The 48th SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) Annual Convention was inaugurated at the capital today at the hands of Hon. Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises – Shri. Sontosh Mohan Dev. Climate Change, Innovation, employing the right Talent and the changing face of the Indian automobile industry were the flavour of the inaugural session. The SIAM has adopted long term integrated and partnership approach to address climate change challenges.

SIAM has also launched two new initiatives - Fuel Consumption Consumer Information and Fuel Economy Information Borchure where in fuel consumption consumer information will be displayed at the point of sale of passenger cars and two wheelers by all SIAM members and will also be supplied with the product along with the documentation. The move is aimed in providing more transparency and countering flase mileage claims made by companies to lure customers into buying the product.

Delivering the welcome address at the gathering, Mr. Ravi Kant, President – SIAM and Managing Director – Tata Motors, commenced his speech by highlighting the year 2008 as an important and milestone year for the Indian automobile manufacturing sector – it being the 60th year since automobile manufacturing commenced in India. He stressed on the various successes achieved by the industry including a healthy growth rate, technological advancement, innovation and notable footprints across global geographies.

owever, Mr. Kant was quick to identify the new challenges being faced by the sector – shrinking demand, rising input costs, increased cost of fuel, climate change threats and the dearth of talented manpower and inflationary pressures. Identifying Climate Change due to global warming as a key and long term challenge, Mr. Kant stressed on its likely impact on environment and on the industry. He said that though the automotive industry contributed to about 10% of carbon dioxide emissions, the sector was aware of the need for a holistic and an integrated approach to negate its effects. Taking the initiative as a premier industry body, Mr. Kant announced SIAM’s plans to launch the Fuel Consumption Consumer Information and the Fuel Economy Information Brochure from January 2009. The Fuel Consumption Consumer Information will be displayed at the point of sale of passenger cars and two-wheelers by all SIAM members and this would be supplied to all customers of this product along with the documentation of the vehicle. SIAM hopes to commence this by January 2009 and complete the process by April 1st 2009.

Identifying these actions as a firm indication and a commitment of the Indian automobile industry to play a role in reversing the adverse effects of climate change, Mr. Kant spoke about the various other initiatives being undertaken such as introduction of new and more fuel efficient vehicles, mandatory inspection and maintenance regime, removal of old vehicles, efficient traffic management, use of alternative fuels like CNG / LPG / Bio diesel etc. and introduction of electric / hybrid vehicles in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
 
The Hon Minister Shri Dev unveiled the Fuel Consumption Consumer Information label and released the Fuel Economy Information Brochure at the inaugural session.

All the details of the show including the all electric Indica EV, Electric ACE and a gorgeous Pinninfarina concept pictures coming soon!