Automotive sector window of opportunity for enhancing bilateral trade between India & Germany: AutoExpo

14 January 2008

New Delhi: The automotive sector beckons a great opportunity in enhancing the mutual trade between India and Germany and this was made evident by the presence of over 70 German companies in German Pavilion at the 9th Auto Expo, currently underway at Pragati Maindan, New Delhi.

Participating for the second time at the Auto Expo, Managing Director of German Association of Automotive Industry (VDA) Achim Rauber expressed how impressed he was by the incredible economic dynamism in India, and shared his optimism with regard to opportunities awaiting both the countries in the automotive sector.

For instance, India exported cars worth €25 million in the first three quarters of 2007 alone, and the supply industry in India increased its exports to Germany by 20 per cent in the first nine months of 2007, taking them upto €140 million.

Also, the number of German brand cars exported to India in 2007 doubled compared with the year before, and notching up sales worth of €154 million, German suppliers were able to increase their exports to India by more than half in the first nine months of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006.

The highlight of international participation at Auto Expo this year was the participation of over 70 companies from Germany, which is the largest ever representation from Germany at Auto Expo.

Apart form the very well known companies like Bosch which was started 80 years ago, Mercedes 50 years ago, Skoda and Volkswagen who have presence in India for many years now; there other exhibitors participating includes large companies like ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Schaeffler Group (LUK.INA.FAG) or Pierburg and medium- sized companies like Eberspacher GmbH & Co. KG, Emitec GmBH, Hammerstein, Linnig Antriebstechnik GmBH and Whitzenmann GmBH.