered a local company in India, where it is expected to import and sell the Model 3 sedan by as early as mid-2021, seeking to target rich customers in a niche market.
The world’s most valuable automaker by market capitalisation is looking for commercial properties as large as 20,000-30,000 square feet each to open showrooms and service centres in the capital New Delhi, financial hub Mumbai in the west and tech city Bengaluru in the south, three sources said.
Separately, Tesla has recruited Manuj Khurana, a former executive of India’s investment promotion body Invest India, in the first major hire to lead its policy and business development efforts in the country, two other sources said.
Continue reading “Tesla scouts for showroom space in India, hires executive for lobbying – sources”
BERLIN (Reuters) – Tesla sharply criticised lengthy regulatory processes in Germany ahead of the planned opening of its first European gigafactory this summer.
Tesla plans to have the factory up and running by July 1, 2021 to start building its electric crossover, the Model Y but the process has been slow and complicated by environmental disputes.
In December, Tesla was told by a court to suspend clearing of a forest at the site of the proposed factory after environmentalists said cutting down more trees could endanger hibernating snakes.
“The German approval framework for industrial and infrastructure projects as well as spatial planning directly contradicts the urgency to plan and realise such projects that is necessary to battle climate change,” Tesla said in a letter to a local court seen by Reuters.
Tesla, in the letter dated April 7, said it was “particularly irritating” that there was still no timetable for the final approval of the plant, located in Gruenheide outside Berlin, 16 months after the carmaker applied for it.
Continue reading “Tesla lashes out at German red tape ahead of planned site opening”
Continue reading “Top 5 things to Learn from Dr Pawan K Goenka”
India’s largest automobile company by turnover and employment, Tata Motors Limited has posted incredible sales performance in Q4 FY 21 and March 2021
They announced their sales in the domestic & international market, for Q4 FY21, which stood at 191,720 vehicles, compared to 101,420 units during Q4 FY20.
Source : AutoPunditz
“Aspirational products, customer centric offerings, harnessing digital, supporting dealers, strong group ethos powered the stellar performance of Tata Motors in FY 2021 and especially Q4 FY 2021,’ says Mr. Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum
In February 2021, MG Motor India had sold 4,329 Units. In March 2021, it has achieved its highest ever sales of 5526 Units. It has also broken sales records for Hector and MG ZS EV at India. The stellar performance has put most of its models on waiting period of 2-3 months.
‘MG Motor India is one of those rare Auto makers who never play on wholesale ie sale from company to Dealer. Their focus is always retail sales. This always reflects the true consumer and dealer business sentiment’, says Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum
“The highest monthly sales achieved in March 2021 are very encouraging with momentum continuing for our product lines”, says Rakesh Sidana, Director Sales, MG Motor India
Continue reading “MG Motor India clocks Highest Monthly Sales Ever”
(Reuters) – Google, BMW, Volvo and Samsung SDI are the first global companies to have signed up to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, the WWF said on Wednesday.
In backing the call, the companies commit not to source any minerals from the seabed, to exclude such minerals from their supply chains, and not to finance deep seabed mining activities, the WWF said in a statement.
Deep-sea mining would extract cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese – key materials commonly used to make batteries – from potato-sized nodules which pepper the sea floor at depths of 4-6 kilometres and are particularly abundant in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the North Pacific Ocean, a vast area spanning millions of kilometres between Hawaii and Mexico.
“With much of the deep sea ecosystem yet to be explored and understood, such activity would be recklessly short-sighted,” WWF said in a statement.
The moratorium calls for a ban on deep seabed mining activities until the risks are fully understood and all alternatives are exhausted.
BMW said raw materials from deep-sea mining are “not an option” for the company at present because there are insufficient scientific findings to be able to assess the environmental risks. Google and Volvo did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.
MILAN (Reuters) – Stellantis is looking at nearly tripling its global sales of electric vehicles this year, the head of holding company Exor, the carmaker’s main shareholder, said on Thursday.
The world’s fourth largest carmaker targets global sales of 400,000 high voltage vehicles this year from 139,000 in 2020 thanks to the launch of 11 additional models, John Elkann, who also serves as Stellantis chairman, said in a letter to Exor shareholders.
Stellantis, formed in January by merging Italian-American Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA, wants to exploit its size to take on rivals in the race to produce more electric vehicles.
It plans to have fully-electric or hybrid versions of all of its vehicles available in Europe by 2025, broadly in line with plans of rivals such as Volkswagen and Renault-Nissan.
