CK Birla JV for Make in India

France’s Groupe PSA has set up a greenfield plant in Tamil Nadu to make about 300,000 units per year for the transmissions in Phase 1 and 200,000 units for the BS-VI1 compliant engines in Phase 2 for the global automotive markets.

It has formed a joint venture with AVTEC Ltd, a CK Birla Group Co on 22 Nov 2018 and inaugurated the plant at Hosur.

This marks the formal start of industrial set up of this site, which will manufacture and supply technologically advanced and eco-friendly powertrain for the Global and Domestic Automotive market, in-line with the future industry norms and customer expectations, said Grpupe AS.

The historic ceremony has been graced by Mr. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board, Groupe PSA and Mr. CK Birla, Chairman, the CK Birla Group.

The initial manufacturing capacity of this state-of-the-art plant will be about 300,000 units per year for the transmissions and 200,000 units for the BS-VI compliant engines.

The manufacturing set up has been completed in a record time of less than 2 years.

The plant will manufacture gearboxes in Phase I to support both the India project as well as supplying Groupe PSA needs.

The peak investment in this manufacturing set up would go up to Rs. 600 Crore (circa 73 M€) and it will generate a direct employment of around 800 people. Additionally, the performance of the industrial set-up will be supported by a significant level of localization to reach the necessary cost competitiveness.

Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board Groupe PSA, said: “We want to be Indian in India. With this inauguration, we have taken another critical step towards the execution of our Push to Pass strategic plan and commitment towards the Indian customers.”

The quality of the relation with our partner, the CK Birla Group, is paramount to the success of our common project, with the creation of a complete eco-system in India,” he said.

Commenting on the development, CK Birla, Chairman, the CK Birla Group, added: “We have always striven to evolve with the ever-changing needs of our customers and partners. This partnership that brings together latest technology from Groupe PSA and the manufacturing excellence of the CK Birla Group is a step in the same direction. We are confident that this new plant will create long-term value and fulfil future market needs better.”

The plant is owned by PSA AVTEC Powertrain Pvt Ltd, a 50:50 joint-venture created in 2017 between Groupe PSA and AVTEC. It benefits from Groupe PSA latest technology and the CK Birla Group’s engineering and manufacturing excellence. fiinews.com