ASK Automotive Ltd recently entered into a joint venture with Japanese auto parts maker AISIN Group for the distribution of the latter’s products. ASK Automotive, however, is likely to localise the manufacturing of some of the AISIN products in India before the end of this decade, according to a senior company official.
ASK Automotive makes brake shoes and advanced braking systems for two-wheelers while supplying aluminum lightweighting precision solutions and safety control cables. Its customers include Honda Motorcycles, Hero MotoCorp, Royal Enfield, Ampere and Ather. It also exports components to companies such as Polaris and Aptiv.
In April 2024, ASK Automotive entered into a joint venture with AISIN Group to market and sell auto components in independent aftermarket for passenger car products. This marked ASK Automotive's entry into the passenger car segment. The products include turbochargers, clutch sets, ball joints, and air filters.
“The relationship currently is focused on the independent aftermarket part. We are very proud of the relationship. The Japanese are very long-term players. I see a huge potential where localisation of some of the components will come in, and they are also expanding their base in India,” ASK Automotive Executive Director Aman Rathee told Autocar Professional.
AISIN is among the top 10 global tier-one automotive suppliers of passenger car products. ASK Automotive also has a joint venture with FRAS-LE, Brazil, production of brake pads and linings for commercial vehicles to supply the OEM and IAM markets.
ASK Automotive currently has a total of 18 manufacturing facilities and exports to seven countries. The company reported a total revenue of Rs 3,005 crore in the financial year 2024 while its net profit came in at Rs 173.77 crore.
Rathee noted that ASK Automotive’s annual capital expenditure has been in the range of Rs 250-300 crore and is likely to remain the same going forward in the mid-to-medium term.