India's Auto Suppliers Turn to Magnetless Tech and Copper Alternatives

Indian auto suppliers are working on magnetless technologies and alternatives to copper to mitigate raw material shortages and rising prices. Suresh D, GCTO and CEO of Spark Minda Technical Centre, Minda Corporation Ltd, said that these unique solutions aim to address supply-chain challenges.

The industry is looking at technology-led alternatives, including magnetless solutions and copper-aluminium mixed materials, to reduce dependence on rare earth magnets and expensive copper. However, Suresh noted that such alternatives may not completely offset the impact of higher input costs.

India's high level of localisation has helped the automotive industry withstand global supply disruptions better, but suppliers are still working to develop solutions to mitigate the effects of shortages. The solutions developed in India could eventually have applications in global markets.