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MAHLE India to double business in 4–6 years: Milind Godbole
Articles- Dec 27,25
MAHLE India to double business in 4–6 years: Milind Godbole
How is MAHLE serving the requirements of the auto industry? Please also share a brief overview of MAHLE’s India businesses.
MAHLE in India started its journey since 1958 and our business has grown substantially over the last six decades. Today, MAHLE has a strong pan-India presence through 15 locations which include 13 manufacturing plants, 1 R&D centre and a HQ in Pune. Our India employees and associates strength totals ~5,800. Together through our three strategic areas of offerings - ICE, Thermal and Electrification, we serve customers across all vehicles segments with sales expected to cross ~0.5 billion euro in 2025. Further, looking at the current growth momentum, we expect our India business to double in the next 4-6 years.
How would you describe the current state of the Indian auto industry? How have industry dynamics changed in recent years as OEMs balance investments between legacy ICE capabilities and emerging EV technologies?
While the global auto industry is going through a transformation- supply chain disruptions, intensifying tariff regimes, shift to electrification, environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, etc, the Indian auto industry is witnessing an optimistic outlook along with these changing trends. The strong growth momentum within the Indian economy presents a unique opportunity!
India currently has taken the position of the third largest passenger vehicle market, and it continues to grow. This gives confidence to Indian and global manufacturers to further expand their capacities. However, unpredictable geopolitical trends, influenced mainly by uncertain regulation changes and tariffs, create a complex situation while evaluating investment decisions. Having said that, India continues to offer competitive advantages in services and manufacturing verses other global manufacturing hubs.
How crucial is sustainability for auto OEMs today? How does MAHLE, as a supplier, support OEMs in meeting their sustainability goals?
Sustainability is critical for auto OEMs today, driven by environment responsibilities, strict govt regulations and an introduction of BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting). Evolving consumer demands, investor pressure, and potential for significant long-term business value also provide a strong momentum for enhanced focus. Sustainability and Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) continues to be a key corner stone MAHLE in developing our long term strategy and for consistently monitoring our progress in these areas.
Also, sustainability for MAHLE means remaining a reliable partner for our customers while innovating our products to minimise environmental impact. Sustainability is embedded as a strategic enabler in our group strategy MAHLE 2030+. Carbon reduction is one of the five strategic goals of MAHLE. MAHLE has positioned itself for the future with a clear goal: to make mobility more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and more comfortable.
We offer customers attractive, competitive, and sustainable solutions in all major global markets and for all types of drive systems. While our focus is on products where we have or can achieve a leading market position, all MAHLE activities are driven by the principle to maximise output while minimising emissions. We strive for efficiency in everything that moves, which is why we call out our mission statement as “Efficiency in Motion”. This slogan reflects both our solutions and the way we work- seamless collaboration that is focused on delivering value to our customers and achieving our goals.
With the industry accelerating its shift towards electrification, how is MAHLE supporting EV manufacturing?
MAHLE entered the Electronics & Mechatronics business in 2013 by acquiring Letrika, a Slovenia based company and thus made its presence into India as well through a Letrika’ JV in Coimbatore. This entity named MAHLE Electric drives India Pvt Ltd is now a fully owned subsidiary of MAHLE and is producing e-2 wheeler & e-3 wheeler (e2/3W) drive motors and motor controllers locally since mid-2020.
At present, we are catering to various e2/3W customers and have a good order book as well. We added a state of art testing centre in 2023 to our manufacturing location, thereby developing local competencies for product validations. We also built in-house production competencies for motor winding and inverter box. Apart from e2&3W segment, we are also increasing our focus on Passenger Vehicle (PV) segments for thermal and drive systems and additional products like Electric Cooling Fan (ECF) Motors, e-Compressors etc.
With geopolitical re-alignments underway, what significant challenges are Indian auto component manufacturers facing—especially regarding raw material imports, semiconductors, etc.?
In the recent times factors like high tariff, trade sanctions, ban on export of certain products have created multiple challenges for the Indian auto industry. For instance, reliance mainly on one country for critical components viz. rare earth elements and semiconductors, have resulted in supply risks and a need to diversify sourcing. Policy shifts and carbon taxes in trade with developed markets are seeing suppliers set up local production facilities in export markets, adopt greener practices, and diversify export customer base.
How do you see the automotive ecosystem evolving over the next 2–3 years?
Given the current transition from ICE to EV in the global auto industry, I reckon the next 2-3 years are very crucial for the Indian automotive ecosystem as there is an immense scope and space for all types of vehicles. The numerous initiatives aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of Government of India e.g. the PLI scheme, FAME, PM-EDRIVE and much-awaited vehicle regulation related policy will further develop the Indian automotive ecosystem for the domestic market as well as the international export market.
The Market share of India passenger cars OEM’s which has doubled in the past six years is expected to rise further. And a noticeable factor is variety of battery electric vehicles (BEV) passenger vehicles offered by the OEMs in India. Earlier only a couple of OEMs had BEVs in their fleet, but now we see almost every OEM has started focusing on BEVs.
What are MAHLE’s plans to further strengthen its presence in the auto industry?
As a reliable business partner, MAHLE takes pride in our state of art technologies aligned to shape future mobility. At MAHLE, we have evolved MAHLE 2030+ as our strategic goal that focuses on three key strategy fields: Electrification, Thermal Management, and ICE. The recent Business Unit restructurings within the company have helped accelerate the implementation of our MAHLE 2030+ strategy and is allowing us to react in a more effective and agile manner with resilience to the persistently challenging global market conditions.
In closing, I would emphasise MAHLE’s Technological diversity which also drives our strategic approach described above. For example, if there is an additional opportunity for biofuel blending, MAHLE is ready to support that and contribute with its expertise through MAHLE Global Bio-mobility Centre in Brazil well supported by MAHLE global R&D capability. Likewise, with our innovations for thermal systems, electrification and sustainable powertrain solutions we will continue to explore and strengthen our overall product portfolio.
About the author:
Milind Godbole is President of MAHLE India with over 17 years of leadership in the automotive and industrial sectors. He has held senior roles at Honeywell, including Vice President & General Manager for North America, and has expertise in business strategy, operations and growth across global markets.
Blurbs (if required) -- FOR PRINT
The Market share of India passenger cars OEM’s which has doubled in the past six years is expected to rise further.
India currently has taken the position of the third largest passenger vehicle market, and it continues to grow.
MAHLE India
Milind Godbole
ICE
Electrification
Thermal Management
Electric Vehicles
Sustainability
ESG
MAHLE 2030+
Auto Components
Passenger Vehicles
e-2W
e-3W
Electric Drive Motors
Motor Controllers
e-Compressors
Electric Cooling Fans
Local Manufacturing
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