Innovation And Components Diversification At The Fore At Auto Expo 2012

By Author: Rocky Singh
Total Articles: 19
Comment this article

As automobile manufacturers continue to enthrall the young and the old alike at the Auto Expo 2012, the focus shifts towards the multi-faceted engineering and extensive research that goes into making winners on wheels. With vehicles beginning to be gauged by their unique propositions, there is increasing emphasis on revolutionary technology and the role of the auto components industry is crucial in this regard.

CII Director General Chandrajit Bannerjee said, “This edition of Auto Expo 2012 has demonstrated the importance of Indian automobile industry on a global level which is evident from the surge in overseas participation. The fact that all global auto majors are taking interest in the show clearly reflects that India represents one of the largest and fastest growing automobile markets in the world.”

The exposition has commendable participation from countries including Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in the auto components section. This sign gives a further heads-up to the auto component aftermarket in India which is valued at a healthy Rs. 24, 800 crores ...
... and another Rs.8, 000 crores fro services.

Elaborates Mr. Arvind Kapur, President, ACMA, “The thrust and the industry’s focus in the current circumstances is R&D - innovation, design and new product development. To strengthen its position, the component industry will have to create a path of progression through value-added products. It is time for the industry to graduate from being a 'build-to-print' one to that of 'art-to-part'. Many auto component manufacturers are displaying, must-see, technologically advanced components at the Auto Expo 2012.”

Adding to the train of energy efficient solutions at the Auto Expo is Schaeffler, one of the largest German and European industrial companies. As a development partner to the automotive industry, Schaeffler offers precision products for engines, transmissions and chassis applications that seek to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions as well. On display are Schaeffler’s electronic clutch management and automated manual transmission systems which are marketed as alternatives to double clutch options.

Taking the cause of road safety a step further is Hubert Ebner India Pvt Ltd, an Indo-Austrian venture, as it joins hands with Delhi-based NGO, Earth Matters Foundation, to sensitize the Indian public on road safety. HE India provides unique management systems like Driver Management Centre, Journey Risk Assessment, Traffic Management System and other monitoring methods. It is also the sole distributor of P-Drive, an equipment to assess drivers behind the wheel, which is being used by road transport organizations to ensure safe driving habits.

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in association with Clear Air Initiative-Asia (CAI-Asia) today organized Green Freight India Seminar. The objective of the Seminar was for the Indian Government officials, industry and other organizations that are involved in freight in India to hear about India’s plans to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from freight, learn about the best practices abroad, and to discuss approaches and plans for green freight development in India.

Mr. S Sandilya, President SIAM said, "India is one of the few markets in the world which is growing hence the world is looking at India to explore opportunities in the auto sector.The 11th Auto Expo had 50 car launches and of these 8 were global launches. In addition to the automobile car manufacturers who already present in India, this expo had some first time participants also like Peugeot, Triumph, Ferrari and Polaris. The participation of the global automobile makers proves that, the world is looking at India to drive future global growth in the auto sector and the Indian Auto Expo has become a priority destination for most automakers over the years".

The broader aim was to establish a partnership of private sector and other organizations as part of efforts to establish a ‘Green Freight India Program’ that will cover clean technologies, freight logistics, financial mechanisms etc.

January 8, 2012