Chennai's Automotive and Auto Components Industry Updates!

[sridhar_n]

Originally Posted by tokavin

If peugeot choose AP then it should go for nellore region as it will benefit TN in some ways

Not much, since they will be using Krishnapatnam port for Exports.

[rsubbu.mdu]

Originally Posted by sridhar_n

Not much, since they will be using Krishnapatnam port for Exports.

It will benefit TN in terms of the Tier I & II supplier base business that will come as good base is already in place (supplier base) which is currently catering to Ford,Hyundai,Nissan and AL.


Regards,
Subbu

[Subra]

Originally Posted by rsubbu.mdu

It will benefit TN in terms of the Tier I & II supplier base business that will come as good base is already in place (supplier base) which is currently catering to Ford,Hyundai,Nissan and AL.


Regards,
Subbu

Peugeot-Citroen has its only sourcing office in Chennai and I expect the management staff to be mostly based out of Chennai in case of a plant either in Chennai or in Nellore.

[tokavin]

Peugeot should choose TADA instead of Nellore as it is very near to Chennai.
I suppose Nellore is around 150 Kms from Chennai which seems to be bit far.

[R2IChennai]

"Tada" is in nellore district, when they mean nellore it is usually Tada.
They cannot get farm lands inside nellore district, it is very fertile and expensive

[Euromast]

Renault-Nissan Tech centre to recruit 1,500 people in 2010

CHENNAI: The Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India, the 50:50 joint venture of automakers Renault and Nissan, would recruit 1,500
people this year, a top executive said today.

"We are happy on the progress of research and development. A small team is engaged (now) in the research of fuel cell membrane," Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India Senior Vice-President Grahame Cornforth told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India has joined hands with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, for advanced research and development in key areas such as Computer Aided Engineering, product development and digital vehicle development

.

The company had invested Rs 64.5 crore so far.

[Subra]

Originally Posted by Euromast

Renault-Nissan Tech centre to recruit 1,500 people in 2010

.

The company had invested Rs 64.5 crore so far.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/...100305931.html

The automobile engineering design and research company Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India Pvt Ltd (RNTBCI) will soon shift the fuel cell research team from near Chennai to IIT Madras Research Park in the city

[Kewl Batty]

Renault-Nissan venture to start production in May
18 Jan 2010, 2148 hrs IST, IANS

CHENNAI: Renault Nissan Automobile India, a joint venture between Japanese Nissan Motor Co and French Renault, is all set to start commercial
production of a compact car this May, the company said here Monday.

"The result of the first production trial is good. We will start rolling out the cars in May," said chief executive and managing director Akira Sakurai at the launch of a Nissan Motor dealership here Monday.

In the first trial, more than 30 units were produced and the trial production of power train is on.

Sakurai said the company has 97 vendors and the local content of the first model that will be rolled out will be 85 percent.

The staff strength at the plant will be increased to around 1,500 people by May from 1,000 currently.

Regarding Nissan's joint venture with Ashok Leyland to make light commercial vehicles, Sakurai said discussions were to zero-in on the type of vehicle to be manufactured.

According to Kiminobu Tokuyama, managing director of Nissan Motor India that markets Nissan vehicles in the country, the company will be exporting cars made in India by the end of this year.

Nissan Motor plans to have 30 dealerships operational by the end of this year and 55 by 2012. Currently, it has 23 dealers in the country.

[Kewl Batty]

BMW India to assemble crossover X1 at Chennai by 2010-end

BMW_X1_sDrive

On the sidelines of showcasing its range of models at the recently concluded 2010 Auto Expo, BMW India had informed that it will begin assembling its X1crossover compact SUV in India by the end of this year. The company would be bringing the model in a CKD format and assembling it at its Chennai plant..

