FADA 7th Auto Retail Conclave affirms “Self-Sustaining Success”

The Conclave was inaugurated by chief guests Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, along with H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Steel who joined virtually to address the gathering. Sharing the dais were eminent industry leaders, including Shailesh Chandra, President – SIAM;  Kartick V. Nagpal, President – Rosmerta Group and C.S. Vigneshwar, President – FADA. Together, they emphasised the importance of strengthening OEM–dealer synergies, with innovation and customer trust as the key drivers of future growth.

Commending FADA’s ongoing efforts in building a responsible retail automobile ecosystem in the nation, Gadkari, stated, “The transition of India’s automobile sector towards clean and sustainable mobility is not a one-time effort but a continuous process that evolves year after year. Today, we already have electric buses, cars, and even construction vehicles running on electric and hydrogen power. In the coming years, electric vehicles and diesel / petrol vehicles will stand on equal ground in terms of cost and efficiency. India has a huge market potential not just for domestic adoption but also for exports. To support this, we are focusing on securing critical minerals, scaling semiconductor production, and enabling startups engaged in advanced research. Even through scrapping old vehicles, we are recovering rare metals and recycled materials for reuse.

He further added, “India is now the world’s 3rd largest automobile market, and within five years, we aim to be No.1. With strong demand, skilled talent, low cost of production and global players expanding in India, the foundation is set. Guided by ethics, economy, and environment, we are driving biofuels, flex fuels, EVs, and hydrogen, while easing taxes to cut imports and boost growth. Green mobility is both a necessity and an opportunity to make India a global automotive leader.”

H.D. Kumaraswamy, addressed the 7th Auto Conclave saying, “The 7th Auto Retail Conclave is a celebration of the strength and resilience of India’s automobile retail sector, which stands as the backbone of the industry. Dealers are not just sellers, they are the trusted face of mobility for millions of families, offering confidence, service, and reliability at every step. With over 15,000 dealerships and 20,000 outlets employing nearly 50 lakh people, the sector contributes immensely to the economy, generating almost 18 downstream jobs for every role at an OEM plant. This year’s theme, Self-Sustaining Success for Naya Bharat, is timely as the industry embraces AI adoption, digital transformation, and global competition while advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Ministry of Heavy Industries remains deeply committed to working alongside FADA and all stakeholders to strengthen this ecosystem, ensuring a sustainable, future-ready, and self-reliant automobile retail sector that powers India’s growth journey.”

Addressing industry stalwarts and esteemed Government dignitaries, C.S. Vigneshwar, President of FADA, highlighted the pivotal role of India’s 30,000+ dealerships in generating employment for over 5 million people and contributing significantly to the nation’s economy.  Vigneshwar stated, “The 7th Auto Retail Conclave is a tribute to the resilience and contribution of dealers, who form the backbone of the automotive ecosystem. This year’s theme, ‘Self-Sustaining Success for Naya Bharat,’ reflects our collective commitment to building a resilient, progressive, and future-ready industry. Auto retail in India is not confined to vehicle sales, but it also sustains the livelihoods of over 50 lakh people, anchors investments of Rs 20 lakh crore, and contributes Rs 3 lakh crore annually in taxes. Being three times larger than all organized retail combined, the sector’s growth and stability are closely tied to the nation’s progress. At FADA, our vision is to empower dealerships by moving from dependence to independence, turning challenges into opportunities, and ensuring long-term sustainability. This requires OEMs and dealers to work as true partners. Issues such as excessive inventory, thin margins, high training costs, and business viability must be addressed constructively to foster trust and resilience.

He further added, “While GST 2.0 is a landmark reform, the withdrawal of Compensation Cess risks straining dealer working capital and weakening festive momentum. A fair transitional framework, along with policy measures such as a Dealer Protection Act, ease of doing business, and EV ecosystem support, is vital. Auto retail is more than commercial is a national mission contributing to Naya Bharat.”