New Delhi – The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) today convened the inaugural edition of STEER 2025 (Safe, Tech, Empower & Engage, and Reach) in New Delhi, a national aftermarket confluence aimed at charting the growth trajectory of India’s $12 billion automotive aftermarket. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to address key challenges and unlock emerging opportunities in the sector.
Hon’ble Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Minister of New & Renewable Energy, delivered the keynote address. He was joined at the inauguration by Ms. Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA; Mr. Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA and Mr. Ramashankar Pandey, Chairman, ACMA Aftermarket Sub-Committee.
Discussions through the day revolved around counterfeit parts, digitisation, and the Union Government’s Right to Repair initiative. Participants underscored the aftermarket’s role as a critical driver of mobility, employment, and consumer satisfaction, while also acknowledging the sector’s challenges from fragmented distribution and skills shortages to rapid technological change, that require collaborative policy and industry action.
Speaking on the government’s commitment, Shri Pralhad Joshi said “I commend ACMA for organising STEER 2025, a platform to shape a future-ready automotive aftermarket. The industry’s active engagement with the Right to Repair initiative led by my ministry will empower consumers with access to genuine parts and repair information, while promoting sustainability and affordability. Together, industry and government can build a consumer-centric, competitive ecosystem that supports livelihoods, drives innovation, and strengthens India’s position in the global automotive landscape.”
Highlighting the aftermarket’s strategic importance, Ms. Shradha Suri Marwah said “The aftermarket today is not just a support system, it is a strategic pillar of India’s automotive value chain. It connects manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and end consumers. As we embrace technology, enhance skills, and advance policies like the Right to Repair, our goal must be to ensure the aftermarket is safe, future-ready, inclusive, and consumer-focused.”
The day-long conference featured panel discussions on safety, technology adoption, skills development, market access, and supply chain resilience, generating actionable recommendations for the sector’s advancement. ACMA reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government and industry stakeholders to create a globally competitive and consumer-centric automotive aftermarket in India.
