Auto maker Hero Group has denied the speculations that Honda may exit India's largest two-wheeler maker Hero Honda. The Japanese auto major Honda holds 26% stake in the joint venture. Of late there were some media reports that Honda was planning to sell its 20% stake to the other promoter Munjal family of the Hero Group.

"We have already conveyed earlier that the Hero Group and Honda Motor Co , Japan , have for years enjoyed a very cordial and fruitful relation , resulting in millions of satisfied Hero Honda customers across the country and there has been no change in the relationship in any manner , " said a press statement from the Hero Group. "The news report is incorrect and speculative , " it added.

 

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Car maker Ford is going to introduce 8 cars in India by 2015. “India is a key market for Ford and we have big plans for the country and this region. The company will introduce eight new vehicles in India from the global platform , in segments appropriate for this market , ” said Joe Hinrichs , President , Asia Pacific and Africa , Ford. Introduction of the new vehicles is a part of the company’s plan to bring more products from its global portfolio and other markets , he added.

Ford's new small car Figo has generated very positive response from the Indian small car market. The compact car has registered a sales of over 30 , 000 units within the first 25 weeks after the launch. “Although the vast majority of vehicles produced in India will help satisfy growing local demand , we also continue to pursue export opportunities. From next year we will start exporting 10 , 000 units of India made Figo , ” said Hinrichs.

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Honda Motor is planning to boost its sales by increasing its dealerships by 28 percent in India. According to Jnaneswar Sen , Vice President , Marketing , Honda Motor , the company will increase outlets to 150 in 90 cities by March 2012 from 117 in 71 cities now , adding about one a month.

Honda plans to offer a car for less than 500 , 000 rupees ($10 , 675) in the second half of 2011 , informed Sen. Sales of Honda cars have declined 4% in the four months to July in India. It is significant compared to 35% growth of the auto industry in the country. As of now , small cars account for 79% of total sales in the country , according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

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Hyundai Motor India is going to increase prices of its products by up to 1.2% across all models from September 1. The price is caused by rise in input costs , the company said in a press release.

"There has been an increase in the input costs for car manufacturers. We have tried to absorb as much of the cost as we can , to cause as less inconvenience as possible to our valued customers , " said Arvind Saxena , Director , (Marketing & Sales) , Hyundai Motor India. The company , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company , South Korea , is the largest passenger car exporter and the second largest car-manufacturer in India. It sells six models of passenger cars across segments.

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Renault is going to launch five cars between 2011 and 2013. This will include small cars in 2012. The company will manufacture its small cars on its alliance partner Nissan’s platform , according to Marc Nassif , Country General Manager , Renault India.

Renault will manufacture cars in alliance with its partner Nissan at its manufacturing unit in Chennai. The company will launch its premium vehicle Fluence and cross-over Koleos in 2011. The Renault-Nissan alliance has also joined hands with two-wheeler maker Bajaj Auto for making a low-cost small car for the Indian market. The car may be launched by the end of the year 2012.

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