Autocar Professional’s June 1 – and 300th issue – is out

This June 1 print edition is a landmark issue for India’s leading automotive B2B fortnightly – its 300th. Autocar Professional’s inaugural issue rolled out on December 15, 2004, with an aim to “track the Indian automotive industry’s growth and provide an unrivalled and up-to-date package of news, analysis and data.”

The inaugural issue’s cover story was an exclusive interview with Suzuki Motor Corp’s CEO, Osamu Suzuki who told us why India is key to his company’s future. A little over 12 years later, Maruti remains the jewel in the Japanese carmaker’s crown. From that edition through to this issue, India’s sole automotive fortnightly has ensured that it adheres to its core mantra of providing ‘essential reading for the automotive industry’.

The exclusive interview in the latest issue is with Sachin Lawande, president and CEO of Visteon Corporation, which is driving a new dynamic in the world of automotive electronics.  

The June 1 issue also incorporates a ‘Maharashtra Industry Special’ aims to do. Maharashtra, which is home to the likes of Tata Motors and Bajaj Auto among homegrown OEMs and Mercedes-Benz and the Volkswagen Group among foreign OEMs, has sustained its favourable position for investments. Earlier today, FCA India rolled out the first locally manufactured Jeep Compass SUV.

Maharashtra is also where some well-accomplished players in the auto components space are driving new gains. Bharat Forge, which has been a flag bearer of the Indian component industry for long, is changing with the times by focusing on new megatrends such as electric mobility. We reveal its plans for setting up new product lines for EVs.

The Aurangabad-based Endurance Technologies, a major supplier to two- and three-wheeler OEMs, is charting its future growth strategy around technology, acquisitions and technology. Prime among these is its plan to build its very own testing track, which will be inaugurated in January 2018 and serve the company’s brake, suspension and transmission divisions.

Most Indian suppliers are charting new strategies aimed at achieving speedy growth. The Pune-based Advik Hi-Tech which makes oil pumps, tensioners and other parts for two-wheeler OEMs, has chalked out an aggressive game-plan involving capacity expansion and new product lines, in India and abroad.

Find out how the Varroc Group, which has merged its forging and machining units with the metallic divisions, aims to accelerate growth through enhanced synergies.

Mahindra Electric, which has a first-mover advantage in the Indian electric vehicle market, is fast upping its stake in the EV industry with a series of moves. We reveal just how the company plans to make the most of the government's thrust in promoting electric mobility in the country. 

Find out how Bajaj Auto, India’s largest exporter of motorcycles and three-wheelers, is shifting focus to new markets. And, we reveal India Kawasaki Motors is building its new manufacturing plant in Chakan.

We also reveal the detailed findings of a comprehensive Autocar Professional and Roland Berger two-wheeler industry survey. The size and robust growth of the Indian two-wheeler market offers plentiful opportunities for profitable growth, both domestic and export. 

In this 5-page feature you will find clues about how to cater to the demanding Indian customer. the segments that are poised to see handsome growth, brand perception, impact of new tech on sales and lots more. We'd love to reveal more but that would be letting the cat out of the bag.  

The June 1 issue also packs exclusive columns that make riveting reading. While Chetan Maini, vice-chairman of Sun Mobility, writes on India's sunny opportunity to revolutionise mobility, Madan Sabnavis, chief economist of CARE Ratings, makes his point of view on GST. And BVR Subbu, director, Beyond Visual Range - Strategy Consulting, writes on India's potential as a leading global base for small cars.

There's plenty more in this exciting 72-page issue including news, features and analysis. 

Where to buy?
Autocar Professional magazine is available through all good newsagents and for download from Magzster. You can also buy one-off copies of Autocar Professional magazine – contact Ganesh at ganesh@haymarket.co.in. Alternatively, never miss an issue –subscribe to Autocar Professional magazine today.

Also read : Here's what some leading auto industry CEOs and heads have to say about Autocar Professional