SEG Automotive, formerly the starter motor and generator division of Bosch Group, expects the demand for its new green solutions and technologies to go up in India as regulations to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) becomes stringent in the country. From April 1, 2017, India has adopted CAFC (Corporate Average Fuel Consumption) norms, which require cars to be 30 per cent or more fuel efficient from 2022 and 10 per cent or more between 2017 and 2021. As a technology leader, SEG Automotive, now owned by a consortium of ZMJ (Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group) and CRCI (China Renaissance Capital Investment), believes that regulations such as CAFC offers huge opportunity for it in India.
“As a technology leader for fuel saving and CO2 reduction, we are geared up to provide support to OEMs for meeting their obligations under the CAFC norms. SEG Automotive products offer OEMs matching solutions to realise CAFC target – contributing towards cleaner greener planet. For examples, our start-stop system saves fuel up to 8 per cent in real life usage conditions by switching off the engine when not in use (eg, traffic signals),” said Anil Kumar M R - Managing Director and Regional President for Indian operations of SEG Automotive, while speaking to APF’s Rakesh Rao.
Globally known for its technologies for starter motors and generators, SEG Automotive has entered the market of electrification with 48V Boost Recuperation Machines (BRM). As India aims to become fully-electric vehicles nation by 2030, SEG Automotive sees big potential for its 48 V BRM targeted at mild hybrid cars. “BRM can play a major role on the way to full electrification. Hence, we have high expectations from the Indian market as vehicle production in the country grows at a faster pace in future,” stated Hans Joachim Kuppel, Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at SEG Automotive.
Established in 1989 in India as a part of Bosch group, SEG Automotive today has three manufacturing plants (at Bangalore, Hassan and Chennai) and an R&D unit in Bangalore. The company offers tailored solutions for all segments (3-wheelers, passenger cars, commercial vehicles, off-highway vehicles and stationary engine applications) in local market. “As a technology leader, SEG Automotive is committed to climate protection by improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions from 3-wheelers, passenger cars and all kind of commercial vehicles globally and across all drive technologies,” opined Kuppel.
Being a leader in starter motors, SEG Automotive has developed many groundbreaking technologies including start-stop (which is considered to be a milestone in sustainable CO2 reduction for combustion engines). As the Government of India takes steps to keep in check the rising pollution levels, the company anticipates manifold increase in demand for its start-stop technology in the country.
Kuppel explained, “Start-stop technology is widely used in Europe and market is picking up in other regions (especially in North America and China). We expect India to follow the global trend and demand for start-stop system to increase in the near future.”
SEG Automotive is also upbeat about its new BRM technology as OEMs in India choose hybrids as a bridge for their journey towards 100 per cent electrification. “With CAFC coming into force, BRM technology will be a right solution to reduce CO2. Lot of OEMs have shown interest. We have made a few acquisitions and are working with some OEMs to undertake application study for BRM technology in India,” informed Anil Kumar.