The Hindu : Business : Delphi-TVS unveils mega plans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 18, 2005

Business

Business

Delphi-TVS unveils mega plans

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 17. The Rs. 300-crore Delphi-TVS, which makes rotary diesel fuel injection systems, today said it would take up the manufacture of common rail systems for high-speed direct injection diesel engines even while unveiling a Rs. 500-crore five-year investment plan.

Addressing a press conference here today, J. S. Chopra, President, Delphi-TVS, said as size played a significant role in the globalisation era, Delphi had decided to make its joint venture in India a part of Asia-Pacific manufacturing strategy. The investment in the common rail system, Mr. Chopra said, should be understood in the large context. According to T. K. Balaji, President of the company, the supply of common rail systems to engines made in India could commence this year. The company had signed up with Tata Motors for supply of these systems, he said. It had opened up parleys with a few carmakers, he added. With India set to emerge as a major hub for carmakers and diesel offering economy as well clean environment, he presaged common rail technology to have increasing demand.

Technical centre

Delphi-TVS is also setting up a state-of-the art technical centre at its existing facility in Mannur, about 30 km from here. The technical centre will involve an investment of Rs. 50 crores. Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, will lay the foundation for the centre on Friday. The proposed centre will focus on developing new applications to meet future emission norms in the fast evolving scenario. It will also develop a new fuel injection system to suit local needs. The centre will be equipped with a host of facilities such as chassis dynamometer, cold room, common rail engine test bed and common rail test rigs. Already, the company has an engineering centre. The engineering centre also has a full-fledged design centre. The idea is to transfer all these facilities under one-roof to the upcoming centre. The proposed centre, designed to house 300 engineers, is expected to go on stream by 2006. To a query, Mr. Balaji said the Rs.500-crore investment plan would cover common rail technology project, rotary pump capacity expansion and the technical centre.

One million pumps

Delphi-TVS had rolled out one million pumps from its Mannur facility. A function is being organised tomorrow to commemorate the event. Mr. Tata will be the chief guest. Suresh Krishna, Chairman of Sundram Fasteners, and Guy Hachey, President, Energy and Chassin, Delphi, U.S., will also participate.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business