Dr. Prameela Susarla, Vice President & Managing Director, Axalta India
As India’s bus industry embraces electrification, lightweight materials and more sustainable manufacturing practices, coatings are evolving from being purely aesthetic finishes to becoming critical enablers of performance, efficiency and durability. For Axalta India, a global leader in coatings, the bus segment remains a strategic priority, with the company continuing to invest in technologies tailored to the changing needs of OEMs and bus body builders.
Speaking to MOTORINDIA at Prawaas 5.0, Dr. Prameela Susarla, Vice President & Managing Director, Axalta India, highlighted the company’s strong commitment to the commercial vehicle sector and its plans to support the industry’s next phase of growth through advanced coating solutions.
” The bus segment is part of our DNA and remains the largest carrier of passengers across the country,” she said. “Globally, we are the #1 coatings supplier for commercial vehicles, and in India we are the leading supplier of coatings to the bus segment. As this industry continues to evolve, it is imperative for us to be part of the ecosystem and work closely with all stakeholders across the value chain.”
Coatings enabling the EV transition
One of Axalta’s key highlights at the exhibition was its portfolio of low-cure coating technologies, developed to address the increasing use of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) components in electric buses and other modern commercial vehicles.
“Many of these lightweight substrates cannot be painted at high temperatures,” explained Dr. Susarla. “Our low-cure coatings deliver premium finish and durability while remaining compatible with FRP components. At the same time, they significantly reduce energy consumption in paint shops, helping OEMs move towards more sustainable manufacturing.”
Beyond lowering energy requirements, these technologies also contribute to improved operational efficiency, supporting manufacturers as they pursue both environmental and cost objectives.
Broad portfolio across mobility
While Axalta enjoys a strong position in the bus segment, its presence spans multiple areas of the mobility ecosystem. The company is also a leading player in automotive refinish coatings, supplying premium coating solutions approved by most leading OEMs in India.
“Our colour matching capability is one of our biggest strengths,” said Dr. Susarla. “Globally, we are #1 in premium refinish, and that leadership continues in India as well.”
Apart from buses, Axalta supplies coatings to passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, trucks, construction equipment and agricultural machinery. The company works with leading OEMs including Volvo-Eicher, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Ashok Leyland, while also partnering with independent bus body builders across the country.
“Most major players in the Indian commercial vehicle industry are either already our customers or someone we are actively engaging” she remarked.
The company also serves industrial applications where functionality takes precedence over appearance, providing high-performance corrosion protection coatings for demanding environments.
Investing in India’s future
With manufacturing and R&D facilities in Gujarat and a nationwide customer base, Axalta continues to strengthen its local innovation capabilities. Around 60 scientists and engineers at its Indian technology centre develop products specifically for domestic market requirements.
“We make in India and innovate for India,” Dr. Susarla noted. “Our technology teams continuously evaluate the needs of Indian customers and develop solutions that deliver the best performance at the lowest total cost of ownership.”
Looking ahead, Axalta sees significant opportunities arising from the localisation of electric vehicle components. While many battery packs, motors and associated components are currently imported, the company is preparing for the next stage of India’s EV manufacturing journey.
Globally, Axalta is already a major supplier of insulation materials for electric motors as well as specialised coatings for battery packs, cooling plates, battery trays and bus bars. These dielectric coatings play an essential role in electrical insulation, thermal management and overall battery safety. “When India starts manufacturing these components at scale, we will be ready,” Dr. Susarla affirmed. “We already have the technologies globally and will bring them to India as the ecosystem matures.”
She emphasised that coatings are increasingly becoming functional products rather than merely decorative finishes. “In mobility, coatings certainly enhance aesthetics, but they also provide corrosion resistance and asset protection. For EVs especially, coatings are becoming functional technologies that improve safety, efficiency and long-term reliability.”
As India’s public transport ecosystem continues to expand and electrify, Axalta intends to remain at the forefront by combining global technology with local innovation. “Public transportation will continue to be an integral part of India’s economy, and therefore it will remain integral to us,” concluded Dr. Susarla. “We will continue to innovate and bring technologies that meet the evolving needs of Indian customers while strengthening our leadership in the commercial vehicle coatings market.”