Speaking on the occasion, Peter Kronschnabl, president, BMW India said, "The CKD production of the BMW X1 is a key milestone in BMW Group’s India strategy. The BMW X1 opens up a new luxury segment in the compact Sports Activity / Sports Utility Vehicle class, demonstrating once again the company’s fine sense for pioneering automotive trends. The BMW X1 is a modern vehicle that represents new interpretation of sheer driving pleasure and, like no other vehicle, a spontaneous lifestyle. It convincingly perpetuates the success story of BMW in India."

The BMW X1 comes with all the features so typical of a BMW X model and at the same time offers a new interpretation of BMW Sheer Driving Pleasure. The youngest member in the wide range of BMW X models stands for versatile sportiness and supreme agility, with looks characterised by self confident elegance and modern style. Young and sporting in design, the interior combines superior variability with equally superior flexibility. The BMW X1 is the perfect vehicle for customers focusing on areas such as leisure activities and lifestyle in their choice of car. It immediately awakens one feeling: the enthusiasm for driving.

Meanwhile, PTI has reported that the German luxury car-maker will be ramping up its network pan-India and penetrate Tier II cities like Coimbatore, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Bhubhaneshwar and Lucknow, among others, a top company official said here. Currently, the company has 12 dealers in 10 cities and plans to add 10 more in Tier II cities by the end of 2010. It expects each dealer from Tier II locations to contribute about 30-40 cars per year.

Sabo-Hema sets up new facility

Sabo-Hema Automotive Pvt. Ltd., a new joint venture between Hema Engineering Industries Ltd. (HEIL) and Sabo of Italy, has set up a manufacturing facility with an investment of Rs. 23 crore in Gurgaon to manufacture shock absorbers for commercial vehicles. The installed capacity of this plant will be 2.5-lakh shock absorbers. The company also plans to set up a new unit in Chennai.

HEIL Managing Director Chandresh Jajoo said both companies were well-positioned to develop a brand image that could create value among commercial vehicle companies. The new joint venture would prove to put forward safe and competitive offerings to customers.

Reiterating on the commitment to the domestic market, Mr. Jajoo said: “The commercial vehicle market in India is growing at a tremendous pace. To meet this demand, we plan to set-up another manufacturing facility in Chennai. This facility will be operational by 2012. Based on our extensive marketing and operating activities, we aim to capture 25 per cent of the component’s market in the commercial vehicle segment.”

According to Sabo’s General Manger Massimo Nuti, “India is a strong market for us that pose huge potential. Our association with HEIL will give us the desired start in the Indian region.”

[Kewl Batty]

M&M eyeing to establish full-fledged R&D centre in Chennai

India’s leading utility vehiclemaker, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) is reportedly looking at setting up an integrated R&D and engineering center in Chennai and is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government to allot 253 acres of land to set it up. The The proposed center would amalgamate operations of the company's various existing research and development units in different parts of India, including Nasik, Pune, Haridwar and Igatpuri.

M&M President (Automotive Sector) Pawan Goenka said at the 10th Auto Expo in New Delhi, “The company was in the process of setting up a plant in Chennai, and the project plan was submitted to the state industries department. He did not divulge the investment details. M&M hopes to operalionalize the new center in four to five years employing around 1,500 personnel. The new center will support both automotive and tractor business of the company.

It may be recalled that Anand Mahindra, Mahindra group Vice-Chairman, was quoted as saying to reporters a few years back,"I realised the moment I saw it, that this was our best chance of competing in the global market." S, the work will begin on Mahindra's obsession — a $100 million R&D and product development centre — which he says will flaunt amenities comparable to the best in the world.”

Nissan's LCV plans on schedule

CHENNAI: The Japanese automaker Nissan Motor India would commence production of LCVs under its joint venture with the domestic commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland by mid 2011 as planned, a top company official said today.

Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, and Nissan had announced three joint ventures in 2007 for making light commercial vehicles (LCVs) setting up powertrains and developing technologies, at a plant near Chennai, with an investment of Rs 2,300 crore.

"The Ashok Leyland Nissan JV is a healthy and robust project. LCV production will start in mid-2011," Renault Nissan Automotive India chief executive and managing director Akira Sakurai told reporters here at the inauguration of the eighth Nissan outlet in the country.

