Autocar Professional’s September 1 issue is a cracker

Of the 14-odd special issues that Autocar Professional publishes each year, the annual NCR Special is among the most popular. And it always heralds the annual conventions of apex automotive industry bodies SIAM and ACMA.

In the growing, promising and highly competitive Indian auto industry, Delhi-NCR holds a special place. Not only is it the largest region as a market within India but it is also home to the country's largest car and two-wheeler OEMs and the largest component manufacturer. And a part of it is now growing as a start-up region.

Reason enough for us to have an exclusive interview with Vivek Chaand Sehgal, chairman of the Rs 66,000 crore Samvardhana Motherson Group which is India's leading Tier 1 supplier and a full systems solutions provider to the global automotive industry.

In a freewheeling tete-a-tete, he reveals how the company's more 'content per car' and 3CX15 growth mantras are paying dividends, why he is not worried about the impact of mega trends like driverless cars or electrification, and lots more. We'd love to tell you more but get your hands on the issue to know for yourself. SMG sets up new plants where its customers want it to.

It's the same reason why IAC India, which makes vehicle headliners, centre console systems and instrument panel components, has consolidated two older operations in a new plant at Manesar to support domestic and global OEMs in the NCR.

Then there's Continental India, which has opened a new R&D facility in Manesar, to cater to global and regional requirements for its brake systems businesses.

Clearly, along with Indian component suppliers, global majors are finding the Indian market a great place to be in. This is amply indicated in the Indian component industry notching handsome 18% year-on-year growth in FY2018. Our detailed five-page analysis of the sector's performance, replete with ACMA-sourced data charts and product-wise export-import, reveals how suppliers performed, and how they are readying for a future that seems laden with new challenges.

Clean air technologies hold huge potential in India, what with BS VI emission norms barely 18 months away and India also driving towards a higher level of vehicle electrification. Our guest columnist Sudhir Chawla, managing director of BorgWarner Emissions Systems India, reveals how the company is developing a local supplier base to supply components for making exhaust systems more cost-efficient.

A company like Dassault Systemes is hugely bullish on the Indian market and particularly Indian suppliers. Find out what Samson Khaou, managing director of Dassault Systemes India, has to say in our detailed interview.

It's also the India-based suppliers on whom Maruti Suzuki India relied on to develop the brand-new K15B, four-cylinder, petrol engine that powers the new Ciaz sedan which has 96% localisation levels.

Incidentally, do you know that Suzuki Motor Corp's two-wheeler arm, Suzuki Motorcycle India, has been responsible for driving the Japanese auto major's two-wheeler business to profitability?

OEMs are strategising to come up with smarter ways to target buyers. VE Commercial Vehicles' EicherNayiSoch campaign takes a softer approach to the Indian customer. Find out how. 

With millennials walking the tech talk at a speedy pace in India, companies like the US-based end-to-end IoT solutions provider Aeris are bullish on growth here. We reveal the inside story.

Although August 2018 has turned out to be not such an august month for the domestic passenger vehicle industry, growth trends indicate India is well-placed to go past Japan to take third place in the global Top 3 markets chart. A comprehensive report details a 57-market study of H1 2018 sales while also pointing out the overpowering influence of SUVs.

Mahindra & Mahindra has just launched the new Marazzo MPV. Rajan Wadhera, president – Automotive Sector, M&M, reveals how the vehicle was developed, the uniqueness of the U321 platform, leveraging engineering excellence in Detroit, life for M&M as an OEM in North America, India Auto Inc's evolution and current performance and lots more.

Of the many global CEOs eyeing an entry into India, there's also Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc which makes electric cars. In an exclusive interview, he lays out his vision for the future which could include Make in India.

That's not all. We've also got plenty of exciting news right at the front of the magazine. Don't miss reading this issue.

Where to buy?
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