NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Nippon Paint Holdings of Japan, has appointed Sharad Malhotra as the Managing Director of Nippon Paint India, effective 1 December 2025. Malhotra becomes the first Indian national appointed to the position, succeeding Jon Tan, and is set to report to the Group CEO, Wee Siew Kim.

The appointment aligns with Nippon Paint's plans for business growth in India, which the company views as a strategic market for expansion. Malhotra is a 15-year veteran at Nippon Paint, having established the automotive refinish, wood coatings and light industrial coatings segments in India. He is an existing Director on the company's Board and has been involved in the firm’s venture beyond paint into categories such as paint protection films.

Wee Siew Kim, Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings and Group CEO, NIPSEA Group, said, "We are delighted to appoint Sharad Malhotra to this pivotal leadership role. Sharad has successfully led and charted a strong growth path for our auto refinish business globally, while being based in India. His proven ability to deliver results, deep understanding of our business, and commitment to excellence make him ideally suited to lead our India operations through the next phase of growth.”

As Managing Director, Malhotra will be responsible for the overall direction and strategy of the India Group. His focus will be on sustainable growth across all segments of the Indian paint market. He will continue to lead Nippon Paint’s global expansion in the automotive aftermarket business, a category he has overseen since inception.

"It is an immense honour to lead Nippon Paint India at this transformative and pivotal moment. The Indian market presents unique opportunities and challenges, and I look forward to expand possibilities for our business, build on our strengths and support our customers and partners as we move forward," said Malhotra.

Nippon Paint, the world’s fourth largest paint company by revenue, views India as a key market due to its population, economic growth and consumer base.

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Hyundai Mobis India, the component business of Hyundai Motor Company, has introduced a complete range of Genuine Accessories for the all-new Hyundai Venue C-SUV.

The new range of accessories includes front and rear bumper extenders, body side moulding, C-pillar scoop and twin hood scoop to provide more personalisation option for Venue C-SUV customers. The range also includes Door Edge Guard, Window Beading, Door Handle Chrome, Door Visor, Hood branding, ORVM Garnish, Sidestep, Door Sill Guard and Rear Sill Guard.

The company has also launched Carpet Mat Premium, which is made from 100 percent recycled nylon.

Myeong Jae Lee, Head of After Sales Parts Business Division at Mobis India, said, “At Mobis India, our focus has always been on enhancing customer satisfaction through innovation, quality, and care. The new Hyundai Venue accessories, including the distinctive body kit and lifestyle range, are designed to make every journey more stylish, safe and comfortable. In line with our commitment to sustainability, we are proud to introduce the ‘Carpet Mat Premium’, crafted entirely from 100 percent recycled nylon.”

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Shell Lubricants has announced that it has maintained its status as the world's leading supplier of finished lubricants for 19 consecutive years, according to the 23rd edition of the Global Lubricants: Market Analysis and Assessment 2025 report by Kline & Company (Kline).

The report ranks Shell as the number one global lubricants supplier based on finished lubricants sales volumes across automotive and industrial segments worldwide. Shell held a global market share of 11.6 percent, with sales in 2024 split evenly across segments: 37 percent consumer automotive, 32 percent industrial and 31 percent commercial automotive. Shell secured the number one ranking in all three categories: consumer automotive, commercial automotive and industrial.

The Kline report assesses the use of lubricants across end-use industries and emerging market trends such as electric vehicles (EVs) and immersion cooling fluids (ICFs).

Shell attributes its market position to investments in premium and differentiated products, including Shell Helix passenger car motor oil, Shell Rimula truck and heavy-duty engine oils, and Shell Tellus and Shell Gadus for industrial sectors.

In 2025, Shell Helix Ultra upgraded to the latest API SQ specifications, followed by the launch of Shell Advance Ultra with API SP for motorcycles and scooters. The company also renewed its partnership with BMW M Motorsport.

In the industrial sector, Shell introduced DLC Fluid S3, a Direct Liquid Cooling solution for high-performance computing and AI. Shell Lubricants also achieved an industry first when its immersion cooling fluids received Intel certification, enabling their use in data centres worldwide.

Jason Wong, Global Executive Vice-President, Shell Lubricants, said, “At nineteen consecutive years of leadership as the number one global supplier of finished lubricants, we remain focused on the ability of lubricants to power progress across consumer, commercial and industrial applications. Our aim is to become the most customer-focused energy marketer and trader, and we continue to invest in premium, high-efficiency products. These offerings create long- term value in areas where we have market leadership and competitive advantages.”

Sushmita Dutta, Senior Project Manager at Kline, stated, “To maintain the number one position in the global lubricants market for nineteen consecutive years is a remarkable achievement. Our analysis shows that Shell’s success is built on a consistent strategy: investing in technologically advanced, premium products and building lasting relationships with customers across all sectors."

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IGNYTE, the premium helmet brand from Steelbird Hi-Tech India, one of the world’s largest helmet manufacturers, has unveiled the Airlite Series at prices starting INR 6,649.

The company claims that the Airlite series, weighing as low as 900 grams and 800 grams, is ECE 22.06 and DOT certified. It includes the flagship models AI-10 and AI-14 emerge as the world’s lightest homologated motorcycle helmets, providing less fatigue to riders while ensuring superior impact protection.

The Airlite helmets are manufactured using IGNYTE’s proprietary balloon moulding technology and features a multi-impact Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) liner. It incorporates ultra-light fiberglass composite shell developed through advanced balloon moulding technology, which ensures controlled resin distribution and uniform thickness across the surface. The multi-layered EPP liner absorbs and disperses energy efficiently, rebounds after impact and provides lasting multi-impact protection. The helmets are available with Double D-Ring and Micrometric Buckle retention systems.

Furthermore, Steelbird claims that these helmets feature a premium interior made from imported, anti-allergic fabric that is both replaceable and washable. The optical-grade polycarbonate visor offers distortion-free visibility, scratch resistance and UV protection for superior clarity on every ride.

Kashish Kapur, Director, IGNYTE, said, “With the Airlite Series, we are redefining what riders can expect from premium helmets. The AI-10 and AI-14 combine world-class safety, ultra-light engineering, and cutting-edge materials to deliver an unmatched riding experience. At IGNYTE, our goal has always been to elevate safety without compromising comfort or style — the Airlite Series is a true embodiment of that philosophy.”

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