ACMA Hosts Inaugural STEER 2025, Setting the Course For India’s Automotive Aftermarket

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) recently held the inaugural STEER 2025, a national aftermarket confluence designed to chart a course for the future of India’s automotive components industry.

The event, convened on 8th August, saw participation from leading government and industry voices, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA, Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA and Ramashankar Pandey, Chairman, ACMA Aftermarket Sub-Committee.

In his keynote, Joshi praised ACMA’s commitment to consumer empowerment and highlighted the government’s Right to Repair initiative, stating that it would help make genuine spare parts and repair information more accessible and encourage sustainability and affordability while strengthening India’s presence globally.

Throughout the day, delegates engaged in lively discussions on sectoral challenges and opportunities around safety, technology adoption, skills development, market access and supply chain resilience. Actionable recommendations emerged to help advance the aftermarket in line with evolving consumer expectations and international trends.

According to data presented by Ernst & Young, India’s auto component sector has experienced robust growth, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12 percent from FY2018 to FY2024. The aftermarket segment itself expanded at around 8 percent CAGR over this period.

In FY2024, the industry’s turnover reached INR 6,147 billion, with exports climbing to INR 1,760 billion and constituting around 4 percent of India’s total national exports. The sector currently contributes approximately 2 percent to India’s GDP and provides employment to nearly five million people, highlighting its importance as one of the country’s largest employers.

Exports have become a significant driver, fuelled by strong domestic demand, supportive government incentives and India’s integration within the global ‘China+1’ supply strategy. Lower manufacturing costs give Indian exporters a competitive edge, with average factory wages 50-75 percent lower than those in China, allowing for 20-30 percent savings on labour-intensive components. Government schemes such as the Auto PLI Scheme have further boosted export growth, offering sales-linked incentives of 8–18 percent for advanced and electric vehicle components. Engine parts remain the largest export category, though substantial shares are also held by sectors such as suspension, braking, body/chassis, transmission and electronics.

Global opportunities abound in both developed and emerging markets. Key targets for Indian suppliers include Latin America, Indonesia, Poland, the UAE and Africa. Brazil’s automotive aftermarket alone is valued at USD 12,091 million (CY23), while Indonesia’s stands at USD 7,759 million, offering significant scope for further growth. Indian mechanical and consumable parts, particularly for two-wheelers, commercial vehicles and tractors, enjoy a reputation for quality in many of these regions; for instance, Nigerian purchasers are willing to pay up to 25 percent more for critical Indian spares compared to cheaper Chinese alternatives.

Trade agreements such as the India-UAE CEPA have facilitated access to high-growth markets by removing import duties, while bilateral pacts with African nations support expansion into West and East Africa. In Africa, car ownership remains relatively low at 40 per 1,000 people – far less than the global average – indicating substantial growth potential for automotive aftermarket products over the coming decade.

At STEER 2025, speakers emphasised strategies for further accelerating India's export momentum, including building stronger online and e-commerce presence, innovative branding, tailored product offerings, collaborative supplier initiatives, streamlined logistics and enhanced market access through local partnerships. ACMA reaffirmed its commitment to close collaboration with government and industry stakeholders, placing consumer empowerment and sustainability at the core of its vision to enhance India's reputation as a globally competitive supplier.

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Ludhiana-based auto components manufacturer Kay Jay Forgings has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The proposed INR 3.6 billion initial public offering (IPO) consists of a fresh issue of equity shares up to INR 3 billion and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to INR 600 million by existing shareholders.

The company plans to deploy the net proceeds from the fresh issue for capital expenditure and debt reduction. It aims to invest INR 1.18 billion towards a new forging facility, a machining facility and a solar power plant. INR 900 million towards debt repayment and the remaining funds to be utilised for operational purposes.

The company may also consider a pre-IPO placement of up to INR 400 million, which would reduce the size of the fresh issue accordingly.

Kay Jay Forgings is a precision engineering company manufacturing machined components for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). It also serves the farm equipment, mining, and home appliance sectors with a portfolio of 286 products.

The company claims it is the largest supplier of crankshafts and crankshaft assemblies to two-wheeler OEMs in India, with an estimated 36 percent domestic market share in FY2025. It operates 6 manufacturing units in Ludhiana, Punjab, and Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The company reported a customer rejection rate of less than 1 percent for the 6-month period ended 30 September 2025.

It maintains long-term relationships with several manufacturers, including a 37-year partnership with TVS Motor Company. Other clients include Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Mahindra & Mahindra and Bajajsons.

Future strategies focus on diversifying into lightweight aluminium forged and machined components. These powertrain-agnostic parts are intended to help OEMs meet emission norms and improve fuel efficiency.

In terms of financial performance, the company reported revenue of INR 7.5 billion in FY2025, up 12 percent YoY, as against INR 6.72 billion a year ago. Net profit for FY2025 came at INR 290 million, up 20 percent YoY, as against INR 240 million a year ago.

For H1 FY2026, the company reported a net profit of INR 213 million. The global automotive forging market is projected to grow from USD 45.1 billion in 2025 to USD 65.8 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 7–9 percent.

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Avendus Capital has released a report on the Indian auto component industry, identifying a structural shift in global supply chains. The study projects that India’s automotive metal forming market – comprising casting, forging, stamping, and machining – will grow at a 12 percent CAGR to reach USD 90–95 billion by FY2030.

