SHORT TAKES

Polaris plans to Make In India

Polaris India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the US-based off-road vehicle maker Polaris Industries, is exploring the possibility of assembling its iconic motorcycle brand ‘Indian’ in India.

The company, which retails off-road and all-terrain vehicles in India, forayed into the superbike segment with ‘Indian’ early this year and has opened three outlets.

Polaris India managing director Pankaj Dubey said: “We are looking at a time horizon of about three to five years to assemble these bikes in India. Right now, the superbike industry is growing at a very rapid phase. We felt that it’s right for us to give this iconic product to the market.

“We have started expanding in a phase-wise manner across the country. We are opening now in Chennai. We will be expanding into Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Mumbai in the next three months.”

The company is also working on setting up more “experience centres” across the country for consumers to experience its products. It plans to take its current 39 to 200 over five years.

Honda works on India supply chain

Japan’s Honda Motor Co Indian unit plans to focus on local content in cars and improve the quality of its supply chain.

According to the CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd, Katsushi Inoue, the firm will work to reduce costs by using more local components and it will emphasise on improving the quality of logistics, manufacturing and dealerships before launching new models.

India is expected to be the world’s third largest car market by 2020 and on average about 90 per cent of components used by Honda in its cars are sourced locally in the country.

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL), a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co Ltd, is among the top three manufacturers of cars in India.

Another unit, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, has struck up a retail partnership with Italian apparel major GAS for a special limited edition capsule of GAS-Honda motor-biking clothing and accessories at 14 select Honda flagship stores.

Russia wants India as global hub

Russia wants to make India a global hub for the upgrade, maintenance and repair of conventional submarines.

The country’s leading shipyard in Zvyozdochka is in talks to select an Indian joint venture partner for a mega project to set up facilities. The JV has the potential of making the selected Indian shipyard a serious player in the international market.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed within a month.

Evgeny V Shustikov, deputy director-general of Zvyozdochka, said: “We are in the process of negotiating with an Indian shipyard and if these negotiations are successful, it could become our partner for future tasks of modernising Kilo class submarines.

“Not just for India but for third nations as well.”

Several rounds of talks have taken place between Zvyozdochka and Gujarat-based Pipavav Shipyard, which was recently acquired by Anil Ambani led Reliance Group.