Reporting by Maria Pia Quaglia; editing by Agnieszka Flak
Over the latter half of his life, Biden, 78, saw the share of national wealth going to that middle class fall and the gains from U.S. growth concentrate in a handful of regions. Now, with a roughly $2 trillion investment package unveiled on Wednesday, Biden wants to reverse that half century trend and steer capital to neglected people and parts of the country.
Democrat Biden’s jobs and infrastructure plan and the corporate tax increase to help pay for it, contrasts with the deference to private markets begun by Republicans with Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980, and nursed through rounds of tax cuts and deregulation, by both parties.
Whether it was Bill Clinton’s moves to reduce social welfare and deregulate the financial sector, or Barack Obama’s hesitance to “go big” on spending in the last recession, there has been a reluctance by both parties to intervene too deeply for decades.
Rural and Rust Belt America faded and there was little progress on bridging the wealth gaps between Black and white.
Continue reading “Analysis: Can Joe Biden recreate the U.S. economy he grew up with?”
VW India today showcased the India Spec Production Model of the Taigun SUV. It’s based on the latest All new MQB AO IN Platform which also powers the Skoda Kushaq.
It is directly pitched in the hot selling segment of Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
Taigun has a class leading wheelbase of 2651 mm which should make it one of the most spacious.
The dual tone interiors look upmarket and premium. The Cockpit is truly digital as it boasts of a 10.1″ touchscreen compatible with Apple car play and Android auto and a 10.2″ Digital Instrument cluster.
The luxury touch gets enhanced by ambient lights, panoramic moonroof and ventilated seats for front passengers.
Continue reading “Production Ready VW Taigun aka Creta & Seltos Challenger Unveiled”
The WAF Gurus Live Episode 20 was held on Saturday, 20 th March in which Gurus of the auto &
mobility industry discussed a crucial and pertinent topic- The Future of Mobility : EV or FCEV?
The panel comprised Shivalik Prasad, VP with Sibros; Vinay K. Piparsania– an automotive industry veteran; Dr. Ajit Kumar Jindal, currently the Advisor E-Mobility and New Products and Technology at Tata Autocomp Systems Ltd, Avik Chattopadhyay Co-Founder Expereal, a Marketing & Brand Consulting Firm; and Anuj Guglani, the founder and CEO at World Auto Forum which connects theAuto and Mobility Industry in 125 Countries.
Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum called upon the panel to share their views on the major
concern facing the industry- Can the Fuel Cell solve the future problems of the EV? Would Fuel Cell
get a seat at the table amidst the worldwide Battery Race?
Dr. A. K. Jindal set the ball rolling and pointed out the 90% FCEV is in fact EV, it has the battery, the
motor, most of the parts and components’ functionality is similar. There was a chance of FCEV
finding an application in inaccessible areas like Leh-Ladakh where getting the conventional fuels is a
challenge and comes at a higher cost; there it could be useful. Solar energy is available in plenty in
those areas from where they can produce electricity and from that they can produce hydrogen.
Vinay K. Piparsania remarked that it all depended on where an entire ecosystem is travelling- as of
now from the governments, to huge corporations to auto makers- everybody’s focus is on EV, so it’s
the time for EV. Next decade might belong to Hydrogen, but right now all the focus and investment
is on EV. The transformation takes time and the switch to FCEV cannot be just at the drop of a hat.
Continue reading “Key Takeaways of WAF Gurus Live : The Future of Mobility – EV or FCEV?”
TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp and Isuzu Motors Ltd announced a capital alliance on Wednesday, reviving a partnership to bolster their competitive edge in connected, commercial vehicles.
Toyota truck unit Hino Motors Ltd will join in the pact to jointly develop small commercial trucks of the future, including connected vehicles and fuel cell technologies, the automakers said.
Connected vehicles can share internet access and data with devices outside the vehicle, making them more efficient.
Under the deal, Toyota will acquire 39 million treasury shares in Isuzu, worth 42.8 billion yen ($393.89 million), taking a 4.6% stake, the automakers said.
Toyota and Isuzu in 2018 dissolved a previous, 12-year capital tie-up that had focused on diesel engines.
The move on Wednesday comes as traditional automakers face growing competition from tech giants and other rivals developing electric and driverless cars.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Volkswagen said on Tuesday Porsche AG executive Gernot Doellner will become the carmaker’s new strategy chief from May 1.
“With the addition of Gernot Doellner we are gaining a proven strategist who has gained extensive experience at Porsche AG in the management of model series and in development strategy and innovation management,” said Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess.
“With him, we will systematically continue along our chosen path and further drive the transformation.”
