4 JULY2022Editor NoteIndian Women's Journey from being Behind the Steering Wheel to Driving Real Change in the Automotive Industry Rachita SharmaSpecial EditorThe best part of my everyday life is when I get behind the wheel of my car. Driving around not only puts me in the driving seat literally but also allows me the freedom to move around as and when I wish. The rush of freedom, self-sufficiency and power fills my heart every time I drive. A common Indian woman's relationship with automobiles has undergone massive transformation in the last few years. Unlike our older counterparts, the contemporary Indian woman is in a better position to own and use an automobile. In-fact women consumers have come up as a lucrative market segment for automobile manufacturers in India in the last few years. But look at the flipside of the coin and you are bound to be disappointed. Enough women are still not a part of the massive automotive segment in India. Although gender disparity is common among various industry sectors, the automotive industry has been the least successful at attracting and retaining female employees. In the last couple of years we have seen that the number of women in the Indian automotive industry is one of the lowest among all automotive markets, especially in core manufacturing and OEM pace. Women employees attribute their reluctance to join the automotive sector owing to factor such as unattractive environment for women, a lack of work-life balance, and a lack of flexible schedules.But not all hope is lost. Dynamic and enterprising women leaders are gradually making their way into the male dominated automotive sector. Take for instance Khushboo Shinagare, Director, Tropicool Car Gadgets. After a seven year stint in the IT industry she wanted to embark on a new adventure. "Cars have always captivated me since I was a youngster and our family has a love for road trips, travel, and automobiles", she says. Khushboo is today in-charge of new product development at the firm. Similarly, Chandrima Saha, CEO of Kamal Hyundai is heading the Hyundai dealership as CEO leading to more than 500 employees. A new TATA dealership has been added to the company. Jyoti Kaushalendra Sinha, Co-Founder & Director, CARJAX AUTO CARE says that it is critical to stay current with shifting client wants and trends. "We are always updating ourselves in order to keep in sync with the changing dynamics of the automobile business". Pratibha Khemchandani, Director at VBROS Auto has strengthened the company at all levels and has been able to expand the business further. And Harshada Gupte, Director of Poona Shims says "When it comes to challenges, I think it would be being a woman in such a male-dominated industry. It's not easy. It needs to be acknowledged. Women always have to work twice as hard to prove themselves; that needs to stop." We wholeheartedly agree with Harshada and invite you to read about these dynamic women and their illustrious journey to success in the Indian automotive space.Do let us know your thoughts.
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