New Delhi: Tata Motors owned JaguarLand Rover has entered into an agreement with the state of Rio de Janeiro to build a manufacturing plant in Brazil with an investment of $750 million (Rs 4,626 crore).
The plant will have annual production of 24,000 vehicles. The construction of the manufacturing facility will commence in mid-2014 with the first vehicle rolling off the assembly line in 2016, subject to the final approval of the plans from the Brazilian Federal Government under its Inovar-auto Programme.
The facility will be based in the City of Itatiaia, will initially employ 400 people and generate additional jobs in the supply chain. The direct employment is likely to double by the end of the decade
Jaguar Land Rover's planned expansion into Brazil is the next major step in the company's strategy to increase its global manufacturing footprint and create additional capacity. This new facility will play an important role in supporting the significant growth opportunity identified in Brazil and across other South American markets, said the company in a statement on Thursday.
Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, said, "Brazil and the surrounding regions are very important. Customers there have an increasing appetite for highly capable premium products. This new programme will enable us to bring exciting new vehicles to them, with outstanding British design and engineering, creating a world-class Jaguar Land Rover facility incorporating leading premium manufacturing technologies."
The plant once comes up will be the second significant manufacturing base, outside of United Kingdom for Jaguar Land Rover. Last year, the company entered the Chinese market with a joint venture with Chery Automobile Company and the manufacturing plant is already under construction in Changshu, China.
In the past, the company has conducted feasibility studies to set up a plant in India too and it is also in talks with the Saudi Arabian Government to set up a plant in that country for a base in Middle East.
Jaguar Land Rover plans to invest £2.75bn in its products and facilities in the FY-2014.
Jaguar Land Rover has had a presence in the Brazilian market for more than 20 years. Its national sales company is based in Sao Paulo, employing almost 100 people. There are currently 35 dealers across Brazil with further expansion planned in the next year.
So far in 2013, Jaguar Land Rover sales in Brazil have increased by more than 40% to 9,549 vehicles over the 10 month period. The best-selling models in Brazil are Range Rover Evoque, Freelander and Discovery.
Following a detailed feasibility study, Jaguar Land Rover selected the City of Itatiaia, close to the heart of the emerging Regional Automotive Zone, due to its excellent logistics links, access to the local supplier base and skilled workforce.
Sergio Cabral, Governor of Rio de Janeiro State said, ""We offer perfect conditions to JLR to install its plant in Brazil, as we have an automotive hub in the South Fluminense region that concentrates qualified labor and important suppliers. It is a privilege to welcome this great group, with an estimated investment of up to R$750 million and we are confident that this agreement will bring to Brazil extraordinary results"".
Jaguar Land Rover has three advanced manufacturing facilities in the UK and is building its first state of the art advanced engine facility at i54 South Staffordshire Business Park investing more than £500m and creating almost 1,400 new jobs.
The company employs more than 26,000 people and sells vehicles in 176 countries around the world. More than 80% of our business is exported. Over the last two years it has recruited over 9,000 people.
Success in my Habit
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Two French firms pick up 50% stake in India's ACME
New Delhi: ACME Cleantech Solutions Ltd, a green technology solutions provider, has entered into a joint venture with French renewable energy company EDF Energies Nouvelles and natural resources saving group EREN, to set up solar projects in India.
The two firms will acquire 25 per cent each in ACME Solar Energy Pvt Ltd (ACME Solar), the joint venture company, which plans to set up an initial portfolio of 200 MW of solar projects in various phases.
EDF Energies is the renewable energy arm of France’s state-run electricity utility Électricité.
ACME Cleantech has a current capacity of 17.5 MW of solar generation. The joint venture is currently developing two projects of 25 MW each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
EDF Energies will give ACME Solar access to its engineering expertise, leading technology partners and the research and development facility in France, where both will jointly conduct research to lower the costs of solar power generation, a statement said.
EREN will bring in its experience and expertise in project financing, developing and structuring solar projects, it added.
The two firms will acquire 25 per cent each in ACME Solar Energy Pvt Ltd (ACME Solar), the joint venture company, which plans to set up an initial portfolio of 200 MW of solar projects in various phases.
EDF Energies is the renewable energy arm of France’s state-run electricity utility Électricité.
ACME Cleantech has a current capacity of 17.5 MW of solar generation. The joint venture is currently developing two projects of 25 MW each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
EDF Energies will give ACME Solar access to its engineering expertise, leading technology partners and the research and development facility in France, where both will jointly conduct research to lower the costs of solar power generation, a statement said.
