''Auto sector is truly a sunrise sector in our economy''

CHENNAI: Lauding the success of the Indian automobile and auto-components industry as a proud symbol of the success of Indian enterprises in the era of globalisation, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said that “Brand India has now begun to make its mark on the world stage”.

Speaking on the occasion of the foundation stone laying of the Global Automotive Research Centre in Chennai, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Government would do whatever is necessary to realize the goal of making India the manufacturing ‘ workshop of the world’.

Reiterating support for the efforts being made by the Tamil Nadu Government, the Prime Minister said that work would begin soon on the modernisation of Chennai airport. “Plans are being made for the development of Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy airports”, Dr. Singh added.

The Global Automotive Research Centre will have state-of-the-art infrastructure for automotive testing and homologation. This centre, as part of the comprehensive National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project, will push the automobile industry in the state and in the southern region to new frontiers of achievement, both domestically and internationally.

The Indian automotive sector has entered the brave new world of globalisation, Dr Singh said. However, by demonstrating its flexibility in responding to customer needs, its ability to meet the challenges of competition, its drive to meet global standards of excellence, and its ambition to be second to none, our automotive industry has become successful beyond expectations, he added.

Highlighting the success of the sector, Prime Minister Dr Singh said "The success of the Indian automobile and auto-components industry is a proud symbol of the success of Indian enterprises in this new era of globalisation. Brand India has now begun to make its mark on the world stage. But I believe this is just the beginning and the best is yet to come. The Indian automobile industry has, like a beautiful butterfly, come out of its protective cocoon and is now showing its wares across diverse continents."

He also said that "What is more, it has done so with virtually no state subsidy, or support. It has done so based on a transparent system of taxation, pricing and technology development. It has done so on the basis of domestic talent in design, marketing and brand building. The automotive sector is truly a sunrise sector in our economy. It has grown impressively to carve out a 7% share of the global market. Our vehicles and components are now being accepted in European and American markets, and by major firms like BMW and Daimler Chrysler."

"The success of Indian enterprise has encouraged foreign companies to also set up their base in India. I thank the many Korean, Japanese, European and US auto firms for investing in India and for linking their prosperity to India’s future. All these firms, Indian and foreign, are contributing to making India an automotive and industrial powerhouse, making us a global manufacturing hub. They have the potential to generate millions of jobs, which our youth needs. The UPA government will do whatever is necessary to realize the goal of making India the manufacturing ‘ workshop of the world’." he said.

He also said that the Ministry of Heavy Industries is preparing an ‘Automotive Mission Plan 2006-2016’ to quadruple the turnover of automotive sector in ten years.

© CIOL Bureau