vI will not be the first one to say that Indian automotive suppliers have a promising future; analysts from consultancies, big and small, have already stated that in many of their glitzy presentations to present and propsective clients. What I am observing is a trend that is getting stronger and stronger. OEM purchase managers across the world no longer look at India and move on, the idea is now to have a deeper look at whats happening here. But more than OEMs, it is the Tier I and some Tier II suppliers that are taking a very deep interest in India. These are the companies hardest hit by rising costs and a slump in the North American industry. For them Indian companies are ‘White Knights’, as put by one of the leading pink papers recently. Surely, a dependable Indian supplier catering to a part of any program will mean significant cost reduction. Good for business is that Indians speak English and realize very quickly which side of the toast is buttered. Fortunately, they can also be trusted with things like drawings and blueprints, unlike the Ming and Han dienasties.
Automobile Industry and the Recession
September 16th, 2011 by admin No comments »Automobile industry has a special impact on the daily life of the modern day man, which requires fast mobility with reliability. The rapid growth in automobile industry has had its ebbs and flows. Currently it is undergoing a recession globally. The auto industry is evolving new strategies and signing up new contracts and joint ventures in an effort to stabilize itself and avoid further slump. There is a particular need for rationalization of taxation and customs policies in order to support enterprises producing automobile components. Automobile and automotive parts & components manufacturers make the major portion of the automotive industry throughout the world. Automobile manufacturing sector consists of truck manufacturers, motor vehicle body manufacturers, motor vehicle parts and supplies manufacturers. This is engaged in manufacturing of automotives and light duty motor vehicles, personal utility transport vehicles and chassis, cabs, trucks, automobile and utility trailers, buses, military small and heavy vehicles and the main parts of the motor vehicle engines. In 1997, the majority of automobile construction enterprises have passed through the lowest critical point and began to increase production volume, restructuring themselves while taking into account consumer requirements, their solvency, and the overall economic situation. Thus, in the first six months of 1997 there was a substantial increase in the volume of production compared to the corresponding period in 1996. The global automotive industry is highly diversified and includes different sectors like manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, retailers, original equipment manufacturers, automotive engineers, spray painters, motor mechanics, auto electricians, aftermarket parts manufacturers, body repairers, fuel producers, environmental and transport safety groups and even many of trade unions. The global leaders in auto industry are United States, Japan, China, Germany and South Korea. The United States of America is the world’s largest producer and consumer of motor vehicles and automobiles accounting to almost 6.6 million direct and indirect-jobs. Automobile industry is one of the significant ones in the world that provides employment to 25 million people across the globe. This industry is largely dominated by the five giant automobile manufacturing corporations namely Toyota, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen AG and Daimler Chrysler. These corporations have their presence in almost every country of the world and they continue to invest into production facilities in emerging markets namely Latin America, Middle East, Eastern Europe, China, Malaysia and other markets in Southeast Asia. To overcome certain production costs many mainstream auto corporations have established there units worldwide. Engine parts form one of the largest segments of the automotive components industry. The latest trend in this sector is of outsourcing a part of the engine to different vendors who provide good comparative technological expertise as well. Recently auto industry is going through its worst periods. The global giants are facing the toughest economical crisis. This is also resulting in heavy losses to the work force in the form of lost jobs. There are varied factors behind this decline of automobiles industry that have badly affected it as a whole. Nonetheless, it is hoped that this industry, which is an integral part of the modern day life and has stood the test of time in previous recessions, has the tenacity and the resilience of bouncing back once again.