Research and development (R&D) executives in Indian auto companies are on a high. The Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car that was unveiled by Tata Motors Ltd in January, showcases low-cost engineering, a concept the world had dismissed as a fad. Across Indian auto makers, engineers are hard at work designing and developing products that could become the global benchmark. ‘Mint’ profiles five R&D executives in the Indian auto industry who are helping write this script.
Girish Wagh
Head (Tata Nano project team), Tata Motors Ltd
Born: 2 December 1970
Education: BE (mechanical), Pune University, 1992; postgraduate in manufacturing management from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, 1997
Joined current company: July 1992
First job: Tata Motors. Hired through campus recruitment process
Professional experience: With Tata Motors throughout
Significant achievements: “I have had great satisfaction with all the projects I have been involved (with), among which the Nano is (the) most challenging. Ace has also given immense satisfaction.”
Claim to fame: Design and development of the Tata Ace mini truck and the Tata Nano
Role model/icon: None, but “I learn from everyone I work with”.
Consumer verdict: “I think the Ace is still the best vehicle in its segment. It has good looks, mileage and is stable to drive,” said Rameshchandra B. Vora, 51, proprietor of Jaibajrang Transport, and one of the first two customers to have bought the Ace in 2005. “The only problem with the Ace is that it still does not have enough power to climb on steep roads,” he added.
April 2007-February 2008 Sales: The Tata Ace, nearly 80,000 units
Arun Jaura
Chief technology officer, Mahindra Group
Born: 29 August 1960
Education: BE (mechanical engineering) , National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, 1982; MTech, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, 1991; PhD, Concordia University, Montreal, 1996
Joined current company: May 2005. Hired by Pawan Goenka, president (automotive sector), and Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (M&M) chairman Anand Mahindra
First job: Scientist with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) at Chennai. He worked there for 10 years on design of battle tanks and combat aircraft systems
Professional experience: After DRDO, he joined Ford Motor Co. in 1996 where he worked for almost 10 years. In his last assignment at Ford, Jaura was responsible for vehicle engineering of the Escape hybrid platform in Detroit
Significant achievements: “It would be the hydrogen combustion engines hybrid done in 2003 at Ford. In fact, it was the first one on the planet and I have a patent on that.”
Claim to fame: Has five patents issued in the US, Europe and Japan for different technologies, including hybrid technology. Responsible for new vehicle development at M&M, including the new Scorpio V-series and its mHawk engine as well as hybrid vehicles and hybrid technology for Mahindra’s automotive sector
Role model/icon: BMW 3- and 5-Series