Currently, India’s foundry market for automotive components is small (only 10 percent of total foundry market — 10 million of cast iron + aluminium) in comparison to USA’s foundry market, which is at 14 million tonnes per annum, of which 3.3 million is aluminium (24 percent). With an increasing focus on higher performance with better safety and lower emission, this gap is going to shrink in the coming years, anticipates Ajay Kapur, CEO – Aluminium & Power Business, Vedanta Aluminium.

“There is immense scope for Indian aluminium producers to tap into the emerging market in the automotive sector,” said Kapur. Vedanta Aluminium was the first in India to supply PFA (primary foundry alloy) to the domestic auto sector. Before, the launch of PFA by the company, India’s entire PFA demand was being met through imports, even though the country has the world’s second-largest aluminium production capacity. Looking at the potential of the auto market and its import dependency, the company decided to tap into the opportunity and develop indigenous capabilities at its state-of-the-art facilities in Jharsuguda and BALCO to meet that demand. Currently, the company has a PFA casting capacity of 240KT spread across its plants in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

“Primary aluminium producers develop PFAs which are customised to suit the exact needs of automakers in terms of performance, strength, durability, etc. Significant R&D and technical expertise go into developing PFAs, resulting in excellent metal quality and outstanding castability, which makes these alloys the preferred choice for the automotive industry,” explained Kapur. PFAs are ideal for aluminium alloy wheels, cylinder heads and brakes. The company also anticipates that with an increased focus on reduction of vehicle weight with higher safety performance, automotive parts critical to safety will be made from PFA instead of cast iron to offer higher strength and nearly double absorption of crash energy. “Besides, aluminium PFAs will always have the added advantage of cost-saving on fuel and maintenance,” added Kapur.

Vedanta Aluminium has started steadily supplying PFAs to OEMs and ancillaries in wheel manufacturing in India. “Our proactive move to expand business on this front helped us on-board some of the most reputed equipment manufacturers and auto ancillaries as our clients, and we have received a very positive response from them. Encouraged by that, we will soon look to expand our alloy portfolio for supporting manufacturing of cylinder heads, ABS brakes and certain key applications where traditional materials can easily get substituted with aluminium alloy. We are also exploring prospects of long-term investments by auto ancillaries near our aluminium smelters so that they may leverage cost savings in terms of freight, re-melting and electricity,” said Kapur.

The company, according to him, is well-positioned to cater to the current and emerging needs of the Indian auto sector, offering a broad range of products that find usage across the automotive value chain – from casting to extrusion. “When choosing suppliers for alloys, automotive players should look for companies having high-quality casting facilities, sophisticated R&D facilities and technological prowess for developing customised high-performance alloys for their specific needs, and finally, having robust after-sales technical support; USPs that have earned us the trust of our clients,” he added.

Aluminium is the second most used metal in the world after steel, today, and, according to Kapur, it has the potential to become the most important commercial metal in the future. “Most developed countries have already designated aluminium as a core industry. Aluminium holds strategic importance for the economy as the metal of choice for all kinds of transportation, power, aerospace, defence, building and construction needs. So, given the role it plays in supporting the core sectors meet the Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, we expect its application to only expand with time,” said Kapur.

The metal’s usage in the transportation sector has been rapidly increasing as it offers an environment-friendly and cost-effective way to increase performance, boost fuel economy and reduce emissions while maintaining or improving safety and durability. Aluminium is substantially lighter than its counterparts, offering a significant reduction in weight, which has a direct impact on fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

The metal also has a higher strength-to-weight ratio compared to traditional materials that enable it to absorb twice the crash energy of mild steel, ensuring that vehicular performance enhancements do not come at the cost of safety. “Further, nearly 90 percent of all the aluminium used in a vehicle is recycled at the end of its lifecycle. The energy required to recycle aluminium is only five percent of the energy required to produce the metal. With all these advantages, aluminium can play a pivotal role in the changing face of the automotive sector,” said Kapur.

Aluminium alloys are used by the Indian auto industry majorly as alloy wheels. Around 95 percent of two-wheelers include aluminium, averaging at 7kg per bike, taking total consumption of aluminium alloy in this segment to 115KTPA (kilo tons per annum). Whereas, only 20 percent of four-wheelers use aluminium, majorly in high-end models, which max out at 40kg per car. “The crux of the matter is, in India, we are yet to explore more applications of aluminium in the automotive industry akin to our global peers. For example, in developed countries, around 21 PFAs are used in the automotive segment to achieve light-weighting in the form of various auto parts and components. In India, we majorly use PFAs only for manufacturing alloy wheels and to some extent, for cylinder heads. So, there is immense potential for usage of aluminium in other auto parts like engine, suspension, front end carrier, instrument panel support, rear frame, chassis and many more,” said Kapur.

