The industry’s biggest show was a display of the technological strength and prowess of the auto manufacturing sector, showcasing the current trends that are the current driving factors.
The 14th edition of the biennially held Auto Expo Show concluded on February 14, 2018 enjoying participation from 1,200 companies. Split into two separate shows, Asia’s largest auto show for both vehicles and components was jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). While the Auto Expo-Motor Show was located at India Expo Mart (Greater Noida), the Components Show was held at Pragati Maidan (New Delhi). This ensured a proper filtration of crowds that encouraged business for the auto components manufacturers and a more glamour filled event for the OEMs. Almost fifty per cent of the participants were from international companies with seven pavilions dedicated to individual countries.
Inaugural session
Both the shows were jointly inaugurated on February 8, 2018 by the organisers. At the inaugural session, Anant Geete, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India, said, “The autmobile and auto components industry in India is leading the manufacturing sector and is a major part of the Make in India initiative.”
According to the Geete, a major focus of the auto industry should be to develop environment-friendly vehicles and he committed his Ministry’s support to make this happen.
Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India highlighted the need for the auto components industry to develop global standards and participate in global value chains (GVCs). He stated, “The industry was already a success story in terms of participating in global supply chains and was now ready to value add and participate in GVCs.”
Cummins, claimed to be a one-stop solution provider for powertrain solutions, emission solutions automation solutions and fuel system solutions, exhibited a range of products at the expo. Cummins India’s main display was for BS VI solution and technologies for automotive powertrain, covered under its On-Highway exhibition. The company displayed its technological expertise with the BS VI engine solutions. Cummins also focused on the currently used BS IV engines with engine gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies used in them. The BS IV engines were widely accepted when they rolled out in April 2016.
Electrification solution exhibits featured a range extender with a 2.8 L engine set, while the powertrain solutions were showcased by Cummins in collaboration with its JV partner Eaton. Under Cummins’ Components Technology exhibit, the company showcased turbocharger technologies that are currently in use as well as ones that will be utilised in the future. Another set of solutions were the BS VI fuel system technologies. Exhaust after treatment technology and solutions to improve BS IV technology were also showcased.
He also added that his Ministry was exploring the development of two auto clusters: one on the east coast and one on the west coast. These would be created on a global scale with world class facilities to help the automotive industry plug into the GVCs. He urged the auto components industry to step up their exports as this, in his view, would go a long way in boosting the growth of the sector.
From the CII, Shobana Kamineni, who is the President, observed, “According to a recent CII study, five products in the automotive sector had the potential to be number one or number two in the world. These included passenger vehicles, two and three wheelers, heavy commercial vehicles, auto electricals and electronics and automotive batteries. These have now been acknowledged by the Government of India and included as a part of the 25 priority sectors for Make in India 2.0.”
Kameini was of the opinion that the sector was well positioned to benefit from globalisation and will exponentially be able to increase its exports.
Complementing the Indian auto component industry, Abhay Firodia, President, SIAM, said, “Today, the Indian auto component industry contributes to more the half of the average exports of the automotive industry. The Auto Expo - Components Show is one such platform where the exhibitors show their maturity and technology prowess to their potential customers in light of the disruptions which the industry is bound to face. It is heartening to see the Indian auto component industry is all geared up to take the bull by the horn.”
BorgWarner’s exhibits included highly efficient solutions for combustion engines like the company’s CTA phasers with mid-position lock technology. This advanced variable cam timing technology enables optimised valve timing control over a broad range of engine speeds. In addition, the company showcased its mild hybridisation expertise with the eBooster electrically driven compressor and 48V eFan. For hybrids and pure electric vehicles, the company showed its latest innovations, including silent chains for P3-type hybrids, low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) modules, a high-voltage air heater operating independently of engine waste heat and the electric drive module (eDM). This all-in-one electric propulsion solution combines BorgWarner’s tried-and-tested eGearDrive transmission and the high voltage hairpin (HVH) electric motor in a single module for simple installation.
The company’s series of modular compact floating core EGR coolers for a wide range of commercial vehicle applications offer high robustness against thermal fatigue and enhanced coolant distribution for durable performance, even at a minimum coolant flow, and they reduce NOx emissions too. Another technology shown at the Auto Expo was the latest generation of the electronically actuated Vistronic fan drive for CVs. Combining the robust, modular design of its predecessor with an improved internal control system and a new proprietary slip heat enhancement feature, this high-performance fan drive is able to operate under high loads and in tough environments.
