The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) successfully concluded its 6th Auto Retail Conclave, which centred on the theme “Elevating Customer & Revitalising Dealer Synergy.” The event, attended by over 500 participants from across India, provided a platform to discuss customer experience enhancement, stronger collaborations between automakers and dealers, and future innovations in the auto retail sector.
The Conclave was inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Jairam Gadkari, who addressed the audience virtually. Additional prominent guests included Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, H D Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries, and Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Various industry leaders also joined, including Kartick V Nagpal, President of Rosmerta Group, and Shradha Suri Marwah, President of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA).
In his keynote speech, Nitin Gadkari congratulated FADA on its 60th anniversary and praised the organisation's role in fostering growth across the Indian auto retail sector. He highlighted the importance of innovation in customer service, after-sales support, and quality assurance to support India's ambitions for future mobility. Gadkari also reaffirmed the government's commitment to collaborating with the auto sector to achieve sustainability, safety, and economic progress.
H D Kumaraswamy, Minister of Heavy Industries, commended FADA’s efforts in shaping the auto retail industry over the past six decades. He noted that FADA’s vehicle registration reports are invaluable to policymakers and industry stakeholders, especially as India advances toward sustainable mobility. Kumaraswamy also emphasised the importance of cleaner energy and the role of electric vehicles (EVs) in achieving the government’s vision of a green automotive sector.
Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stressed the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. He urged auto dealers to prioritise green mobility by promoting zero-emission vehicles, applauding FADA's initiative of planting one tree for every vehicle sold as a step towards environmental stewardship.
One of the event’s key highlights was the formal appointment of C S Vigneshwar as the new President of FADA. In his address, Vigneshwar laid out his vision for the future of India's auto retail industry, focusing on strengthening the Retail Protection Act and promoting a Model Dealer Agreement to ensure the long-term stability of dealerships. He emphasised that passion and intent would drive the industry forward, with partnerships across the value chain—OEMs, financiers, and insurance providers—playing a vital role in shaping the future.
The Conclave also included the launch of the 'FADA Digest 2024’, which provides insights into the trends, technologies, and policies shaping India’s auto sector. The digest offers a forward-looking perspective, highlighting FADA’s initiatives to improve dealer operations and customer experiences.
In an important presentation, Shylesh Narayanan, Country Head of Frost & Sullivan, unveiled the Customer Experience Index Study, conducted in collaboration with FADA. The study assessed customer satisfaction across vehicle sales, after-sales service, and product quality, with inputs from over 8,500 customers from urban and rural regions. This comprehensive survey shed light on evolving consumer preferences and identified opportunities for the industry to improve service standards.
The Conclave featured a CxO Fireside Chat, with industry leaders discussing the results of the Customer Experience Index (CEI) Study. Moderated by Vinkesh Gulati, Chairman of FADA Academy & Research, the panel included executives such as Veejay Ram Nakra, President of Mahindra & Mahindra Auto Sector, Rajeev Chaba, President of MG Motor India, and Aroop Zutshi, Global Managing Partner at Frost & Sullivan. The discussion covered the critical importance of customer satisfaction and strategies to address the sector's challenges.
Additionally, government collaboration was a key theme, with speakers like Dr Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Heavy Industries, and Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, discussing the impact of regulatory developments on the automotive industry. The session also featured an interactive Q&A with industry representatives and government officials.
Another crucial session focused on the Dealer Satisfaction Study (DSS’24), with insights from industry leaders representing various vehicle segments, including Amit Kamat of Tata Motors, Hardeep Singh Brar of Kia India, and Yogesh Mathur of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India. The panel explored strategies to improve dealer satisfaction and optimise performance across passenger, two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and commercial vehicle markets.
The Conclave concluded with the signing of an MoU between FADA, DigiELV, and Meta Materials Circular Markets (MMCM), aimed at advancing sustainable practices in the automotive industry, particularly through end-of-life vehicle management.
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