TREATING INDIA AS GLOBAL MANUFACTURING HUB

In a round table discussion of ZF leadership, Dr Peter Laier, Member of the ZF Group Board of Management, and Head of Commercial Vehicle Solutions and Industrial Technology, P Kaniappan, Managing Director, ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Ltd. and Akash Passey, President, ZF Group India stressed on India's growing market potential. Richa Tyagi highlights the focus on localisation strategies with technological advancements made by the tier1 supplier.

Q. How does ZF regard India as a market?

A. Dr Peter Laier: India holds an important position for ZF in many aspects. First, we see India as a growing market with a growing middle class and a thriving automotive industry. This provides us with ample opportunities to serve the Indian market with products tailored to specific needs. Secondly, India serves as an important R&D location for us because of its skilled workforce and engineering talent. We not only develop products for the Indian market but also leverage India's capabilities to meet our global needs. Third, India has emerged as a manufacturing hub not only for the domestic market but also for global exports.

Q. Could you shed some light on the recent growth trends in the Indian market?