Network the auto-works
Jangoo Dalal
18 April 2005
The sector is known to hold as much promise for the country as the much touted IT and ITeS industry. And much like its IT counterpart, the auto industry is being driven by India''s advantage of a vast availability of low cost- high skilled manpower.
The
next time you pick up a glossy to ogle at the specs of a futuristically designed
car, you may just be able to trace its genesis back to India. Automotive engineering
design services is the new buzzword and what this entails is the outsourcing
of engineering and design jobs by global auto majors to countries like India.
The automobile is one of the most complex consumer products in existence. And although, worldwide the auto industry is known to have one of the most mature manufacturing processes, there are dramatic changes in product development and technology occurring even today.
Two of the most critical issues that have emerged in the recent past are competitiveness in cost, quality, and product offerings and shorter lead times to market. This in turn has encouraged auto companies to adopt world car concepts that transcend diverse geographies. No wonder then that the automotive business is being played out on a worldwide stage, with India emerging as one of the key players.
The sector is known to hold as much promise for the country as the much touted IT and ITeS industry. And much like its IT counterpart, the auto industry is being driven by India''s advantage of a vast availability of low-cost, high-skilled manpower.
Sample these developments that showcase the growth in the sector — Toyota has made India a global hub for transmissions, sourcing as many as 160,000 units a year; Hyundai has made the country an export hub for small cars; Ford is exporting the indigenously manufactured CKDs of Ikon to South Africa and other countries. Be they auto components, engineering services or ready to export passenger vehicles, most global auto majors have deepened their commitment and ties with the country, projecting India as one of the world''s auto hubs.
