SIAT-2015
SIAT 2015
The Biennial 3 Day Symposium of International Automotive Technology (SIAT) now in its 14th Iteration along with SIAT Expo 2015 was a gathering of technocrats and members of automotive fraternity around the world. It was organised by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in association with Society of Automotive Engineers India (SAEINDIA), National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP) and SAE International.
SIAT focussed on the theme of “SAFER, CLEANER AND QUIETER WORLD” covering Powertrain Engineering, Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, Alternate Fuels, Vehicle and Structural Dynamics, Ride and Handling, Emission Control, After-treatment Devices, Emission Inventory and ambient air quality, advanced electronics, materials and manufacturing, NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) and modelling.
SIAT 2015 was inaugurated by Mr.Anant Geete, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises along with Mr.Vinod Dasari, President of ARAI and MD of Ashok Leyland, Mrs.Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Director, ARAI and Mr.Ambuj Sharma, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
In his speech Mr.Geete appealed to the automotive industry to adopt the best practices and technologies. He also highlighted the importance of “MAKE IN INDIA” initiative by Government of India and their ideas and suggestions on this initiative with respect to the automobile industry. He also added that Indian automotive is going in the direction of global safety levels gradually.
Mr. Dasari read out the exclusive message from Prime Minister of India Mr.Narendra Modi to all attendees of the inaugural session that “The Automotive Sector has a key role to play in the Make in India initiative going forward and his best wishes to the departments for SIAT 2015.
During the event Mr. Geete also E-inaugurated (online) the new facility of ARAI at Chakkan, Pune which will house the passive safety lab and is expected to start operations in the coming fiscal year. The ARAI representatives also informed us that they are also in talks with the government for setting up new standards for safety and for easing the development and manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrids (HEVs) and this is being worked upon under a National Electric Mobility Plan (NEMP) and the Finance Ministry has so far sanctioned Rs 1,000 crores for the first two years to kick-start preliminary operations under this plan while the original requirement of funds for this plan was Rs 14,000 crores.
The prominent highlight of SIAT 2015 was the roundtable discussion on “FAST TRACKING THE EVOLUTIONOF GREEN TECHNOLOGIES IN INDIA” by Mr.David Hudson, Group Chief Engineer, TATA Motors, UK; Dr.Mathew Abraham, Mahindra & Mahindra; Dr.Gotthard Rainer, Vice-President, AVL; Mr.Mike Savage, Chief Engineer, Drive System Design, UK; Mr.DJ Kulkarani, Sr.Dy.Director, ARAI;Mr.Chinmay Pandit, Director, Hybrid Solutions, KPIT, Mr.Thalavai Venkatesan, Head, Engg. Design, Continental (Automotive) India and Mr.Shailendra Gosawami, CMD, Pushkaraj Group.
Mr.Nitin Gadkari,Hon’ble Union Minister, North Govt. of India; Mr.M.C.Dathan,Director, VSSC, Thiruananthapuram; Mrs.Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Director, ARAI; Dr.K.C.Vora, Senior Deputy Director, ARAI & Convener,SIAT 2015 and Mr.N.V.Marathe,Sr.Deputy Director, ARAI were present on the valedictory function on 23rd January 2015.
Dr.David Schutt, CEO, SAE International said that the journey of knowledge and information will cross the boundaries of countries and continents. “The knowledge from SIAT will help professionals create a safer, cleaner and quieter world” he concluded.
Mr.Rajan Wadhera, Vice President, ARAI and Chief Executive (Technology, Product Development & Sourcing & Member of the Group of Executive Board), Mahindra & Mahindra proposed a vote of thanks.
