AUGUST 20248SUZUKI SEES INDIA'S AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY GROWING FIVEFOLD BY 2047GOVERNMENT MANDATES THIRD PARTY AIRPORT AUDITS IN WAKE OF HEAVY RAINFALLKenichi Ayukawa, Executive Vice President of Suzuki Motor Corp, stated that India's Automobile market is expected to hit 20 million units by 2047, primarily due to the promising expansion of battery electric vehicles.Initially, Maruti Suzuki India a subsidiary of the Japanese car manufacturer, aims to achieve a market share of 50 percent by 2030, up from approximately 40 percent for the fiscal year ending in March."We're confident that the Indian market will expand in the mid to long term," Ayukawa said in an interview.Since 1983, the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer has been successful in India, the emerging economic powerhouse with a growing middle class, by becoming the best-selling automaker with popular models like Swift and Brezza. Suzuki plans to launch its debut electric vehicle in India and Europe next year to maintain its top position, following the showcasing of the mass production model at the upcoming auto expo in India in January, as stated by Ayukawa."We'll develop products, invest and expand our network," Ayukawa said.The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers reported that 4.2 million passenger vehicles were sold in India in the fiscal year ending in March. To provide context to that figure and Ayukawa's forecast, the United States sold 3.1 million passenger cars last year, while Europe had 15 million in unit sales. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, China holds the title of being the biggest car market globally, with 26 million sales of passenger vehicles. In response to recent structural issues at several airports, the Indian government has implemented new directives to ensure the safety and stability of airport infrastructure. Following roof collapses at Delhi, Jabalpur, and Rajkot airports during heavy rainfall last month, the government has mandated a series of measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.All airport operators are now required to conduct third-party audits of the structural stability of airport buildings and associated infrastructure. These audits must be carried out by reputed government institutions such as IITs, NITs, CBRI, and EIL. In addition, a thorough evaluation of all civil, electrical, and technical aspects of the buildings, including the design, specifications, and workmanship of the roof sheeting structures, must be conducted before the onset of the monsoon season each year.To address the recent incident at Delhi airport, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has established a high-level expert committee, which includes structural engineers from IIT Delhi, to assess the situation and provide recommendations. This committee is expected to deliver a comprehensive report on the cause of the incident and suggest necessary measures to prevent future occurrences. TOP STORIESAUGUST 20248
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