Tata AutoComp GY Batteries to launch products for commercial vehicles, inverters
05 Jan 2008
Mumbai: Tata AutoComp GY Batteries (TGY), the joint venture between Tata AutoComp Systems (TACO) and Japan's GS Yuasa International is planning to include batteries for commercial vehicles, tractors, and inverters into its product portfolio.
The company launched its products in India with car and utility vehicle batteries in February 2007. By June 2007, it included two-wheeler batteries, which were imported from GH Yuasa's plant in Thailand. Tractor batteries were launched in December 2007.
According to TGY chief executive Yogesh Dhawan, this month will see the launch of inverter batteries. He said that TGY is also talks with select domestic and international auto companies, and is looking to partner in their hybrid and electric vehicle plans.
According to Dhawan, the company has ''a capacity to manufacture 0.5 million units now, which will be doubled by June. Our original plan was to touch 2 million units by 2010, but looking at the demand, we have pre-poned our investments to produce 3 million units by 2010.'' Under the free trade agreement that is in place between India and Thailand, batteries carry lower import duty. Therefore, in the absence of volumes, it makes better business sense to import.
