AUTO COMPONENTS INDIA MAY 2023

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Inflation Persists

AUTO COMPONENTS INDIA

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Editor Ashish Bhatia

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“Now that the pandemic, three years after it was first declared as high alert, is on the backburner, one is hopeful of the attention shifting to more pertinent issues like the persistent inflation.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially stated that Covid-19 is no longer a “Global Health Emergency”. This may come as a psychological relief to many individuals including businesses at large. It is sure to uplift sentiments despite the WHO urging to not drop the guard just as yet. Now that the pandemic, three years after it was first declared as high alert, is on the backburner, one is hopeful of the attention shifting to more pertinent issues like the persistent inflation. Despite several pass throughs, suppliers are yet to pass on the cost escalations fully. This coupled with the new compliances have forced a hike on the finished goods in varying degrees as a direct outcome. In the aftermarket, spare parts prices have also gone up to the tune of 30 per cent at authorized service centers with no signs of cooling off in the near term. This is a common phenomenon across segments, from two-wheelers, to heavy commercial vehicles. The May issue highlights the push for the global ‘right-to-repair’ movement in greater depth looking at India in conjunction with the global markets where the aftermarket is as big as the OEM business. The industry must clear bottlenecks and together with the designated think tanks explore options that could benefit the demand end of the spectrum too. A success on the front is certain to have a positive, domino effect on the automotive industry looking to drive the coveted status of a global manufacturing hub.

Ashish Bhatia Editor

a.bhatia@nextgenpublishing.net

ashish@atashishbhatia.com

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Editor Ashish Bhatia

Ashish Bhatia

Government releases PLI SOPs to testing agencies

The Union government published the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to the testing agencies. Applicants can submit applications for testing and certification of AAT products (OEMs and components), which will lead to qualification for the incentives. Minister of Heavy Industries (MHI), Mahendra Nath Pandey stated that his ministry is attempting to align itself with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and that these Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) would not only help achieve that but also help increase the manufacturing base. With this, MHI hopes to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports, resulting in more job opportunities. On September 23, 2021, the MHI notified the PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry in India with a budgetary outlay of Rs.25,938 crore.

Brakes India launches 100th ‘QBS’ Allison Transmission Partners with SANY

Brakes India has inaugurated the 100th Qik Brake Service (QBS) centre in Pune. This centre will allow customers to avail quick brake diagnostics and replacement services. Initiated in 2018 in collaboration with authorised tire dealers, the concept of QBS provides customers with a free brake diagnostic service. Trained brake technicians examine brake parts in front of customers and replace brake pads, brake discs, brake-lined shoes, and brake fluid as required. QBS has expanded its network across 62 cities in 19 Indian states, with 27 service centres in the North, 34 in the South, 33 in the West, and 6 in the East.

To expand presence in global wide body mining dump truck market, Allison Transmission has partnered with SANY. As per the Letter of Intent (LoI) signed between the two parties, Allison 4000 Series™ transmission will be supplied for SANY’s SKT105 96-tonne wide body mining dump (WBMD) truck for the India market. Focused on creating an ecosystem of innovation and growth in the fast-developing India market, Allison aims to create a differentiated value proposition for its customers by providing a reliable and durable transmission that optimises driver comfort and delivers superior Total Cost of Ownership through increased productivity and uptime, mentioned Kartik Ramanan, Executive Director, Global Off-Highway, Customer Support and Service Engineering, Allison Transmission. Specifically designed for the severe dutycycles that trucks are put through in tough mining environments, the Allison 4000 Series will help increase productivity and improve the way customers work in the challenging mining environment.

Allison 4000 Series transmission for SKT105 96-tonne dump truck.

QBSs expands network to 62 cities across 19 states.

For AAT the testing agencies can be approached.

New CEO at HIPP

Shigeki Iwama has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer of Honda India Power Products Ltd. (HIPP), effective April 01, 2023. Iwama will succeed Takahiro Ueda in steering HIPP towards its next phase of expansion. Iwama expressed his enthusiasm on taking up the new role. He stated that India ranks fourth in the world in terms of demand for power products, demonstrating a huge opportunity driven by a constant focus on agriculture, construction mechanisation, a steady infrastructure impetus that also extends to the power and EV sectors. With opportunity comes the obligation to incorporate innovation and sustainability into product offerings in order to make them future-ready. HIPP will maintain its eco-friendly approach across its product line to support the Indian government’s efforts. The efforts in this new post will be centred on leveraging the unrelenting potential of the Indian market, all while building a culture of cooperation, innovation, and quality.

RACEnergy clears Phase 2 certification

RACEnergy, a leading battery swapping company, announced its swappable batteries received the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 156 Phase 2 certification, one of the highest global battery standards. RACEnergy was one of the first battery swapping company to pass the new certification requirements after the testing was completed at ARAI. It represents a significant improvement over AIS 048 in terms of thermal, mechanical, and electrical performance safety measures. The new accreditation requires highly competent engineering in the battery’s development, including study in heat transfer, material science, electrical circuit design, and knowledge of cell chemistry behaviour. As we strive to increase consumer confidence in EV adoption, we remain dedicated to implementing the highest safety standards in all our products and services. The battery packs are also mandatorily IP67 compliant making it resistant to water and dust ingression, making it safer than before.” Even if a cell or group of cells rapidly reaches temperatures beyond 300°C, the battery is now internally safeguarded from catching fire.

‘Ux Green’ by JK Tyre

JK Tyre & Industries developed a new sustainable tyre that will function similarly to a typical radial tyre while generating a smaller carbon footprint. To ensure the performance of the ‘UX Green’ tyre, it was extensively tested both indoors and outdoors on highways and test tracks. The R&D team has been focusing on generating alternate solutions that would allow products to replace conventional petroleum-based components with sustainable resources. The tyre is developed with highly sustainable materials like natural rubber, bio-attributed SBR and BR, bio-based oil, recycled rubber powder, recovered carbonaceous black, recycled polyester and steel wire. The majority of these materials are International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified. Commenting on this breakthrough, Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries said, “With a strong emphasis on creating substitutes to conserve the ecosystem, the tyre has been fully designed and developed using 80 per cent sustainable materials. This development reinforces our serious commitment to advancing sustainable growth and boosting societal value creation, moving towards carbon neutrality by 2050.”

The tyre has been developed using 80 per cent sustainable materials.

If cells reach >300°C, the battery is internally safeguarded.

India ranks fourth in power products demand. It is an opportunity.

Organisational

New appointments at Schaeffler India

Largest CEAT truck service hub

Schaeffler India Ltd. has appointed Seshan Iyer as President of its Industrial business. In this new role, Iyer will be responsible for formulating and executing the strategy to drive the growth of Industrial Business for Schaeffler India. He will be based out of the Schaeffler India corporate office in Pune and report to Harsha Kadam, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Having an experience of over 29 years with various organisations in the Industrial Business domain, Iyer will also be a member of the India leadership team. On the other hand, the company has also elevated Vijay Chaudhury as Director of Communications & Marketing – Asia Pacific who will be based out of Schaeffler’s regional headquarters in Singapore and report to Dharmesh Arora, Regional CEO – Asia Pacific. In his new role, he will be responsible for steering the communications and marketing function, implementing overall brand development strategy for India, Japan, Korea, South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

CEAT Ltd. has inaugurated its largest truck service hub in Gandhidham, Gujarat in line with the expansion plans of its truck service hub footprint in India. Launched in association with one of CEAT’s esteemed dealers, Bharat Tyres Gujarat Pvt. Ltd., the inauguration ceremony was graced by Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEAT Ltd. The new facility boasts a modern tyre display area, comfortable customer seating and six truck alignment bays for multiple trucks to be serviced simultaneously. It is claimed to be most advanced and largest retread unit for truck, farm and OTR tyres that has been established in collaboration with Marangoni, an Italy-based premium retreading group. Including regular tyre check-ups, the centre also offers services like wheel alignment and balancing known to play a crucial role in preventing uneven tyre wear and in extending the overall life span of the tyres. CEAT is all set to launch three more hubs across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka respectively in the near to medium term.

Tata Power sets up new charging stations

Tata Power has partnered with R City Mall in Ghatkopar, in Mumbai to promote e-mobility. It plans to set up super-fast charging stations and deploy eight chargers, including superfast 60 kW charging points, covering the mall premise. The charging support will be made available for both two-wheelers and fourwheelers. The new arrangement will offer EV owners a choice to do either quick top-ups on the go or substantial charging during long shopping trips, based on their requirements. This step towards making sustainable mobility choices, aligns with Tata Power’s goal of making EV charging simple and hassle-free by creating partnerships across industries to enable smooth transitions to clean mobility, starting with setting up multiple charging stations.

Plans to set up super-fast charging stations and 60 kW charging points.

CEAT is all set to launch more truck service hubs.

changes to drive global strategy at Schaeffler India.

