New Delhi: Schaeffler is aggressively engaged on methods to boost its presence within the Indian market the place one of many focus areas is to show challenges into alternatives.
The Germany-headquartered auto element maker will enhance its basket of localised merchandise and provide extra economical options within the course of.
“One of many issues Schaeffler India has been doing over the previous couple of years is localising extra merchandise in India and decreasing our dependency on imports. This may preserve us nearer to the market and reply sooner,” Micah Shepard, President of Automobile Lifetime Options Asia Pacific, informed ETAuto throughout the just lately concluded Bharat Mobility World Expo 2025 in Delhi.
Quickest rising markets
India contributes roughly 30-35% of Schaeffler’s Asia-Pacific income, making it one of many quickest rising markets. He mentioned localisation was progressing at an excellent tempo.
Schaeffler India, which operates out of Pune as its HQ, offers in superior mobility options. The Delhi occasion noticed it showcase a slew of superior applied sciences, together with the 3-in-1 electrical axle, high-voltage axle drive (EMR4), sensors, controls, and actuator options from Vitesco Applied sciences which gives digital options.
A celebration of the Indian panorama for 5 a long time, Schaeffler plans to enterprise into numerous gas applied sciences together with electrification, hydrogen, flex-fuel and the interior combustion engine (ICE) which, in line with Sharad Bhatia, President of Automobile Lifetime Options India, is predicted to stay dominant within the coming years,
Robust mixture of ICE
He mentioned India would see a “robust combine” of ICE (together with flex-fuels), hybrids and EVs for the subsequent 8-10 years. Buyer choice, he added, would nonetheless be in favour of ICE.
“We’re able to assist the EV platform, not solely from elements but additionally with service options from the backend,” he defined. The corporate’s electrification journey has been “fairly good,” and it’ll discover different choices akin to hydrogen.
The important thing, nevertheless, is to maintain prices in examine for the mass market. “Schaeffler can cowl hydrogen, EV, and ICE applied sciences, not just for passenger automobiles but additionally for two-wheelers, industrial automobiles and tractors,” mentioned Shepard.
This shift will name for upskilling of human sources and availability of various parts at shops which, in flip, means a strong logistics system must be in place. Schaeffler is combining its “international experience with native engineering” to ship efficient merchandise.
Aftermarket development
The combination of the B2B e-commerce platform, Koovers with Vitesco Applied sciences is a important a part of Schaeffler India’s aftermarket development. Via Koovers, the corporate has expanded its attain to workshops throughout India supported by a robust logistics and provide chain community.
“Our restore and repair options from the Automobile Lifetime Options division provide worth throughout all the automobile lifecycle, empowering prospects and supporting India’s sustainable mobility targets,” Bhatia added.
