Castrol Motorcycle R&D Moves to Asia
Castrol has decided to shift its global Research and Development base for motorcycle lubrication products from England to Asia (India). The main reason for this is that Castrol wants to be closer to motorcycle manufacturers. It sees this as an opportunity to work in the largest market of motorcycles worldwide.By locating to Asia, Castrol will also be closer to ASEAN countries, including Thailand and Indonesia, which are its biggest markets on global scale.
Castrol is keen to work with OEMs on new engines and develop lubricants for their existing engines. It is also looking for new partnerships in Asia. The company has established an emission and development team and bought in a product development manager from its English unit, who will be stationed in India for two to three years in order to develop the expertise that is required.
Castrol recently built the Castrol China Technology Center in Shanghai where it works with car manufacturers because they constitute its biggest market there. The company works closely with Chinese OEMs as well as international OEMs that have moved their R&D to China.
