ŠKODA Auto India Partners with PPS Motors to Expand its Footprint in Karnataka

 Summary

* ŠKODA AUTO’s new state of the art dealership facility in Bengaluru: PPS Motors boasts 4,500 sq. ft. of a modern showroom and 18,000 sq. ft. of premium service space, 70 plus technicians and staff members, 10 mechanical stations and body shop bays, and service capacity of 5,500 plus ŠKODA AUTO vehicles per annum

* The new dealership facility is the third outlet of the Czech marque, in Bengaluru, and aims to enhance the overall purchase and ownership experience for the ŠKODA AUTO customers in the region

* Under the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project, ŠKODA AUTO India will double its network penetration, and expand to 50 new cities, over the next three years

* ŠKODA AUTO celebrates 125 years of its glorious history and heritage the world over

With the inauguration of PPS Motors in Bengaluru, ŠKODA AUTO India aims to strengthen its position in Karnataka and push forward its campaign of establishing a strong foothold in the southern markets of our nation. The new state of the art dealership facility sports the new Corporate Identity and Design as a part of ŠKODA AUTO global redesigning process. The Czech auto manufacturer, under the purview of the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project, will have at least twice as many sales and service touchpoints, as it does today, by 2022.

PPS Motors is strategically located at 219/11, Ramana Maharishi Road, Palace Orchards, Sadashivanagar, Bellary Road and offers utmost ease and convenience across the region. The sales facility sprawls over an area of 4,500 square feet and accommodates at least four cars on display. A dedicated service workshop, located at 35, Kranthikavi Sarvagna Road, Sreerampuram, Okaluipuram, is spread across 18,000 square feet and houses ten mechanical stations and body shop bays. With 75 trained personnel, PPS Motors has a capacity to service 5,500 plus ŠKODA AUTO vehicles per annum.

Commenting on the inauguration of the new facility, Mr. Zac Hollis, Brand Director, ŠKODA AUTO India said, “To ensure preparedness for INDIA 2.0 launches, we at ŠKODA AUTO India are continually striving to expand our network reach, across the nation, so that not only more and more customers can experience our products but also enjoy easy access to our customer centric aftersales solutions. Bangalore is a key market for us in South India, and we are confident that our

partnership with PPS Motors will be pivotal for the brand and will further strengthen our foothold in Karnataka.”

Mr. Rajiv Sanghvi, Dealer Principal, PPS Motors Private Limited said, “We are delighted to partner with ŠKODA AUTO India and introduce a new dealership facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The modern architecture and streamlined business processes will provide the ideal backdrop for the presentation of ŠKODA AUTO products. With the global best practices and processes of Skoda Auto India and adapting them to suit our customers in the region we endeavour to create a lot of value for all our stake holder’s especially our customers to offer world service and customer care”

MODERN DEALERSHIP FACILITIES WITH STREAMLINED BUSINESS PROCESSES

With the highest priority given to functionality, clear orientation, and transparency, ŠKODA AUTO India has successfully rebranded its entire network of 83 sales and 58 service touchpoints across 69 cities across the nation. The Czech brand has invested over INR 1,200 million, along with its dealer partners, in the biggest rebranding campaign in its history in India.

In line with the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project, the corporate architecture, functional interiors, and rationalized business processes, aim to enhance the overall customer experience. The new dealership design architectural concept reflects ŠKODA AUTO’s philosophy expressed in the slogan: “Simply Clever with a human touch”.

The new architecture of the dealership facility is characterized by clear and simple shapes, a harmonious colour concept, modular design features, and a modern lighting concept. The new exteriors of the ŠKODA AUTO dealerships will be the brand’s powerful statement during both day and night - clear, transparent, modern, and open.

In addition to sustaining ŠKODA AUTO’s proven strengths, the company is placing an increasing emphasis on enhancing the emotional appeal of the brand. It is conveyed by the sophisticated and logical arrangement of all the key elements, business areas, customer zones, and the use of cutting edge technology.

The high quality materials, new design features, effective lighting solutions, architectural graphic elements, and warm wooden tones create an inviting atmosphere. Fresh hues, clarity, openness, and transparency - are the highlights of the new interiors of ŠKODA AUTO showrooms.

