Drivetrains For Real Demand

Automotive manufacturers are tapping into the mix of next-generation technological developments with localisation for vehicular platform consolidation. Ashish Bhatia looks at this strategy to manufacture drivetrains for the real demand.

- Ashish Bhatia

Vehicular platform consolidation is a well known global practice aimed at reducing manufacturing and platform up-gradation complexity. It is also a way to reduce any redundancies that may exist. However, the practice continues to evolve with rigour and in some cases appears near perfected. From just underpinning one chassis to multiple bodies that lacked much flexibility, the approach today is far more flexible with mind-boggling permutations and combinations made possible by advanced engineering. It has made room for customisation to attain a whole new level as the ecosystem aligns itself with the evolving customer demands across segments. The core constituents of a platform which includes the drivetrain, chassis, steering and other components can today be shared between different vehicles in a modular approach.

The vehicles are no longer required to be of the same size to be able to do so. Original Equipment Manufacturers are taking along tier suppliers key to the new-age product development. After all the modular platforms share most components leading to higher efficiencies in the supply chain and presenting better chances of realising the desired economies of scale. Together, they are actively scouting for newer ways of tapping into this expansive mix of next-generation technological developments at their disposal. Localising it to meet the different demographic needs including different energy sources to meet the law of the land is the other layer that they are working on. The strategy is to manufacturer drivetrains for the real demand.