New contract with leading Indian manufacturer of Commercial Vehicles

Kongsberg Automotive (KA) Pune in India has been awarded a contract for cable gear shift systems for manual transmissions from a leading Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer. The contract, worth EUR 22,8 million over 4 years for the New Generation Truck platform (multiple models), represents a breakthrough for KA in the Indian commercial vehicle market.

Total vehicle volume under the program is expected to reach 80 000 units annually, and the program is scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2013. The entire assembly will be produced at KA’s facility in Pune, India.

KA’s unique cable shift system design will give the customer a competitive advantage and provide greater shifting comfort and a lower total operating cost for the end user. The contract demonstrates KA’s ability to win Driver Control business with unique functionality on global product programs for growth markets like India.

Kongsberg Automotive decided a few years ago to localize production of selected products in India and work closely with Indian manufacturers to serve the country’s increasing demand for transportation.

“KA is a proven, world-class manufacturer of premium ‘man to machine’ interface systems, and this OEM recognizes that. KA is now positioned for further growth with this customer having already been awarded a similar application for their rear engine buses”, said Håkon Amundsen, VP Sales & Marketing, Driver Control Systems at Kongsberg Automotive.

“Our improving market position in India, combined with India’s continued growth in trade, infrastructure and demand for transportation will provide long-term growth opportunities for KA,” added Amundsen.