Advancing Together in the Automotive Industry

Dear Members,

By the time this message reaches you, we will have celebrated the vibrant festivals of Navratri, and preparations will be in full swing for Deepawali. I trust that the sales and registrations during this period have contributed to making your celebrations even more joyous and prosperous.

As we reflect on the festivities, it's a reminder of the importance of community and collaboration in our industry. Let’s continue to support one another as we move forward together, seizing opportunities for growth and innovation.

Since assuming office, I, along with my colleagues on the Managing Committee, have engaged in constructive discussions with the Executive Committee and the newly elected State Chairpersons. Our focus has been on charting a clear course of action to strengthen the ‘Voice of Dealers’ within our industry by setting clear Key Result Areas (KRAs) for all of us, ensuring we stay on track throughout the year.

To further strengthen the GenX and Women in FADA (WiF) verticals, we have established dedicated committees tasked with formulating policies that further promote participation and engagement. These initiatives are designed not only to empower our current members but also to identify and nurture future leaders of FADA. This will provide both verticals with a vision to excel as FADA moves forward.

In line with this vision, and to establish the bylaws, the GenX Policy Committee, headed by Mr. Amar Jatin Sheth, Secretary of FADA, and supported by Mr. Sai Giridhar, Vice President of FADA, Mr. Pradeep Agarwal, Treasurer of FADA, Mr. Manish Raj Singhania, Chairman of FADA Academy & Research, and Mr. Rishabh Sanghi, Chairman of GenX, met virtually. Likewise, the WiF Policy Committee, headed by Mr. Sai Giridhar and supported by Mr. Pradeep Agarwal, Mr. Vinkesh Gulati (Past President FADA), Ms. Garima Misra (FADA Executive Committee Member), and Mr. Rashmi Kale (Chairperson WiF) also convened virtually. With these policies in place, I am confident that our next steps will be more structured and impactful.

Additionally, after assuming the role of Chairperson of WiF, Ms. Rashmi Kale organized the first Women in FADA (WiF) meeting in association with the Bastar Auto Dealers Association in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, focusing on the critical inclusion of women in the auto retail sector. The encouraging response from women in the business underscores the importance of this initiative, and I look forward to seeing increased participation from women in the auto retail industry as we move forward.

I am also pleased to report that, in commemoration of FADA’s Founding Day (September 19), we successfully organized a week-long Health Check-up for Dealership Staff from September 19 to 25, 2024. The enthusiastic participation across the country reflects our community's strong commitment to well-being. This initiative reinforces our core message: we do not just sell vehicles; we genuinely care for our people.

This month, FADA actively participated in two significant events hosted by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). The first event highlighted the success of FAME in transforming India’s EV landscape: From Vision to Reality, and the second was the launch of the PM-E-drive scheme, both at Bharat Mandapam. Mr. Saharsh Damani, CEO of FADA, participated in a session titled Orientation on E-Voucher Scheme for PM E-Drive, while Mr. Sai Giridhar, Vice President, participated in a panel discussion on The Changing Landscape of Urban & Public Road Transport through EVs. I am proud to inform that for the first time, FADA was a key partner in any event organized by MHI. During the launch of PM E-Drive, Mr. Saharsh Damani, along with select dealers, demonstrated the entire procedure for generating e-vouchers for electric two-wheelers, a process showcased before dignitaries including the Hon'ble MHI Minister Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, MoS MHI Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, and other esteemed guests. A total of nine e-vouchers were generated during the event, showcasing the entire process.

Additionally, FADA collaborated with NIC, MoRTH to successfully expedite the approval for the extension of the AP EV Policy GO via the VAHAN Portal. This timely processing enabled dealers to begin delivering EV vehicles on the final auspicious day without any issues.

During the month, I, along with Mr. Saharsh Damani, attended the AGM of the Raipur Automobile Dealers Association (RADA). Meanwhile, Mr. Sai Giridhar, Vice President of FADA, participated in the AGM of the Bhopal Automobile Dealers Association (BADA). Our engagement in these AGMs underscores our commitment to fostering strong relationships with regional associations, staying informed about industry developments, and keeping our dealer colleagues updated on FADA’s activities.

Further, our participation at the ASDC Annual Conclave 2024 reinforced our commitment to collaboration and empowerment for industry growth. I had the honour of delivering a Key Note Address where I highlighted the role of Auto Retail along with future possibilities and challenges in the entire skilling journey.

Moreover, to establish skilling centers across the country, aimed not only at providing in-house training but also at upskilling team members and addressing the shortage of trained manpower—Mr. Manish Raj Singhania, Chairman of FADA Academy and Research, along with Mr. Arindham Lahiri, CEO of ASDC, and Mr. Vikas Raj, Dean of FADA Academy, visited Adharshila in Alwar. This skilling center is run by Mr. Nikunj Sanghi, Past President of FADA and Managing Director of J.S. Fourwheel Motors Pvt. Ltd. This visit will assist in rolling out this model nationwide, providing dealers with a industry ready pool of manpower while reducing human resource costs.

To further equip the dealer community with knowledge on the Vehicle Scrapping Policy and the DigiELV Platform, FADA hosted a successful webinar on the DigiELV Dealer Module in collaboration with Meta Materials Circular Markets (MMCM). I trust you found the webinar insightful, as it provides dealerships with an alternative revenue stream while assisting customers in purchasing new cars using certificates of deposit (CD) received for scrapping end-of-life vehicles. This initiative will contribute significantly to reducing pollution and making our roads safer.

On state-level activities, I am pleased to report that Mr. Govind Mewar, Chairperson of FADA Jharkhand, after persistent advocacy, was able to persuade the Transport Secretary, Mr. Kripa Nand Jha, to issue directives to the NIC for implementing paperless registration for fully-built vehicles in the state. This aligns with the new Central Motor Vehicle Rules of 1989, facilitating the issuance of permanent registration numbers by dealers without the need for temporary registrations.

In another encouraging development, Mr. Sachin Mahajan, Chairperson of FADA Maharashtra, along with Mr. Amar Sheth, Secretary of FADA, successfully secured a notification from the Maharashtra Transport Commissioner for the online registration of fully-built vehicles up to 7,500 kg GVW at dealer points. This is a step forward in enhancing operational efficiency.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of the automotive industry, your active participation and support are invaluable. Together, let’s drive FADA to new heights.

As I conclude, I wish that after the Navratri season, Deepawali brings double the cheer and helps reduce inventory levels to a more comfortable zone. Wishing you all a joyous Deepawali in advance.

Warm regards and happy festivities,

C. S. Vigneshwar
President, FADA