ZF, truck,--ZF Inaugurates Indian Transmission Plant

ZF has opened its assembly plant in the industrial center of Pune, India, for the production of heavy truck transmissions. Annual production capacity initially is expected at 25,000 Ecomid nine-speed transmissions for heavy trucks up to more than 40 ton weight.

The new plant has approximately 54,000 sq.ft. production area and, depending on the demand, can produce other truck transmission types for ZF's current local customers such as Asia Motor Works, Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra Navistar, Volvo-Eicher, and Kamaz Vectra Motors as well as new customers, the company said.

"Transmission housings, gears, and shafts are already being produced in India; in the medium term, a localization level of 80 to 85 % is planned," said Mandeep Bhalla, head of ZF's commercial vehicle business in India. "And this is where an excellent supplier base, established during our long-standing commitment in India, will be very helpful."

ZF has been doing business in India for roughly three decades, starting with joint ventures with local partners. Currently, the group has a roughly 29% share in Sona Somic Lemförder Ltd. which produces car suspension components in Delhi, Uttaranchal, and Chennai, India; a 26% share in ZF Steering Gear (India) Ltd. which produces commercial vehicle steering systems in Pune; and a 50% share in ZF Electronics TVS (India) Private Ltd. which produces electronic components in Madurai, India.

Three years ago, ZF founded the ZF Lenksysteme India Private Ltd., headquartered in Pune. In March 2010, ZF and Hero Motors Ltd. founded the joint venture ZF Hero Chassis Systems. with locations in Halol, and Talegaon, India. A few years ago, ZF also established the ZF India Private Ltd. holding in Pune. ZF Services was set up with service locations in Raipur, Bangalore, and Pune, India, as well as the assembly plant of ZF's Off-Road Driveline Technology and Axle Systems division which was inaugurated at the beginning of 2010 in Pune.

Source: Diesel Progress Online