Newscast

Biranchi Mohapatra is CEO at Spark Minda

Spark Minda has announced the appointment of Biranchi Mohapatra as CEO for Business Vertical II - Information and Connected Systems (Wiring Harness, Sensor and Cluster Products) and as a member to its Executive Committee of the Group. Averred Ashok Minda, Chairman & Group CEO, Minda Corporation Limited, “We are very excited to bring on board such an accomplished business leader as Mr Mohapatra, who in his nearly three decades in the industry has forged strong relationships with Indian and Global Customers.” The appointment according to Minda will play a key role in steering the Group’s focus on operational excellence, customer centricity and speedy market responsiveness. The erstwhile Managing Director at Plastic Omnium India and an old hand at Continental Engines, Varroc and Ashok Leyland, Mohapatra will drive business transformation, establish synergy and growth roadmap for the Information and Connected Systems vertical. A BTech in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, he is regarded as an accomplished business leader.

Todd Morgan is CTO and Innovation Officer at Lumax

Lumax, DK Jain Group has appointed Todd C Morgan as its Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Czech Republic as recommended by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. Announced in the Outcome of the Board Meeting held on November 09, 2020, he will report to Vineet Sahni, Group Chief Executive Officer, Lumax Industries. Morgan takes over the new role after gaining over three decades of experience in roles spanning auto manufacture and product development. His previous stints include the role of Senior Vice President - Global Product Development at Varroc-Lighting Systems and Director Lighting Product Development - Europe/ Asia. He has also worked as the Lighting Business Development Manager for European and French OEMs besides looking at product development of new lighting programs for PSA and SEAT. Morgan is an alumnus of Purdue University where he pursued BS, Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering.

CEAT Tyres Shoppe

Over 200 Ceat Tyres Shoppe will now offer all tyre related services to customers. CEAT Shoppe offers computerised wheel alignment, balancing and nitrogen inflation among a host of other services to the tyre segment. CEAT customers can now look forward to avail and claim the resolution and replacement backed with an on-spot claim resolution service. Dealers of CEAT Shoppe touchpoints are connected on the CEAT dealer app. where customers can obtain the claim resolution form on-demand. It is expected to fast track the claim resolution process and customers can look forward to an extended warranty on the CEAT passenger car and utility vehicle range.

Roy Kurian is COO E-mobility at Ampere Electric

Ampere Electric of Greaves Cotton Ltd. appointed Roy Kurian as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) to head the E-mobility Business encompassing electric two-wheelers and electric three-wheelers with immediate effect. He will report to Nagesh Basavanhalli, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director at the company. In his previous stints, Kurian is known to have been associated with Yamaha Motors for close to two decades as the Senior Vice President where he overlooked strategic decisions and growth in the Indian market. He was also the Sales and Marketing Head at Tork Motors.

Made in India Daicel Airbag Inflator

In January, Kita-Ku, Osaka headquartered Daicel Corporation made public the plans to establish a new production site for automobile airbag inflators in India. It is aimed at meeting the growth potential in the segment as a follow-up move to establish a sales base - Daicel Safety Systems India Pvt. Ltd. (DSSI), in Gurugram, Haryana. To be constructed at OneHub Chennai Industrial Park in Tamil Nadu, the plant is expected to start operations in December 2023. A strategic shift from the erstwhile supply of ‘Made in Thailand’ among other country made airbag inflators, the new plant is a testimony to the thrust on localisation. DSSI is looking to strengthen the automobile manufacturer and airbag module manufacturer supply chains in India with this move. Besides inflator production, it is looking to develop the India plant as a hub for parts procurement too.

SKF India launches ‘E-Shop’

Bearing manufacturer SKF India recently launched a 24/7 self-service online store ‘E-Shop’. The store is aimed at providing direct access to SKF genuine and reliable products range of bearings and bearing units, housing and accessories, greases and other maintenance products for both industrial and automotive segments. Aligning with the Government’s ‘Digital India’ vision, the move is expected to benefit all the process industries, MSMEs, traders, retailers (including aftermarket), mechanics and fleet owners using the company’s wide range of products offering and solutions.

