38 | AutoPartsAsia | AUGUST 2017FOCUS
BorgWarner Thermal System
Strives To Be Locally Strong
And Globally Connected
BorgWarner which believes in having manufacturing capability close to the customer
base, has commissioned a vistronic drive manufacturing line at its plant in Sriperum-
budur, near Chennai, recently... “Imports are resorted to for only low economic volumes,
which is expensive. When there are sizable volumes and the market is good, it is better to
have local manufacture. Local solutions are in line with customer expectations of value
for money. Even for low volumes of 10-20 thousand pieces we do not import but invest
in moulds so that it is economical for the customer,” Karl Wagner, Vice President Global
Sales & Engineering, Thermal Systems, BorgWarner and
G Murali, Director & Plant Head, BorgWarner Cooling Systems India, told
T Murrali of AutoParts Asia.“O
ne of our competitive
advantages is our
global footprint; we
are very close to our
main markets and customers. In
BorgWarner our thermal footprint
is very solid today; we are located
in India, China, Thailand and will
continue to invest depending on how
the markets develop,” Wagner said.
“Vistronic is a combination of
electronic and alloy controlled
viscous device that has a solenoid.
Now we are thinking of adding an
electronically-controlled motor to
it – we call it dual mode technology
that allows you to drive a fan
mechanically, and also electrically.
This not only gives you advantages
from a performance viewpoint but
also takes into account the migration
to hybrid and electric vehicles. We
are building competencies in-house
to be able to make these products.
Our product portfolio will migrate
from air flow devices to more
proactive thermal management by
adding coolant pump machines.
Magnetic controlled water pumps is
the next big step for mature markets;
that’s the next technological step for
India as well which will give a further
fuel efficiency benefit of 0.7-1.5
percent on trucks – a big fuel saving
potential for the end user,” Wagner
said.
“Electrification is the big way for us
now. The key is to have the product
line available when the value is
recognised by the end user in the
Karl Wagner