India Is A Price-Sensitive Market Driven By Sentiment

Schaeffler India’s Harsh Kadam on the German component maker’s plans for the changing automotive landscape

- RAJIV SINGH

India is in the midst of its worst auto sector growth in over two decades and the coronavirus pandemic has only aggravated the situation. But Harsh Kadam, managing director of Schaeffler India, a subsidiary of German family-owned automotive and industrial component maker, is looking for positives. Slowdown, he says, is the litmus test for any organisation. “It’s during these trying times that a differentiation is made by successful companies.” Schaeffler’s Pune-headquartered Indian arm gets 60 percent of its sales from the bearings business. “There is a solution to almost every problem. If there isn’t, we strive to find or invent one,” says Kadam in an interview with Forbes India. Edited excerpts:

Q With the new emission norms coming into effect in April, how do you see the automotive landscape changing?

It is clear that for the next few decades, there will not be one clear technology, particularly in vehicle propulsion. We are preparing for whatever shape technology takes—hybrids, micro hybrids, pure electric vehicles or hydrogen or fuel cell propulsion systems. We have continuously made strategic investments and acquisitions which enable us to be a valuable business partner to our customers and supply partners. On the industrial front too, we are taking strides in the areas of reliability and performance improvement of our products as well as developing solutions in the area of Industry 4.0—digital industrial technology—leading to a connected industry and the world at large.

Q Is the industry ready for the transition?