Autocar Professional – March 1 issue marches out

The second fortnight of February saw the fourth edition of India’s leading automotive aftermarket trade fair – ACMA Automechanika New Delhi – draw industry at Pragati Maidan. With over 500 exhibitors showcasing innovations and new products and a heightened focus on Industry 4.0, the Indian aftermarket looks well set to hit a turnover of Rs 98,000 crore by FY2023. In our comprehensive cover story which reviews this year’s trade fair, we speak to a number of industry heads to find out the reason for their bullishness, despite multiple disruptions.  

In an exclusive interview, Gautam Khanduja, director of the Mumbai-based Mansons which supplies to global OEMs, Tier 1s and independent aftermarket trucks, trailers, buses and vans, reveals plans to bring the company’s CV product range to the Indian aftermarket, bringing in a prominent global brand and why he is confident that Mansons will get a fair share of the market.

Rakesh Kher, president of Minda Distribution and Services of the UNO Minda Group, speaks on the company’s expanding footprint in the organised aftermarket, investing heavily in digitisation and stringent training of personnel, why he foresees no impact from BS VI norms on its current product range and on being optimistic about maintaining a robust 17 percent CAGR till FY2025.

The governmental mood in India is distinctly electric, what with the Union Cabinet giving the go-ahead to the FAME Phase II outlay of Rs 10,000 crore to accelerate electric mobility in the country.

Piaggio Vehicles, a substantial player in the small commercial vehicle space, especially in goods carriers in India, has a plan to contribute to sustainable mobility through alternative fuel solutions and electric  three-wheelers, the first of which — a passenger carrier —  is set to be introduced in mid-2019. Managing director and CEO Diego Graffi< Piaggio Vehicles, reveals this bit of information and lots more.

Do you know that Tata Motors, which has drawn up a multi-pronged strategy to develop its EV  business, plans to focus on EVs for personal use, in addition to the fleet sector? While commercial launch of an EV for personal use could be within two years, the carmaker will be showcasing an electric version of the upcoming Tata 45X large hatchback at this month's Geneva Motor Show.

Amidst all the EV talk last month, Mahindra & Mahindra launched its latest salvo at the SUV market – the XUV300. Does the new Mahindra have what it takes to disrupt the market? Find out.   

All this plus plenty of exciting news which starts with Autocar Professional’s exclusive on Hyundai Transys setting up an all-new plant in Andhra Pradesh to supply to Kia Motors India.

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