Hero MotoCorp, AVL pair up for engine development

India’s largest two-wheeler maker by volumes, Hero MotoCorp will now work with world’s largest privately owned engine developer, AVL Engineering, to share its technology for manufacturing Hero vehicles’ engines that would be developed in-house. “We have tied up with AVL to develop our in-house capabilities in technologies. A team from our R&D division is already in Austria working in close coordination with AVL ITC (Indian Technical Centre) based in Gurgaon,” said Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, Hero MotoCorp.

The tie-up with AVL (Anstalt für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen List) is completely separate from its recent strategic alliance with Erik Buell Racing. Hero would also improve its existing models by putting in their learnings with the two tie-ups. AVL has earlier developed frugal workhorses for Royal Enfield and Mahindra & Mahindra. “We would be developing engines of all sizes to make new products and also refurbish the existing product line,” added Munjal. This will surely ramp up visibility among the 11 million strong two-wheeler consumer base in the country.

Hero also plans on working on its concept hybrid scooter showcased at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo with the R&D imparted from the two companies. Currently, Hero has 16 two-wheelers in the country – CD Dawn, CD Deluxe, Pleasure, Splendor +, Splendor NXG, Passion Pro, Super Splendor, Glamour, Splendor Pro, Glamour PGM Fi, Achiever,CBZ Xtreme, Hunk, Karizma, Karizma ZMR and its latest entry, the Impulse. The two-wheeler came out as India’s first trans-roader and won accolades like the ‘2011 Bike of the Year’ award in the ET-ZigWheels Car & Bike of the Year awards.