Auto Components

Introduction

The Indian auto-components industry has experienced healthy growth over the last few years. The auto-components industry expanded by a CAGR of 6 per cent over FY16 to FY20 to reach US$ 49.3 billion in FY20.

Auto-components industry account for 2.3 per cent of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs as many as 1.5 million people directly and indirectly. A stable government framework, increased purchasing power, large domestic market, and an ever-increasing development in infrastructure have made India a favourable destination for investment.

Investments

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow into Indian automotive* industry during the period April 2000–March 2020 stood at US$ 24.21 billion as per the data released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Some of the recent investments made/planned in the Indian auto components sector is as follows:

  • In September 2020, Toyota Kirloskar Motors announced investments of Rs 2,000+ (US$ 272.81 million) aimed towards electric components and technology.
  • In February 2020, National Engineering Industries Ltd (NEIL) announced investment of Rs 100 crore (US$ 14.31 million) over the next three years for producing needle roller bearing at its Jaipur facility.
  • In January 2020, Tata AutoComp Systems entered a joint venture (JV) with Beijing-based Prestolite Electric to enter the electric vehicle (EV) components market.
  • In October 2019, Minda Industries acquired Germany-based automotive lamps firm Delvis Gmbh along with two of its subsidiaries for Rs 164 crore (US$ 23.47 million).
  • In August 2019, Eaton partnered with Pune-headquartered technology firm KPIT.
  • In April 2019, Durr, a German automotive painting and sealing company, entered a partnership with Patvin to provide automated painting solutions for two or three wheelers and agricultural machinery for the Indian markets.
  • As of January 2019, Lite Auto Components Pvt Ltd, a part of Hindustan Magnesium Products Pvt Ltd, planned to invest Rs 500 crore (US$ 69.30 million) to set up Magnesium-based manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh.

Achievements

Following are Government’s achievements in the past four years:

  • Production of two wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and three wheelers reached 21.03 million, 3.43 million, 0.75 million, and 1.13 million, respectively, in FY20.
  • FAME – India Scheme formulated by Department of Heavy Industry, led to a continuous increase in registered OEMs and vehicle models. Also, the scheme enhanced the sales of EVs and about 261,507 electric/hybrid vehicles were supported under the scheme up to December 6, 2018. In February 2019, the Government approved FAME-II scheme with a fund requirement of Rs 10,000 crore (US$ 1.39 billion) for FY20–22.
  • Under National Automotive Testing and research and development (R&D) Infrastructure Project (NATRiP), various facilities including passive safety labs comprising of crash core facility and crash instrumentations including dummies were established at ICAT-Manesar and ARAI-Pune.
  • To give a fresh thrust to E-mobility in public transport, Department of Heavy Industry announced the launch of public and shared mobility based on electric powertrain.

Government Initiatives

The Government of India’s Automotive Mission Plan (AMP) 2006–2016 has come a long way in ensuring growth for the sector. Indian Automobile industry is expected to achieve a turnover of US$ 300 billion by 2026 and will grow at a CAGR of 15 per cent from its current revenue of US$ 74 billion.

As per the Union Budget 2019–20, Government moved GST council to lower the GST rate on EVs from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. Also, to make EVs affordable to consumers, Government will provide additional income tax deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh (US$ 2,115) on the interest paid on loans taken to purchase EVs.

Government has come out with Automotive Mission Plan (AMP) 2016–26 which will help the automotive industry to grow and will benefit Indian economy in the following ways: –

  • Contribution of auto industry in the country’s GDP will rise to over 12 per cent.
  • Around 65 million incremental number of direct and indirect jobs will be created.
  • End of life Policy will be implemented for old vehicles.

Road Ahead

The rapidly globalising world is opening newer opportunities for the transportation industry, especially while it makes a shift towards electric, electronic and hybrid cars, which are deemed more efficient, safe, and reliable mode of transportation. Over the next decade, this will lead to newer verticals and opportunities for auto-component manufacturers, who would need to adapt change via systematic R&D.

As per ACMA forecasts, automobile component export from India is expected to reach US$ 80 billion by 2026.

The Indian auto-components industry is set to become the third largest in the world by 2025. Indian auto-component makers are well positioned to benefit from the globalisation of the sector as export potential could be increased by up to US$ 30 billion by 2021E.

Note: Conversion rate used in April 2020, Rs 1 = US$ 0.013123

Note: * – Includes automobile and auto-components, E – Estimated, SAMARTH – Smart & Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub