ACMA Hosts Inaugural STEER 2025, Setting the Course For India’s Automotive Aftermarket

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) recently held the inaugural STEER 2025, a national aftermarket confluence designed to chart a course for the future of India’s automotive components industry.

The event, convened on 8th August, saw participation from leading government and industry voices, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA, Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA and Ramashankar Pandey, Chairman, ACMA Aftermarket Sub-Committee.

In his keynote, Joshi praised ACMA’s commitment to consumer empowerment and highlighted the government’s Right to Repair initiative, stating that it would help make genuine spare parts and repair information more accessible and encourage sustainability and affordability while strengthening India’s presence globally.

Throughout the day, delegates engaged in lively discussions on sectoral challenges and opportunities around safety, technology adoption, skills development, market access and supply chain resilience. Actionable recommendations emerged to help advance the aftermarket in line with evolving consumer expectations and international trends.

According to data presented by Ernst & Young, India’s auto component sector has experienced robust growth, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12 percent from FY2018 to FY2024. The aftermarket segment itself expanded at around 8 percent CAGR over this period.

In FY2024, the industry’s turnover reached INR 6,147 billion, with exports climbing to INR 1,760 billion and constituting around 4 percent of India’s total national exports. The sector currently contributes approximately 2 percent to India’s GDP and provides employment to nearly five million people, highlighting its importance as one of the country’s largest employers.

Exports have become a significant driver, fuelled by strong domestic demand, supportive government incentives and India’s integration within the global ‘China+1’ supply strategy. Lower manufacturing costs give Indian exporters a competitive edge, with average factory wages 50-75 percent lower than those in China, allowing for 20-30 percent savings on labour-intensive components. Government schemes such as the Auto PLI Scheme have further boosted export growth, offering sales-linked incentives of 8–18 percent for advanced and electric vehicle components. Engine parts remain the largest export category, though substantial shares are also held by sectors such as suspension, braking, body/chassis, transmission and electronics.

Global opportunities abound in both developed and emerging markets. Key targets for Indian suppliers include Latin America, Indonesia, Poland, the UAE and Africa. Brazil’s automotive aftermarket alone is valued at USD 12,091 million (CY23), while Indonesia’s stands at USD 7,759 million, offering significant scope for further growth. Indian mechanical and consumable parts, particularly for two-wheelers, commercial vehicles and tractors, enjoy a reputation for quality in many of these regions; for instance, Nigerian purchasers are willing to pay up to 25 percent more for critical Indian spares compared to cheaper Chinese alternatives.

Trade agreements such as the India-UAE CEPA have facilitated access to high-growth markets by removing import duties, while bilateral pacts with African nations support expansion into West and East Africa. In Africa, car ownership remains relatively low at 40 per 1,000 people – far less than the global average – indicating substantial growth potential for automotive aftermarket products over the coming decade.

At STEER 2025, speakers emphasised strategies for further accelerating India's export momentum, including building stronger online and e-commerce presence, innovative branding, tailored product offerings, collaborative supplier initiatives, streamlined logistics and enhanced market access through local partnerships. ACMA reaffirmed its commitment to close collaboration with government and industry stakeholders, placing consumer empowerment and sustainability at the core of its vision to enhance India's reputation as a globally competitive supplier.

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German multinational chemical company Henkel has announced the appointment of Pradhyumna Ingle as Country President for India. Based in Navi Mumbai, he will lead the company’s growth strategy, market expansion and innovation initiatives.

Pradhyumna will balance his new responsibilities with his existing global leadership roles within Henkel Adhesive Technologies, where he serves as: Global Head – Infrastructure Protection & Repair and IMEA Head – Manufacturing & Maintenance.

He succeeds S. Sunil Kumar, who has led Henkel India for the past five years and will now relocate to Dubai to oversee strategic projects for the IMEA region alongside his duties as Director of Packaging for IMEA.

The company says Pradhyumna comes with over 25 years of leadership experience across multiple regions, including the Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East & Africa. He has rich experience in driving acquisitions, digital business models and high-performance organisations.

Ashraf Elafifi, IMEA President, Henkel, said, “Pradhyumna brings a unique combination of global perspective, deep market understanding, customer-centricity, and proven leadership in driving transformation and sustainable growth.”

Pradhyumna highlighted the potential of the Indian market, noting that Henkel is positioned to contribute to sectors such as infrastructure, mobility, electronics and energy.

“I am excited to work with our talented teams across India to further strengthen our market position, expand our local innovation capabilities, and deliver sustainable growth for our customers, employees, partners, and communities,” said Pradhyumna.

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Switzerland-based international technology and market leader in electrolamination stamping, fineblanking and forming company Feintool has officially inaugurated its first manufacturing site in India, located in Pune.

The facility, which has begun ramping up production, is designed to support the local automotive market with high-precision fineblanked components. The company had earmarked an initial investment of CHF 15 million (approx USD 19 million) towards the facility, which will produce seat adjusters for various major automotive manufacturers in India.