Seshan Iyer Vijay Chaudhury

HPCL BMC agreement

An agreement was recently inked between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to build charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EVs) across the BMC parking lots in Mumbai. As part of this plan, charging infrastructure for all types of EVs, including two, three, and four-wheeled electric vehicles will be installed. It is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of Mumbai. This is the first mega initiative by HPCL to set up charging stations at retail outlets. During the ceremony, Sandeep Maheshwari noted that HPCL is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint, and that the company has already established 1500 EV charging stations across India, with a goal of providing 5,000 EV stations by 2025. P. Velrasu, I.A.S, underlined the importance of expanding the EV charging infrastructure and the commercial feasibility. He pledged BMC support to the noble cause. HPCL will provide 20 EV Charging Units at BMC public parking facilities as part of the project.

IOCL and MSIL partner

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) has teamed with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) to provide extra perks and convenience to Maruti Suzuki Rewards (MSR) members through the MSR programme. The MSR App. now includes a section devoted to IndianOil users, which enables them to monitor their IndianOil XtraRewards points and access features like locating their chosen IndianOil fuel station, accessing washrooms and convenience stores. This encourages customer refuelling behaviour by providing 100 XtraRewards points as a Customer Onboarding Bonus, as well as two XtraRewards points for every Rs.100 spent on petrol at an IndianOil fuel station. Members who spend Rs.25,000 in a quarter will also receive 350 XtraRewards points as part of the milestone-based additional rewards from the Corporation. Commenting on the collaboration, Saumitra Srivastava, Executive Director (Retail Transformation), IOCL, said, “We believe that this partnership will help IndianOil with deeper insights about consumer behaviour of car drivers and thus enable us to provide superior experience, as we strive to consistently enrich our engagement in this segment.”

Mitsubishi Electric and SolidCAM partner

Mitsubishi Electric India CNC announced a collaboration with SolidCAM. The collaboration agreement was signed at the CNC eXPerience Park, Mitsubishi Electric India’s Technology Centre in Peenya, Bengaluru to establish the brand as a onestop solution for Machine Tool End-users. Mitsubishi Electric India provides innovative CNC control systems to take clients machining demands to a higher performance level. The company provides CNC packages and technology to a wide range of market sectors and industries. SolidCAM is one of the most powerful CAM solution for maximising CNC machine productivity. Masaya Takeda, General Manager, CNC Systems, Mitsubishi Electric India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Joining hands with SolidCAM will enhance the technical capabilities of Mitsubishi Electric CNC and provide its customers with technology and software, which will help save time, boost their productivity and efficiency, streamline their operations, and reduce their cost of operations.” SolidCAM provides a complete range of machining solutions for various industries, such as Die & Mold, Auto and Aerospace parts, etc.

SolidCAM enhance the capabilities of Mitsubishi Electric.

Member spends in a quarter will receive 350 XtraRewards.

First mega initiative by HPCL to set up charging stations.

Newscast I International Development of serverbased vehicle architectures

Continental will collaborate with Infineon Technologies AG to develop server-based vehicle architectures. Instead of up to a hundred or even more independent control units, the goal is an organised and Efficient Electrics/Electronics (E/E) architecture with central High Performance Computers (HPC) and a few, powerful Zone Control Units (ZCU). Continental’s ZCU platform now employs the Infineon AURIX TC4 micro controller. The Infineon Resistive Random Access Memory ( RRAM ) memory technology is a crucial component of the new micro controller family. This technology is already being utilised successfully in chip cards, such as for cashless purchases and secure authentication. RRAM technology is now being used in the automotive industry for the first time. “The cooperation with Continental makes it possible to bring RRAM technology into automobiles,” said Peter Schiefer, President of the Automotive Division at Infineon.

Gilles Mabire, CTO Continental Automotive, “The cooperation with Infineon is an essential step in realising this development quickly for our customers. New functionality can be brought into serial production much faster.”

Denso SiC semiconductors

DENSO Corporation announced the development of the first of its kind Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverter. This inverter will be utilised in the upcoming Lexus RZ, the automaker’s first dedicated Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) model, as part of the eAxle, an electric drive module created by BluE Nexus Corporation. A cruise test conducted by BEV using SiC semiconductor inverters under particular conditions indicated that inverters with SiC power semiconductor reduce power loss by less than half of those with Si semiconductor. As a result, BEVs’ energy efficiency improves and their cruising range increases. DENSO refers to its SiC technology as “REVOSIC®,” and it is used to build technologies for a wide range of products, from wafers to semiconductor devices and modules such as power cards. DENSO will contribute to the realisation of a carbon-neutral society by developing more efficient energy management for cars and utilising the funding from the Green Innovation Fund (GI Fund), which was approved in 2022.

CATL and 58.com partner

CATL and 58.com inked a strategic collaboration agreement in Ningde, Southeast China, with the goal of broad strategic cooperation in new energy cars, used new energy vehicles, and other areas. According to the agreement, CATL will provide 58.com with competitive products and service guarantees to help the latter develop the new energy vehicle market. While in the field of used new energy vehicles, 58.com will leverage its advantages, including its user base, channel, and platform, to promote the large-scale and standardised development of used new energy vehicles alongside CATL in order to forge CTL’s brand influence. The two companies will collaborate in other areas such as new energy vehicle aftermarket and domestic household energy storage. The two parties will form a long-term cooperation based on the principles of ‘joint contribution, shared benefits, and mutual responsibilities’ in order to accomplish development through resource sharing, advantage complementing, and business innovation.

RRAM technology for vehicles.

New energy cars by CATL and 58.com.

First of its kind (SiC) inverter.

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Business Filing

A New Spark T

he erstwhile NGK Spark Plugs (India) Pvt. Ltd. stood out with its contribution prior to the OEMs transitioning from BSIV to BSVI emission norms. It’s spark plug played an important role in enhancing performance while the oxygen sensors aided in the reduction of exhaust gas emissions, especially in the high-volume twowheeler segment. The introduction of its oxygen sensors was key to the BSVI compliance enforced from April 01, 2020. Hailed as the first company to launch BSVI-compliant spark plugs, the company’s oxygen sensors were a resounding success with the OEMs. It backed it up with a new range of ‘Glow Plugs’ and ‘Ignition coil’ for the four-wheeler segment too. The precious Metal spark plugs also stood out with longer life cycle. Fast forward to 2023, NGK Spark Plugs (India) has shed its old identity to turn Niterra India PVT. LTD. inspired by the Latin words ‘Niteo’ meaning shine and ‘terra’ meaning ‘earth’. Together, it signifies the company’s commitment to building a sustainable planet.

The change was called upon owing to the brand evolution at the global level. The announcement was well received by the company’s all India distributors, and sales team, and attended by company officials. Averred Managing Director of the company, Mamoru Musasa, “The company has, since its inception, expanded its business, mainly the internal combustion engine-related business such as spark plugs. Meanwhile, as outlined in the ‘2030 Medium-Term Management Plan’, the company, he drew attention to, is focused on diversifying into four new business domains of ‘Environment and Energy’ and ‘Mobility’, ‘Medical’, and ‘Communication’. The aim is to realise the business portfolio transformation. Sudipto Sanyal, Sr. VP SMD, Corporate Affairs, SCM at the company, stated, that while the new name ‘Niterra’ will be the Group company name, the iconic brands – NGK and NTK would continue to be the flag bearers and exist for the company’s respective businesses. The decision, a strategic one, was arrived at only after due consideration and evaluation of the company’s current

A new identity - Niterra India PVT. LTD. has brought in a new spark at the erstwhile NGK Spark Plugs (India).

Ashish Bhatia looks at what has changed and what remains unchanged.

Ashish Bhatia

@atashishbhatia

brand identity and its future growth prospects. “We are aiming to create a new Niterra Group with the vision of Beyond Ceramics. Exceeding imagination,” he mentioned.

Key growth drivers

Niterra India is banking on offering innovative and customer-centric solutions as the key drivers of its growth plans. Sanyal informed us, despite a challenging last financial year, the company managed to meet and exceed its business targets with the help of its valued stakeholders including customers and partners. “We have successfully positioned ourselves as a significant Original

Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supplier in both the two-wheeler and four-wheeler segments and have also strengthened our aftermarket presence by partnering with over 200 distributors and 400 sub-distributors,” he stated. Building on the momentum gained last fiscal, the company, as per Sanyal, is leveraging the emphasis on emission norms by regulatory bodies and OEMs known to have steadily increased. He added that the company has consistently strived to anticipate future requirements with its product offerings. Today, the spark plug product range is already compliant with BSVI standards, and in future, the product pipeline will

further the mission to prioritise carbon emissions reduction in a bid to preserve the environment.

As per Sanyal, the company is part of a society at large. As the society evolves, the company should also change and create products and services as per the evolving needs of the society. The company has already started expanding its product portfolio and added Ignition Coils, Sensor Sockets and Lubricants to its product range. Sanyal added that the company is actively considering a new service business through its newly launched NGK app., which connects the company to its channel partners and customers. ACI

Sudipto Sanyal, Sr. VP SMD, Corporate Affairs, SCM, Niterra India PVT. LTD.

