Stellantis India CEO and MD Shailesh Hazela has underscored the importance of a long-term, stable policy framework and its uniform implementation across Indian states for the sustained growth of the country’s automotive sector.
Hazela said that a clear and consistent regulatory environment is essential for automakers and investors to execute long-term business plans. “Any investor who comes to India would like to see a little longer horizon in terms of policies,” he noted. “Our wishlist for the government is that whatever they decide to put across, it should be for a longer period.”
Stellantis, the European automotive group behind brands like Jeep and Citroën, operates in India with a growing focus on Citroën. Hazela pointed out that differing state-level policies, especially in areas like electric vehicle incentives and taxation, complicate national-level planning for auto companies. “If the government could bring uniformity, which they can, it would really enable the industry to plan in a unified and concise way,” he added.
Citing EV policies as an example, Hazela highlighted the need for nationwide coherence to foster industry-wide clarity and direction.
Stellantis has been building the infrastructure to support its India ambitions over recent years and is now scaling up operations, particularly for the Citroën brand. The company plans to nearly double Citroën’s sales touchpoints from around 80 to over 150 within a year, expanding its presence in smaller towns and semi-urban areas.
“We are not sticking to one kind of format. We will have a mix of small and large ones,” Hazela said, noting the strategic importance of Tier III and Tier IV cities due to their proximity to larger markets and untapped potential.
On market share, Hazela said the company aims to at least double its current share within the next 12 months, with further growth planned thereafter. Citroën currently sells models including the C3 hatchback, Aircross SUV, Basalt coupe-SUV, and the electric e-C3 in India.
With flexibility in its product development capabilities, Stellantis plans to introduce models across various energy platforms based on market demand. “We will continue to explore CNG because that’s the available fuel in a sustainable way. We have our EV, which will continue to grow,” he said.
In January 2023, Stellantis announced an additional investment of ₹2,000 crore under the Citroën brand in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district. Spread over six years, the investment will bring Stellantis’s total commitment in the state to ₹3,250 crore.
NEW LAUNCH | BMW CE 04 Unveiled Globally with New Colors, Features