Jaguar Land Rover Celebrates Clean Engine Manufacturing with Milestone of 1.5 Million and Counting

Milestones

* More than 1.5 million Jaguar Land Rover Ingenium engines have now been produced

* The Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC) houses the full line up of Ingenium powertrain technologies

* New straight-six diesel joins the Ingenium family which also includes Electric Drive Units (EDU) assembled at the Wolverhampton facility, UK

* Innovative manufacturing facility supports the move to electrification and is part of the company’s Destination Zero mission 

Jaguar Land Rover has now produced over 1.5 million Ingenium engines, as the UK manufacturer celebrates its leading facility adding a new, advanced powertrain offering.

The Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, UK, produces the ultra-efficient Ingenium powertrain family, providing a range of clean and electrified powertrains for all Jaguar and Land Rover models*. 

The advanced Ingenium family, which includes a range of clean, refined and efficient diesel, petrol and electrified engines, are built to maximise performance whilst at the same time reducing the environmental impact and running costs for customers. Developed and manufactured in-house in the UK, Jaguar and Land Rover’s all-aluminium Ingenium engine designs are modular, flexible and scalable, with common core technologies. 

The latest addition to the Ingenium range is the six-cylinder diesel engine, which offers enhanced performance, smoothness and efficiency, powering the new Range Rover and new Range Rover Sport. The advanced in-line Ingenium diesel engine, featuring mild hybrid technology, joins the range of clean and efficient six-cylinder petrol and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover’s facility in the West Midlands.

The evolving, efficient Ingenium family supports the company’s long-term commitment to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel economy across its vehicle range. This is part of its Destination Zero mission and a commitment to reducing emissions and making environments cleaner through relentless innovation.  

Jaguar Land Rover will continue to develop its Ingenium technology, continue to advance the electrification of its model line-up and establish a concept hydrogen fuel cell powertrain solution**. The Engine Manufacturing Centre also houses the assembly of Electric Drive Units (EDUs), offering full flexibility between new petrol and diesel engines and EDUs for those customers who want to make the switch from conventional to electrified vehicles.

The Wolverhampton site is complemented by a growing electrification ecosystem in the Midlands, with the innovative and technologically advanced Battery Assembly Centre at nearby Hams Hall assembling PHEV and BEV batteries. Together, they will power the next generation of Jaguar and Land Rover electrified vehicles.

Ken Close, Jaguar Land Rover Powertrain Operations Launch Director, said: “We are experiencing unprecedented demand for cleaner-running vehicles, so it’s more important than ever to deliver clean and efficient engines without compromising on the performance or all-terrain capabilities our customers have come to expect. 

“Our Ingenium powertrains offer the very best of both worlds – better fuel efficiency and lower emissions, and even greater torque for a more responsive and engaging drive."

The Engine Manufacturing Centre supplies engines to Jaguar Land Rover’s global vehicle operations, with a large majority of those powertrain units used in UK based facilities including Solihull, home of the recently announced new Range Rover and new Range Rover Sport.

The latest six-cylinder diesel shares its manufacturing facilities with the six-cylinder petrol engine, which was successfully launched last year. These include machining of the key architecture, cylinder head, cylinder block and crankshaft, as well as the assembly and testing of the engine. The Engine Manufacturing Centre has utilised its extensive modern machining, assembly, test and metrology capability to successfully deliver one of the world’s leading clean diesel engines.

Navnit Motors Hosts India’s Largest BMW Premium Selection Facility in Bengaluru

BMW Group India announced the opening of its new BMW Premium Selection (BPS) facility in Bengaluru. The largest BPS facility in India is hosted by Navnit Motors and will display a wide range of pre-owned BMW vehicles. The facility is located at No. 40/66, Sonnappana Halli Bethahalasoor Post, New Airport Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 562157.

The facility is headed by Mr. Sharad Kachalia, Dealer Principal, Navnit Motors. Navnit Motors also represents BMW India with sales and service outlets in Bengaluru, Mangalore and Mumbai.

Mr. Arlindo Teixeira, acting President, BMW Group India said, “BMW Premium Selection offers an entry into the world of ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ for our discerning consumers with complete peace of mind. Each pre-owned vehicle sold under the BMW Premium Selection promises to be a best pick in terms of value, quality and service in the used car market. There is a massive potential in the premium pre-owned car market in India and Bengaluru is one of the key markets for BMW India. With the launch of Navnit Motors - BMW Premium Selection, we are setting a new benchmark in the premium pre-owned car market and bringing JOY closer to our potential customers.”

Mr. Sharad Kachalia, Dealer Principal, Navnit Motors said, “It gives us great Joy to add another important dimension to our business with the launch of the largest BPS facility in India. Strategically located alongside our service workshop, we are certain that the facility will become a choice destination for prospects who want to join the world of BMW. With our deep understanding of the luxury automotive market as well as the pre-owned category in the region, we are confident to play a significant role in the growing success story of BMW in India.”

