Car makers lean on IITs to check gas guzzlers

In their efforts to become more fuel-efficient, leading automotive companies such as General Motors, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) have tied up with Indian institutes of technology (IITs) for carrying out research and development (R&D) work. Some others including Ford Motor Company are expected to follow suit.

"With liquid fuel costs hitting $70 per barrel and going further, automotive companies around the world are trying to find new fuel-efficient engine technologies. The companies have tied up with premier research institutions in countries where they are present. Moreover, high-quality research can be done in a cost-effective manner at an institution like the IIT," said Anang Dev Jena, head of Delhi-based automotive consultancy Synovate Motoresearch India.

In addition to looking at developing alternative fuel technologies like bio-diesel and hybrid engines for their vehicles, the tie-ups will extend to areas like auto-software, mechatronics, material technology, and vehicle design.

General Motors has taken up a joint research project with IIT Delhi to develop a bio-diesel version of the Chevrolet Tavera.

The R&D arm of GM India, Bangalore-based India Science Laboratory (ISL), is co-ordinating the project. ISL undertakes research on vehicle design, virtual manufacturing, and automotive materials.

M&M is also working with IITs (Kanpur, Chennai, and Mumbai) for alternative energy technology in vehicles, said Pawan Goenka, president automotive, M&M.

The company is developing a hybrid Scorpio. A hybrid engine is one which uses electric energy in co-ordination with regular fuel energy. This is fuel efficient as well as environment friendly.

Tata Motors has partnered with leading IITs for various initiatives including new products and fuel-efficient engine development, said Ravi Kant, its managing director.

Ford Motor Company is planning to tie up with IIT Chennai in the areas of safety and emission norms, fuel-efficient engine technology, and software testing and development, Haren Gandhi, fuel head, Ford Motor Co, told Business Standard on his recent India visit.

Besides, Ford has set up a Henry Ford chair at IIT Delhi and IIT Chennai. Gandhi is also an advisor to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on fuel emission technology.

Officials at DaimlerChrysler and Honda Siel Cars India said they were open to a tie-up with IITs for mutual benefit. DaimlerChrysler has recently tied up with a Pune-based polytechnic in the area of mechatronics.