The Hindu Business Line : Lucas-TVS mulls setting up plant in Iran

The Chief Executive and Managing Director, Mr T.K. Balaji, told journalists here on Wednesday that the company could start work on the Iran project in about three years.

The move follows Lucas-TVS getting orders from Saipa of Iran, which manufactures `Pride' cars.

Lucas-TVS produces starter motors, alternators and a range of auto electricals.

The company is also looking at business opportunities in Malaysia, Thailand and China, Mr Balaji said.

Today, Lucas-TVS is a Rs 625-crore company. Exports fetch sales of about Rs 40 crore.

The company wishes to raise its turnover to Rs 1,400 crore by 2010, of which about Rs 300 crore should come from exports.

The company was recently given the Deming Application Prize 2004 by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers.

Only 10 companies have bagged this award, and five of them are from the TVS group, said Mr Balaji.

The prize recognises an automotive company's quality standards.

A function was held here on Wednesday to commemorate the company getting the award.

Mr Balaji said the company had learnt a few lessons in the process of bagging the Deming award. The company learnt to design products in such a way so as to avoid changes in design after the product went into production.

It also learnt to integrate its design processes with its customers.

Fuel-saving product in the pipeline

LUCAS-TVS is in the process of designing a product that will enable the engine of a car to stop at traffic signals and start again when the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the company's officials said on Wednesday.

The product will help save fuel and reduce emissions, they said.

The officials said the company was working with a major passenger car manufacturer on this project. The product, they said, could hit the market in about three years.

Lucas-TVS has a large R&D centre in India, employing over 150 engineers.

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