The company has adopted a ‘local-for-local’ approach, allowing it to supply automotive customers directly within the Indian market. This move is intended to reduce reliance on long-distance supply chains and respond to the growth of India’s automotive sector, which is the third-largest in the world.

Lars Reich, CEO, Feintool, said, “Feintool is proud to meet its customers’ demand for local production in India with the facility in Pune. We are in the right place at the right time to benefit sustainably from the momentum in the Indian automotive industry and to capitalise on further opportunities in the growing industrial markets in India.”

Initial operations at the Pune site are focused on the production of fine-blanked automotive seating systems. However, the facility is designed to support future expansion into additional core technologies, including cold forming, e-lamination stamping (for e-motor cores) and hydrogen applications.

Tobias Gries, Managing Director, Feintool India, said, “We have established a strong team in India. With Feintool’s global expertise, we are now ramping up production in Pune—starting with fineblanked automotive seating systems. Looking ahead, we are ready to expand into cold forming, e-motor core production and even hydrogen applications. The plant is fully prepared for further expansion as demand develops.”

This new site joins Feintool’s network of 18 production facilities across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

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BOS and JRG Automotive Industries India have formed a new joint venture christened ‘BOS-JRG Automotive Systems’, which combines engineering and manufacturing resources. The partnership aims to supply shading and cargo management systems to the Indian automotive market.

As per the understanding, the new JV will see BOS hold a 60 percent stake in the venture, while JRG Automotive will hold 40 percent. The partners have made an initial investment of over USD 1 million, with an aim to generate USD 15 million in revenue within five years.

The partners have established a manufacturing facility in Bawal, Haryana, which went on stream on 10 June 2026. This site utilises production lines based on BOS systems, supported by the tooling, injection moulding and supply chain network provided by JRG. Series production is scheduled to begin in December 2026. The initial product range includes side window sunshades and tonneau covers, with plans to expand into other interior and mechatronic systems.

Pawan Goyal, Managing Director, JRG Automotive Industries India, said, "This partnership reflects our shared vision of building a world-class automotive systems company in India, combining global technology, strong localisation and a commitment to long-term value creation for customers."

Nicolaus Francke, Director, BOS-JRG Automotive Systems, added, "BOS-JRG is a strategic step towards bringing global innovation closer to the Indian market, creating a strong foundation for sustainable growth, localisation and future mobility solutions."

The venture plans to support the production requirements of passenger vehicle manufacturers in India through technology transfer and local manufacturing.

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Tsuyo Manufacturing Private Limited (Tsuyo), India’s leading e-mobility component manufacturing company and a pioneer in integrated electric vehicle powertrain technologies, has earned a place among 120 startups selected for Bharat Innovates 2026. This flagship initiative is overseen by India’s Ministry of Education and aims to identify and support the nation’s most promising technology ventures.

The selection underscores Tsuyo’s rising contribution to the domestic electric mobility sector, particularly through the development of advanced powertrain solutions. By focusing on indigenous capabilities, the company supports India’s goal of self-reliance in clean mobility and assists original equipment manufacturers in accelerating electric vehicle adoption across multiple vehicle categories.

Bharat Innovates 2026 will take place in Nice, France, from 14 to 16 June. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 February 2026 during the India-France Year of Innovation, the programme is designed to mentor high-potential startups and showcase them globally. Through this platform, Tsuyo will gain mentorship, networking opportunities and international visibility to further expand its technological reach.

With two manufacturing plants in Greater Noida and over 200,000 motors sold to more than 50 original equipment manufacturers, Tsuyo leads the mid-drive electric motor segment in India. Its products serve three-wheelers, light commercial vehicles, medium and heavy commercial vehicles and off-road applications, with powertrain systems ranging from 0.5 kW to 400 kW. Continued investment in research and development keeps the company committed to India’s sustainability and manufacturing ambitions.

Vijay Kumar, Founder & CEO, Tsuyo Manufacturing Private Limited, said, "This milestone is the advocacy of the incessant effort of the entire Tsuyo team. It affirms our vision of developing globally advanced, adaptable and affordable EV powertrain technologies that are both designed and manufactured in India. As the nation accelerates its shift towards sustainable mobility, indigenous innovation will be the right pivot towards enhancing supply chain resilience, reducing technological dependence and positioning India as a global hub for electric mobility. We are eager to utilise this platform to highlight India's engineering prowess and engage with global stakeholders who share our commitment to sustainable transportation.”

Lalit Baid, Founder & COO, Tsuyo Manufacturing Private Limited, said, "Bharat Innovates 2026 offers a unique opportunity for technology companies to collaborate, learn and expand. At Tsuyo, our focus has consistently been on developing high-performance, reliable and cost-effective powertrain solutions which must meet the evolving demands of the EV industry. A key pillar of our innovation is our work on sustainable motor manufacturing without rare-earth magnets – reducing dependence on critical mineral supply chains and eliminating the geopolitical risk that comes with China-dominated RE magnet sourcing. Participation in this initiative will enable us to further enhance our innovation roadmap, forge meaningful partnerships and contribute to India's goal of becoming a global leader in electric mobility technologies."

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