The Hindu Business Line : Bosch to supply key components for Nano

Vendors spec
The company had to modify and redesign parts without compromising on quality.
Lot of fundamental conceptualisation had taken place while designing components for the small car.

K. Giriprakash

New Delhi, Jan. 11 The German-based Bosch, which supplied gasoline fuel injectors for the Tata’s small car, Nano, will also supply other key components like starters, alternators and electronic parts for building the car.

The Tatas are also in talks with Bosch for supplying CRDi systems for the diesel version of Nano. Bosch Joint Managing Director, Mr V.K. Viswanathan, told Business Line that the company had to modify and redesign parts without compromising on the quality. “It was an extremely tough challenge for us as we had to make components at lesser costs but maintain the same quality,” he said. Mr Viswanathan will replace Dr Albert Hieronimus as Bosch’s new Managing Director from February.

It is learnt that the Tatas asked its vendors to build components for the car based on a certain price. Bosch head of engineering, gasoline systems said several changes were made in mechanical and electrical components. “We needed to work hard and innovate to make cost optimised products,” he said. The company was able to make components which had the parent company’s expertise in technology and at the same time producing them at affordable price.

Mr Viswanathan explained that a lot of fundamental conceptualisation had taken place while designing components for the small car.

“A new set of mindset is needed for taking up such projects,” he said. For Bosch the biggest gain is its ability to produce components for the small car which now opens a whole new business for itself as several other car manufacturers are planning their own versions of the small car at various price points.

There are about 100 vendors who contributed to the making of the car. A Tata official said that they were able to bring down the costs by entering into long-term agreements with vendors instead of annual contracts as is usually the case.

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