The new facility is aligned to
the company’s strategy of increasing its R&D footprint in India. Currently
the capabilities of the R&D centre at Gurgaon include design and testing
for brake systems, and offshore engineering activities for the Continental’s
Italy and Japan regions. The company also operates a full-fledged R&D
center - Continental Technical Center India (TCI) - in Bangalore, catering to
Continental’s entire Automotive business, globally.
“As a technology company, it is Continental’s
priority to invest in the technologies of tomorrow. India is an important
R&D hub for Continental, and we plan to increase our R&D footprint in
the country. With focused R&D, innovations and ongoing improvement of our
components and systems, both at this new center dedicated to brake systems and
at TCI, India’s contribution to Vision Zero – a future with zero accidents –
will be significant,” says Prashanth Doreswamy, Head of Continental India and
Managing Director, Continental Automotive India.
As explained by Thomas Laudes, Managing
Director, Continental Automotive Brake Systems (India), who also heads the
Hydraulic Brakes business in India, “We are glad to make this investment to
broaden the scope of R&D and further strengthen existing capabilities at
this location. At Continental Gurgaon, we manufacture and assemble a series of
products that enhance safety in vehicles at various levels. Now, with a
full-fledged R&D Center, we are enhancing the added value to the
Corporation by driving innovation.”
According to Krishan Kohli,
head of Vehicle Dynamics business in India, “With a range of safety technologies
that address current legislative requirements and are future-oriented,
Continental is in a position of strength in the market. This new R&D center
houses the Vehicle Dynamics test labs and will augment our R&D and
engineering presence in India. We are excited to be part of this growth.”
The 147 year old German
conglomerate has been present in India for close to 50 years, through
technology partnerships (Continental Tires since 1974) and joint ventures for
its various businesses. Continental Automotive Brake Systems (India) was
originally a Joint Venture of Continental with Rico, which started in 2007. The
business became a 100% subsidiary of Continental in 2012.
Today the technology company
operates across India – with over 8,000 employees across 15 locations,
including eight plants that cater to the Indian market, and a Technical Center
that supports global R&D. On the occasion of its recent tenth anniversary
celebration, Continental had announced investments in the country, on a high
three-digit crore rupees level within the next two years in India, and a plan
to increase headcount to 10,000 in the same period.
Source: Continental