The three day long '2013 Vibrant Gujarat Summit' (VGS), a global meet for displaying the Indian state's immense growth prowess and organising talks regarding future industrial propositions, ended on a good note on January 13, 2013. The event witnessed participation from several prominent automobile industry players and some incredible facts emerged, upon its completion.
Speaking about his native state, Narendra Modi, Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat, quoted, “Gujarat, with its all inclusive, sustainable and rapid growth, is emerging as a globally preferred place to live in and to do business. Once upon a time, Gujarat was the gateway to the Globe from India. Now it is becoming the Global Gateway to India. Gujarat welcomes you through open arms with this event which has grown far beyond the boundaries of Gujarat.”
The auto industry experts present at 2013 VGS were of the opinion that in near future, one in every three cars sold in the Indian passenger car market will be manufactured in Gujarat. The statement underlines the fact that Gujarat government is sitting on India’s next and biggest of all automobile hubs in the upcoming years.
A number of topics were brainstormed at the 2013 VGS, such as the urgent requirement of businesses and growth-friendly industry policies, along with the need for a highly skilled and trained workforce. Further, in order to support the industry growth and profitability using Gujarat's tremendous headway potential, the meet explored possibilities in areas like green and eco-friendly future using electric and hybrid vehicle (xEV) technology.
A. S. Puri, Vice President (VP) of Tata Motors, acknowledged the media and served as the company's spokesperson at 2013 VGS. Expressing his opinion at a session called ‘Role of Gujarat in Auto Economy’ on January 12, 2012, Puri quoted, “In coming years, we see one of three cars made in the country rolling out of a plant in Gujarat. With major companies including Tata Motors and General Motors already present in the state and Ford India and Maruti Suzuki gearing up for production here, facilities at Sanand along with the ancillary industry at Rajkot will make Gujarat the next big auto cluster in the country.” The Tata Motors' VP believes that Gujarat's annual passenger vehicle capacity looks set to grow substantially over the next few years.
Joginder Singh, the new President of Ford India Private Limited (FIPL), was also present at 2013 VGS. Singh affirmed that Gujarat is en route towards becoming a major automobile hub of the country and will provide numerous employment opportunities in future as well. Reportedly, Ford India is working on the ground work of its upcoming Sanand manufacturing unit in Gujarat, which is expected to get commissioned next year. It has also been revealed that the American multinational automobile giant will assemble close to 2.4 lakh vehicles and 2.7 lakh engines from its Sanand unit.
Speaking his mind, about work force requirements at the company's Sanand manufacturing facility, Joginder Singh, said, “The paint shop at our upcoming facility in Sanand will be even more advanced than that at our plant in the US. Hence, it is important that the 5,000 workers we expect to employ here have sound technical training.” He also believes that the state will require a large number of highly skilled and trained workforce in the next few years.
Evidently, Gujarat is one of the fastest emerging auto hubs in the country. Top automobile players, like Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), FIPL and Peugeot, have major plans to upgrade or set up new multi crore vehicle assembly plants in the state. MSIL is working on its Rs. 4,000 crore unit in Sanand, whereas Peugeot is considering a re-entry in domestic auto market, with plans of establishing a world class plant on its 584 acre land in Sanand. General Motors India Private Limited (GMIPL), the country's fifth largest passenger car maker, has already revealed intentions to increase annual production output at its Halol engine and vehicle assembly unit in Gujarat.
