Tata Motors’ UK subsidiary, Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc, has acquired a 50.3% holding, at an acquisition cost of Kroner 12 million (Rs.9.40 crores), in Miljø Grenland/Innovasjon, Norway, which specialises in the development of innovative solutions for electric vehicles. The balance of shares will be retained by the existing shareholders who will continue to be associated with the venture.
Miljø will produce electric vehicles based on Tata Motors’ products, besides manufacturing of state-of-the-art super polymer lithium ion batteries and the development of related technologies. Tata Motors believes that this investment in Miljo will help the company realise its strategy to develop convenient, affordable and sustainable mobility solutions through electric and hybrid vehicles.
The first such vehicle to be developed by the company will be the Indica EV. It is scheduled for launch in Europe during 2009. Unlike existing electric vehicles, Indica EV will be a more practicable option for the consumer: capable of carrying 4 people, adequate luggage space, with a predicted range of up to 200 km and acceleration of 0-60 kmph in under 10 seconds. As in the Nano, Tata Motors continues its innovative approach with Indica EV too, using super polymer lithium ion batteries which will have superior energy density compared to the current best-in-class electric vehicles.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
ROLLS-ROYCE DELIVERS FIRST CAR TO THAILAND
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has delivered its first car to Thailand. Dr Nikorn Hongsrisook, a prominent Thai businessman based in Bangkok, received his Phantom Extended Wheelbase car from Rolls-Royce Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Colin Kelly.
At the handover ceremony, Colin Kelly said, ”It is a great pleasure to be able to deliver this first car into Thailand to such an appreciative customer and automotive enthusiast. We look forward to being able to deliver more Rolls-Royce cars to customers in Thailand, in a market where we believe there is growing demand for ultra-luxury motor cars.”
Dr Nikorn Hongsrisook, President of Gems Gallery International Manufacturer Ltd, added, “As a person who is truly fascinated with super-luxury cars, Phantom is a very special car which I have always aspired to own. I feel very proud to have become the owner of the first Phantom in Thailand”.
At the handover ceremony, Colin Kelly said, ”It is a great pleasure to be able to deliver this first car into Thailand to such an appreciative customer and automotive enthusiast. We look forward to being able to deliver more Rolls-Royce cars to customers in Thailand, in a market where we believe there is growing demand for ultra-luxury motor cars.”
Dr Nikorn Hongsrisook, President of Gems Gallery International Manufacturer Ltd, added, “As a person who is truly fascinated with super-luxury cars, Phantom is a very special car which I have always aspired to own. I feel very proud to have become the owner of the first Phantom in Thailand”.
Dr Nikorn specified his bespoke car to feature a Diamond Black exterior and an interior finished with piano black wood and contrast stitching. Amongst other Bespoke features, the car comes with the award-winning starlight headlining, an optional feature that incorporates 800 fine fiber optics in the ceiling, creating the impression of a star-filled night sky.
Dr Nikorn’s car was built at the state-of-the-art Rolls-Royce Motor Cars manufacturing facility in Goodwood, West Sussex, England.
Proton to export MPVs to Thailand and Indonesia by July
Proton Holdings Bhd expects to export its first home-grown multipurpose vehicle (MPV) to Thailand and Indonesia by July.
“We are planning to export the MPV to Indonesia and Thailand in July but our priority is to satisfy local demand first.” Proton chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said.
He told reporters Tuesday after unveiling the name of the MPV that the company needed to export its vehicles as “our local market is not big enough for us to become a major automotive player.”
The MPV is known as the Exora.
Nadzmi said the Exora symbolised Proton’s efforts to incorporate many of the best features available in a passenger vehicle into the MPV.
The model is scheduled to be launched in April and customers can make bookings from February 21 onwards at all 293 Proton Edar and EON sales offices nationwide.
“We are planning to export the MPV to Indonesia and Thailand in July but our priority is to satisfy local demand first.” Proton chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said.
He told reporters Tuesday after unveiling the name of the MPV that the company needed to export its vehicles as “our local market is not big enough for us to become a major automotive player.”
The MPV is known as the Exora.
Nadzmi said the Exora symbolised Proton’s efforts to incorporate many of the best features available in a passenger vehicle into the MPV.
The model is scheduled to be launched in April and customers can make bookings from February 21 onwards at all 293 Proton Edar and EON sales offices nationwide.
Monday, February 2, 2009
PERSONA TO DRIVE PROTON SALES IN SYRIA
PROTON Holdings Berhad continues to strengthen its presence in the Middle East market by launching the Persona model in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Persona, being the fifth PROTON model introduced in the country after Waja, Wira, Arena and Gen-2, is expected to drive PROTON’s sales in the country.
PROTON first entered the Syrian market in 2001 via a sole distributorship agreement with Syrian company Modern Technology Trading Company (MTT), a subsidiary of Habbal Group of Syria. The company holds distributorship rights of PROTON cars to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.
The Persona was launched by PROTON Holdings Berhad Managing Director Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir who was accompanied by Habbal Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Eng. Ghyath Al Habbal. The launch was held at a leading hotel in Damascus and was attended by more than 600 guests and PROTON business associates in Syria.
