Upfront

Q. How was the Virtual Mechanics’ Training initiative conceived amidst a disruptive pandemic and with strained resources?

A. Mechanics and technicians of commercial vehicles constitute a significant share of the end-user community for Eaton. They are essential pillars of the automotive industry, as they keep the customer’s vehicle running. This makes it vital for them to have indepth knowledge to inturn increase the serviceability aspect of the vehicle. Eaton has been conducting hands-on practical training workshops with mechanics from Tamil Nadu since 2019. This was a part of our strategic end-user and influencer engagement program. We had trained almost 75 independent mechanics across four locations in Tamil Nadu and had plans in place to continue with the handson training for more locations across India when the pandemic struck.

To ensure we went through with our plans, we came up with the idea of focussed-group training through virtual platforms with a focus on skill development and to reach out to our target group. We switched to virtual training in April 2020, where we used video conference apps to broadcast our comprehensive product animation and training videos using minimal resources. So far 250+ mechanics have been trained under the initiative. It has grown to a pan India implementation now.

Q. Which key skillsets and focus areas are targeted and what is the demography of the target group like?

A. With these training sessions, the aim is to help participants gain extensive product knowledge, including on the maintenance and repair of essential powertrain components and other speciality products. As part of a special practice session on disassembly and reassembly of Eaton’s six-speed manual transmission, a highly interactive one, Eaton experts answer the participants’ queries along with imparting a focussed training with demonstrations and practical learning experiences. Through this program, Eaton aims to provide

“The dependencies on the supply chain, processes and associated skill-set, ability to get things done digitally, will be major focus areas. ”

end-users with advanced skills and matchless expertise on knowledge expansion in service and repair.

Demographically speaking, the target population includes independent mechanics, members of mechanics’ associations and OEM mechanics. So far, we have trained more than 250 independent mechanics across Tamil Nadu (Namakkal, Sankagiri, Salem and Thiruchengode) and across East India (Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bihar and Odisha). The duration of each session is about 1.5 hours and extends depending on the interaction level of participants. The total training man-hours amount to approximately 400 and also include a recital in the local language for ease of understanding.

Q. In hindsight have you achieved what you set out to and how do you see the initiative evolving in the Indian context?

A. The training was adapted quickly to unforeseen situations without the focus shifting from the requirements of customers and end-users. The response for our in-person training has been tremendous, and we were hopeful that the shift to virtual platforms would be a success too, as long as we are able to deliver value. The mechanics have been sharing good feedback too and have found it useful and informative to the extent of broadening their skillset. Eaton has a strong focus on learning and the success of this program symbolises us realising the organisational focus.

We see the virtual format gaining even greater momentum as we go along given that we are still in the midst of the pandemic. With the program already reaching out to more than 250 participants pan India within a span of six months, we are confident of successfully reaching out to more participants. With the Indian commercial vehicle landscape undergoing a change with major OEMs adopting a modular business program, the virtual training workshop is designed to equip the mechanics on surviving a changing market and effectively adapting to it. It is a direct outcome of the time we spent and the efforts that went into understanding the mindset and requirements of the target group in the market.

Q. How was the company poised ahead of the pandemic induced disruptions over Q3-Q4FY2020?

A. While we were expecting a surge in demand in Q3FY2020 and Q4FY2020, in expectation of a pre-buying activity ahead of the BSVI rollout, the expected surge in demand did not come good. Some of our export businesses had also started feeling the pressure in Q4FY2020 due to the lockdown. Even in the absence of pandemic and no significant pre-buy, we were anticipating an uneventful but low-performance Q1FY2021. However, the pandemic negatively impacted even those assumptions.

Q. How did exports fare and what’s the overall impact vis-a-vis domestic demand?

A. The exports (specifically to the developed western markets), were impacted due to lockdowns, however, the bounce-back has been sharp. The volumes also went up, in anticipation of building the pipeline of stocks. During the lockdowns, with freight movements impacted, the inventory holdings witnessed a dip. In the domestic market, specifically, the commercial vehicle industry has been lagging. While we are seeing some improvements, the drag is still significant considering the

industry witnessed degrowth prior to the pandemic. Our supplies to agricultural equipment markets have been good courtesy of a strong rural demand.

Q. What is the recovery outlook across segments spanning passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and the offhighway segment?

A. Passenger vehicles are already showing strong growth. The growth in rural and semi-urban markets is driving good demand. In commercial vehicles we do see growth in the segment catering to the last mile reach. The heavy commercial vehicle segment is expected to lag due to overcapacity. Construction equipment vehicles may show some growth as the activities in this segment start picking up, driven by the extent of government spending and the return of labour to these sites.