Mamoru Musasa, Managing Director, Niterra India PVT. LTD.

Innovative And Customer-Centric Solutions

Q What is the objective of the rebranding?

A. The objective is to announce and communicate to our valued customers and partners that in line with the global change of the Parent and Group company’s identity, NGK Spark Plugs (India) Pvt. Ltd. has changed its company name to Niterra India PVT. LTD., with effect March 16, 2023. This change is a testament to our company’s growth and progress, as well as our unwavering commitment to providing innovative solutions to our valued customers and partners. Our new name ‘Niterra’ is a unique term coined by combining two Latin words ‘niteo’ meaning ‘shine’ and ‘terra’ meaning ‘earth’. This signifies our vision of becoming a company that contributes to a sustainable society while making the earth shine, as outlined in our 2040 Vision plan. Although Niterra will be our overall Group name across the globe, our distinguished brands, NGK and NTK, will remain intact, representing their respective businesses.

Q. In hindsight, how was the fiscal year 2023 for the company?

A. Despite facing several challenges during the last fiscal year, we have

managed to meet and exceed our business targets with the help of our valued stakeholders. We have successfully positioned ourselves as a significant Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supplier in both the two-wheeler and fourwheeler segments and have also strengthened our aftermarket presence by partnering with over 200 distributors and 400 subdistributors.

Q. How has spark plug technology evolved leading up to the rollout of RDE norms?

A. The emphasis on emission norms by regulatory bodies and OEMs has steadily increased. At Niterra India, we have consistently strived to anticipate future requirements with our product offerings. Our Spark plug product range is already compliant with BSVI standards, and we are committed to introducing further products that prioritise reducing carbon emissions and preserving the environment.

Q . How is it linked to clean commercial vehicle combustion in the case of natural gas options like CNG and LNG?

A. Spark plug technology has

In an upfront interaction, Sudipto Sanyal, Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing at Niterra India PVT. LTD. spoke to Ashish Bhatia about the new brand identity furthering the commitment to offer innovative and customer-centric solutions.

Ashish Bhatia

@atashishbhatia

“Although Niterra will be our overall group name across the globe, our distinguished brands, NGK and NTK, will remain intact, representing their respective businesses.”

undergone several advancements over the years, with a focus on reducing emissions and improving engine performance. Natural Gases like CNG and LNG require higher voltage in spark plugs for their ignition. Overall, the evolution of spark plug technology has been focused on reducing emissions and improving engine efficiency. Some of the significant changes in spark plug technology led up to its sparking tendency that helps to meet the emission norms are mentioned below:

Fine-tip Spark Plugs: Fine-tip spark plugs have a smaller diameter electrode that requires less voltage to produce a spark. These spark plugs can produce a more reliable ignition and reduce emissions.

Iridium and Platinum Spark Plugs: Iridium and platinum spark plugs have become popular due to their ability to withstand higher temperatures and last longer than traditional copper spark plugs. These spark plugs help to improve the combustion inside the engines.

Laser-Iridium Spark Plugs: Laser-iridium spark plugs have a fine-wire centre electrode and a small diameter laser-welded iridium tip. This design provides better ignition performance, longer life, and lower emissions.

Q. Do the characteristics differ from a single fuel source ICE to a hybrid?

A. The characteristics of NGK spark plugs are not typically affected by whether the vehicle is a single fuel source ICE or a hybrid. NGK spark plugs are designed to provide reliable ignition in a wide range of internal combustion engines, regardless of the fuel source. However, some factors

may affect the performance of spark plug-in hybrid vehicles. For example, hybrid vehicles may have different engine designs or operating conditions that could impact spark plug performance. Also, hybrid vehicles may have additional electrical components that could affect the spark plug’s performance or life span. Overall, NGK spark plugs are designed to provide reliable ignition in a wide range of internal combustion engines, including those in both single fuel source ICE and hybrid vehicles. However, it is always important to consult the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for spark plug replacement and maintenance to

ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Q. Will the higher ethanol blends proposed, make a difference to optimal performance?

such as different electrode materials or insulators, that are better suited to the specific combustion characteristics of ethanol.

Overall, the impact of higher ethanol blends on spark plug performance will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific engine design, the type of spark plug used, and the operating conditions of the vehicle. It is always important to consult the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for fuel and spark plug use to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Q . A word on the reception of oval shape spark plugs, single precious metal spark plugs and double precious metal spark plugs?

“Natural Gases like CNG and LNG require higher voltage in spark plugs for their ignition. Overall, the evolution of spark plug technology has been focused on reducing emissions and improving engine efficiency.”

A. Higher ethanol blends can potentially affect the optimal performance of a spark plug, particularly if the engine is not designed to operate with high levels of ethanol. Ethanol has different combustion characteristics than gasoline, and higher ethanol blends can lead to increased engine deposits, corrosion, and other issues that can impact the performance of the spark plug. However, NGK typically offers oval-shaped spark plugs that are compatible for use with ethanol blends, including high ethanol blends. These spark plugs may have different design features,

A. NGK is a well-known manufacturer of spark plugs, and they offer a wide range of spark plugs to meet the needs of various engines and applications. The most popular spark plug are – Oval shape high ignitability spark plugs, single precious platinum spark plugs, single precious iridium spark plugs, and double precious metal spark plugs.

Oval Shape High Ignitability

Type: With its Oval shape ground electrode design, it helps in considerable fuel efficiency. Also, it helps to efficiently burn Ethanol Blended (E10 and E20) fuels. The preferred oval shape spark plug part numbers are CR6HSAPLUS, CPR8EA-9PLUS, MR7E-9, MR8E-9, etc.

Platinum Type: It has a small precious platinum tip on its centre electrode. With its fine tip centre electrode, it helps to increase the ignitability (ignition and combustion) of the spark plugs which ultimately results in better performance.

Iridium Type: It has a small precious iridium tip on its centre electrode. With its fine tip centre electrode, it helps to increase the ignitability (ignition and combustion) of the spark plugs which ultimately results in the best performance.

Double Precious Type: Both its electrodes are made up of double precious metals (the centre electrode tip is iridium and the ground electrode is platinum). These are well known for long change intervals and the best performance.Precious metals like platinum and iridium are used in the electrodes because they are highly conductive and can withstand high temperatures and pressures. These metals can also improve the spark plug’s lifespan by reducing electrode wear and corrosion. Overall, NGK’s spark plugs are popular choices for many engines due to their durability, performance, and use of precious metals. However, it’s important to note that the specific spark plug design and electrode material needed for a particular engine may vary depending on the engine’s specifications and usage.

Q. How far have the oxygen sensors first introduced for twowheelers come?

A. NTK oxygen sensors were accepted and fitted by OEMs for many years but since the year 2020 when BSVI got implemented in India, Niterra India started local production in India for its mass fitment in the motorcycle and

scooter segment. Since then, NTK has made significant advancements in its oxygen sensor technology to improve its performance and reliability.

“Higher ethanol blends can potentially affect the optimal performance of a spark plug, particularly if the engine is not designed to operate with high levels of ethanol.”

the ECU commands the injectors to inject the fuel.

In the motorcycle segment, NTK’s oxygen sensors are widely preferred and used by the majority of OEMs in various types of scooters and motorcycles, including commuter bikes, sports/performance bikes, and adventure bikes. These oxygen sensors help in running motorcycle engines efficiently, which improves fuel economy, reduces emissions, and enhances performance. These are trusted products by not only the motorcycle manufacturers but the mechanics as well which re-enforces the trust in the brand and the technology.

Q. A word on the compatibility with fuel injection systems?

Q . What are the focus areas for the next fiscal year?

A. The focus areas for the next fiscal are exploring new business opportunities with NTK Brand and its product lines. We see huge potential in this vertical and are gearing up to maximise it. The other focus area for us is OBD-2. This will act as a catalyst for our overall growth. We expect the market to be receptive in a positive way to the changing trends and norms in the coming times with increased awareness about emissions.

Q. How do you plan to augment capacity and utilisation to align with the next fiscal?

“The accurate signal from the oxygen sensor helps the ECU to control the fuel supply through the Fuel Injection system.”

