Lumax Auto Technologies, the New Delhi-based leading Tier-1 manufacturer of automotive components, claims to have developed India's first indigenously built automated manual transmission (AMT) gearshifter. It is likely to be used initially on an upcoming Tata Motors model. The AMT gearshifter will be 100 percent localised with only limited electronic parts being imported even in the launch phase.

This information comes from Vikas Marwah, CEO, Lumax Auto, who, during a recent interaction with investors, said that the company has recently begun localised manufacturing of AMT gearshifters and will soon be introducing it on an upcoming Tata Motors’ vehicle.   

The indigenous development of the gearshifter is by the Gurgaon-based Lumax Mannoh Allied Technologies (LMAT), a joint venture with Mannoh Industrial Co Ltd, Japan.  LMAT is currently the market leader for gearshifters in India with a dominant market share across almost all OEMs. It was set up three years ago to design and manufacture complete gearshift lever systems for manual, automatic, AMT and CVT transmissions in India.

A company spokesperson said that Lumax currently supplies only advanced gearshifter technology to Tata Motors, constantly going up the value chain. The company also supplies manual gearshifters to other OEMs with its share of business in excess of 60 percent other than AT gearshifters. 

DCT gearshifter for Tata Altroz
Furthermore, Lumax is also readying a DCT or Dual-Clutch Transmission gearshifter, which is understood to have been cleared for start of production and is awaiting the production schedule for launch on Tata Motors’ premium Altroz hatchback. The Tata Altroz automatic will use a Schaeffler wet clutch DCT.

According to Marwah, “The biggest technology breakthrough that is there globally in the space is the dual clutch transmission or the DCT gearshifter where we have already successfully passed the trials and we are now awaiting the schedules for the launch of this particular gearshifter on the Altroz model. This is the fourth-generation gearshifter. This technology is currently not available anywhere in India except the two global manufacturers. So, Lumax Mannoh is on the right path as far as the technology roadmap is concerned on the gearshifter business for the Tata Motors.”

The company expects the localisation level of its components to go upwards of 90 percent on Tata Motors platforms.