Automotive Sector in India

Whether you want to buy a bike or a car, you have to shell out a lot of money for it. The automotive sector has always been a source of income for many governments. As, a result govt. has imposed heavy taxes on this sector. Every bike or car become almost 2 times its cost in other parts of the world. You can take many examples like BMW 330i M Sport which costs around INR 58 lakhs  ($76456) in India. But in UK it costs around INR 32 lakhs ($421921). This gap goes on increasing as we start moving to upper segments. This sector has remained as a source of income for the governments. 

Also, people don't care about this sector very much. They only buy cars as a style statement. They only buy them to go from one place to other. As a result very few car and bike enthusiasts are currently living in country India. People are compromising with many aspects like safety, handling while buying the cars. They are more interested in mileage the car gives. The number one 4 - wheeler country in the country which almost have 52% market share is famous for its below average build quality. But people are following the heard and are busy in buying such type of cars. Even some products from this company have failed miserably in the crash tests. They have even decided to stop giving cars for crash testing agencies. There are way better products which are present in the market. But people are neglecting them. Dad's and uncles are still recommending these inferior products. They have not even tried the products from other companies. Due to this many good products and companies have failed in India.

If one buys a sports car in India, there are no roads which are suitable for such machines. Poor quality work and lack of knowlege of standards is responsible for this. The Indian govt. should look at Germany. They are the pioneers in road construction. Their whole economy revolves arounds the roads and the automotive sector. The major highlights are the derestricted Autobahns and the Nurburgring (Green Hell). Many well established brands have emerged from Germany like Mercedes, Audi, BMW. Fast roads encourage people to buy fast cars and companies to research in making their cars fast and well build. This cycle has become the main part of their economy.

Car enthusiasts in India don't get what they needed. Many laws and regulations are stopping people from customising their vehicles. During the tragedy of Kerala floods many car enthusiasts helped the forces with their vehicles which were fitted with offroad aftermarket equipments. No other vehicles were able to drive in the muddy situatioons. The forces took help from these vehicles. But after the situations got better the policemen files charges against the owners of the vehicles. They called the modifications done by them illegal which is not fare at all.

Govt. should do long term planning for this sector because this sector has lot of potential but due to the negligence of the people and the govt. this sector is losing its potential. The govt. should allow modifications of vehicles to some extent. This will certainly help in starting a car culture in India and people will start demanding for better vehicles.