NL Corresspondent
Jammu Tawi: The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) hosted the fifth edition of the Auto Retail Conclave, focusing on the theme “Collaborate-Innovate-Accelerate” immediately after the 59th AGM. The conclave witnessed the presence of prominent figures in the automobile industry, alongside participation from over 500 dealer members representing various regions of the country. The Conclave was inaugurated by Shri Nitin Gadkari, the honorable Union Minister of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. Also present on the occasion were Vinod Aggarwal, President SIAM, Shradha Marwah, President ACMA, along with Manish Raj Singhania, President FADA and C S Vigneshwar, Vice President FADA. Hon'ble Chief Guest, Nitin Gadkari, the esteemed Union Minister of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, at the event stated that, “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the automobile industry for India becoming the third largest automobile manufacturers in the world. However, our aspirations reach even higher—we aim to position ourselves as the world's leading auto manufacturing hub, and this ambition will require a collaborative effort, uniting India's strengths with global brands. The automobile sector holds a pivotal role, contributing a substantial 40% to India's manufacturing GDP. Nitin Gadkari further added, I would encourage dealers to take in initiating scrapping centres, fitness centres, and driving training centres. This proactive step not only rejuvenates businesses but also aligns with our broader mission of promoting green mobility. Also, the government is committed to providing all necessary support for these initiatives.Furthermore, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated dealer fraternity for their unwavering commitment to serving customers and urge OEMs to work closely with dealers to enhance revenue generation, recognizing them as integral components of automobile ecosystem. As our industry evolves and adapts to rapid changes, let us move forward together, with dealers, OEMs, and component suppliers working all together to achieve our goals going forward”.Welcoming all the members from the entire automotive ecosystem at the Auto Retail Conclave, Mr. Manish Raj Singhania said, “Today, as we gather for the 5th Auto Retail Conclave, it marks a moment for collective aspiration. Our recent 59th Annual General Meeting allowed us to evaluate our growth trajectory. I extend a heartfelt salute to our esteemed minister, Shri Nitin Gadkari ji, for his visionary initiatives that have transformed India's highways into world-class expressways, sparking a surge in vehicle sales. As stewards of road safety, we've launched our ‘Buckle Up Campaign' to remind our customers of the crucial importance of safety on the roads.He further added, Automobile 2Wheeler industry is an important part of the mobility ecosystem, and hence urge the government to reduce the GST rate from 28% to 18% for entry-level 2-wheelers in the 100-125 cc range. This change isn't just a policy adjustment; it's a catalyst for socio-economic progress.”Mr. Singhania urged the Presidents of SIAM and ACMA to present a unified front for a joint meeting involving SIAM, ACMA, and FADA to discuss issues that require collective attention. The time has arrived for all of us to adopt a more collaborative approach to innovate and accelerate toward a more resilient future.”
