Automobile sector will have to allocate resources efficiently over the next four years to meet the challenge of increasingly stringent emission norms, according to Vikram Kirloskar, Vice-Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd.

With the deadline to meet BS VI norms by 2020, the automobile sector which is now going through BS IV emission norms will skip BS V standards.

This will mean a change of twice the order of magnitude over the present regulations. In Europe, the equivalent Euro V norms, the equivalent of BS V here, has been in vogue for over a decade.

In addition, there are standards in terms of safety regulations, increasing pedestrian safety norms which will mean design changes to the front end of the vehicle and overall tighter regulations all of which represent a huge implication on costs. Between BS V and BS VI along the costs could be higher by about ₹40,000 to ₹100,000. Manufacturers and R&D teams will have to work closely as the time to market is shortened, he said, addressing a seminar on automotive R&D trends organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Suman Bose, Managing Director, Siemens Industry Software India, said long term trends indicate a shift away from fossil fuels as electric cars are increasingly seen in Europe.

Younger consumers are not as focussed on speed and engine power, but on efficient interface and communications, which increases role of electronics and software. Cars are increasingly more connected.

There is also the increasing demand for cab facilities, which mean buyers could be fleet owners rather than individuals. All these are factors that OEMs will have to look at in the long term to define their own roles.

Bharat Joshi, British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, said that the UK is leader in low carbon emission technology and can support the industry in meeting the stringent norms.

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