He said Nissan and Ashok Leyland are studying the possibility of producing the Nissan NV200 from the Oragadam plant as the proposed greenfield project by Ashok Leyland had been delayed.

Ashok Leyland managing director R Seshasayee had recently attributed to the problems in land acquisition behind the delay in setting up the plant as a result of which the partners (Nissan and Ashok Leyland) have decided to start producing LCV from their respective plants.

The two companies has formed a JV, Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles, in which Ashok Leyland has 51% stake and the rest with Nissan, to manufacture LCVs.

[bonoslack7]

http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/ViewN...px?newsid=5452

In an endeavour to achieve maximum customer outreach, Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd (NMIPL) has opened its flagship dealership in Chennai and 7th dealership in the country. With the inauguration of Sherif Nissan, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd (NMIPL) follows its plans of expanding its network of authorized dealers. More than expanding the number of sales outlets, Nissan is committed to offer its high quality service standards to guarantee consumer satisfaction. Mr. Akira Sakurai, MD, Renault Nissan Automotive India (P) Ltd (RNAIPL) and Grahame Cornforth, SVP & director –Nissan Operations, Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre (RNTBCI) were also present on this occasion.

Kiminobu Tokuyama, managing director and CEO, NMIPL said, “The launch of our flagship dealership in Chennai, our home-town, marks a significant step towards increasing our ability to reach commercial coverage in more than 38.66% of the national territory. We have come to India to become a major player and Chennai will play an important role in our Indian operations as we gear up for the start of production of our locally made Global Compact Car in May 2010.”

In the process of establishing the Nissan Brand in India, NMIPL - in partnership with Hover Automotive India, its marketing, sales, after-sales service and dealer development arm - is rapidly preparing its dealer network structure to support the up-coming growth in the country.

Speaking at the launch, G.M Singh, VC & MD, Hover Automotive India (P) Ltd said, “It gives us immense pleasure to launch the new dealership in Chennai, a city which will play an important role in the global growth strategy of Nissan. In our journey to embed the Nissan brand in the hearts of Indian car buyers, we have been successful to engage with dealer partners of a high quality who understand that the difference lies in creating customer value and a superior ownership experience. We aim to have around 12 dealer partners* by start of production in May 2010 increasing upto over 20 by the time of the launch of our compact car in July 2010. We are well on track to achieve our target of over 55 dealer partners by 2012 giving us a footprint of covering 85% of the Indian market.”

This new dealership located at No 133, Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai-32 is directed by Shoukath Sherif, chairman & CEO, Sherif Group. This facility is spread over 3,750 square meters of serviceable area to cater to customer’s need of quick and better service. Customer can see, touch, and feel the product in a comfortable ambience. Sherif Nissan’s team of sales consultant and service team are trained personally by Hover and Nissan to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.

The line of vehicle offered by NMIPL is Nissan Teana and Nissan X-Trail. The company is expected to close the fiscal year with approximately 300 unit sales.

The city of Chennai plays a strategic role in Nissan’s growth strategy globally. Nissan with its global alliance partner Renault is setting up the manufacturing plant at Oragadam in Chennai, which will manufacture the first locally made compact car built on the global V-platform in May 2010. The trial production is currently underway and the plant will be inaugurated in March 2010. The Chennai plant will also be the sourcing hub for the global compact car for over 100 countries, especially Europe and Middle East. Nissan, which aims to introduce 9 new models by 2012, will have 5 of these locally produced at this plant. Also, Chennai plays host to the Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India Private Ltd (RNTBCI) which is contributing to Nissan’s global operations in the key areas of Advanced Research and Development, Advanced CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering), product development, digital vehicle development, information systems development, Indian and global parts sourcing.

[Subra]

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities...ticle82992.ece

Hinduja group flagship firm Ashok Leyland and Finland—based Alteams Group under their joint venture “Ashley Alteams India Private Ltd” today inaugurated their manufacturing facility at Sozhavaram near here.