A. With the implementation of BSVI in India, many changes have taken place especially in the two-wheeler segment, like the oxygen sensor becoming mandatory, fuel grade changed from BSIV to BSVI, OBD incorporation, carburettors replaced by injectors, etc. The accurate signal from the oxygen sensor helps the ECU to control the fuel supply through the Fuel Injection system. NTK Oxygen sensors help to create and send the most accurate signals to ECU and based on those signals,

A. We have already aligned our production capacity to the key focus areas.

Q. What is the near to medium-term outlook from both a passenger car and CV segment perspective?

A. Our medium-term outlook remains very bullish. Over the next three fiscals, we are aiming for a 2X growth through new business development opportunities in both the OEM as well as aftermarket segments. These will be spear-headed by our NTK brand and its current product lines as well as future offerings. We continue to seek technological innovations and improvements across our segments which are sustainable and environmentally friendly, resonating with our brand vision. ACI

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Demanding The Right To Repair A

global movement, ‘RightTo-Repair’ is customercentric and aims to be an equaliser. The movement advocates for the right of individuals and small businesses to repair and modify their own electronic devices, appliances, and other products. If adhered to, in the automotive space, the aftermarket, it would have a domino effect on the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) business including on the services business. In the aftermarket as a whole, wherein OEMs and suppliers prescribe genuine parts and accessories from the parent brand, today, the growing electronic content per vehicle has rendered the unorganised aftermarket helpless

to an extent. With no choice but to redirect to the authorised workshops deemed equipped to do a better job. The movement, aims to increase access to repair manuals, parts, and diagnostic tools, as well as to promote repair-friendly design practices in manufacturing. It aligns well with the DoIt-Yourself (DIY) approach that is trending on social media.

The amplification of the movement in recent years and the last quarter in particular, is being attributed to the end consumer’s run-in with complex repair procedures and exponentially high costs of repairs. Spare parts and labour costs for instance at an authorised two-wheeler service centre in Mumbai, representing a leading scooter brand

With India joining the global ‘Right To Repair’ movement, Ashish Bhatia is optimistic about the equilibrium being restored in automotive.

Ashish Bhatia

@atashishbhatia

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have escalated to the tune of 30 per cent as a modest estimate in the postpandemic era. The Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) availed by consumers are capped at offering 10 per cent discount on labour charges extended to far and few exceptions. Replacement of parts and any consumable are billed additionally beyond the AMC purview. For instance, replacement of an exhaust could cost you an estimated Rs.8,000 while a repair could be a mere Rs.400 from a local welder, through the workshop. Running or not running, one has to visit the workshops to receive service in exchange of a timebound AMC contract typically for four services a year. The practice of repair has given way to replacement in the use and throw, day and age we live in. So much for a circular economy that is preached at every touch point in the customer life cycle!

Add to it the practice of using proprietary software and hardware over open source has made repairs difficult or near impossible sans the use of

sophisticated tools and the prerequisite knowledge. For instance, even a 2011 hatchback in 2023 requires the mechanic to troubleshoot using a connected laptop in order to check the state of health.

Manufacturers are being blamed for encouraging a culture of “planned obsolescence” as per the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It states that the system is such whereby the design of any gadget is meant to last for a particular time only and after that particular period, it has to be replaced. When contracts fail to cede full control to the buyer-the legal right of owners are damaged, it states explicitly.

Growing acceptance

The movement is known to be supported by a diverse set of stakeholders. Groups, professionals, environmentalists, and even consumer advocates are known to have extended their support. Some say the right to repair is important for promoting sustainability by reducing waste and extending the life of products, others say it promotes economic justice by supporting local repair businesses and empowering consumers to make their repairs. With several countries passing or considering right-to-repair legislation, including the European Union, Canada, and several US states, India the world’s largest population extending its support is bound to add to the might of all supporting it.

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) of India in March 2023 was among the latest to join global association leaders. Representing over 830 component manufacturers in India, it has extended its support to the critical, global movement. It signed the new rightto-repair position statement that lists the core beliefs of the movement and the objectives and intended outcomes of the right-to-repair legislation. The document set forth 10 best practice principles for developing a framework

for the legislation that any supporting country can use and adapt to their needs. Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA states, “ACMA has joined this global movement to express solidarity with other international like-minded associations across automotive nations for unshackling the aftermarket.”

Further, it is very heartening that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India has already taken the initiative of creating a framework for the Right to Repair, he mentions. Legislation such as this will unleash the aftermarket in India and help it evolve into an organised sector, it is believed. It is noteworthy that while globally, the size of the aftermarket is as large as the OEM supply, in India, it is just 18 per cent of the overall USD 56.5 billion.

Acknowledging the significance of the global right-to-repair movement and the need for customers to maintain and repair the used product, Anuj Kathuria, President (India), JK Tyre and Industries Ltd. explained how the tyre manufacturer has prioritised the needs of its customers while developing new products, providing them with valuable options. “Over the years, we have offered products with cuttingedge technology that is favourable for customers in the aftermarket.” The company has 50 Re-tread centres in the

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA

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country with state-of-the-art technology, machinery and trained manpower aimed at helping identify and recommending relevant repair and re-tread procedures to the fleet owners. This in turn brings down and reduces the operational costs. These centres help in avoiding scrap, ensuring a second and third life for tyres, he said.

Global aftermarket

Globally, the automotive aftermarket keeps 1.5 billion vehicles on the road while contributing USD 1.8 trillion to the global economy. After vehicles exit their warranty period, independent repair shops perform 70 per cent of repairs.

A testimony to the aftermarket reach is how vehicle owners are deterred from plying their vehicle without undertaking repairs. This practice is prevalent in markets like New Zealand for example, confirmed Gopal P. Bhatia, an Indianorigin citizen of the island country from Vadodara. On probing further, it became clear that the consumer protection guidelines also stipulate a free and independent dispute resolution process to resolve problems or extra warranties if the work is not done properly by a mechanic deemed well established. The mechanic is deemed established only if he is registered with a trade association like the Motor Trade Association (MTA) or Vehicle Services Foundation (VSF). It is also true that a garage you may opt for might only be good for fixing cars of New Zealand and Japanese models over fixing European cars. This needs to be determined by consumers beforehand by exercising due diligence. With the right garage, part sourcing is claimed to be easier as well as the garage is more likely to have the right tools for carrying out the repairs. Likewise, there are dedicated garages for EV repairs in the island country.

In comparison to India, a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) is required for cars registered before 2000. It is issued every six months. The frequency is one year in

the case of vehicles registered post-2000 anywhere in the world, for the lifetime. New cars need a WoF only three years after they are first registered post which they require a manual inspection. As per Waka Kotahi, the NZ Transport Agency, WoF is crucial to vehicles meeting required safety standards.

The implementation has stringent laws for aggregates too. For example, even though the vehicle aggregates may clear a WoF inspection, if the tyres wear out to the extent of reaching their minimum depth, the foreseeable risk of a crash is heightened with the probability of a fine being levied. If the driver waits to replace the tyres until the next WoF check that could be scheduled at any of the 3200 WoF agents in New Zealand, it could have negative implications. An unfit vehicle is deemed “illegal” to drive, Bhatia emphasised. A fit vehicle bears a WoF badge inside, on the front windscreen on the driver’s side.

In the EU, the ‘right to repair’ proposal was announced in the New Consumer Agenda and the circular economy action plan. It is said to tackle obstacles that discourage consumers to repair due to inconvenience, lack of transparency or difficult access to repair services. The move to make repairs more lucrative except when repairs are costlier than replacement

Anuj Kathuria, President (India), JK Tyre and Industries Ltd.

Gopal P. Bhatia, Citizen of New Zealand

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is deemed to encourage repair as a more sustainable consumption choice, which in turn contributes to the climate and environmental objectives under the European Green Deal. With OEMs allegedly blocking access to wireless transmission of vehicle repair and maintenance data, the movement is believed to complement several other proposals presented by the Commission to achieve sustainable consumption throughout the entire life cycle of a product.

The bone of contention for OEMs in turn is that it could lead to safety risks and intellectual property violations. This introduction in the EU is thus setting the framework for a true ‘right to repair’ across the EU as per the European Commission. The proposal is also part of the European Commission’s broader goal of becoming the first climateneutral continent by 2050 which it believes “can only happen if consumers and businesses are consuming and producing more sustain ably.” Further, the EU passed legislation that required manufacturers to supply parts of products to professional repairmen for a decade. These initiatives are estimated to bring EUR 4.8 bn in growth and investment in the EU.

In the USA, the Federal Trade Commission is known to have directed manufacturers to remedy any unfair, anti-competitive practices. The manufacturers have been asked to ensure that consumers have the flexibility to carry out repairs themselves or by a third-party agency. Bills have been introduced in 28 states. The UK has also passed a law on the lines. In Australia, there are repair cafes that have it edge past other countries with a stand out phenomenon as an Australian system. The free meeting places have volunteer repairmen gather to put their repairing skills to good use. In India, the demand to align with International best practices augurs well for consumers and promises to restore equilibrium. Implementation will be the key. ACI

JK Tyres and Industries launches premium, replacement tyre solutions. Ashish Bhatia looks at the broader strategy at play.