Syed Zainal said that PROTON has high expectations in its Middle East market as car buyers are demanding for more cost-effective cars with better fuel economy. “We have been selling our cars in Syria since 2001 and after Gen-2, we are optimistic on how the Syrian market will accept the Persona, which has won the heart of many of our customers for being cost effective and having better fuel economy.”
Al Habbal has expressed his company’s optimism with Persona’s potential in the countries. “The launch of Persona is significant to MTT as this is the second big event for us after the official opening of the 3S facility in 2003 by the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad,” said Al Habbal.
Syed Zainal said that although the global economy has weakened significantly, PROTON is optimistic that it could offer customers a more viable option through Persona and GEN.2. “We have always been guided by the philosophy of building the right car at the right time and the right price and believe that PROTON’s current offering – Persona and GEN.2 - fit the criteria.”
The Middle East has been identified as one of the key markets in PROTON’s Asian Multi-Local OEM (AMLO) strategy, apart from ASEAN, China and India. Syria is one of the countries in the series of Persona launches scheduled by PROTON in the Middle East. The model was previously launched in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.
The Middle East market is an important left-hand drive market for PROTON in view of Malaysia’s strong ties with countries in the region. “Syria is one of the highest-selling market in the Middle East. We have received an overwhelming response from customers even before we officially launched the model. Such positive feedback is definitely good for us and our partner here and we look forward to future launches in this region of the next model line-ups, Saga, and the upcoming Proton MPV,” said Syed Zainal.
The first batch of Persona for the Syrian cluster (Syria, Iraq and Lebanon) was delivered late last year and has sold well with bookings already being made for the coming shipment. As at 2008, PROTON has sold more than 6,000 cars in Syria. Last year PROTON sold more than 1,600 cars in Syria, the highest annual sales record since 2001.
PROTON operations in Syria is supported by Al Habbal Group’s distribution network of 10 branches and dealerships in major Syrian cities, including two 3S (sales, service, spare parts) centres in Damascus and Aleppo. Al Habbal is currently constructing a new 3S service centre in Tartus, a port town on the Mediterranean Coast of Syria. The latest 3S centre will also act as a pre-delivery and inspection (PDI) centre and parts distribution centre for the Group.
“With such commitment and investment, I believe that Syria will provide PROTON with a platform for future growth and strengthen the company’s position in the Middle East,” said Syed Zainal.
PROTON first entered the Syrian market in 2001 via a sole distributorship agreement with Syrian company Modern Technology Trading Company (MTT), a subsidiary of Habbal Group of Syria. The company holds distributorship rights of PROTON cars to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.
The Persona was launched by PROTON Holdings Berhad Managing Director Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir who was accompanied by Habbal Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Eng. Ghyath Al Habbal. The launch was held at a leading hotel in Damascus and was attended by more than 600 guests and PROTON business associates in Syria.
Syed Zainal said that PROTON has high expectations in its Middle East market as car buyers are demanding for more cost-effective cars with better fuel economy. “We have been selling our cars in Syria since 2001 and after Gen-2, we are optimistic on how the Syrian market will accept the Persona, which has won the heart of many of our customers for being cost effective and having better fuel economy.”
Al Habbal has expressed his company’s optimism with Persona’s potential in the countries. “The launch of Persona is significant to MTT as this is the second big event for us after the official opening of the 3S facility in 2003 by the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad,” said Al Habbal.
Syed Zainal said that although the global economy has weakened significantly, PROTON is optimistic that it could offer customers a more viable option through Persona and GEN.2. “We have always been guided by the philosophy of building the right car at the right time and the right price and believe that PROTON’s current offering – Persona and GEN.2 - fit the criteria.”
The Middle East has been identified as one of the key markets in PROTON’s Asian Multi-Local OEM (AMLO) strategy, apart from ASEAN, China and India. Syria is one of the countries in the series of Persona launches scheduled by PROTON in the Middle East. The model was previously launched in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.
The Middle East market is an important left-hand drive market for PROTON in view of Malaysia’s strong ties with countries in the region. “Syria is one of the highest-selling market in the Middle East. We have received an overwhelming response from customers even before we officially launched the model. Such positive feedback is definitely good for us and our partner here and we look forward to future launches in this region of the next model line-ups, Saga, and the upcoming Proton MPV,” said Syed Zainal.
The first batch of Persona for the Syrian cluster (Syria, Iraq and Lebanon) was delivered late last year and has sold well with bookings already being made for the coming shipment. As at 2008, PROTON has sold more than 6,000 cars in Syria. Last year PROTON sold more than 1,600 cars in Syria, the highest annual sales record since 2001.
PROTON operations in Syria is supported by Al Habbal Group’s distribution network of 10 branches and dealerships in major Syrian cities, including two 3S (sales, service, spare parts) centres in Damascus and Aleppo. Al Habbal is currently constructing a new 3S service centre in Tartus, a port town on the Mediterranean Coast of Syria. The latest 3S centre will also act as a pre-delivery and inspection (PDI) centre and parts distribution centre for the Group.
“With such commitment and investment, I believe that Syria will provide PROTON with a platform for future growth and strengthen the company’s position in the Middle East,” said Syed Zainal.
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