Uno Minda’s ambitious growth plans are clear. The company is targeting a growth rate of 1.5 times the industry average in the coming years. During a conversation with Mobility Outlook, Nirmal K Minda, CMD, Uno Minda Group, said, 'We will grow more than 1.5x. We will continue to grow faster than the industry. That is our commitment.'
With a robust strategy that includes expanding its EV portfolio, enhancing digital integration, and investing in talent and technology, the group well-positioned to lead in both the short and long term, he said.
Currently the group supplies components and systems in over 20 categories, serving prominent Indian and international OEMs across Asia, North and South America, and Europe. It operates from 73 manufacturing plants worldwide, including facilities in Indonesia, Vietnam, Spain, and Mexico.
A key driver of Uno Minda’s evolution is its strategic Joint Venture (JV) partnerships. With over 15 JVs involving world-renowned technology partners from Germany, Korea, and Japan, the group combines its manufacturing excellence with their technical expertise. These collaborations enable it to continually push boundaries and deliver advanced solutions, reinforcing its position as a global leader in the automotive industry.
Fusion Of Technologies
When it comes to product design, digitisation, and innovation, software is now taking centre stage, shaping the future of automotive components in profound ways. To harness this momentum, he said, the Group has established a dedicated software centre in Bangalore, starting with a team of 70 skilled engineers. This hub of innovation is not only focused on advancing in-house software capabilities but also plays a vital role in supporting our global collaborators, including partners in Germany.
The Group’s products, from lighting systems to switches, are evolving into intelligent, interconnected components, all communicating seamlessly with the Body Control Unit (BCU). In today's cars, there are more than 50 Electronic Control Units (ECUs) working in unison to manage various functions. “Our vision is to streamline this complexity—working towards the possibility of a master ECU that integrates all these systems for greater efficiency and coordination,” he said.
At the forefront of this transformation, Uno Minda is also focused on Body Control Modules (BCM), ensuring that the software is deeply integrated, whether through its own developments or through strategic partnerships. “This blend of hardware and software, innovation and integration, is driving us towards the next frontier of smart automotive technology. The future, we believe, lies in creating products that not only function but communicate and collaborate, setting new standards for the industry.”
Evolving Technologies
Across the globe, automotive technology is evolving at a rapid pace, with a growing shift from traditional ECUs to high-performance computers. This transformation promises to revolutionise vehicle systems by integrating multiple functionalities into a single, powerful computing unit. When discussing this shift in the context of India and the company, Minda said it’s important to note that a high-performance computer is, in essence, an enhanced version of an ECU or BCM—combining numerous systems into one increasingly complex unit. However, this evolution presents both opportunities and challenges.
On the positive side, consolidating systems into a central computer streamlines vehicle operations, potentially enhancing efficiency. On the other hand, the sheer complexity of integrating multiple products—whether it's the front-end, back-end, lighting, or safety systems—into a single computing platform raises critical questions. “A computer may manage these functions well, but a car is far more complex than just software and hardware; it’s a synergy of various interconnected systems,” he mentioned.
There remains an ongoing debate about whether to pursue a single high-performance computer or maintain multiple interconnected systems within vehicles. This decision impacts everything from functionality to safety, and it is clear that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
“At Uno Minda, we are actively engaged in this conversation. Our team is studying the various approaches and exploring what makes the most sense for India’s unique automotive landscape. We are deeply involved in every aspect of this technological shift, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of innovation while staying attuned to the needs and conditions of the Indian market. As we continue to assess and develop these emerging technologies, our focus remains on delivering solutions that are not only advanced but also practical for the future of mobility in India,” he noted.
The rapid pace of technological advancements is dramatically shortening the cycle of innovation. What once took four or five years now unfolds in much less time, “driving companies like ours to continuously evolve in order to keep up with these developments. At Uno Minda, we are not just keeping pace with the future—we are helping to shape it,” he mentioned.
Catalyst For Innovation
The group’s innovation engine is powered by a network of 30 R&D and Engineering Centres located in India, Germany, and Spain. These centres are dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies that align with the PACE megatrends—Personalisation, Autonomous driving, Electrification, and Connectivity—ensuring that its product and technology roadmap stays ahead of the curve.
“Our commitment to innovation is anchored in a robust global R&D infrastructure, designed to harness talent and foster cutting-edge developments. In Germany, our R&D centre employs over 200 experts dedicated to the advancement of controllers and software systems. For lighting in particular, we have an R&D Centre in Pune with 400 engineers pushing the boundaries of innovation. Beyond these, we also operate state-of-the-art R&D centres in Bangalore and Delhi, ensuring we are well-positioned to drive progress across multiple fronts,” Minda said.
“Our most valuable investment, however, is in people. We are focused on building a team of world-class engineers and innovators, many of whom are returning from abroad to work in India’s burgeoning automotive sector. We are committed to fostering this global talent and collaborating seamlessly with OEMs to deliver pioneering solutions,” he explained.
Innovation at Uno Minda goes beyond the ordinary. The company has consistently been working on Proof of Concept (PoC), introducing technologies to the Indian market for the first time. For example, “we were the first to introduce wireless chargers in India, well ahead of the market. Many components that are still unseen in the country today were developed by us five years ago. As we continue to lead the way in automotive innovation, our focus remains on pushing technological boundaries while staying ahead of the curve, ensuring that we not only adapt to the accelerating pace of change but also drive it forward,” he noted.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Discussing the group's contribution to the EVs, he shared an optimistic outlook on the journey so far. In the two-wheeler EV segment, the company is making significant strides toward market leadership, with market share steadily approaching 30% across various product lines—a clear indicator of their growing dominance.
While the path to leadership in the four-wheeler EV segment will take more time, there is a promising horizon, he said. The industry is witnessing an encouraging trend towards the localisation of several key sub-components, including inverters, which are critical to the success of electric vehicles. This localisation effort paves the way for long-term growth, and with it, he envisions a strong roadmap filled with opportunities to drive innovation and expand their footprint in the evolving EV landscape, he signed off.
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