The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has released the results of its Dealer Satisfaction Study (DSS) 2025. The study, conducted in partnership with the Singapore-based consulting firm PremonAsia, was announced at the 7th Auto Retail Conclave on 10th September.

C.S. Vigneshwar, President, FADA, noted that the study provides a ‘true mirror’ to the relationship between dealers and OEMs. The study surveyed over 1,800 dealer principals, representing nearly 5,000 outlets across the country. For the first time, it was conducted in nine regional languages to ensure broader participation.

• JSW MG Motor captured the top position in the 4-Wheeler Mass Market segment with a score of 868 points.
• Royal Enfield led the 2-Wheeler segment with 852 points, followed by Hero MotoCorp. Both companies showed improvement from the previous year.
• Ashok Leyland retained its leadership in the Commercial Vehicle segment with 786 points.
• The 3-Wheeler segment was included again after three years, with Atul Auto topping the category with a score of 924 points.
• Volvo Cars topped the 4-Wheeler Luxury segment with 884 points.

The industry average dealer satisfaction score was 781, a 13-point increase from the previous year. Product continues to have the highest score across all categories, indicating dealers are largely satisfied with the quality, reliability and range offered by OEMs.

Rahul Sharma, Director and COO, PremonAsia, said, "close to two-thirds of dealer sentiment is shaped by after-sales service and viability factors. While after-sales service is the most important factor, Business and viability remains a key concern for dealers. Dealers cited issues such as buyback/write-off of unsold inventory, training cost-sharing arrangements and margins on vehicles and spare parts.”

Dealer satisfaction improved in the 2-wheeler segment compared to the previous year, but it declined in the 4-wheeler Mass Market and Commercial Vehicle segments. Vigneshwar stated that while the industry is performing well on product quality, structural issues like buyback policies, training costs and dealership viability cannot be ignored.

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) convened the 7th SIAM CSR Conclave in New Delhi, themed ‘CSR Partnerships – From Shared Vision to Shared Value’. The event brought together industry leaders, CSR practitioners, policymakers, NGOs and development experts to explore collaborative models for driving inclusive growth and national development.

The inaugural session, titled ‘CSR as National Development Catalyst - Building the Nation, Responsibly’, featured key dignitaries who set the tone for discussions on sustainable nation-building. Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, welcomed attendees and highlighted the automobile industry's extensive national presence, emphasising its responsibility to engage communities sustainably. He linked industry efforts to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, noting that businesses must look beyond sectoral growth to include social development across the country. The session included a screening of SIAM CSR initiatives and the release of the SIAM CSR Compendium, showcasing member companies' key projects.

Guest of Honour Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee, IAS (Retd.), Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, traced CSR's evolution from charity to statutory obligation, calling for CSR 2.0 with fresh thinking, technology adoption like AI for verifiable data, third-party evaluation and professionalisation. He urged the automobile sector to prioritise waste management, process re-engineering and carbon capture, insisting that CSR must move from the backroom to the boardroom with robust governance.

Puneet Anand, Chairman of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Associate Vice President & Vertical Head at Hyundai Motor India Ltd., noted India's pioneering CSR legislation has mobilised nearly INR 2.2 trillion from about 800 organisations. He stressed the need to move beyond the statutory two percent threshold towards measurable outcomes, skill development, community resilience and replicable district-level models through collaboration.

Other contributors to the session included Prabhakant Jain, CSR Head of D S Group; Yashpal Sachar, Vice President (Corporate Affairs) at Ashok Leyland Ltd.; Tarun Agarwal, Sr Vice President & Head-CSR at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. and Sulekha Kaul, Partner at Vaish & Associates Advocates, who shared insights on impactful CSR models.

Rajeev Taneja, Co-Chair of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Vertical Head – CSR Operation at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Ltd., delivered closing remarks, emphasising CSR's centrality to inclusive growth. He called for evolution from compliance to conviction, with intentional, measurable collaboration focused on empathy, dignity and tangible change, supported by transparency and alignment with national priorities.

