BorgWarner Inc. is a global product leader in clean and efficient propulsion technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. The company products fall into two segments – engine and drivetrain. The engine segment product portfolio includes turbochargers, timing devices and chain products, emissions systems, diesel cold start and gasoline ignition, and technology thermal systems, while the drivetrain segment covers transmission components and systems and AWD torque management systems.
We had an opportunity to find out the company’s readiness for BS-VI in an exclusive chat with Mr. Sudhir Kumar Chawla, Managing Director, BorgWarner Emissions Systems India Pvt. Ltd.
Excerpts:
Do you think our country is heading in the right direction? What is the progress at BorgWarner with respect to BS VI-readiness?
Largely yes, we are heading in the right direction. The first milestone is going to be April 2017 with the introduction of BS-IV pan-India. The market is expected to hit upwards again and post that a lot of engagement for BS-VI which should help us finalize a lot of business for 2020. BS-VI will require that much time to prepare as it is challenging for OEMs as well as suppliers. Although we have the technology, one must understand the Indian market and the way to produce and execute here. Today our lines are ready and we are heading in the right direction. Simply said, people knew us as a cooler manufacturer in the past and we have moved from cooler to making other parts which is required for module strategy, EGR tubes, EGR valves motorized or electric which is required for BS-VI and everything is going strong in the testing and validation phase. We are also expanding our products from coolers to tubes then valves and now modules; we are adding product lines and thus expanding our range.
What edge does BorgWarner hold over competition and what do OEMs gain by working with you?
We have solutions for diesel as well as gasoline; so, if the market shrinks from diesel to gasoline, we are there. Also, the differentiation is such that today in India BorgWarner is the only one supplying module capabilities as we have our own technology I can identify and give customers what they desire. We don’t have to depend on anybody else. Right from design to delivery everything is done by BorgWarner locally.
Where are we at BS-IV in terms of volumes and how will the capacity proposition change when BS-VI sets in?
There is absolutely no constraint when it comes to capacities and by September-October this year we may also get the numbers clear for BS-IV. Real volumes are going to pick-up from April and May. As of now we are predominantly in the PV segment since the emission norms were not there in CVs, but from April CVs will pick up.
Anything more that you can offer beyond what is currently available for BS-VI?
We have different verticals and the turbo division is contributing in that area. We have synergies between each business division and everybody is working towards it. We have systems solutions in every division that are suitable for BS-VI. We are one company which is ready with a versatile range and are already working with customers for BS-VI so that when the customer has to use it in 2020, we are ready with the solutions.