SIAM HR Conclave Addresses Future Talent And Skills In Automotive Sector

SIAM HR Conclave

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing the automakers in India, recently organised the Automotive HR & Skilling Conclave 2025 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 31 October 2025.

The event, themed ‘Accelerating Ahead: HR and Skilling for the Future of Mobility’, focused on the evolving landscape of human resources and skill development within the mobility sector.

The conclave saw participation from government officials, Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) of automotive firms, HR specialists and academics. Key sessions addressed topics including ‘Driving Industry Readiness: Aligning Talent, Skills & Business Goals’ and ‘Healthy, Inclusive & High-Performing: The New Workforce Mindset’. These discussions aimed at shaping a workforce ready for the future, strengthening industry-academia links, and fostering progressive work cultures.

C V Ganesan, Minister for Labour Welfare & Skill Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, observed the significant role of HR leads. He said, “HR leaders of auto companies have greater responsibilities, as they need to take care of thousands of skilled professionals working for their organisations.”

K Veera Raghava Rao, Secretary, Labour Welfare & Skill Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, highlighted the need for appropriate skills, stating, “There is a need to ensure that we have appropriately skilled people to support the ever-evolving technological landscape and to ensure that the investments made by companies are sustained.”

Industry leaders stressed the sector’s contribution to the economy and employment. Dr. Natwar Kadel, Chairman, SIAM Human Capital Group, and Vertical Head- People Strategy, Hyundai Motor India, said, “HR leaders of Auto Industry have a responsibility to ensure we continue to unlearn, relearn and innovate ourselves in a sustained manner.”

Focusing on investment in future talent, Prabhu Nagaraj, Co-Chairman, SIAM Skilling Group and Operating Head - Corporate Affairs, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, commented, “Investing in skills today is the key to building a strong industry tomorrow. Let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and invest in our people, because the future of mobility will be built not just in factories, but in classrooms, workshops, and training centres across India.”

Madhuri Mehta, Co-Chair, SIAM Human Capital Group and CHRO, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Auto Industry needs to evolve itself to meet the expectations of the Gen-Z as they integrate into this Industry.”

Senior HR personnel from companies including Ashok Leyland, Hyundai Motor India, Mahindra & Mahindra, Royal Enfield and Tata Motors also contributed insights during the event.

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Mahindra Outlines Ambitious EV Strategy, Capacity Expansion Following Robust FY2026 Results

Mahindra Auto

Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has signalled a bold new chapter in its global expansion, detailing plans for electric vehicle (EV) exports and significant production scaling following a ‘defining year’ of financial growth.

The Mumbai-based conglomerate reported a stellar performance for FY2026, with consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) reaching INR 170.99 billion, a 35 percent increase over the previous year. Consolidated revenue for the year surged 25 percent to reach INR 1,986 billion, 25 percent YoY.

During the year, the company reported sales of 1.11 million units, up 19 percent, while tractor sales grew by 24 percent at 526,403 units.

Central to the company’s future is a phased entry into international EV markets. Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), told Motoring Trends, that Mahindra has planned a disciplined roadmap for global expansion.

"For exports, we would look at right-hand-drive markets in the world first. If we succeed there, then we will look at left-hand-drive markets". The company expects to begin seeing Mahindra EVs in a couple of new countries within the next 18 months.

Addressing potential competition from new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra & Mahindra remains confident. He acknowledged that the government has structured FTAs to encourage local manufacturing. "We have already seen a lot of competition in the auto industry already and all the top players are here as well. FTA doesn’t change anything from that standpoint. It is important to emphasise that the government has done it (FTAs) very well to make sure that other players continue to make in India as well for the Indian market and to be able to export from around India. In that sense, they (automakers) have it set up well, and that should benefit the Indian government," Shah remarked.

New product launches & Capacity enhancement

Furthermore, the Mahindra management acknowledges that there has been a gap between demand and supply, especially for its new range of electric vehicles, which is why it is ramping up and unlocking capacities to meet the consumer demand.

