With its motto “efficient future mobility”, Schaeffler presented at Auto Expo 2012 a number of innovative products for optimizing conventional drive trains with internal combustion engines. The highlight of the Schaeffler booth was the concept model Schaeffler Advanced Drive that showcased a range of advanced solutions for engines, transmissions and chassis.
India is expected to develop into one of the world’s largest automotive markets in the coming years, ranking with the US, China, Europe and Japan. In addition to India’s rising level of motorization, the growing importance of Indian companies at the global level is also playing a role in this development. Awareness about environmentally-friendly and efficient technologies is also on the rise. This is all the more so with the growing need to check fuel costs. The price of gasoline is the highest in India, considering the low purchasing power of the people.
Schaeffler offered diversified products to meet these requirements. A large number of different systems for variable valve trains were on display at Schaeffler Advanced Drive. “Growing demands in terms of energy efficiency are increasing the focus on modern valve train components”, says Prof. Dr. Peter Pleus, Member of the Executive Board Engine Systems at Schaeffler.
The company solutions to the tasks posed by the increasing number of start-stop systems as well as clutch, transmission and chassis components were also a major attraction at the Delhi show.
A look at clutches, traditionally a domain of Schaeffler’s LuK brand, would bring out India’s requirements for customized conventional components. “LuK has specially developed a new clutch for the large number of inexpensive, low-capacity motorcycles in India, in which components previously manufactured from diecast aluminum were replaced by formed sheet metal parts”, explained Norbert Indlekofer, Schaeffler’s Member of the Executive Board Transmission Systems.
In addition, Schaeffler presented an electronic clutch management system, a key component for automated manual transmissions, which, in turn, serves the cost-conscious Indian market as an alternative to the double clutch solutions in high demand in Europe.
“Automated manual transmissions are extremely attractive for India. They offer comfort and potential for optimizing fuel consumption. Automated manual transmissions are also suitable for use in combination with start-stop systems”, he added.
“In addition to products for automobiles and motorcycles, interesting components include parts for commercial vehicles and agricultural machinery”, said Wolfgang Dangel, Schaeffler’s Member of the Executive Board Automotive, who has gained extensive knowledge of the Indian market as Schaeffler’s CEO in Asia during the last five years.
“We are very well prepared and are planning further activities so that we not only share in growth, but also actively shape the market. We will continuously expand our activities in India accordingly. These include, for example, the expansion of our development capacities and construction of an additional location for manufacturing components in Savli (Gujarat). We will also expand our current location in Pune in the medium-term”, explained Wolfgang Dangel.
Schaeffler assesses the prospects for the Indian market positively in the medium and long-term.