APMA’s Colin Singh Dhillon: ‘'We're showcasing Canadian capabilities and tech to support India Auto Inc in production and advanced digital manufacturing.'

Canada's Automotive Parts Manufacturer Association (APMA) is participating at the Auto Expo - Components 2020 and is one of the key exhibitors at the Canadian Pavilion (Hall No: 4AFF, Stall No: 282). Colin Singh Dhillon, Chief Technical Officer of APMA, says it is time to embrace the digital disruption and governments need to collaborate more on co-country projects.

Founded in 1952, APMA represents manufacturers of parts, equipment, tools, supplies, advanced technology, and services for the worldwide automotive industry. Its members account for 90 percent of independent parts production in Canada. The association’s fundamental objective is to promote OEMs both domestically and internationally. It also provides business development solutions as well as guidance to adapt to the needs of Industry 4.0. Here is its plan forAuto Expo 2020.

How many members does APMA have? And how many of them already have a presence in India?
Ninety percent of all automotive parts made are made by the APMA members. We have hundreds of members.  The auto industry accounts for 10 percent of Canada’s GDP and the sector is valued around $28 billion. A small percent of them do have a presence in India and many others are using Indian automotive component manufacturers in their tiered supply chain.

APMA has a working arrangement with ACMA in India. How has this strategic collaboration grown over the years?
We signed the Memorandum of Understanding nearly 20 years ago. Canada as a country and the APMA have been regularly participating in ACMA events, usually through the Auto Expo in India. The APMA has hosted ACMA/Indian delegations on
trade missions to Canada. The process, the networking occurs when companies interested in India/Canada begin to ask for support.

What is APMA’s overall theme at the Auto Expo 2020 and what do you plan to showcase?
Our theme is ‘Unlimited Growth’. We plan to showcase Canadian capabilities and technologies to support India’s automotive manufacturing sector in production and advanced digital manufacturing to adapt to the needs of Industry 4.0 and Cybersecurity.

What are the key highlights of APMA’s exhibiting companies at the Auto Expo 2020?
We represent world-class excellence in automotive parts and components manufacturing. The highlights of the companies include Industry 4.0 technology, the best vehicle security software and software development companies.

How much has the India-Canada connect grown in recent years and what are the promising areas of growth?
The promising areas of growth include education and engineering. The growth has been steady and consistent. We need continued investment and both countries will continue to support this.

In January this year, APMA hosted Canadian companies at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. How did that global platform help?
If you want to witness the latest in automotive technology, you must attend CES. The show is disrupting the traditional automotive car shows and after seeing their plans for 2021, expect them to continue pushing ahead. APMA’s booth showcased some of the excellent technologies being developed in Ontario, Canada. As part of the Province of Ontario’s AVIN project, we demonstrated LeddarTech’ssolid-state Piixel LiDAR, iNAGO’s Ai intelligent assistance software and the world’s first quantum-safe and crypto-agile security protection of a vehicle by ISARA. CES is both visited and exhibited at by all the major global OEMs. Lots of successful conversations and meetings completed. The APMA is already planning BIG for 2021— #ProjectArrow.

The Indian component industry is one of the largest globally. Are you also sourcing from India?
Yes, we are sourcing from India. Many of the Association’s members are collaborating with Indian automotive component manufacturers in their tiered supply chain.

How do you plan to increase the trade between India and Canada?
With India pushing for advanced digital manufacturing technology, i.e. alternative vehicle propulsion systems, cybersecurity and Industry 4.0, we should expect growth because of what Canadian companies have to offer. In 2018, the greater Toronto area alone created more technology jobs than Silicon Valley, Washington DC and Seattle combined. Canada is a global leader in technology.

Has the global slowdown also affected APMA members? How are you dealing with it, and what message would you give your Indian counterparts who are facing a similar situation?
The automotive industry is being driven by global platforms. Since 2009, the global auto sector has been on a vertical trajectory, so a slowdown should have been expected. Canadian companies are well prepared to face this period. Disruption is affecting all industrial sectors, embrace the digital disruption. Look at it as a glass half-full, not empty.

As APMA is already working with start-ups, what do you think your Indian counterparts can do to make Indian start-ups also get a supportive platform?They should replicate the Province of Ontario’s Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) project, and provide both financial and business relationship support for start-ups.

It is important to embrace the digitisation underway in our sector and to not work in silos. It is important to expand horizons and understand that vehicles are connected to their ecosystems (V2X).Governments should consider collaborating on co-country projects.