The automobile industry is currently one of the fastest growing sectors in India. The country is the seventh largest producer in the world, with an average annual generation of 17.5 million vehicles every year. According to a record by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), India is also the fourth largest automobile market by mass. The sector provides seven percent of the country's GDP by volume.
There is a sharp increase in automobile manufacturing assemblies across India. Multinational corporations – such as Hyundai, Ford, Volkswagen and several other companies – have opened production units on the outskirts of Chennai (known as the Detroit of India).
While there is still a long way to go before India becomes a leader in automotive manufacturing, the country is expected to become a recognized center for low-cost, high-quality engineering in the field. This means that there are countless opportunities for students studying in South India. However, Chennai is not alone. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Delhi have also seen growth in automobile production and related investments.
Automotive engineering is a branch of engineering that includes the design, assembly, testing, production, and safety and operation of automobiles, including electric vehicles. It's challenging but much needed work in the industry. An automobile engineer must learn a variety of subjects, including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering, safety, and even sustainability and environmental regulations.
Automotive engineers are currently in high demand in India and abroad. As it is a vast industry, there are great job opportunities in various sectors and especially in design engineering. This is particularly true because efficiency and environmental considerations weigh heavily on consumers. It is also significant as autonomous driving becomes a potential.
Thanks to the “Automotive Mission Plan (AMP) II 2016-26” of the Ministry of the Republic of India, which aims to more fully support and develop the automobile industry in the country, employment opportunities in the sector are expected to grow considerably.
Basic qualification
In India, students interested in studying automobile engineering must have a qualifying class 12 with minimum 50% marks in chemistry, physics and mathematics from a recognized board in the country. Candidates seeking admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the autonomous public institutes of higher education, must have passed the joint entrance examinations – main and advanced.
Those seeking admission into a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in India must also score well in the JEE Main score.
For diploma courses in automotive engineering, candidates must have passed 10+2 in science with 50% marks in PCM subjects from a recognized university. The course duration is four years for full-time students.
To pursue a postgraduate degree in automotive engineering, candidates must have a bachelor's degree in automotive engineering from a recognized university.
Some of the courses in this area are:
- Diploma in Automotive Engineering
- Bachelor of Engineering in Automotive Engineering
- Bachelor of Technology in Automotive Engineering
- Master of Technology in Automotive Engineering
- Master of Technology in Automotive Engineering
Area of expertise includes:
- engine systems
- Fluid mechanics
- Rapid prototyping
- Alternative fuels
- Electronic and control systems
- Fuel and emissions technology
- Computer-based and electronic systems
- Emissions control
- Aerodynamics
- Thermodynamics
- Vehicle and pedestrian safety or supply chain management
Opportunities
The industry offers many challenging and exciting roles for qualified professionals. Some of the traditional roles include:
- Creating a model of carriers and their components
- Design, improve and manufacture vehicles
- Preservation and service engineers in automotive workshops, aviation, aeronautical industries, marine boats and diesel power plants
The salary package of an engineer depends on many factors such as size of the organization, profile, qualification, experience and location of the company. It also depends on education. Typically, students from IITs or NITs earn more than those who graduate from a private college.
Some of the industry's top recruiters include:
- TELCO
- L&T
- Ashok Leyland
- Mahindra and Mahindra
- Heldex India
- Bajaj Auto
- Hyundai
- Hero Moto Corp
- Volkswagen
- Audi
- Renault
- Maruti Suzuki
- Toyota
- Yamaha
The future of automobiles
According to industry research, the automobile sector is expected to sell more than six million vehicles by 2020. This means there are plenty of engineering jobs available.
Furthermore, electrification has just begun to advance in India. Factors such as decreasing battery costs and supportive government policies are spurring growth in the segment. In 2017, only 2,352 units of electric vehicles were sold. However, 10,000 electric cars were requested by the government energy services company (Energy Efficiency Services Ltd.).
Similarly, local authorities in 10 Indian cities have placed orders for 390 electric buses, with another 1,000 electric buses expected in the order books.
The automotive industry must prepare for a changing scenario and this will require engineers up to the task.
