Govt, auto industry must unite for self-reliance, says PM Modi

The recent reduction in GST rates on automobiles will inject fresh growth momentum into the Indian automotive sector, make vehicles more affordable and enable broader access to personal mobility, industry body SIAM said on Thursday.

Addressing the annual convention of the auto industry body, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Shailesh Chandra also welcomed the government's move to "suitably amend some of the procedural issues which would greatly help in supporting the ease of doing business".

"The automobile industry is immensely grateful to the government of India for the recent landmark decision to reduce GST rates on vehicles, which will bring renewed cheers to consumers and inject fresh growth momentum into the Indian automotive sector," Chandra said.

Govt, auto industry need to work together to achieve self-reliance in entire value chain: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed on the need of the government and the automobile industry to work together to achieve "true self-reliance" across the entire manufacturing value chain as India moves towards the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.

"As the nation advances toward global leadership in green and smart transportation, opportunities for investment and collaboration are immense," Modi noted.

Industry looking to develop high-grade steel to cut auto sector's import dependence: Min

India's steel industry is looking at developing specialised high-grade steel used in certain automobile parts or components to reduce the sector's dependence on imports, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Thursday. He said as of March 2025, companies under the PLI auto scheme have already invested Rs 29,576 crore in capital, including setting up new production facilities and operating technology. 

Gadkari pitches for addl discount to vehicle buyers submitting scrappage certificate 

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday urged the automobile industry to consider offering additional discounts to customers who submit a scrappage certificate while buying a new vehicle.

The Road Transport and Highway Minister also said that he has requested PM Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to give GST relief to those buying a new vehicle after scrapping their old vehicle.