The government plans to set up an automobile design centre-cum-training institute within the next three years to enable India to become a global small car manufacturing hub, as per the Automotive Mission Plan 2016.

The National Automotive Testing and R AND D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP), which has been set up under the Heavy Industries Ministry to create research and testing infrastructure for the auto sector, is currently conducting a feasibility study on the proposal. The report is expected within the next six months.

Under the Automotive Mission Plan 2016, a design institute has to be set up. We are conducting a feasibility study for setting up the centre and a design training institute in the country, NATRiP Chief Executive Officer and Project Director Rajesh Singh told PTI.

He said the design centre will be set up in partnership with many organisations, such as the NID, SIAM, ACMA and IIT Bombay, besides foreign partners.