Newscast

New Head at Continental CCN

Continental AG has appointed JeanFrançois Tarabbia as the Executive Vice President, Head of Business Unit Connected Car Networking (CNN). The former Group Senior Vice President, Research & Development (R&D) and Product Marketing at Valeo (in France) took over the new role effective January 01, 2021. He succeeds Johann Hiebl who joined as Head - Product Transformation VNI. Tarabbia with stints as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Segula Technologies, and CEO Electronic Division, member of the Board at Hella (in Germany) and Chief Operating Officer - Body and Chassis Electronics at Siemens, will head the technologies and services unit aimed at connecting vehicles securely and reliably. Especially given the backdrop of new E/E architecture with Body High Performance Computer (HPC) taking precedence.

JK Tyre partners NATRAX

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX). Entailing the development and polish of ‘Wet Grip Test Track’ at NATRAX Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, it will be used for The Wet Grip Test Track will be used to test the safety aspect of tyres that includes ‘Wet Grip’ in compliance with the ECE R117 regulation, ‘Wet Braking’, and Peak Brake Force Coefficient (PBFC). It will be used to test the company’s future range of products within the state-of-the-art automotive testing and certification centres built under NATRIP, a flagship project of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India.

Certified for ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has been certified for its initiative - ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ by the British Standards Institution. An extension to achieve and demonstrate its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the segment, the company aims to eliminate the disposal of waste to landfills or incineration (destruction) without energy recovery. British Standards Institution (BSI) is known to have audited a total of five manufacturing locations in Rajasthan, Chennai, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It was found that no waste, either solid or liquid was disposed of in the landfill. After examination, BSI declared all the five manufacturing locations as ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ compliant.

CEAT India partners Royal Enfield

Tyre manufacturer CEAT Ltd. will supply its Zoom Cruz tyres to the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Foraying into the 650 cc segment, the tyre range includes the 100/9018 and the 130/70-18. Averred Amit Tolani, Chief Marketing Officer at CEAT Ltd. “We have a strong relationship with Royal Enfield as bikes like Bullet classic and Himalayan have used our products.” “The foray into the 650 cc segment reiterates our commitment to be the preferred choice of OEMs in India.” CEAT is aiming for growth in the premium tyre segment.

Newscast

HMI MoU with FITT-IIT Delhi

Hyundai Motor India (HMI) Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT)-IIT Delhi. Under the MoU, HMI will provide the Kona EV to aid research on fronts like NVH and battery technology as per a student training initiative. Students will get handson experience on studies pertaining to alternate energy powered vehicles and emerging technologies in new-age mobility. The Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART) will conduct battery profiling in Kona electric using external sensors or other gadgets using onboard diagnostics. It is expected to help students understand the performance of EVs in different terrains for research purposes.

‘Mobile Chikitsa’ - A health initiative

Hyundai India Foundation launched its first health initiative ‘Mobile Chikitsa’, under their public health programme, ‘Sparsh Sanjeevani’, aimed at bolstering India’s healthcare services in rural India. Aimed at a 25,000 strong community in two villages of Rajasthan, a mobile primary healthcare clinic will offer spot diagnostic test facilities with an MBBS doctor on-board.

