Indian automakers mull to airlift spare parts from China and are liaising with the government authorities to secure shipments that are stuck at Chinese ports, confirmed auto body SIAM.
The Indian government is likely to intervene and aid the airlift of automotive parts from China to help the auto sector. Many auto companies in India fear a shutdown of their assembly lines as they face scarcity of spare parts and automotive components.
India’s auto sector banks heavily on China for parts including fuel injectors, electronic components and pressure sensors. A list of important parts that are used for petrol, diesel and electric vehicles production that could be airlifted from China is being drafted in consultations with automakers and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Auto parts that are in short supply includes Bharat Stage VI engines and EVs spares that are not locally manufactured in India and outside China.
Electric vehicle manufacturers are facing acute shortages of auto parts that are critical for production. Also, for the production of EVs, lithium ion batteries are eminent but they cannot be air freighted due to their hazardous nature.
India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is helping the industry mobilise the airlifting efforts, according to sources.