Innovation is one of the keywords in the automotive sector. It is innovation that helps a company stay ahead of competition, to be a trailblazer. How does innovation shape behind the scenes and what shape should it take in the coming years for India to mature as an automotive market? How is it discussed and debated in a boardroom and fleshed out on the ground? Can innovation lead to no improvement or change at all? Answers to all these and more could be found in the second edition of Autocar Professional’s Automotive Forum, which is to be held in Mumbai on May 23, 2013 at the Trident, Bandra-Kurla Complex.



Session 1 — ‘Innovation at the back end’
This session will highlight innovative ideas and debate new engineering ideas that can help the Indian automotive industry go to the next level as well as stimulate the market during challenging times. It is about engineering ideas that do not require reinventing the wheel.

Aravind S. Bharadwaj, Head - Technology, Mahindra & Mahindra
Nandkumar Khandare, CEO, Nissan Ashok Leyland Technologies
Ashok Joshi, Senior General Manager, Vehicle Attributes and Technical Services, Tata Motors

Session 2 — ‘Innovation at the front end’
It is not good enough to just have a well-engineered product. Smart marketing and selling ideas are as crucial as new engineering ideas. This session will deal with the marketing, selling and distribution aspects of the automotive business, with the panelists debating how the market can evolve further through creation of new segments, smart strategising and brand positioning.

K Srinivas, CEO – 2 wheeler business, Bajaj Auto
Anup Sable, Head of Automotive Business, KPIT Cummins
Krishnakumar Srinivas, MD, India, Vehicle Group, Eaton

Industry executives wishing to attend the event can contact Anish Zachariah – email: anish@haymarket.co.in / cellphone: +91-9702062671.

Photograph: Autocar Professional's first Automotive Forum, held in Pune on October 19, 2012, was on Automotive Electronics in India – Opportunities and Challenges.