Car News - Latest Indian Car News & Views | CarWalehttp://www.carwale.com/news/Latest news updates on Indian car industry, expert views and interviews exclusively on CarWale.Copyright 2012 CarWaleCarWale RSS Generator8903<![CDATA[Hyundai's '5-Star Assurance Program' for Santro and i10]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/8903-hyundai-5star-assurance-program-for-santro-and-i10.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/8903-hyundai-5star-assurance-program-for-santro-and-i10.htmlCarWale Team5/8/2012 3:06:00 PM1043http://img.carwale.com/ec/8903/img/m/8903_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/8903/img/m/8903_lHyundai has announced the '5-star Assurance Program' for the Santro and i10, providing free maintenance, low insurance costs, extendable warranty, loyalty benefits and road-side assistance. The program is aimed at consolidating the customer base in the small hatch segment owing to the ever increasing competition.

]]> Hyundai has offered the '5-Star Assurance Program' for the customers buying new Santros and i10s. Aiming at strengthening the compact hatchback segment, the Korean auto maker, offers an all-round package from maintenance to road-side assistance to Hyundai customers.

The program includes

  • Total maintenance assurance - Free maintenance for three years / 40000 kms, whichever earlier.

  • Vehicle insurance – Insurance at Re. 1.

  • Warranty assurance – Extendable warranty options

  • Exchange assurance – Loyalty bonus for exchange of existing Hyundais up to Rs. 15,000

  • Road-side assurance – Free roadside assistance for two years.

Citing customer satisfaction, Hyundai is going ahead aggressively to improve sales figures. The offer is currently available for limited period only, but we expect it to be on offer for a longer period to ensure customer satisfaction.

]]>8901<![CDATA[The CarWale Daily Fuel - May 8, 2012]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/8901-the-carwale-daily-fuel-may-8-2012.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/8901-the-carwale-daily-fuel-may-8-2012.htmlCarWale Team5/8/2012 12:29:00 PM944http://img.carwale.com/ec/8901/img/m/8901_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/8901/img/m/8901_lVolkwagen eyes 1 miilion sales by 2018, Tata tests first phase of Air engine, Mercedes B-class spotted testing while the 2013 Mustang Shelby takes a spin at the 'Ring.

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  • Hyundai has announced the '5-star Assurance Program' for the Santro and i10, providing free maintenance, low insurance costs, extendable warranty, loyalty benefits and road-side assistance. The program is aimed at consolidating the customer base in the small hatch segment owing to the ever increasing competition.

  • Tata declares successful completion of the first phase of developing, producing and selling cars based on the compressed air engine technology with its Luxemburg based partner, MDI technology. The proof of technology concept has been successfully demonstrated in two Tata Motors' vehicles.

  • Suzuki Motor Corp. has recalled around 109,000 Swift cars globally citing a possible fuel leakage problem. The recall will not affect the Indian bestseller as the cars sold in India are locally produced.

  • Mahindra and Mahindra have launched the Alfa Plus, the extended bed version of its popular commercial 3-wheeler Alfa, with better torque and transmission to supplement the enhanced load carrying capacity.

  • Toyota dealers in Bangalore are showcasing the Etios motor racing (EMR) concept cars to connect to the adrenalin pumping young customer. It is also aimed at popularizing the EMR, a motorsports activity, in India.

  • Volkswagen India has said that it aims sales of 1 million cars annually in India by 2018, to contribute to the global aim of Volkswagen group to sell 10 million cars annually over the globe. Volkswagen owners in India can relax as this means lots of schemes and after sales support.

  • Daimler Trucks, global leaders in the commercial vehicle segment, are investing about Rs. 4400 crore in India as BharatBenz. The investments are based on an ambitious growth plan involving competitive products and commitment. With the state of art facility for production near Chennai, BharatBenz is also investing heavily in sales and services.

  • India bound Mercedes B-class was spotted testing on roads in Pune, Maharashtra without any camouflage or cladding. Indian customers will not have to wait much longer for the budget(?) sports tourer.

