SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has hosted the International Automotive Symposium, and celebrated the opening of its largest greenfield laboratory for automotive quality testing at Chakan in Pune, India.

International Automotive Symposium 2023 - On April 5, 2023, SGS hosted the sixth edition of its ‘International Automotive Symposium’ in Chakan. Guest industry speakers from Maruti Suzuki India; Eaton India and Skoda Volkswagen joined experts and delegates from across the Indian automotive sector to explore new concepts including automobile recycling, technology developments in electric vehicles, and cutting-edge advancements in component and vehicle testing. 

State-of-the-Art Automotive Quality Testing Lab - Alongside the Symposium, the local team also celebrated the opening of this brand new facility, which spans more than 2.2 acres and is strategically located in the heart of India’s expanding automotive industry. Its proximity to the region’s OEMs and supply chains enables customers to benefit from SGS’s world-class technology and expertise, alongside reduced logistics costs and faster turnaround times.

State-of-the-art testing facilities and equipment, including semi-anechoic chambers, support the testing of all JASO, ISO, CISPR and IEC Indian standards and global OEM specifications. The range of services available include:

  • Airbag testing with deployment at sub-zero temperatures down to -40oC and high temperatures up to 100oC
  • All EMI/EMC tests for automotive electronics sub-assembly, as per domestic and international standards as well as all global OEM specification
  • Vibration test undertaken in high-capacity (8 ton) chamber
  • EV component test
  • Solar simulation test
  • Environment simulation test
  • Physical, chemical and mechanical tests on auto components

SGS’s specialist on-site teams deploy digitization and process automation to deliver at high capacity whilst ensuring fast and accurate results. With cutting edge capabilities, such as device under test (DUT) and sample monitoring via digital, analog or video format, SGS can provide testing solutions unavailable elsewhere in India.

Speaking about the opening, Frankie Ng, Chief Executive Officer, SGS, said: “The positive growth trend that we witness in the Indian automotive industry gives us the confidence to invest in the capacity and capability enhancements of our automotive testing laboratory in India. These capabilities, combined with our strong global network and knowledge pool, will support manufacturers to deliver vehicles that conform to defined standards and build consumer trust.”

Constructed in line with sustainable building guidelines, SGS has included a range of additional in-house facilities such as a customer lounge, guest room, and EV charging ports to encourage the use of green vehicles.

Shashibhushan Jogani, Managing Director for SGS in India and sub-region manager for Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, said: “The progressive industrial ecosystem in Pune has yielded this great opportunity for SGS to set up and achieve our greenfield project in the heart of this industrial hub. Our state-of-the-art facility, with the capability to handle high-end testing and high capacities, will support the industry with advanced services, some of which are clearly the best and the most advanced in the automotive industry.”