Tata Motors has inaugurated its eighth Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) in India, located in Kolkata. The facility can dismantle up to 21,000 end-of-life (EoL) vehicles annually and is operated in partnership with Selladale Synergies India.

The Kolkata RVSF, capable of scrapping passenger and commercial vehicles as well as two-wheelers and three-wheelers from all brands, is Tata Motors' third such centre in eastern India. Other RVSFs are located in Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Chandigarh, Delhi NCR, Pune and Guwahati.

The launch event was attended by senior government officials and Tata Motors representatives, including West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty and Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles.

Snehasis Chakraborty, said, “The inauguration of Tata Motors’ Re.Wi.Re is a welcome step towards building a cleaner and more efficient future for our people. This initiative will also support the adoption of newer, safer energy-efficient vehicles and create circular economy opportunities within the transport sector. We appreciate Tata Motors, Selladale Synergies and all partners involved for bringing this initiative to our state.”

The facility is fully digital, with paperless operations and designated dismantling areas for safe handling of tyres, batteries, oils, gases and other components. It includes cell-type dismantling lines for commercial vehicles and two- and three-wheelers, and line-type dismantling for passenger cars.

Rajesh Kaul, added, "Tata Motors is committed to driving sustainable mobility solutions while fostering a circular economy. The inauguration of West Bengal’s first Re.Wi.Re and the country’s eighth facility is a significant step in expanding our vehicle scrapping ecosystem. With the cumulative capacity of dismantling more than 1.3 lakh vehicles annually across eight Tata Motors RVSFs, we are proud to lead the way in transforming India’s vehicle scrapping ecosystem with a focus on safety, compliance and sustainability.”

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Motul India has launched the French lubricant brand IPONE in India. The company is positioning IPONE as a motorcycle-dedicated brand to connect engineering with the identity of riders. The brand uses a visual identity influenced by Japanese culture and Manga to target adventure, off-road and track racing segments.

The product hierarchy is organised via a judo belt progression system to categorise lubricants by riding intensity.

The Black Belt Racing range, led by the Shogun flagship, uses PAO and Ester-based technology for track use.

The Blue Belt Sport range consists of synthetic oils for road and off-road engines, while the Green Belt Advanced range offers semi-synthetic formulations for daily use. The Yellow Belt Standard range provides lubricants for commuting.

IPONE is supported by the industrial and distribution network of Motul. The company reports that synthetic oils represent 25 percent of its sales in India.

Nagendra Pai, CEO, Motul India & South Asia, said, "Motul has built its global authority on the science of performance lubricants. A premium and synthetic oils alone account for a quarter of our sales, and that foundation is non-negotiable. As a leading player in the category, we see a strong shift towards younger riders who are passionate about adventure riding, off-roading and performance-led experiences. IPONE launch sits at the intersection of two things we are deeply committed to: bringing the best lubrication technology to market, and premiumisation that is meaningful, not cosmetic. To support this, Motul's distribution network, both offline and online, is stronger than it has ever been, giving IPONE the reach to meet these riders wherever they are.”

The market rollout will begin across 6 core and 14 regional markets.

IPONE currently serves as the lubricant supplier for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the MXGP Championship. Through this launch, Motul India aims to increase its share in the motorcycle engine oil segment.

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German technology supplier ZF continues to be upbeat on the potential growth in the Indian aftermarket segment. In a recent comprehensive briefing on the shifting dynamics of the automotive aftermarket, Philippe Colpron, Head of ZF Aftermarket and Executive Vice President of ZF Group, shared his views on the Indian market, bridging cutting-edge digital solutions with deep-rooted local industrialisation.

In CY2025, ZF’s global aftermarket revenue reached an estimated EUR 3.5 billion (with a broader EUR 4.8 billion impact across the ZF Group), Colpron highlighted India as a cornerstone of the company’s ‘Mobility Uptime’ vision.

He noted that India’s transition into a self-sustainable world economy has made it a ‘very special market’ for ZF, where the company has maintained a presence for over 60 years.

“India is a very strong country – not just in culture and people, but also as a strong world economy. Becoming self-sustainable as a digital hub where multinationals have established themselves is creating an evolution of its economy and its people, leading to massive growth in infrastructure and mobility,” Colpron said.

A key highlight of ZF’s strategy is the expansion of its digital platforms. Following a successful European rollout for SACHS and WABCO, ZF has extended its CorExpedia platform to include ZF and TRW parts.

Colpron noted that while India remains primarily a ‘repair market’ today, he indicated that CorExpedia could be introduced as the market matures toward remanufacturing.

