AB Dynamics plc recently acquired Ansible Motion Limited, a provider of advanced simulators to the global automotive market. The acquisition, which was announced on Wednesday, is for a total fee of £31.2 million, which comprises a £19.2 million initial consideration and a £12 million payment, subject to meeting certain performance criteria. The simulators provider company is being acquired from its three shareholders, Kia Cammaerts, Jonathan Walker and Robert Stevens. Cammaerts and Stevens will remain in the business as the Technical Director and Chief Engineer, respectively.

According to AB Dynamics, Ansible Motion will become part of the group’s simulation portfolio, supplying advanced simulation products and services to the automotive and motorsport industries. Ansible Motion will sit alongside the newly formed AB Simulation division; this division is responsible for the Advanced Vehicle Driving Simulator (aVDS) product range and rFpro (market-leading simulation software provider), which was acquired in 2019.

Putting across his views, Dan Clark, Managing Director of AB Simulation, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ansible Motion onboard. It is a well-established, successful business that has an outstanding reputation for driving simulator solutions. Ansible Motion’s product offerings complement our own range and create a comprehensive family of simulator solutions. We are now positioned to be market leaders in the sector.”

Further sharing his thoughts, Cammaerts said, “AB Dynamics’ acquisition of Ansible Motion marks an exciting and pivotal moment, and we are delighted to become a part of the AB Dynamics family. It’s a remarkable fit. Both companies have always shared a common vision: to provide superlative tools for automotive product development work. Now, we’ll be joining forces to better serve automotive customers worldwide, with broader and deeper offerings. Ansible Motion will continue to focus on the development of the world’s most immersive driver-in-the-loop simulation technologies, propelled further by the business and technical expertise of one of the world’s most trusted suppliers of automotive test systems and services.”

Clark added, “This acquisition will significantly benefit our customers by providing a broader range of products and services to enable the development of better and safer vehicles, more quickly and cost-effectively. We will supply complete end-to-end simulation solutions comprising hardware, software, application and use-case consultancy, training and aftermarket support.”

As per Ansible Motion, its current product range includes the Delta series dynamic simulator, the Sigma series static simulator and the compact, portable Theta series simulator. They are used for the development of a range of ground vehicle applications, including ADAS, autonomy, motorsport, chassis, powertrain, human factors, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), NVH, steering systems and tyres.

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Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia has announced the postponement of the upcoming edition of Automechanika Riyadh. Originally scheduled for 4-6 May 2026, the trade event will now focus on its return to the Kingdom in 2027.

The decision follows an assessment of the regional environment. The organiser stated that the move prioritises the safety and confidence of partners and staff while ensuring the event can maintain its international scale and value.

Automechanika Riyadh serves as a platform for the Saudi automotive aftermarket, connecting manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. The 2027 edition is intended to align with the growth of the sector under the country's Vision 2030 framework.

Martyn Cox, Show Director, Messe Frankfurt Middle East (MFME), said, “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. Automechanika Riyadh has quickly established itself as an important platform for the Saudi automotive aftermarket. However, our responsibility is to bring the industry together in a way that is safe, commercially valuable, and truly international in scale. In the current environment, and with the event only weeks away, this decision ensures we can deliver the strongest possible business outcomes for our exhibitors, partners, and visitors.”

Chris Lee, Portfolio Director for Mobility & Logistics at MFME, added, “We have taken the decision to focus on returning with a stronger, larger and more impactful event in 2027, one that reflects the ambition of the Saudi market and the strength of the global Automechanika brand.”

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The American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released findings attributing 10 deaths and two injuries to air bag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., (DTN). The agency concluded in an initial decision that the components contain a safety-related defect.

NHTSA opened its investigation in October 2025 following a series of crashes where frontal driver air bag inflators ruptured. According to the report, the units exploded during deployment, resulting in metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin.

Key Details of the Findings:

• Incident Scope: 12 crashes recorded over the past three years.
• Vehicle Models: Known incidents occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles, though the risk may not be limited to these models.
• Component Origin: The parts were manufactured by DTN in China and are suspected of being imported into the United States.