Premium Replacement Tyre Solutions

Ashish Bhatia

JK Tyres and Industries Pvt. Ltd. (JK Tyre) recently launched a premium tyre solution. ‘Levitas Ultra’, the premium range of tyres were launched in Mumbai. Averred Anuj Kathuria, President (India), JK Tyre and Industries Ltd, “The Levitas Ultra range is aimed at the rapidly growing market for luxury cars in India. JK Tyre aims to dominate the replacement market for premium luxury car tyres with this new range of tyres.” To tap into the rapidly growing luxury car market (the market has grown by 50 per cent), JK Tyre is known to have designed the new range with an advanced silica compound. Tested extensively in Europe and in India, the special tread pattern is claimed to offer superior wet and dry grip, comfort, and durability. It is made available in seven sizes. The sizes range from 225/55 R16 to 245/45 R18 for premium cars. The tyres are claimed to comply with EU labelling norms for

wet grip, rolling resistance, and noise level. With the design focused to meet the challenging Indian terrains, the company, as per Kathuria, expects the range to become a preferred choice of premium car users over a period of time. He informed that the company will set the warranty of the tyres only after thorough research and in keeping with the targeted segment needs. He additionally stressed on the warranty of two tyre manufacturers differing by the after sales experience and not just the set duration. The tyre manufacturer is in talks for this range with several Original Equipment Manufacturers and has commenced the implementation process. With a focus on the domestic market, the Levitas Ultra is expected to give JK Tyre a competitive edge in the Indian market. Going forward, expect the company to expand the Levitas Ultra range by introducing 19-22-inch tyres under the series. The tyres are rated 5 star for fuel savings. ACI

@atashishbhatia

Meeting Prerequisites And Expectations

Q. How are you participating in the global right-to-repair movement for the aftermarket?

A. At JK Tyre, we acknowledge the significance of the global right-torepair movement and are aware of the need for customers to maintain and repair the used product. As a brand, we have consistently prioritised the needs of our customers while developing new products and have provided them with valuable options. Over the years, we have offered products with cutting-edge technology that is favourable for customers in the aftermarket. Moreover, we also have over 50 Re-tread centres in the country with state-of-the-art technology, machinery and trained manpower. The centre helps identify and recommend relevant repair and retread procedures to the fleet owners that can bring down and reduce operational costs. These centres help in avoiding scrap, ensuring a second and third life for tyres.

Additionally, our ‘Smart Tyres’ range has a tyre pressure monitoring system based on sensor technology, enabling real-time smartphone application-based alerts for inflation and temperature breaches. It will help offer better fuel efficiency and lower breakdowns. Also, our ‘Puncture Guard’ tyres for cars and twowheelers have special sealants producing a protective

layer that instantly cures punctures, ensuring a hassle-free and secure drive. Our continual goal has been to create and provide customers with solutions that provide the most possible benefits while also being affordable.

Q A word on commodity pricing and operating margin pressures?

A. The commodity prices were quite volatile till the second quarter of FY23 (Q2-FY 23). However, during the last couple of quarters, the prices have been stable. The unprecedented increase of 40 per cent plus over the last two years had a huge impact on the entire tyre industry. We have been taking price increases at regular intervals to offset the adverse impact of the Raw Material (RM) price increases. Despite these increases, we have not been able to pass on the entire impact. Parallelly we have also undertaken programs to improve our efficiencies and reduce the operating cost. With some softening in the commodity prices during the fourth quarter of FY23 (Q4-FY 23), the industry may see some improvement in the operating margins which were earlier impacted adversely.

Q. With the RDE rollout, how is the tyre industry

In an upfront conversation, Anuj Kathuria, President (India), JK Tyre and Industries Ltd. speaks on tyre solutions tailored to OEM prerequisites and customer benefits with Ashish Bhatia.

“At JK Tyre, we acknowledge the significance of the global right-to-repair movement and are aware of the need for customers to maintain and repair the used product.”

@atashishbhatia Ashish Bhatia

“We have been taking price increases at regular intervals to offset the adverse impact of the Raw Material (RM) price increases. Despite these increases, we have not been able to pass on the entire impact.”

significantly contribute to conserving the environment.

“The industry is taking steps to contribute to minimising on-road emissions in line with the Bharat Stage VI Phase II (BS6.2) emission standards also known as Real Driving Emissions (RDE) norms. This includes developing energy-efficient tyres, promoting sustainable materials and production processes, educating consumers on proper tyre maintenance, and exploring the use of smart tyre technologies.”

contributing to minimising on-road emissions?

A. The industry is taking steps to contribute to minimising on-road emissions in line with the Bharat Stage VI Phase II (BS6.2) emission standards also known as Real Driving Emissions (RDE) norms. This includes developing energy-efficient tyres, promoting sustainable materials and production processes, educating consumers on proper tyre maintenance, and exploring the use of smart tyre technologies.

On the product innovation front, we have recently introduced the XF range of tyres that are extra fuel efficient and are built with ultra-low Rolling Resistance Coefficient (RRC) using next-generation compounds which helps in saving up to 10 per cent of fuel cost. These tyres are not only extremely effective in reducing operating costs, but they also

Upfront | Exclusive

Additionally, our ‘Smart Tyres’ sensors allow for early detection of issues and deployment of timely, preventive measures to avoid them. In turn, aiding in the delivery of higher fuel efficiency of up to four to five per cent leading to a reduction in carbon emissions. Moreover, our latest edition in EV tyres especially for SUVs, the new RANGER HPe is designed and developed with XPolymer3 technology making it the most durable, safest and fuel-efficient tyre for Indian road conditions.

We are also working with many OEMs to understand their requirement and to develop products basis their prerequisite. In terms of services, JK Tyre is a leader in fleet management mobility solutions. We provide a full-service tyre management programme, from purchasing new tyres to their disposal. We can assist our customers with improved tyre life and higher fuel efficiency on the road thanks to the ‘Total Tyre Management Service’ and our committed team of professionals that support them around the clock.

“According to popular belief, cutting down on material will directly lower the cost of the finished product. However, lightening the weight of a tyre is an expensive endeavour because a lighter raw material still has to perform better, therefore the cost of the material increases as a result of its strength and weight.”

cost of the finished product. However, lightening the weight of a tyre is an expensive endeavour because a lighter raw material still has to perform better, therefore the cost of the material increases as a result of its strength and weight. Furthermore, the assembly, extrusion, and curing of these tyres must be done with extreme precision, adding to the cost of controls, inspection, and precision machinery. Also, the rigid requirements for tyre homogeneity in low-weight tyres cause performance to suffer and raises costs. Even though it has a shorter cycle time for curing, the cost is still too high, particularly in a market as India where consumers are very price sensitive.

For a domestic market, it also increases the price of an additional warranty because of damages and road risks, which is offered as an ‘Unconditional Warranty’ by JK Tyre. Currently, the value does not lead to a premium or price increase for tyre manufacturers from OEMS because it is incredibly cost competitive with relatively low margins. ACI

Any further development on light weighting which is profitable also as a tyre OE?

. According to popular belief, cutting down on material will directly lower the

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Manufacturing For A Gig Economy M

Shark Tank India fame Revamp Moto are manufacturing for a gig economy. Deepti Thore caught up with the team to look at the localisation of the commercial offerings.

anufacturing intense businesses are catering today to the changing economic landscape. From asset heavy business models to asset light businesses are more reliant on a gig economy. The gig workforce, a vital cog in this wheel, has India at the forefront of this revolution. The last minute scheduling synonymous to a gig economy has startups like Revamp Moto thinking out of the box. According to a study released by Niti Aayog in 2022, Gig and Platform Economy is booming in India and the gig workforce is expected to expand to 23.5 mn workers by 2029-30. The attempt to empower the gig workers and move them from unorganised to organised

sector is fructifying. Speaking about the shift, Pritesh Mahajan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Revamp Moto said, “The motto of our company is to bring about this shift from unorganised to organised in the gig economy. We want the gig workers to go beyond salaries and chase entrepreneurship that they might have dreamt of.”

Localised gig solutions

At the heart of the EVs are batteries. Mahajan highlighted how Revamp ensured adoption of the technology such that the battery packs steer clear of a thermal runaway. “That is one achievement that we have made in the battery packs and we have already filed patents for the same,” he averred. The

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company is simultaneously working on multiple IPs, BMS and wiring harnesses. Majorly focused on building a product, Revamp is collaborating with other companies to codesign products and to ensure that whatever they build should sustain and survive in the market to actually help the customers that are buying the vehicles. “We are not mainly focused on just building the vertical integration of the technology in house because that is very company centric, we want to be society centric, we want to ensure that whatever we are building is also making a difference in the society,” he clarified.

The processes put in place by the company in the assembly line are sustainable, scalable and cost effective as per the claims made. Having set a target to build a small batch of 150-200 vehicles in April 2023, the company is looking at splitting it down further into eight to 10 different batches to optimise the assembly process. Investing only a sizable amount of money in the assembly line, Revamp is ensuring that it can cater to a demand of around

1500-2000 vehicles a month which would be ~25,000-30,000 vehicles annually. The company also plans to install a fully automated assembly line in future which will require an investment 10 times higher than the current one. It plans to adopt Industry 4.0 technology to optimise the entire assembly line and operations. It also plans to shift to a bigger facility. The current facility is spread across 50,000 sq. ft.