  • The 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 was seen at the Nurburgring, the proving ground for performance car manufacturers over the globe. The 662PS power horse would certainly be eager to get a one up over its nemesis the Chevrolet Camarro ZL1 that clocked some seriously fast times at the 'Ring.

  • Ford cries foul over Japan's intentions of joining the Trans Pacific Partnership for free trade among the Asia-Pacific countries. They say that the already protected Japanese market should be restructured before any such incident. Given the 'zero per cent' import taxes on cars in Japan, we wonder where Ford is driving at.

  • The in-house project of an Australian, Mr. Russle Sutton of building a 9 cylinder rotary engine based on he Honda XR600 finally bore fruit after four long years of dedicated effort and skills. The joy of finally firing the 9 cylinder rotary engine was short-lived as the engine stalled due to mechanical reasons. Mr. Sutton has decided to keep on working till he manages to d\run it successfully.

  • Volkswagen has replied strongly to the Greenpeace declaration of them as the 'Dirtiest car-makers in Europe'. Volkswagen has announced that, by 2015, volkswagens will emit less than 120 gms of carbon per kilometer while burning a measly 5.3 litres of fuel for every 100 kilometers run.

    The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution. 

 

]]>7812<![CDATA[Rs 35,000 off on Santro Xing at Hyundai Motor Plaza, Mumbai ]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7812-rs-35000-off-on-santro-xing-at-hyundai-motor-plaza-mumbai-.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7812-rs-35000-off-on-santro-xing-at-hyundai-motor-plaza-mumbai-.htmlCarWale Team8/5/2011 3:48:00 PM1790http://img.carwale.com/ec/7812/img/m/7812_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7812/img/m/7812_lIf you are based in Mumbai and are looking to buy a top-of-the-line Hyundai Santro Xing, then probably you should visit Hyundai Motor Plaza at Lower Parel.

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If you are based in Mumbai and are looking to buy a top-of-the-line Hyundai Santro Xing, then probably you should visit Hyundai Motor Plaza at Lower Parel.

The discount is being offered on the car since the car is a few months old and has been on display in the showroom, so the dealer couldn't sell off the car. The car being in showroom is likely to clean and maintained. So it isn't a bad deal to go for.

 

]]>7078<![CDATA[Hyundai Motors invites select Journalists to its Chennai Plant]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7078-hyundai-motors-invites-select-journalists-to-its-chennai-plant.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7078-hyundai-motors-invites-select-journalists-to-its-chennai-plant.htmlCarWale Team12/8/2010 7:40:09 PM4426http://img.carwale.com/ec/7078/img/m/7078_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7078/img/m/7078_lHyundai Motors India Limited (HMIL) played host to a limited audience for a visit to their plant in Chennai. The ride from the airport to the plant was estimated to be around an hour and a half. We passed the roads of a state where politics was defined by a demigod named Karunanidhi and regional films boasted of a God named Rajnikanth. With posters pasted on either side of the road which lead to the plant, the beginning of the hour long journey already looked interesting. The Hyundai H1 that we were travelling gave the word ‘comfort’, a whole new meaning and the somewhat long journey was a breeze.

]]>Hyundai Motors India Limited (HMIL) played host to a limited audience for a visit to their plant in Chennai. The ride from the airport to the plant was estimated to be around an hour and a half. We passed the roads of a state where politics was defined by a demigod named Karunanidhi and regional films boasted of a God named Rajnikanth. With posters pasted on either side of the road which lead to the plant, the beginning of the hour long journey already looked interesting. The Hyundai H1 that we were travelling gave the word ‘comfort’, a whole new meaning and the somewhat long journey was a breeze.

As we headed towards the Sriperumbudur Taluk on the Bangalore highway, we noticed a Rajiv Gandhi Smarak on the right, which brought back memories of the ex-Prime Ministers assassination in the region. We couldn’t help but visit it on our way back and we owe it to Hyundai to have complied with the request. Our eyes turned back on the highway and within minutes we noticed the SIPCOT Industrial Park and seconds later we stopped at the Hyundai gates. Hyundai Motors India opened the doors to their factory after the regular security checks and welcomed us into the land were cars were built from scratch.