Doellner previously served as head of product and concept at Volkswagen’s luxury division Porsche AG, and will replace Michael Jost, who said earlier this month he will quit after more than a decade with the group.
The announcement comes a week after Volkswagen’s Power Day, which, along with more upbeat broker comments, has revitalised Volkswagen’s shares, which are up 50% year-to-date.
Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Madeline Chambers
HONG KONG (Reuters) – China’s top ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing is leaning toward picking New York over Hong Kong for its initial public offering (IPO), eyeing a valuation of at least $100 billion via the float, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said.
Didi has also discussed the option of listing via a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), multiple sources told Reuters, which would involve merging with a blank-check firm that raises capital through a U.S. IPO.
But they said the SPAC option was seen by Didi as less viable given its valuation target.
At that valuation target, Didi could raise about $10 billion if it sells 10% of its shares, in what would be the biggest Chinese IPO in the United States since Alibaba’s $25 billion float in 2014.
A fifth person close to Didi said the company is also considering a second listing in Hong Kong if its U.S. IPO takes place.
15 March 2021 | New Delhi, India
The WAF CFO Roundtable was held virtually on Saturday, 13 th March in which Chief Financial
Officers of the auto & mobility industry across discussed a very relevant and pertinent topic- Best
Practices of Financial Management in the Covid Era
The panel comprised Maheen Lampwala Country CFO for the Faurecia Group of Entities in India;
Puneet Sabharwal, who is CFO with Citroën India; Anders Olof Häger, the CFO Volvo Eicher
Commercial Vehicles; Surendra Agarwal, CFO Group Landmark; Chandan Goyal, a Chartered
Accountant by profession and the co-founder of Blue Consulting; and Anuj Guglani, the founder and
CEO at World Auto Forum which connects the Auto & Mobility Industry in 125 Countries.
Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum called upon the panel to share their key learning in the year
2020.
Mr. Puneet Sabharwal spoke of how they had to reshape their new-launch strategy and media
publicity during the pandemic. Earlier women would request for a day of ‘work-from-home’ to take
care of domestic responsibilities but after the lockdown, it was the other way- requesting to allow
them to attend office at least for a day.
He realized that change is the only constant in life, as he saw flexibility in work hours, a paperless
work environment, including the financial transactions, and a infused a new motivation which created a new opportunity in adversity had set in.
Mr Anuj Guglani, CEO World Auto Forum, told how physical distancing ushered in the entry of trucks
carrying materials inside the premises of Automobiles Industry, through RPA and associated
technologies for material entry thereby reducing the earlier time of 45 minutes to less than 5
minutes.
MG Motor India on Monday said it has joined hands with IIT Delhi’s Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART) for research in the field of electric and autonomous vehicles.
The partnership through Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi aims at furthering the automaker’s focus on CASE mobility (Connected Autonomous Shared Electric); through enabling supporting research for deployment of electric and autonomous vehicles in the urban landscape in the country, MG Motor India said in a statement.
Continue reading “MG Motor partners IIT Delhi for research in electric, autonomous technologies”
Kia Motors India has appointed the Industry Veteran Hardeep Singh Brar as National Head, Sales & Marketing. The company has created great euphoria and tasted initial success with products like Seltos and Sonet.
Mr Brar would fill in the shoes of Mr Manohar Bhat, who conceived and executed the debut of Kia brand and company at India. The expectations would surely be sky high!
Mr Brar is an Industry Veteran. He has worked with Maruti Suzuki in several functions like Sales & Dealer Development. His last profile there was GM- Corporate and Rural sales
He has headed Network & Dealer Management at Volkswagen India. He also headed Vehicle Sales, Service & Marketing at General Motors till it announced to wrap its India Operations. After General Motors he had joined Nissan India with his last profile there as Director – Commercial and Board Member.
Continue reading “Kia Motors India appoints Hardeep Singh Brar as National Head Sales & Marketing”
The 2nd CHRO Roundtable was held virtually on Saturday 27 Feb, 2021 where Chief HR officers of the auto & mobility industry discussed innovations and best practices during the pandemic year and the learnings thereof, and the way forward for India Inc. in 2021 and beyond.
The virtual exhibition at the 2nd CHROs Roundtable 2021 was also the highlight of the event and was a roaring success.
Mr Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum set the ball rolling by sharing with the audience, the global outreach of the CHROs Roundtable this year to share best practices and learnings. He spoke about the challenges faced by organizations in managing Work from Home, and what they would have to do when the focus shifted once more to Work fromOffice.
