Star middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh has fallen to the eighth spot in ODI batting following his miserable show in the recent cricket tri-series in Malaysia.
Yuvraj, who lost his top spot last week to Australian Andrew Symonds, is the only Indian in the top 10 in the Maruti Suzuki Cricket Ratings released by ESPN STAR Sports today.
Sanath Jayasuriya moved to No. 1 on the strength of some fabulous batting performances against England and Bangladesh while Australia continued its monopoly on the top spot in both ODI and Test team rankings.
Jayasuriya (134 points) left Michael Hussey (129) and team-mate Mahela Jayawardene (127 points) in the 2nd and 3rd spot respectively in 0DI batting followed by Ramnaresh Sarwan (125 points), Younis Khan (124 points) and Upul Tharanga (122 points). England's Ian Bell (120 points) was the new entrant this week at seventh spot.
Yuvraj (119 points) fell to the eighth spot followed by Mohammad Yousuf (118 points) and Kumar Sangakarra (116 points).
In Test batting, Mohammad Yousuf (170 points) is very closely followed by Sri Lankan Skipper Mahela Jayawardane (166 points), whose match winning knocks against South Africa puts him on the second spot in Test Batting.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting (161 points), Indian Skipper Rahul Dravid (158 points) and Pakistan Vice Captain Younis Khan (154 points) followed in the third, fourth and fifth place respectively.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Maruti Udyog sees exports on a flat track
This should come as a surprise to many. A few days after parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) pledged manifold export growth to touch the four-lakh car figure from India by 2010, Maruti Udyog said on Wednesday its export growth for the current fiscal at least is expected to remain flat.
Last fiscal, the domestic market leader exported just over six per cent of its total production at 34,781 vehicles. The carmaker does not expect much change in this number in 2006-07.
Says Mayak Pareek, chief general manager (marketing) “we have stopped exporting Alto and some other cars to Europe recently and this is why export numbers are not looking up this fiscal. The European market will be serviced by Suzuki’s plant in Hungary.”
He said Maruti was keen to fulfill its domestic commitments on a priority basis. With demand far outstripping supply in the domestic market, export growth is obviously suffering.
Take a look at the numbers. In July this year, exports of MUL were down 58% to 1,755 units (4,200 units). The decline continued in August when the numbers were down 25% at 3,596 vehicles (4,792).
Asked about reports that the company was considering a steep cut in prices of its bread and butter model M800 to compete with the Tata one lakh car two years down the line, Pareek said “how can we cut prices? Just look at the way input costs have been rising. The Tata car will compete with two-wheelers, not with M800.”
The company is expected to close the first six months of this fiscal with 18% sales growth. It closed the April-September period last year with sales of 2,62,406 units.
Last fiscal, the domestic market leader exported just over six per cent of its total production at 34,781 vehicles. The carmaker does not expect much change in this number in 2006-07.
Says Mayak Pareek, chief general manager (marketing) “we have stopped exporting Alto and some other cars to Europe recently and this is why export numbers are not looking up this fiscal. The European market will be serviced by Suzuki’s plant in Hungary.”
He said Maruti was keen to fulfill its domestic commitments on a priority basis. With demand far outstripping supply in the domestic market, export growth is obviously suffering.
Take a look at the numbers. In July this year, exports of MUL were down 58% to 1,755 units (4,200 units). The decline continued in August when the numbers were down 25% at 3,596 vehicles (4,792).
Asked about reports that the company was considering a steep cut in prices of its bread and butter model M800 to compete with the Tata one lakh car two years down the line, Pareek said “how can we cut prices? Just look at the way input costs have been rising. The Tata car will compete with two-wheelers, not with M800.”
The company is expected to close the first six months of this fiscal with 18% sales growth. It closed the April-September period last year with sales of 2,62,406 units.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
India: Small Cars Are on a Roll
Small is beautiful when it comes to India's car market. Though India's auto industry is nowhere near as developed as China's, investment is starting to pour into the small-car segment. Global auto companies such as Hyundai (HYMZY) and Honda (HMC) and local ones such as Tata Motors and Maruti Udyog (MUDGF), a subsidiary of Japan's Suzuki Motor, are rushing forward with plans to launch small car models they hope will click with India's emerging middle class.
