The Geneva-based International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) has elected Rakesh Sharma, executive director, Bajaj Auto as its president, representing the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) for a 2-year mandate.

Sharma was previously holding the position as the vice-president in IMMA, when he got elected in May 2019. The IMMA Spring Congress was originally planned to be held from April 20-24, 2020 in New Delhi, had to be changed into a series of meetings by conference call and correspondence. The election of the new president took place through a General Assembly by correspondence on April 21, due to the Covid-19 crisis.

On being elected, Rakesh Sharma said “Indeed these are very challenging times and I take up this prestigious appointment fully conscious of the role the motorcycle industry has to play both as a key industry and a responsible member of the society. Whilst we are facing numerous difficulties, we can also see that in due course new but different opportunities will emerge. The role of national, regional and global associations such as SIAM and IMMA is now more important than ever and we will work hard to ensure we play a strong and responsible role in the recovery.’’

Rakesh Sharma joined Bajaj Auto in October 2007 as president - International Business and is currently the executive director, and is also a member of the Board of Commissioners of PT Bajaj Auto Indonesia, a subsidiary of Bajaj Auto and the chairman of the Exports Council of SIAM.

In his new role, Sharma succeeds Johannes Loman, director of PT Astra International Tbk and executive vice-president director PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) Indonesia, and president of FAMI - Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries and president of AISI, the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association.

Loman stated, ‘’IMMA aims to advance the sustainable growth of the two-wheeler industry in every region of the world. We are fortunate to have Mr Sharma with his wide international experience in the two and three- wheeler industry, to steer IMMA through the difficult time and be the trusted global voice of the motorcycle manufacturers. I look forward to work with Sharma in my role as FAMI representative in IMMA’s Steering Committee’’.

IMMA has membership of the Powered Two and Three-Wheeler (PTWs) manufacturers association from various countries across the world including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, German, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, apart from SIAM in India. IMMA promotes mobility through safe, sustainable motorcycling by advocating the development and harmonisation of technical regulations in United Nations, affecting the motorcycle industry and by advancing inclusive policies for motorcycling.

IMMA’s core business is the negotiation of global international legislation on the construction and use of powered two-wheelers. IMMA enables the industry to speak with one voice at all levels.  The primary reason for creating international regulations is to facilitate trade through harmonised technical specifications. The substance of the regulations inevitably means an in-depth discussion of the environmental and safety issues related to PTWs.