Tata Motors Patents Manoj Bhat is Group CFO at M&M

Tata Motors filed 80 patents and received 98 patients in 2020. A testimony to the company pursuing engineering excellence and innovation, the patents are linked to Connected, Electrified, Sustainable and Safe (CESS) megatrends in automobiles. A mix of automotive electronics improvements, Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH), conventional and advanced powertrain systems, and crash safety these belong to various industrial designs, copyrights and notarisations. Stated Rajendra Petkar, Chief Technology Officer, Tata Motors, “A carefully curated solution-oriented approach enables us to collectively ideate, innovate and collaborate to evolve new technologies, products and processes to delight customers.” He cited the consistent development of intellectual capabilities and properties at an institutional level as being critical for the advancement of the industry as a whole. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. recently appointed Manoj Bhat as the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective from April 02, 2021. He succeeds Dr Anish Shah, the current Deputy Managing Director and Group CFO of the Mahindra Group. Dr Shah will assume the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The new Group CFO will report to Dr Shah and will be a part of the corporate office leadership team. To work closely with the finance leadership teams on strategy, governance and controllership, he is expected to provide leadership on all aspects related to financial planning and analysis, financial reporting, business planning, tax management, fundraising and treasury operations. The erstwhile CFO at Tech Mahindra brings in a rich experience of Finance and Secretarial functions across 160 subsidiaries and over 90 countries where he is known to have held multiple positions with global responsibilities for Business Finance, Investor Relations, Corporate Planning, and Mergers and Acquisitions.

Tigor EVs for DNRE

Tata Motors handed over Tigor EVs to the Department of New & Renewable Energy (DNRE), in Goa. Part of the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL) tender, the EVs are aimed at creating the pan India e-mobility ecosystem - ‘Tata uniEVerse’. As part of the 2017 tender, the OEM will supply 10,000 EVs in a phased manner with the help of close synergies with Tata subsidiaries.

Newscast

NEI ranks top 30 in manufacturing workplaces

National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEI) has been recognised among ‘India’s Top 30 Best Workplaces in Manufacturing 2021’ by Great Place to Work® Institute. Emerging in the top 30 organisations post a rigorous evaluation and assessment process, mentioned Rohit Saboo, President and CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd. “We understand that positive employee engagement is integral in achieving our business goals and company’s success. I congratulate each employee on this tremendous recognition.” The company credited its employee wellness programs and the practice of recognising employee contribution for the feat. Leadership development and performance enhancement programs for the talent cohorts are among the other such initiatives.

Mass movement for EVs?

Marc Llistosella appointed as CEO and MD of Tata Motors

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged citizens to take the EV adoption in the national capital to the next level. Calling for the need to turn it into a mass movement, to create a collective conscience to decrease pollution as a result, the CM cited the EV policy announced in August 2020. Aiming to curb vehicular pollution and attain 25 per cent EV sales of the overall pie by 2024, he committed to the government setting up 100 charging stations. He also spoke of the ‘Switch Delhi’ initiative aimed at encouraging a transition from ICE vehicles to EVs including urging first-time buyers to consider EVs. Mentioned Minister of Transport, Kailash Gahlot, a shift to resilient, sustainable and inclusive public transport is the need of the hour. The government on its part has committed to hiring only EVs.

Tata Motors Ltd. announced the appointment of former Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Chief Marc Llistosella as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director effective July 01, 2021. To succeed Guenter Butschek who will be relocating to Germany for personal reasons, averred N Chandrasekaran, Chairman at Tata Motors Ltd. “Marc is an experienced automotive business leader with deep knowledge and expertise in commercial vehicles over his illustrious career and has an extensive operational experience in India.” Thanking Butschek for successfully leading the company for five years, the Chairman appreciated him for accepting the Board of Tata Motors’ request to continue in his role till June 30, 2021. Most recently, the President and CEO of Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks in Asia, Llistosella is known as an old hand well versed with improving the profitability and sales potential of a business. In a glorious stint as the MD and CEO of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt Ltd. between 2008-14, he is credited with building a greenfield organisation and business unit to develop, produce and sell trucks. He is also credited with the launch of brand BharatBenz in 2012. Expressed Llistosella, “I am delighted to become a part of the unique Tata family. Having been bonded to India for so many years, a new exciting chapter is now opened. We would jointly awaken the potential of TataMotors.” Currently, the Board Member of Einride, Llistosella has extensive domain knowledge in leading business and running sales, marketing and network management, and strategic planning besides in turnaround management. An alumnus of the University of Cologne, he firmly believes in mobility by data analytics and the importance of electrification and renewable energies.

