Inflation Persists
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially stated that Covid-19 is no longer a “Global Health Emergency”. This may come as a psychological relief to many individuals including businesses at large. It is sure to uplift sentiments despite the WHO urging to not drop the guard just as yet. Now that the pandemic, three years after it was first declared as high alert, is on the backburner, one is hopeful of the attention shifting to more pertinent issues like the persistent inflation. Despite several pass throughs, suppliers are yet to pass on the cost escalations fully. This coupled with the new compliances have forced a hike on the finished goods in varying degrees as a direct outcome. In the aftermarket, spare parts prices have also gone up to the tune of 30 per cent at authorized service centers with no signs of cooling off in the near term. This is a common phenomenon across segments, from two-wheelers, to heavy commercial vehicles. The May issue highlights the push for the global ‘right-to-repair’ movement in greater depth looking at India in conjunction with the global markets where the aftermarket is as big as the OEM business. The industry must clear bottlenecks and together with the designated think tanks explore options that could benefit the demand end of the spectrum too. A success on the front is certain to have a positive, domino effect on the automotive industry looking to drive the coveted status of a global manufacturing hub.
“Now that the pandemic, three years after it was first declared as high alert, is on the backburner, one is hopeful of the attention shifting to more pertinent issues like the persistent inflation.”