Autocar Professional – July 1, 2017

The annual Indo-German Auto Industry Special is out, replete with a host of in-depth features, new reports and CEO interviews.

As is known, Germany is India’s biggest trading partner in the European Union. In an exclusive interview, Hubert Reilard, MD of the Bangalore-based EFD Induction who has been in India for over 30 years, details the growing industry connect between the two countries, the need for an India-EU FTA, how industry academia collaboration can be expanded and what keeps him bonded to India.

The German component industry, particularly the automotive component sector, is bullish on growth in India. Recognising fast-growing demand for the latest electronics in passenger vehicles, Hella India Automotive, which has set up a full-scale development centre in Pune, is now charting an aggressive product offensive to tap demand for the latest technologies and products in the Indian market. We reveal the product and market growth strategy.

Find out what BMW Group India’s president Vikram Pawah has to say about the carmaker’s expansion and product strategy as well as the government’s push for large-scale adoption of EVs.

German companies are taking a lead in the new mega trends of connectivity, electrification, autonomous driving and also Industry 4.0. The trio of leading technology suppliers – Bosch, Continental and ZF – is driving new advances and many of these are emanating from their R&D centres in India. Last month, at a Bosch Future Connected event in New Delhi, the tech major showcased how by linking systems inside and outside the vehicle to intelligent mobility solutions, the driving experience can be enhanced, even as it drives towards a connected shopfloor with Industry 4.0.

Meanwhile, Continental is actively targeting seamless, driverless and green mobility. The Tier 1 supplier recently showcased its slew of technologies at TechShow 2017 in Germany, all of which have been detailed in the four-page feature. India is playing a dynamic role in all this, as CEO Dr Elmar Degenhart told Autocar Professional: “I could imagine India developing into an artificial intelligence competence hub for Continental in the future.”

ZF AG, which has unveiled its Vision Zero or zero accidents and zero emissions, aims to reach its goals through intelligently connected and automated systems. The company’s Vision Zero Vehicle concept is a powerhouse of new technologies and intelligent mechanical systems capable of preventing accidents.

The Schaeffler Group, which makes bearings, clutch systems, transmission systems and associated parts under three brands – INA, FAG and LuK – is another player bullish on India. Dharmesh Arora, president and MD of Schaeffler Group India, speaks on the expansion plans for production capacity and R&D capabilities, along with new products for BS VI and ECM transmission technology.

The Freudenberg Group’s Kluber Lubrication, is its bid to grow faster in India, is banking on increased consumer awareness about specialty lubricants. Find out how the company plans to go about this.

India is also where technical services provider Leadec, the erstwhile Voith Industrial Services, is targeting over 25 percent growth in 2017. We reveal the company’s mid-term growth plan.

More interviews, more exclusives, more features

The big interview of the fortnight is with Mahindra & Mahindra’s Dr Pawan Goenka who speaks freely about opportunities and challenges for the EV industry, the government’s role in it, M&M’s EV strategy, the road ahead for the internal combustion engine and how the company plans to wrest back market share in utility vehicles.

The past fortnight saw Piaggio launch the new Porter 700 mini-truck at an aggressive pricing. Find out if it has what it takes to beat the well-entrenched competition in the form of the Tata Ace and Mahindra Jeeto.

Honda Cars is keen that its India operations become the hub for its new 1.6-litre diesel powerplant. We visit the integrated engine manufacturing and assembly facility at Tapukara in Rajasthan.

Leading Japanese manufacturer, NGK Spark Plugs has an aggressive game-plan for the Indian aftermarket. Find out just what. 

Riveting industry news

The news pages open with the huge scoop about the three-month-old alliance between Tata Motors, Volkswagen Group and Skoda hitting a roadblock. We also speak to Joerg Mommertz, CMD of MAN Trucks India to learn more about the company’s vision of contributing 10 percent of MAN’s global volumes in 3-4 years. Other highlights include SAIC Motor’s confirmation of make in India by 2019, starting with the MG brand of cars. /

All this and much more in the latest issue of Autocar Professional. 

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