Renault-Nissan produces 100,000 engines in record time

India Infoline News Service / 15:40 , Aug 27, 2011 The plant started manufacturing the petrol engine in May 2010 and has crossed the 100,000 mark by last month.

The year 2011 is a year of celebration for employees at the Renault Nissan Alliance India Pvt Ltd (RNAIPL) as the Company has crossed yet another milestone by producing the 100,000 1.2-litre and 1.5-litre HR12DE petrol engines in a record period of 15 months. Earlier, the alliance plant had achieved a milestone by producing 100,000 Micra cars in a record period of 13 months. The plant started manufacturing the petrol engine in May 2010 and has crossed the 100,000 mark by last month. Besides the 1.2 litre petrol engine, the plant has also started manufacturing the 1.5 litre petrol engine for the new mid-size Sedan SUNNY. Commenting on the new milestone achievement Kou Kimura, CEO and MD, RNAIPL said, the plant has set milestones that are creditable on a global level. It makes me feel proud of the local skill-set that are driving it to such high levels. I dedicate this achievement to the people of Tamil Nadu for their endearing spirit and zeal to achieve such high levels of commitment in their work and passion for the company. The petrol engine range is part of the project called Nissan Green Project 2010, which is an initiative taken by the Company to reduce the carbon footprint of its cars. The company has been working relentlessly to make its engines more efficient and is committed to global leadership in zero emission mobility. The Nissan Micra is the first car to have a HR12DE engine that was developed in pursuit of lighter weight and a smaller size than previous engines in the compact car class. It requires fewer moving parts compared to the more commonly used 4-cylinder engines. By applying bore circularity machining to the cylinder block, friction is reduced by 20 per cent compared to the conventional 4-cylinder engines. Moreover, improved noise vibration performance at a level equivalent to that of a 4-cylinder engine has been achieved by adjusting the weight balance of the engines rotary shaft. This helps to increase the power output, higher fuel efficiency and the life of the engine. The RNAIPL plant currently manufactures the Nissan Micra and Renault Fluence. Production of Nissan Sunny and Renault Koleos will commence shortly.

Maruti Suzuki to unveil 20 models: reports

India Infoline News Service / 09:47 , Aug 29, 2011 The company is likely to roll out sub-4 metre Swift Dzire at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi.

Maruti Suzuki to reportedly introduce 15-20 new vehicles in five years. The company will continue to focus on low-cost vehicles, with 70-80% of its future offerings likely to be in the small car segment, including facelifts and variants. According to reports, five products are in advanced stages of development. The company is likely to roll out sub-4 metre Swift Dzire at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi. The company will invest Rs 10-15bn on product development, including its upcoming R&D unit at Rohtak, over the next three-five years. The Rohtak facility will be operational by the first half of 2014, added reports.

Volvo developing a plug-in hybrid bus

India Infoline News Service / 10:31 , Sep 02, 2011 The bus is already clearly the most energy-efficient vehicle for public transport and our hybrid bus will accentuate its position as the best environmental option.

Volvo Buses is currently developing a plug-in hybrid busthat can drive long distances silently and exhaust-free on only electricity. Three buses will be tested in Gothenburg, Sweden, supported by the European Union.

Volvo currently has the worlds most efficient hybrid solution for buses and trucks. Volvo Buses has sold more than 250 hybrid buses, which are reducing fuel consumption by up to 35% and thus also reducing energy consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions by an equal amount. Reducing the total global energy consumption is the most important measure today and in the future, says Volvo Buses CEO Hkan Karlsson. The bus is already today clearly the most energy-efficient vehicle for public transport and our hybrid bus will accentuate its position as the best environmental option. But, we must continue to reduce energy consumption and for us in the bus industry, this involves finding solutions to increase electricity use. Supported by authorities including the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo is developing a plug-in hybrid bus. It is essentially the same Volvo hybrid bus as today, where the brake energy is recycled and utilized by the electric motor. But, with a new type of battery and charging equipment it will also be possible to charge the battery via the electricity network. The concept is based on placing battery charging stations at the end stations of the bus lines. By charging the battery there for five to ten minutes, it could significantly extend the time that the bus is able to operate only on electricity. This could entail distances of up to ten kilometers, with the corresponding advantages in the

