India has got an opportunity to shape the future of mobility: Tata Motors’ Shailesh Chandra

India stands at a defining moment in its mobility and automotive transformation, with the opportunity to influence not just domestic markets but also global pathways, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Managing Director and CEO Shailesh Chandra said while addressing the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers’ Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026.

Framing the transition as both an economic and societal responsibility, Chandra said “On one hand, we are rapidly growing as an economy, providing mobility solutions for personal and commercial needs. On the other, many of our towns are struggling with air pollution,” adding that sustainability pressures can no longer be addressed through incremental change.

According to Chandra, the key question before the industry has shifted fundamentally. “It is no longer about whether we transition to cleaner mobility, but how fast we do it and how competitive we are,” he said, underlining the urgency of execution rather than intent.

He stressed that the transition towards zero-emission mobility should not be viewed through the lens of a single technology. “This is not a binary shift. It is a consistent transformation where the entire ecosystem will need to be a part,” he said, pointing to the need for coordinated action across policy, industry, infrastructure, supply chains and technology development, with multiple solutions co-existing to address India’s diverse mobility requirements.

Safety, Chandra said, represents another critical opportunity for India’s automotive industry. Acknowledging the country’s historically high road accident rates, he noted that the industry has made meaningful progress over the past decade. “We have seen stronger body structures, improved safety management systems, better research and a shift in mindset,” he said, adding that safety is increasingly being treated “not just as a regulatory requirement, but as a core product priority.”

He highlighted the role of structured safety assessment frameworks such as Bharat NCAP in accelerating this shift. “Transparent and relevant safety assessments have changed the conversation,” Chandra said. According to him, such frameworks have enabled manufacturers and supply chain partners to invest in safety with greater clarity and confidence, while also empowering customers to make informed choices. “More importantly, safety is no longer seen purely as a cost, but as value,” he said.

However, Chandra cautioned that the next phase of progress must move beyond passive safety. “The future must be about wider access to active safety systems,” he said, adding that meaningful impact will come only when advanced safety technologies are not confined to premium vehicles but made accessible across segments.

A third major opportunity, Chandra said, lies in rapid technology disruption and the changing aspirations of Indian consumers. “Today’s buyers are far more informed, digitally aware and discerning than ever before,” he said, noting that expectations around technology, safety and connected experiences are no longer limited to high-end products.

“The automobile is no longer viewed only as a mechanical product,” Chandra said. “In many ways, it is becoming software on wheels.” Software, he added, is increasingly shaping functionality, user experience and value across the vehicle lifecycle, with customers expecting products to evolve continuously rather than remain static after purchase.

This shift, he noted, requires a new model of collaboration. “This cannot be developed in silos,” Chandra said, calling for deeper engagement between OEMs, suppliers and technology partners, with a stronger focus on system-level integration and software-led architectures relevant to Indian conditions.

Looking ahead, Chandra said India’s mobility future will be defined by multiple transitions happening simultaneously. “We are navigating towards cleaner energy, higher safety standards and more software-driven vehicles,” he said, adding that these trends are interconnected and will shape the next phase of the automotive ecosystem.

Concluding his address, Chandra said India’s opportunity lies in building this future responsibly. “It will require strong partnerships, continuous innovation and collaboration across the ecosystem,” he said, noting that India’s scale, engineering talent and manufacturing base position it to play a far more influential role in global mobility going forward.