Mahindra Diesel Tanks

"We are absolutely delighted to see the enthusiasm of our proud XYLO owners and my congratulations to all the winners. The XYLO has been a runaway success since its launch over a year ago, reflecting high customer satisfaction levels. This Mileage Marathon is a unique customer-centric effort which will not only give the owners an idea of the vehicle's fuel efficient nature but will also help them understand their XYLO experience better," said Mr. Vivek Nayer, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

The event format saw XYLO customers top up their fuel tanks before driving their cars on a pre-determined 108 km route. The aim of this exercise was to ascertain the best fuel consumption figures in both city and highway operating conditions. Winners were adjudged on the basis of the best mileage figures attained during the drive.

Mr. Kundan Lal Khattar registered the highest mileage figure of 27.7 km/litre of diesel. He received a 4 nights 5 days trip to Bangkok. Mr. Gaurav Puri and Mr. Anil Kumar came tied for second place with a mileage figure of 27.6 km/litre. In addition to this, 97% of the participants achieved fuel efficiency figures of over 15 kmpl, 70% of the vehicles returned fuel efficiency figures greater than 20 kmpl and the overall fuel average of the entire group was 21.43 kmpl.

Full Story: Mahindra XYLO Mileage Marathon takes Delhi by storm - India PRwire (press release)

Defence Land Systems India, a joint venture between the Indian company Mahindra and Mahindra and global defense manufacturer BAE Systems, introduced the new Mine Protected Vehicle India (MPV-I). The company, a Joint Venture between BAE Systems and Mahindra has based its design on BAE System's RG family of vehicles, which relates back to the successful family of mine protected vehicles from South Africa. The 6x6 MPV-I is based on BAE Systemsâ?? three decades of protection experience, that resulted in the highly successful RG 31, which has a proven track record and is currently in service with US, Canadian, UAE and a number of other forces including the UN. The MPV-I has been developed for the counter insurgency and anti-Naxal operations of Indian armed and paramilitary forces. The vehicle was recently tested and survived a blast in which 14 kg of explosives were used. The MPV-I can accommodate 18 personnel, capable of transporting a complete operational team of army or police forces involved in anti-terrorist and anti-Naxal operations.

"With enhanced protection technologies, the new vehicle provides the highest levels of crew protection available in India today." Said Brig Khutub Hai, Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) chief executive. â??The MPV-I  will be our first new product offering from the joint venture company." The MPV-I will be manufactured at the Defense Land Systems, India plant at Prithla near Faridabad. "The high power to weight ratio and very high torque makes the vehicle suitable for Indian terrain, especially the mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir and the rough topography of the Naxal dominated areas." He added.  Ashok Leyland has also introduced a version of the Mine Protected Vehicle, based on its Stallion 4x4 armored car. For this development Ashok Leyland has teamed with the South African company Paramount Group. This multipurpose, all-terrain vehicle offers high mobility, high protection and multi-mission capabilities, to Troop Carriers, Armored Personnel Carriers, Command Vehicles, Border Patrols, Riot Control, Internal Security and Counter Terrorism. The MPV-I has a power-to-weight ratio of 13.5 kW/Ton, accelerating the vehicle to a maximum road speed of 90 Km/hr, and a road range exceeding 1000 kilometers without refueling. The basic configuration offers STANAG level 1 protection (7.62 SLR Ball, 5.56 INSAS and 7.62 AK-47/56 Rifle) with mine blast protection exceeding STANAG 4569 level 4, safely absorbing blasts of 14 kg TNT under hull and triple anti tank mine protection - 21 kg TNT under wheels. Extra features includes add-on armor kits, run flat tires inserts, roof mounted air conditioners, radios and intercom systems, 8 ton winch, GPS Navigation, roof mounted weapon stations and gun mounts, gun ports.

â??Our entry into armored vehicles is in answer to an ever-increasing demand from the Armed Forces for well-engineered, high-mobility, high protection, tactical vehicles that can be used in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations,â?? said Mr. Vinod K Dasari, Chief Operating Officer and Whole Time Director, Ashok Leyland.

Full Story: Three Indian Teams Unveil Mine Protected Vehicles, Anticipating a Growing ... - Defense Update

The barometer index slipped below the psychological 16,000 mark. It was the Sensex's first close below 16,000 mark since early November 2009.

The sell-off was wide-based with all sectoral indices on BSE edging lower. The market breadth was extremely weak. Auto shares declined after a government-appointed panel recommended additional duty on diesel-powered vehicles. Infrastructure stocks suffered a severe setback on fears of lower government spending on infrastructure after a lower-than-expected response to NTPC's follow-on public offer. Telecom stocks declined on reports the 3G auctions will be delayed.

Realty shares dropped on fears of hike in interest rates. Metal stocks declined as metal prices fell on the London Metal Exchange on Thursday, 4 February 2010. IT stocks fell for the second day in a row after an industry body cut the sector's export forecast for 2010/11. Index heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) fell below the Rs 1000 mark in volatile trade.

Full Story: Sensex at 3-month closing low; volatility index jumps - BloombergUTV