New Delhi: Abhay Firodia is not perturbed by the possible impact that the advent of electric vehicles may have on the ecosystem for automobiles.
“Bank employees went on strike when they were introduced to computers,” the 73-year-old chairman of Force Motors Ltd, Pune-based light commercial vehicle manufacturer, and president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, or Siam, told Mint last year when asked if the industry has assessed the impact of such a gigantic shift towards electric vehicles.
The government plans to switch to electric vehicles by 2030, which has now been described by road transport minister Nitin Gadkari as unofficial.
Abhay Firodia is not perturbed by the possible impact that the advent of electric vehicles may have on the ecosystem for automobiles.
“Bank employees went on strike when they were introduced to computers,” the 73-year-old chairman of Force Motors Ltd, Pune-based light commercial vehicle manufacturer, and president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers or Siam told Mint last year when asked if the industry has assessed the impact of such a gigantic shift towards electric vehicles.
To provide more mileage for the vehicle and protection from dust particles, new range of air filters for two-wheelers were launched by Steelbird on Wednesday.Steelbird, the pioneer of auto air filters in India, has introduced a new range of advanced air filters for motorbikes and scooters which help to protect the engine from dust particles and ensure the best mileage for the vehicle.
Manufactured at a highly modernized production facility, this new breed of plastic moulded filters ascertain better airflow, better filtration efficiency, and longer life. The Uttarakhand-based company is the oldest manufactures of filters in India for 2 wheelers and it has the widest range of filters in this segment which no other player would have. It caters to all the major auto brands and OEMs, and it is the leader of the aftermarket for decades.
The expected lifespan of Steelbird’s advanced air filters is one year and for any manufacturing fault, the brand provides 1-year warranty on the entire range. The weight and dimension of these filters are per the requirements automakers and vary from brand to brand.
Expanding its capacity for new-generation filters, Steelbird International will commence operations at its new Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand from February 2018. The Pantnagar plant is yet to start, but 80 per cent of its capacity is already sold out. The new smart and eco-friendly plant has the capacity to manufacture 40,000 new-generation filters per day.
Steelbird International has been driving with a penchant for achieving excellence in its domain of work for more than five decades. Diversifying from filters to rubber, plastic and components, the company’s saga of success continues abated. Today, the company offers the widest range of automotive filters in the Indian market.
Founded by Late Mr Tilak Raj Kapur in 1964, Steelbird International is a family owned business. The professionally managed Group is growing at a rate of 22.7 per cent annually (CAGR) in the auto component manufacturing sector in the country. From Aftermarket to OEM segment, Steelbird is the most sought after brand in the country whose credibility is growing both vertically and horizontally. This is the reason why, Mr Manav Kapur is all ambitious to double the profit of the company in the next five years.
The Union Budget, presented yesterday by Arun Jaitley, the Finance Minister didn’t seem to touch the automotive sector directly at all. But we you shall see soon, it did. The auto sector happens to be too large to be unaffected by changes elsewhere. To wit, the drop is corporate tax should make medium and small industries more profitable. Here is a reaction from Steelbird International.
Manav Kapur, Executive Director, Steelbird International
“The decision to impose a higher import duty on auto parts, accessories and CKD components is a good step. This initiative reaffirms that the government is in sync with Make in India mission.”
The hike in customs duty on select auto components in Union Budget 2018 is a strong positive for domestic auto component manufacturers and will promote made-in-India
The Union Budget 2018, announced by finance minister Arun Jaitley on 1 February, is going to benefit the Indian automotive components sector.
The government’s decision to hike customs duty on certain auto parts is going to promote Make in India initiative, thereby generating employment in the industry.
Subrata Ray, Senior Vice President and Group Head, Corporate ratings, ICRA said the impact of the Budget 2018 on the components sector will be positive.
