ZF Steering is planning to make hydraulic power steering system for tractors. The new product samples have already been developed and are given to the customers for validation and for other standard procedures. Once that process is completed, ZF will produce the steering at its Pune plant where the company is manufacturing hydraulic power steering for commercial vehicles. No major additional investment would be needed as the machinery is the same. However, some new tools for gauging and quality check might be required.

Good monsoon has created good demand for tractors. The OEMs are trying to attract the new buyers with more convenient features like power steering. The market sentiment is not fully open to new technologies. However, there is potential for the auto component makers to start planning and working on it.