Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged Indian automakers to step up their export push, saying growing demand for two-wheelers and premium vehicles could potentially help automobile exports double every two years. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India’s automobile exports could potentially double every two years, driven by growing global demand for two-wheelers and premium vehicles, as he urged automakers to look more actively at overseas markets. Goyal pointed to 16-17% growth reported by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) and growth of more than 20% reported by several automobile companies. India exported around one million cars last year, he said, highlighting rising exports by Maruti Suzuki and the emergence of electric vehicle (EV) exports from Tata Motors and Mahindra. Maruti has also begun exporting electric cars, he noted.
Sustainable mobility goes beyond EVs
Goyal said the automobile industry needed to consider both the environmental and economic aspects of sustainable mobility, arguing that the transition should go beyond simply replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with EVs. He said companies often presented different comparisons involving EVs, hybrids, battery imports and energy sources depending on their respective product portfolios. Goyal also said 125 cc motorcycles could disappear over the next 10 years as consumers move towards more powerful bikes. AI will change job roles, not reduce jobs: Goyal
The minister said artificial intelligence could help the automotive sector expand its capabilities, improve efficiency and competitiveness, and enhance customer service while creating new types of jobs. “Job roles may change, but jobs will grow,” he said. Technology adoption, he added, was essential for inclusive and sustainable growth.
Goyal said resilience should extend beyond supply chains to areas including business planning, innovation, research and development, technology, skill development and talent. The ‘four M’s of mobility’
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Against an increasingly complex global backdrop, Goyal said India was seeking to secure what he called the “four M’s of mobility” through trusted global partnerships — molecules, modules, megawatts and markets. On “molecules”, Goyal referred to rare earths, magnets and the Critical Mineral Mission. He said India was exploring linkages in some free trade agreements (FTAs) to secure access to rare earths and critical minerals, while also promoting ocean exploration for special minerals and participating in Pax Silica with the United States. On “modules”, he urged automakers to examine components that continue to be imported and pursue technology collaborations and partnerships where necessary.
On “megawatts”, Goyal said India needed to become more self-sufficient in energy by promoting indigenous energy sources and battery technologies. India looks for alternatives to permanent magnets
Goyal said India had demonstrated resilience in responding to challenges around permanent magnets by bringing together the automotive industry, startups, IREL, the science and technology establishment and relevant ministries. He highlighted the example of a startup that had demonstrated two motors for two-wheelers — one using permanent magnets and another without them. According to Goyal, the startup claimed that the motor without permanent magnets was cheaper and lighter, offered better features and delivered better output. He said he had asked an automobile industry member company to engage with the startup and independently validate its claims, noting that the startup had already presented validations from different agencies. Home India News Auto exports could double every two years as global demand grows, says Piyush Goyal
