The 64th Annual Convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) discussed strategies to achieve “Global Leadership in Sustainable Mobility.”

Guest of Honour, Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Government and the automotive industry to drive sustainable growth, mentioning, “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, Vice President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., 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 localization 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 Škoda Auto a.s., 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, utilizing 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, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., 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 of TVS Motor Company Ltd., 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.”

During the session, 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.