form of silent traffic with no local emissions. It can be controlled so that the bus operates on electricity in densely populated areas or in particularly sensitive environmental areas, while the diesel engine can be used on other parts of the route. This technology will generate considerable opportunities to significantly reduce energy consumption. The reason is that electric engines have very high efficiency. We expect to be able to reduce the energy consumption in a city bus by up to 65% compared with todays diesel buses, says Hkan Karlsson. And, the plug-in hybrid bus will be able to reduce diesel consumption and thus carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 75%. Volvo Buses expects to have a prototype bus ready for testing in 2011. The next step will be taken in autumn 2012, when a field test will commence in Gothenburg using three chargeable hybrid buses. The buses will be put in service with passengers on Line 60. The field test project will be implemented in cooperation with Business Region Gteborg, the Traffic Office in Gothenburg City, Vsttrafik and Gteborgs Energi, which will be responsible for the charging stations. On Friday, the project was granted a subsidy of Euro 1,4 M from the EUs program that supports environmental ventures, Life+. It is important to the environment that we are able to develop new energy-efficient solutions as rapidly as possible, says Ulf Gustafsson, Head of Public Affairs at Volvo Buses. We have the opportunity to succeed because we are capitalizing on the collective expertise of companies, organizations and authorities, and they are jointly investing the funds required. The field test will commence in autumn 2012, but Volvo Buses does not know yet when the company will be able to offer this bus in the market. It will take a few more years, says Hkan Karlsson. But, we are convinced that this is a key step on the path to more efficient public transport and an important step in the effort to reduce global energy consumption.

Maruti output slides for second day at Manesar plant

India Infoline News Service / 18:27 , Aug 30, 2011 Some workers are believed to be prepared for talks with the Maruti management but would not sign any agreement.

Production at Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant was badly affected for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as management reportedly locked out workers who refused to sign a good conduct bond. Maruti proposed a legally enforceable bond to ensure good conduct from employees after it dismissed 5 workers, suspended 10 others and terminated the services of six trainees for allegedly sabotaging production. Maruti has reportedly observed serious quality problems with its vehicles lately.

Some workers are believed to be prepared for talks with the Maruti management but would not sign any agreement. The company may cut their two days pay if they continue to protest against the 'good conduct' bond. Meanwhile, 22 workers have accepted the bond, reports stated. Maruti today reportedly suspended 16 more permanent workers and discontinued the services of 12 technician trainees at Manesar. Production has not started yet, but there are indications that it will resume today with alternate arrangements like contract workers and hiring technicians, a Maruti spokesperson was quoted as

saying. The spokesperson confirmed new suspensions as well.

Suspended and dismissed workers are being charged with sabotage and causing quality problems with the vehicles produced last week. Production at the Manesar plant came to a halt yesterday after the company prevented workers from entering the factory without signing a good conduct bond. The management is taking revenge on us and forcing us to sign an undertaking following rejection of our application to form a union at the plant by the Haryana Government, MSEU General Secretary, Shiv Kumar, said. Maruti is believed to have decided to move all non-automated production work from Manesar to its Gurgaon unit till the time the workers agreed to sign the bond. The Manesar plant, which produces Swift, DZiRE and SX4, has a total of 2,500 workers; of which 950 are regular employees. The plant, which produces 1200 cars a day, has witnessed two strikes in as many months, from workers seeking recognition for a second union and to discourage plans to dismiss some workers. Maruti workers at Manesar went on a strike for 11 days in June, to demand longer tea and lunch breaks and better working conditions.

Govt has no plan to privatise Air India

India Infoline News Service / 18:14 , Aug 12, 2011 CPI and BJP members slammed the government has reportedly said that it was doing nothing to help the bleeding 'Maharaja', which used to be a symbol of prestige.

The opposition has alleged in Lok Sabha there was a deliberate design to make Air India bankrupt in order to privatise it, prompting the government to rule out privatisation, according to a report. CPI and BJP members slammed the government has reportedly said that it was doing nothing to help the bleeding 'Maharaja', which used to be a symbol of prestige. The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, V. Narayanasamy has ruled out any move to privatise Air India and said the Government would provide all possible support to strengthen the carrier, says report.