Small cars already account for 70% of India's total one-million-car yearly market—a figure that is expected to double in the next four years. Around a dozen new small and compact cars, with engine capacities ranging from 1,000 cc to 1,500 cc, are expected to hit the market in the next two years in gasoline, diesel, and hybrid-engine models. India's long-range potential could be impressive. A study by consulting firms Booz-Allen Hamilton and McKinsey predicts that India's domestic car market will cross 3.5 million by 2015.
Small cars already account for 70% of India's total one-million-car yearly market—a figure that is expected to double in the next four years. Around a dozen new small and compact cars, with engine capacities ranging from 1,000 cc to 1,500 cc, are expected to hit the market in the next two years in gasoline, diesel, and hybrid-engine models. India's long-range potential could be impressive. A study by consulting firms Booz-Allen Hamilton and McKinsey predicts that India's domestic car market will cross 3.5 million by 2015.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Raid-de-Himalaya registers record entries
A record 100 motorsport enthusiasts would take part in the 8th edition of the Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya, which will run from September 30 to October 7.
Of the enrolment, 30 are in X-treme category (for professionals), 34 in reliability (for amateurs) and 36 in the two-wheeler section. There will be six women teams in the competition as well.
The rally, which will be flagged of from Shimla, will travel through Manali, Kaza, Dhankar, Gramphoo, Patseo and Leh, before ending in Manali.
The prize money has been doubled
The prize money for this year's Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya has been doubled to Rs six lakh, a press release said here yesterday.
Rallyists will cover over 300 km in a day and will pass through some areas where the temperature dips below minus 20 degree celsius.
For the first time, the race will pass along Pangong Tso, a huge water body on the Indo-China border, 200 km north of Leh.
In all, the competitors will cover 2,139 km across six of the world's highest mountain passes at over 5,500m.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Raid-de-Himalaya Re-loaded
IT’S back. Maruti Suzuki has announced the launch of the 8th edition of Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya starting from September 30 to October 7, 2006. This year has a record enrollment with 100 motorsport enthusiasts participating across the three categories - 30 in X-treme (for professionals), 34 in Reliability (for amateurs) and 36 in the two-wheelers category.
After the flag-off from Shimla on September 30, the Raid-de-Himalaya will traverse through Manali, Kaza, Dhankar, Gramphoo, Patseo and Leh and will finally culminate in Manali on October 7. This year the total prize money for the event has been doubled to Rs 6 lakhs. Rallyists will cover over 300 kms of grueling mountainous route in a day - another first for rallying of any kind. It will pass through some areas where temperature dips below minus 20 degrees Celsius.
For the first time, the Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya will pass along Pangong Tso, a huge water body on the Indo-China border, 200 Kms north of Leh. In all, it will cover 2139 kms across 6 of the world’s highest mountains passes at over 5500 meters, in eight days. The raid will also see participation by six women teams. Three of them are taking the tougher ‘X-treme’ category challenge. All participating vehicles are prepared as per MAI specifications.
The Raid-de-Himalaya is India’s longest, highest and most strenuous motorsport rally that thoroughly tests the endurance and robustness of the man and the machine. It is the only event that runs in both states of Jammu & Kashmir as well as Himachal Pradesh.
After the flag-off from Shimla on September 30, the Raid-de-Himalaya will traverse through Manali, Kaza, Dhankar, Gramphoo, Patseo and Leh and will finally culminate in Manali on October 7. This year the total prize money for the event has been doubled to Rs 6 lakhs. Rallyists will cover over 300 kms of grueling mountainous route in a day - another first for rallying of any kind. It will pass through some areas where temperature dips below minus 20 degrees Celsius.
For the first time, the Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya will pass along Pangong Tso, a huge water body on the Indo-China border, 200 Kms north of Leh. In all, it will cover 2139 kms across 6 of the world’s highest mountains passes at over 5500 meters, in eight days. The raid will also see participation by six women teams. Three of them are taking the tougher ‘X-treme’ category challenge. All participating vehicles are prepared as per MAI specifications.
