In 1908, there were very few automobiles in the US, roads were rutted and driving them was much like driving over a washboard. Consequently, road signs and maps were almost non-existent and there were no petrol pumps - drivers purchased petrol in canisters from a general store.
In order to convince the public about usefulness of automobiles, Robert Guggenheim announced in 1909 that he would sponsor..., from New York to Seattle. It took the competing vehicles 23 days to cross the country from New York to Seattle on roads that were rudimentary at best. It was won by a Ford Model T. However, the vehicle was disqualified later because the car had made an engine change along the route.
Still, Henry Ford immediately launched a marketing campaign touting the fact that his lightweight, affordable Model T was the superior car!
Ocean-to-Ocean Being Reimagined for Ford EV
Just as the prevailing road-anxiety of 1909, these days electric vehicles EVs are facing range anxiety. So, Ford is taking a pair of its electric-powered new Mustang Mach-E models on a coast-to-coast drive that it is calling “Ocean-to-Ocean Reimagined”, a tribute to the 1909 Ocean-to- Ocean Automobile Endurance Contest.
The cross-country trip by the electric-powered Mach-E begins in New York City, works down the East Coast to Amelia Island, Florida, and then goes to Las Vegas before ending in Seattle. This route will cover 6,500 miles and will involve crossing 20 states, Ford said.
On February 25, 2021, another Mustang enthusiast, Sergio Rodriguez began a road trip from Murrieta, in California, towards the Atlantic Ocean, a distance of nearly 2,500 miles in a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E EV. The Mach-E consumed 790 kWh in the road trip, which gives it an energy consumption of 3.1 miles per kWh.
Rodriguez also kept track of how much time he spent charging and the amount of money the trip cost him in electricity. Charging at the “Electrify America” network took 586 minutes, or a little less than 10 hours, and it cost the Mach-E owner USD 160 value in INR needs to be mentioned? He also noted that he never spent more than 35 minutes at a charging station, thanks to the network of Electrify America fast-chargers along his route.
According to Rodriguez, range anxiety should not be a concern for people that are considering an EV as their next vehicle. Although he used the Electrify America chargers for more than 90 percent of the charging, the Mach-E owner said there were plenty more to choose from, such as “EVGo”, “ChargePoint”, “Greenlots”, “Volta” and many more!
At present, there are more than 26,000 electric vehicle charging stations open to the public in the US with more than 90,000 outlets. But the country, and the world, will need thousands more if drivers are going to adopt vehicles powered by batteries alone. “The automakers, more and more of them, are committing to manufacture electric vehicles,” said Mike Moran, spokesman for Electrify America, builder of charging station network. “Last year, automakers announced a combined $225 billion in investments in electrification.” With more than 40 fully electric vehicles on the market in the US or coming within the next three years, the demand growth for charging infrastructure is assured. (MT)
Valvoline Cummins, Mahindra Extend Partnership For Lubricants
- By MT Bureau
- August 19, 2025
Valvoline Cummins and Mahindra & Mahindra have announced a new strategic collaboration, deepening a relationship that has spanned over two decades. Under a new four-year agreement, Valvoline Cummins will now be the primary supplier of genuine lubricants for Mahindra's aftermarket business, including products sold under the Mahindra - Maximile brand.
This partnership will see Valvoline Cummins supply a range of high-performing lubricants, such as engine, transmission and axle oils, specifically tailored for Mahindra’s entire fleet of passenger vehicles, SUVs and pickups. These products will be distributed through Mahindra's expansive dealership and ‘Bazar’ networks in India's North, West and East zones.
Sandeep Kalia, Managing Director, Valvoline Cummins, said, “As a trusted partner with Mahindra for the past decade, we are excited for this evolution of our relationship. Today marks a major milestone that will enable significant business growth and reflects further confidence in our people, technology, innovation, serviceability and continuous commitment to customer centricity as a core value.”
Michael Dreyer, Senior Vice-President, Valvoline Global Operations, added, “Mahindra is fast becoming a trusted global brand, and Valvoline is well positioned to collaborate across geographies and support their global ambitions. This strategic agreement unites two trusted names with a shared focus on performance, innovation and sustainability. As Valvoline expands its role within the Mahindra ecosystem, the collaboration is set to deliver enhanced value across vehicles, and customer experiences — setting new benchmarks for excellence in automotive lubricant solutions.”
In a move that aligns with the sustainability goals of both companies, Valvoline Cummins will also introduce Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) packaging for its products supplied to Mahindra, reinforcing their commitment to responsible business practices and environmental stewardship.