Since its launch in 2011, BMW Group India has established 24 BPS facilities across the country. BPS offers the finest range of pre-owned BMW vehicles that are carefully selected and comprehensively examined for quality. Every vehicle comes with a full, detailed history about servicing, maintenance and repairs.

The strategically located facility is spread across a total area of 7,500 sq. ft. with a 15 car display, sales lounge and customer lounge. With the industry-leading Virtual Product Presentation (VPP), customers can easily check current vehicle stock, obtain all information such as current mileage, retail price, car specifications and dealer contact data. Additionally, the user friendly interface offers visitors a broad range of search functionalities to select their favourite vehicle.

A range of individual and attractive financing options are available for BPS vehicles. A dedicated team of finance and insurance consultants offer personalised advice and provide suitable financing options as per customers’ needs and future plans. Customers can choose a trade-in offer for a fair exchange value, hassel free documentation and evaluation of vehicle at their doorsteps.

All cars selected under BMW Premium Selection are less than five years old and would have clocked under 100,000 kms. These vehicles come with upto 24 months warranty. BPS owners also have the option of taking BMW India Roadside Assistance which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Ford Motors on a hiring spree in India

Ford Motors has signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government for the $500-million expansion programme at its manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar, a city suburb.

As part of its plan to expand its manufacturing facility in Chennai, car manufacturer Ford India has announced that it will hire 1,000 people. The expansion of the manufacturing unit will be completed by next year.

According to a company official, the company has already hired 400 people and the rest will be recruited by next year. On Thursday, the company signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government for the expansion by setting up new engine manufacturing units. As a part of its expansion plans, the company would double its vehicle production capacity to two lakh units per year. A new engine production unit with a capacity of 2.5 lakh is also being set up at a total invest cost of $500 million announced early last year.

The agreement was signed by Industries Secretary Farooqui on behalf of the government and Ford Managing Director Michael Boneham before Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and U.S. Ambassador Tim Roemer among other officials.

Agencies

AMD Subsidiary Building $4.2 billion on New York Facility

AMD's manufacturing subsidiary -- Global Foundries is building a $4.2 billion chip manufacturing facility in upstate New York. With its new facility, the AMD spin-off will now be able to directly compete with archrivals Intel and other semiconductor manufacturers.
According to AMD semiconductor manufacturing remains expensive, and hence outsourcing will increase. However, analysts said it will be difficult for the New York chip foundry arm business (fab) to compete with Taiwanese industry leaders.

Chip manufacturers have posted significant losses in recent quarters because they have been unable to run at capacity.

AMD had launched Globalfoundries as a JV with Abu Dhabi-backed Advanced Technology Investment Company in May, a move that led to Intel accusing it of breaching a 2001 patent cross-license agreement.

The U.S. Company holds a 34.2% stake in the venture and ATIC holds the remaining 65.8%. Their New York foundry is scheduled to begin production in 2012, said the company.

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US firm sets up welding consumables facility in Chennai

The US-based welding consumables product company Lincoln Electric inaugurated its $20-million plant near Chennai Monday.

The 100,000 square feet plant in Mahindra World City, a special economic zone (SEZ), has an initial production capacity of 15,000 tonnes per annum.


"The Chennai plant is an important investment for Lincoln in the expanding market for welding products in India," Lincoln chairman and chief executive John M. Stropki told reporters while inaugurating the facility.

The new plant will manufacture solid welding wire used in industry segments like such as heavy equipment, metal buildings, pipeline and windmills.

Agencies

IBM plans to open Iowa centre; To create 1,300 jobs

IBM, the world's largest technology services company, plans to open a new computer support center in Iowa, creating up to 1,300 new jobs and defying a trend of widespread corporate layoffs.

The Dubuque facility in a 10-story office building once occupied by now-defunct retailer Roshek's Department Store, will create jobs for high-tech workers at a time when many technology companies are cutting staff.

Workers will provide security services and remote support to IBM customers, helping to maintain computers and software systems primarily located in the United States, IBM said.

International Business Machines Corp said it plans to employ several hundred people in the facility by the end of this year, following renovations to the top eight floors of the building that it will occupy to make it more energy efficient.

By the end of next year, as many as 1,300 IBM employees will work in the building built in the 1930s, IBM said.

On Tuesday, IBM announced plans to work with Michigan State University to build a software development center in East Lansing, Michigan, that will create up to 1,500 jobs over the next five years.

Agencies