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Sulajja Firodia Motwani has seen the highs, the lows and the sharp transition of the Indian auto sector, not as a spectator but as an active contributor, who is now gearing up for new challenges
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A name that has been part of India’s automobile sector for over 25 years, Sulajja Firodia Motwani is among the entrepreneurs who have not only seen the Indian auto sector evolve and grow but has actively contributed to the form it currently takes. She describes her journey as “learning with many ups and downs” but her dream is to “have a Kinetic vehicle in every household in India and to take the company’s products to the world”.
The founder and CEO of Kinetic Green and the vice chairperson of the Kinetic Group, Motwani’s commitment is to make a difference to India. “This purpose not only keeps me awake at nights, but I wake up excited each day to keep working hard towards it. Entrepreneurship is a journey fraught with risks and failures. But it is also fulfilling in being able to make a difference and bringing the satisfaction of creating something. I find that perseverance and self-motivation are critical to the everyday quest.”
The Early EV Entrant
A key landmark for Motwani came in 2013, which marked Kinetic Green’s entry into the electric vehicles (EV) sector. “We showed courage, commitment and passion when we committed ourselves to this technology. We sold thousands of EVs in various innovative ways. One of the most rewarding experiences was when we partnered with the UP government to give 10,000 e-rickshaws to cycle rickshaw pullers. It transformed their lives. From earning a meagre Rs 200 a day, they now earn over Rs 1,000. Their health, economic and social standards, all improved with this,” remarks Motwani.
As independent India enters its 75th year, she believes this is the beginning of an exciting period for e-mobility. “We can confidently say that as India celebrates this milestone, it has also embarked upon a massive disruption in its mobility sector. With this e-revolution, we will see a greener, cleaner India, with reduced pollution in its cities, lower transportation cost for citizens, and a global leadership position in the new EV technology.”
The Indian government has unleashed a massive focus on electrifying its transport sector, with a focus on electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and buses, which are the vehicles used by over 85 per cent of the Indian population.
“With these segments going electric, green mobility will be brought to the masses and our crowded cities will see reduced emissions. India is also the world’s largest three-wheeler market and second-largest two-wheeler market. Thus, mass production in these spaces will lead to the Indian EV and EV component sector achieving global scale, even becoming a supplier to the world with Made in India components. I am excited that Kinetic Green is emerging as a front runner in this revolution,” states Motwani.
Continuing the Legacy
Taking forward her family’s history of introducing innovation, the EV tech was not only a pivot that opened up a massive growth opportunity for Kinetic but made a wider impact. “We work on the Make in India principle for technology creation, developing a manufacturing and supply-chain ecosystem, bringing innovative, advanced yet affordable vehicles to the consumers in India and the world.”
On the gender parity point, Firodia Motwani firmly believes that women in the workforce face additional challenges. “Women are expected to spend more time with their family members. They do not encourage women to travel extensively for exploiting business opportunities. People hesitate to invest money in the business venture initiated by women entrepreneurs.”
The world, however, is changing. Citing her experience, she advises, “The automotive world is highly male-dominated but in a business meeting, my voice is heard. Be relentless in your pursuit. The way to succeed your business idea is to align it with the social needs of the country and benefit people at large.”