Maharashtra should become a global hub for future mobility, says Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged automakers to use the state as a base to serve Asian and global markets from Pune.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday that automakers should manufacture in the state to serve global markets rather than just India. Speaking at the launch of the electric GLC by Mercedes Benz India in Pune, Fadnavis expressed his desire for the state to become a hub for future mobility.
According to The Times of India, Fadnavis suggested that manufacturers use Chakan to serve Indian, Asian, and global markets. He noted that Maharashtra currently accounts for 20 per cent of India’s motor vehicle production, citing the deep ecosystem of thousands of manufacturing units and ancillaries in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
The state government policy aims for 30 per cent electric vehicle (EV) registrations by 2030. This includes supporting the ecosystem through fast-charging infrastructure on highways and creating a sustainable mobility corridor on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Samruddhi Highway.
Fadnavis stated that the state wants batteries, power electronics, and software to be manufactured locally. He added that Maharashtra aims to become a centre for semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, and assisted driving.
Reflecting on his 2015 inauguration of the Mercedes Benz plant expansion in Chakan, Fadnavis said the state is now manufacturing the future. He noted that automobiles have transitioned from being a mode of transport to software on wheels.