The land on which the plant is set up was allotted to Hyundai Motors India in the year 1996 and from then on there was no looking back. Hyundai setup a factory on the 550 acre land in a span of 18 months and production of vehicles started then on. As we were briefed about the company by R. Sethuraman, Sr. VP Finance and Corporate Affairs, that this was the largest investment made by Hyundai in India and looking at the way the Indian car market was growing, it would be only time that Hyundai pumped in more money.

“Hyundai has plants in other countries like Russia, Turkey, China, Korea and the U.S. and as the markets expand Hyundai will make look at expansion plans.” added R. Sethuraman. Banking on the 20% growth that Hyundai India saw in the domestic market, the company has reduced their exports to 45% from 60% and are now concentrating on the increasing demand for their cars in India.

With two fully functional and half robotic plants churning out 2200 cars a day, not only do they need to employ trained technicians but also take care of the 10,000 employees that work in the plant in 3 shifts. It indeed is a huge responsibility to make sure that all the employees are taken care of and the company in fact does a lot in doing just that. To start off the company employs students from the neighbouring Engineering Colleges and thus helps generate employment locally. Once recruited the new technicians head off to Korea where they are trained, after which their expertise is put to use in the Chennai plant. Another step that helps the employees is a fleet of 125 buses, that ply to and fro to pick up and drop them as and when their shift begins or ends. Canteens in the plant premises also are a great help to the employees.

We headed to Plant 2 where the Hyundai i10 and the Verna are assembled. Once there, we were informed about the way the plant functions. We were told that things were easier because the platform was automated and their technicians were efficient enough to handle the load of the day. During our visit we got to see the Hyundai i10 and the Verna taking shape as cars in front of our eyes. The R&D followed by the making of the actual product was something that we had only heard of and now as we saw the i10 chassis lined up to be fitted with everything from the dashboard to the engine to the doors, gearbox, pedals, tail lamps and to witness the pace at which the technicians work and at the end of it all give us a product that is not only foolproof but good to go.

The robots operate sequentially and are programmed to singularly handle the welding of parts. The assembly line too is programmed which moves the cars on a platform and the technicians work hand and glove in piecing together the parts of the car. It is indeed like a magic trick and at the end of the day voila! a car is born. It is easier said than done but the i10 that one drives on the road goes through some stringent quality check and if there is a flaw in the product, it is immediately addressed.

We were informed that a car is born every 55 seconds and looking at the way in which the people in the plant dedicatedly pieced the jigsaw, well we were left in shock and awe. The other plant, Plant 1, we were told, manufactures the i20, the Accent and the Sonata Transform. We did not get to visit the plant but we did get to understand the effort that went into in the making of a car.

The plant also houses two test tracks where the cars undergo testing for performance, suspension, turning radius and safety. There is no dearth of greenery around the plant but there is a special place indeed which is greener than the rest. A small green spot amidst the concrete plant brings out a whole new side of the plant itself. An artificial waterfall, a few fountains, and a garden just help put your mind to rest.

The plant visit was an enlightening experience and car manufacturers do put in a lot of sweat and blood to get these beauties on the road. A plant visit does change your perception about the car as you see it pieced together part by part. We thank Hyundai for making us a part of this experience and we sure hope to get similar opportunities in the future. We have a few videos that would show you what we experienced.

So, if you are a proud owner of a Hyundai car, watching your baby being pieced together would just give you an idea of how your car was treated. It’s a few good things that matter and if you ‘Drive your Way’ you always will enjoy the ride and we hope this experience that we share with you not only enlightens you but also makes you aware how precious your car really is!