The new facility would meet Ashok Leyland’s requirements for components for engines and gearboxes, a company release said.

The two companies joined hands in 2007 to manufacture High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) aluminium products for the automotive and telecommunication sectors.

The 50:50 JV would synergize Ashok Leyland’s experience and expertise in the automotive sector with Alteams’ know-how of High Pressure Die Casting and their insights into telecommunications sector, it said.

“We are already present in the foundry business through Ennore Foundries. This JV broadens our portfolio to meet the demand of castings from the automotive and telecommunications sectors”, Ashok Leyland Managing Director R. Seshasayee said.

The two companies had commenced activities in 2007 and phase one was completed in 2008 at an investment of over Rs. 1.75 billion, it said.

In Phase II, the joint venture would enhance its product portfolio with HPDC components for automotive sectors including passenger cars and for non-automotive applications, the release added.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and Finland Communications Minister Suvi Linden were among those attend the programme.

[greatshankar]

6 automobile testing centres in india by 2011

The six testing centres being set up by the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP, under the ministry of heavy industries) across India to create state-of-the-art research and testing infrastructure for automobiles are likely to be operational by September 2011.

The testing track for high speed vehicles (having speeds between 250 kmph and 350 kmph) at the Indore centre would be operational by 2012.

The project aims at creating core global competencies in automotive sector in India and facilitate seamless integration of the Indian automotive industry with the world as also to position the country prominently on the global automotive map.

Speaking to Business Standard, NATRiP, Advisor (corporate communications), Ranojoy Mukerji said, "We are coming up with six testing centres across India to set up test facilities at Manesar, Chennai, Indore, Pune, Ahmednagar (western region) and Silchar.

"All the centres would be ready by September 2011, except testing track at the national automotive test tracks (Natrax)-Indore to test high speed, which would take over one year as compared to the other centres."

The total project cost for these centres is Rs 1,718 crore (Rs 17.18 billion), which would be escalated to Rs 1,800 crore (Rs 18 billion) because of some reasons.

One of the largest and significant initiatives in the automotive sector so far, NATRiP represents a unique joining of hands between the government of India, a number of state governments and Indian Automotive Industry, to create a state-of-the-art testing, validation and R&D infrastructure in the country.

http://business.rediff.com/report/20...ia-by-2011.htm

[Kewl Batty]

Ashley Atleams plant inaugurated at Cheyyar
K. T. Jagannathan


Veikko Kuusakoski, Chairman -Kuusakoski and Alteams Group, lighting the traditional lamp at the inaugural function of the Ashley Alteams Plant in Chellaperumpulimedu village in Cheyyar taluk in Tiruvannamalai district on Wednesday. M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister (third from right), Suvi Linden, Minister for Communications, Government of Finland (second from right), R. Seshasayee, Chairman, Ashley Alteams India Pvt. Ltd. (right) and S. Rajagopalan, CEO, Ashley Alteams India Pvt. Ltd. (second from left-partly seen) are also in the picture. Photo D. Gopalakrishnan
THE HINDU Veikko Kuusakoski, Chairman -Kuusakoski and Alteams Group, lighting the traditional lamp at the inaugural function of the Ashley Alteams Plant in Chellaperumpulimedu village in Cheyyar taluk in Tiruvannamalai district on Wednesday. M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister (third from right), Suvi Linden, Minister for Communications, Government of Finland (second from right), R. Seshasayee, Chairman, Ashley Alteams India Pvt. Ltd. (right) and S. Rajagopalan, CEO, Ashley Alteams India Pvt. Ltd. (second from left-partly seen) are also in the picture. Photo D. Gopalakrishnan

The Cheyyar facility of Ashley Alteams India Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between Ashok Leyland and Finland-based Alteams Oy, to make high pressure die cast components, has formally gone on stream on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference at the Cheyyar factory, R. Seshasayee, Chairman of the company, said the initial investment in the facility was to the tune of Rs. 130 crore. This would go up to Rs. 300 crore in five years. He said that the plant would have an initial capacity of 7,000 tonnes, which would be scaled up to 10,000 tonnes progressively.

