Webasto AG and Indian automotive component major Sumi Motherson are setting up a joint venture to make sunroofs. The initial investment is pegged at €1.5 million and the joint venture partnership is 51:49 in favour of the German firm.
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The assembly unit will be in Noida, near Delhi, though the plan is to use Motherson’s existing facilities across India in future.
The company has already launched a range of sunroofs in India under the Hollandia brand name with prices varying between INR13,500 (€245, simple, pop-up, manual operation) and INR150,000 (€2,725).
The JV plans to take the franchise route for distribution. The management believes that they can achieve 10% fitment in all new cars sold and are already in talks with carmakers.
Guenther Schwanitz, GM-emerging markets for Webasto AG, said: “India holds a lot of potential for automotive lifestyle products and we will supply sunroofs for any car from a Maruti to a Maybach.”
India has not been a strong market for sunroofs and Webasto is the first major brand to enter the market.
Deepesh Rathore / Tilak Swarup
