Given the rising focus on the aftermarket segment of the automobile industry, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), hosted a first-of-its-kind Webinar on ‘Automotive Aftermarket’. Identifying the challenges and opportunities in the aftermarket space and ensuring consumer satisfaction were the key areas of focus.

Key industry players, industry members, market research bodies and distinguished representatives from the media attended the virtual meet and H J S Pasricha, head CMD & Scientist F, BIS was the chief guest.

 The event had two sessions, the first was ‘Future of Aftermarket’ with the theme, ‘Quality – A Way of Life’ with the panelists including

• RK Jaiswal, development officer, Department of Heavy Industry, 

• Ramashankar Pandey, Chair, ACMA After Market Committee & MD, Hella India Lighting

• Rajiv Ramchandra, Founder & Director, Re:CREATe

• Kenichi Takashima, Director, Honda Cars India.

 The second session focussed on ‘E-Commerce: Opportunities & Challenge’” with the theme ‘Customer Outreach’ with key panelists including

• Mihir Mohan, Founder & CEO, Pitstop

• Manjunath H C, Sr General Manager, TVS Automobile Solutions

• Vikrantt Mohan, President, All India Automobile Workshops Association

• Sanjoy Chatterjee, Head Bazaar Sales, Mahindra & Mahindra.   

 Speaking about the Webinar, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM said, “Aftermarket business is challenging with multiple players right from OEMs at one extreme to counterfeiters at the other end. We look forward to have an active collaboration with Government, BIS (Implementing Agency), ACMA, AIAWA, E-Commerce Entrants, Aggregators to create a quality conscious market. At the same time, we need to ensure affordable mobility experience to masses.”

 Chief Guest of the event, H J S Pasricha, Head CMD & Scientist F, BIS added that, “Indian OEMs as well as their component manufactures have delivered to a large extent towards the twin objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat i.e. Self-Reliance and Quality. Now, automotive aftermarket needs to be one of the key areas of focus. A well graded plan aimed towards curbing counterfeits and substandard products through proper certification and enforcement could very well be the way towards vibrant aftermarket.”

 The Webinar touched upon aftermarket tenets such as quintessential quality, curbing counterfeit, vocal for local, simplifying supply-chain, amplifying access and evaluating e-commerce. Autocar Professional’s Sumantra B Barooah moderated the Q&A session at the end of the second session.