SKF Targets Europe-Level Aftermarket Portfolio for India

At Automechanika 2026, global bearing major SKF said it wants India’s automotive aftermarket portfolio to mirror the depth and technological sophistication of its European range, signalling a sharper focus on higher-value components and system-level capability.

Speaking to Autocar Professional, Olaf Henning, Head of Global Automotive Aftermarket, SKF, and Gaurava Mishra, VP and Head of Automotive Aftermarket, SKF India, said the shift is being shaped by rapid changes in vehicle architecture.

As vehicles become increasingly electronics-driven and product life cycles shrink, the aftermarket can no longer be treated as a late-stage extension of the OE business. Henning emphasised that early collaboration with OEMs is now critical, allowing aftermarket readiness to be built into the product development phase itself.

SKF is leveraging simulation-led development and sensor-enabled bearing technologies to ensure that components entering the Indian market are aligned with global standards. This is particularly relevant as integrated systems and smart components become more common, raising both the value and complexity of replacements.

Mishra noted that India’s aftermarket ecosystem must prepare for a transition towards technology-led, higher-value products. That includes equipping distributors, workshops and technicians with better access to technical information, diagnostics and training support.

The broader question, as raised during the discussion, is whether India is ready for a Europe-level aftermarket transformation. SKF believes the opportunity exists, provided the ecosystem evolves in step with rising electronic content and system integration across modern vehicles.

For SKF, the ambition is clear: to position India not as a scaled-down version of Europe, but as a market capable of supporting a globally benchmarked aftermarket portfolio.

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