NHTSA is currently investigating the volume of these inflators in the US market to determine if a permanent sales ban is required.

The agency has advised owners of used vehicles to verify repair histories, particularly if a vehicle was involved in a crash with air bag deployment since 2020 and was not repaired at a manufacturer's dealership.

Vehicles identified with a DTN inflator should not be driven until the component is replaced with parts from the original equipment manufacturer. Suspect inflators can be identified by specific serial numbers and bar codes on the inflator module and cap.

Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary, said, “Our initial investigation into the use of illegal Chinese airbags in auto shops has revealed a disturbing trend: these substandard parts are killing American families. The Trump Administration will continue to fight to keep you and your family safe on our roads.”

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AIS Windshield Experts, an ISO 9001:2015 certified automotive glass repair and replacement company, has announced the opening of its 143rd service centre. The expansion brings the company’s operations to more than 70 cities in India, supported by a fleet of mobile service vans for on-site repairs.

The company provides glass solutions for all vehicle makes and models using materials that meet Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards. Maintenance and replacement tasks are performed by certified technicians and include a one-year warranty on products and workmanship.

Beyond standard glass replacement, the network handles specialised technical requirements, including:

• Luxury and Commercial Vehicles: Glass replacement for high-end cars and heavy vehicles.
• Modern Vehicle Sensors: Management of sensor recalibration and sunroof glass.
• ADAS Recalibration: Realignment of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems following windshield replacement to ensure camera and sensor accuracy.
• Value-Added Services: Headlight restoration, wiper blade replacement and car battery services.

AIS Windshield Experts has established partnerships with major insurance providers to offer cashless facilities, intended to simplify the claims process for customers. The company’s growth strategy focuses on further penetration into Tier-II and Tier-III cities to standardise auto glass care in smaller markets.

Ratish Ramanujam, Executive Director & COO, AIS Windshield Experts, said, "Reaching 143 outlets is not just a number; it’s a testament to the trust over 1 million satisfied customers have placed in the AIS Windshield Experts brand. This expansive network significantly reduces downtime for vehicle owners and fleets, ensuring quick, reliable, and standardised service nationwide. We are proud to be driving the shift towards organised, quality-assured auto glass care in India. AIS Windshield Experts also specialises in high-end technical repairs and refinements like sunroof glass replacement, glass replacement in luxury cars as well as commercial vehicles, as well as handling the intricacies of delicate sensors in modern vehicles."

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has introduced ‘Quickstop’, a compact, prefabricated service touchpoint designed for rapid deployment in high-vehicle-density areas.

The units are constructed from modified containers and equipped with tools for routine maintenance and minor repairs.

Quickstop facilities are designed for locations such as corporate campuses, airports and fleet hubs. The format allows vehicle owners to access servicing at their place of work or transit points, reducing the need for dedicated service centre visits.

The modular, container-based design requiring minimal space and setup time. It utilises waterless car washing techniques and battery-powered service equipment. The facilities are operated by Maruti Suzuki dealer partners, with space provided by corporate entities or fleet operators.

In the initial pilot phase, the company has established 10 Quickstop facilities across Delhi-NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Calicut and Surat.

The initiative targets both individual customers and commercial fleet operators. For professional drivers, the on-site format is intended to reduce vehicle downtime and increase operational availability. For office employees, the system allows for vehicle drop-off and pick-up within the workday.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “As workdays are getting increasingly busier and personal time is becoming more valuable, we recognise a growing need to make vehicle servicing even more convenient and accessible to customers. This led to the creation of Quickstop, which brings our service facilities to places customers regularly visit, such as offices, airport zones and fleet hubs. These compact, container-based units are easy to install and require very little time and space for set up, making them ideal for such locations.”

“Office‑goers can simply drop off their vehicles at on‑site Quickstop facilities and pick them up fully serviced after work. Similarly, for fleet operators and commercial users, minimising vehicle downtime is essential, as time directly impacts earnings. Quickstop helps reduce vehicle downtime and increase availability. Our idea is to seamlessly integrate vehicle servicing into a customer’s lifestyle, so that they don’t have to go out of their way. Cars should serve the customers, not the other way around,” he added further.

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