Check out our videos here

Hyundai Chennai Visit Part 1

Hyundai Chennai Visit Part 2

]]>6994<![CDATA[Hyundai Motors India reaches 20 lakh domestic production and sales milestone]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6994-hyundai-motors-india-reaches-20-lakh-domestic-production-and-sales-milestone.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6994-hyundai-motors-india-reaches-20-lakh-domestic-production-and-sales-milestone.htmlCarWale Team12/1/2010 2:57:18 PM770http://img.carwale.com/ec/6994/img/m/6994_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6994/img/m/6994_lHyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL),  reached the 20 lakh (2 million) mark sale figure mark in the domestic market. The first Santro rolled out in September, 1998. Hyundai Motor achieved the feat of reaching the 20 lakh car production for domestic market in a span of 12 years. With these achievements, HMIL becomes only the second manufacturer in India to have achieved these distinctions.

]]>Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL),  reached the 20 lakh (2 million) mark sale figure mark in the domestic market. The first Santro rolled out in September, 1998. Hyundai Motor achieved the feat of reaching the 20 lakh car production for domestic market in a span of 12 years. With these achievements, HMIL becomes only the second manufacturer in India to have achieved these distinctions.

On the occasion, H. W. Park, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL, said, " We are extremely delighted to share this achievement with all our stakeholders and we believe this was possible because of our total commitment to the Indian market and the faith our customers have put in our products. Needless to say we will continue to build “Brand Hyundai” in the market here and bring in the best of products and technology."

]]>6845<![CDATA[Hyundai achieves Record Sales this Month ]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6845-hyundai-achieves-record-sales-this-month.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6845-hyundai-achieves-record-sales-this-month.htmlCarWale Team11/1/2010 5:04:55 PM2667http://img.carwale.com/ec/6845/img/m/6845_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6845/img/m/6845_lHyundai Motor India Ltd achieved record sales of 34,725 units in the domestic market this month which is the highest ever since the company started sales in September, 1998. This is also the first time that HMIL in the last four consecutive months has achieved over 50,000 units of sale cumulatively. HMIL’s total sales for October, 2010 stood at 52,225 units as against 51,735 units in October, 2009 registering an increase of 0.9%. The domestic sales accounted for 34,725 units as against 28,301 units in October, 2009 while the exports dipped by 25.3% from 23,434 units in October, 2009 to 17,500 units in October, 2010.

]]>Hyundai Motor India Ltd achieved record sales of 34,725 units in the domestic market this month which is the highest ever since the company started sales in September, 1998. This is also the first time that HMIL in the last four consecutive months has achieved over 50,000 units of sale cumulatively. HMIL’s total sales for October, 2010 stood at 52,225 units as against 51,735 units in October, 2009 registering an increase of 0.9%. The domestic sales accounted for 34,725 units as against 28,301 units in October, 2009 while the exports dipped by 25.3% from 23,434 units in October, 2009 to 17,500 units in October, 2010.

Arvind Saxena, Director - Marketing and Sales, HMIL reflecting on this month’s performance said, “ the market has been on an upswing for the last few months but the introduction of the new ‘Next Gen’ i10 has really pepped up things for HMIL with the new i10 sales growing as much as 26% in the last two months." The segment-wise cumulative sales for the month of October, 2010 are as follows: A2 segment (Santro, i10, i20) 46,399 units; A3 Segment (Accent & Verna) 5,730 units; A5 segment (Sonata Transform) 22 units; Santa Fe (SUV) 74 units.

]]>6415<![CDATA[Hyundai Motors India Domestic Sales Up by 17.2 percent ]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6415-hyundai-motors-india-domestic-sales-up-by-172-percent.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6415-hyundai-motors-india-domestic-sales-up-by-172-percent.htmlCarWale Team9/1/2010 3:13:40 PM2028http://img.carwale.com/ec/6415/img/m/6415_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6415/img/m/6415_lHyundai Motor India Ltd registered a growth of 17.2%, over the same month last year, in domestic sales. HMIL’s total sales for August, 2010 stood at 50,636 units as against 49,521 units in August, 2009 registering a 2.3 % cumulative growth over the same period last year. The domestic sales accounted for 28,601 units as against 24,401 units in August, 2009 while the exports declined by 12.3 % from 25,120 units in August, 2009 to 22,035 units in August, 2010.

