Chennai: Japanese quality at Chinese prices but made in India is being adopted as the redo of the 50-member strong delegation of Indian auto industry during the SAE World Congress 2006. The four-day event starts on April 3, 2006, at Detroit, the hub and heart of the US auto industry.

Speaking on the Indian contingent''s business agenda M S Kumar, senior vice president, SAE India, and the leader of the Indian delegation, said, "India''s strength in product design and manufacture of components to world class standards at low costs is attracting global majors to establish a foothold in India. Abundant availability of qualified engineers — in mechanical, electrical, IT, and electronics — and respect for intellectual property rights are making India more and more attractive."

At this year''s congress, three Indians will be conferred the SAE International Fellowship, the highest award for their outstanding contribution to the automotive industry. They are Dr V Ganesan, IIT Chennai, Dr M K G Babu, IIT, Delhi and Dr V Sumantran, former executive director, Tata Motors.

According to Kumar, India''s automotive exports are projected to grow by over 30 per cent to touch 0.85 million units in 2005-06 up from 0.6 million in 2004-05 and slated to grow faster in the coming years. The export growth of components has been even more spectacular. In value terms, auto component exports are now expected to touch $2.6 billion in 2006-07, recording more than 100 per cent growth from the $1.2 billion in 2004-05. The ensuring event offers the Indian auto industry an opportunity to netwok and collaborate with the global automotive suppliers for products, designs and development and manufacture in India. Interestingly, the theme of this event is: `Driving Innovation through Partnerships''.

This year''s congress will feature the largest exhibitor list from India till date — 18 companies including Kalyani Forge, Lucas-TVS, Rico Auto, Sundaram Industries, Wheels India and ACMA.