Autofutura and GForces have merged to form a new group to maximise their sales efficiency and improve the way consumers buy cars.

The new group, backed by Inflexion Private Equity, also benefits from the expertise of the recently acquired Chrysalis Loyalty business.

The coalition will be led by Christian Erlandson as CEO and David Riemenschneider as Chairman.

Christian Erlandson, CEO, commented, “The digitisation of the automotive sales process is accelerating at an unprecedented pace and now is the time to combine the expertise of Autofutura and GForces. By merging Autofutura’s data intelligence insight with GForces’ e-commerce solutions, there is huge potential to support our customers in streamlining the consumer journey, accelerating sales and driving revenue from the first transaction.”

Simon Turner, Managing Partner, Inflexion, said, “The combination of Autofutura with GForces unlocks a unique and highly relevant technology proposition for the automotive retail industry, against a backdrop of accelerating change and disruption for dealers and OEMs. We are delighted to be backing this team to create such an exciting auto tech group, by merging two outstanding private businesses with a long track record of growth.”

The newly merged group was advised by GCA Altium, Headpoint Advisors, Higgs & Sons and Taylor Wessing. (MT)

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Studds Accessories, a leading two-wheeler helmet manufacturer, has launched the Raider Youth Looney Tunes Edition in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products at prices starting at INR 1,395.

The helmet features character graphics from the Looney Tunes franchise integrated onto Studds’ full-face youth helmet architecture.

The graphics incorporate characters including Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Daffy Duck, Taz, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote alongside the Looney Tunes logo across the shell, rear, and chin-bar. The series is produced in six base colours: Blue, Baby Pink, Flame Blue, Pastel Green, White, and Black.

The helmet carries Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS/ISI) certification and is manufactured in XXS (520 mm) and XS (540 mm) sizes.

Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana, Managing Director, Studds Accessories, said, "For young riders and individuals with smaller head sizes, finding a helmet that balances uncompromised full-face safety with expressive design has historically been a challenge in the market. With the Raider Youth Looney Tunes Edition, our intent was to bridge that gap by integrating safety engineering with design philosophy that brings instant joy and nostalgia. This collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery is not just about adding graphics, it is about making helmets that young riders are genuinely excited to wear every day, and at the same time are safe."

The base Raider Youth model was introduced in August 2026 for riders with smaller head dimensions. The Looney Tunes variant retains the mechanical specifications of the original helmet, including an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) shell, expandable polystyrene (EPS) liner, top air exhaust ventilation, scratch-resistant quick-release visor, quick-release chin strap and micro-fibre lining.

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Tier 1 automotive supplier Uno Minda has launched its new 4-channel audio amplifier, model UNO-AMP-4-100, targeting the automotive aftermarket sector.

The amplifier measures 191 mm by 105 mm by 48 mm, allowing for installation in confined areas within vehicles, including underneath seats. It produces power outputs of 150 W per channel at 2 Ohm and 100 W per channel at 4 Ohm across four speaker channels. In bridged mode, the system converts to a 2-channel setup delivering 320 W per channel at 4 Ohm to power subwoofers or higher-capacity speakers.

Technical specifications for the device include a total harmonic distortion rate of equal to or less than 0.05 percent, a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 96 dB and an operational frequency response range from 10 Hz to 20 kHz. Input sensitivity ranges between 400 mV and 6 V to enable connection with factory-fitted and aftermarket head units. Electrical protection is supplied via twin 40 A fuses.

Anand Kumar, Business Head, Uno Minda Aftermarket, said, “At Uno Minda, we understand the evolving expectations of car owners who seek enhanced in-car experiences without compromising on practicality. With our new 4-Channel Amplifier, we have combined powerful audio performance with a compact, palm-size form factor to offer greater flexibility in installation. The amplifier's versatile output, wide compatibility and audio performance make it a suitable solution for customers looking to enhance their existing car audio systems while making efficient use of available space.”

The UNO-AMP-4-100 is priced at INR 13,999 and is distributed through physical automotive retail stores alongside e-commerce portals including Uno Minda Kart, Amazon and Flipkart.

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Tata Power EZ Charge has commissioned an electric vehicle charging hub at New Mahakali Nagar in Malvani, Malad West, Mumbai.

The facility comprises eight parking bays and four fast-charging units, including one 120 kW unit and three 60 kW units that can be upgraded to 120 kW capacity.

The station operates continuously without parking fees for public and commercial fleet users. Situated near Mindspace Business Park and Infinity Mall, the location provides charging access for commuters and logistics fleet operators traveling through the Malad corridor.

With the addition of the Malad site, Tata Power’s EZ Charge network includes over 2,400 charging points across Maharashtra, with more than 1,800 points located within the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai municipal areas. The installed units support CCS2 charging standards to accommodate compatible electric vehicle models.

EV users can locate the station, view real-time charger availability and execute transactions using the Tata Power EZ Charge mobile application. Nationally, the EZ Charge infrastructure network encompasses more than 250,000 home charging setups, over 6,500 public and commercial charging points, and 1,200 electric bus charging points across 700 cities and towns.

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Bridgestone India has commissioned a new 'Select' store at Hinjewadi Phata in Pune to further strengthen its retail footprint in the region. The 'Select' store, called as Deepraj Tyres, is designed to offer customers a complete tyre and wheel care experience under. Along with premium tyres, customers can expect expert guidance, modern equipment and services that focus on safety, comfort and long-term performance.
Opening the store in response to the growing demand for reliable and high-quality tyre solutions in the region, the 'Select' store is set to serve as a convenient, one-stop destination for tyre and allied services for passenger vehicle owners. It will stock Bridgestone’s latest premium tyre range including the Turanza 6i and Dueler All-Terrain A/T002 besides providing services like wheel alignment and balancing, nitrogen air filling and tyre change. 
“Pune is an important market for Bridgestone. The opening of this Select Store in the city reflects our commitment to offering customers easy access to premium products and trusted services. Our focus is on building long-term relationships by delivering safety, quality, and a consistently good experience,” said Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director, Sales & Marketing, Bridgestone India.
 

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