At the inauguration of Auto Serve 2014 are (from left) Mr. Sumit Sawhney, Country CEO and Managing Director, Renault Operations – India, Mr. C.V. Sankar, Principal Secretary to Government, Industries Department, Mr. R. Dinesh, Chairman, Autoserve 2014, and Joint Managing Director, T V Sundram Iyengar & Sons Ltd., Mr. P. Thangamani, Tamil Nadu Minister for Industries, Mr. Navas Meeran, Chairman, CII Southern Region, and Managing Director, Eastern Condiments Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Sudhir Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Mahesh Natarajan, Regional Director, CII-Southern Region
Autoserve 2014, one of the country’s most important fairs for the service and aftermarket industry witnessed participation of over 80 exhibitors, showcasing a wide range of new products and technology. The event focused on efficient, cost-effective, qualitative and technology-oriented solutions for the aftermarket and garage industry, reflecting the evolution of the segment into a more organized one. A Product Launch Zone was set up at the exhibition for presentation of new products, which saw live technology demos on vehicle testing, service and repairs by participating companies.
The automobile sector in Tamil Nadu has not only been generating employment but also spawning entrepreneurship, observed Mr. P. Thangamani, Tamil Nadu Minister for Industries, while delivering the inaugural address at Autoserve 2014, the 6th edition of the conference on ‘Reinventing aftermarket services through innovation’, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Chennai.
Autoserve 2014 would prove very important towards strengthening the automotive aftermarket segment, especially with the entry of new vehicle models with latest technologies. Aftermarket support and quality of services would improve the efficiency of vehicles and at the same time retain customers, he added.
On the menace of spurious parts worrying the automotive sector, he said that, in today’s context of higher use of electronics in vehicles, standards cannot be compromised, and there has to be the right emphasis on innovation to improve profitability.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Mr. R. Dinesh, Chairman, Autoserve 2014, and Joint Managing Director, T V Sundram Iyengar & Sons Ltd., observed that the automotive sector is of utmost importance as the largest employer of semi-skilled labour in the country, with nearly 20-25 lakh people being employed in Tamil Nadu alone. “The thriving of vehicle manufacturers depends on the aftermarket sector’s health. The aftermarket trade is a wide spectrum, comprising vehicle dealers, parts distributors, service mechanics, transport operators, and even the vehicle owners. Technology upgradation of the aftermarket trade suffers owing to the funding problem. It is necessary, therefore, that the thrust should also be on the aftermarket sector in view of its job creation potential.”
He explained that the focus of the conference was on stimulating the aftermarket growth. “This will enable the sharing of best practices, the evolution of global models and the creation of better value for the constituents, because it is imperative to innovate to grow and be cost-effective.”
Media partner MOTORINDIA
