Autoliv Inc, the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, has announced its plan to build a new inflator manufacturing plant in India, focused toward supporting its strong Indian market position. This is the latest development in Autoliv's long commitment to the Indian market through its world class life-saving solutions for mobility and society.

Inflators are used to fill the airbag cushion during a crash. Autoliv’s single-stage and dual-stage inflator technologies are proven to meet the most stringent governmental and customer requirements worldwide. Inflators produce a quantity of gas, with a certain composition and temperature, at a controlled rate, which then fills the airbag system to sufficiently cushion an automobile occupant from certain injury scenarios.

Autoliv India has its corporate office, Engineering Centre, and airbag facilities in Bangalore.  The new inflator plant will be built close to Chennai and will cater to the Indian market. The localisation of inflator production will meet customer requirements while mitigating global supply chain disruptions and fluctuations. The new inflator plant will further encourage sustainable market growth in India from global and local OEMs.

Earlier this month, India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways mandated the fitment of a front passenger airbag from April 2021. As per the notification, car manufacturers will now need to conform to these guidelines and equip all new models being produced from April 1, 2021, with a driver as well as co-driver airbag as standard fitment. The same will need to be extended to all existing models in their portfolio from August 31, 2021. 

All new cars produced in India from April 1, 2021, will have to have a driver as well as co-driver airbag as standard fitment. The mandate will apply to all existing models in their portfolio from August 31, 2021.

Autoliv entered the Indian market in 1994 and has since become the clear leader, with six facilities, in this dynamic market.

"The establishment of the new inflator plant is another milestone of Autoliv's development in India, demonstrating our strong commitment to customers and to the Indian market," said Joydeep Roy, Autoliv India President and Managing Director. "We are optimistic about the business prospect here. We will continue our dedicated work of leading the way to saving more lives in India and being a trusted supplier and partner to our customers," he added.