The second edition of the CII NexGen Mobility Expo highlights a wide range of innovative vehicle technologies, from electric and hybrid to hydrogen and biofuel
18 Oct 2024 | 4501 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
The second edition of the CII NexGen Mobility Expo 2024 began today at the Pune International Exhibition Center, Moshi. Running from 18th to 20th October, the expo focuses on the theme "Integrating Indian Mobility" and features a wide range of vehicles and technologies, including internal combustion engines (ICE), electric, hybrid, ...
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The second edition of the CII NexGen Mobility Expo 2024 began today at the Pune International Exhibition Center, Moshi. Running from 18th to 20th October, the expo focuses on the theme "Integrating Indian Mobility" and features a wide range of vehicles and technologies, including internal combustion engines (ICE), electric, hybrid, hydrogen, CNG/LNG, and ethanol/biofuel powertrains. The event also highlights advancements in automobile components, electronics, and subsystems.
Industry leaders attended the inauguration, including Arvind Goel, Chairman of the CII Western Region (WR) Taskforce on Future Mobility and Chairman of Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd., Akash Passey, Co-Chairman of the CII WR Taskforce on Future Mobility and President of ZF Group India, Rajnikant Behera, Co-Chair of the CII NexGen Mobility Show 2024 and Executive Director of RSB Global, Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of JBM Group, Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Rishi Kumar Bagla, Deputy Chairman of CII Western Region 2024-25 and Chairman & Managing Director of BG Li-In Electricals Ltd, Swati Salgaocar, Chairperson of CII Western Region 2024-25 and President of V. M. Salgaocar & Brother Pvt Ltd, and Prashant Nayak, Co-Chair of the CII NexGen Mobility Show 2024 and Managing Director of Yazaki India Pvt Ltd.
During the event, Arvind Goel stated that the Indian automotive industry, currently valued at around 80 billion dollars with 15 billion dollars in exports, is projected to grow to 250 billion dollars in the coming years. This growth is expected to generate additional employment and investment, especially as India works towards its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2070, with many companies aiming to meet this target sooner. Goel also pointed to the importance of renewable energy in advancing the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Swati Salgaocar highlighted that mobility is fundamental to economic life, connecting people to jobs and communities. She noted that urban mobility faces challenges such as congestion, pollution, and unequal access, and highlighted that future mobility solutions must be sustainable, integrated, and automated. She also mentioned that trends like electric vehicles, shared mobility, and autonomy are reshaping cities worldwide, and stressed the need for decisive action from policymakers as India undergoes rapid urbanisation.
Rishi Kumar Bagla remarked that the automotive industry has long been a reliable indicator of economic performance. He pointed out that India’s automotive component sector has seen consistent growth in exports due to factors such as cost optimisation, skill development, compliance with global standards, and support from government initiatives like Make in India. Bagla added that the western region plays a key role in the country’s automotive landscape and that if India continues to grow by 7 to 8 percent annually until 2047, the demand for automotive components will increase significantly.
Akash Passey noted that India is rapidly becoming a global leader in the automotive industry. He highlighted the role of advanced technologies such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in shaping the future of mobility and mentioned that the CII taskforce on mobility is working on strategies to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in the sector.
Rajnikant Behera focused on the automotive sector's critical role in driving economic growth and spoke about the ongoing transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. He noted that the expo provides a platform for the industry to come together and engage in dialogue.
Nishant Arya commented on the importance of adhering to global standards, stating that Indian companies have the opportunity to expand significantly by aligning with international norms.
Dr. Reji Mathai of ARAI targeted the need to focus on India-specific mobility challenges, particularly in terms of achieving net zero emissions and improving vehicle safety. He highlighted ARAI's role in developing regulatory frameworks and building industry capabilities to support a safer and more sustainable automotive ecosystem.
Prashant Nayak provided the concluding remarks, underscoring the significance of the expo in advancing the future of mobility in India.