Hero Motors and motorsport transmission specialist Hewland have formed a joint venture to provide high volume, high-quality powertrain solutions for OEMs.
The joint venture will utilise Hewland’s advanced transmission design capability and flexible UK manufacturing alongside Hero Motors high quality, cost leading, mass manufacturing capabilities, allowing customers to be supported from initial concept design, right through to high volume supply.
Hewland is world renowned for their performance transmissions, which are used throughout the top levels of motorsport. Hewland also increasingly supports numerous pre-production development programs for a host of OEMS. “We are delighted to announce this Joint Venture with Hero Motors” said Hewland Chairman, William Hewland. “We will continue proudly with our UK manufacturing business within motorsport and the increasing design and prototype service we provide to OEMs. However we will now be able to carry our clients’ prototypes into competitive mass production via our partners at Hero Motors. We will also add product technology to Hero as applicable.”
Hero Motors has seen significant growth particularly with European OEM’s over the past few years; this is on the back of their consistent quality and performance. “This is definitely a big day for us.” Mr Pankaj Munjal, chairman of Hero Motors said. “With this we are not only increasing our global presence and our association with leading international brands, but also expanding our Indian market as well. It will help the company give the best of its technology and services to customers at a competitive price.”
The new company will be registered in the UK and known as Hero Hewland Limited, with its head office being located in Maidenhead near London. Hero Hewland has already seen significant interest from OEM customers. “It was evident that there was a need for this capability and our initial customer contacts are confirming this” said Hewland CEO, Steve Robins. “We look forward to significant growth opportunities supporting new and existing customers for mass volume programs”.
Hero Hewland’s customers will benefit from advanced transmission design, prototype and low volume manufacture, test and support by a leading UK transmission company, together with a cost leading high quality mass manufacture option with Hero Motors. This strong partnership will provide powertrain solutions for automotive and commercial vehicle OEM’s, along with an ever growing electric vehicle customer.