Road map on auto regulations needed: Bosch

The government should avoid shifting goalposts and lay a long-term road map on regulations for the auto industry as it will bring greater reliability about India, not only within the country but in the whole world, said Soumitra Bhattacharya, managing director, Bosch India, the local arm of the German auto components manufacturer.

“We are looking at a long-term policy by the government to be maintained. Once a policy is released, it is taken by OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and the tier-ones like us to invest in people training, skilling and close looping on capex lines,” Bhattacharya told ET.

His comments come against the backdrop of the frequent postponement in implementation of emission regulations for the tractor industry before it finally took effect in January this year. Referred to as TREM IV, the Bharat Stage (BS) IV equivalent norm, which was to take effect from April 2021, got postponed thrice before it finally got implemented from January 2023.

According to Bhattacharya, the transition from BS IV to VI, which was completed in a record time of three years by the auto industry, is a good example. In TREM IV and V (expected to be implemented in 2024-25), the focus should be to adhere to time frames so that the industry moves forward, he said.

Bosch India, which offers end-to-end engineering and technology solutions to auto makers, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the changes in regulations on safety and emissions. The changes have helped the firm increase content per vehicle and boosting earnings.