The manufacturing setup is an outcome of the founders at Revamp Moto analysing the demand-supply gap at a time when a lot of players are making a buzz in the electric twowheeler segment. “We realised if we get into a scooter segment, we might end up running in a rat race where we might not have the deep pockets to compete with all these big brands,” expressed Mahajan. He further added, “We realised that we needed to pin and fix a niche, target it and work towards the objective.”The company then focused on the idea to manufacture vehicles which will adapt to customer use cases instead of the customers adapting to the

vehicle as there were no such vehicles in the market during that point of time, he claimed. That is when the company started working on what they claim to be India’s first range of transformable EVs. “We did not want to focus on the cream layer but we wanted to focus on the bottom of the pyramid, which is actually going to make a difference,” Mahajan reiterated.

Empowering individuals to become self-sustained business owners, Revamp Moto introduced its transformable EVRM Mitra, its flagship in the high-speed electric two-wheeler segment. Aimed at providing a complete ecosystem to its consumers to help them start their own ‘Chalti phirti dukaan’ or a shop on wheels, the RM Mitra is offered with an auxiliary system for a wide range of products and services. Revamp Moto not only plans to provide the product but also offer financial support through various types of schemes in a push for the RM Mitra. Along with providing technical inputs, guidance on selling, and timely intel to help these micro entrepreneurs succeed, Revamps’ attachments offered on the Mitra could open new doors for various categories of the gig economy including farmers and delivery personnel.

Offering best-in-class payload capacity and range in a single charge, RM Mitra, as per the company claims,

Pritesh Mahajan, Co-Founder and CEO, Revamp Moto

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is the first vehicle in the Indian market with a battery to power different appliances like a small refrigerator for cooling or heating, a mixer grinder, small oven and even tube lights or fan. It comes with two power outputs of 220V and 12V respectively. Provided with portable batteries, RM Mitra can run at a maximum speed of 65 kmph. Equipped with state-of-the-art telematics and a smart connected app. centralised dash relays live holistic information about the state of the vehicle. The telematics unit enables live tracking, geofencing, remote locking or unlocking facilities, and the BMS collects 50+ real-time parameters from the vehicle, initiating preventive maintenance notifications sent to the smartphone.

RM Buddy 25, a low speed Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) exempt vehicle launched in the Metaverse by Revamp Moto, is another vehicle on the offering from the company. Known as a ‘pocket rocket’, the vehicle is designed and developed to save user’s time by helping them pass through narrow as well dense areas, swiftly. The maximum speed of the vehicle is 25 kmph hence driving licence is not a mandate for ownership. Offered with a payload capacity of 120 kg, the vehicle can go up to 70 km on a single charge, claims the OEM. Powered with waterresistant portable batteries, the vehicle comes with an auto headlamp and dual

suspension. Saddle bags, insulated box and a carrier are offered as attachments for the vehicle. Made available in colour options like billionaire blue, grand grey, royal red, oscar orange and wealthy white, the vehicle is equipped with smart connectivity features including a dash that relays rider score, smart charge assistant and geofencing. Both the vehicles have gone through a minimum of 10 product development iterations to be commercially manufactured.

Certification and USPs

The low speed vehicle, RM Buddy has already attained the certification. “The high speed vehicle, RM Mitra has been sent to the authorities for homologation and we are expecting it over the next two to three months. It will be homologated,” highlighted Mahajan. The water-proof battery pack, on the other hand, developed by Revamp is one of their own IPs. “We have ensured that we have made an IP67 rated battery pack which is dust proof and waterproof and we have tried submerging it to one metre depth. We have tried submerging it for multiple hours and there is no water seepage,” he claimed. The company is also working on meeting the AIS standards.

Accolades

Co-founded by Pritesh Mahajan, Pushkaraj Salunkhe and Jayesh Tope in

September 2020, Revamp took to fame after getting featured in Shark Tank India season one in December 2021. Becoming the highest funded startup of the season, Revamp Moto received tremendous response from the industry showing interest in both, their low-speed and high-speed vehicle on the website. The platform gave them the desired validation, recognition and the pathway to B2B clients including big names in the e-Commerce Industry, food delivery, or even grocery delivery industry. In addition to this, Revamp has recently won the prestigious National Startup Award 2022.

Offering vehicles under the ‘Mudra finance’ scheme by the government, the company plans to finance the vehicle along with the attachment and also aims at giving some seed capital for all individuals to start their own businesses. “We at Revamp we will not only be selling just electric vehicles, but we will also be empowering the society,” said Mahajan. “We will also try to support the society and the ecosystem by generating more job opportunities and creating more micro entrepreneurs or even tying up with B2B clients and giving the pathway to all the walk-in customers at our showrooms,” he added further.

Teething issues

Speaking about the challenges faced during the initial phase of setup, Mahajan cited the phase of building a team and to make it believe in their vision. “When we were on Shark Tank, we were a team of around 14 people and right now we have scaled the team to 42-45 people,” stated Mahajan. The company plans to expand the team size further to around 92-100 people. Another challenge which the company faced was the infrastructure because they are based in a tier 2 city of Nashik, Maharashtra, where the infrastructure is limited. Being on a drivable distance to two major metro cities, Mumbai and Pune is an advantage, admitted Mahajan. Travelling from Nashik to another point occupies a

Team Revamp Moto receiving their cheque from sharks Aman Gupta (extreme left) and Anupam Mittal (2nd from right) of Shark Tank India.

lot of time, quipped Mahajan as he drew attention to the basic infrastructure of Nashik as being not ideal for supporting startups like itself. There are no strong local vendors.

Lack of funds was also an issue. While on Shark Tank India, the company was surviving on loans, and they did not have funds to even pay their employees. In terms of technology, specifically designed and developed components were required but the vendors were not pretty confident to take bets on

an emerging startup, shared Mahajan. “One year down the line, scaling up could also be our problem area,” outlined Mahajan.

Funding the startup

Raising two crore as investment from the sharks (judges) from the Shark Tank India, Revamp acquired an additional Rs.5.7 crore from Angel Investors and from venture capital funds. “Now we are raising another USD 4-5 mn,” revealed Mahajan. The funds will be split between

equity acquiring the major chunk and then a smaller part will be in to repay debt and to finance or working capital. Majorly focused on being a revenue and profit driven company, Revamp Moto aims at driving business instead of just funding through business. “From next month we are actually starting our sales and we are also setting up dealership networks,” he elaborated. With a focus on four states, the company is going pan India in terms of distribution.

Looking at a path to profitability in

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the next 18-24 months, the company is working on a business model charted in a manner to avoid losses. Working on a net-net basis, the company is yet to break even and turn profitable as per Mahajan. “Initial one and a half years we might have to pour some money from our pockets into the market,” Mahajan affirmed. This money would be utilised to acquire customers; provide good service networks and also keeping our partners or dealers happy. “Post two years we might get to a breakeven point and we will turn profitable,” he opined.

Charting growth

Both the low speed and the high speed vehicles have gone through a minimum of 10 iterations to ensure that the vehicle does not fail on road. Even if it breaks down in the middle of the road, it will not be fatal for anyone. The low speed vehicle, RM Buddy 25 is set to launch already and about to get into production. “We are going to deliver these vehicles from the first week of May,” announced Mahajan. There are a couple of products which are in the pipeline and have emerged from these existing two products as well. The company aims to enter the three-wheeler and four-wheeler category in the future on similar lines. “We don’t want to get in the passenger or goods carrying category but want to focus on the

utility category where vehicles will be customised or transformed in under a minute.” The company is currently focused only on the two-wheeler segment with a vision of making platforms or product line which are modular.

Assembly contracts and partnerships

Revamp has recently partnered with Panache Digilife for contract assembling. The facility is located in Bhiwandi, Mumbai with a capacity of assembling 1.5 lakh units annually. Revamp has also partnered with MyTVS and ReadyAssist for after sales service and roadside assistance. Revamp has also signed a deal with Koshar Climate on generating carbon credits, which would be a significant source of revenue going forward for the company. In terms of global expansion, the company has already started talking to a couple of players in the African market, European market, the US and the UK. There are multiple inquiries from neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, a couple of them even from Pakistan. “India being such a big nation to cater to, I would say after one and a half or two years, we will not even have the bandwidth to think about going to any other country,” he quipped. The company plans to scale up to African regions in the future given the similarity

to India. “We have already been to Africa to ensure that whatever we are building, it will survive and we have got good validation from the African market as well,” he added. The company is also in talks with the World Trade Centres for a scale up and the decision to foray rests on the path to profitability.

