Polaris Targets India For Growth

In August Polaris introduced a broad selection of their off-road vehicles (ORVs) to the Indian market.  The company expects to have twenty-five “sales touch points” in the country by the end of the year.  Management has a goal of $100 million in ORV sales by 2016.  They are also studying the feasibility of selling LSVs, leveraging their recently acquired GEM product line.  Mahindra Reva is currently selling similar vehicles with a sales target of 3,000 vehicles per year.  The government provides some incentives but infrastructure issues are an obstacle as well.  Learn more:  Business-standard.com

Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific NEV Report

A new report from Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of Asia Pacific Market for Neighborhood Electric , projects that China and India will be the leading sources for NEVs in 2016, accounting for over 50% of global production.  The market is currently dominated by Chinese and other Asian Pacific OEMs who largely export the vehicles to the US and Europe. According to the report, production of NEVs from the region is expected to grow to 116,900 units in 2016, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 39% since 2009.  Learn more:  Newswiretoday.com

CNG Mini-truck Launched In India

Hindustan Motors announced the launch of their compressed natural gas (CNG) powered mini-truck for the Indian market.  The vehicle is based on their existing Winner model and is compliant with the latest emission standards.  Local regulations in Dehli regarding the conversion of diesel powered vehicles is expected to help the company sell 2,000 vehicles by the end of the year in the city.  The  Intraco group of Singapore will sell the vehicle in Bangladesh. The vehicle is considered a light commercial vehicle (LCV) and management expects the market for these vehicles to grow from 240,000 to 450,000 in 2014.  Learn more:  Sindhtoday.com

Recent Company News

Navistar and Modec complete joint venture agreement – Navistar International and Modec completed their joint venture agreement for the production of Class 2c-3 commercial trucks. The all electric trucks will be produced in Elkhart, Indiana. In 2010 400 of the trucks are expected to be produced. Learn more: Tradingmarkets.com

Northwire introduces charging cable for electric vehicles – Northwire, Inc. announced the availability of CoilBoss Retractile Cords for use in electric and hybrid vehicles. All EV Cable options are available in standard or custom configurations. Customization includes hybrid designs, colors, private labeling and more. Learn more: Northwire.com

GM & SAIC Motor Corp pursuing venture – GM and SAIC Motor Corp, China’s largest automaker, are looking to create a joint venture to sell minivans, mini-trucks and mini cars in the Indian market.  It would be a 50-50 joint venture.  Learn more:  Wheels.unwireindia.com

Smith Electric Vehicles places battery order with Valence Technology – Smith Electric Vehicles placed a $1.4 million order with Valence Technology for batteries to be used in their Newton electric truck being produced in Kansas.  Learn more:  austin.bizjournals.com

Think thinking of Indiana for plant site – Think North America is in negotiations with officials from the state of Indiana and Elkhart County as it tries to decide on where to locate a manufacturing plant.  Besides Indiana, Oregona and Michigan have been on their short list.  Elkhart County is considering ten years of tax abatements to attract the company.  Learn more:  WSBT.com

GM Talking With SAIC About Selling Minitrucks In India

GM is holding talks with their Chinese Partner SAIC Motor Inc. to explore selling Wuling produced minitrucks for the Indan market.  The Wuling minitrucks are sold in China in 0.3 to 0.8 tonne versions.  The Wuling offers GM a faster entry into the market since relatively few modifications of the existing vehicle platform and technology would be required. SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile is a joint venture between GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation(SAIC) of China and Wuling Automobile Co., Ltd. Learn more:  Wheelsunplugged.com

Tata Developing Electric Nano For Western Markets

Tata Motors is developing an electric powered version of their Nano. The gas powered Nano will hit the Indian market later this year, and with a price tag of $2,000 will be the cheapest car in the world. However, for Western markets, the company wants to sell an alternative fuel vehicle. To this end, Tata Motors acquired a majority stake in Miljo Grenland Innovasjon last year. The Norwegian company specializes in electric car technology. The low speed electric Nano will be targeted towards urban and gated community market segments. Tata is also working with MDI Enterprises on a compressed air powered version of the car, which will also be a low-speed vehicle. Learn more