Yes. Many Indian engine makers will supply engines as completely knocked down (CKD) or semi knocked down (SKD) kits for assembly in your country. Buyers do this to meet local content rules, lower import duty on parts, or build local jobs and service skills.
Kits move work and risk to you. Before you choose them, be sure you can assemble and test engines to the same standard as the factory. Many buyers start with fully built engines, then move to SKD and later CKD as volume and skills grow.
CKD and SKD in practice
- An SKD kit arrives as major sub-assemblies, such as a built-up block with crankshaft and pistons fitted, ready for final assembly.
- A CKD kit arrives as individual machined parts and bought-out components, ready for full assembly.
- In both cases the precision machining stays with the factory, because it needs the factory's machines and gauges.
- Paint, fuel lines, electrics and accessories are often fitted locally.
What you need locally
- Assemblers trained by the factory, with written assembly instructions and torque settings.
- Tooling such as torque wrenches, presses for bearings and liners, and valve setting tools.
- A clean assembly area, because dirt in an engine shortens its life.
- A test bed to run every engine under load before sale.
- A parts control system, so you know which kit parts went into which engine.
Duty, origin and approvals
Whether kits really lower duty depends on how your customs classifies them. Many customs authorities treat an incomplete kit that has the essential character of an engine as a complete engine. Ask a customs broker for a ruling before you design the kit. Our guide on the HS code for a machine or part explains the principle.
Local assembly may also change the product's origin and who counts as the manufacturer. If your market requires emission certification, check whether a locally assembled engine is still covered by the factory's approval. Ask your regulator or approval body.
Quality responsibility
Agree in writing who is responsible for what. The factory should guarantee its parts against drawings and supply full kits with no shortages. You are responsible for assembly. Agree how you will tell an assembly fault from a parts fault when an engine fails.
Start with a pilot batch of kits, assembled under the factory's supervision. Our guide to prototype, pilot and mass production explains the stages.
Check every kit for shortages before it leaves India. One missing gasket or bolt can stop an assembly line abroad for weeks. A packing list by part number, checked against the box, prevents most of these delays.
Next step
We check kit completeness, part quality and packing at the factory before shipment. To plan a kit programme, book a free sourcing review.