Indian luxury car market to be flat in 2020, growth to return in 2021: Audi

Germanautomobile company Audi expects Indian luxury car market to remain flat next year and growth to come in only in 2021, having gone through a challenging 2019.
The company, which is set to kick off 2020 with the launch of its flagship SUV Q8 in January followed by new version of A8 sedan in February, is cautiously optimistic about the year that will mark the transition to stricter emission norm BS-VI.
"In terms of growth estimates for the luxury car market, we estimate it to remain flat in 2020 and we are hopeful of positive growth starting 2021," Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said.
Indian luxury car market, comprising top five players -- Mercedes, BMW, Audi, JLR and Volvo, witnessed a total sales of 40,340 units in 2018 and is expected to see a decline in 2019. The companies are, however, yet to release their up to date sales data.
"2019 was a challenging year for the automotive industry, thereby building the pressure on new car sales," Dhillon said.
The company has launched Audi A4 Quick-lift, Audi Q7 Black-edition and all-new Audi A6 this year.
Apart from the current situation of the economy affecting consumer sentiments, car makers are cautious about the impact of increased prices due to transition to BS-VI from BS-IV.
"Effective April 1, 2020 India will take a leap into BS-VI from BS-IV at present, driving all manufacturers to make adjustments to their product offerings in India and so will we," he said about the challenge.
Reiterating that 2020 is an important year for Audi, Dhillon said,"We remain focused on the India market. Under our 'Strategy 2025' goals, we will remain focused on customer centricity and network sustainability".
Expressing optimism about 2020, he said Audi "will kick start the year with the launch of the Audi Q8 in January followed by the Audi A8 in February and other new products that will set the tone for the year.

Replace diesel buses with electric ones: Merkel on Delhi air pollution

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is on a three-day visit to India, on Saturday said that looking at the severity air pollution situation in Delhi, it would be a good idea to replace diesel buses with electric ones.
Merkel said, "it would be a good idea to replace diesel buses with electric ones."

Merkel, whose visit to the country coincided with one of the worst spells of air pollution in Delhi/NCR also pledged to invest 1 billion euros over the next five years on environmentally-friendly urban mobility in India.
"We have agreed to co-operate on climate protection and green urban mobility and have earmarked 1 billion euros towards this," Merkel said at an event here.
Germany would also put in 200 million euros to reform the bus sector in Tamil Nadu, she added.
Delhi recorded its worst air quality of the season on Friday as the pollution level touched the 'severe plus' category, prompting authorities to shut schools till November 5, ban all construction activities and declare a "public heath emergency".
Merkel said that Germany would also like to work with India on various segments including healthcare, agriculture and artificial intelligence.
On Friday, India and Germany agreed to deepen efforts to resume stalled negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the European Union (EU).
The negotiations for the pact have been held up since May 2013 as both the sides failed to bridge substantial gaps on crucial issues.
Launched in June 2007, the negotiations for the proposed pact have witnessed many hurdles with both the sides having major differences on key issues like intellectual property rights, duty cut in automobile and spirits, and liberal visa regime.
Both the sides also agreed to intensify efforts for an early conclusion of an investment protection agreement between the EU, the EU member states and India.

Gave car keys to 600 customers across markets on Dhanteras, says Mercedes

German premium car maker Mercedes-Benz on Saturday announced opening of booking for its all-new SUV GLE, which is expected to be launched in India early next year.
The company in a statement also claimed it delivered 600 cars to customers across markets on Dhanteras, which is considered auspicious for buying gold, silver and other valuables and mainly celebrated in Northern and Southern India.

Owing to an unprecedented demand for the GLE, Mercedes-Benz has already sold out its current stock of this SUV three months ahead of the plan and, therefore, now has opened the booking for its upcoming refreshed version, the company said.
The all-new GLE SUV is expected to be launched in the domestic market before the next edition of the Auto Expo in 2020 it added.
Mercedez-Benz has sold some 13,000 GLE cars since the off-roader's entry in the Indian market, the company said.
The festive period saw unprecedented demand for Mercedes-Benz vehicles across the country, especially in Norther region of Delhi NCR, Punjab, and in Western regions of Mumbai, Pune and Gujarat, it said adding of the 'record' 600 cars sold on the Dhanteras day, almost 50 per cent (over 250 units) were delivered to customers in Delhi NCR alone.
"The festive season has been satisfactory for us and we are glad to see an overwhelming response to our products from across markets. We are excited to see the response to the current GLE, which sold out three months ahead of the plan," said Martin Schwenk, managing director and chief executive, Mercedes-Benz India.
The impressive number of deliveries during the current festive season reiterates the increasing customer confidence, he said.
It may be recalled that the German auto major sold over 200 units of its various models in a single day on the occasion of Dussehra and Navratri on October 9.

Qualcomm wins case against Apple, could lead to iPhone ban in Germany

A German court on Thursday found in favour of US chipmaker Qualcomm in a patent dispute case against Apple, which could lead to a ban on sales of iPhones in Germany.
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"The ruling effectively outlaws the offering and placing on the market of the finished product in Germany, including the sale. The iPhones 7plus, 7, 8, 8plus and X are affected," said the regional court in Munich in a statement.