A thematic session on ‘Educational and Corporate Outreach towards CSR Pillars’ was moderated by Anuj Guglani, Founder & CEO of WAF Group, addressing environmental rejuvenation, road safety, education, health, sanitation and skills development. Session Chairman Rajendra Raut, Co-Chair of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Director (Corporate & Govt. Affairs) at JSW MG Motor India, identified education as the enabling force strengthening all CSR pillars, advocating for partnership and co-creation over donor-recipient approaches. Presentations followed from Sanchita Vaish, Lead Specialist-Global Entity Governance & CSR Lead (India) at Baker Hughes; Praveen Karn, Group Head Sustainability & CSR at Minda Group; Dr Veenu Shankar, Assistant Professor at Delhi Technological University; Anjali Makhija, CEO of S. M. Sehgal Foundation and Dr Chitra, CEO of Indian Head Injury Foundation.

A panel discussion on ‘NGO & Corporate Perspective on Successful Collaboration Models towards CSR Execution’ was moderated by Mugdha Mishra, Editor of Auto Media Strategy at Autocar India. Panellists included Arindam Lahiri, CEO of ASDC; Rahul Bansal, Head of Private & Public Sector Partnerships at UNICEF; Shailendra Singh, Director of Dhartie Warriors Foundation; Pritika Chand, Corporate Head at Jindal Stainless; Prabhu Nagaraj, Head – Corporate Affairs at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. and Co-Chairman of the SIAM Skilling Group; Ajay Bhatt, Head-Comm., Ex. Affairs, Sustainability & CSR at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.; Saurabh Sharma, Head CSR & ESG at Hyundai Motor India Ltd. and Runa Ahlawat, General Manager at JSW MG Motor India. They emphasised collaboration's importance in CSR execution.

The day's highlight was a Fireside Chat on ‘CSR Partnerships – From Shared Vision to Shared Value’, moderated by Mugdha Mishra, where Guest of Honour Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee reiterated the need for sustainability practices like waste management, process re-engineering and carbon capture in the automobile industry.

The conclave concluded with an Award Ceremony recognising outstanding CSR contributions. Puneet Anand delivered opening remarks. SIAM CSR awards were distributed by dignitaries including Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee; Alok Jaitley, President – SAFE & EVP at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.; Puneet Anand; Rajeev Taneja; Rajendra Raut; Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM and Prashant K Banerjee. Awards under Skill Enhancement and Education went to Kedman Skilled India Foundation (Honda) and Centum Foundation (Mahindra & Mahindra). Healthcare & Sanitation awards were presented to Karma Healthcare Trust (Hyundai) and Sparsha Trust (Toyota). Road Safety awards recognised Learning Links Foundation (Ashok Leyland) and The TSL Foundation (Mahindra & Mahindra). Environmental Rejuvenation awards honoured Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (Škoda Auto Volkswagen) and NAAM Foundation (TATA Motors).

The conclave reaffirmed SIAM's commitment to collaborating with governments, industry leaders and stakeholders to advance sustainable mobility and contribute to India's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, aligned with its mission of building the nation responsibly.

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Antolin, a supplier of automotive interior technology, has announced the appointment of Emma Antolín Granet as its Executive Chair. The Board of Directors also appointed Ernesto Antolin Calzada as Vice-Chairman.

Ernesto Antolín Arribas steps down as chairman after 10 years to focus on the company's institutional affairs and representation. The leadership transition coincides with the development of a strategic plan focused on the company's financial position, margin improvement and cash generation.

The board indicated that the new strategy will build upon the current Transformation Plan. The primary objectives involve reinforcing the balance sheet and accelerating value creation through its three business units: Headliners, Cockpit & Door Systems, and Technology Solutions.

Antolin operates 111 factories in 23 countries and employs 20,000 people. The company reported revenue of EUR 4.19 billion in 2024.

Granet previously served as Vice-Chair and a Member of the Audit and Nominations committees. She holds an MBA and a Master’s in Financial Management from IE University, with further studies from Cambridge and Harvard Business School.

Ernesto Antolín Calzada joins the board after holding roles in project management and industrial operations at Antolin. His background includes experience in the financial department of Telefónica and in mergers and acquisitions at a law firm in London.

