BIKERS CLUB ® MAGAZINE | PAGE 14
BC: There is recently much news about "BS6?"
Will it impact the manufacturers? What's your
point of view on BS6 as a company head? And
do you think it will impact the sales because, as
per data, 1.7 million motorcycles are added on
Indian roads every year, so the demand is
huge?
PD: Transitioning to BS6 is an excellent
initiative taken by the government as the
cleaner fuels will help bring down harmful
pollutants. Still, on the other hand,
manufacturers will have to spend heavily to
develop BS6-compliant engines for their
existing product line. The auto industry, which
is witnessing a slowdown, has to first deal with
selling its stock of BS4 vehicles before the
Supreme Court mandated deadline of 1st April
2020, which is a significant challenge. But the
increase in manufacturing costs will indirectly
be borne by the customers. Thus it will surely
impact sales in 2020 and maybe in 2021.
BC: As per the recent announcement by the
current government related to Electronic
Vehicles, how do you see that coming? Is EVs
are the best options to replace petrol / diesel?
As a company, where do you see EVs future
because as per economic times, 4,50,000
electric two-wheelers were sold in the past eight
years, and the demand is increasing?
PD: By taking into consideration the norms of
the government, the auto manufacturers are
developing reliable EVs, and some of the major
automakers have already started launching their
vehicles into the market, which is highly
appreciated by the customers. We all know that
air pollution is getting worse day by day, and
EVs will play a major role in overcoming this
situation. For that, our government is offering
subsidies on the purchase of EV so that people
can purchase them under their budget. The
demand for EV is increasing, but I feel that EVs
will take time to be a preference for individual
customers. EV is more likely to be successful in
2 wheelers, 3 wheelers and public transport.
However, I feel that the industry and a
government of India should jointly set up a
strong team headed by management and
technical team to research alternate energy,
which is found in abundance in India, and that
can be practically made available for
automobiles and other equipment and
machinery.
I think, at best, the future in India of EVs is a 5%
industry of the whole industry, and it may be
achieved in the next 5 years. Unless there is any
dramatic change in technology, I don't see any
more scope than this for EV's in India.
BC: As we have learned that you do a lot of
philanthropic activities and primarily actions related to
motivating the youth of the country, and India is a
young country with having 65% population is under 35
years old. Still, most of them are in employment crisis,
jobless, focus-less, so one should blame it on
government or the education system! And as
technology is growing with AI and VR, there will be
more job crisis, and eventually, the crime rate will go
up, and no government has the power to stop the
technology! What you have to say about this problem?
And how should we deal with it?
PD: India is a young country having the large youth
percentage. However, due to industry shutdown, the
youth are facing issues related to jobs and career
growth. I endeavour to motivate the youth so that they
realize their potential and develop enough confidence
to follow their dreams and for that I regularly make
time to interact with the youth in various management
and engineering colleges across the country.
As far as the change in technology due to AI & VR,
there will not be any job crisis since every new
technology requires manpower to create and run it,
and it is just the fear of change that everyone faces
but the people need to enhance their skills to be in the
game.