From make in India to create in India: The next auto tech leap

India's automotive industry is increasingly looking beyond manufacturing scale as technology, design, intellectual property and advanced engineering become central to the next phase of growth. Industry leaders are calling for greater technology self-reliance, component makers are increasing their focus on patents and R&D, while global automakers continue to invest in software architectures, autonomous vehicles and local testing infrastructure. This week's developments underline that transition. India's government has set a target to achieve 50% self-reliance in the sector by 2025, with a focus on electric vehicles and autonomous driving. The country has already seen significant investments from global players such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, with both companies committing to establish local testing and development centers. Indian companies such as Tata Motors and Mahindra have also announced plans to invest heavily in electric vehicle technology, with Tata Motors aiming to launch 10 new EV models by 2025. The Indian government has also launched a new initiative to support the development of autonomous driving technology, with a focus on training and upskilling of workers in the sector. The initiative, which is backed by the Indian Institute of Technology, aims to establish India as a global hub for autonomous driving technology. Industry experts say that the focus on technology and innovation will help India to leapfrog its competitors and establish itself as a major player in the global automotive sector.