EREN will bring in its experience and expertise in project financing, developing and structuring solar projects, it added.
With Rs 1.1 lakh-cr line-up, metallurgical sector tops in project commitments
New Delhi: The metallurgical sector attracted the maximum investment commitment out of 38 sectors tracked by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in January-October, 2013, with projects worth Rs 1.1 lakh crore lined up under industrial entrepreneur memorandums signed between industrialists and various State Governments.
This amounted to nearly a quarter of the total commitments of Rs 4.7 lakh crore that came in during the period. Among the projects cleared was Uttam Galva Metallics’ 50,000-tonnes-per-annum galvanised steel and products unit and a separate 1 lakh tonnes per annum cold-rolled and hot-rolled steel and products plant at Wardha, Maharashtra; Motherson Sintermetal Technology’s 5,000 tonnes per annum power metal components factory in Puducherry; Apple Industry’s 50,000-tonnes-per-annum sponge iron plant at Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Manaksia Ltd’s coated metal plant at Kutch, Gujarat; and Bhushan Power & Steel’s proposed steel processing unit at Daridabad, Haryana. The proposed investment will come through 217 projects, which was equivalent to 10.6 per cent of the total number of projects for which IEMs were signed.
Power play
The electrical equipment sector was another hot sector for investment during the period, attracting 16.7 per cent of the total value of project commitments by value and 5.3 per cent of the total number of project commitments during the period. With power demand soaring in the country, setting up units for electricity transmission and distribution, besides other allied activities, is likely to be a lucrative proposition.
Among the projects was Periyar Energy’s proposed 2,246-MW coal-based thermal plant at Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu; Trinity Transformers’ transformer plant at Mahaboobnagar, Andhra Pradesh; Kindle Engineering and Construction’s solar plant at Patan, Gujarat; UM Power’s 250-MW thermal plant at Oraiya, Uttar Pradesh; and Sintex Power’s 1,320-MW coal plant at Amreli, Gujarat.
In 2012, the electrical equipment sector was the top sector for investment, attracting over 50 per cent of the total spending commitment during the year. In contrast, metallurgical industries cornered just 25 per cent of the investment quantum and 12.2 per cent of the total number of projects, coming second in the list.
Investment intentions
The other hot sector for investment in 2013 has been textiles, which attracted investments worth Rs 78,790 crore in the first ten months of the calendar year. The data indicates that competition from other low-cost manufacturing hubs like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka notwithstanding, the textiles business remains an attractive opportunity for industrialists across the country. This was also the sector where the maximum number of project commitments was made, with 249 projects equivalent to 12.2 per cent of the overall projects tally for the 10-month period. Textiles displaced metallurgical industries in the project commitments list for 2013.
Some of the major projects proposed in this sector are a textile park being set up by Amitara Green Hi-Tech Textiles Park at Kheda, Gujarat; Soma Textiles & Industries’ cotton fibre preparation and spinning unit at Ahmedabad, Gujarat; Vaneera Industries’ cotton yarn and cotton blended yarn factory at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh; and DC Polyesters’ man-made fabrics plant at Thane, Maharashtra.
While it is conceivable that the investment commitment in 2013 will reach the same level seen in 2012, when a total of 5,828 projects worth Rs 5.7 lakh crore were committed, the quantum and value of the IEMs signed this year is unlikely to attain the five-year peak of Rs 17.4 lakh crore achieved in 2010.
This amounted to nearly a quarter of the total commitments of Rs 4.7 lakh crore that came in during the period. Among the projects cleared was Uttam Galva Metallics’ 50,000-tonnes-per-annum galvanised steel and products unit and a separate 1 lakh tonnes per annum cold-rolled and hot-rolled steel and products plant at Wardha, Maharashtra; Motherson Sintermetal Technology’s 5,000 tonnes per annum power metal components factory in Puducherry; Apple Industry’s 50,000-tonnes-per-annum sponge iron plant at Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Manaksia Ltd’s coated metal plant at Kutch, Gujarat; and Bhushan Power & Steel’s proposed steel processing unit at Daridabad, Haryana. The proposed investment will come through 217 projects, which was equivalent to 10.6 per cent of the total number of projects for which IEMs were signed.
Power play
The electrical equipment sector was another hot sector for investment during the period, attracting 16.7 per cent of the total value of project commitments by value and 5.3 per cent of the total number of project commitments during the period. With power demand soaring in the country, setting up units for electricity transmission and distribution, besides other allied activities, is likely to be a lucrative proposition.
