Do you know there are more than 100 car models in the market right now, and while most of them are manufactured in India, barely any is designed in India!

Even the most iconic ‘Indian’ models – including Tata Indica and Nano – were designed by Italy’s I.DE.A Institute. Others – such as Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Fronx – were designed in India, by Indians, but were based on existing platforms (which were designed in Japan).

“We have mastered the art of manufacturing, engineering, sales, supply chain, software and management, but have to cover some distance when it comes to automotive design,” automobile industry expert Avik Chattopadhyay told FE. In a tie-up with his alma mater XLRI Jamshedpur – India’s oldest B-school – Chattopadhyay will start the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) at the XLRI Delhi-NCR Campus (in Jhajjar, Haryana).

What’s the INDEA?

Fr KS Casimir, director, XLRI, told FE that the INDEA is the country’s first dedicated school of automobile design and management. “Although we have great design schools in the country, we don’t have a world-class automobile design school,” he said. “The aim here is two-fold – create great designers, as well as design managers. We are a B-school, after all.”

When will it start?

It will be operational by the end of 2025. The first batch will take 20-25 students.

What about teachers?

It will be a mix of dedicated faculty, plus visiting faculty (including industry experts taking classes).

What will it teach?

The INDEA will offer students a one-year Master’s in Automobile Design & Management, refresher courses for practising designers, and inductions for CXOs. Seminars, master-classes and workshops will be planned as part of the annual calendar. A programme in Automobile Restoration is also proposed. “Details of the curriculum are being finalised,” Fr Casimir said.

Will it focus on cars?

No, the focus will be everything related to automobiles – four-wheelers, two-wheelers, commercial vehicles, basically anything that is ‘auto’ and ‘mobile’.

Who will guide it?

Chattopadhyay has extensive experience, with stints in Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, PSA Peugeot (now Stellantis), ExxonMobil and Apollo Tyres, and said he will use his network to get the best brains to the INDEA. The school will be guided by a mentor board that has Gautam Sen (celebrated automotive journalist), Justice Indira Banerjee (previously with the Supreme Court, and an expert on corporate and constitutional law), and IV Rao (distinguished fellow, TERI, and former director of Engineering at Maruti Suzuki India).