New Delhi: India’s automotive industry faces growing pressure from rising commodity prices and global trade uncertainty, although long-term demand and the shift towards electric mobility are supporting growth prospects, Assocham President Nirmal Minda said.He told TOI that the cost of raw materials in plastic, aluminum and tungsten has increased sharply, putting pressure on manufacturers and suppliers. “The brunt of cost increases will have to be borne at some point,” he said, adding that both original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers are struggling with high input costs. He said the situation will take time to normalize, although underlying consumer demand remains healthy.Minda said there is still ample scope for growth in India’s automobile market compared to global competitors. He pointed to rising per capita income and low vehicle penetration levels as structural drivers for the industry.He also expressed optimism about the electric vehicle transition, while cautioning that charging infrastructure remains a major hurdle, especially outside metros. EV adoption is progressing rapidly in the two-wheeler segment as home charging is easier to manage.Minda Group started investing in EV technologies about five years ago and now has capabilities such as motors, motor controllers and chargers, he said.Minda also called for greater localization and R&D spending to reduce India’s dependence on Chinese EV components and expensive European technologies. He urged the government to support R&D incentives for EV-related manufacturing.On the macroeconomic front, he expressed concern over the stress in the MSME sector amid global uncertainty. He said ASSOCHAM had sought temporary relief measures like interest subsidy and faster implementation of debt restructuring and relief schemes.