Preparations Underway for the 13th Auto Summit – "Safe, Efficient & Sustainable: Shaping Tomorrow’s Mobility"

Dear Members,

I am pleased to share some exciting developments from FADA as we continue to make significant strides in strengthening our commitment to the dealership community and enhancing our organizational capabilities.

During the month, I had the privilege of participating in the CNBC-TV18’s 25th anniversary- CNBC Global Leadership Summit held in Mumbai, alongside Mr. Amar Sheth, Secretary FADA. This prestigious event brought together key industry leaders and thought leaders to discuss the future of business, leadership, and innovation across various sectors that will help shape India’s economic trajectory in the years to come.

Further, as part of our ongoing efforts to better serve our members and streamline operations, FADA has decided to establish zonal offices across the country, starting with the opening of a South Zone office in Chennai. This initiative will enable us to more effectively manage day-to-day operations and ensure that we are better positioned to represent and support our members across all four zones.

In related news, I am honoured to inform you that, at the recently concluded board meeting of the Motor Vehicles & Allied Industries Association (MV&AIA), I, along with Mr Sai Giridhar, Vice President- FADA and Mr Bharat Kumar Chordia, Executive Committee Member-FADA were appointed as Additional Directors. Moreover, the MV&AIA Board has graciously resolved to transfer its building to FADA as a ‘gift.’ This gesture will facilitate the establishment of the South Zone FADA Secretariat, a milestone that will significantly enhance our ability to serve our members in the southern region more effectively.

These developments mark a new chapter for FADA, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on the dealer community as we continue to grow and strengthen our efforts.

Further, the next mega upcoming event in FADA’s calendar is the 13th Auto Summit on the theme – “Safe, Efficient & Sustainable: Shaping Tomorrow’s Mobility" which will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. It’s a one-day event beginning at 10 am in the morning and concluding over dinner & cocktails in the evening.

From a biennial event, in line with the industry's annual rhythm of holding the Global Auto Expo on a yearly basis, we too have transitioned our event to a yearly occurrence from this year onwards, aligning it with the timing of the Bharat Mobility Global Auto Show which will be held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This shift allows us to better reflect the evolving landscape of the automotive sector and strengthen our role in shaping its future.

This year’s theme speaks directly to the direction in which the automotive industry is heading, and it’s particularly relevant to FADA’s mission as the national body representing automobile retail in India. The theme encapsulates the key challenges and opportunities we face as we move toward the future, highlighting our collective responsibility in driving the sector forward.

Safety remains a top priority. Whether through advanced safety features in vehicles or the improvement of road infrastructure, the industry is working relentlessly to make driving safer for everyone. At FADA, we are committed to ensuring that the vehicles we sell and service are integral to building a safer tomorrow.

Efficiency is equally crucial in today’s fast-paced world. By streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences, we can create an environment where businesses thrive while delivering the best possible service to customers. It’s about maximizing every opportunity, doing more with less, and ensuring that every interaction counts.

Sustainability is the undeniable future of mobility. The shift to electric vehicles, cleaner energy, and reduced emissions is no longer a choice, but a necessity. As the world grows increasingly environmentally conscious, the automotive industry must lead the charge in delivering greener mobility solutions.

This theme highlights the collective responsibility we all share in creating a future that is not only innovative but also responsible. At FADA, we are proud to be part of this transformative journey, ensuring that the auto retail sector continues to play a crucial role in shaping a safer, more efficient, and sustainable tomorrow.

As in previous years, we are collaborating with SIAM to secure a dedicated slot for the dealer fraternity to visit the Global Auto Show on January 17, 2025. Since this day coincides with the media and inauguration day, we will confirm the feasibility of this visit by early December 2024.

In the meantime, I kindly request all dealer friends to plan their travel so that you arrive in Delhi by lunchtime on January 17, 2025, and depart on January 19, 2025. To ensure a smooth experience, FADA has partnered with a select group of hotels with limited room availability. Please note that, given the influx of international events in the city during this time, last-minute bookings or cancellations may not be feasible. Therefore, please register early and confirm your hotel accommodation.

FADA is excited to announce that we will be taking a delegation to attend the NADA Convention, which will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, from January 23-26, 2025. Senior officials from FADA, including myself and Mr Saharsh Damani, CEO, will be participating in this prestigious event.

Being part of the FADA delegation offers several key benefits:

• Gain Insights into the future of automotive retail, including the latest dealership strategies, emerging industry trends, and essential legal and regulatory updates.
• Network with International Dealer Associations and explore collaboration opportunities with peers from around the globe.
• Visit dealerships - including Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, and Pre-owned Vehicle Auction Houses, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Registration forms have already been shared, and the last date for registration is December 23, 2024. I earnestly encourage all dealer friends to register early to secure their participation.