Among the projects was Periyar Energy’s proposed 2,246-MW coal-based thermal plant at Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu; Trinity Transformers’ transformer plant at Mahaboobnagar, Andhra Pradesh; Kindle Engineering and Construction’s solar plant at Patan, Gujarat; UM Power’s 250-MW thermal plant at Oraiya, Uttar Pradesh; and Sintex Power’s 1,320-MW coal plant at Amreli, Gujarat.
In 2012, the electrical equipment sector was the top sector for investment, attracting over 50 per cent of the total spending commitment during the year. In contrast, metallurgical industries cornered just 25 per cent of the investment quantum and 12.2 per cent of the total number of projects, coming second in the list.
Investment intentions
The other hot sector for investment in 2013 has been textiles, which attracted investments worth Rs 78,790 crore in the first ten months of the calendar year. The data indicates that competition from other low-cost manufacturing hubs like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka notwithstanding, the textiles business remains an attractive opportunity for industrialists across the country. This was also the sector where the maximum number of project commitments was made, with 249 projects equivalent to 12.2 per cent of the overall projects tally for the 10-month period. Textiles displaced metallurgical industries in the project commitments list for 2013.
Some of the major projects proposed in this sector are a textile park being set up by Amitara Green Hi-Tech Textiles Park at Kheda, Gujarat; Soma Textiles & Industries’ cotton fibre preparation and spinning unit at Ahmedabad, Gujarat; Vaneera Industries’ cotton yarn and cotton blended yarn factory at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh; and DC Polyesters’ man-made fabrics plant at Thane, Maharashtra.
While it is conceivable that the investment commitment in 2013 will reach the same level seen in 2012, when a total of 5,828 projects worth Rs 5.7 lakh crore were committed, the quantum and value of the IEMs signed this year is unlikely to attain the five-year peak of Rs 17.4 lakh crore achieved in 2010.
Japanese firms make a beeline for IIT students
Mumbai: Commerce follows the flag. Japanese Emperor Akihito is visiting India, and several Japanese companies are calling on Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campuses seeking talent.
Sony Japan, Daikin Manufacturing, Konica Minolta, NEC Japan and Uhuru Software are some of the Japanese majors that visited IIT Bombay (IIT-B)in the first phase of placements. The salary packages offered by the firms are in the range of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 35 lakh.
“We have received very good feedback about our students from Japanese companies. Traditionally, the Japanese culture is more conservative and they feel that Indian students are more adaptable for their foreign operations,” said S.K. Mehta, Assistant Training & Placement Officer, (IIT-B).
This year, IIT-B expects 15 Japanese firms to come calling, significantly more than the five that recruited students last year.
Japanese national broadcaster NHK has filmed the placement process at IIT-B this year and interviewed top recruiters and students. “With increasing awareness, we expect more Japanese firms to visit next year,” said Mehta.
At IIT Kanpur, too, the number of Japanese firms visiting the campus has doubled. Sony Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are two of the companies that have hired talent in the first phase of placements.
“During the first year, students recruited by the firms will be posted in Japan and then sent on international postings,” said Amit Saraswat, Placement Coordinator at IIT Kanpur.
The placement office at IIT Kanpur has also started a course on Japanese language and culture. The institute also plans to release a placement brochure in Japanese, apart from the one in English.
The first phase of placements, which began on December 1 and ends next week, sees recruiters offering the highest salaries.
At $210,000, Oracle offered the highest salary package at IIT Madras this year, considerably more than the $1,50,000 last year. About 50 companies have visited and six global majors have made 26 offers at IIT Madras.
“Though we haven’t seen a substantial increase in salary packages, we have seen many new recruiters this year. We expected many companies to drop out on visiting the campus, but that did not happen,” said a relieved Damini Gandham, a dual degree student at IIT Madras.
Sony Japan, Daikin Manufacturing, Konica Minolta, NEC Japan and Uhuru Software are some of the Japanese majors that visited IIT Bombay (IIT-B)in the first phase of placements. The salary packages offered by the firms are in the range of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 35 lakh.
“We have received very good feedback about our students from Japanese companies. Traditionally, the Japanese culture is more conservative and they feel that Indian students are more adaptable for their foreign operations,” said S.K. Mehta, Assistant Training & Placement Officer, (IIT-B).
This year, IIT-B expects 15 Japanese firms to come calling, significantly more than the five that recruited students last year.
