Huge auto sector growth potential cited
Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, Maharashtra Chief Minister, has cited the huge potential for development of the auto ancillary sector in the 
country and has assured all possible support from the State Government for the growth and expansion of the auto industry in Maharashtra, particularly concentrated in the Pimpri – Chinchwad – Pune area.
Inaugurating the second edition of the Auto Ancillary Show 2013 (AAS) held at the Auto Cluster Development & Research Institute, Chinchwad, Pune, during October 25-28, 2013, Mr. Chavan complimented the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the Auto Cluster Development & Research Institute (ACDRI) and other associates for holding specialized business events for promotion of the auto ancillary sector in this region. There is a close relationship between the manufacturing industry and design, and the auto industry has to focus on indigenous innovative designs, especially for SMEs which have an increasingly growing role in economic development.
Underlining the crucial role of ITPO in empowerment of the trade and industry, especially medium and small-scale industries in the country, Mr. Chavan expressed confidence that ITPO would continue to showcase the industry through meaningful interface with the related public and private sector and trade bodies such as ACDRI.
After inaugurating the show, the Chief Minister evinced keen interest in a wide range of auto parts, equipment and technologies displayed by different manufacturers.
In her keynote address, Ms. Rita Menon highlighted the salient features of Auto Ancillary Show 2013. Acknowledging the support of the Ministries, Auto Cluster and participants from India and abroad, she stated that the show has been institutionalized as an annual event in Pune, a traditional hub of the automobile industry in India.
She expressed confidence that the show would prove a reliable platform for trade exchanges, technology transfer, exploration of joint 
ventures and creating business network helping in the growth of the economy.
Dwelling upon ITPO’s plan for strengthening trade and industry, she said that, apart from creating state-of-the-art facilities in other States, ITPO has already geared up to revamp Pragati Maidan in Delhi into an ideal convention and exhibition complex which would be functional by 2017.
Also present on the occasion were the Mayor of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Ms. Mohinitai Lande, the Chairperson and Managing Director of ITPO, Ms. Rita Menon, the Executive Director of ITPO, Mr. Malay Shrivastava, the Chairman of ACDRI & Commissioner PCMC, Dr. S.K. Pardeshi, the Development Commissioner Industries – Maharashtra, Ms. Radhika Rastogi, and the Pune District Collector, Mr. Vikas Deshmukh.
The display profile at the Auto Ancillary Show covered transmission gears, differential gears, spine shafts, planetary gear assemblies, LED lighting communication systems, bright roller tools for profiles, springs of various types, piston pins, crank pins connecting rod kits, SG iron & grey iron castings & components, engine mounting parts, laminated leaf springs and parabolic springs, steering column assemblies, air-conditioning & cooling systems, thermal control systems, automotive solutions for flasher CDI and BCM, multilayer hoses-radiator, fuel air suction fuel injection pipes assemblies (CRDI), silicone hose & hose assemblies, rubber moldings nylon air/fuel line assemblies, tubular fabricated assemblies, teflon hose assemblies, high pressure hydraulic hose assemblies, hydraulic brake hose assemblies, urethane cushion buffers, car air fan, cooling seat, flexible, expanded polyethylene foam (EPE/PE) cross-linked polyethylene foam (XLPE), engineered polyester/polyether foams, and automotive testing services industry promotion services.
AAS had participation from 66 companies, showing an increase of nearly 30 per cent over that of last year. It has representation of companies from South Korea and Thailand and/or their Indian subsidiaries. A subsidiary of a major Mexican Group was also represented at the show.
The show was held with a concurrent seminar on “Future Trends in Automotive Transmission Technologies”, with participation from Mr. Satish Puranik, Dy. General Manager (Transmission) – ERC, Tata Motors Ltd., Mr. Shrikant Bairagi, Managing Director, TREMEC India Automotive Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Mandeep Bhalla, CEO and Sr. Vice President & Head of Commercial Vehicle Technology Division India, ZF India Private Ltd., Mr. Gayanand Jha, General Manager – Engineering Center, Voith Turbo Private Ltd., and Mr. S.S. Udgata, Head R&D, RSB Transmissions Ltd.
“Plasma Technology for Auto & Engineering Sector” was the other major topic of the seminar.
There were 1,800 trade visitors at the show representing major and diverse auto companies.