India is one of the world’s largest automobile markets

By OEM Update Editorial July 3, 2021 6:37 pm IST

Indian automobile market is experiencing a continuous demand for Indian make vehicles.

India is still largely dependent on imported automobile components and auto parts. How is industry planning to reduce the same to accommodate localised manufacturing?

The Indian automobile industry has started taking steps towards replacing global sourcing with deep localisation. With the pandemic and lockdown restrictions, the industry has realised the importance of minimising its reliance on imports. The situation has made OEMs in India more watchful. The government is also encouraging OEMs by introducing schemes like the production-linked incentive, which will undoubtedly help accelerate overall manufacturing in the country. Along with the government, it is big manufacturers’ responsibility to promote sourcing from the local and smaller companies to help them increase their revenue. This may create opportunities for smaller companies. However, to be Atmanirbhar, the entire Indian manufacturing industry and the government should define a solid roadmap.

What kind of innovations have been happening in the component market? How are you meeting the innovative demands to remain competent?

Information-centric technology is playing a vital role in the future of the automobile industry. The industry is adopting AI, big data and analytics, mechatronics systems in its operations at an unprecedented scale. Today, customers prefer individual products on the one hand, but on the other hand, they also demand low prices. These two demands contradict each other. Customer demands lead to higher customisation of products, thus increasing the complexity of production. However, there is a solution. Batch size 1 or mass customisation is possible with innovative mechatronic systems. Our ACOPOStrak, SuperTrak, and ACOPOS 6Dmake it possible to manufacture small batches and individualised products economically. The automobile component manufacturer observes the demand of a wide range of variants with unique color selection with “batch size 1”; i.e., it should be possible to produce each component of car as a custom-made product if required.

With advanced automation technology, even batch size 1 is proven profitable for the manufacturer and affordable for the customer. Apart from this, additive manufacturing, automated inspections with Vision camera, using big data to manage designing and production, and integration of cobots on the shop floor are reinventing the manufacturing processes in the automobile sector. India falls in the world’s one of the largest automobile markets and is projected to be the third-largest automobile market in the world by 2025. The Indian automobile market is experiencing a continuous demand for Indian make vehicles which eventually helps to grow in the domestic and international markets. To meet customers’ future needs and stay competitive, Indian manufacturers should now catch up on automation, up-gradation of brown fields, and digitisation of the shop floor. To stay ahead in the competition, Indian manufacturers should try to achieve competitive superiority by developing innovative products.

Manufacturing technologies need to be upgraded continuously. Substantial investments and strong policies from the government for developing new home-grown technologies; compliant with high proficiency standards would help India move up the value chain.