New Delhi, 04 September, 2020: Amidst the multipronged COVID 19 challenges, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) marked its 60th Annual Convention with a series of virtual plenary sessions deliberating upon the revival and future of the automotive industry.
Gracing the occasion for the plenary session on “A Long Term Regulatory Roadmap and Infrastructure Development” was Guest of Honour, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India.
Welcoming the industry recommendations, Guest of Honour, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, expressed, “Industry has come to global standards on many regulatory fronts. As a regulatory minister I cannot be more satisfied. We uphold the need for long term regulatory roadmap and infrastructure development for the benefit of automobile industry. It is time the country also focuses on alternative biofuel technologies such as that of ethanol, methanol, LNG, and so on. Also, I recommend the SIAM and the industry to create an independent think tank of retired industry, legal, policy, and government experts to resolve industry challenges.”
“Government has changed the definition of MSME, has invested heavily in road infrastructure including 22 green express highways, is focusing on road safety guidelines, and is bringing alternative cleaner fuels to India,” he added.
Mr Vikram Kirloskar, Past President, SIAM & Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “Over the past year, the industry has made tremendous investments in upgrading to BSVI and various technological pathways and we have lost much of our cash reserve. The impact of the recent pandemic on the industry is unprecedented. We need to pause and revisit our options with regard to impending regulations. It is essential a long-term stable policy roadmap is created for the sector with phased timelines and minimal revisions. Policy interventions and regulations should focus on larger national imperatives and be technology neutral. Given the multitude of technologies and alternative fuel options, a clear National Fuel Roadmap would help the industry in making informed decisions. It is also important that the development of technologies should precede the implementation of regulation.”
While thanking the guests and dignitaries, Mr Vinod Aggarwal, Treasurer, SIAM & Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “We depend heavily on infrastructure development and economic growth especially for the growth of CV sector. We welcome the change in definition of MSMEs which has increased viability of suppliers in the business. It is our request to the Government to consider including wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles in the MSMED Act, which will benefit our dealers and make vehicle retail business viable.”
The industry achieved the landmark feat of transitioning to the BSVI Emission Norms from 1st April 2020, across all vehicle segments, bringing India at par with rest of the world, while meeting one of the most stringent environmental regulations for vehicles.
About SIAM
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is a not-for-profit apex national body representing all major vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India. SIAM works towards supporting sustainable development of the Indian Automobile Industry with the vision that India emerges as the destination of choice in the world for design and manufacture of automobiles. It also works towards facilitating enhancement of the competitiveness of the Indian Automobile Industry, reducing cost of vehicles, increasing productivity, and achieving global standards of quality.
