BorgWarner Inc. has been a leader in highly engineered components and systems for powertrains around the world for decades. It has 60 manufacturing and technical facilities in 19 countries. The company delivers innovative powertrain solutions to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance performance.
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.
MOTORINDIA recently had an opportunity to interact with Mr. Sudhir Kumar Chawla, COO, BorgWarner Emission Systems India Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Karl Wagner, Vice President Sales, BorgWarner Thermal Systems, to get a business update of both the divisions of the company.
BorgWarner’s Emissions Division products include exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers, EGR tubes and EGR valves for gasoline and diesel applications and electric air pumps, which help improve the performance and fuel efficiency in vehicles. In 2010, it acquired Dytech Ensa S.L., a leading producer of EGR coolers, tubes and integrated modules for light, commercial and off-highway applications. 
Its recent acquisition of Wahler of Germany has given BorgWarner an added advantage globally, with the former being a leading producer of EGR valves, tubes and thermostats and having operations in Germany, Brazil, the US, China and Slovakia and India with local partner at Pune.
Talking about the company’s strategies and plans for the Indian market, Mr. Chawla observed: “We are focussing on giving our customers complete Module solutions comprising EGR coolers, EGR tubes, motorised EGR valves and bypass valves manufactured locally. For motorised valves we are currently adding facilities. This enables us to give solution for upcoming Euro V and Euro VI emission norms to our customers in the Indian market. We are currently installing testing facilities which will help us to speed up marketing our products. During this market slowdown we are concentrating on new product additions and also continue with our localization drive. 
Our strategy is to become self-reliant in design, sourcing, manufacturing and also validation, thereby reducing dependence on imports.”
BorgWarner has close relations with most of the diesel engine manufacturers and OEMs in India. As the company works on expanding the existing clientele, its focus is on delivering better operating economics for its customers by increasing the localisation level and stepping up its service back-up.
“We have already bagged orders for Euro V and Euro VI applications from customers in India, which makes us one of the early entrants capable of executing projects under the latest emission norms”, Mr. Chawla said.
At its Thermal Division, BorgWarner makes fan drives and air-flow devices and is also expanding its portfolio by adding cooling flow devices to its range. The new products scheduled to be launched by the division are electronically-controlled cooling pumps. Said Mr. Karl Wagner: “We have a strong global footprint with manufacturing locations in North America, Brazil, Germany, Europe, India and Thailand and a sales office in Japan. We came to India in 1998, having started at a small location in Chennai and very quickly became the market leader in the country for our existing product portfolio. Due to the emission regulations in Europe, we were able to transfer our existing technology to India, meeting all regulations based on our experience in Europe. Although the current market conditions in India are quite challenging, we continue to invest in our Chennai facility which is a clear reflection of our long-term focus on India. Our major customers here are the local vehicle OEMs who are also well connected globally, giving us good export opportunities.”
The Thermal Division of BorgWarner has two R&D centres globally, one at Michigan in the US and the other in Europe. The centres continue to strengthen the application engineering capability of the company with focus on new and promising segments such as electronics and heavy vehicle engineering.