The Government of India aims to make automobiles manufacturing the main driver of ‘Make In India’ initiative, as it expects passenger vehicles market to reach 9.4 million units by 2026, as highlighted in the Auto Mission Plan (AMP) 2016-26, said Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Secretary Girish Shankar on September 16.
Addressing a CII International Automotive Design Conclave 2016, Shankar said that the government has formulated a scheme for faster adoption and manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles in India, under the National Electric Mobility Mission 2020 to encourage the progressive induction of reliable, affordable and efficient electric and hybrid vehicles in the country.
He also mentioned that both the industries and industrial organizations have to explore the development of funding strategies/models/mechanisms for design and development and how the outcome of these strategies can be monetized.
Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog, said that India should become a society of design and innovation to attain and sustain 9-10 percent growth rate.
He said that the private sector has a critical role in developing the growth potential of the design industry, and added that the government will soon open four to five more design institutes.
He further said that Indian private sector should also open design institutes for nurturing talent and innovating minds. Indian companies need to think large to penetrate global markets by focusing on exports and becoming an integral part of the global supply chain.
Make in India is also about intellectual property rights, innovation and continuous improvement.
Digital/IT companies and manufacturing companies need to work together to create a disruptive culture for creating globally competitive designs. He also said that design is all about simplicity.
Arvind Kapur, Chairman, Special Taskforce on Manufacturing and Make in India, CII (Northern Region) and CMD, RICO Auto Industries Ltd, said that while India has demonstrated growing capabilities in auto manufacturing and have successfully designed and built new vehicles, we need to increasingly focus on auto design aspects.
C V Raman, Chairman, International Automotive Design Conclave 2016 and Executive Director (Engineering), Maruti Suzuki India Ltd said that the Indian auto industry needs to be original but in sync with global trends. He said that Ola and Uber are changing the market trends. Indian customer expectations are also changing.
Besides functional needs, there is a demand for an emotional quotient as well, thus enhancing the role of design.
Pratap Bose, Head of Design, Tata Motors, United Kingdom mentioned that products are shaped by society, culture, technology, marketing, cost, utility, legislation and environment.
“We hope automotive design will be integrated in Smart City Planning especially for smart mobility at the conception stage. He also mentioned that India should focus on disruptive technologies and leverage its strength in IT and manufacturing,” he said.
The conclave was well attended by over 400 industry participants from within India as well as abroad.
Source: The Financial Express
Image Courtesy: Enthusiast Network
