| In their efforts to become more fuel-efficient, leading automotive companies such as General Motors, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) have tied up with Indian institutes of technology (IITs) for carrying out research and development (R&D) work. Some others including Ford Motor Company are expected to follow suit.
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| “With liquid fuel costs hitting $70 per barrel and going further, automotive companies around the world are trying to find new fuel-efficient engine technologies. The companies have tied up with premier research institutions in countries where they are present. Moreover, high-quality research can be done in a cost-effective manner at an institution like the IIT,” said Anang Dev Jena, head of Delhi-based automotive consultancy Synovate Motoresearch India.
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| In addition to looking at developing alternative fuel technologies like bio-diesel and hybrid engines for their vehicles, the tie-ups will extend to areas like auto-software, mechatronics, material technology, and vehicle design.
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| General Motors has taken up a joint research project with IIT Delhi to develop a bio-diesel version of the Chevrolet Tavera.
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| The R&D arm of GM India, Bangalore-based India Science Laboratory (ISL), is co-ordinating the project. ISL undertakes research on vehicle design, virtual manufacturing, and automotive materials.
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| M&M is also working with IITs (Kanpur, Chennai, and Mumbai) for alternative energy technology in vehicles, said Pawan Goenka, president automotive, M&M.
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| The company is developing a hybrid Scorpio. A hybrid engine is one which uses electric energy in co-ordination with regular fuel energy. This is fuel efficient as well as environment friendly.
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| Tata Motors has partnered with leading IITs for various initiatives including new products and fuel-efficient engine development, said Ravi Kant, its managing director.
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| Ford Motor Company is planning to tie up with IIT Chennai in the areas of safety and emission norms, fuel-efficient engine technology, and software testing and development, Haren Gandhi, fuel head, Ford Motor Co, told Business Standard on his recent India visit.
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| Besides, Ford has set up a Henry Ford chair at IIT Delhi and IIT Chennai. Gandhi is also an advisor to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on fuel emission technology.
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| Officials at DaimlerChrysler and Honda Siel Cars India said they were open to a tie-up with IITs for mutual benefit. DaimlerChrysler has recently tied up with a Pune-based polytechnic in the area of mechatronics. |
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