Automotive industry diversity and inclusion discussed during Automechanika Dubai

Dubai, UAE: Automechanika Dubai, the largest event for the automotive aftermarket industry in the wider Middle East region, has underscored the importance of diversity and inclusion in the automotive industry during the event's opening day.

Mobility expert Dr Maya Men Dror was joined by a panel of female leaders from the automotive industry including Shubra Srivastava, CEO & Founder of GaragePlug Inc., Sara Rachid, Head of Automotive and Technology verticals – UAE, Oman and Qatar, Maersk, Bhavika Sachdeva, Director, Trinity Lubes and Grease FZC, and Gaitri Jeswani, COO, Eurodiesel Services LLC, as part of the session Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Automotive Sector.

Speaking at the conference, part of the Automechanika Academy, a knowledge-sharing platform for the automotive aftermarket industry, Sara Rachid revealed that the region's automotive industry is moving forward, but more must be done. She said: “I've seen many changes in the industry, where women take over leadership roles and make a positive change.

“Companies are adapting and making very good changes to ensure women are empowered. If you look at Maersk today, women in executive leadership roles are 35%, and we aim to reach 40%, so the change is real, and it's happening faster than what we expected, and it's now becoming part of the company's DNA.

“If we don't drive this agenda forward and take serious steps to improve the ecosystem, we will not be market relevant, and we need that to be relevant to the market in our industry to connect with our customers.”

According to a report by the Economic Times, female workers in India’s automakers, including Tata Motors, Hero MotoCorp, and MG Motor India, are increasing in numbers in functions traditionally dominated by men as a result of the adoption of advanced technologies and active measures by automobile companies to hire more women.

These sentiments were echoed by Gaitri Jeswani, who said: “With electrification coming in, we’re seeing more women getting into the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) programs, and as a result getting themselves educated on the subject and involved in the newer technologies of the automotive industry.”

Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Portfolio Director at Automechanika Dubai organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “This year, we have ensured a renewed emphasis on diversity and inclusion at the Automechanika Academy, acknowledging the vital role these values play in shaping a forward-thinking and equitable industry. With insights from some of the region’s eminent thought leaders on this topic, we are helping to address pivotal trends such as the integration of women in leadership roles, adaptive technologies, and inclusive strategies that drive innovation and resilience. These conversations are helping to shape the future and build a foundation for a more representative and innovative automotive sector.”

Day two of the Academy will see a gear shift, with a focus on Regulatory Compliance and Industry Standards, Digital Transformation: Enhancing Customer Experience, Reach New Global Markets through E-Commerce and eBay, and Adapting Service Offerings for the Electric & Hybrid Vehicles Era, amongst others.

In the Innovation4Mobility main feature, topics covered include Exploring alternate energy transportation in the region, the Importance of data in interconnectivity, Reshaping transportation: Role of autonomous vehicles in future mobility, and Traffic Safety with alternate mobility.

Automechanika Dubai continues tomorrow, Thursday, 12 December, with the new PowerTread Conference, Future Fleets & Telematics Workshop, and AfriConnections taking centre stage.