Nitin Gadkari, Dharmendra Pradhan and who’s who of Auto Mobile Industry attend 58th SIAM Annual Convention in Delhi

New Delhi: Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organized India’s biggest automotive event, the 58th Annual Convention on Thursday at Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi. Over the years the convention has become a extensive event, which is the largest congregation of the automotive fraternity. The Convention focuses on issues influencing automotive industry’s competitiveness and its integration with the global economy and strengthen the Indian Automotive companies role in national economic development.

The event saw the presence of political dignitaries, who’s who of automobile industry, ambassadors of different companies and media houses. Anant G Geete, Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, was the Chief Guest and Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, was the Guest of honour.

Nitin Gadkari,Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship were Guests of Honor at the convention.

The daylong event saw engaging speeches and panel discussions on ‘Building the Nation, Responsibly’, ‘Mobility Revolution – Transformational, Sustainable and Inclusive’, ‘States in the Forefront’, Session on ‘Transformation Vs Disruption – The Enablers’, and a Special Session on ‘Focus of Future Technologies.’

Addressing the Gathering, Dr Abhay Firodia, President SIAM & Chairman Force Motors, said,

"The Industry needs a clear 10-15 year roadmap for emissions and safety. The auto industry will follow any course set but the government, but requests the government not to change course mid way. SIAM believes local production of automobiles is crucial. Even in high end cars there should be CKD at least."

"The automotive industry demands a clear roadmap for emissions & safety for the next 10-15 yrs," added Dr Abhay.

Speaking on the occasion, Anant G Geete, Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, said, "All major automotive brands in the world are today being manufactured in India, which hints at the global industry entrusting India. Hence, we will strive to keep that trust intact, while also moving forward with the evolving technology."

Rajan Wadhera, vice-president, SIAM India and President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra said, "The automotive industry is the flag bearer for India’s manufacturing industry. "We are aspiring to contribute 12% to India’s GDP and generate 65 million additional jobs.There is a need for electric mobility to save energy & control pollution. Listen in."

"The automotive industry demands a clear roadmap for emissions & safety for the next 10-15 yrs. Don’t change that abruptly," added Dr Abhay.

Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said,

"We plan to supply fuel for BSVI by 1st April, 2020 and we assure you there won’t be any uncertainty and we shall adhere to the mentioned date. Prime Minister’s Purvodaya vision focuses on a paradigm change in development of Eastern States. Past 4 years have witnessed an unprecedented growth in logistics infrastructure & skilled manpower in these mineral-rich states of India."

"I cordially invite the Industry to establish manufacturing hubs in the eastern part of the country," added Oil Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.

Nitin Gadkari,Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, spoke about the future of the Indian auto industry in his speech. He also announced that all toll lanes in India will get FASTags over the next four months. Addressing the gathering he said,

"The decision for all toll lanes to be RFID FASTags compliant will be applicable across the 462 toll plazas in the country.Our two wheelers will be safer than the world standards in 2019. I’m sure the Industry will now come with better models and better engines. implementing stricter safety standards was an urgent requirement for India and thanks the industry for accepting this initiative."

Speaking to Ten News Exclusively, Vishnu Mathur, Director General, SIAM, said,

"This is the 58th SIAM Annual Convention which is the largest congregation of the automotive fraternity in the country. So you have Automotive Players, you have Auto components players, you have the other stakeholders like government etc. And this is the occasion where we look at the past and what is the future direction and then we use that to work our industry plans and their long-term growth plans."