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Autoserve 2020 puts spotlight on ‘Seizing Opportunities in New Normal’

December 3, 2020February 6, 2021 Motorindia Comments(169)

India’s ‘go to’ event for the automotive aftermarket organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) held successfully on virtual platform

The ninth edition of Autoserve 2020, India’s ‘go to’ event for the automotive aftermarket organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), was held on virtual platform with the theme ‘Seizing Opportunities in the New Normal’.

Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, graced the occasion as the chief guest and during his inaugural address, said: “I am fully confident that the future of the automotive industry is very bright and the government’s schemes, especially under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, would propel the growth of the automotive and the aftermarket segments.”

Gadkari further said that the automobile industry has made significant achievements in developing designing and manufacturing capability in the country. India has now emerged from just being an automobile producing hub to becoming a design and development hub as well. The country is fast emerging as a global hub for automotive manufacturing, he added. He urged the automobile industry to adopt international vehicle standards, especially in body building of commercial vehicles by ensuring quality and safety measures.

He also urged the automobile manufacturers to develop flexi engines with options for conventional and green fuels. He said that the government is planning to install battery charging units in 69,000 petrol pumps across the country to encourage electric vehicles. “The government is striving to create an ecosystem to accelerate the uptake of electric mobility in the country. It is time to come together to work jointly for achieving the broader national agenda to reduce vehicular pollution,” he added.

The government is also doing the promotion of hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles in the country which are energy-efficient and environment-friendly. For the benefit of the sector, the government has developed a portal ‘ASPIRE’, offering automotive solutions for the industry, research and education to facilitate the industry to become self-reliant by assisting in innovation and adoption of global technological advancements by bringing together stakeholders from various associated avenues, Gadkari informed.

R. Dinesh, Chairman, Autoserve 2020, and Joint Managing Director, T V Sundram Iyengar and Sons Private Ltd., said that the first edition of Autoserve was held in 2004, organised biennially. The past eight editions of Autoserve were organised in the physical format while this time it had to be done virtually on account of the pandemic. “However, it is important to note that we have ensured business continuity,” he said. ACMA is the partner for this initiative. Autoserve featured 60 exhibitors with international participation from Japan, Germany, Italy and USA. The event was also supported by 20 sectoral associations from the national, regional and State-level.

It also attracted international visitors from USA, Middle East, Europe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Dinesh further summarized the event by saying that “Buy in India; Service in India; Grow in India should be the mantra for the automotive industry.”Vipin Sondhi, Chairman, CII Trade Fairs Council, and Managing Director and CEO, Ashok Leyland Ltd., said that the global pandemic unleashed its disruption at a time when both the economy and the automotive industry were on the path of recovery. “But the industry has been robust to bounce back with the support of the various initiatives of the government,” he informed. “The global automotive aftermarket is anticipated to reach over USD 513.1 billion by 2027 from the current value of USD 381.4 billion,” Sondhi added.It also attracted international visitors from USA, Middle East, Europe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Dinesh further summarized the event by saying that “Buy in India; Service in India; Grow in India should be the mantra for the automotive industry.”

Vipin Sondhi, Chairman, CII Trade Fairs Council, and Managing Director and CEO, Ashok Leyland Ltd., said that the global pandemic unleashed its disruption at a time when both the economy and the automotive industry were on the path of recovery. “But the industry has been robust to bounce back with the support of the various initiatives of the government,” he informed. “The global automotive aftermarket is anticipated to reach over USD 513.1 billion by 2027 from the current value of USD 381.4 billion,” Sondhi added.

Rama Shankar Pandey, Chairman, Aftermarket Committee, ACMA, and Managing Director, Hella India Lighting Ltd., said that automotive components play a significant role in the aftermarket segment and urged for standardisation of services and products to support growth of the industry. He also said that the industry is working towards addressing the issue of spurious parts, which is a concern especially in the context of safety of vehicles.