Visibly upset over the mounting tension and the growing threat to property at Tata Motors’ Nano small car project at Singur in West Bengal in the wake of the ongoing agitation against the unit by Trinamool Congress, under its leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee, and its allies, the Tata Group Chairman, Mr. Ratan Tata, recently announced his intention of moving out of Singur. He made it very clear then that the project cost of Rs. 1,500 crores won’t deter him from proceeding with his plan if the agitation persisted. The crux of the problem is Ms. Banerjee’s demand that the 400 acres out of 997 acres of land taken possession of for the car project, allegedly acquired by the management without the consent of the peasant-owners and by using force, be returned to them. This has been countered both by Tata Motors and the State Government stating that the land deal done was most transparent and that adequate compensation had been paid to the owners. Further the issue is being raked up by certain vested interests to gain political mileage.
Firm on continuing the agitation till the return of the land to those from whom it has been snatched away, Ms. Banerjee launched an indefinite stir at the project site on August 24. This has its serious consequences. With the blockade of the expressway passing through the area, truck operations along the route have come to a standstill, leading to widespread shortage of foodstuff and other essentials there. At the same time, the agitators continue indulging in violence. In the circumstances, the Tata Management did what could have been avoided had the agitators restrained themselves. Work at the project site was suspended on August 29 when the protestors prevented the employees and other contract workers from leaving the factory the previous day.
The situation is definitely getting out of control at the project site. The earlier hopes expressed by industry associations and the State Government that the Singur project will sail through somehow with the expected fizzling out of the agitation or a negotiated settlement worked out by the parties to the dispute are fading. Instead serious concern has been expressed by industry leaders all over the country, irrespective of their areas of specialisation, over the Singur developments. They have joined hands to back Tata Motors in its endeavour to roll out the first vehicle from the Singur plant as scheduled in October, and have appealed to the parties concerned for working out an immediate solution to the Singur crisis.
Industry appeal
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) would like to see an early resolution in Singur. It is disappointed with the developments there. The investments being made would result in a product that is a global first, and hence global attention is on the developments there.
SIAM believes that this was a landmark decision by the company that could and will change the lives of people in the area and also revive industrialization in West Bengal and the eastern region.
The progress of the investment is such that the factories have been built, and therefore it is important to find a solution that does not adversely affect the investments made and, most importantly, the overall competitiveness and viability of the project.
SIAM would like to appeal to all concerned that a process must be initiated to arrive at a solution that would take forward the project so that production targets are not missed. Such a solution would ensure that the investments of over Rs. 70,000 crores committed by the automotive industry to be made in the country over the next few years would happen.
Mr. R. Seshasayee, Past President of SIAM, and Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, observes: “The Nano is certainly a flagship project and withdrawal of this project would adversely affect not only the image of the State but also the country. It is imperative that all political parties come together now and arrive at a solution. It is critical to distance this discussion from the factory side so that normalcy can be restored immediately.”
According to Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman, Hero Corporate Service, it is in the interest of both West Bengal and India that the Tata Nano project is not moved at this stage. Withdrawal of the project will severely affect West Bengal’s image, and it certainly won’t do India’s image any good. Political parties must rise above partisan lines, ensure continuity and growth in economic activity and also help in creating a peaceful environment.
Of course, the investing entity has a responsibility to take care of the interests of all stakeholders, including people who are displaced or re-employed, etc. “Indeed, given their level of social commitment, I have no doubt that the Tatas are fully aware of their responsibilities in Singur as they have demonstrated in many of their companies. All possible efforts must be made to ensure that the project is implemented peacefully and on schedule. This would be in the interest of the community and for nation-building”.
Mr. Brijmohan Lall, Chairman, Hero Honda Motors Ltd., joins the industry leaders, and says: “The leadership demonstrated by Mr. Ratan Tata on the Singur issue is commendable. His determination to go ahead with the Nano project this far reflects his deep commitment to the State of West Bengal and, more importantly, demonstrates his resolve to keep a promise. It would be really unfortunate if circumstances continue in this manner and the Tatas are forced to pull out. All political parties need to come together to ensure that this project happens.”
Mr. Abhay Firodia, Chairman and Managing Director, Force Motors, said: “The automobile industry is the engine of growth for any economy. All over the world, countries have developed on the back of automobile industry. Nano is a huge opportunity for West Bengal due to its deep forward and backward linkages. People should understand the importance of the project and resolve the dispute at the earliest.”
Reacting to the situation Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman and Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, commented: “Considering the national importance of this project, it would be unfortunate if political considerations come in the way of India’s progress”.
Held every two years, Automechanika offers trade visitors a unique range of products in the automobile parts, car washes, workshop and filling-station equipment, accessories and tuning sectors. The fair is unparalleled in terms of size and internationality with around 40 per cent of trade visitors and 80 per cent of exhibitors at the last event coming from outside Germany.
A very special debut follows early this year: the first Automechanika in Southern Europe, Automechanika Roma from January 31 to February 3. Over 200 exhibitors from more than 14 countries have registered for the première, which is the first event to be held by Messe Frankfurt in Italy since founding its subsidiary there in 1999.
Mahindra International, the 51:49 joint venture between the Mahindra Group and International of the US, has been renamed as Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd. (MNAL), while Mahindra’s JV with International for manufacturing engines will be named Mahindra Navistar Engines Ltd.