Emma Antolin, stated, "I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by the Board of Directors and I take on these new responsibilities with great determination. Over the past several years I have witnessed firsthand the strength of this Company and the talent of our people. My priority is to continue consolidating our market leadership position and delivering sustainable, long-term growth. I would also like to thank Ernesto Antolín for his work, strong commitment and dedication during the past years at the helm of the Company."

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Maruti Suzuki India Limited has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable logistics by securing international recognition for its Gujarat-based in-plant railway siding. This initiative has been officially registered as the world’s first Modal Shift Transportation Project under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) programme. By transitioning vehicle dispatches from road to rail – a considerably more efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport – the company is establishing a new benchmark in the sector.

The project is estimated to generate approximately 170,000 carbon credits over a 10-year period, spanning from the fiscal year 2023–24 to 2032–33. These emission reductions were calculated using the AM0090 methodology, which aligns with the Clean Development Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Following a rigorous independent verification of the carbon savings, Verra will officially issue the credits to Maruti Suzuki under its VCS programme.

Beyond its environmental impact, this initiative supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It notably contributes to Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), fosters Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and takes concrete action on Climate Change (SDG 13), demonstrating a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “This is a proud moment for Maruti Suzuki as our Gujarat in-plant railway siding is recognised as the world’s first Verra-registered Modal Shift in Transportation project. By transitioning vehicle movement from road to rail, the project demonstrates how scale, operational efficiency and environmental responsibility can seamlessly go hand in hand. Leveraging the inherent efficiency of rail transport, the Gujarat in-plant railway siding has significantly reduced the carbon footprint of our logistics operations while also easing road congestion and lowering overall fossil fuel consumption. We are honoured by the recognition from Verra. This milestone marks a significant step forward in our sustainability journey and reinforces our commitment to setting industry benchmarks that align with India’s strong steps towards net zero emissions.”

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Audi has announced a significant new three-year agreement with Silverstone, beginning in 2026, that establishes the manufacturer as the circuit's Official Car Partner. This strategic alliance unites two iconic entities deeply rooted in motorsport, both celebrated for their dedication to high performance, cutting-edge engineering and creating exceptional experiences.

Under the partnership, Audi will supply a fleet of its luxury vehicles to support VIP transport during major events, most notably the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. This will ensure guests enjoy premium comfort and performance throughout their time at the venue. The collaboration extends to fan engagement, with Audi vehicles becoming a key component of the Silverstone Drive Experiences. This will offer enthusiasts the unique opportunity to drive Audi’s high-performance RS 3 model on the legendary Formula One circuit. Furthermore, Audi will take on the role of Official Pace Car Partner for selected race meetings, underscoring the synergy between the two performance-oriented brands.

The timing of the announcement is particularly poignant, coinciding with a pivotal moment in Audi’s motorsport history as it prepares to enter Formula 1 with the Audi Revolut F1 Team. This new chapter builds upon Audi’s illustrious and diverse legacy of competition, which spans the World Rally Championship, endurance triumphs at Le Mans, success in global GT series and recent victories at the gruelling Dakar Rally. Silverstone itself boasts a rich history, having been at the epicentre of global racing for over 75 years.

By merging their respective heritages of innovation and excellence, this collaboration promises to enhance the visitor experience at the Home of British Motorsport while creating unforgettable moments for fans. It represents a forward-looking alignment between two brands dedicated to pushing the boundaries of performance.

José Miguel Aparicio, Director, Audi UK, said, “This partnership represents a powerful synergy between two iconic brands. As Audi enters Formula 1 with the Audi Revolut F1® Team, aligning with Silverstone is a natural step. Together, we will deliver outstanding experiences for fans and customers, showcasing Audi innovation, performance and progressive design at one of the world’s most famous motorsport venues.”

Rachel James, Head of Partnerships at Silverstone said, “We are proud to welcome Audi as our Official Car Partner. This partnership will give our fans the opportunity to explore the Audi brand for themselves. Audi will enhance the Silverstone experience at every level, from VIP transport to Drive Experiences and on-track presence as our Official Pace Car Partner.”

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