I am happy to share that Mr. Sai Giridhar, Vice President-FADA, Ms. Garima Misra, Executive Committee Member, and Mr Saharsh Damani, CEO - FADA, had the privilege of meeting Mr Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India. During this meeting, DSS'24 award was presented, reinforcing FADA’s commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships with OEMs that benefit both dealers and consumers alike and health of the auto industry was discussed.

In a landmark judgment, the Madras High Court has upheld the claims of Talwar Mobiles Pvt Ltd. in their case against Hyundai Motor India Ltd., ruling against the unjustifiable termination of a dealership by the OEM. This significant legal victory sets an important precedent for all dealerships and reinforces our commitment to advocating for fair and transparent practices across the industry.

In line with this, FADA is actively working to strengthen the OEM-dealer relationship by resuming our follow-up meetings with OEMs to promote the implementation of Model Dealer Agreements. These agreements are a critical step towards ensuring fairness and transparency in dealership operations. We will share more details on this initiative as we continue to make progress.

Friends, as you are aware, Women in FADA (WiF) was established as a dedicated, women-focused vertical within the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). The core mission of WiF is to empower women entrepreneurs in the automotive retail industry by recognizing their contributions and bringing their roles to the forefront.

WiF aims to create a collaborative platform where women in the industry can connect, share experiences, and grow together on their journey in auto retail. Through this initiative, we are committed to promoting gender equality, empowering women, and fostering a culture of transformation that enhances knowledge, changes attitudes, and influences behaviours within the industry.

FADA's WiF is dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in auto dealerships and increasing their participation in all aspects of auto retail. We believe that by empowering women, we can contribute to the growth and sustainability of the industry as a whole.

To further strengthen this vertical, each state chapter of FADA has appointed a WiF Director whose responsibility is to enrol more women entrepreneurs from the auto retail business to WiF vertical, ensuring their active contribution to both FADA and their dealership operations. This will create a more inclusive environment where women not only benefit personally but also contribute to the broader growth of the dealership community.

Following the change of leadership for the State Chapter Members for the 2024-26 term, we recently held the inaugural WiF Core Committee Meeting, attended by 14 WiF Directors from across the country. This meeting marked an important step in formulating a comprehensive strategy to empower women further within the automotive dealership sector. We are optimistic that the insights and discussions from this meeting will lead to a more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful future.

During the month, FADA, in partnership with Meta Materials Circular Markets (MMCM), hosted an insightful webinar on the Introduction to the DigiELV Dealer Module. Mr Rishikesh Kumar, AVP Business, MMCM discussed the critical aspects of the Vehicle Scrapping Policy and the DigiELV platform, which aims to help dealerships maximize retail business and create value through vehicle scrapping and recycling. This is an excellent conversion tool for dealerships, and we encourage all members to make full use of it.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate FADA Jammu Chairperson, Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, whose consistent follow-up with the concerned authorities in Jammu & Kashmir, as well as the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has borne fruit. The central ministry has now made CNG available in the region, which is a huge boost for the sale of CNG vehicles in J&K. This will have a positive impact on the environment and the local dealership community.

FADA Delhi has made significant headway with the Delhi Government’s Transport Department. Key discussions were held regarding the extension of the EV policy, listing of showrooms, workshops, and stockyards in the E-Vahan system, as well as the delays in RC issuance by dealers. We are committed to ensuring that dealers in Delhi receive the support and clarity they need to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

In another important initiative, FADA Delhi has represented to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) regarding the issuance of Consent to Operate (CTO) for automobile workshops with washing. Since 2020, workshops in the NCR region have been struggling due to the DPCC halting the issuance of CTOs, forcing many to operate outside the region. We are committed to resolving this issue in the best interests of our members.

FADA Rajasthan Chapter presented a representation to the Transport Secretary of Rajasthan regarding the inspection and checking of dealers having valid Trade Certificates. It is essential that all dealers comply with regulations and operate as authorized registering authorities, and FADA Rajasthan’s efforts will ensure better enforcement and clarity in this regard.

As we continue to navigate these challenging yet exciting times, I urge all members to stay engaged and collaborate. FADA remains committed to supporting all members and ensuring that our voices are heard at every level of decision-making.

Together, we will continue to grow, strengthen, and drive positive change paving the way for a stronger, more diverse, and dynamic automotive retail landscape.

Warm regards,

C S Vigneshwar
President - FADA