Tata AutoComp Systems Limited (TACO) has announced that the company along with Japan’s Ichikoh Industries Limited (Ichikoh), a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange prime market and owned at 61.2% by Valeo, will acquire Valeo’s lighting business in India through the acquisition of the Valeo Lighting Systems (VLS) business of Valeo India Private Limited.
The acquisition would be consummated through a 50:50 Joint Venture company (JVC) to be formed between TACO and Ichikoh Industries. The JVC should cater to the automotive lighting market in India. The definitive agreements are in the process of being finalised between TACO and Ichikoh regarding the formation of the JVC and the acquisition of the VLS Business and shall be subject to procurement of necessary statutory and regulatory approvals.
Commenting on the Joint Venture, Arvind Goel, Vice Chairman of Tata AutoComp, said: "The formation of this Joint Venture would beanother significant step by Tata AutoComp in offering contemporary products and technologies to automotive OEMs in India. We are pleased to welcome Ichikoh and the Valeo Group as our partner, and together with their automotive lighting expertise, we will offer technologically superior and differentiated lighting solutions to our customers."
Manoj Kolhatkar, MD & CEO of Tata AutoComp, added: "The proposed Joint Venture will enhance our presence in the Indian automotive market and would enable us to serve various OEMs. This collaboration marks another milestone in Tata AutoComp’s journey of offering a comprehensive portfolio of auto-component products."
Christophe Vilatte, Representative Director, President and CEO of Ichikoh remarked: “Ichikoh, with more than 120 years history of technological excellence, will join forces with a new partner Tata AutoComp, strongly established with its reputational excellence. Capitalizing on our respective strength, we will be well positioned to address the fast-growing automotive market in India.”