Japanese national broadcaster NHK has filmed the placement process at IIT-B this year and interviewed top recruiters and students. “With increasing awareness, we expect more Japanese firms to visit next year,” said Mehta.
At IIT Kanpur, too, the number of Japanese firms visiting the campus has doubled. Sony Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are two of the companies that have hired talent in the first phase of placements.
“During the first year, students recruited by the firms will be posted in Japan and then sent on international postings,” said Amit Saraswat, Placement Coordinator at IIT Kanpur.
The placement office at IIT Kanpur has also started a course on Japanese language and culture. The institute also plans to release a placement brochure in Japanese, apart from the one in English.
The first phase of placements, which began on December 1 and ends next week, sees recruiters offering the highest salaries.
At $210,000, Oracle offered the highest salary package at IIT Madras this year, considerably more than the $1,50,000 last year. About 50 companies have visited and six global majors have made 26 offers at IIT Madras.
“Though we haven’t seen a substantial increase in salary packages, we have seen many new recruiters this year. We expected many companies to drop out on visiting the campus, but that did not happen,” said a relieved Damini Gandham, a dual degree student at IIT Madras.
PE investments in realty up 26% this year
Hyderabad: The value of private equity (PE) transactions in the country’s real estate sector during the first nine months of 2013 was up 26 per cent at Rs 4,716 crore, indicating that funds continue to see India as a an investment destination despite a slowdown in the local market.
This was revealed in a report by real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield. In the first nine months of last year, the PE deals in the real estate sector stood at Rs 3,750 crore.
The increase in PE deals was due to a rise in investments in leased income generating office properties by institutional investors, said the report. But the slowdown in the local real estate market continued, it added.
The net absorption in offices was down 15 per cent during the period, vacancies increased and sales were subdued in the residential segment.
This was in part due to slower GDP growth, inflationary pressure and volatility in foreign exchange and stock markets, , the report said. Apart from offshore funds, domestic capital is also being raised and deployed in the income generating office properties, it added. “Despite a slowdown in the local real estate market, funds remain committed to India as a top investment destination with overall private equity investment only expected to increase especially in income yielding assets,” said Sanjay Dutt, Executive Managing Director South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield, in a statement.
With improving sentiments, the deal momentum in the real estate sector is expected to increase in the coming year, he added.
Around 65 per cent of the overall investment during the year happened in the third quarter at Rs 3,078 crore. The residential segment saw a drop of 11 per cent during the January-September period at Rs 2,240 crore, compared with the year-ago period.
Bangalore saw the highest level of announced investment value in 2013 at Rs 1,979 crore, up 79 per cent. At Mumbai, it was down 43 per cent in the total volume of deals worth Rs 720 crore.
This was revealed in a report by real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield. In the first nine months of last year, the PE deals in the real estate sector stood at Rs 3,750 crore.
The increase in PE deals was due to a rise in investments in leased income generating office properties by institutional investors, said the report. But the slowdown in the local real estate market continued, it added.
The net absorption in offices was down 15 per cent during the period, vacancies increased and sales were subdued in the residential segment.
This was in part due to slower GDP growth, inflationary pressure and volatility in foreign exchange and stock markets, , the report said. Apart from offshore funds, domestic capital is also being raised and deployed in the income generating office properties, it added. “Despite a slowdown in the local real estate market, funds remain committed to India as a top investment destination with overall private equity investment only expected to increase especially in income yielding assets,” said Sanjay Dutt, Executive Managing Director South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield, in a statement.
With improving sentiments, the deal momentum in the real estate sector is expected to increase in the coming year, he added.
Around 65 per cent of the overall investment during the year happened in the third quarter at Rs 3,078 crore. The residential segment saw a drop of 11 per cent during the January-September period at Rs 2,240 crore, compared with the year-ago period.
Bangalore saw the highest level of announced investment value in 2013 at Rs 1,979 crore, up 79 per cent. At Mumbai, it was down 43 per cent in the total volume of deals worth Rs 720 crore.
Godrej Properties buys out PE firm in Kolkata project
Mumbai: Godrej Properties Ltd has bought out private equity (PE) firm Red Fort Capital’s 49 per cent stake in its subsidiary Godrej Developers Pvt Ltd (GDPL) for an undisclosed amount.
GDPL is the special purpose vehicle for the company’s IT park project in Kolkata, Godrej Genesis.
With this, GDPL becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Godrej Properties, the Mumbai-based realtor said in a filing with BSE on Wednesday.
Red Fort Capital had invested in Godrej Genesis in 2008.
