Bangalore, July 20: German-based global auto major DaimlerChrysler AG plans to outsource components valued at over $70 million during 2003 from India for its manufacturing units in the US and Germany, a top company official said on Saturday. "Last year, the exports from 28 suppliers in India was about USD 65 million. This year we intend to export components worth over $70 million," DaimlerChrysler India Board Member Suhas Kadlaskar said here at the launch of the "Mercedes Benz C-class Kompressor" luxury car.
Admitting that the initial export of 3,500 cars during 1999-2000 from India directly competed with DaimlerChrysler's car units in Europe and US, he said, the company had changed its strategy to exporting components which were 10 per cent to 15 per cent cheaper than produced elsewhere.

Kadlaskar said the company had 28 firms in India which supplied components for its global operations.

DaimlerChrysler has invested over Rs 600 crore at its manufacturing unit in Pune and reported a revenue of Rs 320 crore and profit before tax of Rs 39 crore during 2002. Bureau Report