The first panel discussed the learnings from 2020 and the CHROs Toolkit for 2021 & beyond.
Mr Ahmad Ameen, Director- Human Resources, AL Mansour Automotive, Egypt spoke about the need for a paradigm shift in HR practices especially in three areas: Employee health, communication and employee learnings, stressing that the approach of one size fits all will no longer work and technology and individuality must prevail.
For Dr C B Patil, Head HR & IR, Kia Motors India the lockdown in 2020 saw two areas of major change: the need to develop agile mindsets with the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn with changing situations in the market; and the ability to maintain a flexible headcount as per business requirements, keeping in mind the principle of bottom-line vs life line.
Continue reading “Released : CHRO Toolkit 2021 powered by the Top CHROs at WAF”
History is getting created at Volvo Cars India as it gets its first “Indian” MD.
Jyoti Malhotra who is presently the head of Marketing, Sales & PR at the Swedish car maker’s Indian subsidiary, shall take over as Managing Director wef March 1, 2021
Mr Malhotra is an Industry veteran who has worked with Auto Makers like Maruti Suzuki, M&M and Fiat India in the past. He holds an Engineering Degree in Production from University of Pune. He has done his MBA from Bhartiya Vidyapeeth . He has also done a global program in management development from Stephen M Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, USA
Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum said, “Jyoti is a stalwart of the Indian Auto Industry. He has deep insights in Automotive Consumer Behaviour, Business and Marketing. His diverse experience spans a quarter of a century across Indian, Japanese, European companies and their cultures which gives him an indomitable edge. Most importantly he’s a great human being!”
Continue reading “Meet the New MD of Volvo Cars India – Jyoti Malhotra”
The time limit for filing revised/belated ITRs has been reduced to 31-Dec of relevant year from 31-Mar.
W.e.f AY 2021-22, assessment proceedings need to be completed within 9 months from end of assessment year, ie, for FY 2020-21, relevant for AY 2021-22, assessments have to be completed by Dec-2022.
Continue reading “Key Highlights of Union Budget 2021-22 | From a CA’s Perspective”
The much awaited Union Budget address (2021-2022) was made by the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman on February 01, 2021. The Minister in the speech has announced- Voluntary Vehicle Scrapping Policy, for phasing out old and unfit vehicles from the Indian streets. While substantiating on the Scrappage Policy, Ms. Sitharaman stated that under the Policy- personal vehicles after 20 years and commercial vehicles after 15 years would undergo fitness tests in automated fitness centres.
Key Points:
An Insight into Vehicle Scrappage Policy
The Policy is expected to substantially impact air pollution issues in India and maintain environmental sustainability. It was also announced that the specifics of the Policy would be announced soon.
Hence, it is abundantly clear that under the New Policy all personal vehicles and commercial vehicles will have to mandatorily undergo fitness tests at automated fitness centres in 20 years and 15 years respectively.
Continue reading “New Vehicle Scrappage Policy- Union Budget 2021-22”
Yes! Most Auto makers are obsessed with Lean Manufacturing. Most got extremely conservative last year with their Production schedules as demand gradually rebounded. Excessive WFH, Gaming, Smartphones led to a surge in demand for chips from other product segments.
The Trump Administration had blacklisted the Chinese Semiconductor manufacturers last year. The Taiwanese Chip Makers, the largest across the world had raised a caveat against oversupply. The automotive grade chips were seeing rapid upgradation. Getting stuck with outdated chipsets inventory could be the greatest nightmare for any chip maker.
All said and done, auto makers facing ongoing or impending shutdowns simultaneously across the world can’t be just due to the aforesaid reasons. It can’t even be due to Covid.
There could be more than what meets the eye. Is it a perfectly orchestrated cartelised action by chip makers to pull the plug ?
In the new age vehicles, the electronic parts and components constitute around 40% of all components. One might find around 3K chips in just one car across the powertrain, windows, lights, ADAS and more. If even one chip is missing, the car can’t leave the assembly line!
Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum says, ‘The Automotive chips compared to their siblings in an Xbox, a Mac or an iPhone have to be much more robust & durable. They should be able to stand high temperatures. They need to endure for long. Their development cycles are longer and more expensive.
So where do you think any chip maker who runs it as a business, would shift focus during the pandemic ?
Obviously to an Xbox, a Mac and an iPhone as their demand went through the roof while auto co’s were forced to cut orders, inventories and margins!”
Continue reading “Global Chip Shortage for Auto Makers | Intentional or Incidental ?”
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Urgent Press Release
World Auto Forum [WAF] Awards announced. WAF stars steal the show!
