Upfront

Our Indian R&D centre plays a vital role in the global structure and support our US, Europe, South America and Japan: Holmstrom

Our Indian R&D centre plays a vital role in the global structure and support our US, Europe, South America and Japan: Holmstrom

Torbjorn Holmstrom, Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Group and Executive Vice President, Volvo Group Trucks Technology spoke to Bhushan Mhapralkar on the future technologies and their plans to bring global technologies to the Indian market. Edited excerpts: Q: From a technological view point, where does India figure in Volvo’s scheme of things? Holmstrom: We came to India in 1996. I was[Read More…]

by December 31, 2015 Upfront
Goodyear has found that using soybean oil in tyres can potentially increase tread life by 10%: PK Walia

Goodyear has found that using soybean oil in tyres can potentially increase tread life by 10%: PK Walia

PK Walia, Vice President-Consumer Business, Goodyear India told Bhargav TS on the initiatives taken to enhance the tyre life and fuel efficiency by adopting new technology and its focus on R&D. Edited excerpts: Q: What is Goodyear doing on tyre R&D and what is the way forward? Walia: Goodyear has 2 global innovation centres for R&D each in Akron, Ohio[Read More…]

by November 12, 2015 Cover Story, Upfront
We need to focus on R&D and to make a conscious effort to move away from ‘Build to Print’ to creation of IP in India: Arvind Balaji

We need to focus on R&D and to make a conscious effort to move away from ‘Build to Print’ to creation of IP in India: Arvind Balaji

Arvind Balaji, the newly elected President of Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) has taken over the mantle at a time when the industry is witnessing some green shrubs. Loaded with huge responsibilities to take the industry to the growth path, the new President informed Bhargav TS about his top priorities and challenges that need to be addressed. Excerpts[Read More…]

by October 24, 2015 Upfront
SKF hopes to make further inroads in the LCM portfolio in the coming years and will develop products and solutions catering to this portfolio: Harsha Kadam

SKF hopes to make further inroads in the LCM portfolio in the coming years and will develop products and solutions catering to this portfolio: Harsha Kadam

Global bearing manufacture, Sweden-headquartered SKF has bearings performing in industrial applications and in almost all automobile segments. Going forward, the company is planning to penetrate more into Life Cycle Management products and to offer cost competitive products with increased life cycle. Harsha Kadam, Director, Automotive Market OE Business, SKF India, told Bhargav TS on the newly developed products and the[Read More…]

by October 13, 2015 Upfront
Automotive forging capacity is under-utilised with more than one third of the capacity not tapped heralds a positive sign on exports: Asheet Pasricha

Automotive forging capacity is under-utilised with more than one third of the capacity not tapped heralds a positive sign on exports: Asheet Pasricha

The Indian automotive industry consumes around 70% of the forgings produced in India. Asheet Pasricha, President, Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) told Leon Martin Ray about the forging industry in India and the way ahead for the sector. Edited excerpts: How many forging units are there in India and what is the percentage of the large, medium-sized and small[Read More…]

by September 23, 2015 Upfront
We choose suppliers who could work for us globally: Gerard Detourbet

We choose suppliers who could work for us globally: Gerard Detourbet

Gerard Detourbet, Managing Director of Alliance A-segment Development Unit, Renault-Nissan spoke to Bhargav TS on the CMF-A platform and the development of Renault Kwid. Q: For Renault-Nissan alliance Kwid is the first car to be produced under Common Module Family-Affordable (CMF-A) platform, what are all the challenges you faced while developing it? Detourbet: CMF-A is a platform jointly developed by[Read More…]

by August 3, 2015 OEM, Upfront
We have a very good supplier base and we strategise everything with an inclusive approach: Robert Frittrang

We have a very good supplier base and we strategise everything with an inclusive approach: Robert Frittrang

German luxury carmaker BMW has increased the level of localisation in its cars assembled at the Chennai plant by upto 50%. The Managing Director of BMW Plant Chennai Robert Frittrang explained Bhargav TS on the strategy and the challenges faced during the localisation program. Edited excerpts: Q: Congratulations on achieving 50% localisation, so what is your next target? Frittrang: Always[Read More…]

by August 3, 2015 Upfront
“Sense, Plan, Act comprises integrated active and passive safety technologies that save lives and enhances vehicle dynamics”

“Sense, Plan, Act comprises integrated active and passive safety technologies that save lives and enhances vehicle dynamics”

Continental Automotive Components India (P) Limited develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner, the international automotive supplier, tyre manufacturer and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated sales of approximately Euro 34.5 billion with its 5 divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tyre, and ContiTech. Continental[Read More…]

by June 30, 2015 Upfront
“Demand for castings may grow three-folds in next 10 years”

“Demand for castings may grow three-folds in next 10 years”

The Indian foundry industry produces various types of metal castings and cast components for applications in power, automotive, defense, railways, machine tools, agro machinery, tractor industry, earth moving and mining machinery, electrical machinery, oil and natural gas, etc. It is also instrumental in helping make vehicles lighter in weight. It generates revenue of USD 18 billion with exports of over USD 2 billion,[Read More…]

by June 30, 2015 Upfront
Our main goal is to expand the business in India – Takeshi Fujino

Our main goal is to expand the business in India – Takeshi Fujino

  Yokohama India, the fully owned subsidiary of Yokohama Rubber Company, recently commenced commercial manufacturing at its plant in Bahadurgarh, Haryana which is its first plant in the country. Takeshi Fujino, Managing Director, Yokohama India, spoke to J Srikant on the significance of the new plant for Yokohama Rubber Company globally and how it plans to grow its footprint in[Read More…]

by January 26, 2015 Upfront