MOTOR
TVS Lanka launches clutch-free motorcycle
TVS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., renowned for many firsts in new technology and
innovation, is once again set to take the motorbike market by storm with
the TVS JIVE 100cc motorbike notable for the absence of the clutch
lever, making riding on this motorcycle a hands free gear shift
experience.
The new motorcycle is powered by a 110cc engine which features
innovative T-Ma tic technology which features a rotary gear technology
coupled with an automatic clutch. TVS Jive is packed with features and
superior technology that make it one of the most convenient motorcycles
to ride.
The absence of the clutch allows it to be ridden by almost anyone who
has a sense of balance as there is no need for manual clutch-gear
co-ordination while shifting.
TVS Jive is the first and only bike in the world to have the unique
feature of anti-knock mechanism which makes smooth riding possible at
low speeds even in high gears, without the engine shutting off. This is
not possible in motorcycles with the regular clutch system. Another key
feature is the downward rotary gear system which enables the rider to
reach neutral straight from top gear.
However, it is not necessary that the bike has to be in neutral while
starting. The bike can be started in any gear and is fitted with an
electric start for convenience.
It is also the first motorcycle in the country to have an under seat
storage space, large enough to hold a water bottle, vehicle documents
and even a small umbrella. Each unique feature emphasizes the overall
objective-ease and convenience of use.
The bike’s four speed engine delivers a solid four stroke performance
with 8.4 Bhp @ 7500 rpm and a torque of 8.3 Nm @ 5500 rpm. This delivers
great pickup and power whilst maintaining high fuel efficiency. TVS
Jive’s light weight at 110 Kgs makes it convenient to handle.
Alloy wheels complement the bikes wheelbase of 1260 mm which makes
cornering and maneuvering effortless.
The bike has a fuel tank capacity of 15 litres with 2.7 litres as
reserve.
All these features make TVS JIVE the ideal solution for growing
traffic problem in urban and sub-urban areas.
Proven and well-accepted in India TVS JIVE will deliver high fuel
efficiency comparatively.
Research shows that many riders have the habit of riding with half
clutch (clutch lever halfway engaged) which compromises fuel efficiency
and invariably lead to high maintenance.
However, this issue is overcome in TVS Jive as the left hand is free
from clutch operation.
TVS JIVE was launched in a launch ceremony took place in Colombo,
recently.
AMW gets new lease management software
Associated Motorways (Private) Limited said their fully owned
subsidiary AMW Capital Leasing has installed a lease management suite
acquired from US based Odessa Technologies, Inc., to help leverage and
manage growth of its vehicle leasing business.
LeaseWave is an end-to-end lease and loan origination and portfolio
management solution for vehicle leasing and finance.
It is a specifically engineered, internet-based software suite which
can be configured, customized for and accommodate even the most complex
of business models. Odessa Technologies, Inc. a US-based software
company exclusively focused on the leasing industry is headquartered in
Philadelphia, PA.
AMW Capital Leasing Ltd (AMW CL), incorporated in 2006 is mainly
engaged in providing lease financing solutions to Small and Medium
Enterprises, professionals and micro finance segments within the
Country.
“We are extremely pleased with the way the LeaseWave implementation
was managed and executed by Odessa. It was a complex project but we are
happy to say that it was delivered within the challenging timescale we
set in order to minimize customer disruption and maximise customer
benefit,” AMW Chief Information Officer Ruwanthi Fernando said.
“The teams on both sides rallied around the date and worked
methodically to hit it.
“The contribution of every team member, from both AMW and Odessa, had
to matter for us to make this deadline and that’s exactly what ended up
happening,” she said.
The AMW implementation was completed from start to finish in exactly
eight calendar months. “In fact, it is interesting to point out that we
went live on the very day we had estimated for this on the first and
only timeline submitted for this project,” Odessa Project Manager
Srinivasan said. AMW Capital Leasing Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel
Muttupulle expressed satisfaction with the timely execution and praised
the team involved.
“The Capital Leasing, AMW IT and Odessa team worked tirelessly and
rose to every challenge encountered along the way. We are now nicely
poised to take advantage of the growth opportunities in front of us,
confident that our IT infrastructure capabilities will support us” he
said.
“We are very excited about adding another vehicle lessor to our
client list, especially one that is well known in this region,” Odessa
Technologies Chief Operating Officer Jay Mehra said.
“This project was another opportunity for us to demonstrate the
flexibility of LeaseWave’s design to accommodate all the diverse
requirements thrown at it. It was another opportunity for us to
reiterate our ability to deliver on time.”
Odessa Technologies, Inc. is a software company exclusively focused
on the leasing industry. The company is headquartered in Philadelphia,
PA and employs a staff of 150 people.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Associated
Motorways (Private) Limited is the sole agent in Sri Lanka for some
world renowned brands such as, Nissan, Suzuki Maruti, Piaggio, Yamaha,
Eicher, Renault, BP, Castrol and Goodyear. AMW also specializes in tire
retreading and rebuilding, and is involved in the trading and exporting
of rubber goods.
GM recalls Cadillacs imported to China
Shanghai General Motors is to recall 2,806 imported Cadillacs in
China to repair faulty suspension, state media said Monday, citing a
government statement.
The recall, due to begin on March 21, includes models of the Cadillac
CTS produced between June 16, 2008 and April 20, 2009, the government’s
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
said on its website, according to the Xinhua news agency.
The statement said the company would repair or replace rear
suspension track bars of the recalled vehicles because some nuts on the
bars are likely to loosen and cause worn screw threads.
This could lead to a loosened track bar under extreme conditions,
which is unsafe when travelling fast, it said. China’s booming market
has become increasingly important to US auto giant General Motors as
demand weakens in the States. China, where GM’s international operations
are now based, overtook the US as the world’s biggest auto market in
2009. GM has several joint ventures in China including Shanghai General
Motors, a partnership with China’s largest auto maker SAIC Motor.
Shanghai AFP
Daimler making profits again
German luxury car maker Daimler shot back to profit last year after
massive 2009 losses, and on Wednesday gave an upbeat outlook for 2011.
Daimler, which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand and is the world’s
leading maker of heavy trucks, made a net profit of 4.7 billion euros
($6.3 billion) in 2010, more than reversing its 2009 loss of 2.6 billion
euros.
The group turned a 2009 fourth quarter loss of 352 million euros into
a 1.1 billion euro profit in the last three months of 2010 and will
propose a dividend of 1.85 euros per share, a statement said.
Daimler did not pay a dividend in 2009.
Investors were not convinced by the group’s upbeat tone however,
sending its shares plummeting in afternoon Frankfurt trading, although
profit-taking might explain some of the sell-off.
“Daimler managed an excellent comeback last year,” chairman Dieter
Zetsche said in the statement.
Daimler also benefitted last year from special items that included
the sale of a stake in Tata Motors of India which added 265 million
euros to the bottom line. Daimler took a charge of 237 million euros in
connection with the stumbling Airbus A440M military transport plane,
meanwhile, owing to the automaker’s stake in Airbus’ parent company
EADS. The German car maker said earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit),
or core earnings, soared to 7.27 billion euros from a loss of 1.5
billion euros a year earlier.That was better than its own forecast of
7.0 billion euros but undershot analysts expectations for 7.7 billion
euros, Dow Jones Newswires reported.
“The goal for 2011 is an Ebit clearly superior to that of 2010,”
Zetsche told a press conference in Stuttgart, southern Germany.
Daimler also expects an increase in sales, though it did not give a
detailed figure.
Stuttgart AFP |