As Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh undertakes a three-day state visit to China whose remarkable growth story he personally wanted to witness, entrepreneurs from the 'Land of Dragon' are busy exploring $ 35 Billion Indian automobile market for their share at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi.

More than 400 automobile entrepreneurs from China especially from component sector are busy interacting with major automobile companies and vendors to capture market share in the fastest growing economy in Asia after China.

"Chinese interest in Indian economy and business is growing at a faster rate. Compared to the Eighth edition in 2006, the participation has grown by cent per cent this time," asserts, Dilip Chenoy, Director General, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Chinese businessmen whose products are displayed at the special Chinese pavilion at the Pragati Maidan had little time for media. Most of them were seen either busy booking orders or attending to queries from Indian business with help of Indian students who have learnt Mandarin or Cantonese.

Zhou Ji Jiang and Nick Shang from Huangyan whose firm manufactures shock absorbers are thrilled about the business prospects. "Indians are happy to get two shock absorbers for US $ 16.

So there a market for our products" concludes Shang who was one of the Chinese businessmen seen conversing in English. Cute electric bikes priced at $ 500 (a little less than Rs 20,000) showcased by them received a lot of queries but they had to deny every visitors that it was not for sale.

Dingshui Yan, General Manager at a leading Motorcycle factory at Jiangmen said, "India was not well developed and market has to mature," Yan said dismissing queries on cheap nondurable products from China that has flooded India. "We have developed all kinds of products and for all markets.

"People buy things that suit their pockets," Yan said.

But two techies Sanjay Deshpande and Nitin Ranade from a leading auto firm- Mahindra & Mahindra who went around the Chinese pavilion sounded caution. "Consistency and quality have to be checked before one can book the order," said Despande. The other agreed.

It is not that the entire products from the Asian giant is cheap, nondurable and have little respect in the Indian market.

A wheel bearing Hub Assembly at Hangzhou is doing a roaring business in India by supplying hub bearing for cars and heavy trucks. Simon Xu of Hangzhou Zhaofeng Auto Parts Manufacturing Limited whose firm has tied up with Mumbai based Nisiki to supply ball bearing and other auto components to Indian firms like Chennai based TVS Lucas, and TRW Rane has done business for Rs 40 crore last year and hopes to double this year.

Mr. Rakesh Joshi

Joshi Enterprise

Manager, Joshi Enterprise
Dispur, India

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