]]>Hyundai Motor India Ltd registered a growth of 17.2%, over the same month last year, in domestic sales. HMIL’s total sales for August, 2010 stood at 50,636 units as against 49,521 units in August, 2009 registering a 2.3 % cumulative growth over the same period last year. The domestic sales accounted for 28,601 units as against 24,401 units in August, 2009 while the exports declined by 12.3 % from 25,120 units in August, 2009 to 22,035 units in August, 2010.

Commenting on August, 2010 sales, Arvind Saxena, Director - Marketing and Sales, HMIL said, "The domestic demand continues to be strong and we have constraints in production due to some components supply. We are changing our production mix to meet this increased demand in the domestic market. We expect the demand in the domestic market to be even stronger in the coming festival season."

The segment-wise cumulative sales for the month of August, 2010 are as follows: A2 segment (Santro, i10 & i20) 45,804 units; A3 Segment (Accent & Verna Transform) 4,806 units; A5 segment (Sonata Transform) 26 units.Hyundai Motors India Limited recently announced a 1.2 % hike in the price of their cars across segments. Only time will tell if this price hike will affect the sales of the company or not.

]]>6222<![CDATA[Hyundai Motor India Ltd reaches 30 lakh Production & Sales Figure]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6222-hyundai-motor-india-ltd-reaches-30-lakh-production-sales-figure.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6222-hyundai-motor-india-ltd-reaches-30-lakh-production-sales-figure.htmlCarWale Team8/4/2010 3:43:06 PM1569http://img.carwale.com/ec/6222/img/m/6222_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6222/img/m/6222_lHyundai Motor India Ltd. today with the sale of its vehicles, including exports, reached the 30 lakh (3 million) mark. The occasion marked the announcement of several attractive schemes & promotions for all the existing and potential consumers of HMIL.  Hyundai Motor achieved this 30 lakh car production figure in less than 12 years.

]]>Hyundai Motor India Ltd. today with the sale of its vehicles, including exports, reached the 30 lakh (3 million) mark. The occasion marked the announcement of several attractive schemes & promotions for all the existing and potential consumers of HMIL.  Hyundai Motor achieved this 30 lakh car production figure in less than 12 years.

On the occasion, H. W. Park, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL, said, “Today is a red-letter day for all of us at Hyundai family. We are extremely delighted to share this achievement with all our stakeholders and we believe this was possible because of our total commitment to the Indian market and the faith our customers have put in our products. Needless to say we will continue to build “Brand Hyundai” in the market here and bring in the best of products and technology. It is also a proud moment for all of us because India has emerged as the largest export base for our small cars and the Chennai made cars can be seen on the roads of five continents now.”

To commemorate the special occasion, HMIL introduced a unique initiative to ensure “peace of mind” for its esteemed customers. The ‘Hyundai Triple Assurance Program’, a three-pronged nationwide scheme, will offer customers a host of incentives to enjoy a hassle-free driving experience.

The 'Maintenance Assurance Program’ assures zero expenditure on all maintenance services for three years or 50,000 kilometres, whichever is earlier. The ‘Motor Assurance Program’ will provide comprehensive motor insurance and add on coverage for a maximum of five occupants for an amount up to Rs. 200,000 per person.

The ‘Warranty Assurance Program’ offers extended warranty for the third year or up to distance of 60,000 km. Besides this, the scheme also includes free roadside assistance for two years. The Hyundai Triple Assurance Program will be available to the buyers of the Santro and the i10, and will be available from 5th  – 25th  August, 2010.

As a special ‘thank you’ to customers, an Exchange/Loyalty offer of Rs 15,000 for a Hyundai car owner and an exchange amount of Rs 12,000 for any other car for an i10 or Santro. With these offers in the pipeline, Hyundai does know what the Indian Customers are looking for in a car.

