Hisashi Takeuchi tells ACMA annual session that combining strategic intent with domestic demand, talent, and policy support creates unlimited growth possibilities for the sector.
12 Sep 2025 | 3237 Views | By Darshan Nakhwa and Yukta Mudgal
India’s automotive sector has the opportunity to emerge as a global leader in manufacturing and supply chains if industry players combine strategic intent with the country’s inherent strengths in demand, talent, and policy support, said Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, at the Automotive Component Manufacturers ...
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India’s automotive sector has the opportunity to emerge as a global leader in manufacturing and supply chains if industry players combine strategic intent with the country’s inherent strengths in demand, talent, and policy support, said Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, at the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association’s (ACMA) 65th Annual Session in New Delhi on Friday.
“If we combine strategic intent with India’s unique advantages of domestic demand, talent, and policy support, the possibilities for our growth are limitless,” Takeuchi said. “It is now upon us, the industry, to make the most of this: to invest in R&D, to treat our people as partners, to climb the maturity ladder, and to build companies of global scale. If we do so, India will not just be Atmanirbhar; India will be the world’s trusted partner in the automotive supply chain, and we will drive together towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
He described the maturity stages of global suppliers — from traders to processors, manufacturers, module suppliers, and finally, world-class global leaders — and urged Indian companies to assess where they stand and how quickly they can climb to the next stage.
Takeuchi highlighted that recent global disruptions have underlined the critical importance of supply chains. “A pandemic shut borders. A war disrupted energy flows. Trade tensions altered sourcing strategies. A ship stuck in the Suez Canal shook global logistics for weeks. And suddenly, what we took for granted became critical,” he said.
Amid this turbulence, he argued, India has a unique opportunity to establish itself as a resilient and sustainable hub. “That is why today’s theme, ‘Navigating Geopolitical Challenges: Creating a Resilient Automotive Supply Chain in India,’ is very relevant,” he said.
Takeuchi acknowledged the challenges faced by Indian exporters, noting that almost 30% of auto component exports go to the US, where nearly half now face duties of 25% and the rest up to 50%.
“That poses a major challenge to the component industry,” he said, while expressing optimism that “the government is very sensitive to this issue and hopefully some solution will be found.”
He drew inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s phrase, Aapda mein Avsar — finding opportunity in adversity. “For some, these disruptions were only setbacks. However, for India, this is an opportunity to rewrite the future,” Takeuchi said.
Placing India’s prospects in a global context, he pointed to how the US, Europe, Japan, and China have each risen to economic prominence over the past century, and argued that “the next many decades belong to India.”
He cited the country’s large working-age population, its $4 trillion economy, and strong government support through programmes like PLI, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, alongside the resilience and innovation of Indian people.
He added that while the country’s economic outlook is strong, the auto industry looks even more promising. “India is the third-largest automobile market. Auto component exports crossed $23 billion in FY24-25 and could more than double by 2030. India is seen as a global manufacturing hub, and the world is noticing,” he said.
Takeuchi underscored Suzuki Motor Corporation’s decision to make India the production base for its first global electric vehicle, the eVITARA. “We were very grateful that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the first eVITARA for exports from the manufacturing line at Suzuki Motor Gujarat. These ‘Made in India’ EVs will be exported to over 100 countries across the globe,” he said.
Efforts for deeper localisation are also advancing, he added, pointing to the Prime Minister’s inauguration of electrode production for hybrid batteries. “Today, except for the raw material, which is not available in India, everything else is local,” Takeuchi noted.
The Maruti Suzuki chief said the government’s supportive stance has been instrumental in this transformation. “In India, the government has reduced corporate tax and launched bold initiatives like PLI and programmes like Make in India.
In addition, recent actions such as reductions in both direct and indirect taxes, and accelerated interest rate cuts to stimulate domestic demand, will eventually boost the manufacturing sector.
All these steps show the government’s clear commitment to industry. At the same time, as India aspires to be a global manufacturing hub, it will be important to continue demonstrating policy stability and predictability,” he said.
Takeuchi closed with a call for ambition. “This is our chance to make the country not just a participant, but a leader in the global automobile supply chain. And to seize this opportunity, each of us needs to make our organisation a global organisation. At first, it may seem a bold ambition, but believe me, this is achievable.”