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MOTORINDIA
l
August 2012
27
dras) Ltd. (RML) has developed
greaseless, maintenance-free sealing
joints for Tata Motors, and now it
is also developing more innovative
products for other firms. Similarly,
RML has won a major order from
Volvo Trucks Division for hydrau-
lic cylinders fitted in power steering.
This product will also be exported
to China and the Asia-Pacific region
through Volvo’s Indian operations.
On the current year performance
of RBL, Mr. Ganesh said that dur-
ing the first quarter the company
achieved a hefty growth of 50 per
cent over the previous year. This
was attributed to the company’s spe-
cial focus on OEMs such as Maruti.
Another major initiative taken by
RBL is a gradual switch-over to
asbestos-free brakelining which is
component zone
more environment-friendly. The
company still maintains its market
leadership in the commercial vehi-
cle segment.
In order to strengthen its focus
on R&D, RBL has already invested
on sophisticated equipment such as
the dynamo meter with which any
product can be tested in any climatic
condition.
On Rane NSK, he said the com-
pany is currently developing new
products indigenously for differ-
ent automobile manufacturers such
as Honda, Volkswagen, Nissan,
etc. Rane which has its collabora-
tion with TRW to produce hydrau-
lic power steering systems and seat
belts for most of the leading OEMs
now contemplates production of air
bags also.
Referring to the Chinese threat,
Mr. Ganesh admitted that the chal-
lenge from the Chinese manufactur-
ers is really hurting the Indian auto
component industry. So long as the
Chinese Government continues with
its subsidiary policy with no proper
IPR rules, there is no remedy against
imports. Even the TRW-designed
steering gears are illegally coming
from China, though the supplier
does not have any licence to pro-
duce it.
w
As far as the aftermarket is concerned,
the Rane Group companies still main-
tain a good lead in spite of the slow-
down. They also maintain their focus
on expansion of overseas markets.