Electronics will inevitably become part of the automotive aftermarket, but the transition will be gradual rather than disruptive, shaped by India’s large existing vehicle parc and legacy vehicles on the road.
Speaking on the sidelines of Automechanika 2026, Vikrampati Singhania, President of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India, said that while new vehicles are increasingly electronics- and software-driven, the aftermarket will continue to service conventional mechanical parts for several years.
Singhania noted that electronics, iand connected systems, will gradually trickle into the aftermarket as vehicles age and require replacement, creating a parallel ecosystem where traditional and electronic components coexist. He added that the pace of change would require sustained efforts to upskill mechanics, distributors and the wider service network.
The ACMA President also flagged cybersecurity as an emerging concern as vehicles become more connected, indicating that standardised frameworks will need to evolve across both OEMs and the aftermarket to ensure user safety.
Beyond technology, Singhania highlighted growing global sourcing interest in India, supported by recent trade agreements with the US and the EU, and pointed to policy focus on electronics manufacturing as a key enabler for the sector.
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