DSD to promote independence for Indian vehicle manufacturers at SIAT 2015
Transmission specialist will support local vehicle makers with AMT technology
Leamington Spa, UK, 12th January 2015 – UK automotive engineering consultancy, Drive System Design (DSD), will promote greater independence for local vehicle producers through access to the latest transmission technology when it exhibits at the 2015 Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) in Pune, India (from 21st to 24th January). To meet the growing demand for AMTs (Automated Manual Transmission) and compete more effectively with imported products, local manufacturers will have access to DSD’s technical knowhow regarding both transmission and control system design. DSD is attending the symposium as part of the SMMT’s UK Pavilion Group.
“Faced with growing demand for AMTs in both the passenger car and commercial vehicle markets, many Indian vehicle makers find themselves locked into the compromises of using proprietary components and ‘black box’ control systems, over which they have no intellectual property rights,” explained DSD’s Chief Engineer, Mike Savage. “We are providing a means for them to develop their own expertise in AMTs and control systems, allowing them greater commercial independence, technical autonomy and solutions that are optimised for their specific applications.”
The demand for AMTs is fuelled by a combination of factors. For passenger car applications, the convenience of automatic shifting makes driving less tiresome in crowded urban conditions, but the high cost of fuel deters buyers from choosing a conventional torque converter automatic. When applied to heavy trucks and buses, AMTs are proven to save fuel and reduce whole life vehicle costs. They also help extend transmission and driveline longevity by protecting against damage from abuse through careless or untrained manual operation.
Savage works closely with a number of Indian OEMs and is witnessing the market changes first hand. “Many local manufacturers have held back until now, uncertain whether the sales volumes were sufficient to justify the necessary investment, but we appear to have reached a tipping point in demand, with AMT versions of new vehicles being announced every few weeks,” he said. Tata’s head of passenger vehicle business was recently quoted as predicting that every second car in India will have an AMT within 10 years[1].
DSD will be at the SIAT show as part of the SMMT’s (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) UK Pavilion.
About DSD
Drive System Design (DSD) is an award winning engineering consultancy specialising in the design, development and control of transmission and future driveline systems.
The company’s staff has experience working with vehicle manufacturers and Tier 1s around the world, designing new technologies and solving problems to make their products more competitive. It has the design, test, analysis and project management skills necessary to deliver projects to demanding timescales. Working closely with its customers through technical centres in Europe and North America, DSD is recognised as a world leading expert in driveline refinement, efficiency improvement and hybrid and electric vehicle transmissions.
Press Contact
Richard Doherty at Market Engineering
+44 (0)1295 277 050
richard.doherty@m-eng.com
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