Godrej Properties has a total exposure of 6.93 million sq ft in Kolkata, including Godrej Genesis, with a developable area of close to 1 million sq ft.
It has another IT park development in the city, called Godrej Waterside. It had earlier given an exit to the PE partner in its Waterside project, too, taking 100 per cent ownership.
In July this year, the developer had bought out HDFC Asset Management Co Ltd’s nearly 50 per cent stake each in its Chennai and Chandigarh projects. HDFC PMS (Portfolio Management Services) had invested about Rs 100 crore in those two projects.
Godrej Properties is developing residential, commercial and township projects spread across 87.6 million sq ft in 12 cities.
The company’s scrip closed at Rs 166.4 on Wednesday, down 0.92 per cent from its previous close on BSE.
GDPL is the special purpose vehicle for the company’s IT park project in Kolkata, Godrej Genesis.
With this, GDPL becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Godrej Properties, the Mumbai-based realtor said in a filing with BSE on Wednesday.
Red Fort Capital had invested in Godrej Genesis in 2008.
Godrej Properties has a total exposure of 6.93 million sq ft in Kolkata, including Godrej Genesis, with a developable area of close to 1 million sq ft.
It has another IT park development in the city, called Godrej Waterside. It had earlier given an exit to the PE partner in its Waterside project, too, taking 100 per cent ownership.
In July this year, the developer had bought out HDFC Asset Management Co Ltd’s nearly 50 per cent stake each in its Chennai and Chandigarh projects. HDFC PMS (Portfolio Management Services) had invested about Rs 100 crore in those two projects.
Godrej Properties is developing residential, commercial and township projects spread across 87.6 million sq ft in 12 cities.
The company’s scrip closed at Rs 166.4 on Wednesday, down 0.92 per cent from its previous close on BSE.
Mahindra & Mahindra to develop full-scale hybrid SUV
New Delhi: Mahindra & Mahindra, the country's largest utility vehicle maker, is developing the world's first hybrid technology that can be deployed in vehicles with manual transmission and enhance fuel efficiency by almost 20%.
The company, which may debut its hybrids at February's Indian Motor Show, has established a place for itself in green technologies with close to four lakh socalled micro-hybrid vehicles on Indian roads. It also owns the world's largest electric car company by production capacity, Mahindra Reva, which sells the E2O hatchback, the world's most affordable four-seater car that only uses battery power to run.
The company is now moving to the next level of sustainable green mobility by focusing on full-scale hybrids and has roped in technology partners that have the expertise.
"We have signed up with Samsung SDI, which is the global leader in lithium ion batteries for development and supply of these batteries for our hybrid range of vehicles," Rajan Wadhera, chief executive, technology and product development, told ET from Cape Town in South Africa where he was attending a company meeting. "We are perfecting the hybrid technology to deploy it in various platforms and vehicles across the Mahindra range."
Hybrids generally pair electric motors and regular engines and use batteries to store energy from motion and braking. They also use aerodynamic design to reduce drag and new materials to lower weight. Mahindra's microhybrids reduce fuel wastage by shutting off the engine when it's not needed.
Hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, with sales of more than three million worldwide, come with automatic transmission. Other hybrids and hybrid variants include the Honda Jazz, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Volt are all automatics.
Elon Musk's Tesla makes allelectric cars that have gained a significant market share in the US in the last few years, thanks to their sleek design and performance, although the company recently had to defend itself over some vehicles catching fire. Automatic cars, although they have gained ground of late in India, still aren't as popular in the country as they cost more and are less fuel-efficient. That's why Mahindra is going the manual-transmission route, says the company.
"We are keen to develop a manual transmission mode compatible with the hybrid technology," Wadhera said. "It is expected to be more efficient and also more adaptable to the range of vehicles sold across various markets."
Other technology partners include Germany's largest auto component maker ZF and tyremaker Continental. The fullscale hybrids are likely to be available as the top-end variants of sports utility vehicles such as the XUV500 and Scorpio. Both these models have micro-hybrid variants that enhance mileage up to 5% by switching off the engine when not required.
Various automakers in India have been trying to take fuel efficiency to the next level by developing different technologies to partially offset the spiralling cost of fuel. Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Honda and Toyota Kirloskar are working on micro-hybrids, electric assists and start-stop technologies to decrease fuel consumption and increase the efficiency of petrol and diesel engines.
Maruti has introduced startstop technology, which increases fuel efficiency by 5-7%, in some of the models that it exports. The company plans to offer this option in top-end variants in the local market as well.
