Isuzu Opens Its First Skill Development And Experience Centre In Noida

Isuzu Opens Its First Skill Development And Experience Centre In Noida

With an intention to better address the needs of its customers, Isuzu Motors India has commissioned a skill development and experience centre in Noida. 

Located in Sector-10 of Noida, the new facility will impart world-class comprehensive training to the service personnel including service managers, advisors and technicians of growing Isuzu dealer partners in North India and other neighbouring regions. 

Including a brand experience area with a permanent two-vehicle display in a thematic environment, the new centre at Noida adds to the count of an existing skill development facility already operational in Chennai since 2014. 

Inaugurated by Rajesh Mittal, Managing Director and President, Isuzu Motors India, and Toru Kishimoto, Deputy Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India, in the presence of the dealer partners and staff, the new centre at Noida will also offer specialised learning modules to Isuzu dealer technicians on various technical subjects regarding the company’s vehicles, service aspects and enhance skills. 

The learning modules, comprising class-room and practical sessions in live work-bays, will comprehensively cover areas from periodic maintenance to advanced level of drivetrain management. The centre will impart training to 15-20 dealer personnel per batch and the sessions will be handled by dedicated Isuzu service coaches.

Commenting on the development, Kishimoto said, “Training and Development has always been at the core of Isuzu operations. Being a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles globally, Isuzu believes in skill development of dealer technicians as one of the key pillars of providing higher service quality and ensuring customer delight. We are committed to offering the ‘right products and services’ in India as well and this centre will further enhance the skill and competence in the service domain.”

In addition to offering the above stated services, the centre at Noida would also serve as a base for honing skills of the national team of technicians who would represent India at the ‘I-1Grand Prix World Technical Competition’ held biennially. Notably, Team India has reached the top 10 position amongst teams from 24 other countries, in the highly recognised Isuzu global competition.

Automechanika Riyadh

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.”

NHTSA Issues Initial Decision On Chinese Air Bag Inflators Following 10 Fatalities

DTN Inflator

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.”

AIS Windshield Experts Expands Service Network To 143 Centres Across India

AIS Windshield Experts

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."

Maruti Suzuki India Launches Quickstop Container-Based Service Format

Maruti Quickstop

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.