It has already enhanced its SUV ICE capacity from 54,000 units per month to 56,500 units per month at the end of FY2026, with plans to scale it up to 60,000 units.

Similarly, for battery electric vehicles, it has enhanced the capacity from 5,000 units a month at the end of FY2025, to 8,000 units per month by 31, March 2026.

Furthermore, to support the potential EV uptick growth, Mahindra is aggressively expanding its manufacturing footprint. The company is in the process of land acquisition for its Nagpur facility, which is intended to eventually take capacity up to 500,000 units per annum.

Going forward, it has revised its earlier plans to launch 4 new ICE SUVs and 3 new electric vehicles by 2031, to 10 new ICE SUVs and 6 new BEVs by 2031. This includes 1 new mid-cycle enhancement and 9 new SUV nameplates in the ICE category.

In the EV segment, Mahindra is targeting an 18-20 percent penetration rate over a five-year period. Monthly production for the popular XEV 9S model is slated to rise from 6,000 to 8,000 units this year, with plans to reach a total EV capacity of 12,000 to 14,000 units per month as they enter FY2028.

When questioned on how Mahindra will compete with new entrants, Jejurikar pointed to ‘design and the tech’ as primary differentiators. He highlighted their unique seven-seater EV offerings and long-range capabilities (450-500+ km) as key advantages that ‘reduce charging rate’ anxiety for customers.

Market Leadership and Financial Resilience

The company’s traditional strongholds continue to dominate the Indian market. Mahindra remains No. 1 in SUVs with a revenue market share of 25.3 percent, No. 1 in Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) and No. 1 in Tractors with a 43.6 percent market share.

"FY26 has been a defining year marked by strong execution and breakthrough performance," said Dr Anish Shah. He emphasised that the Group is ‘well poised to accelerate in these uncertain times,’ supported by a strong balance sheet and a net cash generation exceeding INR 1,600 billion.

FY2027 outlook

Despite global ‘geopolitical headwinds,’ the company maintains a disciplined approach to capital allocation, focusing on high-growth ‘Growth Gems’ and exiting non-performing international farm businesses to ensure a 20.1 percent Return on Equity (RoE).

It expects FY2027 to see the tractor sales to grow in mid-single digits, while SUVs will see mid to high teen growth. Mahindra's aim is to focus on ramping up manufacturing capacity to meet volume growth aspirations.

On the LCV (upto 3.5-tonne segment), where Mahindra holds the lion’s or 52 percent market share, it expects the industry growth volumes to come in high single digits.

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April Sees Robust Record Automotive Retail Sales In India

FADA Auto retail

The positive momentum for the Indian automotive industry continues to accelerate in the new fiscal year. In what comes as a record retail sales registration across categories, the total automotive sales in April 2026 reached a whopping 2.61 million units, up 12.94 percent, as compared to 2.31 million units last year.

The record retail sales were witnessed across two-wheelers, which saw retail registrations at 1.91 million units, up 13 percent YoY, three-wheelers at 106,908 units, up 7.19 percent YoY, passenger vehicles at 407,355 units, up 12.21 percent YoY, tractors at 75,109 units, up 23.22 percent YoY and commercial vehicles at 99,339 unit, up 15.02 percent YoY.

Barring construction equipment at 6,348 units, down 2.25 percent YoY, all categories were in the green.

Sai Giridhar, President, FADA, said: “This clearly underlines that the structural demand momentum which defined the second half of FY2026 has carried into the new financial year. The sequential MoM softness of -3.01 percent reflects the customary post-March seasonal reset rather than any erosion in underlying demand.”

He stated that the demand engine remained broad-based with Urban markets growing 14.07 percent YoY and Rural markets growing 12.30 percent YoY.

