Leading German component maker MAHLE presented its full range of engine components and filtration solutions at the recently-held ACMA Automechanika fair in New Delhi.
In an exclusive interaction with MOTORINDIA on the occasion, Mr. Sharad Bhatia, General Manager, MAHLE Aftermarket India for both filtration and engine components, said: “We are showcasing our range of engine peripheral and filtration products. MAHLE aftermarket’s product portfolio can be well segmented into two verticals – filters and engine parts.
MAHLE caters to all segments ranging from commercial vehicles and passenger cars to tractors and bi-wheelers for oil, fuel and air filters. In the passenger car segment, it has been among the first to introduce a wide product range for the cabin air filter. Under the engine parts vertical, MAHLE services almost every vehicle segment for engine components with its range of high quality products like pistons, rings, valves, connecting rods and cylinder blocks. Additionally, we are presently also working towards introduction of camshafts from our Pithampur facility.”
“Here, at the fair, we are also officially unveiling MAHLE Service Solutions that offer products specifically for high-end workshops, such as diagnostic units to assess the health of vehicles. We are looking for business partners for this new product line who could help us penetrate into the workshop segment. Effective operations, expansion in product range and strong communication will remain the key thrust areas for our aftermarket business. An important part of the MAHLE Service Solutions portfolio is our A/C service product range. Starting with the first A/C service unit in the 1980s, this segment has a long tradition at MAHLE”, added Mr. Bhatia.
MAHLE has established a strong pan-India presence across the two-wheeler, passenger car and commercial vehicle segments and is now sharpening its focus on the burgeoning two-wheeler space. Mr. G.S. Arshi, Business Consultant, MAHLE Engine Components India Pvt. Ltd., shared: “We are focusing more on two-wheelers in the Indian market because of their huge growth potential and are ready with close to 90 per cent of the parts needed for this segment. We see the country’s growing vehicle population as one of the major growth drivers, and are consistently launching new parts in order to maintain our strong presence in the market which includes providing our own engineering and production capabilities in India. Moreover, we offer a variety of services to our customers, including direct contact possibilities and trainings.”
Future-ready
The newly-implemented BS-IV emission norms would have a significant positive impact on the MAHLE engine component business, as it is likely to open up the market for further growth. “Our strength lies in our global positioning which helps us know the pulse of the different markets, be it North America, Europe, Australia or China. In that context, we are well positioned to embrace the challenges ahead of the Indian auto industry. As regards the implementation of BS-IV norms for CVs in India, we are well prepared for this change and are ready with the requisite product lines in tune with the market requirements. We are closely monitoring market expansion in terms of development of vehicle population. We will continue to introduce new products, ensuring strong product coverage, thereby providing an impetus to business growth. The move to BS-VI is scheduled for 2020, and here again, the necessary products are already available in our product range in Europe and North America”, explained Mr. Bhatia.
What would more stringent standards and advancing technology levels mean for the aftermarket sector as a whole? He replied: “We definitely foresee that the BS-IV norms will change the overall technology requirement in the aftermarket. Established players like us will definitely have an edge because defective and sub-standard products lose their shine with increasing performance requirements. The market is set to open up and present added potential for the organized players. Further, we think it essential to provide aftermarket products in original equipment quality whenever the new vehicle had been equipped with original equipment quality products, too.”
Backing up its proven range of products with an aggressive sales and distribution strategy, MAHLE is also betting big on e-retail and expects the Indian market to embrace the online route in a big way in the coming years. It is also mulling the idea of launching alternators and starter motors in the Indian market, in line with its aggressive global thrust in the field of mechatronics.
With both its Engine Components and Filtration divisions registering double-digit growth in 2016, MAHLE has had a good start for 2017, with the first two months delivering encouraging numbers. The company sees a bright year ahead with only the one obvious hitch ahead: GST. “The impact of GST will definitely be positive, but the only concern is the lack of clarity on the policies and how things will be executed. We hope the market will emerge stronger and in a more transparent way once GST is rolled out. We are also ensuring we are geared to make any changes required in the area of logistics management. Simultaneously, we look forward to receiving active support from our business partners to mutually steer a smooth transition to the GST stage,” concluded the GM.