India Auto Components Need Better Technology And Quality

India’s auto component industry needs to take greater ownership of design and technology if the country is to strengthen its position as a global automotive leader. The focus is not only on making more components, but on building the engineering, manufacturing and workforce capabilities needed to compete at a higher level.

Design And Technology Need More Ownership

The industry’s message is that component makers need to move beyond manufacturing products based primarily on someone else’s designs. Developing stronger in-house design and technology capabilities would give Indian suppliers a larger role in creating products for the global automotive market.

That shift would also move suppliers higher up the value chain. Instead of concentrating mainly on production, component companies would have greater responsibility for developing the technologies and systems that vehicle manufacturers need.

Indian Factories Need Higher Standards

Another priority is improving productivity and quality at manufacturing facilities in India. The aim is for Indian factories to operate at standards that can compete with leading automotive manufacturing locations around the world.

That means the focus has to be on consistent production as well as capacity. For component makers, the areas that need attention include:

• Better factory productivity
• Higher and more consistent quality
• Greater investment in technology
• Stronger workforce skills

Technology Needs Skilled People

Investment in equipment and production technology is only part of the challenge. The workforce also needs the skills required to operate new systems effectively and contribute to improving them.

Building those capabilities together could help Indian component companies take on more demanding engineering and manufacturing work. It is particularly important if suppliers want to compete for vehicle programmes beyond the domestic market.

Components Are Central To India’s Global Ambitions

India’s automotive ambitions depend on more than vehicle production. A globally competitive automotive industry also needs suppliers capable of delivering strong engineering, technology, productivity and quality.

For Indian component makers, the challenge is therefore to develop greater control over design and technology while raising manufacturing standards and investing in people. Those capabilities will be important if the country wants its component industry to compete more strongly in global automotive programmes.

Do you think Indian component makers are already close to global standards, or is there still a big gap in technology and quality?