News: DaimlerChrysler to increase component sourcing from India

(BL 13/12/2006) New Delhi - Automaker DaimlerChrysler today said it would source more components from India for its operations in other countries such as Japan, Germany and the US.

"Our sourcing from India has witnessed a compound annual growth rate of 20 per cent over the years and it will significantly go up in the coming years," said DaimlerChrysler Indian operation's chief, Wilfried Aulbur.

Aulbur said DaimlerChrysler is serving all the major markets through a group of Indian component makers and is looking at developing its vendor base in the country.

"Component sourcing from India is already the largest in South and South-East Asia and it will grow higher than the current level of 20 per cent,'' he said.

high-end products

The India chief said out of the total sourcing at present from the country, components account for 70 per cent with the remaining being services.

Aulbur said the company expects the market for high-end products in India to grow at a rapid pace.

The company had recently said it plans to set up a new plant in India, which could come up near Pune where it already has a manufacturing facility.

DaimlerChrysler India sold 1915 units in 2005, and expects its sales to grow at 15-20 per cent over the next few years.