]]>6186<![CDATA[Hyundai Registers 24.2% Sales Growth in July]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6186-hyundai-registers-242-sales-growth-in-july.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6186-hyundai-registers-242-sales-growth-in-july.htmlCarWale Team8/2/2010 11:55:17 AM2382http://img.carwale.com/ec/6186/img/m/6186_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6186/img/m/6186_lHyundai Motor India Ltd registered its growth in the domestic sales by 24.2% over the same month last year.  HMIL’s total sales for July, 2010 stood at 50,411 units as against 45,539 units in July, 2009 registering a 10.7% cumulative growth over the same period last year. The domestic sales accounted for 28,811 units as against 23,193 units in July, 2009 while the exports declined by 3.3% from 22,346 units in July, 2009 to 21,600  units in July, 2010.

]]>Hyundai Motor India Ltd registered its growth in the domestic sales by 24.2% over the same month last year.  HMIL’s total sales for July, 2010 stood at 50,411 units as against 45,539 units in July, 2009 registering a 10.7% cumulative growth over the same period last year. The domestic sales accounted for 28,811 units as against 23,193 units in July, 2009 while the exports declined by 3.3% from 22,346 units in July, 2009 to 21,600  units in July, 2010.

Commenting on July, 2010 sales, Arvind Saxena, Director - Marketing and Sales, HMIL said, "The recently launched Verna Transform along with the tried and trusted Accent helped us consolidate our position in the mid segment."

He further added saying that, "The increased demand clearly shows that the recently launched Verna Transform has been well received by our customers. The market continues to be positive and in the next quarter we expect the trend to continue with the onset of the festive season".

The segment-wise cumulative sales for the month of July, 2010 are as follows: A2 segment (Santro, i10 & i20) 44,522 units; A3 Segment (Accent & Verna) 5,858 units; A5 segment (Sonata Transform) 31 units. The i10 and i20 along with the new Verna Transform and Accent, have given Hyundai the edge in both the car segments. Hyundai, with its firm base in India, will certainly look to bring a new car soon.

Read our Verna Transform Roadtest here.

]]>5394<![CDATA[Hyundai Domestic Sales Up By 18.9%]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/5394-hyundai-domestic-sales-up-by-189.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/5394-hyundai-domestic-sales-up-by-189.htmlCarWale Team7/1/2010 12:38:01 PM1832http://img.carwale.com/ec/5394/img/m/5394_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/5394/img/m/5394_lHyundai Motor India Ltd, continued to be on a growth trajectory with the domestic sales growing by 18.9 % in June 2010 over the same month last year.

]]>Hyundai Motor India Ltd, continued to be on a growth trajectory with the domestic sales growing by 18.9 % in June 2010 over the same month last year.

HMIL sales          June , 2010        June , 2009           (%)

Domestic              27,366               23,016              18.9

Exports                 18,888               24,250             -22.1

Cumulative          46,254                47,266               -2.1

HMIL’s total sales for June, 2010 stood at 46,254 units as against 47,266 units in June, 2009. The domestic sales accounted for 27,366 units as against 23,016 units in June, 2009 registering a growth of 18.9 % while the exports declined by 22.1% from 24,250 units in June, 2009 to 18,888  units in June, 2010.

For the first half ending June 30, 2010, the domestic sales accounted for 175,121 units as against 135,751 units (Jan-June 2009) registering a growth of 29 % while the overseas sales grew by 9.2 % from 121,074 units (Jan-June 2009) to 132,226 units in Jan-June 2010.  The cumulative sales saw a jump of 19.7% with total of 307,347 units in the first half of this year against 256,825 units over the same period last year.

Arvind Saxena, Director - Marketing and Sales, HMIL said, “The domestic market continues to show a steady growth but the exports have slowed down especially in the EU countries in the absence of any fresh incentives from the respective governments there. Our new products have also helped us grow the market here and the recent launch of the Verna Transform should help us to improve our figures in the mid segment further in the coming months. We expect the domestic market to continue to grow in double digits in the second half of this year as well.”

The segment-wise cumulative sales for the month of June, 2010 are as follows: A2 segment (Santro, i10, Getz & i20) 42,099 units; A3 Segment (Accent & Verna) 4,137 units; and A5 segment (Sonata Transform) 18 units.

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