The Eaton Virtual Mechanics’ Training workshop succeeds at realising the organisational focus on imparting learning.

Q. What is the canvas like for the Truck division in India in terms of the global exposure on the production, after-sales service and product design front?

A. Eaton’s Truck division is engaging with all the commercial vehicle players in India. With more than 150,000 transmissions on the field, we do have a strong understanding of customer behaviours and vehicle duty cycles. It has enabled us to further customise our products and to bring more value to our customers and live up to the “We make what matters work” motto. With the changing fleet utilisation and duty cycles (due to axle norm changes, BSVI implementation, quick turnaround times etc.), we have been working closely with our customers to efficiently cater to the ever-evolving niche applications with our reliable and robust range of transmissions.

We have also brought in our clutch designs to the Indian market and are getting very favourable feedback on the value to add to the customer. We are also currently making the MD electric vehicle transmissions to cater to the global requirements. As electrification gains traction in global markets, we do see it as a growth vertical for us.

While Covid-19 kept all of us locked in, we have utilised this time well to reach out to our end users on virtual platforms to listen in to their concerns and to find novel ways of addressing them, in turn, adding to their efficiency and profitability. We also plan to bring in the Eaton ReMan program in a big way to India. This will help the fleet owners extend the life of their vehicles at lower costs.

Q. How have you added to the shop floor, supply chain and vendor level efficiencies in order to be future-ready?

A. Currently, we are investigating on a topic related to predictive maintenance solution for pumps and motors. These are in very early stages of Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Once successful, we can horizontally deploy it at multiple facilities since pumps and motors are omnipresent in factories. Eaton holds critical Intellectual Property (IP) on these algorithms, the deployment of which will enhance our product capability and robustness while also helping to enhance the overall productivity. The architecture currently under development can help extend the predictive maintenance solutions for other assets in the future as well.

On the supply chain side, we are looking at making our data sources transparent and linked, while also improving the data quality. Efforts are ongoing towards accurately classifying our spend data and mapping it with our product life-cycle management data. The game-plan is to strengthen our data sources while creating a single source of truth, developing a knowledge layer by linking the various data sources and finally developing an artificial intelligence layer on top of the knowledge layer.

Q. What is the near-medium and longterm outlook?

A. We are still not clear about the actual impact and possible rebound of markets in India. We are witnessing severe economic recession, which has impacted Eaton’s revenues and margins as well. Eaton, however, continues to deliver strong decremental margins, along with smooth cash flow. There have been many learnings along the way – working from home, virtual FATs, customer connect, etc. The team has run 100+ webinars, connected to over 2000 customers, and put in over 2500 hours of product training.

Till the demand returns for good, all of us have the responsibility to manage costs and revisit our strategies. It looks like the worst is behind us and things can only get better. The short-term goal is to build on resilience displayed in 2020 and consolidate to recover as much as possible in the coming year. We have already embarked on a project to capture learnings of Covid-19 impact to the business and its processes, only to revisit and arrive at a new normal. The dependencies on the supply chain, processes and associated skill-set, ability to get things done digitally, will be major focus areas. We are focusing on building a solid profit plan for 2021, to align with the long-term strategic action plan. ACI

Toughest And Most Capable Ever Defender

The latest iteration of the Land Rover Defender is being touted as toughest and most capable ever and for good reason.

Story by: Ashish Bhatia Tough and capable are synonymous with the Land Rover Defender legacy. It’s the claim of the latest iteration being the toughest and most capable ever that has the loyalists excited all over again. In India, the excitement levels seem to have soared to the brand portfolio’s trinity mix. Consisting of the ‘Discovery’ and ‘Range Rover’ as the two pillars, the Defender drives in as the third. Speaking on newer highs too. After all, with the launch, Land Rover, completes

Rohit Suri, President and Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India

the significance of the launch, expressed Rohit Suri, President and Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India, “This, in many ways, completes the Land Rover brand story and we are very excited about expanding the reach and appeal of Land Rover amongst our customer base.” Sharing an important piece of trivia, Suri drew attention to the name Defender being used in 1990 for the first time ever. Since then, stated Suri, the Defender has proved to be the most successful and iconic model for the manufacturer.

The new Defender in India

Announcing the launch of the new three-door Defender 90 and the five-door Defender 110 in India, the Defender 110 is the first to go on sale in the country with the former expected to follow suit. Priced northwards of Rs.79.94 lakh, the two—Defender 110 SE and the Defender First Edition we took a closer look at, in a suburban Mumbai dealership, drove in from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) ahead of the official launch. According to Suri, it is the most configurable vehicle. “With over 170 individual accessories there is the Adventure Pack, Explorer Pack, Country Pack and Urban Pack as the four distinct accessory

Watch Out For

1. Monocoque Architecture. 2. Electronic Air Suspension and Electronic Active Differential with the optional Terrain Response 2. 3. Wading depth of 900 mm. 4. Geometry for a strong all-terrain capability. The approach angle is 38° and the break-over angle is up to 31° with a departure angle of 40°. 5. Pivi Pro, a state-of-the-art and intuitive infotainment system.

