Articles

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    Kicking the hornet’s nest

    The action just shifted to the sub-400cc Retro motorcycle segment and whoever said picking one was going to be easy, was kidding.

    The sub-400cc Retro motorcycle segment is hotting up with Honda deciding to enter this class by launching the H'ness CB350. It is the Japanese manufacturer’s first classic motorcycle in this division and it will go up against the likes of the segment leader, Royal Enfield, Benelli Imperiale 400, and Jawa. Let's take a closer look…

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    ARUP DAS
    09
    Oct
    2020
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    Screw it, let’s exit

    The legendary American motorcycle manufacturer, Harley Davidson, packs up, leaving its 25,300 Indian customers and 35 dealers in the lurch. Dealer association, FADA, cries foul and plans to take up the issue with the Government, demanding a strong Franchise Protection Act in the country.

    Just when dealers thought that the arrival of the Festive season would bring with it a new hope of revival, washing away their pandemic blues, the news of Harley Davidson Motor Company “discontinuing its sales and manufacturing operations in India” sent shock waves through them. Now, even customers are clueless about their fate, and the road ahead seems rocky…

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    SHWETA BHANOT MEHROTRA
    09
    Oct
    2020
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    It’s raining discounts

    Car companies and Banks are going all out to woo potential buyers

    With the festive season starting there is reason for customers to rejoice as both, car companies and banks, are ready with goody bags, to lure customers to loosen their purse strings. The sector which already saw signs of revival in the month of August may see some more traction during this festive season with discounts…

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    JHARNA MAZUMDAR
    03
    Oct
    2020
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    Ad World

    Advertising across platforms has played a key role in sales picking up in the auto sector. Will it be the magic wand to revive demand?

    With the festive season round the corner, auto companies are likely to increase their ad spends to lure customers to loosen their purse strings. Auto companies advertised across platforms in the second quarter of this year and advertising revived across traditional and new media, with the sector’s ranking among top advertisers improving significantly by the…

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    JHARNA MAZUMDAR
    11
    Sep
    2020
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    Auto sector shows signs of revival on back of entry-level cars

    The auto sector which has been witnessing a significant slowdown in sales with a slackening of the economy for more than six months, now, with advent of the festive season has started to witness some signs of revival thanks to a surge in demand for small cars as well as two-wheelers.

    Auto sales showed signs of revival in the month of August mainly on the back of pent up demand, the festive season nearing, and customers concerned about safety preferring to drive their own cars and bikes rather than use public transport.  The auto sector which has been witnessing a significant slowdown in sales with a…

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    JHARNA MAZUMDAR
    04
    Sep
    2020
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    Will GST rate cut on two wheelers bring festive cheer?

    As the government pins hope of a possible Goods and Services Tax (GST) cut on two-wheelers, both the the industry and the buyers, look on with an eager eye.

    Times are grave as auto industry has seen de-growth of 75.49% (-75.49%) in domestic sales for the period between April-June 2020-21, with two-wheelers domestic sales de-growth of 74.21% (-74.21%).  The COVID-19 pandemic has ripped the economy and the auto industry severely. Things are slowly limping back and hopes have now been pinned on the festive season. …

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    SHWETA BHANOT MEHROTRA
    28
    Aug
    2020
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    White is the new black

    If you thought that it is just we Indians who love white cars, you couldn’t be more wrong. The popularity of white is not confined to the Indian sub-continent alone and it is now spilling over to the EVs as well.

    Take a bow! We are a bunch of white car fanatics! According to a recent report by BASF (Color Report 2019 for Automotive OEM Coatings), Indian car buyers opted more for white over other colours in 2019. The share of the white in the overall car purchases increased from 43% in 2018 to 47% in 2019.  Meanwhile,…

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    SHWETA BHANOT MEHROTRA
    14
    Aug
    2020
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    Used cars to lead auto revival

    Revival of auto demand will happen through the used car market while millennials gun for entry-level cars.

    Millennials are keen to buy used cars in order to travel safely to work as well as for their leisure in the Post-Covid world. In fact, an OLX Study, OLX Auto Note 4th Edition, conducted between April and July 2020 said 70% of respondents in semi-urban areas want to go in for used cars and have budgets…

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    BRIAN DE SOUZA
    07
    Aug
    2020
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    Personal mobility takes center stage

    With safety being of prime importance, demand for products and services relating to personal mobility is expected to surge. From luxury car rentals to pocket-friendly used two-wheelers, consumers are fast adopting private transportation options to steer clear of the virus.

    Travel isn’t going to be the same for a while and that’s a given. Whether it is your daily commute, getting from point A to point B, or that long awaited holiday break that you were so desirous of embarking on, everything is now going to be a new transformed version of what we’ve been…

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    RACHNA TYAGI
    31
    Jul
    2020
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    Turbocharged petrol powertrains galore

    The BS-VI era has introduced us to the age of turbocharged petrol engines. Check out the range of these cost effective, cleaner engines without clamping down on power in the market.

    India is a unique market because we are the only country in the world where sub-4-metre vehicles with petrol engines lesser than 1200cc receive excise benefits. Now, if that wasn’t already a big challenge for the automobile manufacturers, the new stringent BS-VI emissions have forced many to go back to the drawing board and look…

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    ARUP DAS
    24
    Jul
    2020