The industry body attributed this performance to improved rural liquidity following a healthy rabi season, the extended marriage-season tailwind that runs through May and June, and continued affordability gains carried over from the GST 2.0 framework. Furthermore, the performance could have further grown, if the industry did not witness supply constraints for selective models in certain commuter and premium variants.

In terms of electrification in the two-wheeler segment, it saw moderation at 7.76 percent, as compared to 9.79 percent last month.

Commenting on the commercial vehicle performance, Giridhar said, “From a market mix standpoint, Rural markets grew a striking 20.25 percent YoY versus Urban at 10.22 percent YoY, highlighting that logistics-led demand is no longer concentrated in metros. Dealers across regions reported sustained freight movement, infrastructure-linked goods activity, school-bus replacement demand, and steady single-owner operator confidence as the principal drivers. The MCV sub-segment continued its standout run at 27.07 percent YoY, while LCVs grew 17.76 percent and HCVs 8.25 percent — reflecting participatory growth across sub-segments. Some dealers, however, flagged elongated financing turnaround time, sporadic variant-level supply gaps and a degree of caution induced by external geopolitical developments as monitorables.”

Coming to the passenger vehicle segment, the segment has seen demand firing on all cylinders. Interestingly, Rural PV growth at 20.40 percent YoY, was nearly three times the Urban pace of 7.11 percent YoY.

“This confirms the structural broadening of personal mobility into Tier-3 and rural India, supported by a small-car revival, sustained SUV demand and a richer alternative-powertrain product mix where CNG share held firm at 22.62 percent and EV share improved further to 5.77 percent. Dealers cited improved affordability post-GST 2.0, the Reserve Bank of India's supportive rate stance, which has translated into stronger EMI comfort, and a healthy marriage-season pipeline as the principal demand drivers. PV inventory levels have moved up modestly to a range of 28–30 days, marginally above March'26's around 28 days but well within the healthy band that we view as constructive. We continue to encourage PV OEMs to maintain disciplined dispatches in the coming weeks so that channel inventory stays anchored close to FADA's recommended 21-day benchmark, particularly as we move into the seasonally softer May-June window,” added Giridhar.

The near-term outlook for May 2026 is cautiously optimistic, with over 55 percent of dealers expecting continued growth. Momentum is expected to be maintained by the peak of the marriage season and residual buying from festivals like Akshaya Tritiya. However, monitorable factors include potential heatwaves, geopolitical tensions in West Asia that could impact fuel prices, and selective supply constraints. Over the next three months, dealer confidence remains steady as the industry transitions toward its mid-year phase.

Going forward, the industry body expects that demand for CVs, two-wheelers and passenger vehicles will continue to be positive. For CVs, he attributes the same to residual buying triggered by Akshaya Tritiya in select northern and western markets, the new financial-year OEM scheme cycle and sustained replacement demand in the CV segment.

The two-wheeler segment will continue to reap the benefits of improving rural cashflows, agri-cycle preparation purchases and continued post-GST 2.0 affordability in the rural market, while passenger vehicles are likely to benefit from healthy booking pipelines, refreshed product launches and improving small-car traction.

“That said, the India Meteorological Department's forecast of an above-normal heatwave across several states, the geopolitical situation in West Asia and its potential pass-through to fuel prices, selective supply constraints on running models remain factors to watch,” he concluded.

AUTO RETAIL SALES IN INDIA
Category Apr '26 Apr '25 Change (in units) Change (in %) Mar '26 Change (in %)
YoY YoY MoM
Two-wheeler 1,916,258 1,695,638 220,620 13.01% 1,951,006 -1.78%
Three-wheeler 106,908 99,741 7,167 7.19% 109,777 -2.61%
E-Rickshaw (P) 28,154 39,504 -11,350 -28.73% 28,946 -2.74%
E-Rickshaw with Cart (G) 7,742 7,447 295 3.96% 7,425 4.27%
Three-wheeler (Goods) 13,133 10,322 2,811 27.23% 14,006 -6.23%
Three-wheeler (Passenger) 57,767 42,326 15,441 36.48% 59,283 -2.56%
Three-wheeler (Personal) 112 142 -30 -21.13% 117 -4.27%
Passenger Vehicle 407,355 363,028 44,327 12.21% 440,144 -7.45%
Tractor 75,109 60,956 14,153 23.22% 82,080 -8.49%
Construction Equipment 6,348 6,494 -146 -2.25% 6,906 -8.08%
Commercial Vehicle 99,339 86,364 12,975 15.02% 102,536 -3.12%
LCV 55,949 475,120 ###### -88.22% 59,379 -5.78%
MCV 9,177 7,222