Offering a tech-edge
BS IV to VI transition is something that has taken the components industry by storm with all levels of suppliers gearing up to produce components that will make vehicles fuel efficient or reduce the amount of harmful emissions. In addition to that, a new burgeoning trend is that of electrification. Not only does that mean the possible ouster of the ICE over time, but that all working components in a car needs to be electrically powered.
In its exhibit, Hitachi Automotive Systems India presented products – in three areas. Exhibited items included products and systems in the environment and safety field which are offered by the group globally, as well as aftermarket products sold in India. Autonomous driving system area introduced electrification systems that are essential for responding to regulations for environmental conservation, as well as autonomous driving systems created by coordinating 360° sensing technology and safety control technology to reduce traffic accidents and traffic jams. Fuel consumption improvement engine system area introduced a highly efficient next-generation gasoline engine system aiming to further improve fuel consumption, including an intake and exhaust system with increased combustion efficiency and a heat exchange system.
In line with Hitachi Automotive Systems’ global growth strategy to expand its aftermarket business, the company launched its famous Tokico branded suspension product lineup at the Auto Expo-Components Show. Working towards sustainable urban development and a low carbon society, Hitachi Automotive Systems showcased two cutting edge powertrain technologies - variable valve timing controls and plug top ignition coils, which were launched in its state-of-the-art manufacturing Chennai plant in 2015 and continues to successfully grow this business.
Technology leaders like Cummins and BorgWarner focused on the technologies for BS VI norms and even optimised technology for the BS IV norms. BorgWarner presented a product portfolio in order to help automakers master the challenges posed by ever stricter emission standards. Accordingly, for combustion engines, BorgWarner focused on technologies that help optimise engine efficiency and performance while reducing emissions, also presenting a broad range of solutions for hybrid and pure electric vehicles.
At the exhibition, Hitachi displayed the latest technology in electrification and autonomous driving along with a range of engine technologies that help reduce vehicle pollution in order to comply with BS VI norms in the next two years.
With manufacturers working to meet 2019/2020 emissions requirements of small diesel and gasoline engines, Stanadyne’s GPI and SCUP offer alternative low-cost solutions that require fewer engine modifications compared to more complex systems like port fuel injection and diesel common rail.
US-based Stanadyne, a global fuel injection systems developer, debuted two new fuel systems that offer a differentiated approach for small engines to meet BS VI emissions. The gasoline pumping injector (GPI) and solenoid controlled unit pump (SCUP) were developed as cost-effective replacements for mechanical systems in two- and three-wheeler applications, and enable manufacturers to meet India’s new emission norms. The GPI is an integrated pump and injector that fits in the footprint of the mechanical carburetors commonly used on small gasoline engines today. The SCUP is an electronically controlled unit pump that offers precise timing and fuel delivery control and is an alternative to diesel common rail technology.
Stanadyne’s GDI technology is designed primarily for three-cylinder and above passenger-vehicle engines and is among the world’s fastest-growing fuel systems to improve gasoline fuel economy. The DCR technology is designed to be robust to the harshest operating conditions and low-lubricity fuels.
Gearing up for transition
President of ACMA, the apex body representing the interest of the Indian auto components industry, Nirmal Minda said, “There are two major headwinds that the Indian automotive industry is gearing up for, one, preparing itself to transition from BSIV to BSVI and the other is embracing electric mobility. I hence, urge our two ministers to ensure that a technology neutral road-map, with well defined roles and responsibilities, and definite timelines, is made available to the industry so that we can transition well or else the disruption will sweep us away!”
ACMA’s membership of over 800 manufacturers contributes more than 90 per cent of the auto component industry’s turnover in the organised sector which makes its plea for the Auto components industry “We are also delighted that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is shortly going to launch a new Industrial Policy while Department of Heavy Industry is working towards new auto policy, we hope both the policies are well integrated and complement each other,” added Minda.
Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, in conclusion at the inaugural program remarked, “The Auto Expo has come a long way in terms of display and stature to become the world’s largest auto component show.”
The Components Show was the perfect platform for industrialists, both big and small, to meet up and discuss business and technological solutions together.