Global Value Chains from Autos and EVs: Experience of India

Global value chains (GVCs) are fraught with the phenomenon of fragmentation and dispersion of production across the world. India presents a unique example with its high potential in manufacturing capability but low integration in GVCs. In the book Global Value Chains and Missing Links: Cases from Indian Industry we examined the reasons why India has failed to integrate within GVCs so far and looked at key examples to understand the impediments in this process.

In the case of automobiles, the passenger car industry is one of the most successful cases of GVC integration. Strong supporting factors have been consistent policy support from the government, foreign direct investment (FDI), the large growing size of the Indian market, new investments in infrastructure, and other favourable demand drivers in the economy. India’s strength lies in end-to-end production, especially in the small-car segment. India has also been traditionally strong in the casting and forging segment and is a base for many iron and steel foundries which cater to the sector.

India’s industrial policy is focusing on the policy towards the electric vehicle industry, one of the newly developing industries in India. India’s steady transition toward electric vehicles is being fuelled by government policies both at the central and state level. In terms of GVC integration, several barriers remain. These will be discussed in the presentation.