Auto Serve 2012 proves major platform for showcasing aftermarket product potential

Auto Serve 2012, the three-day exhibition on automotive care, maintenance, service, parts and garage equipments organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Chennai during November 16-18, generated business enquiries worth Rs. 125 crores.

The business enquiries were in the areas of automotive services, aftermarket products, components, spareparts, garage and service equipment, garage tools, and car care products and accessories.

The event attracted 101 exhibitors and over 15,000 business and trade visitors from India and abroad. Over 37 sectoral associations from India and overseas participated in the show, besides representatives from Italy, Japan, the UK, Germany, China and the US. Live technology & product demonstrations, new product launches, dealership meetings, etc., were some of the other highlights of the show.

The major participants included industry leaders such as Ashok Leyland, Bosch Ltd., Brakes India, Gulf Oil, Ingersoll Rand, JK Tyres, Lucas-TVS, Madhus Garage Equipments, Manatec Electronics, Renault India, Sundram Fasteners and TVS & Sons, besides other prominent players in the automobile, automotive care, aftermarket sales & service, accessories and garage equipment industry.

Also of significance is the fact that the event attracted service heads of automotive companies, private & corporate fleet operators, State transport maintenance departments, managers of service stations, workshop & garage owners / garage operators, mechanics, automotive vehicle dealers, dealers of automotive products and consumers as visitors to the show.

With the population of automobiles in India exceeding 130 million and growing at an annual rate of 12 per cent, the automotive aftermarket business in the country is poised for immense growth.

CII believes that the important challenge for the automotive services and aftermarket sector is to ensure that the growth in vehicle population is accompanied by strategies aimed to provide world class after-sales services with focus on safety and environment. CII’s Auto Serve was one such platform that addressed these issues holistically.

In his inaugural address at the Auto Serve 2012 Conference, Mr. Mike Nithavrianakis, Deputy High Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission, said: “India offers conducive environment for industries to invest and has emerged as a fast growing market for various investors. There is huge scope for collaboration between India and the UK in the automotive sector, particularly in parts and aftermarket products”.

Mr. Marc Nassif, Country Head & Managing Director, Renault India, in his keynote address, said: “India is one of the important markets when it comes to automobiles. The Indian market has tremendous scope and potential for the automobile industry and has witnessed stupendous growth in last couple of years.

Mr. R. Dinesh, Chairman, Auto Serve 2012 & Joint Managing Director, T V Sundram Iyengar & Sons Ltd., observed: “Auto Serve 2012 is being held at a crucial time when the automotive industry is currently witnessing a slowdown. With this background, Auto Serve 2012 would demonstrate to industry and other stakeholders on enhancing the profitability in the automotive aftermarket business by showcasing state-of-the-art technologies and solutions”.