India’s automotive sector is experiencing significant growth, a trend mirrored at the 64th SIAM Annual Convention. The focus has shifted from merely reducing imports to expanding exports, aiming to make the Indian automobile industry truly “atma nirbhar” (self-reliant) and positioning it as a leading global auto manufacturing hub—an ambition the government is actively pursuing. The Indian automobile industry is currently the third largest auto industry across the world.
The government’s strategy is clear: by focusing on cleaner technologies, Indian vehicles will meet global demand for sustainable solutions.
To achieve its ambitious goals, the Indian automobile industry will focus not only on sustainability but also on delivering high-quality products. Nitin Gadkari emphasised that India’s advantage lies in its skilled, cost-effective labour force and expertise in manufacturing valuable products. These strengths, he believes, will help India rise to the top of the global automotive industry.
In line with this vision, the government is taking steps to enhance research and testing in vehicle manufacturing. A world-class testing agency will be established at the CIIT Training Institute in Pune, with a sanctioned budget of ₹450 crore. Gadkari explained that the government has decided to start a new venture at CIIT Pune with international standards, offering all the necessary facilities for testing and research. “My department has already sanctioned ₹450 crore for this project, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is in progress. Within the next three months, we aim to begin this important initiative, which will provide extensive services to the industry,” he concluded.
