Prodrive brings new technologies to Indian market
British motorsport and technology specialist, Prodrive, has established a partnership with Opti Engineering to help bring its engineering skills and technologies to vehicle manufacturers based in India.
Prodrive, which already has operations in the UK, China and Australia, has recognised that Indian vehicle manufacturers want to own the IP (Intellectual Property) that underpins the key technologies in their vehicle systems and to understand those systems to allow in-house development. “Three key elements have made our client relationships so successful in India,” says Tony Butcher, Prodrive managing director. “Our understanding of the priorities of the Indian customer, our impartiality towards different hardware providers and our willingness to share technical expertise in key systems. With the establishment of our partnership with Opti Engineering, there will now be a fourth factor; local support.”
Prodrive already works with several leading Indian vehicle manufacturers. The company’s AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), for example, has recently been applied to a number of different vehicles for the Indian market, helping to improve fuel economy and driveability for all sizes of personal and commercial vehicles at minimal additional cost compared with the existing manual transmission system. This highly durable, advanced technology was originally developed for Prodrive’s championship-winning Subaru Impreza World Rally Cars.
Opti Engineering will provide a range of engineering capabilities including mechanical and electronic design, analysis, supply chain expertise and workshop facilities. The company already has established working relationships with major automotive companies in the region.
Prodrive has already developed and applied a range of technologies for clients in all regions worldwide, covering all the major vehicle systems. In transmissions, its automated manuals have been applied to vehicle from scooters to trucks; in control systems, its substantial experience is increasingly applied to CO2 reduction strategies including hybrid and electric vehicles; in vehicle dynamics it has enhanced existing vehicles, engineered complete suspension systems and produced concept vehicles that incorporate advanced technologies such as its own Active Torque Dynamics (ATD) that optimises the dynamic performance of every type of vehicle, from sports cars to heavy off-road trucks.
As an independent specialist, Prodrive says it is well positioned to help manufacturers gain their own expertise in applying he latest technologies, from initial conceptual modelling and simulation, through specification of hardware, coding of software and sourcing of key components, and advising on programme management and quality processes where required.
“We help our clients through the challenges of applying unfamiliar technology,” concludes Butcher. “Ultimately, they gain technical independence and the insight to adapt each technology to their specific market requirements. Working with Prodrive is a strategy that delivers long-term value for our clients.”