Mahindra officials expect that the initial success of its hybrid vehicles will establish new yardsticks for fuel efficiency in the Indian market.
"A hybrid electric vehicle combines conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system leading to improved fuel economy and efficiency," said a person close to the development. "Mahindra's commitment to bring about a cleaner and greener future is exemplified through the partnerships entered with leading global technology conglomerates and pioneering consultants."
Toyota makes the Prius available as an import in India. The Z5 costs Rs 29.3 lakh and the Z6 Rs 31.5 lakh (ex-showroom in Delhi). Mahindra has been frustrated at the slack response to the E2O with sales nowhere near projections. Only a few hundred cars have been sold so far since its launch in March this year. The E20 starts at Rs 6.3 lakh after benefits and tax rebates. Mahindra's XUV500 microhybrid variant starts at Rs 11 lakh and that of the Scorpio at Rs 8.1 lakh.
Meanwhile, the Indian government is working on proposals to convert existing cars into hybrids that will improve fuel efficiency by 20-25%. This will involve more than 100 million cars on Indian roads being turned into hybrids by deploying a parallel system just as CNG kits are retrofitted in petrol cars and SUVs in India.
The company, which may debut its hybrids at February's Indian Motor Show, has established a place for itself in green technologies with close to four lakh socalled micro-hybrid vehicles on Indian roads. It also owns the world's largest electric car company by production capacity, Mahindra Reva, which sells the E2O hatchback, the world's most affordable four-seater car that only uses battery power to run.
The company is now moving to the next level of sustainable green mobility by focusing on full-scale hybrids and has roped in technology partners that have the expertise.
"We have signed up with Samsung SDI, which is the global leader in lithium ion batteries for development and supply of these batteries for our hybrid range of vehicles," Rajan Wadhera, chief executive, technology and product development, told ET from Cape Town in South Africa where he was attending a company meeting. "We are perfecting the hybrid technology to deploy it in various platforms and vehicles across the Mahindra range."
Hybrids generally pair electric motors and regular engines and use batteries to store energy from motion and braking. They also use aerodynamic design to reduce drag and new materials to lower weight. Mahindra's microhybrids reduce fuel wastage by shutting off the engine when it's not needed.
Hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, with sales of more than three million worldwide, come with automatic transmission. Other hybrids and hybrid variants include the Honda Jazz, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Volt are all automatics.
Elon Musk's Tesla makes allelectric cars that have gained a significant market share in the US in the last few years, thanks to their sleek design and performance, although the company recently had to defend itself over some vehicles catching fire. Automatic cars, although they have gained ground of late in India, still aren't as popular in the country as they cost more and are less fuel-efficient. That's why Mahindra is going the manual-transmission route, says the company.
"We are keen to develop a manual transmission mode compatible with the hybrid technology," Wadhera said. "It is expected to be more efficient and also more adaptable to the range of vehicles sold across various markets."
Other technology partners include Germany's largest auto component maker ZF and tyremaker Continental. The fullscale hybrids are likely to be available as the top-end variants of sports utility vehicles such as the XUV500 and Scorpio. Both these models have micro-hybrid variants that enhance mileage up to 5% by switching off the engine when not required.
Various automakers in India have been trying to take fuel efficiency to the next level by developing different technologies to partially offset the spiralling cost of fuel. Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Honda and Toyota Kirloskar are working on micro-hybrids, electric assists and start-stop technologies to decrease fuel consumption and increase the efficiency of petrol and diesel engines.
Maruti has introduced startstop technology, which increases fuel efficiency by 5-7%, in some of the models that it exports. The company plans to offer this option in top-end variants in the local market as well.
Mahindra officials expect that the initial success of its hybrid vehicles will establish new yardsticks for fuel efficiency in the Indian market.
"A hybrid electric vehicle combines conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system leading to improved fuel economy and efficiency," said a person close to the development. "Mahindra's commitment to bring about a cleaner and greener future is exemplified through the partnerships entered with leading global technology conglomerates and pioneering consultants."
Toyota makes the Prius available as an import in India. The Z5 costs Rs 29.3 lakh and the Z6 Rs 31.5 lakh (ex-showroom in Delhi). Mahindra has been frustrated at the slack response to the E2O with sales nowhere near projections. Only a few hundred cars have been sold so far since its launch in March this year. The E20 starts at Rs 6.3 lakh after benefits and tax rebates. Mahindra's XUV500 microhybrid variant starts at Rs 11 lakh and that of the Scorpio at Rs 8.1 lakh.
