A Variant of Interest or Concern?

Roses are red and violets are blue is a rhyme of the past. I am blushing red when the markets are in green and I am blue when they are red seems to be the order of the day! Blame the recent volatility in the stock market for the eye reacting to mostly red and green. Besides the market, the attention span is also divided between the ‘Variant of Interest’ and the ‘Variant of Concern’ of Covid-19. Deemed unrealistic by the WHO to get rid of the virus even by the end of the year, one can take confidence from the possibility of removing tragedy out of the crisis.

While scouting for stories for the seventh-anniversary issue of Auto Components India (ACI), reflecting on the change in the last fiscal came to us organically, no wonder. Not only did it reveal the nitty-gritty behind the efficiencies added along in the fiscal year, but it also revealed how component OEMs, partner suppliers and ancillaries, in turn, adapted to change. These changes, for good or bad, are expected to have a lasting impact on the quarters to come.

In this issue, we deep-dive into the state of affairs at the tyre manufacturers to learn what kept the wheels of the nation rolling, despite the going being tough. We also touched base with the largely MSME driven ancillaries of Asia’s largest brass micro-market. So despite being a closely-guarded community in a high-volume and low-margin business, they opened up to us and we will forever be greatful. As you flip the pages, also watch out for the exclusive ‘Upfront’ interactions had with key stakeholders of the industry.

I also take this opportunity to thank you for your patronage. Kindly send in your nominations for the fifth edition of ACI Awards by the extended date of March 10’ 2021 to qualify.

Ashish Bhatia

Executive Editor | a.bhatia@nextgenpublishing.net

One can take confidence from the possibility of removing tragedy out of the crisis.