Shortly, the company expands its alloy portfolio for supporting manufacturing of cylinder heads, ABS brakes and certain other applications where currently steel or iron is being used but can be substituted by suitable aluminium alloys to provide additional benefits. As the market for aluminium alloys in automotive segment expands with inclusion of newer applications, Vedanta Aluminium will look for opportunities to leverage its technological expertise and R&D capabilities to develop products customised to the needs of the market. Vedanta Aluminium is also open to collaborating with the downstream industry, to unlock the entire potential of aluminium used in the auto sector and cater to the rapidly evolving aluminium requirements of the Indian automotive industry.

In the Indian automotive market, one of the biggest challenges faced today is the increasing imports of auto components from China and other countries. The size of the auto components imports was USD 17.6 billion in FY19. Asia, the largest source of imports for Indian auto-components, had a share of 61 percent followed by Europe at 29 percent; North America at eight percent; Latin America and Africa at one percent each in FY19. China, with 27 percent, enjoyed the status of the largest exporter in the Indian automotive market.

“The potential of the aluminium industry should be acknowledged and recognised as a core sector with a National Aluminium Policy that will encourage, protect and boost the domestic aluminium industry. The domestic capability needs to be harnessed for critical sectors of national importance like defence, aerospace, aviation, transportation, infrastructure, electrification, housing, etc. We must make the vision of ‘Make in India’ a ground reality in these sectors, leveraging the potential of the entire aluminium value chain, from mining to end usage. Besides enhancing domestic capacity and reducing import dependency and subsequently trade deficit, it will also generate huge employment opportunities in our country which has a deep talent pool that needs to be capitalised for the realisation of our vision of a USD5 trillion economy. We are on the right path, but there is still a long way to go,” said Kapur.

The global economy is swiftly moving towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable lifestyle. For more than a decade now, concerns about fuel efficiency have encouraged OEMs to replace steel with aluminium in vehicle bodies, doors, trunks, hoods, bumpers, crash boxes, brakes and wheels. With the advent of electric vehicles (EV), OEMs worldwide are focusing on exploring and applying new uses of aluminium. The need for lightweight battery casings and heat exchangers in electric vehicles, combined with autonomous vehicles’ demands for high visibility and structural integrity, is expected to exponentially increase the use of aluminium in cars, trucks and buses from now on. “Using aluminium in EVs has several advantages, foremost amongst which is the distance travelled per charge. Lighter the vehicle, the longer its range. Coming to better battery life, thanks to the metal’s thermal and anticorrosion properties, aluminium is ideal for battery frames. Demand for aluminium will also rise on account of infrastructure for serving EVs since the metal is commonly used as a housing material for EVs charging stations as well. While India is waking up to this future of automobiles, partnerships between different automotive industry bodies/institutions and auto companies for sharing knowledge and expertise will help fast-track development of electric vehicles in the country,” said Kapur. MT

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

In a clear signal of its strategic intent to diversify and future-proof its business, Maruti Suzuki India’s Board of Directors have agreed to amend its Memorandum of Association (MoA) to enable expansion into a wide array of new-age mobility, sustainability and technology-driven segments.

The amendments go beyond just manufacturing and selling passenger vehicles, and now includes buses, vans, lorries, motorcycles, scooters and other motor-powered vehicles, as well as amphibious vehicles and those capable of travel on land, sea, air or any combination thereof. The scope also covers the production and sale of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), along with all associated components, accessories and technologies.

Additionally, the company may establish and operate facilities for testing, training and data processing to support its manufacturing and technology-driven activities.

The amended charter outlines a significantly broadened scope, allowing the company to manufacture and deal in a comprehensive range of vehicles – from traditional automobiles to drones, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and amphibious vehicles. This move opens up potential entry into emerging sectors such as aerial mobility and defence-grade UAV systems.

A key focus area is the electric mobility ecosystem. Maruti Suzuki India plans to develop and operate EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure, as well as engage in trading and distribution of alternative fuels such as compressed biogas and hydrogen. This aligns with India's push towards decarbonisation and adoption of cleaner transport.

On the sustainability front, Maruti Suzuki India aims to build capabilities in recycling and repurposing end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and industrial scrap, including metals, plastics and e-waste. It also plans to trade in carbon credits and renewable energy certificates, suggesting a move to integrate environmental instruments into its business model.

The amendments also allow Maruti Suzuki India to offer consultancy and R&D services in vehicle engineering, testing and certification, while supporting clients and regulators with testing grounds and infrastructure. Additionally, it can now provide supply chain, logistics and IT services – potentially transforming into a full-spectrum mobility and services enterprise.

