Dear Friends,

As the automobile industry navigates an increasingly dynamic environment, developments in West Asia warrant close attention. Any prolonged geopolitical uncertainty could impact fuel prices, supply chains, logistics costs, and consumer sentiment, with implications for the broader automotive ecosystem. While the Indian auto retail sector continues to demonstrate resilience, staying agile and prepared remains critical.

Against this backdrop, FADA remains steadfast in its commitment to championing dealer interests, engaging constructively with policymakers, and strengthening the capabilities of the automobile retail fraternity. Over the past month, our chapters, committees, and verticals have undertaken several important initiatives that reflect this commitment and reinforce our collective vision of building a stronger, future-ready industry.

FADA continues to engage proactively with policymakers and government agencies on initiatives aimed at improving ease of doing business for automobile dealers.

I am pleased to share that FADA has been approached by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) - National Informatics Centre (NIC), to provide industry feedback, pain points, and recommendations for the proposed revamp of the eVahan platform. Recognising the importance of this exercise for the entire automobile retail ecosystem, FADA is working closely with PwC to undertake a structured assessment and develop comprehensive recommendations that reflect dealer experiences and operational requirements across the country.

In addition, FADA is collaborating with Spinny to map and document the end-to-end process flow for the sale and registration of pre-owned vehicles. The objective is to identify procedural bottlenecks and develop suitable recommendations for representation before MoRTH. We believe these efforts will contribute towards creating a more efficient, transparent, and dealer-friendly framework for pre-owned vehicle transactions while further strengthening ease of doing business across the sector.

These initiatives underscore FADA's continued commitment to representing dealer interests and actively contributing to policy, regulatory, and digital transformation across the automotive retail ecosystem. It is therefore particularly timely that we come together at the 5th edition of the FADA Finance & Insurance Summit, scheduled for 10th July 2026 in Mumbai.

The Summit will provide an important platform for meaningful discussions on issues that directly impact dealer interests and will bring together government officials, policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, financial institutions, insurers, technology partners, and dealer colleagues from across the country.

The Summit will also host the prestigious Dealer Satisfaction Survey 2026 Awards for Finance & Insurance Companies and the Dealership Excellence Awards 2026, recognising outstanding performance, innovation, and best practices across the industry. I look forward to meeting many of you in Mumbai and together making this landmark event a resounding success.

Beyond advocacy, FADA continues to focus on capability building, leadership development, and knowledge sharing across the industry.

I am pleased to see our Women in FADA (WiF) vertical continuing to empower members through meaningful learning opportunities and professional development. Under the leadership of Ms. Rashmi Kale, WiF recently organised an insightful session on "AI for Automobile Dealers: Driving Footfall, Customer Experience and Revenue." The session was taken by Ms Forum Nanavati, Head Global Partnerships, Jio Haptik (Meta's Premier BSP). The highly interactive discussion highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence and digital tools in enhancing dealership performance and customer engagement.

Further strengthening networking and learning opportunities, WiF is also organising an exclusive study tour alongside the Finance & Insurance Summit. The programme will include dealership visits and provide participants with valuable exposure to best practices and operational excellence. I encourage interested members to register and take advantage of this unique opportunity.

In parallel, FADA Academy, under the leadership of Mr. Manish Raj Singhania, Chairman – FADA Academy & Research, continues to expand its offerings for dealership leaders and professionals. We are delighted to announce an exclusive Strategic Leadership Programme in collaboration with Imperial College Business School, London, scheduled for July 2026. Designed for forward-looking dealership leaders, the programme will equip participants with global perspectives and strategic capabilities necessary to build resilient and future-ready businesses.

The Academy also recently conducted the successful second edition of its three-day residential executive programme in collaboration with IIM Udaipur, focused on leadership excellence within the rapidly evolving mobility ecosystem.

In addition, the Academy organised a specialised masterclass titled "2W Dealer Dominance – Outperforming the Competition by Increasing Vahan Market Share," led by industry veteran Mr. Jyoti Raman Rajput. The enthusiastic participation from dealer principals across the country reflected the industry's commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence. I am confident that participants gained valuable insights that will contribute meaningfully to their business growth.

Across our state chapters, meaningful progress continues to be made through proactive engagement with government authorities, regulators, and industry stakeholders.

In Chhattisgarh, under the leadership of Mr. Vivek Garg, the chapter actively pursued discussions with senior transport department officials and the Hon'ble Transport Minister to address key industry concerns.

In Delhi, under Mr. Shailender Luthra, preparations are underway for the resumption of monthly review meetings with the Transport Department. These structured engagements will help streamline processes, improve operational efficiency, and ensure effective representation of dealer concerns.

I would also like to acknowledge the commendable efforts of FADA Jammu & Kashmir, led by Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal. Persistent follow-up by the chapter has resulted in a favourable direction from the Transport Commissioner enabling online submission and expedited disposal of applications for the introduction of new vehicle models and variants—an important step towards improving ease of doing business in the region. The chapter has also actively engaged with financial institutions on payout-related matters and supported public awareness initiatives promoting reduced fuel consumption and sustainable mobility.

Advocacy remains central to FADA's mission. In Karnataka, under the leadership of Mr. Dharma Teja, the chapter submitted a detailed representation to the Hon'ble Labour Minister opposing the proposed Minimum Wage revision, highlighting its potential impact on dealership operations, employment costs, and business sustainability. To further safeguard dealer interests, FADA has also pursued legal recourse by filing a writ petition in the matter.

Dealer engagement and collaboration remain equally strong across other regions. FADA Madhya Pradesh organised a well-attended meeting in Bhopal, enabling dealer principals from multiple districts to engage in meaningful discussions on issues concerning OEMs, finance companies, and insurance partners.

Similarly, FADA Maharashtra, under the chairmanship of Mr. Sachin Mahajan, successfully conducted the North Maharashtra meeting in Nashik, bringing together dealers to review performance and discuss priorities for the year ahead. The participation of the Deputy Mayor of Nashik provided an opportunity to highlight civic and operational challenges affecting dealers.

FADA Punjab, under the leadership of Mr. Rajiv Chopra, also engaged constructively with the State Transport Commissioner to seek resolution of various dealer concerns.

FADA Tamil Nadu Chairperson Mr. Rajavel S, along with Mr. Dinesh Agarwal, met the Hon’ble Transport Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, to congratulate him on his appointment as the State Transport Minister and apprised him of the concerns of the state’s auto retail industry.

As our industry continues to evolve, our collective success will depend on collaboration, adaptability, continuous learning, and proactive engagement. I am grateful to all chapter leaders, committee members, and dealer partners who contribute their time, expertise, and energy towards strengthening our association and advancing the interests of the automobile retail sector.

Together, we will continue to champion dealer interests, embrace innovation, and build a stronger, more sustainable future for automobile retailing in India.

Warm regards,

C S Vigneshwar
President - FADA