At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 – The Components Show, Schaeffler underscored its commitment to India’s rapidly growing automotive market. The event provided an ideal platform for Micah Shepard, President, Vehicle Lifetime Solutions, Asia-Pacific, Schaeffler, and Sharad Bhatia, Head – Vehicle Lifetime Solutions (VLS), Schaeffler India, to share insights into the company’s transformative strategies and future roadmap. With India playing a pivotal role in Schaeffler’s regional and global plans, the company is leveraging its expertise to redefine aftermarket solutions.
India’s Strategic Importance in Schaeffler’s Growth Story
“India is definitely the place to be,” Micah Shepard stated enthusiastically, highlighting the country’s dynamic automotive industry and its growing influence in the global market. Contributing 30-35% of Schaeffler’s Asia-Pacific revenue, India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets for the company. “We are investing more and more in expanding factories and acquisitions here, ensuring India remains at the heart of our growth story,” Micah added.
Sharad Bhatia echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of platforms like the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in showcasing Schaeffler’s capabilities. “This vibrant show allows us to connect with distributors, retailers, and workshops, showcasing our products and technologies. It underscores our commitment to supporting vehicles from the time they hit the road to their complete obsolescence,” he said.
Transforming Aftermarket with Vehicle Lifetime Solutions
Over the past year, Schaeffler has undergone a significant transformation, rebranding its ‘Automotive Aftermarket’ division as ‘Vehicle Lifetime Solutions.’ This shift reflects a broader focus on catering to the entire lifecycle of vehicles, from two-wheelers to commercial vehicles and tractors. Micah explained, “We’ve rebranded to reflect our broader focus. This now covers segments from two-wheelers to commercial vehicles and tractors, integrating parts, tools, and training into a holistic ecosystem.”
Schaeffler’s acquisition of Koovers, India’s largest B2B e-commerce platform, and the integration of Vitesco Technologies into its portfolio mark critical milestones in this journey. “Koovers has significantly increased our reach to workshops across India, and Vitesco expands our product offerings into electronic solutions,” Sharad shared.
Skill development is equally integral to Schaeffler’s approach. Through its RepXpert initiative, the company’s mobile van travels across India, covering 11,000–12,000 kilometers annually. “We focus on the three Fs – form, fit, and function – to ensure mechanics are well-versed in part installation and maintenance. This initiative also helps them identify genuine parts, which is crucial for quality and safety,” Sharad noted.