Auto Industry Seeks Closer Ties with Government to Secure Critical Raw Materials

New Delhi, Sep 12 (KNN) India’s automotive industry has urged the government to work more closely with it to secure access to critical raw materials, as global supply chains face increasing disruptions.

The appeal was made during the annual convention of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA).

ACMA President Shradha Suri Marwah highlighted that materials like rare earth magnets, semiconductors, and battery components are becoming strategically important, and their supply should be treated as a national priority.

She warned that factors such as geopolitical tensions, shifting trade agreements, export restrictions, and rising tariffs are reshaping global supply chains, creating challenges for Indian auto component makers.

Marwah stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government and the industry to ensure steady access to essential materials and new technologies. She added that India could emerge as a globally competitive hub for automotive manufacturing if it secures its supply chains effectively.

Echoing her views, Shailesh Chandra, President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), said supply chains must become not just cost-efficient but also resilient, diversified, and agile.

He called for government-to-government dialogues and partnerships with resource-rich countries to build reliable sourcing networks and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

Industry leaders collectively emphasised that, with rapid technological changes and shifting global alliances, India must act now to build resilient supply chains and secure critical raw materials. Doing so would help safeguard the country’s automotive sector and strengthen its global competitiveness.

(KNN Bureau)