SIAM STATEMENT: “The FTA with EU will play a key role as India marches on towards ‘Viksit Bharat’. While we look forward to specific details of the India-EU FTA with respect to the Auto Industry, the calibrated approach to balance market access and domestic manufacturing, should give us a win-win between increased Global participation on one hand and growth of the domestic Auto Industry with Investments and Employment on the other hand. This will also enable increased choice for consumers in both regions,” stated Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM and MD & CEO Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd.
ACMA welcomes India–EU Free Trade Agreement: Vikrampati Singhania, President, ACMA and Vice Chairman & MD, JK Fenner (India), said, “The signing of the India–EU FTA is a timely and strategic step. For the auto-components industry, it has the potential to unlock new opportunities for exports, technology partnerships, and investment-led growth. As global OEMs and suppliers look to build resilient supply chains, a well-balanced and pragmatic FTA can position India as a reliable manufacturing and sourcing partner for Europe, while strengthening our long-standing industrial partnership.”
ACMA believes that a calibrated approach on tariffs, regulatory standards, and sustainability-related issues, including CBAM, will be critical to fully realising the agreement’s potential. The association looks forward to working closely with the Government of India and European stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation and meaningful outcomes for the automotive ecosystem on both sides.
Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO and MD, Mahindra Group: “The India-EU FTA is a significant milestone as it provides the next wave of economic impetus for India, building on the strong foundation laid by a number of policy reforms. This FTA will provide meaningful benefits across multiple sectors, as it strikes a very good balance between opening the market while nurturing manufacturing in India. We see a huge positive for the auto sector as it provides duty-free access to European markets and will attract European OEMs to invest further in India. This agreement is very well designed, as it lowers in-quota duties only at higher priced segments which will enhance scale in the core segments relevant to Make in India for the world. We feel this will not change any competitive dynamics in the industry. This FTA is one of the most comprehensive Agreements covering themes such as AI, innovation, clean tech, mobility that will boost industry growth across sectors like IT Services, Aerostructures, Finance, Agriculture and Renewable Energy. The Agreement ushers a generational opportunity for a values-led partnership between two natural allies in a volatile world.”
Piyush Arora, MD & CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVW), stated, “I heartily welcome the forward-looking India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will further strengthen cooperation between the two regions. As a global company, we strongly support free-trade agreements across markets and geographies. With EU being one of India’s largest trading partners, this agreement will further propel the Indian economy, benefit the EU as well, and truly be a win-win for both regions.”
“We believe this agreement will benefit customers in both regions. Greater tariff certainty and a more predictable trade framework will allow us to evaluate the introduction of a wider range of European models for Indian customers. Over time, this can support deeper technology transfer, capability building, and long-term investment in the Indian automotive ecosystem. As more details emerge, we will be able to assess the medium- and long-term implications of this agreement. However, what remains certain is SAVWIPL’s unwavering commitment to offering high-quality, safe, and competitively priced vehicles backed by exceptional service and ownership benefits. With our current lineup and offers, now is truly a great time to make an informed purchase without waiting for speculative changes,” he added.
Shailesh Hazela, CEO and Managing Director, Stellantis India, said, “The conclusion of the EU–India Free Trade Agreement is a landmark moment that deepens economic cooperation and strengthens India’s position in the global value chain. At Stellantis India, we see this agreement as a significant accelerator for our long-term commitment to ‘Make in India for the World.’ Reduced trade barriers will help enhance manufacturing competitiveness, expand export potential, and support the seamless integration of our India operations into global supply chains.
For our customers in India, this development enables greater access to advanced technologies and the latest offerings from the Stellantis line-up. We appreciate the continued efforts of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and industry bodies including ACEA, CLEPA, and FEBI in shaping this forward-looking agreement that benefits India’s automotive ecosystem and global partners alike.”
Dinesh Kanabar, Chairman & CEO, Dhruva Advisors, noted, “Great leadership, it is often said, lies in the ability to convert external challenges into strategic opportunities. In that spirit, it is heartening to see how India has responded to the headwinds created by higher tariffs imposed by the United States—not by retreating, but by accelerating its global economic integration through trade agreements with the UK, New Zealand, and now, most significantly, the European Union.
“Beyond trade, the agreement strengthens strategic partnership between two major democratic blocs, promotes investment, technology collaboration, and resilient supply chains. In that broader sense, this is not merely a trade deal, but a platform for long-term economic partnership—rightly being hailed as the “mother of all deals.”