Meanwhile, the Indian government is working on proposals to convert existing cars into hybrids that will improve fuel efficiency by 20-25%. This will involve more than 100 million cars on Indian roads being turned into hybrids by deploying a parallel system just as CNG kits are retrofitted in petrol cars and SUVs in India.
Manufacturing zones in AP
Hyderabad: The Centre has accorded in-principle approval for the three national investment and manufacturing zones proposed in Andhra Pradesh.
The proposal for sanction of Rs 250 crore for payment of advance for the land acquisition for the proposed zones in Chittoor and Medak districts has also been agreed, a state government release said.
It is estimated that the Medak district zone could attract investments up to Rs 43,000 crore, whole those in Chittoor and Prakasam district could attract Rs 31,000 crore and Rs 43,000 crore respectively.
The three zones are coming up on an area of over 5,000 hectares each.
The proposal for sanction of Rs 250 crore for payment of advance for the land acquisition for the proposed zones in Chittoor and Medak districts has also been agreed, a state government release said.
It is estimated that the Medak district zone could attract investments up to Rs 43,000 crore, whole those in Chittoor and Prakasam district could attract Rs 31,000 crore and Rs 43,000 crore respectively.
The three zones are coming up on an area of over 5,000 hectares each.
Australian agency NICTA, Infosys in pact for research centre
Chennai: National ICT Australia Ltd (NICTA) and Infosys will jointly set up a centre of excellence in optimisation algorithm to solve complex problems related to supply chain for clients in Australia, according to Hugh Durrant Whyte, CEO, NICTA.
Early this year, NICTA, an ICT research organisation, and Infosys signed a joint research collaboration agreement to tackle the ‘hard technology’ problems facing businesses. Setting up the centre in India and Australia, is part of this tie up, Whyte told Business Line.
As problems become more complex, the optimisation methods (algorithms) need to become more capable. For example, if a company needs to deliver a million items to 10,000 customers using 100 trucks, what is the allocation of items to trucks and customers that will minimise cost? Or, in a complete supply chain, what set of ships, port movements, people and trucks is needed to deliver all of a companies outcomes to the right place at the right time to maximise profit? “This is a hard problem and is the type of thing we will be doing with Infosys,” he said.
Whyte was in Chennai leading an Australian ICT delegation to showcase innovation and research excellence in ICT and explore partnerships with local IT companies, including HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and Cognizant.
Infosys has the capability to design and implement the solutions while NICAT has a group of experts in optimisation. Supply chain is critical for Australia, which is a big country and vastly populated. There is mineral supply chain and food supply chain and nearly 40 per cent of GDP is spent on shipping goods around the country as against 20 per cent globally.
Best place
If Infosys wants to offer customer supply chain expertise, Australia is the best place to build capacity, expertise and apply first with Australian customers and take it globally, he said.
Early this year, NICTA, an ICT research organisation, and Infosys signed a joint research collaboration agreement to tackle the ‘hard technology’ problems facing businesses. Setting up the centre in India and Australia, is part of this tie up, Whyte told Business Line.
As problems become more complex, the optimisation methods (algorithms) need to become more capable. For example, if a company needs to deliver a million items to 10,000 customers using 100 trucks, what is the allocation of items to trucks and customers that will minimise cost? Or, in a complete supply chain, what set of ships, port movements, people and trucks is needed to deliver all of a companies outcomes to the right place at the right time to maximise profit? “This is a hard problem and is the type of thing we will be doing with Infosys,” he said.
Whyte was in Chennai leading an Australian ICT delegation to showcase innovation and research excellence in ICT and explore partnerships with local IT companies, including HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and Cognizant.
Infosys has the capability to design and implement the solutions while NICAT has a group of experts in optimisation. Supply chain is critical for Australia, which is a big country and vastly populated. There is mineral supply chain and food supply chain and nearly 40 per cent of GDP is spent on shipping goods around the country as against 20 per cent globally.
Best place
If Infosys wants to offer customer supply chain expertise, Australia is the best place to build capacity, expertise and apply first with Australian customers and take it globally, he said.
At 1,200 kV Wardha-Aurangabad will be world’s most powerful transmission line
Chennai: Driven by need and denied help, India developed its own super computers, learnt to put satellites in space and mastered the pressurised heavy water reactor nuclear technology. While these do not make India a scientific super power, they do fetch the country a measure of respectability.
Now, the same need is driving India to the cutting edge of technologies in another field — power transmission.
