Autobayng News Team
New Delhi: The eighth edition of the ETAuto Retail Forum is being held today in New Delhi, with industry leaders set to discuss how India’s auto retail ecosystem is being redefined by digitalisation, omnichannel strategies, artificial intelligence and the transition to new-age mobility.
The day-long forum, themed ‘Reinventing Auto Retail in the Digital Age’, will bring together auto dealers, OEM executives, technology providers and financial institutions to deliberate on changing customer expectations, evolving ownership models and the future role of dealers across vehicle segments.
What to expect
The agenda will focus on how digital tools are reshaping customer journeys, from online discovery to in-store purchase, and how AI-led sales enablement, data unification and conversational platforms are emerging as competitive differentiators. Sessions will also examine retail challenges in EVs, subscription and leasing models, social media-led influence, and the growing importance of finance and insurance in driving dealer profitability.
Key speakers to address the gathering
The forum will open with an industry address by Amar J Sheth, Secretary, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) and owner of the Shaman Group, who is expected to outline the pressures and opportunities facing dealers amid rapid technological change.
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer – Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, will deliver a keynote on meeting the expectations of India’s Gen-Z customers and how younger buyers are influencing retail engagement.
A key panel titled ‘Omnichannel 2.0 – The New Playbook for Customer Delight’ will explore the integration of digital and physical retail. The discussion will feature Kunal Behl of Honda Cars India, Virat Khullar of Hyundai Motor India, Shardendu Chaturvedi of BMW Motorrad India, Nikunj Sanghi of JSFourwheel Motors, Rahul Mishra of Bain & Company and Arun Subramanian of Sharpsell.Another major session, ‘Rethinking Auto Retail for New-Age Mobility’, will examine how EVs, battery-as-a-service and alternative ownership models are changing retail dynamics, with participation from executives of JSW MG Motor India, Omega Seiki Mobility, Landmark Group and Sharpsell.
The forum will also cover retail transformation in construction equipment, commercial vehicles and tractors, as well as the role of digital finance, insurance and embedded lending in strengthening dealer economics.
The event will conclude with the ETAuto Retail Hall of Fame 2026, recognising leading dealers across passenger vehicle, two-wheeler and commercial vehicle segments.
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