The Hindu : Business : Caparo to build body structure for Tata Nano

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Saturday, Feb 09, 2008
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Caparo to build body structure for Tata Nano

Corporate Reporter

— PHOTO: RAMESH SHARMA

PEOPLE’S CAR: ‘Tata Nano’, the Rs. 1 lakh car, displayed at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi last month.

CHENNAI: NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul-owned Caparo Group on Friday got a contract from the Tatas to build the body structure for the Rs. 1-lakh Tata Nano small car. Selected inner structural panels will be pressed and assembled by Caparo at a new facility in Singur, adjacent to the Tata Nano manufacturing plant.

Caparo, manufacturer of the world’s highest performance road-capable hyper car, the Caparo T1, will supply 60 per cent of the assemblies, with the balance being manufactured in-house by the Tatas, according to a press release issued by Caparo.

Caparo has installed a new semi-automated production line with zero fault forward quality control systems to meet the Tatas’ ambitious cost targets.

“The body technology is relatively conventional, but the manufacturing technology is the result of sophisticated analysis to ensure high-quality, low cost production,” said Caparo Group CEO Angad Paul in a press statement released on Friday. “We completed this quickly to meet our customer’s deadline, with start of production just six months after the contract was confirmed.”

The Tatas chose Caparo for this substantial contract because of the firm’s success with a similar contract to supply the Suzuki Maruti 800, and for its reputation for high quality.

“We have been delivering to plants in India at zero ppm (parts per million) for three years,” Caparo India country head Sunil Pahilajani said.

Caparo also supplies Indian plants for Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors, JCB, John Deere and Hero Honda, as well as most manufacturers of two and three wheeled vehicles.

Caparo Vehicle Products specialises in precision-formed and light-weight metal products, including stampings, forgings, machinings, aluminium castings and tubing, as well as a wide range of complementary products and services such as carbon composites, fasteners and module build. Caparo AP Braking supplies a wide range of base braking components and systems.

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