Tata Autocomp to launch 2-wheeler batteries

Kochi, Mar 24: Tata Autocomp GY Batteries Ltd., a joint venture of Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd. and G S Yuasa International, Japan, today announced that it will launch batteries for two wheelers and commercial and farm vehicles by this year-end.

Launching the 'Tata Green' range of batteries for passenger cars and utility vehicles in Kerala, company CEO Yogesh Dhawan said these batteries were based on 'calcium-calcium' technology and had longer battery and shelf life.

''The distinctive design of the calcium-calcium battery minimises water loss, reduces self-discharge, increases storage time and provides best protection from acid spillage and sparks,'' he added.

He said the company, a 50:50 venture between Tata Autocomp and G S Yuasa, had plans to invest nearly Rs 100 crore in its plant at Ranjangaon, Pune, in the next three years.

The company, which had launched its Tata Green battery in the market in December last year, was targetting a turnover of Rs 150 crore to Rs 160 crore during 2007-08. The Ranjangaon plant would have a total capacity to manufacture two million batteries in the next three years. It presently manufactures 500,000 batteries.

Mr Dhawan said nearly 60 per cent of the battery replacements for used vehicles was sourced from the unorganised sector. He claimed that the unorganised sector units often flouted the Battery Management Handling Rules (BMHR), 2001, prescribed by the Government for safe disposal of lead batteries.

The total market for four wheeler batteries in the country was nine million units per annum while for two wheelers it was 13 million units. The automobile sector was growing at 12 to 15 per cent per year, he added.

UNI