About the Conference

CII is working closely in the high technology areas of growth on which India has developed considerable expertise over the years. As you may be aware that CII has been promoting the R & D aspects of automotive sector for years, under this background Tamil Nadu Technology Development & Promotion Center of CII is organizing a one day conference on the s mega international event, is scheduled to be held on 3rd October 2008 in Chennai which is automotive hub of India, a metropolitan and the capital of TamilNadu state, is home to a large number of multinational companies. Often called the Detroit of India, Gateway to south India and now turning to be the electronic city of India – Chennai typifies the new, emergent India!

By 2012, the market for vehicles priced under $10,000 is likely to reach 18 million cars up from 12 million today or a fifth of world auto sales. India is Asia’s fourth-largest automobile market, according to Forbes, and compact hatchbacks account for three-quarters of passenger vehicle sales, which grew 13 percent last quarter. There are about 22 OEMs, 63 brands and more than 600 passenger car and truck models like SUV, MPV and Pickup worldwide for this business.

The globalization of markets, the regionalization of technical and scientific expertise, and the rapid change in technologies in the automotive sector is forcing the technology-based companies to continuously enhance their R&D. Automobile Exports registered a growth of 25.43 percent during April- March 2007 over the same period last year. Passenger Vehicles Exports grew by 13.05 percent, Commercial Vehicles exports increased by 22.58 percent, Three Wheelers exports by 87.17 percent and Two Wheelers Exports grew by 20.65 percent. In the next decade one of the main focuses of the automotive industry will be the affordable cars and environmental friendly cars, especially in the growth markets like India and China.

To cope with this demand we have to focus on solutions for the Indian market, people want safe, yet affordable cars, With the Indian emission norms and safety legislations getting stricter the automotives of tomorrow will have to work more in R & D to best suit the situation. The recent research trend makes it possible for SMEs to reap the benefits of a technology with relatively high trades. However, the recent technologies are not very well known to most of the SME’s, especially those living in the developing countries. It is essential for major key players to promote and bring awareness about the recent trends in R & D in the automotive sector.