New Skoda India Workshops Skoda India recently unveiled two workshop facilities in Maharashtra. In association with Mody A Citroen

Skoda, the Mahalaxmi and Kurla workshops, in Mumbai, will house a state-of-the-art workshop facility. For instance, the Mahalaxmi unit is spread over 15,850 sq. ft. premium service area, equipped with 12 bays, and a capacity to serve 4,600 Skoda vehicles per annum with more than 40 dedicated take on after-sales personnel. The workshop facility at Kurla spread over 21,000 sq. ft. premium service area is equipped with 25 bays and holds a capacity to serve 7,400 Skoda vehicles per annum with more than 60 dedicated after-sales personnel. Both the workshops will boast of a new corporate identity and comfort design as a part of the Skoda Auto global redesigning process. Under the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project, Skoda New entrant Citroen

Auto India is looking to double its network penetration and expand to fifty new cities by 2022. India has done its homework on passenger comfort. The OEM has identified backache, neck ache and other physical strains associated with driving through research conducted with a sample size of 1801 respondents from 10 cities. Titled ‘Comfortology’, the report according to Roland Bouchara, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Citroen India Statement about ownership and other particulars about AUTO COMPONENTS INDIA, as required to be draws attention to the published in the first issue of every year after the last day of February. Form IV (See rule 8) (Press and Reg. Of Books Act, 1867) comfort or absence of it as a key determinant of Place of Publication : 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, the driving experience. Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Periodicity of Publication : Monthly Printers Name : Mr. Marzban Jasoomani, A key consideration for road users and vehicle Nationality : Indian, and printed at Uchitha Graphic Printers Pvt. Ltd., 65, Ideal Industrial Estate, Mathuradas Mills purchasers, the report Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400013, India. Publisher’s Name : Mr. Marzban Jasoomani, Nationality: Indian, Address: Next Gen Publishing Pvt.Limited, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, provides key insights into how and where Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Indians’ seek comfort. Editor’s Name : Ashish Bhatia, Nationality: Indian, Address: Next Gen Publishing Pvt.Limited, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Timed to the launch of Citroen C5 Names and addresses of individuals who own the newspaper and partners or shareholders holding more than 1% of the total paid up equity capital: Next Gen Publishing Pvt.Limited, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Aircross SUV, it is to reinforce the Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. brand link and Details of shareholders of Next Gen Publishing Pvt.Limited who are holding more than 1% paid up equity capital of the company as on January 31, 2021. commitment to comfort which i. Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt Limited, 70, Nagindas Master Road, Fort, Mumbai 400023 the company ii. HDFC Limited, 5th Floor, Ramon House, H. T. Parekh Marg, Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai 400 020 iii. Rajpal Singh Sethi, Green Gate, 693, Flat 702, Perry Cross Road, Bandra, Mumbai 400 050 iv. Zubin N. Kamdin (Executor of Estate of late Sam Nariman Polishwala), 29/A, Naoroji Seth Street, Thakurdwar, aims to offer through innovative Mumbai 400 002 solutions and smart v. Aditya Chitale-(Executor of Estate of late C.N.Mistry), F-19,0-1, Bridge View C.H.S.Ltd., Sector-10, Airoli, Navi Mumbai 400 708 vi.Hoshang Billimoria, B-221, Grand Paradi, 572, Dadyseth Hill, August Kranti Marg, Mumbai 400 036 technology. Case in point being the I, Marzban Jasoomani hereby declare that all particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. floating engine or the innovative suspension Date: February 14th, 2021 Sd/ Marzban Jasoomani Signature of the Publisher with progressive hydraulic cushions.

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