Cut import duties on automobiles, components: Ratan Tata

At a time when the Indian automobile industry is strongly opposing lowering of import duty in the proposed India-EU FTA, Tata group chief Ratan Tata has favoured cutting tariff on vehicles and components coming from overseas.

In an interview to the market research firm JD Power, Tata said such high import duties are unrealistic and create an artificial barrier of protection for local companies.

He also said India does "not have an automobile industry" as "we have assemblers of foreign brands" and only Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors actually develop and manufacture products in the country.

"...I also think that the very high rates of import duty should be reduced. They're unrealistic and create an artificial barrier to protect the manufacturers in India," Tata said.

Similarly, the import duty on components should dramatically come down so that manufacturers based in India can source components globally at affordable rates, he added.

The Indian automobile industry, primarily the homegrown makers, are strongly opposing lowering of import duty in implementing the India-EU FTA saying that it will threaten the competitiveness of domestic firms. Components players are also of the view that reduction of duties will lead to dumping of
products in India.

At present, a fully-built vehicle attracts a customs duty of 60%, which finally comes out to be around 110% after considering sales tax, VAT and other levies.

For pre-assembled engines, transmissions and gearboxes, customs duty is fixed at 30%. Other auto parts attract a customs duty of 10%.

On the domestic industry, Tata said: