CII Auto Serve 2016 inaugurated; resonates the need for digitization and skilling in Automotive Aftermarket

Chennai, November 18, 2016: “Digitization and skilling are pivotal for the growth of Automotive Aftermarket sector”, said Mr. K Pandiarajan, Hon’ble Minister for School Education, Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu while inaugurating the CII Auto Serve 2016, India’s largest focused exhibition for the automotive aftermarket industry at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nadambakkam, Chennai.
“Tamil Nadu has a rich ecosystem for skill development and research, which position the State as the leader in automotive manufacturing coupled with the presence of global players in the automotive sector. Tamil Nadu’s leading skill clusters in Pudupet and Namakkal form the backbone for the automotive aftermarket.” he further added.
Mr Pandiarajan said that technological disruptions and the changing regulatory system like the GST is set to turn things around for the automotive aftermarket industry. Initiatives of CII like the Auto Serve 2016 would help industry to stay competitive and also help identify new business opportunities in the automotive aftermarket segment, he added.
Commenting on the industrial scenario of the State, Mr Pandiarajan said that Tamil Nadu will be a growth accelerator, fosterer of investments and build the right infrastructure for ease of doing business.
Mr. R Dinesh, Chairman, Auto Serve 2016 and Joint Managing Director, T V Sundram Iyengar & Sons Ltd said, “Demonetization and Digitization is going to help the aftermarket evolve to a great extent. With the sector offering nearly 4 jobs per 1 manufacturing job, it will easily be the largest employment generator, globally.”
Highlighting the role of CII Auto Serve in positioning the aftermarket segment as the backbone to the growth of auto component industry, he added, “CII Auto Serve 2016, year-on-year has recommended policy frameworks to position the State as the forerunner as far as this sector is concerned and also lay down the pattern for the future to be followed. CII proposes to form a Task Force on the Aftermarket segment for collaborating component manufacturers, vehicle manufacturers and individual participants for continuously engaging this sector to create value across segments and make this a profitable growth oriented sector”, he said.
Mr Seiji Baba, Consul General, Consulate General of Japan, Chennai said, “India is set for the next stage of motorization with newer, energy efficient models replacing the exiting vehicles which will also contribute to environment protection. This rapid motorization will stimulate demand for automobile relevant businesses not only on the manufacturing side but also for auto ancillary markets like maintenance services, parking services and even accessories manufacturing. Hence, I hope through CII Auto serve 2016, new partnerships and business opportunities are created.”
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the launch of CII Report on “New Business Models Driving Automotive Aftermarket in India – IT Integration Leading the Way”. The report highlights the various growth opportunities of the automotive aftermarket, latest trends and challenges in the aftermarket industry.
Currently in its 7th edition, CII Auto Serve 2016 showcases the innovative trends and technologies in the Indian automotive aftermarket segment with special focus on automation, IT, environment and safety. With over 110 exhibitors from India and abroad, Auto Serve 2016 has an exclusive country pavilion from Japan besides participation of various other countries.