New Delhi | 9th January 2021 | https://worldautoforum.com
The 8th World Auto Forum Awards concluded today with WAF stars stealing the show all the way!! This time, the awards were bigger, different and as stringent as they always come! Deeply researched, passionately debated and carefully chosen, they showcased Platinum performances from across the Automotive ecosystem.
Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum, remarked, “WAF Awards 2021 are a testimony to how the Industry stars have taken care of their customers, teams and suppliers, balancing health – physical, mental and financial”.
Continue reading “8th WAF Awards Held | 120+ Media Cos Cover it!”
Volkswagen India has planned a power packed 2021
They are getting ready with their arsenal of products, marketing strategy, Renewed Focus on Processes & Customer Experience. The arsenal gets powered by the right people!
VW India has elevated Vishal Bhat to head their after sales service function with effect from Jan 1, 2021.
Mr Bhat is currently heading Pan India Corporate Sales and Das Welt Auto – VW’s Certified Pre Owned Car Brand at VW India.
With over 17 years of extensive experience in automotive industry, Bhat brings in diverse expertise to the position. In a period of last five years, he has undertaken various roles and responsibilities across functions –Aftersales, Customer Care, Corporate and Das WeltAuto sales operations and has been successfully leading them.
Continue reading “VW India elevates its Future Leader – Vishal Bhat”
The Sensex might be breaching 47K levels but situation at ground level is not that encouraging.
The Auto Industry was just recovering from the BS-6 , Poor Demand in 2019 and 2018 and it got struck by Covid19. The Market has surely opened up but demand is still not consistent.
Manufacturing facilities continue to suffer from covid related closures. Manpower outages are still not that uncommon. Supplies get stuck due to covid or agitations.
Industrial Output, earnings are still down. The new strain from UK is also bad news. This seems the time to just stay healthy and protected, ensure family is safe ; Surviving seems to be the new thriving!
Continue reading “Industry Outlook 2021 : Overall Seems Positive”
Press Release
Teus, 15 Dec 2020 5:45 PM IST
IVASS 2020 brings together the Global After Sales Experts to share Industry Best Practices amidst the Pandemic
15th December 2020 | New Delhi & Detroit | https://worldautoforum.com/ivass
India Vehicle After Sales Summit, a program organized on Saturday, 12th December 2020 by World Auto Forum in association with ASDC – Automotive Skilling Development Council, set the path for innovations in the Vehicle After Sales & Auto aftermarket ecosystem.
Top Experts from Auto Suppliers, OEMs, Dealership network, Service companies, Parts Makers & Distributors graced the Panel Discussions and Keynote sessions. The theme this year was ‘Surviving and thriving through Innovation, Skilling & Teamwork’. Each session deliberated on various aspects of the post Covid needs and adaptability required to cope with the changing dynamics of consumer behaviour and governmental policies.
Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum set the ball rolling by sharing with the audience, the global outreach of IVASS this year, with speakers brought in from across the globe to broaden the horizons of learning and sharing of best practices. He also elucidated the common global challenges faced by the Industry and the pivotal role Innovation plays in overcoming them.
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The rising air pollution in the major cities of the country is a major health and environment concern with 65% of total air pollution caused by older commercial vehicles plying on road. To arrest this issue, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is slated to scrap vehicles older than 20 years under the vehicle scrappage policy or voluntary vehicle fleet modernization program, first mooted in 2016.
A scrappage policy is a government-funded programme to promote the replacement of old vehicles with modern ones. A vehicle scrappage programme is usually intended to stimulate the automotive industry as well as taking obsolete and more polluting vehicles off the road. It proposes to remove old commercial vehicles off the road and moot creation of an ecosystem to promote scrapping and recycling.
The policy is expected to considerably impact environmental sustainability and give thrust to automobile sector by creating new demand. The policy can be viewed as an extension of NGT ruling for Delhi-NCR whereby diesel vehicles older than 10 years were ordered to stop plying on the road. Similar policies have been implemented in countries like US, UK, China, Indonesia etc. to drive auto industry and reduce pollution.
Key Provisions of Draft Policy:
Continue reading “India Vehicle Scrappage Policy – A Perspective”
The SC order for #BS4 vehicles in Delhi is finally out & all vehicles where taxes were paid & numbers were generated, RC will now be provided. Huge benefit to all customers who waited for so long. @FADA_India continues to relentlessly work for dealers & customers as well! pic.twitter.com/h6BFY42kSr
— Vinkesh Gulati (@VinkeshGulati) November 26, 2020
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