Mr. Seshasayee said, the initial installed capacity of the plant would generate annual sales of Rs. 180 crore. Once the expansion took place, the facility could fetch sales of Rs. 500 crore in five years, he added.

Fielding a range of questions, he said the joint venture was also funded by Finnfund, set up by the Finnish Government. Finnfund is set up to encourage Finnish business projects outside Finland. Mr. Seshasayee said, the participation of Finnfud “has raised the stature of the joint venture”. While declining to divulge the financing details of the project, he said, some Indian banks too had financed the project on ‘softer terms’.

Mr. Seshasayee said the joint venture would focus on two fast-growing segments - telecom and automobile. With the global auto OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) going through tough times in terms of profitability, there was “significant export potential” for the joint venture, he added.

For Alteam, the joint venture is a way to hedge itself against the highly cyclical nature of the business from the telecom industry. The entry into automobile space through this joint venture could help the Finnish group bring lot more stability into the business. For Ashok Leyland, the joint venture is a ready-made supply source for HPDC components.

Mr. S. Rajagopalan, CEO, of the company indicated that the joint venture could also look at exploring other niche industries such as the defence. In this context, Mr. Seshasayee said Ashley Alteams could also look into opportunities in the aerospace field.

Petteri Wallden of Aleeams said the Finnish company was serving the HPDC component needs of the Indian telecom infrastructure companies from its plant in China. With the joint venture going on stream, the needs of the local telecom infrastructure companies would now be serviced from Ashley Alteams, he added.

[Kewl Batty]

Auto cos make a beeline for new testing centres
Preeti Parashar

Chandigarh: The new six global automobile testing centres coming up at Manesar, Chennai, Indore, Pune, Ahmednagar and Silchar have already started attracting various Asian auto manufacturers for use of their world-class facilities.

The testing centres, which are being developed at a cost of approximately Rs 1,800 crore under National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP) are likely to be ready by September 2011. The project aims at creating core global competencies in automotive sector in India and facilitate seamless integration of Indian automotive industry with the world as also to position the country prominently on the global automotive map.

Ranojoy Mukerji, advisor corporate affairs, NATRIP informed FE, “We have received 6-7 concrete enquiries from Asia-based auto manufacturers, who want to use the homologation and other testing facilities coming up at our centers. We expect all the centers to be operational by September 2011. They will be self-sustaining and its up to the manufacturer to use the facilities at any of the centers. All the centers will eventually have homologation facility, testing tracks, electro magnetic compatibility facility etc.” At present Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune is undertaking 90% of the country's homologation activities.

He added further, “We have tied up with VCA, the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval authority and VDA, the German Association of Automotive Industry for certification that is globally acceptable. So the international business is also expected to roll in a major way. Moreover, under the Automotive Mission Plan (2006-2016), India is expected to be a small car manufacturing hub, so these facilities will be necessary at that time.”

The biggest testing centre-NATRAX in Indore spread over 4,123 acres will have about 13 testing tracks including a high speed testing track. The twelve tracks which will be ready by September 2011 will include anti lock breaking, Belgian paved road, sound track, water wading trough, skit pad, handling track etc. “But the high speed testing track (going up to 350 km/hr) is expected to be ready by 2012 only. Recently a driver-training centre was launched at Silchar and an electro magnetic compatibility center has been set up at Ahmednagar. These facilities are already up and running,” said Mukerji.

An air bag testing unit is also being set up at Chennai as a part of the initiative to provide international standard testing facilities to the auto manufacturers.

Leyland-Nissan joint venture a muddled drive

Mumbai: Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Ashok Leyland and Nissan to manufacture light commercial vehicles (LCVs), has various dimensions to it, pointing to borderline confusion on part of both the partners.

