Dear Friends,

As you know, starting from 1st April’23, the new emission norms – BS VI OBD Stage II norms pertaining to homologation will come into force for M & N Vehicles & BS VI OBD Stage II A for two & three wheeler vehicles. OEMs will only be able to upload details of such vehicle which are compliant with the new rules prevailing on the said date. This means OBD-I vehicle details cannot be uploaded by the OEM from 1st April’23. However, OBD-1 vehicles which are already uploaded on or before 31st March on Vahan will not have any issue and will continue to be sold and registered seamlessly.

Also, from the same date, i.e. 1st April’23, the sale & registration of pre-owned vehicles will be through authorised vehicle dealers having authorisation letter from RTO’s in their area of business. The application & renewal of the authorisation letter will be only through e-vahan portal. The validity of the authorisation letter is for 5 years. In this regard please carefully go through GSR 901 (E ) dated December 22, 2022 (copy of the notification can be downloaded from the knowledge centre on FADA’s website: www.fada.in).

Key highlights of the notification include:
• The procedure for intimation of delivery of vehicle between the registered owner and the dealer has been detailed;
• The powers and responsibilities of a dealer in possession of registered vehicles have also been clarified;
• Dealers have been empowered to apply for renewal of registration certificate/ renewal of certificate of fitness, duplicate registration certificate, NOC, transfer of ownership, of motor vehicles in their possession; and
• as a regulatory measure, maintenance of an electronic vehicle trip register has been mandated which would contain details of the trip undertaken viz. trip purpose, driver, time, mileage etc.

Coming to the achievements during the month, I am happy to share with all of you that our Past President, Mr. Nikunj Sanghi, a.k.a. Bhishma Pitamah has been bestowed with ‘ET Auto Retail Personality in Auto Dealer Category’ in the recently concluded ETAuto Retail Forum 2023 in New Delhi. This is a proud moment for all of us as he has been the creator of FADA 2.0. It is his vision and far sightedness, that today FADA is a body to recon with in, any part of the country.

I am delighted to inform that our CEO, Mr. Saharsh Damani has been awarded 'Young Leader Award 40 under 40' at the Asian Brand & Leadership Conclave held recently in Dubai. The award was presented by H.E. Ahmed Elmetwally, CEO Pvt Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamadan Al Nahyan (Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi) and Dr. Bu Abdullah, Chairman Bu Abdullah Group.

Coming to the future course of action, working towards building strong networking amongst Dealers & making the Federation reach to the furthest corner of India, we at the centre are curating the events calendar for 2023. Also, for the first time, FADA now has State Chapters and Chairpersons in all states barring one in North East i.e. Nagaland. My aim is to fill this vacancy in next 30 days so that we have 100% representation from all states in India.

Spearheading this, FADA Jharkhand Chapter under the able leadership of State Chairperson, Mr. Govind Mewar organised a Dealer’s Meet in Deogarh wherein the Dealers were informed about the initiatives being taken up by the Federation for the benefit of dealer community; why it was important to participate actively in various activities initiated by the Federation; & the benefits of being part of a national body. Dealers were also appraised regarding business opportunities in setting up vehicle scrappage centre, automated vehicle testing facility, Drivers training centres etc. Both Mr. Mewar along with Mr. Mohan Himatsingka, Past President FADA addressed the Dealers in a detailed manner.

FADA Maharashtra Chapter led by State Chairperson Mr. Sachin Mahajan and Regional Directors met the State Transport Commissioner, Mr Vivek Bhimanvar Saheb and submitted a memorandum on key issues concerning - online registration of Commercial vehicles & allotment of Choice numbers on e-vahan portal and various other issues. The Transport Commissioner not only gave them a patient hearing but also assured them that he would be looking into these issues for a fruitful solution. This was very encouraging for our members in Maharashtra.

As mentioned earlier, FADA State Chapters will soon be hoisting Vyapar Events in their respective states. FADA Odisha Chapter under the leadership of Mr. Pradeep Agarwal has agreed to hoist the event in April. In addition, FADA West Bengal Chapter under Chairperson Mr Soham Misra is planning to hoist GST 3.0 in April to appraise dealers regarding the changes in GST laws & also help them clarify their concerns. This workshop is being planned with Mr Jatin Harjai in Kolkata.

During the month of May, FADA will be hoisting the 2nd edition of Two-Wheeler Conclave in Tamil Nadu. Dovetailed with the conclave will be Vyapar Tamil Nadu. Both the events will be organised on the same day & at the same venue. Mr Rajavel S, the State Chairperson and his team are getting geared up for the same.

This would be followed by 2nd edition of Finance & Insurance Summit along with FADA’s Dealership Excellence Awards at the finance capital of India - Mumbai in the month of June. Here, FADA Treasurer Mr. Amar Jatin Sheth along with FADA Maharashtra State Chairperson Mr. Sachin Mahajan are chalking out the entire plan.

Going forward, sometime in the month of July, FADA Academy led by its Chairman, Mr. Vinkesh Gulati will be releasing the findings of our newest study based on CSI Survey outcome. This will be followed by an Awards night. FADA Academy is conducting this study with our Knowledge Partner PremonAsia.

The month of September will witness FADA hosting its 59th Annual General Meeting along with Auto Retail Conclave & DSS Study Awards.

FADA is planning an action-packed year and more such events for the rest of the year are being planned which I shall share in my following messages. I hence request all of you to come forward and actively take part in all such events so that together we can build a strong ecosystem of Auto Retail in India.

Friends, by the time you receive this edition of the Journal, nominations for FADA Awards 2023 would be Live. Please file your nominations for all the brands/ segments you represent & also encourage your dealer friends to participate. Please note that FADA Dealership excellence Awards are the Oscars of Indian Auto Retail and the same is open for ALL DEALERS in spite they being a member of the Association or not! This time around, we have also introduced many new categories which I am sure will compel you to take part. Apart from this, we are also planning newer ways to recognise all the awards winners and you will come to know about the same in times to come.

All our verticals viz. FADA Academy, GenX & WIF will also be coming out with their programs during the year to not only keep its members engaged but to also provide them with a great learning experience as well.

To give a glimpse, WIF Chairperson Ms Garim Misra is holding a meeting with all WIF State Directors in April to chalk out the programs for WIF members during the year & the GenX vertical under Mr. Sachin Shah and Mr. Rishabh Sanghi are planning workshop visit at Annamalai’s Toyota, Coimbatore. I am sure that all of you are aware about this Dealership’s best practices which is run by our Vice President Mr. C S Vigneshwar.

As I conclude, I humbly seek your views & request you to feel free to write to me on any matter of utmost concern at [email protected].

Thanking you & Happy Selling,

Manish Raj Singhania
President – FADA