(Representative image) Automakers have now started exporting bigger cars and engines from India, and are also relying on local research & development to develop vehicles. MUMBAI: In the past nine months, Mercedes-Benz brought some 80-90 Brazilians, in three batches, to its plant at Chakan in Pune. They were here for training on some critical processes of vehicle assembly, body and paint shop functioning, and an area where India has demonstrated its prowess — compact cars. Executives from Chakan are now scheduled to travel to the German company’s facility at the town of Iracemapolis in Sao Paulo to offer the Brazilians some onsite training and help in setting up a paint shop. India, with its frugal manufacturing capability, is known already as a base for producing small cars for the world. Automakers have now started exporting bigger cars and engines from here, and are also relying on local research & development (R&D) to develop vehicles. With the country becoming a training ground as well, and local sites defining the best practices for those elsewhere to follow, India is seen as etching its mark deep as a key cog in the global automobile industry. This is also a demonstration of the confidence that automobile majors have in their Indian managers and an acknowledgement of the hard work they have put into creating well-oiled operations, said industry executives. "I believe it’s like a two-way traffic. You’ve to perform and prove yourself and at the same time you also need acknowledgement," said Piyush Arora, executive director of operations at Mercedes-Benz India. "Our HQ (headquarters) has shown a lot of courage and confidence. They’ve entrusted with us training a third country; this shows the confidence the HQ has in us," added Arora. Not too long ago, when Hyundai Motor was planning to start a […]