Tapukara (Alwar), India, September 26, 2008 – Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, inaugurated the 1st phase of operations at its second plant at Tapukara Industrial Area, Rajasthan. The new facility, which features world-class manufacturing techniques, was inaugurated by Smt. Vasundhara Raje, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Rajasthan, Takeo Fukui, President & CEO, Honda Motors Co. and Hideaki Domichi, Japanese Ambassador in India amidst a galaxy of senior Government and Honda officials, stake holders and Honda partners.
The inauguration of Phase I operations included the unveiling of a state of the art Press Facility and a modern and technologically advanced Power Train Unit for engine components. The Press and Power train unit will supply body panels and engine components to HSCI’s Greater Noida plant. These state-of-the-art technologies will provide the flexibility to HSCI to produce its models more quickly and efficiently.
With the Indo-ASEAN FTA in place, HSCI will get integrated into Honda’s pan-Asia supply chain network and this plant will be used to export certain engine components to Asian countries.
Honda will launch its premium hatchback Honda Jazz in India in Year 2009. In view of the importance of small cars in Indian market and the enthusiastic response which the company got for the Jazz when it was showcased at the Auto Expo in New Delhi this year, it has been decided to pre-pone the launch of the Honda Jazz to the middle of next year. The initial roll out of the car will be done from the current plant at Greater Noida.
Honda will also set-up R&D function in India to focus on market and environmental research and development of local components and materials more suited to Indian conditions.
In order to nurture the talent and enhance the skill levels of the youth of the region, Honda will set up a college for imparting technical education in the field of automobile technology wherein a 3 year Honda certified program course would be offered.
Takeo Fukui President & CEO, Honda Motors Co, in his address said, “For Honda, India is a very important market and our faith in India’s growth story stays intact. Our investment plans in India are on track and Honda is confident of catering to the increasing demand of our Indian customers through this new plant.”
“The new and enhanced facility is in line with Honda’s latest global plants with great emphasis on environment protection and safety,” he added.
Key Features of the Tapukara Plant – Phase I
Press Facility
The Press Facility comprising of 1500 ton tandem lead press and 3 other tandem press of 1000 ton each maintain a tact time of 7 seconds and is equipped with advanced features like
- Auto de-stack sheet feeder & online sheet cleaning
- Robotized part pick-up and transfer
- Safety sensors that stop robot and machine operation in case of breach of safety fence
- Under ground scrap conveyor
Modern Power Train Unit
- 30% of the machines in the Power Train Unit have been procured from local suppliers
- Crankshaft line having GSN (Gas Soft Nitriding) operation
- Unique Big end robotized cracking machine for connecting rod
Green Plant
- The new plant is modeled on the lines of Honda’s latest global plants with great emphasis on environment protection and safety.
- Zero Discharge Plant
- 25% of the land in plant with green cover
- Plantation of 20,000 trees in 1st year.
- Maximum usage on Natural Lighting for energy saving and healthy environment
- Rain water harvesting
Associates
The new plant has already employed 250 associates which is likely to go up to 500 by end of the current fiscal year.
Supplier’s Cluster
The supplier’s cluster is spread over 150 acres having space for 8 critical and bulky part suppliers. Proximity to the HSCI’s car plant and use of most updated techniques and features by these suppliers will make the overall process of car production more efficient.