The report indicates that value within the global automotive supply chain is shifting toward process specialists rather than diversified product suppliers. These specialists rely on metallurgical expertise and precision tooling, creating high entry barriers.

The Indian auto component sector surpassed USD 80 billion in FY2025. India has transitioned to a net exporter, with exports reaching approximately USD 23 billion. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier-1 suppliers are diversifying sourcing bases to India due to geopolitical factors and cost competitiveness.

Core metal-forming processes remain essential for both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) platforms. As global suppliers reallocate capital toward electrification, the report suggests India holds a ‘last man standing’ advantage in ICE components.

India is positioned to fill the supply gap for critical drivetrain components, including crankshafts, gears and axles. With a global fleet of over 1.5 billion ICE vehicles, the segment also presents substantial opportunities in the aftermarket.

The sector is experiencing a consolidation cycle led by capabilities rather than just scale. Recent deal activity shows increased participation from global private equity firms and strategic acquirers focusing on export-oriented platforms with deep process expertise.

Koushik Bhattacharyya, Managing Director and Head, Industrials Investment Banking, Avendus Capital, stated, “The Indian auto component sector is moving beyond a scale-driven growth phase into a capability-led consolidation cycle. We are seeing a clear shift in value toward process specialists, where deep manufacturing expertise and operational precision are becoming the key differentiators. As global supply chains evolve, India is uniquely positioned to capture this opportunity, particularly in core metal-forming segments. We expect this to translate into sustained deal activity, as investors look to build scaled, capability-led platforms in the sector.”

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French tier 1 automotive supplier Valeo has inaugurated a new manufacturing line for electric powertrain systems at its facility in Lonikand, Pune. The line will produce integrated 3-in-1 e-Axles for Mahindra & Mahindra’s ‘Born Electric’ vehicle platform. The inauguration was attended by R Velusamy, President of Automotive Business at Mahindra and Mahindra and Xavier Dupont, CEO, Valeo Power Division.

The facility produces a 3-in-1 e-Axle system that integrates the electric motor, inverter and reducer into a single unit. This configuration is designed to improve efficiency and reliability while reducing the overall footprint of the powertrain.

The Pune plant's technical capabilities include automated lines for U-Pin or Hairpin winding technologies. Dedicated sections for reducer assembly and inverter production. The facility utilises automation, digital tracing and quality control systems for end-to-end monitoring of the assembly process.

Valeo has operated in India since 1997 and currently maintains six production sites across Chennai, Pune, Sanand, and Gurgaon. The company employs 7,500 people in the country, including an engineering workforce of over 3,750 focused on global research and development.

Xavier Dupont, said, “India is a key region in Valeo’s ‘Elevate 2028’ strategic plan. Our investments in Pune supports our commitment to deeper localization of advanced technologies in India. By localizing the production of our highly integrated 3-in-1 e-Axle systems, we are strengthening our ability to deliver advanced technologies to our customers and contributing to India’s transition towards safer, and more sustainable mobility.”

Jayakumar G, President, Valeo India, added, “The inauguration of this line marks an important milestone in Valeo’s journey in India. Our new e-Axle manufacturing line in Pune is a key step in our growth strategy. It reflects our commitment to bringing advanced technology solutions closer to our customers. We are proud to develop and manufacture this e-Axle for Mahindra’s Born Electric Vehicles and to contribute to the growth of India’s EV ecosystem.“

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Gujarat-based embedded electronics and power systems company Bacancy Systems has closed an INR 400 million Series A funding round led by Sabre Partners and Greenstone Capital, both of whom have acquired minority stakes in the firm.

The company intends to deploy the capital to scale manufacturing infrastructure, accelerate product development and expand into international markets. The funding will also support research and development (R&D) in two primary industrial segments:

Electric Mobility: Development of DC charger controllers and power electronics for EV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and charging infrastructure providers.

Railway Electronics: Expansion into Train Control and Management Systems (TCMS), traction converter control systems, and remote monitoring platforms.

Founded in 2021, Bacancy operates at the intersection of hardware, firmware and cloud technologies.

Binal Patel, Founder and CEO, Bacancy Systems, said, “Closing our first fund raise is indeed a defining moment for Bacancy Systems. This milestone validates what we have believed from day one – that deep, purpose-built R&D in Electric mobility, Railways, is not just the future, but an urgent necessity, and local manufacturing of the same under the Make in India initiative is equally essential to empower India and build a reliable supply chain. With over two decades of industry experience, I am more confident than ever that the innovations we are building will define the next generation of India’s industrial backbone. This capital empowers us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in EV infrastructure, Railways, and beyond – and we are just getting started.”

Tanushree Agarwal, Partner, Sabre Partners, added, “Bacancy represents a compelling play on India’s electrification and indigenisation themes. The company has built strong capabilities in power electronics and controller systems, with a clear focus on IP-led product development. We believe Bacancy is well-positioned to benefit from the rapid growth in EV infrastructure and railway modernisation, and we are excited to partner with the management team to support the next phase of growth and scale.”

Paresh Thakker, Managing Partner at Greenstone Capital, stated, “Bacancy’s strong engineering capability and focus on indigenised embedded systems position it well within India’s evolving EV and railway electronics ecosystem. We are pleased to collaborate with the company in driving its upcoming phase of growth and transformation.”

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