FORE

WO

RDISSUE 5 June 2013

Dear All,

Car sales in India may be on a downslide at present, but analysts believe the total automobile market size will triple to 9.3 million units by 2020. Driven by enhanced demand as the

number of people with disposable income increase, the sector will grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 16% during the period. Moreover, there will be a sizeable young population - potential car owners - hence, going forward, automobile companies in India will adhere to the pursuit of profitable growth rather than chasing market share. At every point, we at 3M AAD, hope to partner our dealerships to deliver profitability with world-class products, robust processes and skilled people. Although currently the market is going through a lean phase, 3M AAD will continue to aid our dealerships to stay competitive through our commitment towards customer satisfaction. It is our resilience and focused effort that will help us achieve our goals in

the future!

Ninad Gadgil, General Manager - AAD

3M INDIA’SINNOVATIONSfor the world’sCheapest Car

Change is the one constant in life we can count on, and it’s happening right now in vehicle manufacturing, with the additions of new electronics for comfort, safety and strength. This evolution is the reason shops need to be educated on the repair of these vehicles. Hybrid construction (the use of two or more materials to manufacture vehicles) is the new trend which is bound to create a challenge for shops. “I’ve been doing it this way for 20 years. Why should I change?” becomes a dangerous statement to a shop that values its reputation of quality and skill. It can also be dangerous from a liability standpoint. The evolution of today’s

automobile has required shops to rethink, retool and retrain on how vehicles are repaired.

Aluminium and Steel are materials that are being used to reduce vehicle weight. The increased use of aluminium is driving the need for more production and expansion of existing suppliers. Rivet bonding, weld bonding and MIG brazing are procedures shops need to learn and use every day. Squeeze Type Resistance Welding (STRSW) is also recommended for many repairs. If a shop doesn’t have the equipment to do STRSW, alternate repair products and procedures may be required, such as the use of:

Adhesives Mechanical fasteners Flange prepara-tion Carbon Fiber Magnesium Panel Removal

Understanding these procedures and why they are used will help technicians make good decisions for shops as well as vehicle owners.

ADVANCEDMaterials in Vehicles

The world’s cheapest car, the Tata Nano, sparked innovations within 3M India for the small car. When the Tata R&D and 3M India teams put their heads together, they felt that the biggest roadblock would be the percep-tion that 3M solutions were expensive. Inspired by Ratan Tata’s vision, the team found a solution. The result can be seen in the various cost-effective solutions for the Nano car – the Transmission Seal, the Rear Seat Firewall Insulation, Black-out Film, Catalytic-converter Mat Mounts and even attachment tapes for: emblems, spoiler, weather-strip end-cuts and glass clips. With the small car movement gaining ground, these 3M India innovations have found a place in every Indian small car.

In Memory of Loveleen KalyanLoveleen joined 3M 5 years ago as a front line sales officer on the rolls of another company, but his hard work and passion towards work made us offer him a job at 3M. Loveleen was a fun-loving person, always with a smile on his face. He was a loving father, caring husband, passionate worker and a good human being. With his sad demise, 3M has lost a reliable teammate. We pray that his family stays strong during this difficult time. Prashant Saxena, Area Sales Manager, Auto Care Division, Ludhiana

Tree sap will not immediately damage a car's paint, but it should not be ignored. After some time, the sap can etch through the paint's clear coat, leading to discolouring and staining.

Here is an easy, resourceful way to remove tree sap from your vehicle:

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 2 clean soft towels • Box cutter blade (use on glass only!) • 1 can or bottle of bug and tar remover• Bucket of water and sponge• Spray wax or quick detailer polish

WHAT TO DO:

1. Wash and dry your vehicle, creating a clean surface to work on.

2. Find the spot of sap and pour a few drops of the remover solution onto a clean washcloth or terry cloth.

3. Set the cloth on top of the desired area and let it sit for at least 30 seconds.4. Rub the area until the sap is gone. Some tree sap can be extremely cumber-

some to remove, so you might need to repeat steps 3 and 4.5. If the sap is still there, use your fingernails lightly to scratch some of it off.6. When your car's paint is free of sap, spray a few mists of quick wax on the

paint, polish it off or clean with a detailing cloth, and you're good to go!

HOW TO REMOVE Tree Sap on Your Car

1. Can you tell us about why you got into the car care business?

The car care business is a great avenue to explore for a dealership. The industry is very competitive and car care will be one of the key factors for a dealership to be one step ahead of the game.

2. For how long have you been associated with 3M? What has been special about this association?

I have been associated with 3M for more than 5 years. 3M’s product portfolio as well as the quality of their products is remarkable and a cut above the rest.

3. Is there any anecdote or story you would like to share with us that involved a 3M product?

I was impressed with 3M from the onset. We were on the verge of finalising a vendor for our eight outlets in Pune when 3M came to our dealership and showcased their product range. We were amazed with the quality, especially of the interior and exterior cleaning treatment

products. We decided to give 3M a chance. To our delight, within a few days, the manager from 3M arrived at our outlet and we signed on the dotted line.

4. What is the one product that has stood out amongst others? Why?

I am a huge fan of the interior cleaning treatment range, specifically GermKleen, a truly spectacu-lar product. The quality is unmatchable as well as its ability to keep cars looking forever new!

5. What are the general trends in the car care market right now?

Unfortunately, there has been a dip in the market in terms of car sales. However the SUV segment has performed comparatively well, which is why manufacturers are launching products in this segment. This trend might continue for a while.

