Interviews

Transworld, since its inception, has been involved in providing robust data solutions for the first and last mile issues in supply chain and logistics. Vikram Puri, CEO, Transworld is an industry veteran with over 20 years of extensive experience in developing IoT backbone infrastructure and providing fleet management and data acquisition solutions. Known for winning several government contracts for solid waste disposal and even working with HPCL, Puri’s IoT company demonstrates how connectivity can facilitate shared mobility concepts and business models.

A few weeks ago, the unveiling of a long-range electric concept sedan at the Geneva Motor Show by India’s largest automaker sent all social media channels aflutter. Built on a modified Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced (OMEGA) electric vehicle architecture, the ‘E-Vision Sedan Concept’ is capable of attaining a top speed of 200 kilometre per hour, according to the company. It can also reach 0-100 kilometre per hour in less than seven seconds. The adaptation of electric mobility in India is going to be gradual, predicts Rajendra M Petkar, who took over as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Tata Motors from April 1, 2018, in an interview to APF’s Manish Pant. However, there is a need to simultaneously evolve conventional vehicles and internal combustion engines during the transition period, he adds.

The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles whose members comprise of electric four-wheeler, three-wheeler, buses, two-wheeler and auto component manufacturers has been instrumental in the formulation of the FAME scheme which is the real turbocharger to the electromobility trend in India. Speaking to APF, Sohinder Gill, CEO, Hero Eco and Director of Corporate Affairs, SMEV, talks about what kind of policies and business models are needed to incentivise and provide a good growth platform for EVs.

Recently, Mahindra Trucks and Buses Division announced a slew of guarantees to their customers on its Blazo models. Some of these guarantees include fuel efficiency and lower engine oil changes, which are beneficial to fleet owners in terms of cost of ownership. In conversation with APF, Vinod Sahay, CEO, MTBD talks about the growing use of technology to make trucks fuel efficient which can result in lower downtimes and engine overhauling, reducing TCO for fleet managers.

Samvardhana Motherson Group (SMG), established in 1975 by Vivek Chaand Sehgal along with his mother, is today a $9.1-billion group having presence in 37 countries with over 230 facilities across the globe.

Although a relatively late entrant into India, Bradley J Maggart, President, Hitachi Automotive Systems Asia Ltd sees tremendous growth opportunity for the Tokyo-based developer and manufacturer of automotive, transportation and industrial components.

With the deadlines inching closer, demand for certain technologies are gaining prominence, which is forcing the auto industry to be ready and be upto scale. Be it BS VI norms, electrification or technology disruptions in terms of IoT, much like a universe, the industry is expanding from all sides. The Indian automotive industry has been through some major upheavals, but none like the recent couple of years. From financial to technological disruptions, the industry, which comprises of a healthy blend of OEMs and tiered suppliers, has been either scrambling or sailing smoothly through the tides of change. Certain trends prove to be beneficial to some manufacturers while some others will be washed away with the tides of change.

The Germany-headquartered Freudenberg is a global technology group that lays emphasis on strong company values. Serving Indian customers since 1920, Freudenberg Group has been catering to the needs of sectors such as automotive, energy and chemical, medical and pharmaceutical, textile, clothing, mechanical and plant engineering, etc.

Tata Motors India, a few years ago, faced hardships, not only in the manufacturing quality of products but also in the aftersales and customer relationship department. Dinesh Bhasin, Head of Aftersales and Service, Tata Motors has been in the customer service segment for the past 35 years, which is when the Indian automotive industry was revolutionised.