In terms of scaling up pan India, the company plans to do it in four phases. In phase one, they will expand to four states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa. Maharashtra being the home state for the company and all the other states either are pretty accessible, nearby to them in terms of operations and in terms of support or after sales support. Also there is a good amount of demand. “Bengaluru in the state of Karnataka specifically, is a very big market for EVs,” Mahajan informed. Phase one will include expansion to 15-20 cities, with phase two extending to 50-60 cities, and phase three around 100-120 cities. The phase wise execution will be six months apart from each other. Highlighting funding as one of the major challenges, Mahajan assured that while funding had dried up, it is not out of reach as yet. “Providing services and ensuring that whatever vehicles that we are going to off load in the markets, they are actually making a difference in someone’s life is what keeps Revamp going,” he concluded. ACI

Chakan Fights For Supremacy O

nce knighted as the Detroit of India, Chakan, 30 kms from tier 2 city Pune has had to put up a fierce fight for Maharashtra to retain its supremacy as a manufacturing hub. The competition is getting stiffer against other states like Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the country among other states also vying for the numero uno status. In Maharashtra, the industrial hub in the Chakan belt is undoubtedly the brewing ground for both legacy manufacturers and startups alike. It is also a choice of Centre of Excellences (CoEs) fed by a steady pool of skilled manpower and fresh IT and engineering graduates that are a constant. Strategically located on the National Highway 50 (NH 50), it benefits from its proximity to the Mumbai-Pune Highway, Pune-Nashik Highway, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Talegaon Industrial Area, Pimpri-Chinchwad Industrial Area, Pune International Airport and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and Nashik. Chakan is benefits from its

connectivity to Pune and PimpriChinchwad by an extensive road network. It also benefits from rail and air connectivity. The Phase III of Pune Metro would connect Chakan to Moshi, and further link it to an International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

A global front

Recently, tier 1 supplier Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. (Sona Comstar) shifted out of Bhosari, in Pune to a new unit. It opened its second-largest manufacturing plant in Chakan for drive line products, for EV and non-EV applications for both the domestic and export markets. The facility is known to span 10 acres and boasts of a manufacturing capacity of about 11.8 mn gears, with a target of 20.1 mn differential gears by the end of FY25. It is set up with an estimated investment of Rs.231 crore. “We are proud to inaugurate our new plant in Chakan,” Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar and President, of ACMA expressed. The Chakan plant is equipped with manufacturing equipment; houses an advanced

To manufacture the whole, the proximity to suppliers is vital.

Prateek Pardeshi checks on how Chakan is fighting back to help retain Maharashtra’s supremacy as a leading manufacturing hub.

Prateek Pardeshi

@Prateek2101

Micro-market

a new production complex with 4,000 sq. m. that would bring in additional space to accommodate further production and warehousing activities.

tool and die shop and employs highly skilled workers to ensure the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

The facility also features advanced testing and inspection equipment to ensure that all products meet or exceed the strictest industry standards.

V. Vikram Verma, Chief Executive Officer of the Driveline business at Sona Comstar, added, “The plant’s strategic location in the automotive hub of India will help us better serve our customers in the western and southern regions. We are confident that the new plant will enable us to meet the increasing demand for our products and accelerate our growth.”

In 2015, tier1 supplier ZF Group announced an expansion at its regional headquarters in Chakan. Back then its facility with a 16,770 sq. m. built-up space was fully utilised with commercial vehicles, car power trains and the aftermarket business. So, the company announced

It is announcements like these that elevated the status of Chakan coupled with the presence of leading OEMs in close proximity to their tier1 supplier partners. OEMs also take solace in Chakan’s proximity to nodal agencies for type approval and homologation. For instance, it is about 36.5 kms to Kothrud where the premiere institute, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is housed. At 20 km, one can reach the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) at Pimpri Chinchwad.

Chakan is also home to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and boasts of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The industrial district of Chakan includes both MIDC leasehold and resale freehold units. Chakan MIDC developed this 246-hectare region with basic and high-quality infrastructure, attracting numerous large industrial parks. More than 100 companies in the automotive space including well-established OEMs, tier suppliers and startups are known to have zeroed in on Chakan as a testimony. Time and again, manufacturers have admitted to the strategic advantages of setting up a manufacturing base in Chakan. Anirudh Bhuwalka, Chief Executive Officer, of Blue Energy Motors, said, “Chakan is a home ground where all spare parts and big players of the automotive component industry have their manufacturing units

Sunjay Kapur, Chairman at Sona Comstar and President, ACMA

Vivek Vikram Singh, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Sona Comstar

Sona Comstar has established the second largest manufacturing unit in Chakan for drive line products.

here, so spare part availability is never an issue.” In December 2022, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) announced Rs.10,000 crore (USD 1.2 bn) investment earmarked for an up to eight-year period for a EV manufacturing plant, in the

Pune region, approved under the Maharashtra Government’s industrial promotion scheme for EVs.

Movement of parts

Swift movement of parts is crucial to the ‘Just-In-Time’ or ‘Just-In-

Case’ requirements. Here logistics plays a crucial role. At Chakan, the concentration of freight carriers has proved to be a boon. M/S Maruti Suzuki, APL Logistics, IVC, JKTIPL, Touax Texmaco, Adani Logistics and TCI are among the companies handling a major chunk of the cargo. The proximity to Nhava Sheva, Navi Mumbai, at an estimated distance of 150 km boosts multimodal connectivity further.

The announcement by Mahindra Logistics Ltd. of a one million sq. ft. park at Chakan is a significant development too. Talegaon-II, part of the Chakan Talegaon Industrial Corridor (CTIC) is among the soughtafter manufacturing clusters in India. The manufacturing base for large auto, engineering, and electronics companies is witnessing a spurt of activity, courtesy, the impetus on higher localisation. Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Logistics deems it to be one of India’s leading industrial and consumption clusters. “The region is the largest area for Mahindra Logistics, and we are pleased to announce this investment in partnership with AscendasFirstpace,” he states.

Supporting infra

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL) is known to have commissioned three new switching stations. With capacity augmentation, MIDC Electricity Improvement Scheme is expected to offer the necessary power infra to industrial suppliers based out of Chakan MIDC. Chakan MIDC has approved an expenditure plan of Rs.15.49 crore under the Electricity System Improvement Scheme (ESIS). As a result, a more reliable and consistent power supply will be offered to nearly 3200 industrial clients including automotive establishments. ACI

Forging press for powertrain components

ISoL 2023: Reflecting On The Automotive Lighting Technology

ICAT organised the 7th edition of the International Symposium on Lighting (ISoL-2023). Concluded on a high note, Ashish

Bhatia focuses on the key takeaways this year.

The seventh edition of the International Symposium on Lighting (ISoL2023), organised by the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) on April 20-21, 2023 concluded on a high note. Saurabh Dalela, Director, ICAT in his inaugural address, apprised the audience of the latest developments in automotive lighting technology. He highlighted the involvement of ICAT in the Research & Development (R&D) of cutting-edge, intelligent lighting technology. He emphasised that ICAT is ready to support OEMs and lighting component suppliers for their product development and certification needs. The ISoL-2023 was inaugurated in the presence of senior officials from the Government, including industry leaders that had representation from Automotive

OEMs, lamp manufacturers, suppliers and academia. Industry leaders Shigeo Yamagishi san of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Deepak Jain, Chairman and Managing Director at Lumax, Dr J K Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Fiem Industries and Christoph, Hella Germany. Highranking officials from automotive OEMs including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Hero Motor Corp, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki Two-wheelers, Ashok Leyland, and BMW were among the other attendees.

The automotive lighting majors from India and abroad represented a strong faction at the ISOL 2023. Minda, Lumax, Hella, Varroc, Neolite, KK lighting, Fiem, and Lumileds were were among the leading players to name a few. The event also witnessed participation from EV startups and road safety device manufacturers. The two-day

Ashish Bhatia

@atashishbhatia

symposium had overall 34 technical papers presented by eminent speakers over six sessions, covering topics as diverse as intelligent automotive lighting, energy-efficient lighting design and styling, lighting in road safety and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), lighting for EVs, Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) challenges in lighting, futuristic trends and regulation in automotive lighting to highlight a few. For instance, one of the panel discussions was on ‘Lighting & ADAS’ while the second-panel discussion focused on ‘Lighting for EVs’. Airfield Lights, connected lighting, design, lighting measurement techniques, regulatory aspects related to automotive lighting technology, energy-efficient lighting, LED technology and its application in the automotive industry were also touched upon. Besides, the broadbased discussions covered lighting and environment, LIDAR technology and its application in automotive industry, optoelectronics, and safety design. It also extended to challenges and opportunities.

The event also covered the distribution of awards to recognise ‘Design, Innovation and Excellence’ in the field of automotive lighting. The exposition at ISoL-2023 included more than 30 exhibitors who showcased their innovative products and services in a show

Exhibition And Conference

of self-reliance, encouragement of designers and promotion of innovation in the automotive lighting industry. The track demonstrations highlighting the advancement made in automotive lighting technology were a key highlight.

