Can India's Auto Component Industry Cross $100 Billion and Go Global? Sona Comstar CEO Shares His Vision
India’s auto component sector is at a defining moment, says Vivek Vikram Singh, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sona Comstar. Reflecting on his company’s journey and the broader industry, Singh spoke about personal challenges, the evolution of auto suppliers, and the ambitious dream of making India a $100 billion auto component powerhouse.
Personal Loss, Professional DutyOpening up about the passing of Sona Comstar’s chairman and his close friend, Singh said, “The absence of a loved one is very difficult. But responsibilities remain. As the poem goes—‘Miles to go before I sleep’—so despite the pain, I must move forward and fulfill promises.”
Tracing the company’s evolution, Singh explained that Sona Comstar has moved from being a gear manufacturer to a developer of advanced integrated systems. “We started with gears, then moved to assemblies, driveline systems, motors, and now sensors. Our journey has always been about progressing step by step, while focusing on what is best for customers, employees, and shareholders,” he said.
Across the industry, auto component makers are no longer just suppliers but strategic partners. Singh explained that automakers now need agility—frequent model launches require them to focus on design, innovation, and customer experience, while delegating complex systems to trusted partners.
On ‘Tier 0.5’ SuppliersIndustry experts have been discussing the concept of Tier 0.5 suppliers—where component makers almost build the car, while OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) only handle design and sales. Singh noted, “We are at Tier 0.8 today. Reaching Tier 0.5 is still very challenging.”
Looking ahead, Singh described the $100 billion industry target as a “moonshot.” He emphasized that achieving it will require not just new markets and customers, but also a strong ecosystem of R&D, innovation, engineering, and tooling. “This is the biggest gap today. But it is important to dream big. $100 billion is ambitious, but we must strive for it,” he concluded.