- Audi to be the first car manufacturer in India using environmentally friendly waterborne refinish paint system
- BASF launches "Glasurit 90 Line Innovation", "Waterborne" refinish paint system in India
Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, announced its strategic collaboration in India with BASF, world s leading chemical company, today.
Audi signed an agreement with BASF approving the eco-friendly waterborne premium refinish paint system "Glasurit" as its authorized refinish for usage by the company s dealership network. Audi is the first car manufacturer in India to work with BASF on this globally acclaimed breakthrough product. The BASF product "Glasurit 90 Line Innovation" provides outstanding finish quality while cutting down solvent emission by 90% and also saving cost of waste disposal by 95%.
When questioned regarding the signing of the agreement, Mr. Benoit Tiers, Managing Director, Audi India said, "We have been working with BASF worldwide and I am sure we will take the partnership to new heights by working together in India. Environmental issues are very important in this country and we are taking a big step in this direction with combining the highest quality in after sales service with eco-friendly solutions for our luxury cars."
Along with the signing of the contract, BASF also announced the launch of "Glasurit 90 Line Innovation" eco-friendly waterborne refinish system, the first waterborne refinish system to be introduced in India.
Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman BASF Group in India and Head South Asia added, "It is BASF s continuous endeavour to provide hi-tech, innovative products that help our customers be more successful in the market place. As a partner of choice, our team is looking forward to extending our best-in-class services to Audi in India."
"We are very proud to be supplying our Glasurit products, particularly the "90 Line" to Audi in India," says Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, Chief Executive, BASF Coatings India. "I believe that the excellent finish and durability delivered by Glasurit will maintain customer satisfaction at a high level at bodyshops. With the official approval of Glasurit, we will be able to provide tangible value supporting the Audi s aftersales service."
The agreement further bolsters the existing global relationship of "Vorsprung durch Technik" by Audi and the technology leadership of BASF in waterborne refinish paint.
AUDI AG
AUDI AG develops and produces cars for the luxury car segment worldwide. The company achieved its twelfth consecutive record year in 2007, with 964,151 cars sold. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). At the end of 2007, production of Audi A6 started in Aurangabad (India). The company is active in more that 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG s wholly owned subsidiaries include Lamborghini S.p.A in Sant Agata Bolognese, Italy, and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi employs more than 54,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than €2 billion each year in order to sustain the company s technological lead embodied in its "Vorsprung durch Technik" slogan.
In 2007 Audi India, based in Mumbai, commenced business activities. The Audi model range in India includes Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A6, Audi A4 and Audi TT and is available at present in seven dealerships across the country: in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Gurgaon.
Glasurit Automotive Refinish
The Glasurit brand which has a history of more than 100 years, is from BASF Coatings AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF AG, the world s largest chemical company. Under the Glasurit brand, BASF markets a comprehensive range of automotive refinishing paint systems, focusing on eco-efficient waterborne basecoats and high-solids paints. By using these systems all legal solvent-reduction requirements can be complied with anywhere in the world and with regard to appearance and resistance, the products meet the same quality standards as solvent-borne paints. In this area, the company offers a wide variety of services to support its customers. Glasurit Automotive Refinish is approved by most of the leading car manufacturers for aftermarket repair worldwide and chosen by them for its color expertise. Internet: www.glasurit.com.