Staff Writer
New Delhi: Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing leading automobile manufacturers of the country, commemorated its 63rd Annual Convention deliberating on the way ahead for Sustainable Mobility.
On the Occasion of 63rd SIAM Annual Convention Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in his message mentioned that for over six decades SIAM has been serving the Nation admirably. He said India is the 5th largest economy and is soon poised to reach top 3. Prime Minister also noted Indian Auto Industry’s efforts towards decarbonization through introduction of vehicles with wide range of powertrain technologies. By 2047, we aspire to realize the vision of building a sustainable, self-reliant, strong and developed India.
The inaugural session, themed “Sustainable Mobility – The Way Ahead for Indian Automobile Industry”, Chief Guest, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India commented, “In 2014, the global automobile sector was ranked 7th, but today, it has climbed to the 3rd position. The automotive sector serves as a growth engine for our nation, aligning perfectly with the honorable Prime Minister’s vision to elevate India from its current fifth largest economy in the world to third. Our ultimate goal is to become the world’s leading automobile hub.” He requested the auto industry to work on expeditiously increasing the share of green technologies, such as biofuels, electric and hydrogen. Higher use of biofuels will lead to aligning the auto industry’s approach with global biofuel alliance announced during the G20.
Guest of honor, Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister of Heavy Industries, Government of India said, “India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and reducing 1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030 aligns with the ambitious Amrit Kaal: Vision @ 2047.” He also announced that the Government of India has extended the PLI scheme by another year to enable the auto industry reap benefits of the incentives being provided for manufacturing advanced automotive technologies.
During the session, Mr. Vinod Aggarwal, President of SIAM and Managing Director & CEO of Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles Ltd., underscored the imperative need for sustainable mobility to secure a better tomorrow. He mentioned, “Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed remarkable growth, with the industry’s current size standing at INR 12.46 lakh crores, including exports worth INR 3 lakh crores.” He highlighted the six pillars of sustainability on which the auto industry and SIAM is presently focussing with close association with Government of India viz. Javik Pahal (biofuel), Vidyutikaran (electrification), Gas Gatisheelta (gaseous fuels), Harit Hydrogen (Green Hydrogen), Chakriyata (Recycling) and finally Surakshit Safar (Safe Journey). He also mentioned the progress undertaken by the industry to increase its localisation content.
Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Vice President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., said, “The Government’s commitment to the Amrit Kal vision 2027, along with the imperative to achieve net-zero emissions, sets the stage for a forward-looking India. We are witnessing a remarkable transition towards electric vehicles (EVs), aligning our industry with global benchmarks. SIAM has embarked on a proactive journey, with a strong focus on biofuels and a future centered around green energies. SIAM’s commitment not only resonates with India’s environmental goals but also underscores our dedication to saving lives on the road. Our collective commitment to sustainability is the path toward a safer, more holistic future that lies ahead for the country.”
Balancing Growth Aspirations with sustainability
The 1st plenary session of SIAM’s 63rd Annual Convention themed “Balancing Growth Aspirations with Sustainability”, was moderated by Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Vice President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. He welcomed the panel and introduced the theme of the session.
During the session, Mr. Kamran Rizvi, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries said, “Given the ever increasing incentives being provided by Government of India for EVs, compared to phasing down of incentives in China, UK & Europe, Indian companies should now become global leaders in electric.” He requested the Auto Industry to launch campaigns on lowering the Total Cost of Ownership of EVs, which will automatically propel higher offtake of EVs.
Presenting views during the session, Mr. Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, said, “The automotive industry should prioritize quality, sustainability, safety and research on high-end technologies as integral components of their business operations.” He also said that in order to have a sustained scrapping and recycling ecosystem, there is a need to have requisite infrastructure for vehicle testing and scrapping facilities across the country.
Sustainable Mobility – Global Benchmark
During 2nd plenary session of SIAM’s themed “Sustainable Mobility – Global Benchmarks”, Mr. Vinod Aggarwal, President of SIAM and Managing Director & CEO of Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles Ltd addressing the gathering, said, “We need to learn from the global strategies we have been witnessing in the automotive sector and examine their applicability in India. With increased focus on sustainability, prominent avenue for the auto industry’s growth lies in the adoption and promotion of clean-energy vehicles. This includes embracing other powertrains, including eco-friendly flexi fuels and making vehicles compliant to it.”
Mr. Guenther F. Apfalter, President of Magna Europe & Asia, delivered an insightful presentation on Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) from a European perspective. Highlighting the evolving landscape of powertrains in Europe and underscored the significance of clean and efficient mobility solutions. Prof. Suani Coelho, Professor, Institute of Energy and Environment and Coordinator of the Research Group of Bioenergy, University of São Paulo, shed light on Brazil’s pioneering role in sustainable transportation through biofuels, offering valuable insights into innovative approaches to clean energy.
Moving forward, Mr. Ashim Sharma, Senior Partner & Group Head of Business Performance Improvement Consulting (Auto, Engg. & Logistics) at Nomura Research Institute, provided valuable insights into Sustainable Mobility Learnings from Japan. His presentation highlighted Japan’s leadership in shaping the future of transportation, emphasizing transferable lessons that can enhance sustainability and efficiency worldwide. Mr. Andreas Tschiesner, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, presented a thought-provoking Global Perspective on Material Circularity.
‘Aatmanirbhar’: The Roadmap to increased Localization and harnessing Export Potential
During the Valedictory session “‘Aatmanirbhar’– The Roadmap to Increased Localization and Harnessing Export Potential of the Indian Auto Industry”, the Chief Guest, Mr. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, Government of India, stated, “Democracy, demographic dividend, and diversity are the three D’s propelling the automobile industry onto the fast lane. India’s has achieved ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in many ways and have joined the ranks of nations where basic life aspirations such as digital connectivity, road infrastructure, healthcare, and water supply are being fulfilled, a testament to the ‘new India’ that our people collectively strive for. Today, the middle class seeks value and pride in their automobile choices, driving significant market demand indigenously. We must encourage significant investment in electronic components and products made in India, boost R&D within our nation, and nurture domestic industries. We must also reduce our dependence on imports and should rather trust our localised capabilities within our own ecosystem.”
Addressing the session, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Steering Committee on Advancing Local value-add & Exports (SCALE), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, said, “Indian automotive industry has long embodied self-reliance, and has been working for very long towards being Aatmanirbhar. Currently, we are the world’s third-largest automobile market and India has clear advantages in terms of its demographics, geopolitical positioning, and now, with our success at the G20. With being one of the largest markets, it is pertinent that efforts be placed to increase automotive exports and for that we need a dedicated task force that should work towards this goal. While we have come a long way in the domain of localization, true progress for the sector will be driven by the export market.”