Indian auto parts maker to supply aluminium die-casting parts for Tesla’s wiper systems

Gurgaon-based auto component supplier Sandhar Technologies has been selected to supply two wiper system parts for Tesla Model 3.

Recently, Elon Musk, CEO, Tesla Motors twitted that “Production unit 1 of Model 3 is now built and going through final checkout.”

The news was confirmed by Vinnie Mehta, director general of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). Sandhar will supply the aluminium die-casting parts to a Tier I supplier overseas who will assemble the final wiper system and supply them to Tesla, says pne of the sources.

Sandhar has strong and long-time experience in making aluminium die-casting parts indigenously. Recently, the company has signed a joint venture with a South Korean company Daewha Fuel Pump Ind for making wiper blades, filters and fuel pumps and supplying them to global OEMs.  

In 2007, Sandhar had set up a plant for manufacturing medium weight, high quality aluminium pressure die casting parts for vehicle restraint systems, windscreen wiper systems, anti-vibration systems and suspension systems in Spain. It had acquired Tecfisa of Barcelona to form Sandhar Technologies Barcelona. Sandhar Barcelona currently produces over 200,000 components per day. This could be a possible plant to supply the parts for the wiper systems.

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The company might also manufacture the die cast parts in Mexico where it had formed Sandhar Technologies Mexico in February 2015. The plant manufactures aluminium pressure die cast components for vehicle restraint systems for the NAFTA Region.  Notably, locally manufactured products in Mexico gets tax incentives on exports. The Tier I supplier could be one of its joint venture partners or another global Tier I supplier who has a presence in India and is already its customer.