Auto firm short of engineers

Makers of the multi-utility Rhino car in Himachal Pradesh's Amb unit of Una district is not able to find enough auto engineers in the state to meet its growing demand.

"There is a shortage of auto-engineers in Himachal and we are not able to get 80 diploma holder engineers every year for our plant in Amb," said R.S. Parmar, chief general manager, Sonalika Rhino group.

According to the law, all industrial units availing central tax concessions in the state must employ at least 70 per cent locals as staff.

The plant came into operation some couple of years ago and is producing 500 rhino cars every month, but aims to raise this four times to 2000 cars, said a company official.

The company has invested Rs 200 crore in this plant and plans to pump in another Rs 800 crore by 2009. This unit is spread in an area of 50 acres and also produces tractors and agricultural thrashers.

"By July we are also planning to roll out our first auto three wheelers. The company is also considering bringing out a budget small car soon," said Parmar.

The Sonalika group has recently conducted successful Euro 4 trials of its rhino car in Pune.