ZF prepares for big growth in Indian automotive aftermarket

German auto component supplier ZF introduced 74 locally made parts in India last year alone. These steering and suspension components for mass market models were introduced under its Lemforder brand.

“Along with the growth of local cars, there’s growth in the sales of European cars in the mid- to premium segment where we have our core business in,” says Markus Wittig, regional GM – aftermarket, ZF Asia Pacific. Wittig expects the Indian automotive aftermarket to see strong growth in the next two years as the average age of new-generation cars goes beyond five years or so.

ZF, which commissioned a new Rs 150 crore plant in Pune at the beginning of February and has a strong presence in commercial vehicles with its transmissions, also plans to introduce its ‘workshop concept’ in India. The initiative could be on the lines of Alltrucks – a multi-brand workshop franchise venture started jointly by ZF, Bosch and Knorr-Bremse in July 2013. It has already started taking steps towards it by tying up with four service partners for commercial vehicles. ZF’s 19 distributors in India are also helping the company to establish connect with workshops.

One of the challenges that ZF had been facing in India was low localisation levels due to which it wasn’t being able to be price competitive for many parts. It plans to tap the new Pune plant to overcome that challenge. The company will add more locally produced products in India this year. Vijay Khorgade, head, ZF Services India, says that ZF is ‘dedicated’ to strengthen its service and distribution network in the region. Enhanced localisation drive by key customers like Volkswagen in India is also benefitting ZF.

At the ongoing ACMA Automechania New Delhi aftermarket trade fair at Pragati Maidan, ZF Services, the aftermarket business unit of ZF,  is showcasing its broad product portfolio and service offerings, with extensive insights on ZF’s expertise in technology, repairs, and services segment. It is also showcasing innovations in driveline, chassis, and steering technology of its three product brands – Sachs, Lemförder, and ZF Parts.

ZF aims to use the platform of India’s largest aftermarket trade fair to reiterate its India focus and its endeavour to reach out to the aftermarket business community. The exhibition space in Hall 12 A, I32 enables visitors to get a look at ZF products such as the EcoLife 6-speed automatic transmission for buses with the new TopoDyn Life control software as a standard. In the passenger car segment, there is a display of clutches, shock absorbers, steering gear suspension components, control arm, stabilised link, oil change kit for passenger cars and engine mounting components.  

The crew at the ZF Services booth are on hand to offer expert advice to mechanics, workshop managers, wholesalers, fleet owners, and haulers, as well as existing and potential ZF Services Partners. 

ZF says automotive aftermarket demand in India has been rapidly increasing. “As the world’s biggest trade fair for the automotive aftermarket, ACMA Automechanika New Delhi 2015 presents a brand like ZF with an ideal opportunity to present its product portfolio. ZF’s products have proven to be successful globally and Automechanika gives us the chance to introduce these market-leading products to a wider audience in India. We’re particularly interested in developing relationships with distributor groups who may be interested in embracing or marketing our product, technology and solutions,” says Joseph McCorry, president of ZF Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

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