Auto Monitor
2 APRIL 2012
C O R P O R AT E
20
Sharing information helped tide over crisis faster Japan to support India with technology for robust modern railways Nabeel A Khan New Delhi
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apanese government is open to lend technological support to India especially for bullet trains and other infrastructure related works, the representative of Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters of the Cabinet Secretariat of Japan, Kenichiro Takemura told Auto Monitor in an interview recently. Kenichiro Takemura was in India to host Japan Next–Quality Product Show. The show was designed to establish that Japan is back with a bang after the tsunami. During the three-day event, many products were displayed including Maruti Suzuki’s soon
to be launched Multi Purpose Utility Vehicle—Ertiga and Toyota Prius.
Facing A Crisis The devastating earthquaketsunami on March 11 last year, crippled several industries including the automotive industry, largely because many of them and their vendors were based in the affected northeastern parts of the country that was destroyed. Car manufacturers, both in Japan and around the world, were expected to suffer shortage of parts at least until the end of this year. However, the efficiency of the Japanese and companies helped the companies and the economy recover faster. Within
six months from the disaster, Japan’s giant automotive groups were back in action, showing off their latest models at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Path To Recovery In India, Japanese automobile companies like Toyota Kirloskar Motors, Honda Siel Cars are competing with South Korean vehicle maker Hyundai Motor India. Hyundai has become India’s second largest carmakers while no Japanese carmakers (except Maruti Suzuki) have been able gain major share in terms of volume. Honda Siel Cars was severely affected by tsunami but resumed normal global production within six months of the disaster
The Opening Ceremony of ‘Japan Next’ in New Delhi
globally despite having major component supplier’s base in Japan. However, Thailand floods affected parts supply to several locations including India.
Honda Siel bore the brunt as it depends on Thailand for major supplies. The most affected models were recently launched Brio, Jazz (hatchback) and City (Sedan). Similarly, Toyota Kirloskar had also suffered due to supply constraints.
Sharing Information On asking about the process of recovery in the country after the natural calamity, he stated that the main reason behind the speedy recovery from the devastating tsunami and earthquake was that the Japanese government shared as much information as they could with its people and other global entities and nations helped in bettering the situation faster. Kenichiro Takemura said “Hiding things makes situation only critical so we disseminated every piece of information on the status with the people across the world.” He added that the greatest contribution came from the people of Japan whose spirit never dies and they become stronger every time they face a tragedy. In order to take the bilateral relations with India further, the Japanese government is ready to support India with technology for modern railways apart from many others including bullet train which not affected even during the earthquake and tsunami.
Indo-Japanese Partnership Speaking on the occasion, Japanese Ambassador to India, Akitaka Saiki, said “India and Japan have enjoyed the interaction of culture, people and economies since a very long time. It is our responsibility to further deepen and mature a partnership of solidarity that has been built on basic values as well as the strategic benefits for the good of both the countries. ‘Japan Next’ will be an expression of our nation’s determination to overcome the current challenges and rise above adversity”.
Uttam Bose joins HM as MD, Manoj Jha moves to Cimmco
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ttam Bose will be replacing Manoj Jha as new Managing Director of Hindustan Motors by 2 April, 2012. Prior to this, Bose was serving as Group CEO of Hero Motors. Meanwhile, Manoj Jha has taken over as managing director of Cimmco Ltd. The company is in the business of Railway Wagons and Heavy Engineering Projects.