June 4, 2007 -- Highly placed sources told DNA Money that Minda Group had signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Tata Motors this week for supply of different kind of auto components for the small car. The group will supply switches, horns, lights and battery to Tata Motors for the Rs 1 lakh car, which will be a four-door, four-seater with a 600 cc engine.

Nirmal Minda, managing director, N K Minda Group in an e-mail to DNA Money, said, "We have been shortlisted as one of the vendors for supplying parts to Tata's 1 lakh car project. We have five lines of products including switches, horns, lighting, LPG/CNG tanks and batteries. As for the exact parts which we will supply will only be known once we have an LOI from Tata."

The Delhi-based Rs 831 crore N K Minda Group has a joint venture with FIAMM SpA of Italy for horns and batteries too. Another group company, Minda Autogas, is the 100% supplier of LPG kits to Maruti's WagonR duo. The Rs 1 lakh dream car is likely to roll out around May 2008 from Singur in West Bengal. Sources said the iconic car could be named Jeh after JRD Tata.

The car is currently being tested and the engine has seen changes in the last four months. While Bosch will supply the engine kit, both petrol and diesel, Sona Koyo and Rane will provide the steering, Shriram Pistons the pistons and Ricoh Auto the clutch. Minda designs, develops and manufactures switches for two/three-wheelers and off-road vehicles. It also manufactures lamps for these vehicles. It has some of the most reputed automotive component manufacturers as its joint-venture partners including Japan's Tokai Rika Co Ltd, Taiwan's TYC Brother Ind Company Ltd and US' Impco Technologies Inc.

Source: DNA - Daily News & Analysis
Source: Factiva