As Indian car manufacturers plan to tap the growing global market for fuel-efficient compact cars through a series of launches in Europe and the US, two of the majors recently went scouting to Detroit for experienced engineers.
Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd participated in the Society of Auto Engineers' 2009 World Congress Career Fair at Detroit last month. The fair lures a significant number of engineers from the US, and given the current slump in the job market, many would actually be available for Indian firms.
Maruti has shortlisted 10 candidates from the fair so far. Tata Motors declined to give details, but confirmed it is looking at recruiting specialists for different functions of product development, given their research and development (R&D) expansion plans in India. It currently has a 2,000 strong team across facilities, here and abroad.
As both the companies firm up plans to strengthen their R&D infrastructure to launch new platforms, delving into technologies on alternative fuels, hybrids and electric vehicles, among others, they are looking at people with relevant knowhow on emission and safety norms in Europe and the US.
MSIL's India R&D is among the largest Suzuki facilities outside Japan. Currently employing 730 people, it is, at present, in the process of being strengthened to develop new cars independently.
"The focus will primarily be on small cars," said a spokesperson. "We are recruiting for engine, transmission, body electricals, styling and product planning, brakes, suspension, safety & crash, interiors, BIW (body in white -- exterior)."
The company's export order has doubled to 150,000 cars in the current fiscal, largely on the back of demand from Europe for its hatchback, A-Star, that sells under the Alto brand overseas. It is also working on upgrading the Omni and the M-800 to Bharat Stage-4 standard.
On a similar drive, Tata Motors, which aims to take the Nano model to the US, has to work on the emission norms and safety parameters to meet standards there. The Tata Nano now meets BS-2 and BS-3 standards.
The company recently displayed the Nano Europa at the 79th Geneva Motor show, together with the Tata Prima, a concept luxury sedan, and Tata Indica Vista EV, an electric vehicle.
It also has plans to launch an electric version of Ace, the popular sub-one tonne pick-up truck, in the US, besides making it more fuel-efficient for domestic sales.
