Auto Expo 2020 has got off to a fantastic start. We caught up with Deepak Jain, ACMA President, on the sidelines of the vibrant congregation of Indian and global auto suppliers.
What are your observations about this edition of Auto Expo?
This is the 15th edition of the Auto Expo – Components show and this year is very unique because obviously globally there is a future mobility landscape and we have made a theme called ‘Technovation’ because the component industry believes that technology and innovation are the two things that will help us build future competitiveness. We have a ‘Technovation’ pavilion that brings in the ecosystem of the traditional component manufacturers, start-ups and future technology products and we would like to showcase to our customers domestically and globally how we are able to make in India and how ready we are. We are also at a very opportune time because BS-VI is around the corner, so the industry is also showcasing the investments they have put in for BS-VI and how we are able to deliver solutions for future mobility.
The much-awaited 2020 decade is here. Do you see this expo setting the tone for the rest of the decade ahead?
The future trends of mobility are very clear. India will have to adapt and adopt these future trends in a very different way. This is going to be a decade of transformation and with it, the component industry in India is extremely excited to not see this as a disruption but see it more as an opportunity. I think the entrepreneurial spirit that is prevalent in the Indian auto component space is looking forward to making the most of these new opportunities, be it digital, xEV, Industry 4.0, machine learning, etc; there is a massive transformation in manufacturing and also in product technology.
Do you see any positive signs in the industry situation?
The most positive sign we see is this Auto Expo. It is truly showing the resilience of the component industry in India. We are occupying more than 30 per cent more floor space in this edition of the show compared to last time. Even in a downturn year, companies have shown solidarity and have come together to showcase what they can do. This is a show not of today but of the future. We want to invite all our customers to come and see how the component industry in India is shaping up.