While the value of a vehicle depreciates as years pass by, the luxury added to it definitely counts. Also, customers are willing to pay for the luxury element in their vehicles today, and the details of the luxury differ from customer to customer. Tropicool Car Gadgets, a product development company, has been into enhancing the on-road experience for vehicle owners by adding the safety and luxury quotient to them. In a tete-a-tete with Khushboo Shinagare, Director at Tropicool, we find out the need for luxury gadgets in vehicles, their need in terms of safety, how their refrigerators for vehicles stand out and more.

The definition of luxury has changed today. Earlier, only the well-off could afford it, but now many from different backgrounds and sectors can. When it came to luxury in the automotive industry, it was perhaps more about comfort and interior. While that hasn’t changed today, there is still so much more, especially in terms of enhanced technology when it comes to better safety and comfort.

Boosting the driving, commuting and travel experience further, whether they are passenger vehicles or private vehicles, they also come with luxury gadgets and other accessories, with those for safety as well. Founded only 10 years ago, Tropicool Car Gadgets, a product development company, has been into enhancing the on-road experience for vehicle owners by adding the safety and luxury quotient to them. It provides innovative products for vehicles, from vehicle CCTV surveillance systems to rear-view cameras and from parking sensors to refrigerators, to put in the vehicle.

Luxury gadgets – are they really needed in vehicles?
But luxury holds a different definition for everyone, and many might ask how necessary that factor is in vehicles and passenger transportation today. Throwing some light on this, Shinagare explains, “There is definitely a need for luxury car gadgets in passenger transportation. If we look at the numbers, then 40 million of India’s population still uses public transport. There are several reasons behind this – for one, they probably don’t find public transportation comfortable enough. Or maybe there aren’t enough luxuries or facilities in it. So there is certainly a need for luxury in passenger transport. Everyone, from the lower class to middle class people, want to travel well – especially when they travel every day, day in and day out.”

“Besides, many elements come under luxury, from refrigerators to entertainment in the passenger vehicle. And now basic communication systems are a necessary. Moreover, our safety gadgets ensure that the driver  is well taken care of, who, in fact, endures more than the passengers. Therefore, a lot of our systems essentially help the driver make the whole journey safe,” she says.

Keeping driver safety and comfort in mind
Shinagare cites that Tropicool’s products are definitely targeted at certain customers that own vehicles. But as far as public transport is concerned, they are targeting everybody. “We want every vehicle to be equipped with our systems. Moreover, the basic safety and comfort of the driver is covered when they are driving,” she asserts.

Turning to localisation
Most of Tropicool’s products are manufactured overseas. However, the company has already gone local with about 30 percent of its products. “We are manufacturing them in Pune and have an R&D team set up now,” Shinagare informs us and continues, “Our product line comes with very advanced technology. In India, however, we have a lack of resources for these kinds of products. In fact, the whole world relies on China and Taiwan for such products, and we are no different.”

“However, we are looking at localising our cameras and other products slowly. Yet, at the same time, we also need more volumes to manufacture here. Hence, from a cost point of view, it’s actually cheaper to get these products from China at this point. Because we know that China has already been 25 years ahead of us in these technologies. So we have a roadmap to cover that as well,” she shares.

However, Shinagare tells us that these are still niche products. “You will only find 50 percent of vehicles with such systems installed, while the other 50 percent will neglect having such systems,” she avers and continues, “Thus, with 100 percent adoption, there will be volumes for sure. And volumes are what one really needs to bring costs down for manufacturing in India.”

Making its products suitable for Indian conditions
Not just targeting localisation, Tropicool also focuses on making its products apt for Indian conditions. “The major role our R&D plays is identifying what the requirements are and customising the products at the stage of manufacturing in order to suit and comply with regulations (like the automotive standards in India),” she explains and goes on, “In truth, the Indian automotive industry is quite evolved when it comes to standards and compliances. It has some really rigorous tests that electronic products undergo. It has one of the most stringent compliances compared to even countries like the US or those in Europe.”

Product customisation
As mentioned by Shinagare, all these products can also be customised by Tropicool. The customisation requests typically come from OEMs, who understand how the people in India use their vehicles.

Sharing an interesting example with us, Shinagare recounts, “Our first refrigerator project was for the Tata Safari SUV, which had a child seat at the back of the SUV. So we were requested a customisation where the child seat could be converted into a refrigerator box. And we provided them with that customisation.”

EV fridges
We soon turned to refrigerators, another product by Tropicool. We all know that refrigerators contribute to greenhouse gases, but Tropicool also provides EV fridges, where EVs play the role of sustainable mobility.

Explaining two such contradicting elements coming together in a product, Shinagare highlights that when it comes to Tropicool’s products, they have extremely low-powered, energy-efficient refrigeration systems that can run off the EV battery.

