Automobile industry aims to create 6.5 crore jobs by 2026

The Indian automobile sector aims to contribute over 12 per cent to the gross domestic product of the country, and create nearly 6.5 crore additional jobs by 2026 over the next decade, said Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki India, on Wednesday.

"Our vision is that over the next decade, the Indian Automobile sector must contribute in excess of 12 per cent of the country's GDP. We want to create nearly 65 million additional jobs by 2026," Ayukawa said.

According to Ayukawa, at present the automobile industry contributes around 7.1 per cent to the GDP of India and employees nearly 32 million people directly or indirectly.

In the last ten years, the automobile industry has invested around $35 billion.

"Our responsibility towards the communities where we are operating also increases. It's our duty to develop a sustainable, mutually beneficial and inclusive socio-economic ecosystem," he said at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturer's (SIAM) first ever CSR (corporate social responsibility) conclave.

"Over the past 10 years, the Indian automobile industry has made significant contribution to the socio-economic development of village communities. Fortunately, our efforts are well aligned with the Government's flagship missions of Clean India and Skill India."

Ayukawa said by 2026, the automobile industry not only seeks to increase mobility, but will also focus on promoting safe, comfortable and environment friendly mobility.

"Our responsibility also entails minimising the negative impacts of use automobiles. We have to address issues like congestion, air pollution, global warming and road accidents," said Ayukawa.

"Our aim is to be among the top three global automobile markets. This will only happen if we create safe, efficient and environment friendly vehicles."

--IANS

ppg-rv/vt