India’s Automotive Industry: Insights from Skill-Lync’s Annual Event and Recent Industry Reports

In July, I had the privilege of speaking at Skill-Lync for Business Annual Automotive Talent & Technology Trends Event — 2024. (event video) The event brought together industry experts to discuss emerging technologies, from electrification and software-defined vehicles to capability and knowledge management by Indian OEMs. The event also highlight the release of the Automotive Talent Trends Report 2024.

My presentation focused on the need to design software-defined vehicles with the end user at the center of the experience design process. This approach is crucial in the rapidly evolving Indian automotive landscape, where innovation is driving the sector but must translate investments into clear benefits for Indian users. For instance, a feature designed for an American market may be irrelevant or even impractical for an Indian drivers in dense urban traffic or long rural expanses.

What struck me most during the event was how India is charting its own path in e-mobility. Rather than simply replicating models from more mature markets, India is developing a mobility ecosystem that’s uniquely tailored to its needs and strengths. This is particularly evident in the focus on two and three-wheeled electric vehicles — a segment where India has the potential to…