Samvardhana Motherson International (Samil), a division of Indian components supplier Samvardhana Motherson, has signed a joint venture deal with Japanese finished vehicle logistics provider Hamakyorex to provide outbound transport services for carmakers in India. Operations are expected to begin in June this year.

The 50:50 joint venture worth $13.1m will be called Samvardhana Motherson Hamakyorex Engineered Logistics and will be led by Arjun Kochhar as chief operating officer (COO).

Hamakyorex said it was eager to expand its operations as a logistics provider to the finished vehicle sector in India’s growing automotive market, as well as bolster its established business in Japan.

Samvardhana Motherson group provides a wide range of automotive components through its 50 group companies, including wiring harnesses and mirrors, air conditioning and lighting systems, and high precision metal components. However, this is the first time it has become involved in the finished vehicle sector.

One of the two main business segments in which Hamakyorex is involved, by contrast, is general and specialised vehicle transport services. It also provides third-party contract logistics services to a range of sectors including automotive.