There is wireless charging onboard too. 6. ClearSight Interior Video Rear View Mirror for a clear rear view regardless of any obstacle blocking the view from within the car.

packs to choose from,” he expressed. Deployable roof ladder, expedition roof rack, sidemounted gear carrier, integrated air compressor and portable rinse system are some of the key utilitarian features that one can choose from.

First impressions

Making for an imposing stance, it’s a good looker, to begin with. Soaking the permutation and combinations of the accessory packs albeit can be overwhelming till you get to know the new Defender better. Pass this hurdle and you begin to appreciate the slew of

Key Technical Specifications

Feature Maximum speed km/h Acceleration (s) for 0-100 km/h Engine Maximum power kW / r/min Maximum torque Nm / r/a Transmission Defender SE 110 191 7.0 2.0 l (litre) Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol 300 / 220 / 4000 650 / 1500 - 2500 Automatic

design and engineering components that lend to its true character. Retaining the solid shoulder line, minimal front and rear overhangs, alpine light windows, round headlights, side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel from the original model, the five-door Defender SE 110 in fuji white exteriors is designed on the bespoke D7x platform. Its lightweight all-aluminium monocoque construction is claimed to add to the rigidity over the conventional body-on-frame design and fuses well with the 4x4 all-independent chassis. Notably, the system’s adaptive dampers are said to monitor body movements up to 500 times per second in a near real-time response to optimise control and comfort. We were mighty impressed by the configurable terrain response and the terrain response 2 ( was available on the Defender First Edition ) for enhanced all-terrain capability.

With a maximum towing capacity of 3,720 kg, the new Defender has a roof load capacity of 168 kg. One can opt from the range of nine wheel designs, from 45.72 cm (18) pressed steel rims to 50.8 cm (20) alloys. Extending its utilitarian streak, the 5+2 seating impresses on the layout front. It can also be had with an optional front row centre seat (jump seat). The Defender boasts of a 231-litres load-carrying capacity with seats upright and up to 2380 litres of luggage space with row two folded up. The SE adds to the appeal of the interiors with grained leather and a robust woven textile. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system, next-generation Electronic Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) supporting software over the air updates, ClearSight rear mirror and ground view as part of the 3D surround camera system, and the optional 700W Meridian Surround Sound System with 10 configurable options lend to its technical advancements leaving a lasting first impression. “We have launched the 2.0 litre petrol with 300 PS as of now. We will be introducing the three-litre diesel and petrol variants in the future. We are also exploring the launch of 2.0 litre petrol PHEV in India,” concluded Suri. ACI

In It For The Long-Haul

Log 9 Materials is banking on its innovative, zero-emission and lowcost solution to provide a compelling alternative for long-haul transportation.

Story by: Deven Lad

The IIT-Roorkee incubated, Bengaluru-based startup Log 9 Materials Scientific Pvt. Ltd., has set its sight on long-haul transportation. In a big range boost to electric light commercial vehicles, the company is claimed to have developed a path-breaking alternative to conventional lithium-ion battery packs. The low-cost, zeroemission, aluminium fuel-cell developed by the company, according to Akshay Singhal, Founder at Log 9 Materials has the potential to address the range anxiety and performance issues associated with lithium-ion batteries. Explained Singhal, “Lithiumion is not meant for the long run especially when long-haul is the need. The biggest challenge, for instance, is the need to charge over several hours, for a Bengaluru-Mumbai trip. The trip will take three to four days owing to the need for multiple charges.” “The lithium-ion battery pack is also not suited to hotter terrains either. India has hot weather and those challenges persist. That apart there is a scarcity of raw materials like cobalt for feeding the battery,” he added. Of the opinion that aluminium fuel-cells are more apt for the long-haul, Singhal also cited the capability of withstanding hotter terrains more efficiently.

Aluminium fuel-cell proto

Aimed at creating a clean, circular energy economy, the fuel-cell prototype is claimed to power a 1,000 km range with zero waste and zero emissions. The graphene air-cathode of the battery is known to selectively allow air to pass through to the electrolyte which in turn reacts with the aluminium placed inside a chamber to generate electricity. The by-product, aluminium hydroxide, deposited at the fuel-cell bottom in a powder form can be recycled at a smelter and reused in the same battery again. The fresh aluminium in a rectangular ‘cassette-like’ form, in middle and two graphene membranes on both sides,