The Raid-de-Himalaya is India’s longest, highest and most strenuous motorsport rally that thoroughly tests the endurance and robustness of the man and the machine. It is the only event that runs in both states of Jammu & Kashmir as well as Himachal Pradesh.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Maruti to roll out Nissan`s model in 2008-09
Maruti Udyog announced that it would start rolling out the export model for Japanese car maker, Nissan in 2008-09 as part of the agreement its parent, Suzuki entered with the latter for contract manufacturing in India.
Japanese automobile majors, Nissan and Suzuki have submitted a long wishlist, including a 10-year corporate tax holiday, duty-free imports, a VAT holiday and stamp duty exemption, for the Rs 25 billion plant they plan to jointly set up in India.
Maruti wanted India as the export hub also for its compact cars. The company estimates export of four lakh from its own stable.
Maruti Udyog is expected to launch two new models later this fiscal. The company sold 5,27,038 units in the domestic market last fiscal at a growth rate of 8.1%. Including exports, the growth in 2005-06 was 4.8% at 5,61,822 units.
Japanese automobile majors, Nissan and Suzuki have submitted a long wishlist, including a 10-year corporate tax holiday, duty-free imports, a VAT holiday and stamp duty exemption, for the Rs 25 billion plant they plan to jointly set up in India.
Maruti wanted India as the export hub also for its compact cars. The company estimates export of four lakh from its own stable.
Maruti Udyog is expected to launch two new models later this fiscal. The company sold 5,27,038 units in the domestic market last fiscal at a growth rate of 8.1%. Including exports, the growth in 2005-06 was 4.8% at 5,61,822 units.
Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL) aims 4 lakh exports
Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), county's largest car producer, is planning to export close to 3.5 to 4 lakh cars from its Gurgaon plant by 07-08.
Exports will be under the Nissan brand as well as the Suzuki brand catering to the Japanese parent's markets in the European and non-European countries, Maruti Udyog managing director Jagdish Khattar said.
Maruti will also meet Suzuki's diesel engine need in countries like Hungary, Indonesia and China from the domestic engine capacity that is being set up, Khattar said.
MUL, meanwhile, as no plans to cut prices of its people's car, Maruti 800 and position it as a competitor to the Tata's much talked about small-car which also goes by the name of the "Rs 1-lakh car" slated to hit the road next year.
For Khattar isn't bothered about the treat to its ever popular car that sales for Rs 1.9 lakh from something that may retail at around Rs 1 lakh. "There are no plans to reduce Maruti 800's prices. Given a chance we will raise its prices considering the impact on its demand," Khattar said.
Replying to queries on how Maruti is gearing up to the treat, Khattar said, “We at Maruti are concerned more with the ownership costs of the cars rather than the purchase prices.”
Exports will be under the Nissan brand as well as the Suzuki brand catering to the Japanese parent's markets in the European and non-European countries, Maruti Udyog managing director Jagdish Khattar said.
Maruti will also meet Suzuki's diesel engine need in countries like Hungary, Indonesia and China from the domestic engine capacity that is being set up, Khattar said.
MUL, meanwhile, as no plans to cut prices of its people's car, Maruti 800 and position it as a competitor to the Tata's much talked about small-car which also goes by the name of the "Rs 1-lakh car" slated to hit the road next year.
For Khattar isn't bothered about the treat to its ever popular car that sales for Rs 1.9 lakh from something that may retail at around Rs 1 lakh. "There are no plans to reduce Maruti 800's prices. Given a chance we will raise its prices considering the impact on its demand," Khattar said.
Replying to queries on how Maruti is gearing up to the treat, Khattar said, “We at Maruti are concerned more with the ownership costs of the cars rather than the purchase prices.”
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Maruti Udyog to launch two new models this fiscal
Maruti Udyog Ltd is expected to launch two new models later this fiscal.
Mayank Pareek, Chief General Manager (Marketing) of Maruti Udyog said, `We expect sales to be up by 18 percent in the April to September period.`
The company sold 5,27,038 units in the domestic market last fiscal at a growth rate of 8.1%. Including exports, the growth in 2005-06 was 4.8% at 5,61,822 units.
Suzuki Chief Osamu Suzuki, recently on a visit to India, had said that the company expects total sales (including exports) would grow by 12% this fiscal at 6,30,000 units. Maruti is expected to launch two new models later this fiscal. This includes an all-new model of its compact car, Zen as well as a 1.3-litre diesel variant of its premium hatchback, Swift.
