Hero Motors signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth US$250 million with BRP-Powertrain for manufacturing transmissions. The MoU will strengthen the strategic alliance between BRP-Powertrain, formerly BRP-Rotax and an affiliate of Bombardier Recreational Products, which is into the development and production of innovative 4- and 2-stroke high performance Rotax engines for BRP products like Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Can-Am quads and roadsters as well as for motorcycles, karts, ultra light and light aircraft, and Hero Motors Limited while establishing the latter as the hub for manufacturing transmissions. Hero Motors also announced its new design outsourcing vertical "Hero Innovation Centre" imbibing "Design to Cost" concept and supporting the BRP-Powertrain manufacturing base. 

The Recreational Transmission division of Hero Motors was commissioned as a Strategic Business Unit in 2005. Since its inception, it has grown to become one of the foremost entities in the manufacturing and supply chain management of transmission assemblies for Fun and Sports vehicles to the European markets. Currently, Hero Motors has orders from companies like BMW, Harley Davidson, Getrag catapulting the company globally.

Volkswagen India kicked off the pre-series production of its most anticipated mid-segment model, the new Polo at its Pune plant, recently. The new Minister for Economics, Labour and Transportation of the German Federal State of Lower Saxony, Dr. Philipp Rösler, gave the go ahead for the first welded body of the car. Expected to hit the market in 2010, the Polo will mark VW's entry into the mass production market. Made alongside the Skoda Fabia, the Polo, expected to be available in hatch and notchback forms, will come with a high local content.

JK Tyre & Industries has introduced ultra-large OTR tyres. The company has started production of these tyres, which cost up to Rs 2 lakh each and will be available in three sizes of 18.00-33, 21.00-35, 24.00-35. The manufacturing project is a result of an agreement between BEML and JK Tyre for supply of ultra-large tyres to BEML for their modern vehicles and supply to Coal India, which is one of the largest consumers in the world for OTR tyres. The application of the tyres would be for the construction machines like earthmovers. 

The company is investing Rs 120 crore into the OTR plant at Mysore. The plant is expected to start operations by March 2010. Having free access to countries that form part of North America Free Trade Agreement trade block besides emerging economies of Latin America, the company plans to penetrate these markets for OTR tyres, starting next year. According to JK Tyres sources, the design of these ultra-large tyres is based on extensive, application oriented, study, and use of high-end design techniques, including performance prediction tools through use of FEA. The objective is to deliver benchmark performance in this category of products, which are subjected to use in the most grueling condition in mines and other application areas. 

The technology development for these high performance tyres is a result of dedicated Cross Functional Teams involving HASETRI (Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer and Tyre Research Institute) and other Development Wing and Service Experts.

Work has begun on SKF's Haridwar greenfield site for a manufacturing plant. Situated over an area of 10 acres, the company will be investing Rs 1500 million in building this plant. Employing more than 200 people, the plant will specifically cater to the automotive market segment in India. It will manufacture deep groove ball bearings. 

Commenting on the occasion, Rakesh Makhija, managing director of SKF India said, "The last few months have been challenging for the economy. As a company we continue to be very positive on the Indian market. This expansion is yet one more step towards demonstrating SKF’s commitment to being a market leader. Uttarakhand is an emerging industrial hub in the country. SKF’s strategic move to increase production capacity through the Haridwar plant signifies our commitment to serve our customers effectively and will allow SKF to further increase its share in the developing 2 wheeler and automotive market."

LuK India, a Schaeffler Group company has entered the aftermarket. Under the name of Ruville, the automotive aftermarket arm of LuK India includes 150 distributor and dealers and a product range that consists of steering and suspension parts for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, multi-utility vehicles, and tractors. 

Speaking at the launch of Ruville in Hyderabad, M Akkappan, General Manager Operations of LuK India Automotive Aftermarket said, “We will start with steering and suspension parts for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, multi-utility vehicles and tractors. We now have 90 different part numbers available to our distribution partners. Nevertheless, we are planning for product range extension in this product line”. Siva. Arvinth, Deputy General Manager of LuK India Automotive Aftermarket added: “Ruville being part of the Schaeffler Group, the distribution partners of Ruville will profit from the company’s long experience in the automotive industry, high quality products and a wide product range. 

Thanks to these factors and thanks to the highly-skilled and motivated team of LuK India Automotive Aftermarket, we have all the key elements to establish Ruville as one more strong and successful brand for the automotive aftermarket in India.”