The 400-km distance between Wardha and Aurangabad may not be very long, but the cables which connect the two cities in Maharashtra will, in a couple of years, have the distinction of being the world’s highest capacity power transmission line. At present, it is “charged to 400 kV” but when the Power Grid Corporation of India is ready, the capacity of the line will be raised to 1,200 kV. Nowhere in the world does a 1,200-kV line exist, partly because other countries do not need such high capacity lines. China, another country of distances, which does need ultra high voltage transmission, has a 1,100 kV line in commercial operation.
The Wardha-Aurangabad transmission system takes off from a 2 km-long pilot line that the public sector PGCIL has been experimenting in Bina, Madhya Pradesh. The pilot was to study how electrical systems behave when a current of 1,200 volt zips through them.
The ultra high voltage (UHV) systems have one significant advantage — they can carry more power. This is crucial in a country where laying new lines is a challenge because of ‘right of way’ problems.
“UHV is an evolving technology, specially initiated by countries with large surface areas like China and India,” says John Yesuraj, Deputy General Manager, Design and Technology, Crompton Greaves Ltd. “India’s ambition of 1,200 kV system, which would be a step greater than China’s 1,100 kV, is now widely discussed in international technical forums across the world,” Yesuraj told Business Line.
Cromption Greaves recently announced the setting up of a Rs 40-crore ‘UHV lab’ to test how well the various transmission equipment can withstand electrical stress when current of very high voltage, up to 1,600 kV, passes through it. The lab will enable local manufacture of UHV products, substituting costly imports.
In the meantime, Power Grid Corporation is all set to begin research into superconducting transmission systems. Superconductivity has been in physics books for long, but is yet to come into reality. Basically, if you pass electricity through a wire, the wire resists the flow and this resistance heats up the wire and some energy is lost as this heat. A superconducting system keeps the cable under extremely low temperatures, so low that making it possible at temperatures of -135 degrees Celsius is called ‘high temperature super conductivity’. The challenge is, of course, to keep the cable so cold but if you get it right, there will be practically no transmission losses.
Power Grid Corporation will soon be set up a research centre in collaboration with IIT Kharakhpur, the company’s Director-Operations, I. S. Jha, said
Now, the same need is driving India to the cutting edge of technologies in another field — power transmission.
The 400-km distance between Wardha and Aurangabad may not be very long, but the cables which connect the two cities in Maharashtra will, in a couple of years, have the distinction of being the world’s highest capacity power transmission line. At present, it is “charged to 400 kV” but when the Power Grid Corporation of India is ready, the capacity of the line will be raised to 1,200 kV. Nowhere in the world does a 1,200-kV line exist, partly because other countries do not need such high capacity lines. China, another country of distances, which does need ultra high voltage transmission, has a 1,100 kV line in commercial operation.
The Wardha-Aurangabad transmission system takes off from a 2 km-long pilot line that the public sector PGCIL has been experimenting in Bina, Madhya Pradesh. The pilot was to study how electrical systems behave when a current of 1,200 volt zips through them.
The ultra high voltage (UHV) systems have one significant advantage — they can carry more power. This is crucial in a country where laying new lines is a challenge because of ‘right of way’ problems.
“UHV is an evolving technology, specially initiated by countries with large surface areas like China and India,” says John Yesuraj, Deputy General Manager, Design and Technology, Crompton Greaves Ltd. “India’s ambition of 1,200 kV system, which would be a step greater than China’s 1,100 kV, is now widely discussed in international technical forums across the world,” Yesuraj told Business Line.
Cromption Greaves recently announced the setting up of a Rs 40-crore ‘UHV lab’ to test how well the various transmission equipment can withstand electrical stress when current of very high voltage, up to 1,600 kV, passes through it. The lab will enable local manufacture of UHV products, substituting costly imports.
In the meantime, Power Grid Corporation is all set to begin research into superconducting transmission systems. Superconductivity has been in physics books for long, but is yet to come into reality. Basically, if you pass electricity through a wire, the wire resists the flow and this resistance heats up the wire and some energy is lost as this heat. A superconducting system keeps the cable under extremely low temperatures, so low that making it possible at temperatures of -135 degrees Celsius is called ‘high temperature super conductivity’. The challenge is, of course, to keep the cable so cold but if you get it right, there will be practically no transmission losses.
Power Grid Corporation will soon be set up a research centre in collaboration with IIT Kharakhpur, the company’s Director-Operations, I. S. Jha, said
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