“With the growth of connected vehicles, the use-cases are changing,” Colpron remarked. He also pointed to the successful response to ZF MultiScan, the company's new multi-brand diagnostic tool and the expansion of the ZF [pro]Tech network, which now counts over 400 workshops in India.

Furthermore, ZF is banking on a ‘higher share of local industrialisation’, which is further set to accelerate between the second half of 2026 and 2028. The company’s portfolio already covers between 14-95 percent of automotive segments in India, ranging from two-wheelers to heavy-duty trucks.

Colpron expressed that he was ‘positively surprised’ by current coverage and expects the 2026 fiscal year to perform better than initial estimates.

Responding to the impact of electrification in the aftermarket segment, Colron pivoted from hardware to the human element. He noted that the challenge for workshops isn't just the battery, but the high-voltage systems and extensive software.

“It is important to make the mechanics and workshop comfortable to handle the EVs, so that they don’t lose out on business tomorrow,” he explained. “They need training, awareness, and education. We want to make sure our partners have a profitable business; that is a key driver for us.”

Despite the market's price sensitivity, Colpron remained firm on quality. Whether dealing with new high-value vehicles or legacy parts, the specification remains identical.

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BASF-backed paint protection solutions company RODIM has opened its first brand store in India named Perfect Finish in collaboration with Pranav Sharma, CEO of Perfect Finish, in Faridabad.

The facility also marks RODIM’s first exclusive global brand store, positioning India as its first launch market worldwide.

RODIM is expanding its footprint through stores that focus on installation standards. The Faridabad site functions as a training centre where partners learn installation techniques to reduce material waste during PPF applications.

The inauguration was attended by representatives from BASF, including Andy Wong, Sooraj Kapur and Ram Kumar Gaur. They were joined by Ruchir Malhotra and Sachin Ahuja, Managing Partners of Sheen Automotive 360 LLP, the distributors for RODIM in India.

The company intends to roll out the store concept across the country. India was the location for the brand's product launch and remains part of expansion plans.

Andy Wong, Head of Business Management, Direct Importers, APAC, BASF, said, “This brand store represents RODIM’s long-term commitment to the Indian market. Our vision is to transform the largely unorganised detailing sector into a professional, structured business ecosystem.”

Amresh Khar, Senior Vice-President, BASF, said: “The milestone marks a significant step towards building a structured, technology-driven, and premium ecosystem for the automotive detailing industry in the country. The presence of leading automotive detailers from across India reflects the rising demand for premium protection solutions. We are balancing global technological excellence with Indian market sensibilities, affordability, and emotional value.”

Ruchir Malhotra, added, “Professional detailers have embraced RODIM’s global quality post-Automechanika. These premium outlets will accelerate growth while setting new benchmarks for service quality.”

Sachin Ahuja, noted, “The company plans to empower existing channel partners to upgrade their studios into world-class facilities.”

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ReadyAssist, an Indian AutoTech firm, has launched its ‘Project Shakthi’ to increase female participation in the automotive service sector. The initiative aims to train 300 women across 15 Indian cities over the next two years, offering an earning potential of up to INR 50,000 per month.

The programme focuses on Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune, with an initial goal of onboarding 25 women within the next six to 12 months. Project Shakthi is designed to create technical, field-based career pathways for women in an industry where they have been historically underrepresented.

The initiative prioritises accessibility, requiring no minimum education or prior technical background. Eligible applicants include women of legal working age, possessing a valid driving licence and be able to operate a two-wheeler. The future technicians undergo a 10-day, zero-cost training programme that combines classroom instruction with hands-on field experience. Training starts with GPS and Dashcam fitment, covering installation, configuration and diagnostics. Graduates are onboarded as service partners under a flexible, freelance model, allowing them to choose their working hours.

ReadyAssist aims to move beyond a pilot phase in Bengaluru, where the first batch of technicians has already been deployed — to a nationwide rollout. The company plans to collaborate with women’s empowerment organisations, training institutes and government bodies to scale the programme.

Vimal Singh SV, Founder & CEO, ReadyAssist, said, “At ReadyAssist, we believe talent and capability are not defined by gender, but by opportunity and support. Through Project Shakthi, we are creating structured pathways for women to step into technical and on-ground customer facing roles with the right training, tools, and opportunities.”

ReadyAssist stated that early data from the Bengaluru pilot indicates high levels of customer satisfaction and technical proficiency from female technicians. Following the initial focus on GPS and dashcam fitment, participants will have the opportunity to upskill into broader automotive service areas.

By removing traditional barriers to entry, ReadyAssist intends to build an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of its customer base while providing sustainable financial independence for women.

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