Cold call from Arctic for Indian auto makers

Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Swedish government for...

Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Swedish government for winter testing,which is done in extreme conditions,including minus 4550 degree Celsius temperature,near the Arctic circle. With this arrangement,now Indian auto manufacturers can get their vehicles tested through ARAI,which will send the vehicles to North Sweden near the Arctic circle.

ARAI director Shrikant R Marathe said the MoU was signed in August this year,and it would benefit the automakers who were exporting their vehicles to overseas market. Indian auto makers are exporting their vehicles and such companies would want to conduct these tests to ensure safety of their vehicles in extreme conditions, he said.

ARAI,one of the oldest testing and certification bodies in the country,will also get new testing tracks and labs on its campus as part of the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP),a project initiated by the Central government. So far we have received Rs 200 crore and we are expecting about Rs 230 250 crore more for this project,which will include some durability testing tracks and labs. NATRIP is building six testing centres in Pune,Manesar,Chennai,Indore,Silchar and Ahmednagar, added Marathe.

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ARAI also announced the launch of countrys first Automotive Testing Expo in Hyderabad on February 4,which will be done by UKIP Media & Events,a global exhibitions and publishing company. Tony Robinson,CEO and founder,UKIP Media & Events,said that the company aimed to be an active catalyst in India with the launch of the Automotive Testing Expo platform.

The Indian governments NATRIP and Mission plan envisages the overall growth of Indian automobile industry to be in the range of $140 billion by 2016,and we would like to be an active catalyst. Many companies from across the world exhibiting in the Automotive Testing Expo are making their debut in the country through this exhibition, said Robinson.

The expo will showcase the essential technologies used in vehicle design,development and testing that are critical for quality and reliability. Exhibitors will be presenting technologies for stress and durability testing,equipment for simulating high mileages in the laboratory,and accelerated ageing technologies among other tests. All of these technologies are crucial for avoiding expensive and image-damaging recalls which globally cost the major car manufacturers hundreds of billions of dollars a year, he added.