6. Which is your dream car? A sleek Bentley!

INConversation with

Mr. Ashish KothariPromoter - Kothari Hyundai, Pune

3M TOPS THE Brand Awareness Study

3M Car Care is the market leader in the car

care segment, and are significantly contrib-

uting in developing and educating the market

in India. Last year, 3M conducted a car

owner brand awareness study aided by

AC Neilsen in which the results showed

3M Car Care as the most popular and

favoured car care brand in the country.

Currently, 3M Car Care is the strongest

brand in the category with the highest brand

equity score. The highest top of mind recall

for 3M Car Care, which has increased from

43 points to 59 points, is also an indication

of the brands mindshare in the category.

The consideration and preference for the

3M Car Care brand is higher as compared to

any of the competitors. In terms of brand

leverage, 3M Car Care is well ahead of the

competition and has the highest conversions

across segments, indicating that 65% of car

owners who are aware of 3M Car Care,

purchase a 3M treatment. We are well on the

way to storming the car care market!

The next wave of safety equipment is defined as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Blind Spot Warning Systems, Intelligent Cruise Control, and rear-view cameras. These systems may significantly reduce accidents if it is widely adopted in the industry. Auto manufacturers are currently testing a host of products that will give new meaning to vehicle safety when they are introduced. All of these new devices are meant to help drivers avoid accidents and keep vehicle

occupants safe, but, believe it or not, these products could be detrimental - at least in the eyes of collision repair shops.

While these developments in vehicle safety will help reduce injury claims, benefiting drivers and passengers alike, they may not seem as advantageous to some in the industry. For collision repair shops, the downside is two-fold. First, fewer accidents mean fewer opportunities for shops to repair vehicles, and second, the cost of replacing this state of the art equipment can be astounding, resulting in an increase in total losses rather than repairs. For insurers, the situation is also two-fold, but they do have the opportunity to take

advantage of it if they play their cards right. The reduced frequency of claims will certainly be an advantage, however, they will be faced with the challenge of properly assessing the reduction in risk that these advancements will provide. The insurer that balances these factors accurately will be able to provide a lower insurance rate and profitably grow business.

THE NEXT ‘WAVE’of Safety Equipment

1. Can you tell us about how you got into the collision repair business?

We have been in the automobile business for over 30 years. Collision repair is an integral part of the automobile after sales business, and it naturally became a prime area of our business.

2. For how long have you been associated with 3M? What has been special about this association?

We are representatives for international automo-tive brands and believe in the highest quality of after sales service. 3M is known for their exceptional products and quality and this is the very reason we have been associated with them for almost 12 years now.

3. What is the one product that has stood out amongst others? Why?

3M’s Dust-free Dry Sanding system is an excellent product that dominates our body shops. It is the best process available for body paint work which has consistently helped us in delivering quality work. We are also using 3M’s

Paint Preparation System (PPS) and Accuspray. The Overspray Protection System, too, is already a part of our painting process.

4. What are the general trends in the collision repair market right now?

The Collision repair market is mostly influenced by insurance companies, IRDA and manufactur-ers’ guidelines. Most manufacturers are now concentrating on the training and quality of services in body shops and micromanaging the body shops for customer’s satisfaction. Custom-ers now prefer authorised body shops over local body shops and this trend is likely to continue.

5. Which is your dream car? It’s difficult for me to choose one car! I have been

in the business for so long that cars are in my DNA. Every time a new car is introduced, I get excited with the new technology and gizmos that come with it, so this is a tough choice!

INConversation with

PANELBonding3M Automix Panel Bonding Adhesive is a two-part adhesive designed to bond steel, aluminum, SMC and FRP. 3M Automix Panel Bonding is used in the replacement of automotive door skins, quarter panels, boxsides, vansides, roofs and other outer bodysheet metals.

ADVANTAGES OF BONDING

A Triple Action Effect of Bonding, Sealing and Corrosion Protection - All In One Go

• Reduces welding• Reduces panel warpage• Eliminates overhead welding• Reduces fire/explosion hazards• Reduces time spent on grinding welds• Reduces time spent on removing /

protecting glass and trim from weld spatter

• Reduces money spent on replacing damaged parts

• Reduces time spent on sealing and corrosion proofing

WHY 3M?

• Cure on Demand• Glass Beads• Epoxy-based• Excellent Adhesion Properties• Corrosion Inhibiting Properties• Bonds Steel, Aluminum, SMC, FRP• Lifetime Guarantee• Detailed Instructions

Mr. Krishna KachaliaDirector - Solitaire Honda, Mumbai

Collision Repair

Contact Person : Vishal AnandContact Number : 9611966335Email ID : avishal1@mmm.com

Car Care

Contact Person : Sudip SalgaonkarContact Number : 9880254254

Email ID : sssalgaonkar@mmm.com

CONTACT US

For the answers please log on to www.3m.com/in/carcare/autopia | www.3m.com/in/automotiveaftermarket/autopia

Match the following cars and the right taglines.

Fill in the blanks and guess the right car:

YOU'RE THE FUEL

LET’S GO

FOR THE SMARTER RACE

NOTHING ELSE WILL DO

THE SUNSHINE CAR

FULL OF LIFE

B

R

H L T R Z

O E H O M

T NEClue: 0 to 100 kmph in 2.7 seconds

Clue: ‘Suicide Doors’

Clue: LT and LTZ in diesel form only