Pareek also said that Maruti`s exports were likely to remain flat this fiscal, following Suzuki`s decision to serve the European market through its facility in Hungary instead of the Alto from India.
Mayank Pareek, Chief General Manager (Marketing) of Maruti Udyog said, `We expect sales to be up by 18 percent in the April to September period.`
The company sold 5,27,038 units in the domestic market last fiscal at a growth rate of 8.1%. Including exports, the growth in 2005-06 was 4.8% at 5,61,822 units.
Suzuki Chief Osamu Suzuki, recently on a visit to India, had said that the company expects total sales (including exports) would grow by 12% this fiscal at 6,30,000 units. Maruti is expected to launch two new models later this fiscal. This includes an all-new model of its compact car, Zen as well as a 1.3-litre diesel variant of its premium hatchback, Swift.
Pareek also said that Maruti`s exports were likely to remain flat this fiscal, following Suzuki`s decision to serve the European market through its facility in Hungary instead of the Alto from India.
Maruti H1 sales to be up 18%: Official
New Delhi, Sept 20: Maruti Udyog Ltd today said sales were expected to rise 18 per cent in the first half of this fiscal in the domestic market.
"We expect sales to be up by 18 per cent in the April to September period," Maruti Udyog Chief General Manager (Marketing) Mayank Pareek said.
The company sold a total of 5,27,038 units in the domestic market last fiscal at a growth of 8.1 per cent. Including exports, the growth in 2005-06 was 4.8 per cent at 5,61,822 units.
Suzuki chief Osamu Suzuki, recently on a visit to India, had said that the company expects total sales (including exports) to grow by 12 per cent this fiscal at 6,30,000 units.
Maruti, 54.2 per cent owned by Suzuki, is expected to launch two new models later this fiscal. This includes an all new model of its compact car Zen as well as a 1.3-litre diesel variant of its premium hatchback Swift.
Pareek said exports for Maruti were "likely to remain flat this fiscal, following Suzuki's decision to serve the European market through its facility in Hungary instead of the Alto from India.
"We expect sales to be up by 18 per cent in the April to September period," Maruti Udyog Chief General Manager (Marketing) Mayank Pareek said.
The company sold a total of 5,27,038 units in the domestic market last fiscal at a growth of 8.1 per cent. Including exports, the growth in 2005-06 was 4.8 per cent at 5,61,822 units.
Suzuki chief Osamu Suzuki, recently on a visit to India, had said that the company expects total sales (including exports) to grow by 12 per cent this fiscal at 6,30,000 units.
Maruti, 54.2 per cent owned by Suzuki, is expected to launch two new models later this fiscal. This includes an all new model of its compact car Zen as well as a 1.3-litre diesel variant of its premium hatchback Swift.
Pareek said exports for Maruti were "likely to remain flat this fiscal, following Suzuki's decision to serve the European market through its facility in Hungary instead of the Alto from India.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Horses on diesel
A rash of diesel engine manufacturing plants promises a change in the way cars will be powered in India in the coming years.
It is not uncommon these days to see swanky Mercs and Skoda Octavias queue up besides trucks and taxis at the dirty end of a fuelling stations: the diesel pump. Gone are the times when a diesel-powered vehicle could be identified by the fumes and the bone-rattling driving experience. Diesel is the new age alternate fuel, a more practical and immediate technology especially when compared to fuel cells and hydrogen both in infant stages of development.
Maruti Udyog Ltd is spending up to Rs 2,500 crore in setting up a 300,000 unit per annum diesel engine assembly unit in Manesar. The first phase of one lakh units would go operational next month.
It is not uncommon these days to see swanky Mercs and Skoda Octavias queue up besides trucks and taxis at the dirty end of a fuelling stations: the diesel pump. Gone are the times when a diesel-powered vehicle could be identified by the fumes and the bone-rattling driving experience. Diesel is the new age alternate fuel, a more practical and immediate technology especially when compared to fuel cells and hydrogen both in infant stages of development.
Maruti Udyog Ltd is spending up to Rs 2,500 crore in setting up a 300,000 unit per annum diesel engine assembly unit in Manesar. The first phase of one lakh units would go operational next month.
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