FY2018 was a record-breaking fiscal for India Auto Inc, with sales growing rapidly across vehicle segments. However, maintaining a healthy sales-inventory balance at the retail end is crucial to avoid any setback for the industry in an age of disruptions. Our cover story, which is packed with data and statistics, looks in detail if the boom can be sustained and what automakers can do to ensure profitability. Plus, we also reveal SIAM’s growth outlook for FY2019.   

There are ways to ensure sustainability, which is what Tata Motors, having re-energised its aftersales strategy, is seeing in the highly competitive passenger vehicle marketplace. The company is now the No. 4 player in PVs and has doubled its UV market share from 5.63 percent in FY2018 from 2.45 percent a year ago. Find out how the company, which now has a stable full of strong-selling cars, is now seeing its efforts at improving aftersales paying dividends.

BMW India too is looking to grow volumes but it’s also going about creating new segments in a niche market. We speak to Vikram Pawah, president, BMW Group India, to learn more about the strategy.

Meanwhile, Ford India is keen to ride the surging wave of SUV demand in India with the soon-to-be-launched Freestyle which is aimed at the company getting a secure foothold in the compact car market.

We’ve got three key interviews of the fortnight. SIAM’s director general Vishnu Mathur talks on mass-scale electric mobility in India by 2047, industry’s preparedness for BS VI, and why two-wheelers will be the early drivers of electric mobility in India.

We also speak to Dr Terrie Romano, Counsellor (Economic Affairs – Province of Ontario), who speaks about Ontario’s expertise in connected and autonomous vehicle tech, AI, connectivity, cybersecurity, and quantum computing and how it can help Indian automakers. 

Diesel engine major Cummins has created an electrification division to led the company’s drive into the electric mobility age. Julie Furber, executive director — electrification, Cummins reveals the strategy to build the new business, contribution from India, electrification of CVs,  investing in new technologies beyond electric, and more.  

With the government having raised the speed limits on National Highways and Expressways, safety will be of even more importance. That’s why Wabco’s Intelligent Trailer Program will prove handy when it comes to ensuring trailer safety.  

The past fortnight saw another global major further confirming its commitment to the India market. Axalta Coating Systems, the liquid and powder coatings supplier, which inaugurated a brand-new plant in Savli, Gujarat and also doubled its manufacturing capacity, has outlined a $70 million investment plan encompassing R&D, a technology centre and business acquisitions to drive growth in India.  

Meanwhile, Nihon Parkerizing has zeroed in on Gujarat to set up its new plant. With Maruti Suzuki India, its largest OEM customer, planning to set up a new assembly line at its Gujarat plant by early 2020, the global leader in metal surface treatment technology, is gearing up to be future ready in India.  

All this plus an exciting News section in the latest issue.

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