Hella India Automotive (HIA) is geared to meet the future requirements of the CV segment of the evolving Indian auto industry. It
believes that legislation will play a major role in shaping up the quantum of electronics in CV in the near future. Fuel efficiency will also draw much attention, and road safety also to a certain extent. Legislations such as implementation of Bharat IV & V by 2015-2020 across India, making anti-lock braking systems (ABS) mandatory on heavy commercial vehicles and regularization of fuel consumption will see a positive movement in the electronics market for Indian CVs.
To cater to these requirements, the HIA product portfolio has three focus areas: Environment, Safety and Comfort. Hella’s ‘on-demand technologies’ help in fuel efficiency and weight reduction by way of fuel efficiency improvement and engine downsizing. HIA’s product portfolio includes:
Environment
• Vaccum pump: Its on demand brake assist enables energy and CO2 reduction. Most vehicle brake boosters use the vacuum which is 
generated in the manifold of the internal combustion engine of the car. Due to current engine developments (fuel efficiency, downsizing) or during certain operating conditions (i.e., cold start/warm-up phase), the vacuum provided by the engine is no longer sufficient. In these cases ‘on demand’ operated electric vacuum pumps offer an optimum solution to ensure the safe operation of the brake booster.
Therefore, we can get the same level of vacuum as required for safe operation of brakes even with reduced engine size. The vacuum pump can support as small as 30 per cent of low suction, using a reduced engine size.
• Intelligent battery system: The system allows precise battery monitoring and intelligent alternator control which ensures engine cranking ability at all times, leading to fuel saving and CO2 reduction. The Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) takes on a key functionality in successful energy management. The sensor provides the vehicle battery’s precise current, voltage, and temperature values.
IBS ensures that enough charge is available all the time in the vehicle. Therefore, it allows downsizing of the battery which leads to weight reduction. Using Hella’s IBS, approximately 20 per cent of battery size can be reduced.
• Fuel pump control module: The module allows demand-driven fuel supply. It provides a unique method for controlling the fuel pump that completely eliminates the need of a fuel return line running all the way from the vehicle front to the rear. This technology results in increased fuel efficiency and reduced vehicle weight by eliminating the return line. Cross-platform usage is possible due to the flexible mounting design and sealed housing.
• DC-DC converter: During idling at traffic light, DC-DC converters/stabilisers ensure uninterrupted power for critical and comfort 
loads in the vehicle during momentary voltage dips caused in start/stop systems.
• Oil level and oil quality sensor: This sensor can offer significant cost benefit as oil change frequency will be purely based on demand and not determined by traditional approach.
• Accelerator pedal system: This system delivers the driver’s intent to the engine electronics by using contactless technology called CIPOS which provides high reliability and accuracy (<± 1% vs. full scale) and also provides temperature-independent sensor performance which leads to reduction in cost of ownership.
• Electronic throttle control system: The system is based on the input from other electronic control units/systems. It directs the throttle control motor to change throttle valve position. This increases engine efficiency leading to fuel economy.
• Turbocharger actuator: On demand turbo charging by intelligent controls is possible, allowing fuel efficiency. It reduces the engine outlet pressure, thus decreasing the amount of power required to pump the air out of the cylinder each cycle.
• Steering control module: Demand-driven operation of the electronic power steering system’s electrical motor improves fuel efficiency of up to 0.4l/100 km.
Comfort
• Body control module: The module integrates certain solutions to control the major loads in the vehicle to optimize energy consumption and downsizing. As per the OEM strategy and country-specific regulations, it gradually shuts down non-critical loads based on safety and comfort requirements and bring these back based on availability of the charge.
• Component car access: Remote keyless entry systems for the remote control of central locking systems and passive entry/go systems allow leaving the vehicle key untouched for the operation of car access and engine start/stop functions, thus enhancing the comfort and safety factor.
• Rain light sensor: Here reduction in the cost of ownership by cost savings is possible through integration of five functions into one part, i.e., rain (control of wiper system), ambient light (control of headlamp and tail lamps), front light (tunnel functionality), sun load (information for climate control unit) and humidity (information for climate control unit).
Safety
• Horns: Hella’s electro-mechanical disc horns are available for different voltages, i.e., 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V & 80V. This horn supports all vehicles , including trucks, buses, etc. It is available in different sizes, connectors and brackets as per customer demand.
Also, Hella India has for the first time developed an electronic horn with infinite life that can be harnessed in both disc and trumpet horns. Working jointly with the Fraunhofer Institute, it is also developing special trumpet horns which could find their way into cars. Most of Hella horn meets the global requirements and can be used globally.
• Headlamp levelling actuators: As per Government norms, use of headlamp levelling actuator is mandatory in all commercial vehicles. Hella has an extended range of electrical headlamp levelling actuators for even more different vehicle types. The key feature is to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic due to vehicle load condition.
The required headlamp level can either be set manually via the manual actuator, or fully automatically by means of axle sensors. Small headlamp levelling actuators in or on the headlamp make sure that the signals forwarded for the correction of the headlamp level are heeded immediately.