The 64th Annual Convention of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) saw the automotive industry stakeholders focus their thoughts on the topic of electrification and alternate energy. The event with the theme on ‘Sustainable Mobility Journey towards Viksit Bharat’ saw discussion on the pivotal role of sustainable mobility in achieving Viksit Bharat goals by 2047.

In a special message, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi said, “The road ahead demands that our progress is rapid while also being sustainable. Working on greener and cleaner mobility is a vital step in this direction”.

Nitin Gadkari the Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India who was the Chief Guest stated, "The automobile industry plays a pivotal role in realising the Prime Minister's vision of transforming India into a 5 trillion-dollar economy and elevating it to the third largest economy globally. Our ambition is to extend it as the number one auto manufacturing industry worldwide. As we target a carbon-neutral status by 2070, innovation and sustainable practices in the auto sector are crucial."

The Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, Government of India, H D Kumaraswamy spoke on the critical importance of industrial growth aligned with sustainability goals. He remarked, “Enhanced by our Prime Minister's sustainability pledges in Glasgow and robust Make in India initiatives, we are aggressively promoting electric mobility. Government policies are geared to fuel this transition, fostering a conducive environment for industry growth and sustainable development."

Vinod Aggarwal, President, SIAM and MD & CEO, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles added, "The automobile industry is keeping pace and setting the standards for sustainable growth. Contributing 6.8 percent to the GDP and witnessing an impressive 12.5 percent growth last year alone, the industry’s turnover has soared to INR 20,000 billion. As we look towards 'Viksit Bharat 2047', SIAM’s commitment to decarbonisation and safety is steadfast. With initiatives like the FAME program fuelling a 90 percent growth in EVs Passenger Vehicles, along with Ethanol and Gaseous fuels we are steering towards cleaner, greener mobility."

Shailesh Chandra, VP, SIAM and MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility said, "The government’s strong commitment to sustainable mobility and the constant support from the ministries have facilitated the industry’s transitioning to sustainable mobility. We are fully aligned with the government's vision of ensuring sustainable, safe, and affordable transport solutions, and achieving net carbon-zero in future."

Session 1

The special plenary session on Achieving Global Leadership in Sustainability saw the Guest of Honour, Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India highlight the importance of collaboration between the Government and the automotive industry to drive sustainable growth. "As we aim to transform India into a developed country by 2047, substantial effort is required across various sectors. Our roadmap for the development of National Highways and the expansion of the metro network from 21 cities to 60 by 2047 reflect our commitment to enhancing infrastructure. Our vision for Amrit Kaal is anchored by four principal pillars: efficient and equitable logistics, safety in movement, sustainability in transport, and enhanced user convenience”.

Shailesh Chandra said, “Attaining global leadership in sustainable mobility demands our focus on critical future areas such as hydrogen utilisation, adoption of circular economy, and shared mobility solutions. We will explore strategies for aggressive localisation in India's manufacturing sector. Additionally, we will look at methodologies to position India among the top five low-cost manufacturers globally, leveraging our unique capabilities and innovations.”

Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of the Management Board & CEO of Skoda Auto said, "Skoda has been a significant player in Europe for 129 years, and is the best-selling EU brand in India. We aim for CO2-neutral production by 2030, utilising green energy and managing resources sustainably. We are not just part of India’s automotive story—we are committed to driving it forward, responsibly and sustainably."

Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India said, "India's automotive future is bright, with innovative clean energy technologies and bio-fuels, reducing dependency on imports and enhancing our exports. Inspired by Prime Minister Modi's vision for decarbonisation, Industry’s mindful consumption and circular economy can propel India to become a world leader in sustainable practices."

K N Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Company said, "Industry and Government's net-zero target and sustainability should ensure that policies are customer centric. Role played by auto component manufacturers in India is phenomenal as we continue to deliver world class products in India and across the globe."

Nitesh Gupta, Partner and Leader of Auto Practice in India at McKinsey & Company, gave an insightful presentation and underscored the urgent need for sustainable solutions to reduce emissions generated by the transport sector.

Session 2

The second session focussed on the topic of ‘A Catalyst for Fuelling Growth in Sustainable Mobility’.

S Sandilya, Past President, SIAM and Group Chairman, Royal Enfield stated, “Battery technology is the cornerstone of sustainable energy, crucial for addressing range anxiety in electric vehicles. Additionally, hydrogen energy and fuel cells present significant opportunities for creating environmentally friendly vehicles. Software-driven vehicles are transforming the automotive industry by enhancing safety and user experience. Together, these innovations are not just redefining our industry; they are setting the stage for a radically sustainable and user-focused future in transportation.”

Joykumar Thokchom, CTO, Battery Business Unit at Sakuu Corporation said, “India is currently well-positioned in the expanding market for lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Among the various advanced battery technologies, solid-state chemistries are particularly promising for commercialisation. These technologies offer the high energy density required for future advancements. We expect solid-state batteries to be introduced in vehicles by 2033.”

Jesse Schneider, CEO & CTO, Zev Station said, “I am proud to support ZEV Station's commitment to powering all zero-emission vehicles with completely carbon-neutral fuel. Our alignment with California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate, now adopted by 17 states, underscores our dedication to stringent environmental standards and innovative solutions in green technology.  

Session 3

The final session of SIAM’s 64th Annual Convention focused on ‘Aatmanirbhar in automobile supply chain & leveraging India’s potential in global Markets’ and underlined the necessity to placing more emphasis on indigenous manufacturing and localisation.

Vinod Aggarwal remarked, “Through the 'Make in India' initiative, we are targeting a reduction in imports of components and materials by 16-20% by 2027, significantly boosting local production capabilities. SIAM has showcased also 50 essential components, including electronics and electrical items and encouraging ACMA members to invest and manufacture in India."

Sunil Barthwal, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India said, “We acknowledge SIAM and ACMA's vital roles in the auto value chain. With India targeting net zero by 2070, our auto sector is poised for significant transformation. With strong demand in the US, EU and Africa, we are strategically positioned to expand our export markets.”

Dr. V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser, Government of India said, “The Indian economy is poised to grow at a rate of 6-6.5%. Industry needs to focus on R&D and look at electric transition from the point of view of India’s resilience in critical materials required for EVs.”

Shradha Suri Marwah, President of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and Chairperson & Managing Director, Subros stressed the critical role of supply chain resilience in ensuring India's competitive edge globally. She noted, “By targeting $300 million in exports and achieving a 6 percent increase in localisation, we are strategically positioning ourselves at the forefront of innovation. We are investing heavily in R&D, fully confident in the immense potential of our country to transform itself into a global technology hub. Best wishes to SIAM as they continue to drive excellence in the sector. By advancing the use of green hydrogen, we are setting a benchmark for sustainable transportation that meets today’s needs without compromising our future.”

Andreas Tschiesner, Senior Partner and Leader of Global Advanced Industries Practice, McKinsey & Company, highlighted the role software is playing in reshaping the mobility.