Currently MNAL is striving to consolidate its position in the LCV segment, both passenger and cargo. It registered a growth of 20 per cent and in 2007-08 by selling 11,000 LCVs, which is an equal mix of both passenger and cargo vehicles. MNAL has strengthened its position in the school bus segment. Today the product range in passenger segment includes 16, 25, 32 and 41-seater buses.
“This new greenfield facility is another example of Federal-Mogul’s commitment to expand its manufacturing footprint in India. Products manufactured at the new facility will be for both local vehicle manufacturers and for export”, said Federal-Mogul President and Chief Executive Officer José Maria Alapont.
The Indian tipper manufacturing industry has undergone a sea-change in the last three decades. During the 1970s and 1980s, tipper bodies were mainly manufactured by the unorganized sector on tipper chassis supplied by Tata Motors Ltd. (then TELCO) and by Ashok Leyland Ltd. There was basically one model of chassis from each manufacturer with two different wheel base configurations.
Safety on Indian roads is a most critical issue. With the growing vehicle population and expanding traffic on Indian roads, the issue, which has assumed serious proportions of late, needs to be addressed on a war footing. Almost 10-12 precious lives are being lost every hour on Indian roads leading to great social cost, besides mental agony and trauma for the close relatives of the victims.
Once regarded as the avenue of last resort, auctions are now one of the most cost-effective and efficient means of selling surplus trucks and equipment. The last few decades have witnesed many changes made in fleet management strategies around the world, and since there is an increasing global demand for good equipment, buyers are heading to auctions in droves, looking for good, quality trucks and equipment for their next project.
It is also the certainty of the unreserved auction method that attracts both buyers and sellers to unreserved auctions. Both know that everything will be sold on the auction day. Sometimes more than 1,000 items are sold in one day due to the quick chant of the auctioneer. No time is wasted on auction day so that items sell quickly and accurately.
While auction companies and auctioneers differ in the services offered, and all have different capabilities within their structure and establishments, most try to provide some of the basic services that form part of the auction process. Every item sold at an auction should be subject to a thorough evaluation by the auction company. Thorough inspections are done to provide the seller with an estimate of what the fair market value is for each item.
In an era of global warming and soaring crude prices, an increasing resort is made to tyre radialisation for commercial vehicles with a view not only to saving fuel costs but reducing emission of harmful green house gases and easing pressure on global oil reserves. Radialisation also ensures a longer life for tyres.
The challenge of low rolling resistance technology is to maintain a tyre’s performance in other areas, particularly safety and wear life. In today’s truck and bus tyre market, two standards exist. The first is cross-ply, or bias or nylon tyres, which is predominantly sold in India’s truck and bus market today. The body of the tyre called the carcass comprises of layers of rubber-coated nylon or rayon fabric called plies. In a cross-ply tyre, the fabric cords of the tyre criss-cross each other. The major reinforcing materials used are rayon and nylon tyre cords.
The main purpose of Emissions Regulations is to limit, reduce and control air pollution. Emission control is a function of engine technology, fuel quality and traffic speed (congestion). The objective of clean air is achieved only when all these three come together.
This emission reduction is achieved by a combination of improved diesel engine technology and low sulphur (50 ppm) diesel fuel. Combined with reduced traffic congestion this has the potential to check air pollution dramatically.
The accompanying table shows a comparison of both technologies across various parameters.
The tractor segment is also seeing increased non-farm usage. Both truck and tractor consumers have increasingly started demanding better performance and dependability from their vehicles which at the same time have to work under more and more stressful conditions and varying operating conditions. In such a situation, the engine oil has to provide peak performance, protecting the engine and ensuring superior performance over long periods of time.
Castrol CRB has completed 75 years in India since its launch in 1932. Over the years, the brand has been constantly upgraded to keep pace with the changing engine technology and environmental conditions. With four sub-brands – CRB Plus, CRB Turbo, CRB Prima and CRB Prima Plus – Castrol CRB has consistently remained the brand of choice for trucks, tractors, buses and jeeps.
As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first rubber air spring this year, the global community of air spring manufacturers sits on the cusp of exciting growth potential throughout Asia. The economies of China and India especially are booming. India’s GDP growth in 2007-2008 was 9.1 per cent, pushing the national GDP over the $1 trillion mark. Such economic growth vastly increases the demand for new motorized vehicles of all types for transportation of people and goods. It also increases the demand for higher quality and performance from these vehicles.
Simply put, air springs improve the ride and handling of the vehicle by providing cushions of air between the wheels and the frame. The spring assembly comprises an air-filled rubber cord structure that rolls up and down over a plastic or steel piston. As the vehicle travels over a roadway, the spring undergoes jolting bounces and rebounds and absorbs energy from the wheels. This cushioning effect increases the comfort of passengers and the security of cargo.
In the latter half of the 1990s, Firestone and other air springs manufacturers got the opportunity to expand into Asia, with the emergence of growing economies of China and India. Air springs were introduced in India through suspensions for luxury buses. Luxury bus passengers soon became accustomed to smoother air rides, and today air spring suspensions are becoming a standard fitment in most luxury buses made in India, creating exponential growth in demand for the product.
Once people understand how smooth an air spring-equipped vehicle rides, it is easy to understand the value in air suspensions for shipping fragile goods, such as poultry products, glass and luxury items.