With this expansive update to its foundational objectives, Maruti Suzuki India is preparing to transition from a conventional automotive business into a multifaceted mobility and sustainability-focused organisation, capitalising on upcoming opportunities in electrification, circular economy and next-gen transport.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental's Automotive group sector will officially debut as the new, independent company Aumovio at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich this September. The newly formed technology and electronics firm, which consolidates Continental's automotive expertise into a more agile structure, will showcase its innovations from 9 September to 12 September.

Under the leadership of CEO Philipp von Hirschheydt, Aumovio will present its technologies in four themed areas: safe, inspiring, connected and autonomous. The company's goal is to shape the future of mobility by focusing on key technologies.

Highlights from Aumovio's exhibition will include:

Green Electric Caliper: An energy-saving brake module designed for electric vehicles, which is lighter than conventional calipers and doesn't require hydraulic fluid. It is designed to increase a vehicle's range, lower costs and minimise carbon emissions.

Next-Generation Corner Module: A compact chassis unit that integrates the engine, brake system, steering, and suspension. This system's ‘by-wire’ architecture and 150-degree wheel-specific steering are optimised for software-defined vehicles, offering greater manoeuvrability and design freedom.

Xelve System: A scalable, modular hardware and software system for assisted and automated driving (Level 2 to Level 4). The system is customisable for a wide range of vehicles and includes functions for automated parking and AI-supported driving.

Road to Cloud Platform: An integrated platform that provides a complete infrastructure for manufacturers to develop and operate software-defined vehicles, including standardized operating systems, over-the-air updates and cybersecurity.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

JSW Motors, the new business vertical of the JSW Group, has inked a strategic partnership with KPIT Technologies, which it shared aims to redefine future mobility in India.

The partnership will leverage KPIT’s expertise in software and systems development to strengthen JSW Motors’ vision to disrupt the domestic automotive market through innovation and global collaboration.

For the unversed, JSW Motors is investing USD 3 billion over the next five years to develop and manufacture electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in India. The company’s first New Energy Vehicle (NEV) is set to debut on the Indian roads in the second half of FY2026. It is also establishing a manufacturing hub spread across 630 acres in Bidkin, Maharashtra.

Kishor Patil, CEO & MD, KPIT Technologies, said, “KPIT is proud to partner with JSW Motors in their ambitious journey to transform India’s automotive landscape.  Our experience across global vehicle programs and SDV positions us uniquely to contribute to JSW’s vision. This partnership reflects our strategic focus on the Indian market and our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that enhances customer experiences and accelerates clean mobility. The partnership will include KPIT bringing advanced competencies in electric propulsion systems, battery innovation, and SDV architectures that enables continuous feature upgrades and superior consumer experiences.”

Ranjan Nayak, CEO of JSW Motors, said, “We plan to build world-class automotive products in India by integrating the best of technologies from across the globe. KPIT’s expertise in software and systems development is a cornerstone of our strategy to deliver best-in-class, technologically-advanced, high-performance, and sustainable vehicles. Together, we aim to energise the Indian auto ecosystem and set new benchmarks for innovation and customer satisfaction. Leveraging its global best practices and technical capabilities, KPIT will set-up a dedicated center of excellence for JSW Motors.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Suzuki R&D Center India (SRDI), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has won the Grand Prize in the ‘Sustainability & Go Green efforts’ category at the recently held Innovatopia Awards in New Delhi in July 2025. The event was organised by the Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI).

The company was recognised for its proposal to use Suzuki’s Versatile micro e-Mobility Platform concept to address operational and environmental challenges in India’s airport cargo sector. The idea focused on improving the efficiency and automation of cargo transport at airports while reducing CO2 emissions by replacing diesel-powered tow tractors.

Suzuki’s micro e-mobility platform, originally developed using motorised wheelchair technology, is used as a base for various robotic applications. The company is exploring its use across sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and home delivery and in this case, for air cargo operations.

Keku Gazder, Board Member of ACFI, said, "SRDI's recognition at the ‘Innovatopia Awards’ for ‘Sustainability and Go Green efforts’ is a testament to the power of cross-sector innovation. As the only non-air cargo company honoured at the ACFI Conclave 2025, their work reflects a shared commitment to a greener future. "

Masahiro Ikuma, Managing Director, SRDI, said, "Suzuki aims for an infrastructure mobility closely connected with people’s lives, and is working to solve social issues in India through diverse mobility solutions. By utilising the versatile micro e-Mobility Platform concept, we aim to deepen our partnership with the air cargo industry and address emerging social challenges through innovative solutions in India."

Suzuki and SRDI plan to continue studying ways to implement the proposal.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!