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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

  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…]

Ramesh Suri, the newly elected President of Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), has taken over the reins at a time when the industry has probably bottomed out. Tasked with the responsibility of restarting the industry on the path to growth, the ACMA President tells J Srikant about his top priorities, the pain points of the industry that need[Read More…]

Tyre manufacturers across the world are faced with several challenges including identifying materials that are not fossil fuel based. Michelin, on its part, is working on several new technologies. T Murrali caught up with Dominique Aimon, Vice President – Technical and Scientific Communication, Michelin Group recently to get his perspective on the challenges and Michelin’s solutions. Edited excerpts: Q: I[Read More…]