Schaeffler India Launches Fourth Edition Of Social Innovator Fellowship Program
- By MT Bureau
- July 31, 2025
Schaeffler India has launched the fourth edition of its Social Innovator Fellowship Program under its CSR initiative, HOPE. The programme aims to support young innovators aged 18 to 35 who are working on scalable solutions to address environmental and societal challenges.
Ten selected fellows will receive a grant of INR 175,000 each and participate in a 24-week hybrid mentorship programme at IIMA Ventures. The fellowship includes access to Schaeffler India’s innovation network and resources to help scale their projects.
Applications are open to individuals, groups, institutions and both for-profit and non-profit organisations across India. The focus areas include environmental sustainability, renewable energy, carbon neutrality, circular economy, natural resource management and the use of technology in the social sector. Applicants must present a working prototype, a clear target audience and a roadmap for growth and viability.
A multi-stage selection process, including interviews and a final pitch, will be conducted by a jury comprising Schaeffler India leadership and India Accelerator experts.
Harsha Kadam, Managing Director & CEO, Schaeffler India, said, “At Schaeffler India, we truly believe in innovation and development, and we have been investing in inclusive and sustainable programs. Through structured initiatives such as HOPE, we aim to empower and nurture visionary young innovators with a pioneering spirit who are developing technology-driven solutions for social sectors and environmental issues, making a meaningful difference through their unique approaches. Schaeffler aims to be both an enabler and catalyst in solving these issues, affirming its belief in innovation as a force for equitable progress”.
Shibi Mathew, Head of HR and CSR, added, “We are deeply committed to advancing the meaningful progress of our communities. We proudly announce the launch of the Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program for 2025, with the primary aim of harnessing and supporting the pioneering spirit of young and passionate innovators across India. This program offers a remarkable opportunity for talented individuals to bring improvements to social and ecological issues through their innovative solutions. We eagerly await the participation of outstanding leaders who will demonstrate a strong commitment to developing transformative solutions, resulting in more resilient systems, empowered communities, and positively impacted lives.”
Uno Minda Launches Advanced LED Indicators For Motorcycles
- By MT Bureau
- July 28, 2025
Tier 1 supplier Uno Minda has introduced its new range of advanced LED indicators for motorcycles in the Indian aftermarket at INR 1,137. These innovative blinkers aim to enhance both the aesthetic appeal and on-road safety for riders.
Designed to complement traditional motorcycles, the new LED indicators promise straightforward installation, improved visibility and enhanced durability. Uno Minda highlights their high-visibility lighting, which significantly boosts safety in low-light and busy traffic conditions. The indicators also boast an IP67 rating, making them waterproof and dustproof, capable of withstanding various weather and road conditions.
Anand Kumar, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Aftermarket Domain, Uno Minda, said, “At Uno Minda, we are committed to delivering solutions which help the modern motorcycle rider. Our new LED blinkers for Royal motorcycles offer superior safety, durability, and aesthetics, ensuring riders experience the best in performance and reliability. This launch is part of our ‘Driving the New Technology’ initiative, under which we aim to consistently introduce innovative, performance-driven products to the Indian aftermarket. With an IP67 rating, these LED blinkers are built to endure even the toughest weather conditions. Waterproof and dustproof, they are designed to function reliably in rain, snow, or dust, ensuring long-term durability and performance, regardless of the environment. The LED blinkers are designed with a sleek, unique look that effortlessly enhances the iconic Royal Motorcycles style and serves as a perfect aesthetic and functional upgrade, as these blinkers significantly improve rider safety by increasing visibility in low-light and high-traffic conditions, reducing the risk of accidents.”
Maruti Suzuki India Expands Service Network To 5,500, To Add 500 More By March 2026
- By MT Bureau
- July 21, 2025
Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has further strengthened its aftersales network with the inauguration of its 5,500th service touchpoint in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Interestingly, in FY2025, the company serviced over 27 million vehicles, and with the new facility, it now has around 40,000 service bays across the country. Furthermore, Maruti Suzuki India aims to add around 500 more service touchpoints in FY2026.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “One of the key factors most customers consider when purchasing a new car is the availability of a proximate and convenient service workshop, one that offers genuine and reliable service at a reasonable price, giving them total peace of mind. To meet this need, we have been able to establish 5,500 service touchpoints across 2,764 cities, with the help of our dealer partners. In FY 2024-25, we added 460 new service touchpoints, which is more than one every single day. We plan to continue these efforts and aim to add around 500 new service touchpoints during this financial year, of which we have already set up 91 touchpoints.”
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