Conti to Build Rs 1 billion Automotive Plant in India
Continental AG is looking to boost its India operations and broaden the range of products on offer to customers in the region following its recent buyout of Siemens’ VDO unit. One particular new investment Conti is making in India is its planned automotive electronics plant and R&D facility in Bangalore, which will be established with an initial investment of Rs 1 billion (£12.9 million). Joint venture facilities operated in conjunction with Rico and Ashok Leyland will also attract fresh investment in the coming years.
“In the next decade one of the main focuses of the automotive industry will be the so-called affordable cars, especially in the growth markets like India and China. The production of cars within a price range of Rs 5 Lakh (about £6,500) will increase from current figure of 650,000 to approximately 1.1 million units by 2017. This is a 70 per cent increase. To cope with this demand we have to focus on solutions for the Indian market; people want safe, yet affordable cars,” said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, chief technology officer and board member of Continental AG. “Continental has developed strategies and products that are suited to these demands,” Dr. Neumann added.