Girish Shankar, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises has said that the Government of India aims to make automobiles manufacturing the main driver of ‘Make in India’ initiative, as it expects the passenger vehicles market to reach 9.4 million units by 2026, as highlighted in the Auto Mission Plan (AMP) 2016-26. He was addressing a CII International Automotive Design Conclave 2016 in New Delhi. Shankar said that the government has formulated a Scheme for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in India, under the National Electric Mobility Mission 2020, to encourage the progressive induction of reliable, affordable and efficient electric and hybrid vehicles in the country. He also mentioned that both the industries and industrial organisations have to explore the development of funding strategies/models/mechanisms for design and development, and how the outcome of these strategies can be monetised. Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog, said that India should become a society of design and innovation to attain and sustain 9-10 per cent growth rate. Kant said that the private sector has a critical role in developing the growth potential of the design industry. The Government of India will very soon open four-five more design institutes. Kant further said that the Indian private sector should also open design institutes for nurturing talent and innovation.