Autocar Pro’s latest edition is about green motoring, retail and lots more

When the boss of Bosch makes a statement, the world takes notice. That’s just what happened on April at the global tech major’s annual press conference on April 22. CEO Volkmar Denner took a pointed dig at the European Union’s ambitious goals for Euro 7 emission standards and the fixation on vehicle electrification.

“Climate action is not about the end of the internal combustion engine. It is about the end of fossil fuels. And while electromobility and green charging power make road transport carbon-neutral, so do renewable fuels,” he said. He said Bosch believes AIoT, electrification, and green hydrogen are the way forward. Our cover story is about all that and why there is a lesson or two for India, which is also fixated on EVs, as well.

Marketing and retailin troubled times
Selling, even in good market conditions, is a black art. In troubled times,  which is what India and the world is currently experiencing, things get a lot more difficult. How does one draw the socially distanced buyer amidst lockdowns, production slowdowns and generally tepid market conditions.

Autocar Professional’s 20-page Marketing & Retail Special covers the entire automotive supply chain – from OEMs to suppliers to the aftermarket – and reveals how industry stakeholders are enthusiastically plugging into digital mode to connect with buyers all across the country and beyond.

- India’s passenger vehicle manufacturers were among the first to go online. Our OEM survey findings reveal what top players are doing on this front.

- The growing online connect is helping two-wheeler makers as well. Expect more customer-centric tailor-made solutions to woo buyers. Hero MotoCorp is the latest to do so with a virtual showroom.

- Turtle Wax, the American aftermarket brand for vehicle care products, is bullish on growth in India. Sajan Murali Puravangara, Country Manager and Director, Turtle Wax Car Care India, tells Autocar Pro: “Traditional retail is now doing good and our e-commerce operation is going from strength to strength.”

- SKF India which provided engineered solutions to industry recently launched its 24/7 self-service online store. We speak to Managing Director Manish Bhatnagar to find out the business strategy.

- With buyers preferring to delay new car purchases, the used car business is seeing an uptick. In the used luxury car space, Boys & Machines is making much headway.

- Tyremaker Ceat is to set up 100 'Tyre Stop' retail stores in Tier 1, 2 cities.

​Combating Covid
The big growth speed-breaker for India is the unabated spread of the pandemic which sees a number of states, including Maharashtra and Delhi (which account for nearly 30% of vehicle sales) under lockdown.

Industry veteran, RL Ravichandran urges for vaccination for all to keep the industry ticking.

Auto industry stakeholders caution that supply chain and logistics can become a sore point if lockdowns extend for too long. And that just might happen.

Anand Group to plug in to EV mega trend
The well-diversified Anand Group is looking to get on the EV bandwagon as it strategises next growth frontiers for its business. In her first media interview as executive chairperson, Anjali Singh tells Autocar Professional that she plans to make the group a lot more diverse in the longer-term and focus more on gender diversity.

The past fortnight saw the biannual ACMA Automechanika held virtually for the first time. Autocar Professional hosted the first panel discussion of the aftermarket trade fair on 'How to build a robust and sustainable aftermarket industry in India'. Lots of insights here. We’d love to tell you more but for that it’s best to get your hands on this May 1 edition.

Number-crunching with SUVs 
In the competitive marketplace that India is and especially in the booming utility vehicle space, they say it is the SUV-ival of the fittest. So, even as the UV vehicle market with 10,60,750 units (12.13%) was the star performer among all vehicle segments – driving past the million-sales landmark for the first time ever – and the sole one to enter positive sales territory, there is an intense battle underway among OEMs to grow market share. Some number-crunching reveals interesting insights.

How you can read this issue 
Autocar Professional magazine is also 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@haymarketsac.com. Alternatively, never miss an issue –subscribe to Autocar Professional magazine today