The scope of design at ICAT encompasses lighting and light signalling devices (Head Lamp / Front Fog Lamp/ Rear Fog Lamp/ Cornering Lamp/ Warning Lamp / Direction Indicator/ Front and Rear Position (Side) Lamp/ Stop Lamp/ End-outline marker Lamp/ Reversing Lamp/ Side Marker Lamp/ Parking Lamp/ Daytime Running Lamp/ Rear Registration Plate (Mark) Illuminating Lamps). It further spans to Retro Reflecting devices, Luminaires for Road and Street Light, and Light Sources (Incandescent Lamp, High-Intensity

discharge Lamp, Halogen Lamp, Light Emitting Diode), Flood Lights, Glossary Surfaces, Self Ballasted LED Lamp Safety Requirements, Electrical and Photometric Measurement of Solid-State Lighting Products, LED Modules for General Lighting Performance Requirements. It also encompasses LED Luminaires Performance, and Elevated Approach Light, Inset Threshold Light, Inset Runway End Light, Elevated Runway Edge Light, Inset Runway End Light, Runway Centerline Light, PAPI Light, Stand Manoeuvring Guidance Light, Exit Taxiway Light, and Inset Taxiway Centerline Light. This, in turn, ensure compliance with standards like the AIS – 010 (Part 1 to Part 5) (Rev. 1): 2010, AIS – 012 (Part 1 to Part 10) (Rev. 1): 2011, AIS – 062 (Rev.1): 2014, ECE Regulation (148, 149, 150) AIS –127 AIS – 022: 2001, AIS – 057 (Rev. 1): 2010, AIS – 088: 2005, AIS – 089: AIS – 034 (Part 1 to Part 2) (Rev. 1): 2010, ECE Regulation (37, 99, 128), AIS – 130 ASTM D2457 08E1, ASTM E 430-11, ASTM D523-08, ISO 2813 NIST Pub. SP 250-70. It also covers compliance with the IEC LM-79 - 08: 2008 IS16103 Part - 2:2012 IS 16107 Part -1: 2012 and the ICAO Annex 14 (Volume I). ISoL 2024 dates were also announced at the closing ceremony of ISOL 2023 by the Convenor ISoL Mahedarpal. ACI

New Assessment and Testing Methodology for Vehicle Type Approval - Part

The following is the second of a three-part series produced by Carlos Lujan Tutusaus, Senior Manager of Homologation, Commercial Vehicles, Automated Driving and Vehicle Dynamics in Applus IDIADA and Oriol Flix Viñas, Homologation Engineer, Commercial Vehicles, Automated Driving & Vehicle Dynamics in Applus IDIADA.

2

This article describes the main future trends about the new assessment and testing methodologies for the type-approval of vehicles and their systems. The first part of the article introduced the context, as well as the challenge of automated vehicle type approval.

The Rulemaking Structure

The main activities concerning the definition of type approval of automated driving vehicles for the European Union market are being developed in two different forums:

Carlos Lujan Tutusaus

Oriol Flix Viñas

The CommissionEuropean

The European Commission (EU) is responsible for the definition of vehicle type approval within the European Union. Currently, Regulation (EU) 2018/858 defines the framework for the administrative provisions and technical requirements that road vehicles, separate technical units and components need to comply with, to be placed in the market. In addition to that, such regulation also establishes the provisions for other procedures that guarantee lifecycle compliance, like conformity of production and market surveillance. On a second level, we can find a series of regulatory tools which support the framework regulation, using amending, supplementing or implementing it.

One of the most important regulatory tools is Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, on type-approval requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers, and systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general safety and the protection of vehicles occupants and vulnerable road users.

This regulation, also known as General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2) introduces a series of mandatory systems that the vehicles have had to equip from July 2022 onwards. But most importantly, for this article, it defines a series of requirements that will need to be met by automated and fully automated vehicles.

As an initial step towards allowing the type approval of automated driving technologies, GSR2 does not define the technical specifications in detail but creates a structure to kick off the work for the creation of such technical requirements.

UNECE-WP29

One of the principles of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 is that, for those requirements where there exists a UN Regulation, such Regulation shall be adopted by the European Commission with no need to duplicate efforts. UN Regulations are developed in the framework of UNECE-WP29, the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations of the UNECE, headquartered in Geneva. A series of Groups of Experts (GR-) subsidiaries of UNECE-WP29 deal with the different topics which are included within the regulatory framework, as indicated in Figure 2.

GRVA was newly created in June 2019 to replace the previously existing Group of experts on brakes and running gear (GRRF), as a consequence of the publication of the Framework Document on Automated/ autonomous Vehicles by UNECEWP29 [1].

The framework document’s primary

Globescan

purpose to guide WP.29 subsidiary Working Parties (GRs) by identifying key principles for the safety and security of automated/autonomous vehicles of levels 3 and higher. The framework document also defines the work priorities for WP.29 and indicates the deliverable, time lines and working arrangements for those certain work products related to those priorities.

One of the tasks of the framework document was the definition of a “safety vision”, which included a list of topics which should be taken into account to ensure safety:

a) System Safety: When in the automated mode, the automated/ autonomous vehicle should be free of unreasonable safety risks to the driver and other road users and ensure compliance with road traffic regulations.

b) Failsafe Response: Automated/ autonomous vehicles should be able to detect their failures or when the conditions for the [ODD/OD] are not met anymore. In such a case the vehicle should be able to transition automatically (minimum risk manoeuvre) to a minimal risk condition.

c) Human Machine Interface (HMI)/ Operator information: Automated/ autonomous vehicles should include driver engagement monitoring in cases where drivers could be involved (e.g. take over requests) in the driving task to assess driver awareness and readiness to perform the full driving task. The vehicle should request the driver to hand over the driving tasks in case the driver needs to regain proper control of the vehicle. In addition, the automated vehicle should allow interaction with other road users (e.g. using external HMI on the operational status of the vehicle, etc.)

d) Object Event Detection and Response (OEDR): The automated/ autonomous vehicles shall be able to detect and respond to objects/events that may be reasonably expected in the [ODD/OD].

Globescan

e) Operational Design Domain (ODD/OD)] (automated mode): For the assessment of vehicle safety, the vehicle manufacturers should document the OD available on their vehicles and the functionality of the vehicle within the prescribed OD. The OD should describe the specific conditions under which the automated vehicle is intended to drive in the automated mode. The OD should include the following information at a minimum: roadway types; geographic area; speed range; environmental conditions (weather as well as day/ night time); and other domain constraints.

f) Validation for System Safety: Vehicle manufacturers should demonstrate a robust design and validation process based on a systems-engineering approach with the goal of designing automated driving systems free of unreasonable safety risks and ensuring compliance with road traffic regulations and the principles listed in this document. Design and validation methods should include a hazard analysis and safety risk assessment for Automated Driving System (ADS), for the OEDR, but also for the overall vehicle design into which it is being integrated and when applicable, for the broader transportation ecosystem. Design and validation methods should demonstrate the behavioural competencies an Automated/ autonomous vehicle would be expected to perform during a normal operation, the performance during crash avoidance situations and the performance of fallback strategies. Test approaches may include a combination of simulation, test track and on-road testing.

g) Cybersecurity: The automated/ autonomous vehicle should be protected against cyber-attacks by established best practices for cyber vehicle physical systems. Vehicles manufacturers shall demonstrate

WP.29: World Forum for harmonization of Vehicle Regulations

GRSG: General Safety

GRE: Lighting

GRPE: Pollutant emissions

GRVA: Automated vehicles

GRBP: Noise and tyres

GRSP: Passive safety

how they incorporated vehicle cyber security considerations into ADSs, including all actions, changes, design choices, analyses and associated testing, and ensure that data is traceable within a robust document version control environment.

h) Software Updates: Vehicle manufacturers should ensure system updates occur as needed safely and securely and provide for after-market repairs and modifications as needed.

i) Event Data Recorder (EDR) and Data Storage System for Automated Driving vehicles (DSSAD): The automated/ autonomous vehicles should have a function that collects and records the necessary data related to the system status, occurrence of malfunctions, degradations or failures in a way that can be used to establish the cause of any crash and to identify the status of the automated/ autonomous driving system and the status of the driver. The identification of differences between EDR and DSSAD to be determined. The second consequence of the framework document was a redefinition of the structure of informal working groups, task forces and special interest groups,

subsidiaries of GRVA. Those groups are created under certain terms of reference, as a mandate from GRVA, to reach a target within a defined time frame.

Those working groups develop their activities under the coordination of a chairperson or several chairpersons, with the support of a secretariat and report their results to GRVA. The frequency of meetings of those working groups is, compared to GRVA, much more frequent, as the technical discussions are held within such forums, while the discussions at GRVA are kept at a higher level, and are focused mainly on decision-making rather than the discussion of the details. ACI

With

over 25 years of

experience and 2,450 engineers specialising in vehicle development, Applus IDIADA is a leading engineering company providing design, testing, engineering, and homologation services to the automotive industry worldwide. Applus IDIADA is in California and Michigan, with further presence in 25 other countries, primarily in Europe and Asia. The article is part of a content-syndication arrangement with the Brake Report.

Figure 2 WP29 GR structure

FANS FANS FANS

Sunjay Kapur Chairman at Sona Comstar, President at ACMA

Vasanth Kamath President, Brose India Automotive Systems Pvt. Ltd.

Deepak Patil Pune

Sourabh Poddar Kanpur

Aashwiin Hegde Bengaluru

Rajan Madan Karnataka