Shell Reveals Ambitious Plan for the Indian Automotive Market

Shell India has announced its ambitious plan for the Indian automotive market with the recent rollout of the Shell Rimula R4 L 15W 40 diesel engine oil in the country.

In a statement, Akhil Jha, vice president (Technical), Shell Lubricants India, noted that lubricant is the oldest of all Shell businesses in the country and they are collaborating with a number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). He added that their most recent venture has been the ‘Shell Concept car’, a co-engineering partnership among leading engine, vehicle and lubricant designers.

“Shell provided all the fluids for the car, especially ‘designing’ the motor oil to complement and enhance the overall efficiency of the vehicle by minimizing friction. Shell’s Lubricants technology team created bespoke engine oil, based on its premium product Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology.”

Jha also touched on the Shell Helix Ultra extended warranty program that gives lifetime engine warranty to passenger vehicles.

Moreover, he talked about their research and development (R&D) objectives, revealing that they plan to increase and intensify the level of technology and are mulling to open a new IT center in Bengaluru, which would enable them to rebalance their current location strategy. “We plan to recruit 1,000 people by end of 2016.”

Shell operates a global network of 10 R&D facilities close to its main markets and production factories, including India. Currently, the company operates in sectors such as auto tools, automotive, power, agriculture, construction, mining, metals and manufacturing.

Calling it as the ‘accessible market’, Shell India has a 10%-15 % market share in the automotive lubricants segment, 10% share in the mining lubricants market, and 8% share in the power generation sector.