“That is where Tropicool stands out,” she points out and goes on, “That is why we are able to load up on an EV. Because most refrigeration systems are fuel-dependent, and unfortunately, have no alternative today.”

 

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The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing the Indian auto component industry, successfully concluded the 9th edition of its flagship reverse buyers-and-sellers meet, iAutoConnect, held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.

The two-day B2B event brought together global aftermarket distributors, dealers and their Indian counterparts providing component makers a platform to showcase their latest product offerings.

ACMA states that the event brought together 91 domestic exhibitors and over 170 buyers from more than 40 countries, including Africa, ASEAN, Eastern Europe, Latin America, SAARC, and West Asia.

The event was organised with the support of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, the event was inaugurated by Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA & CMD, Subros.

Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA, said, “iAutoConnect has grown into a premier platform for the Indian automotive component industry, offering unparalleled access to international markets. It’s inspiring to witness the strong engagement from both our members and international buyers. We are confident that these interactions will result in fruitful partnerships that further expand the reach of Indian-manufactured components worldwide, supporting the government’s vision of ‘Make in India for the world.”

Automoto, a vehicle ownership platform that was established by Sreeraj PV in 2018, has announced that Francis Jacob has joined as the co-founder. Jacob will spearhead the development of Automoto Akademie, an educational platform designed to empower automotive professionals with the skills needed to excel in the evolving automotive industry.
Automoto Akademie will offer a range of training programmes, including short-term and long-term courses, focusing on electric and hybrid vehicle technology, vehicle sales and service. The platform aims to bridge the skills gap in the automotive industry and equip professionals with the knowledge and expertise to meet future demands.
Automoto is a leading provider of quick service and automotive care solutions for a wide range of vehicles. The company is committed to enhancing the vehicle ownership experience in India through innovative B2B2C solutions, including insurance, IoT integration and connected vehicles.
With Jacob on board, Automoto is set to chart yet another chapter of growth, leveraging his extensive experience and passion in imparting automotive skills in line with the Indian Government’s push for turning Indian into a key automotive manufacturing hub.

Citroën and Jeep have bolstered their presence in India with the inauguration of three new dealerships in Thrissur, Asansol and Meerut. 
All three are multi-brand dealerships that mark a significant step forward for the Stellantis Group in the country since they make an effective interface for the range of SUVs from Jeep and passenger vehicles from Citroën. 
With the product mix consisting of EVs and ICE powered vehicles, the three showrooms will offer comprehensive 3S facilities. They will have a dedicated workshop staffed by a highly skilled service team. 
Committed to offer a premier service experience to Jeep and Citroen customers, the three 3S facilities are supported by modern infrastructure, spare parts availability, advanced diagnostic and repair equipment.
Shishir Mishra, Brand Director, Citroen, mentioned regarding the development, that their aim is to not only offer exceptional vehicles but also provide comprehensive after-sales services, ensuring that every customer receives unparalleled support throughout their ownership journey. 
“These strategic openings signify our deep-rooted commitment to meeting the evolving demands of our valued customers while expanding our footprint across India,” he added. 
Kumar Priyesh, Brand Director, Jeep India, said, “We are confident that these new dealerships will not only showcase the impressive lineup of Citroën and Jeep® vehicles but also serve as hubs of excellence in customer service, equipped with skilled personnel and state-of-the-art facilities. Customers will be offered premium vehicles and affordable choices under the same roof, offering them flexibility in both prices and segment choices. This will thereby also help us target a wider range of customer base.”
With the three new dealerships, Citroen now has 156 touchpoints and Jeep India, over 150 touch points across the country. 

MRF has commissioned a one-of-its-kind Tyredrome in Mumbai. 
Terming it as Asia’s finest tyre service and wheel care destination for MRF customers, the Tyredrome is located at Poonam Chambers in Worli and manned by engineers that are specifically trained by the tyre maker. 
The tyre and wheel care destination is equipped with the finest precision equipment necessary. These include machines of leading global manufacturers and those that make the top-quality ones in India. 
 Offering expert guidance in maintenance services, it is built to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for customers.
The Tyredrome will offer services such as robotic wheel alignment, diagnostic wheel balancing, vehicle safety test lane, electronic headlight alignment, air-con recovery and recharging, specialised two-wheeler tyre services and tubeless tyre repair. 
Other than to provide a wide range of MRF tyres, the Tyredrome at Worli will turn out to be basis for other such outlets of MRF Tyres across India. 
Speaking at the inauguration of the Worli outlet, K M Mammen, Chairman and Managing Director, MRF Ltd, mentioned, "We are thrilled to launch the Tyredrome in Mumbai, bringing Asia’s finest tyre and wheel care service to the city. For over three decades, we have been delighting customers with an unparalleled experience at our Tyredromes in other cities, and we are now looking forward to offering the same level of service and satisfaction to our customers in Mumbai."