Rumormill: Tata looking to buy stake in MV Agusta

Volkswagen may not be the only auto manufacturer interesting in a storied Italian motorcycle maker. Hot on the heels of its purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover, rumors are swirling that Tata may be considering purchasing a stake in MV Agusta. According to a few Indian and Italian sources, Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, is reportedly in talks with Claudio Castiglioni, the man running the show at MV Agusta.
Tata's involvement with MV Agusta could inject a unique flavor to the Indian conglomerate's portfolio, which has already been boosted by its acquisition of the two aforementioned classic British marques. A healthy injection of cash could do wonders for MV Agusta as well, considering what it has already proven capable of even in its currently meager financial position.

[ Via: Tata Autoblog ]
[ Tag: motorcycle,motorcycles,mv agusta,mv-agusta,MvAgusta,tata,tata motorcycle,tata motors,tata mv agusta,tata-motorcycle,tata-motors,tata-mv agusta,tata-mv-agusta,Tata-mvAgusta,TataMotorcycle,TataMotors,TataMvAgusta ]

Confirmed: Nissan/Renault developing low-cost Nano-killer with Bajaj

It was rumored that Nissan/Renault was serious about fielding a low-priced competitor to the $2,500 USD Tata Nano, and the automaker made it official today by announcing a plan to produce an equally inexpensive car called the ULC in conjunction with Indian automaker Bajaj Auto. The two companies are forming a joint-venture to produce the ULC, which will be built at an all-new facility in Chakan, India at an initial rate of 400,000 units per year. The Tata Nano has no need for concern just yet, as the ULC isn't scheduled to go on sale until early 2011 in India and then even later in export countries. We're doubtful that the U.S. is among those export considerations, but parts of Europe will likely see the ULC not long after the Nano arrives in their market.
PRESS RELEASE
Bajaj Auto and the Renault-Nissan Alliance to build the car code-named ULC with wholesale price range starting from 2500 USD

PARIS/PUNE/TOKYO (May 12, 2008) – Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj and Mr. Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Renault and President and CEO of Nissan, today announced they will form a joint-venture company to develop, produce and market the car code-named ULC with wholesale price range starting from 2500 USD. The new joint-venture company will be 50% owned by Bajaj Auto, 25% by Renault and 25% by Nissan.

Targeting the growing Indian new vehicle market, the ULC will be made at an all-new plant to be constructed in Chakan (Maharashtra state) in India. Initial planned capacity will be 400,000 units per year. Sales will start in early 2011 in India, as a primary market, with growth potential in other emerging markets around the world.

The feasibility has already extended into Joint Product Development and the project is on line to meet targeted performance & cost.

Renault Corporate

The Renault Group generated global revenues of €40,682 million in 2007. It designs, engineers, manufactures and sells passenger and light commercial vehicles throughout the world. The Renault Group is present in 118 countries and sells vehicles under its three brands – Renault, Dacia and Samsung. The Renault Group employs 129,000 people worldwide.

Nissan Corporate

The Nissan Motor Company generated global net revenues of 10.468 trillion yen in 2006. Nissan is present in all major global auto markets selling a comprehensive range of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and light commercial vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. Nissan employs over 220,000 people worldwide.

Renault-Nissan Alliance

The Renault-Nissan Alliance, created in 1999, has sold 6,160,046 vehicles in 2007. The Alliance aims to be ranked in the top three in terms of quality, technology and profitability amongst the major global automakers.

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

Bajaj Auto Ltd. is a manufacturer of 2 wheelers & Commercial Vehicles with sales of about 2.5 million Units in FY 08 – with exports of 618,000 units. Bajaj Auto has a strong presence in South Asia, Africa, Central & Latin Americas.



[ Via: Tata Autoblog ]
[ Tag: 2500 ulc,2500Ulc,bajaj,nissan,renault,tata nano,tata nano europe,tata nano ulc,TataNano,TataNanoEurope,TataNanoUlc,ulc,ulc nano,UlcNano ]

Tata to take stake in Pininfarina

Beyond it's acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover, and the eminent launch of the Nano, Tata is looking to acquire a stake in Pininfarina, the iconic design house that's been under some financial distress in recent years. Tata is aiming to take a minority holding in the firm, partnering up with the French industrial group, Bollore, with up to a 100-million euro capital increase. More details about the deal will be forthcoming in the next few months, but when Tata and Bollare take their stake, that will cut down the Pininfarina family's share from 55-percent to 30-percent. Here's hoping that Pininfarina's help will be enlisted for the second generation Nano.


[ Via: Automotive News ]
[ Tag: bollare,pininfarina,tata ]

Mahindra joins Tata as interested party to purchase MV Agusta?

Tata Motors, rumored to have been interested in purchasing a large chunk of Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta, could have some competition. Another large Indian conglomerate, Mahindra & Mahindra may now be interested in a controlling stake in the storied company. According to India Automotive, the potential exists to gain instant traction in the global motorcycle market by picking up MV Agusta, and the Italian company could use the extra funds from a large and profitable company to release a new line of more competitive machines.
Volkswagen, are you paying attention to all of this? As we've previously reported, the German automaker has expressed interest in purchasing an established motorcycle brand, even going so far as to mention Ducati by name. MV Agusta would offer instant credibility and would be a rather easy entrance into the marketplace.

[ Via: India Automotive ]
[ Tag: mahindra,mahindra and mahindra,mahindra-and-mahindra,mahindraandmahindra,mv agusta,mv-agusta,MvAgusta,tata,tata motors,tata-motors,TataMotors ]