When the venture was formed two years ago, the partners were looking at cooperation in sales and distribution, especially Nissan eyeing Leyland’s network in India and Leyland Nissan’s networks abroad.

The firms had announced three joint ventures for making light commercial vehicles, powertrains and developing new technology, with an initial target to produce one lakh LCVs at a total investment of Rs 2,300 crore.

It was earlier reported by DNA Money wherein Ashok Leyland spokesperson had said that the partners have demarcated territories where they will retail and not step on each other’s toes.
But Kiminobu Tokuyama, managing director and CEO, Nissan Motor India, has denied any such demarcation. “We will sell in the same market as our partner, as the two products that will be offered are distinct. Ashok Leyland will sell its unique LCV and so will we.”

On the sidelines of the Delhi Auto Expo, R Seshasayee, managing director, Ashok Leyland, said, “Some products in the value segment will bear Ashok Leyland name, while those in the niche segment will have Nissan badge.”

However, Tokuyama denied this and said there is a possibility of a co-existence of Ashok Leyland badged products with Nissan badged products, and that Nissan will not be selling to a niche segment.

The partners have earlier spoken about product differentiation in terms of designing and specifications.

However, Tokuyama said details about it have still not been decided upon. He said both the partners will use a common platform for their respective products.

While Ashok Leyland has a relatively stronger dealer network and Nissan will sell its LCVs through its own network which is yet not in place, Tokuyama said, “We will be marketing through Hover Automotive India, the Indian company which handles marketing, distribution and sales of Nissan, but nothing is decided yet on the dealership network side.”

While the product is to be launched in mid-2011, there is an ambiguity with regards to the JV’s greenfield project, too. Seshasayee had said the land has been zeroed on but was under litigation.

On the other hand, Nissan seems to have no clue about it and maintained that both the partners will make their LCVs at their respective plants (Ashok Leyland-Hosur and Nissan-Oragadam).

lets see whether they really get to build the joint production facility @ pillaipakkam.

[Kewl Batty]

Why don't Nissan and Renault try buses in India? They will for sure be a good competitor for Volvo.

[kvijayasundaram]

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...2353501400.htm

JK Tyre has decided to set up a Rs 1,600 crore automotive tyre manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. According to an official press release, at meeting between the Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of JK Tyre, Mr Raghupati Singhania, and the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr M.K. Stalin, the State Government has assured total support to the project. The project to come up near Chennai will generate over 1,000 jobs. Sources in the know said that the State Government has proposed a package of incentives for the project. The facility is to come up at Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, where 100 acres will be allocated to JK Tyre...............

Looks like They are not opting for land in Thervoy Kandigai, which increases the Possibility of Bridgestone setting up plant over there.

However, it would have been better if GOTN had lured them to Manamadurai or T'Veli. Nonetheless good effort by GOTN.

[Subra]

Originally Posted by kvijayasundaram

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...2353501400.htm




Looks like They are not opting for land in Thervoy Kandigai, which increases the Possibility of Bridgestone setting up plant over there.

However, it would have been better if GOTN had lured them to Manamadurai or T'Veli. Nonetheless good effort by GOTN.

Great news!!! I thought we almost lost the project to karnataka. Really good to hear that the project is coming back now. Hope an MOU will be signed soon.

[Kewl Batty]

Clearly Chennai Auto Cluster is the largest in India

Source
Indian auto is the gateway to the Indian auto component sector. Indian auto Over 650 auto component company profiles with the product, process, machinery and raw material information to choose the right partner.

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Destination of Exports of companies in Indian auto

[Subra]

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/23/stor...2359680900.htm

CHENNAI: Raghupathy Singhania, Managing Director of the JK Tyres on Friday met Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and discussed the Rs. 1,600-crore project near Chennai. A government release stated that the tyre and tube manufacturing factory would provide employment for 1000 persons.

Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra and Mahindra, also held discussion with Mr. Stalin. The group is planning two projects: one in Tiruvannamalai and another in Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai. The company will invest Rs.1800 crore in five years.