UK-based automotive driveline components provider GKN Driveline today said the company is looking to enter differential segment in India as part of its expansion plans in the country.
The company currently manufactures only constant velocity joint (CVJ) systems across its three facilities in India and is in the process of setting up a new facility at Pune at an investment of Rs 130 crore.
“We are looking to enter differential business and have started discussions with our customers. We are keen to get into this business,” GKN Driveline India Managing Director, Mr Ravindra Ojha, told reporters here.
Mr Ojha, however, declined to comment on the time frame for entry into the segment.
In automobiles and other wheeled vehicles, the differential allows each of the driving wheels to rotate at different speeds.
The company’s Pune facility would employ more than 200 people and would produce CVJ systems and trans-axle solutions.
The facility is located near the plants of its major customers including Fiat, Volkswagen, General Motors and Tata.
“The plant will have a capacity of 6 lakh sideshafts in the first phase which could be expanded to 12 lakh in the second phase,” Mr Ojha said.
The plant is expected to be fully operational in September 2012 and would help the company serve its customers in the region, Mr Ojha added.
GKN has been investing on regular intervals in the country and in November last year opened a precision forge at Oragadam near Chennai at an investment of Rs 48 crore.
“We expect India to remain a high growth automotive market for many years to come and will continue to invest here to meet our customers needs,” Mr Ojha said.