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Automobili Lamborghini Appoints Fermin Soneira As New R&D And Motorsport Boss

Fermin Soneira

Italian automotive brand Automobili Lamborghini has announced that Fermin Soneira will join the company on 1 July as the new head of Research & Development and Motorsport. He succeeds Rouven Mohr, who has been appointed Chief Technical Officer of Audi AG.

Soneira brings extensive international and technical experience to his new role and till recently, he served as CEO of the Audi and SAIC Cooperation Project in Shanghai, developing a new brand and platform for the Chinese market.

 Born in 1972 in Spain, he holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering. He began his career at Audi AG in chassis development before spending 12-years at SEAT, where he led chassis and vehicle engineering. Upon returning to Audi in 2014, he directed product and electrification strategy and later served as Head of Global Product Marketing. From 2020, he oversaw the product lines for several electric models, including the Q4, Q6, Q8 and A6 e-tron series.

Mohr leaves Lamborghini after serving as Chief Technical Officer since January 2022. He oversaw the technical transition to hybrid power for the Revuelto, Urus SE and Temerario. He was also managing the development of the SC63 for endurance racing, as well as the upcoming Temerario GT3 and Super Trofeo.

Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO, Automobili Lamborghini, said, “On behalf of the entire company, I would like to sincerely thank Rouven Mohr for his outstanding dedication and leadership over the past years. His contribution has been instrumental in shaping Lamborghini’s technological path, particularly in the transition towards hybridisation. At the same time, I am pleased to welcome Fermín Soneira to Lamborghini. With his extensive international experience, technical competence and strategic vision, he will further strengthen the brand’s success and drive our future innovation.”

Fermín Soneira, added, “It is a great honour to join an iconic brand such as Lamborghini, which has contributed to writing the history of the automotive industry, performance and design. I look forward to working with the team to further elevate the brand’s technological excellence and driving experience.”

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Maruti Suzuki India Employee Volunteers Impact 8,700 People Through eParivartan

Maruti Suzuki India eParivartan

Maruti Suzuki India has announced that its staff contributed 2,600 hours to the eParivartan initiative during FY2025–26.

The programme involved 1,100 employees who participated in 30 activities focused on health, community care, and education.

In the health sector, employees took part in four blood donation sessions at company sites. Staff also used kits to build wheelchairs for donation to care centres and provided food, medicines, and toiletries to residents of shelter homes. Companionship programmes were established to connect volunteers with elderly and underprivileged individuals.

Education efforts included hosting students from underprivileged backgrounds at the Manesar manufacturing plant to observe production processes. Volunteers also provided support to students with visual impairments by distributing Braille kits and held art sessions for children with disabilities. A 'Wish Tree' project resulted in the provision of stationery and bags to 300 students. Additionally, employees painted 1,400 square feet of wall space at schools in Manesar and Gurugram to update learning environments.

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “At Maruti Suzuki, we believe progress is meaningful only when it is shared with the communities around us. We are happy to share that in FY 2025–26, over 1,100 Maruti Suzuki employees volunteered more than 2,600 hours, supporting more than 8,700 people in education, healthcare, or companionship. We don’t know how much difference we have made to the lives of these people, but we do know that the Maruti Suzuki volunteers have found it an immensely fulfilling, soul-warming, and life-changing experience.”

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