Comstar unveils world’s lightest starter motor, to open new plant in Mexico

The Chennai-based Comstar Automotive Technologies, India's leading exporter of alternators and starter motors, has announced several new growth-driving initiatives.

The company has been on an aggressive growth path with annual CAGR of over 30 percent, thanks to its overseas clientele performing exceedingly well. The India-headquartered company, which gets close to 96% of its business through export and caters to all major global OEMs globally including, Ford, Volvo, Geely, Renault-Nissan, Aston Martin, Mazda, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland-Nissan.

At present, the company has a manufacturing footprint in India and the USA. In a bid to target customers in the ASEAN region, the company was exploring the viability of setting up a plant in Thailand. However, that plan has been put on hold and instead, the company has invested in a new manufacturing plant in China.

“We have got a mandate from one of our customers in China and to cater to them, we have invested in a plant in the country. The plant is under commissioning and likely to start commercial production by the end of this year,” said Sat Mohan Gupta, CEO and President, Comstar Automotive Group. Gupta, however, refused to disclose the level of investment.  

To supply Renault-Nissan Alliance in Brazil

Meanwhile, burgeoning business in South America and North America has prompted Comstar to look for a manufacturing footprint in Latin America. The company, which has recently bagged a supply mandate from Ford Motor Company (North America) and the Renault-Nissan Alliance in Brazil, plans to set up a new plant in Mexico to support its customers in Latin America and the US.

“We are looking at setting up a new plant in Mexico in 2017. We already have a plant in the USA, which primarily caters to Ford USA for its trucks. The US plant, which is currently producing about 300,000 units per annum, will continue to cater exclusively for Ford. However, after the Mexico plant goes on stream, we will supply some of our customers in the US from the new plant,” said Gupta.

Unveils world’s lightest starter motor

With automakers worldwide looking to reduce vehicle weight and in turn their carbon footprint, light-weighting of components has assumed huge importance. Comstar today unveiled the world’s lightest starter motor at its Chennai plant.

The company says it has, over 12 months, engaged in deep R&D for this product employing alternate material and design optimisation. This motor not only beats the under-2kg target but hits a new landmark of 1.5kg. 

The 1.5kg unit is the first sub-2kg starter motor developed for passenger cars for the first time anywhere in the world. This is a made-in-India, made-for-the-world starter motor using local resources and capabilities. Comstar believes the 1.5kg starter motor will kick-start the next phase of lightweighting as OEMs grapple to meet regulatory targets.

Comstar has one of the widest starter/alternator product portfolios, ranging from 0.8 to 4.6kW, and supplies its products to over 42 customer locations across 35 countries in five continents.

Bags Ford’s Best Supplier Award

The company recently won the best supplier award (gold) from Ford Motor Co at the automaker’s annual World Excellence Awards.

Globally, Ford has honored 57 suppliers, across 11 different categories, who have exceeded the company’s expectation and performed extraordinarily in quality, cost, performance and delivery. The American carmaker has nearly 4,000 suppliers globally and this year there were about 60,000 entries for the awards. Comstar is the only Indian supplier which bagged the award in 2016; in 2014, the company had won in the silver category.

“We are delighted to receive this award in recognisation of our performance for 2015. The award is an opportunity to further enhance our performance in the quality that we offer and take it to the next level,” said Gupta.