Kerala capital Well-set to Become Global Hub of Future Mobility: AutoTech Summit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala capital is well-positioned to become the hub of futuristic automotive technology by leveraging the ecosystem’s core capabilities to capitalise on the fast-paced global shift to Electric and Software-driven Vehicles, Minister for Revenue K Rajan said today.

Rajan was inaugurating Kerala Automotive Technology Summit (KATS 2025), which was presided over by Minister for Industries, Law and Cori P Rajeeve.

The summit that showcased the state’s strategic advantages and competitiveness in Research, Development and Innovation in future mobility was organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Kerala Chapter, in association with Kerala Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), bringing together top executives of automotive majors.

KATS 2025 is planned as a precursor to the February 21-22 Invest Kerala Global Summit in Kochi.

The transition to EV and SDV mode of mobility is vital in assuring sustainability of growth and green transformation, Rajan said in his inaugural address.

The state capital, which has developed a world class high-tech ecosystem, has unique capabilities in this sector, he added.

Presiding over the inaugural session, Rajeeve said Kerala has already become the nerve centre of the global transition in mobility, as a good chunk of vehicles plying the roads around the world are made on the R&D back-up provided by companies based out of the state.

Pointing out the state’s inherent advantages including highly qualified human resource, world class infrastructure and progressive government policies, the Minister said “the government is committed to build on this strong foundation, and this is the right place and right time for big companies to invest in Kerala.”

The state is already home to leading players such as Acsia, dSpace, Nissan Digital India, Tata Elxsi and Visteon.

“The Electric Vehicle Research and Industrial Park at Vilappilsala near the state capital is an evidence of the government’s deep commitment to the sector, Rajeeve said.

Noting that the penetration of Electric Vehicles is far deeper in Kerala compared to other states, Rajeeve said it is all the more significant that this shift is happening when the whole state is transforming itself into a knowledge-based economy and society.

The Minister also lauded CII Thiruvananthapuram zone on taking the initiative to organise events like KATS, which are aligned well with Kerala’s transition into a knowledge economy.

Making the key-note presentation on “Opportunities for Automotive OEMs and Tier-1s in Kerala”, KSIDC Chairman C Balagopal said Kerala is already a highly advanced state for high-tech ventures, going by the really valid parameters like presence of high value-added industries, per capita consumption and expenditure, social development indices and strong physical and digital infrastructure.

Trashing the notion that Kerala is lagging in industrial development, Balagopal said a 36-km stretch north of the Vizhinjam Deep Water Container Port in the state capital alone had received investment of over 20 billion USD in the last few years.

APM Mohamed Hanish, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala, said the silent revolution ushered in by a few companies who have set up their R&D centres in future mobility in Kerala effected a big transformational impact on the industrial landscape of the state.

Speaking on the summit theme “Enabling the SDV Future of Mobility”, Stefan Juraschek, former VP R&D (E/E), BMW Group, and Chairman CII KATS 2025, said AI-driven development will shape the future of the sector and Kerala has great potential to be a major player in this transition. The state has the strength to attract global investment from this shift, he said.

At the outset, S Harikishore, Managing Director KSIDC, made a presentation on the sustainable and inclusive transformation in the industrial ecosystem of the state based on the New Industrial Policy in the last few years, firmly positioning it to receive investment in all verticals from high-tech to MSMEs.

Vinod Manjila, Chairman CII Kerala State Council & Chairman Manjilas Food Tech, Vinod Kumar R Partner and Head of Business Consulting KPMG India, Aditya Khera, CEO BMW Techworks India, Santosh Iyer MD & CEO Mercedes-Benz India, and Jijimon Chandran, Co-Chairman, CII KATS 2025, Chairman, CII Thiruvananthapuram Zone & Founder & CEO, Acsia Technologies addressed the opening session.

The conclave brought together Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Tier-1 suppliers, policymakers and technology leaders to explore investment opportunities in the state’s Electric Vehicle Research and Industrial Park.

An exhibition of the latest EVs from global companies on the sidelines of the meet drew a steady stream of visitors.