Continental recently observed the groundbreaking ceremony of its greenfield powertrain Plant in Talegaon, Pune. APF’s Neellohit Banerjee caught up with Prashanth Doreswamy, Market Head, Continental India and, Managing Director, Continental Automotive India after the press conference.

At a time when pollution concerns are increasing, hybridisation and electrification will be trends that will grow with time. Even though there are hurdles such as high production costs, dependence on China for raw materials, lack of infrastructure, poor technical know-how in power electronics,etc.

The second half of 2018, the automotive industry witnessed abruption of demand due to factors like high fuel prices, exchange rates, markets volatility and reduction of available finances.

Samvardhana Motherson Auto Systems (SMAS) is the global aftermarket arm of SMG - the $ 10.5 billion group with operations spread across 41 countries.

With the automotive sales zooming, the aftermarket sector is witnessing a boom. The Indian automotive aftermarket , which has grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 per cent in the last five years, is estimated to grow at Rs 75,000 crore by the fiscal year 2020, stated a CII report.

Growing investment in infrastructure and increasing automotive sales are driving the demand for lubricants in India. Though mineral oils hold the largest share in the Indian automotive lubricants market, synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants are expected to grow at a rapid pace in the near future.

There is an effort from electric vehicle manufacturers, who also waiting and planning to invest heavily to develop more advanced, efficient and affordable e-three wheelers after the government comes with a long term policy on green mobility.

While the electric three-wheelers (Li-Ion battery) are at earlier stages of adoption in India, with appropriate policy support, infrastructure creation and incentivisation, EVs will form an important part of the industry, explains Prashant R Ahir, DGM (Business Planning & C.I), Intracity Business Unit, Bajaj Auto Limited.

Hoffmann Group offers quality tools for machining, clamping, measuring, grinding & cutting as well as machining consulting expertise for various industries including automotive & auto component.