Auto sector to start picking up only in FY21: Daimler India's Satyakam Arya

Instead of crying about it, we should look at things which can build foundations for futures and cost structures, which DICV is doing, says CEO Arya

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG, has been increasing its focus on export, even as the domestic commercial vehicle market is going through a long slowdown. Its factory at Oragadam, near Chennai, is the only location worldwide that produces engines, transmission, trucks, and buses catering to four brands — BharatBenz, FUSO, Mercedes-Benz, and Freightliner. SATYAKAM ARYA, managing director and chief executive officer, speaks to T E Narasimhan. Edited excerpts:

What are the key issues affecting the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) industry?

Pressure is because of new axle load norms, which increased the capacity by 25