Moving towards net zero, automakers emphasize sustainability: Technology Professional

A senior executive from one of the American multinational auto majors stated that the conflict would be more about talent than technology.  He quoted the lines while discussing using engineering skills in a disruptive period with rising industry player competition.

In a recent interview, one of the top Indian technology executives who has been in the industry for almost four decades and attached to the country’s major automaker said whatever technological progressions in the previous decade will be and have been avant-garde in the automobile sector.

He added that the coming ten years would be much more challenging but would be stuffed with opportunities and an exciting phase for the global auto sector.

While talking about the customer’s viewpoint, he said customers are growing more demanding, optimistic, and aspirational and seeking a wide range of amenities. The buyer wants a vehicle to be connected to all modern gadgets and simultaneously wants power performance.

However, from a regulatory and environmental standpoint, sustainability is strongly emphasised. Moving forward, achieving Net Zero is a crucial step that must be made in the ensuing 5–10 years to create the future.

The entry of electric vehicles (EVs) is considered a major technological advancement in the global automobile industry. Aluminium usage in the automobile sector will continue to increase in the coming years as the need for lighter, fuel-efficient, and safer vehicles has steadily increased. Aluminium is used in the car body, gear, wheels, and transmission, along with traditional applications. The aluminium auto body sheet market is expected to grow well, profiting from automobile market recovery and the need for lighter vehicles.

So, technology will evolve for a while, and the industry needs to look at new mobility solutions for customers. Hence, in a broader aspect, it will be significant in terms of opportunity but challenging for the people associated with the value chain of the automobile sector. The sector must develop and consider more innovative ideas in collaboration with suppliers and numerous other stakeholders.

The latest industry-focused publication by AlCircle, ‘Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2023’, reveals that aluminium usage in the transportation sector stood at 25.9 million tonnes in 2022. The demand is likely to reach 26.3 million tonnes in 2023. Passenger cars are the single largest user segment of aluminium amongst other transport sectors. With the benefits of aluminium being fully realised, aluminium usage in passenger cars is likely to increase at a healthy pace as the sales of new cars pick up the pace.