For the UK, automobiles is one of the major sectors contributing much to the country’s GDP. The country has produced 1.58 million vehicles and 2.5 million engines in 2012. Vehicle production is expected to go beyond the level of two million units by 2017. With 11 world’s largest vehicle manufacturers assembling their vehicles and engines in the country, the UK offers immense scope for Indian auto companies too. It now has seven car manufacturers, eight commercial vehicle manufacturers and 10 bus and coach manufacturers. Hence in the field of manufacturing sector, the UK is India’s partner of choice.
This was stated by Mr. Bharat Joshi, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai, in his inaugural address at the 5th edition of the “Tamil Nadu Manufacturing Summit”, with its theme “Raising the Manufacturing Eco-System to the Next Level”, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Chennai.
He said the British manufacturing companies have end-users across the globe in sectors like aerospace, automotive, chemical, construction, oil & gas, mining, healthcare, pharmaceutical, printing & publishing, and steel. The UK is also home to several large international brands, and the local firms with advanced technology are suppliers to them. Further, the latest processes and techniques developed by the UK manufacturing sector have enabled customers to improve productivity and product quality. British firms are also keen on setting up joint ventures with Indian companies.
According to statistics, over 80 per cent of UK-made vehicles and 62 per cent of engines were exported in 2012 to over 100 countries. Around a third of UK-made vehicles are exported to the emerging markets.
Britain has also world class universities and centres of excellence for R&D, which together attracted total automotive R&D spending of £1.7 billion in 2012.
Mr. Bharat Joshi who is the first Indian to become the British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, last year, is currently responsible for further building up Indo-British co-operation.