• World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): the tedious string of codes on the first three characters identifies the manufacturer of the item.
• Vehicle Descriptor Section: This is followed by the next 6 characters which define the type of the vehicle, the model and the body style of the car.
• Vehicle Indicator Section: The last 8 characters give details about the car, for instance, the year of manufacture and the serial number of the car.

The WMI code consists of three characters

• First Character: the letter code of the area of production, (for instance, the letter “M” for Asia.)
• Second Character: the country within the region (e.g., ‘A’ for India).
• Third Character: This can be done either for the specific manufacturer.

Importance of WMI Registration

WMI registration is important for several reasons to make sure the activities of the worldwide automotive sector are properly co-coordinated and managed.

• Traceability: Thus, a unique WMI allows tracking vehicles all over the world and managing recalls, safety, and compliance-related issues. This is very crucial in the tracking of the history of the vehicle, the ownership and the modifications that have been made to the current vehicle.
• Compliance: A WMI allows manufacturers to meet international automotive standards, for example, the standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Adherence to these standards is important for manufacturers to conduct their business in the global market.
• Data Integrity: The registration ensures that there are proper and uniform ways of managing the vehicle information. It guarantees that information concerning the manufacturer, the vehicle as well as ownership history is accurate and readily available.
• Consumer Protection: As a way of making sure that the vehicles are easily identifiable and fit for the market, WMI registration assists in preventing fraud and substandard vehicles. This ensures that there is accountability and openness in the automobile sector.
• Market Access: The manufacturers with registered WMIs have an easy time accessing the international market. It is often necessary for a vehicle to have a valid WMI when it is to be imported to many countries; therefore, registration is vital for international commerce.

Process of WMI Registration in India

• Step 1: Application Submission A manufacturer has to apply to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) for this purpose. The application must contain the following information about the company; the Legal name of the company, the physical address of the company, the nature of the business, and the contact information of the company.
• Step 2: Documentation The application must be accompanied by documents including but not limited to a Certificate of Incorporation, Business licenses, and Proof of manufacturing facilities.
• Thirdly, Review and Verification: Upon submission of the application, SIAM examines it and confirms the information contained in it. It may include field trips and personal discussions to determine the extent of conformity to the recommended standards.
• The 4th step is the allocation of WMI. After the approval of the application, SIAM assigns a specific code in the World Manufacturers Identifier (WMI) to the manufacturer. This code is then registered with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) so that everyone uses it in the same way.
• The last step of the process is the integration of the product into the VIN. The manufacturers have to encode the assigned WMI into the vehicle’s VIN. This guarantees that all the vehicles manufactured are distinguishable the world over.

Documents required for WMI Registration

• Application Form
• GST Copy
• Pan Copy
• MSME
• Aadhar Card of the signing person
• MoA & AoA

Some Technical Considerations of WMI Registration

The ISI Mark certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is beneficial to the manufacturers in that it proves that the product complies with the specific Indian standard and hence enhances the likelihood of the products acceptance in the market. Here are some key benefits:

• As per ISO 3780: the WMI registration process in India aligns with the ISO 3780 standard that lays down the structure and the assignment of WMIs. This standard guarantees that the codes are unique and standard across the world.
• Database Management: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has a database of all the registering WMIs and it is updated from time to time and provided to international vehicle industries. This database assists in preserving the quality of the Vehicle Identification Data (VID).
• Role of BIS: Being the National Standards body of India and being a member of the international organisation for standardisation it performs the role of a WMI coordinator in India. BIS releases the WMI code to vehicle manufacturers in India after these have been allocated by the Society of Automotive Engineers Inc., USA, the international body responsible for the upkeep of the WMI codes.
• Regular Audits: Those with registered WMIs are required to undergo periodic assessments to confirm their continuing conformity with the standards. Noncompliance exposes the facility to having its WMI withdrawn.

Conclusion

WMI registration in India is a very important procedure in the sense that vehicle manufacturers are assigned unique identification which can be used to track their vehicles and ensure that they meet the required international standards. The process is managed by SIAM and co-coordinated by BIS; this process includes application filing, documentation, review, and finally the integration of the application into the VINs; all this is in line with the ISO 3780 standards. This careful process enables the upholding of vehicle data and assists the global automotive market in its call for standardization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)