Igus-retrofitted micro car visits 61 OEMs, Tier 1s across India

A retrofitted car from Germany-based polymer bearing manufacturer Igus has received an overwhelming response from engineers and designers attached to several OEMs and Tier 1 component suppliers across India.

Antony P Kurian, chief operating officer of Igus (India), said the micro car fitted with the company’s Iglidur range of polymer bearings has taken a tour in India following its appearance at the recent Auto Expo in New Delhi.

The car, which has travelled around 4,600km across the country, concluded its trip in Bangalore yesterday. The car has been fitted with 56 types of lightweight bearings for various applications including seat systems, convertible top, handbrake, pedals, gearshift, window lifter, windscreen wiper, throttle valve and alternator.

The mission of the tour was to spread awareness about the benefits of lightweight polymer bearings manufactured by Igus, said Kurian. Igus bearings help reduce overall vehicle weight as well as noise levels; they are corrosion-free too. Unlike metal bearings, lubrication is not necessary for Igus bearings, which means that they are almost free from maintenance and are cost effective.

Among the companies where the Iglidur-on-Tour car stopped by include Tata Motors, Mercedes-Benz India, AMW Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Brakes India. A good number of engineers and designers from each company held on-the-spot discussions with Igus officials over the different types of bearings fitted in the car.

“These companies already use some Igus bearings in their products. Now the retrofitted car has got them thinking to go about using more Igus polymer bearings in their products in the future,” said Kurian.

Sascha Laufenberg of Igus, who has been driving the car on the world tour, said the retrofitted car is likely to visit around 40 countries and cover around 100,000km by next December. He said the car was driven over a variety of terrain including rural roads, mountain paths, beaches, deserts, agricultural fields and national highways while covering 14 major cities in India.  The car will now travel to China followed by other Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The Igus car will then make a trip to Amercia, Canada and Brazil before making its way back to Europe.

Photograph: Antony P Kurian, chief operating officer of Igus (India), with the company’s Iglidur-on-Tour micro car.