Johnson Controls and Pricol establish JV for Indian automotive market

PUNE, INDIA: Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and interior electronics, has formed a joint venture with Pricol Ltd, a leading supplier of automotive instrument clusters in India.

The 50/50 joint venture will be called Johnson Controls Pricol Pvt Ltd. Pricol's instrument cluster manufacturing plant in Pune will become the joint venture's primary location. Products developed and manufactured will include instrument clusters, displays and body electronics for both automakers and motorcycle manufacturers that operate businesses in India. The joint venture will leverage Johnson Controls’ industry-leading Human Machine Interaction design and implementation expertise as well as product capabilities.

“This new partnership combines the expertise and capabilities of Johnson Controls and Pricol to create a unique value proposition for our customers and differentiation in the industry,” said Jeff DeBest, group VP and GM, electronics for Johnson Controls Automotive Experience.

With Pricol’s cost-effective innovation capabilities and strong customer relationships in the local market, Johnson Controls will realize growth potential in India. It also will serve global customers cost effectively.

“Johnson Controls brings their world-class product development capabilities, global purchasing relationships and access to global customer relationships to this joint venture, which will help Pricol to strengthen our leading market position in India,” said Vijay Mohan, chairman, Pricol.

“Pricol’s existing instrument cluster offerings and customer base for motorcycle makers will allow us to enter a new market segment,” added DeBest. This new joint venture also will become Johnson Controls’ global center of expertise for this product.