Bentley’s New Car in India

Though the economy is slowing down rapidly, luxury car company Bentley and many other companies like it still see India as a ‘key market’, and remain bullish on the market. ‘There is always somebody making money’, says Bentley’s MD for India on the sidelines of launch of its new model in India.



Bentley announced the launch of its new model, Continental Flying Spur, which can make 100kmph in 4.2 seconds and reach its top speed at 322kmph. The new model is priced at Rs. 2.5 crores (ex-showroom Delhi). Bentley hopes to sell at least 10 models in India. “We are looking at enhancing our range in India. All our future models will be simultaneously launched in India along with the global market,” said Chris Buxton, Regional Directors, Bentley Motors, (Middle East, Africa and India).

Amidst the ongoing economic crisis, major car manufacturers are experiencing a major slump in their sales and piling up of inventories at their manufacturing units and dealer locations. On the other hand, Bentley surprisingly has an order backlog of 30 cars in India. This is even more amazing considering the cost of their cars in India. It clearly shows that someone somewhere is still making money.

Hyundai aspires to become the No 1 car manufacturer in India

At the 10th anniversary celebration, Hyundai Motor India Ltd's (HMIL) MD & CEO, HS Lheem, said: "We hope to become the no 1 car major. While our current market share in the domestic market stands at 22 per cent, we hope to become the largest car manufacturer in the time to come." Lheem declined to comment on a time-frame towards achieving this goal.

Maruti Suzuki is the market leader by the number of cars it sells in the country annually, and holds a market share of a little less than 40 per cent. HMIL spelt its plans for the future which includes launching at least two new models every year, focussing more on the development, production, and exports of small cars like the "I 10" and soon to be launched "1 20". Parent Hyundai Motors based in Korea has designated India as the small car hub.

IN addition to increasing its production capacity in Chennai, Hyundai plans to raise its current research and development staff strength pegged at 200 to about 800 in 2009.

JLR launches major recruitment drive

TATA owned Jaguar- Land Rover (JLR) has announced a major drive to recruit 600 engineers and technical staff to work on its 700- million pounds project of developing a new generation of cleaner and eco-friendly vehicles. The initiative comes only weeks after JLR was bought by Indian car giant Tata Motors from Ford for 1.5 billion pounds, but the former is not directly involved with the project though it has approved the plan. “This recruitment drive demonstrates Jaguar Land Rover’s confidence in our future. With our new owners, we have entered an exciting era with stunning new models and ambitious technologies,” newly- appointed chief executive David Smith said on Wednesday. The company has invested in sustainable technologies to meet European Union emissions target and is looking for experienced, degree- educated engineers to work on a variety of ground- breaking projects.

Most of the jobs will be based at the group’s development centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Besides, there are a number of vacancies in its purchasing, finance and human resources departments. It is also launching a programme aimed at recruiting more than 80 graduate trainees as well as 60 apprentices under an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship scheme announced in March. “This is probably the biggest single recruitment drive in the history of the two companies and it demonstrates that this is ago- ahead business with a strong future,” said a spokesman of the company. Kiran Virk, policy adviser at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the recruitment drive was a welcome boost to the manufacturing sector which is trying to fight off increasing raw material costs, a downturn in the economy and global competition.