In this GlobalAutoIndustry.com Audio Interview “The Fast Growing India Auto Market: The Transition from ICE to Smart Mobility” Ron Hesse speaks with Ravi Bhatia. Ravi is the President and Board member of JATO Dynamics India. He is a senior Industry leader with more than 20 years experience in the automotive industry and has worked with leading OEMs like Maruti Suzuki and FIAT Chrysler across various functions like Product Planning, Sales, Dealer Development and Strategy. He has a deep understanding of the industry and is a keen observer of commercial and technical forces reshaping and transforming the industry.
In the 13-minute Audio Interview, Bhatia discusses these questions:
- India’s automotive market has seen impressive growth recently. What signals is this sending to global automakers about the country’s importance going forward? And how would you quantify the headroom for growth in India across different vehicle segments – and the catalysts/impediments for realizing this potential?
- While India enjoys cost advantages, gaps remain in quality, technology, and scale. What is needed for India to emerge as a globally competitive manufacturing and export base? Specifically, in the electric vehicle space, India has the potential to be a low-cost sourcing hub, but it is being outpaced by China’s EV supply chain. How can India regain ground in this area?
- Global OEMs are pushing suppliers to co-locate in India. Is the local supplier base prepared to meet exacting quality, R&D, and manufacturing standards?
- Electrification and software-defined vehicles are disrupting traditional suppliers. How can Indian suppliers best navigate this transition?
- From an innovation and talent perspective, how can India’s auto industry best prepare for these tectonic technology shifts?
- Major OEMs like Hyundai and Volkswagen have announced huge investments in India recently. What is driving this bullishness on India’s potential? Given the massive capital needs, do you expect significant M&A and industry consolidation across OEMs, suppliers, and startups in India?
