Sona Comstar continues to deliver enhanced performance on its components systems. Ashish Bhatia looks at the new products and iterations from the company.
Vivek Vikram Singh, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer
While pursuing multiple strategic collaborations to become a one-stop automotive technology solutions provider for domestic as well as global markets, Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. (Sona Comstar), is banking on new products and iterations. The company, at the Auto Expo 2023 – The Components Show showcased innovations it has been working on to deliver an even more enhanced performance in the segments of interest. Averred Vivek Vikram Singh, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are a purpose-led organisation aiming to play an important role in accelerating the transition to greener and safer mobility. We are positively impacting society through our innovative products and technologies, enabling low-carbon mobility, eliminating vehicular emissions, improving safety, enhancing automation and contributing to a more sustainable planet.”
With 73 per cent of the company’s net order book accounted for by EVs in the third quarter of Financial Year 2023 (Q3-FY2023), the tier 1 supplier of automotive systems and components to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) runs 41 EV programs across 25 different customers. Besides India, the company has its hands full in other Asian markets of interest, North America and Europe. The mix of programs in serial production, and on the order book, have the company supply geartrain components, traction motors, IMCM and PHEV starters and the e-axle. Highly focused on driving the electrification of vehicles by supplying a range of components and solutions for the Indian two-wheeler and three-wheeler EV segments, Sona Comstar wants to make a significant contribution and grow its content per vehicle.
Growing content per vehicle
Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar
The company showcased a range of components and solutions in line with its pursuit of growing content per vehicle. It displayed the 80-100V SRM Motor, with a peak power of 16.7 kW; PMSM HV – Traction Motor for buses with a peak rated power of 360 kW; PMSM Integrated Drive Unit (IDU) with a peak power of 216 kW for passenger cars; HV Traction Motor Controller HV offering a 98 per cent efficiency and continuous power output of 220 kW backed by automotive validations. It displayed the Belt Starter Generator RC 440V which features a position sensor (Hall Sensor type) and an integrated eMachine and Inverter that is VDA320 qualified and IP6k9k/IP67 compliant sealing. It supports multiple functions: start, generation and regeneration, and the engine assists with thermal derating and protection enabled for safe operation.
The SC145D2 Mid Drive Motor on display has a position sensor (resolver type) and offers liquid cooling. The IP67 compliant motor is claimed to be highly efficient and offers thermal protection for safe operation. The Liquid Cooled Controller from the company applies to the P2/P3/P4 topologies and EV passenger cars. It offers customers optional features like FuSa as per ISO 26262 and cyber security. Running on the FOC Algorithm, it weighs ~4.2 kg. The Controller Platform is based on the FOC algorithm as well and offers electrical protection, EMI/EMC compliance, and operating temperature of 10 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, a natural cooled method with IP67 protection. The company also drew in footfall courtesy its L5 e-axle for the L5 M/N category of vehicles. The independent axle type runs on wet lubrication and weighs 8.7 kg. Made available in 6.5:1 gear ratios, it is claimed to offer extended overloading and fatigue capacity. With axle noise under 70 dB, it is claimed to offer universal motor compatibility as a validated product. It also showcased an electronic locking differential assembly and L3 e-axle with an optimised brake assembly design also with universal motor compatibility.
Long-term value creation
The company reaffirmed its plans to drive long-term value for all stakeholders. The company is known to have adopted a strategic framework for ESG performance management and identified material sustainability issues. Under the framework, the company has defined incremental goals and targets under ESG materiality topics. These goals and targets are expected to help the company continuously strengthen how it operates and achieve more sustainable growth. The company has collaborated with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), an industry interface of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, to support innovation and start-ups. The objective is to create safe, convenient and eco friendly mobility for everyone. Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar, lauded all stakeholders for their collaboration, support and trust. “Together, we are leading the way to a sustainable future,” he stated in the company’s first sustainability report. ACI.
Also read, A Product-Driven Strategy
