Industry News
Maruti Suzuki India expands reach of Ecstar products
The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) expanded the reach of its Ecstar branded lubricants, coolant and car care products with the introduction of the range at 3,400 workshops under its Arena network. MSI had launched the Ecstar brand of engine oil at workshops under its premium outlet chain NEXA in September last year. Te launch of Ecstar in Arena is a part of the company's focus on quality of maintenance while it continued to bring technology and quality into products. The Ecstar brand of engine oil and coolant and chemical products was launched by Maruti Suzuki's parent Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan in 1984. In 2015, it was promoted as a global brand and is currently marketed across Europe, USA, Mexico, Australia and South East Asia. The Ecstar range products includes engine oils, coolants, injector cleaner, automatic transmission oil, car care products, and screen wash for the cars. MSI said more products will be added to the ranged in India progressively.
Quaker Chemical Updates Timing on Houghton Integration
Quaker Chemical Corporation continues to be in productive discussions with the European Commission and Federal Trade Commission regarding its combination with Houghton International. Based on these discussions, Quaker said it continues to expect the remedy will involve a divestment of some product lines which, in total, are approximately 3% or less of the revenues of the combined company. This is consistent with Quaker's original projections and previous comments. Based on the information Quaker expects to receive approval from the regulatory authorities and close the combination in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Quaker said, "While the regulatory process is taking longer than expected, it is moving in the right direction with constructive discussions with both regulatory authorities. Te additional time will allow us to finalize the process with the potential buyers and the regulators. We believe the end result will be a remedy that meets the needs of the market, the regulatory authorities, and the new combination.
Shell brings Make the Future festival to India
Shell is bringing their marquee event Shell Eco - marathon (SEM) to India for the first time. Te SEM Challenger will be part of Make the Future India to be held in Chennai between 6th – 9th December 2018. Shell’s Make the Future is a global platform for conversation, collaboration and innovation around the world’s energy challenges. Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) challenges student teams around the world to design, build, test and drive ultra-energy-efficient vehicles. Applications for SEM open from 11th June 2018 to 28th August 2018.
SEM, which was first inaugurated in 1939, is the world’s longest-running student competition wherein engineering students are challenged to design, build and test fuel-efficient cars. Indian teams have been participating since 2010 but this is the first time the competition will be held on home ground. With events hosted in countries around the globe, they aim to provide an opportunity for multiple stakeholders: including students, entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and the public, to experience, test and contribute bright energy ideas.
There has been a growing demand from colleges to bring the fuel-efficiency competition to India and this will allow widespread participation from students across the country. In the past, Indian students have showcased many innovative and energy efficient models and prototypes that has also caught attention of industry and government. Team Averera from IIT BHU created a light weight three-wheeled electric vehicle with customized motor controller, that clocked a mileage of 350 kms on a single litre of fuel.
