Autocar Professional’s January 15 issue previews SIAT 2019

We are halfway into the first month of the new year, which looks to be a challenging one for industry. The domestic sales numbers for December 2018 and April-December 2018, announced yesterday by apex industry body SIAM, show how a tough Q3 has impacted growth.     

The big industry event of the second fortnight of January will be the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2019 to be held from January 16-18. Widely acclaimed by the global automotive fraternity, SIAT is a benchmark biennial international event, organised by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) since 1985.

The 16th edition is being hosted at a much larger venue. in association with SAE International, SAE INDIA and NATRiP at Oxford Golf Resort – Hill Top, Bavdhan, Pune (India). Serving as a forum for knowledge sharing for the automotive industry, SIAT sees participation of eminent worldwide experts from various automobile arenas.

Autocar Professional – the official media partner to SIAT 2019 – has a detailed preview of the three-day event in its latest issue. SIAT 2019 promises to be a news-making industry conclave what with over automotive experts from across the globe sharing their views through 42 keynote addresses, 120 research presentations, and two plenary sessions on tending topics like safety, future mobility solutions, emissions and emissions. There is also a concurrent SIAT Expo wherein 130 leading companies from India and overseas will showcase their technologies and latest product developments.

We also have an exclusive interview with Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Director, ARAI, who  speaks on the need to develop an intelligent transportation system for safer mobility in India, leveraging India Auto Inc’s and government research capabilities, the new Centre of Excellence for Electric Mobility at Chakan, setting up a Mobility Research Centre at Talegaon, an Auto Technology Museum in Pune, upcoming emission norms for construction and mining vehicles, and also why 2019 is set to be a challenging year.

Technologies for automotive also held sway at CES 2019, the world’s largest technology show held in Las Vegas earlier this month. Companies large and small from both the technology and automotive worlds are racing to develop autonomous, connectivity and electrification systems, as well as deals to provide them to major original equipment manufacturers. The Consumer Electronics Show  2019 was a converging point. We report on the some of the major highlights of the fair including Blackberry and Tata Elxsi’s collaborative effort to develop the new QNX Platform, a safe and secure digital cockpit solution.

The Internet of Things and vehicle telematics are the new frontier for transportation. With AIS 140 norms being implemented in India, GPS tracking companies are eyeing a tidal wave of growth. We bring you the latest on three players: Track N Tell, MapmyIndia and Letstrack.

Global automakers as well as Indian vehicle manufacturers are increasingly adopting local design in their made-for-India products. We take a close look at the New Delhi-based Desmania Auto Studio, which offers a gamut of services ranging from styling and clay modelling to prototyping and Class A surfacing.

All this plus plenty of exciting industry news, beginning with Continental India opening a second assembly line at its Bangalore plant to make airbag control units, in the latest issue of Autocar Professional.

Where to buy?
Autocar Professional  magazine is available through select newsagents and for digital download from Magzster. 

You can also buy one-off copies of Autocar Professional magazine – contact Ganesh at ganesh@haymarketsac.com