The technology company Continental celebrated the groundbreaking of its greenfield plant in Talegaon, Pune, dedicated to its powertrain business. Around 30 million euros (INR 240 crores) are planned to be invested in infrastructure and buildings until 2020. The construction phase has already been initiated. Production start is scheduled for early 2020 for various drivetrain products including engine management systems, sensors and actuators as well as fuel and exhaust management components, for passenger cars, 2-wheelers and commercial vehicles.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Klaus Hau, Executive Vice President Powertrain Components Business Unit, Powertrain said, “India plays a central role in our global growth strategy. Due to the increasing stringent emission legislation in the automotive market, including two-wheeler market, we are expecting a growing demand of low-emission technologies. Through this investment, we are expanding our involvement in this strategic important market, thereby ensuring that we will better satisfy the customers’ growing demand”.
The Powertrain group of Continental offers efficiency solutions for the conventional combustion engine, the exhaust after treatment as well as for the broad field of vehicle electrification.
Prashanth Doreswamy, Market Head, Continental India and Managing Director, Continental Automotive India, comments: “This investment reinforces our commitment to the Indian market. Continental has been growing ahead of the market in India. To continue doing so, we need to invest both in technologies of tomorrow, and expand our reach in the market. With this investment in our Powertrain business, Continental will better support India’s drive for cleaner air.”
Continental has invested approximately 260 million euros (INR 2100 crores) in India during the ten-year period from 2008 for its various businesses. The company is supporting all key automotive customers in India transition to BS VI emission standards. They continue to make investments in enhancing combustion engines and electro-mobility.
In 2018, the technology company Continental announced investments in India, on a high three-digit crore rupees level until 2020, and a plan to increase headcount to 10,000 in the same period. In December 2018, Continental had also announced the groundbreaking of another greenfield facility in Pune to manufacture premium surface materials for the automotive interior, with an investment of about 22 million euros (INR 180 crores). The company also recently announced an additional R&D facility in its existing automotive plant in Gurgaon.
Continental has been present in India for close to 50 years, through technology partnerships (Continental Tires since 1974) and joint ventures for its various businesses. Today the tier 1 automotive supplier, tire manufacturer and industrial partner operates across India – with over 8.000 employees across 15 locations, including eight plants that cater to the Indian market, and a Technical Center that supports Continental’s global R&D activities.