UFI Filters, an industry leader in filtration and thermal management solutions, today launched a cabin air filtration, SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus, which delivers a 99.5% reduction in viruses and a 99.9% in bacteria.

According to UFI Filters,  the laboratory tests have certified the capacity of the new filter to neutralize coronaviruses from the SARS-COV family (kill rate 99.5%), as well as influenza A H1N1, H3N2 and H7N9, in addition to various types of dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and staphylococcus aureus (kill rate 99.9%).

For the Indian market, innovative SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus filters will be produced at SOFIMA FILTERS INDIA Plant in Bahadurgarh. It belongs to product code family ending with KN2 and caters to the aftermarket space.

Luca Betti, Group Aftermarket Business Unit Director, said, "We are extremely proud of the results achieved thanks to the collaboration of our Innovation Centers in China, India and in Italy. UFI Filters Group has chosen to give a meaningful name to this innovative D+FEND Anti-virus filter media, which has been certified according to ISO 11155-1:2001 standard having a filtration efficiency of more than 95 percent for aerosol particles, with dimension equal to 0.3 microns. When applied to cabin air filters, this innovative material thus offers a clear improvement in the quality of the air inside vehicles, during a historical period in which the health of the individual is absolutely paramount."

Hridesh Sharma, CEO of UFI Filters India, said, “The investment made by UFI Filters Group in Research and Development is ongoing. This innovative product bears testament to our desire to remain at the cutting edge when it comes to innovation and is evidence of the exceptional ability of our technicians to work with laboratories and certified institutions at international level."

SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus incorporates the antimicrobial and antiviral active substances into the fibers themselves, which are made up of polymeric material. Thanks to the prolonged release of ions from the two elements embedded in the fibers, the filter has the power to destroy the bacterial and viral load over a prolonged period, unlike other solutions on the market today, the properties of which are diminished after just a few working cycles following the installation of the filter on the vehicle. (MT)

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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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PB Wheels, a brand of PolicyBazaar Fintech Group, aims to centralise fragmented vehicle management tasks into a single application.

Beyond its core insurance business, the service now incorporates vehicle information, maintenance scheduling, FASTag management and compliance tracking for PUC and traffic challans.

PB Wheels is currently operational in over 185 cities, providing access to a network of multi-brand garages. The platform's model focuses on transparent pricing and digital tracking to improve the traditional maintenance experience.

Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO, PB Fintech, said, “Insurance is often where the relationship with the customer begins, but vehicle ownership goes far beyond that. With PB Wheels, we are building a single, dependable platform that brings together everything a vehicle owner needs, from servicing and maintenance to compliance and on-road safety. Our goal is to make managing a vehicle as simple, transparent, and hassle-free as possible.”

The platform is designed to handle the entire vehicle lifecycle through several key features:

• Maintenance: Users can book services with pickup and drop-off options and receive real-time updates on repairs.
• Compliance: The system provides active tracking for traffic fines and the status of mandatory certifications.
• Road Safety: The brand recently introduced ‘Safe Drive Home’ in Delhi NCR, a complimentary driver service intended to reduce drink-driving incidents.

By combining insurance claims processing with preventive maintenance, PB Wheels seeks to create a connected ecosystem that benefits both the consumer and the insurer through proactive vehicle care. The expansion reflects a broader strategy to move from a transaction-based insurance model to a long-term ownership relationship.

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Spinny has introduced a comprehensive Seller Protection Policy to manage legal and operational risks for car owners during the vehicle ownership transfer process.

The initiative addresses common concerns in the used car market, where delays in transferring the Registration Certificate (RC) can leave sellers liable for traffic fines, legal notices and accidents occurring after the vehicle has been handed over.

Under the new policy, Spinny will assume full accountability for the vehicle from the moment of handover until the official transfer of ownership to the new buyer is complete.

The company says its full-stack operational model allows for greater control over the documentation lifecycle compared to traditional intermediaries. It reports a 95 percent RC transfer completion rate within 12 months of a buyer purchasing the vehicle. This structured approach aims to provide a more predictable timeline and reduce the period of legal exposure for the original owner.

The service includes the verification of essential seller and buyer documentation, such as PAN and bank details, to ensure all transactions remain compliant with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) regulations.

The Seller Protection Policy provides several layers of security for car sellers:

• Challan Management: Spinny takes responsibility for any traffic challans issued after the vehicle is handed over to their custody.
• Legal Representation: The company provides legal support and representation in the event of disputes or accidents involving the vehicle during the interim ownership period.
• Misuse Protection: Coverage is provided against any unauthorised use of the vehicle while it remains in Spinny’s possession.
• Documented Custody: Spinny maintains verified documentation to establish a clear paper trail of when physical custody of the vehicle was transferred.

Beyond legal protection, the platform has integrated features to streamline the sale process. Sellers receive final price offers typically within 3–4 percent of the initial online estimate, with payments processed on the same day as vehicle handover. The entire process is supported by digital tracking, allowing sellers to monitor the status of their RC transfer in real time.

By formalising these protections, Spinny aims to build long-term trust in the used car ecosystem, ensuring that the transition from seller to buyer is transparent, fast and legally secure.

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its 500th service workshop in Chandkheda, Ahmedabad, marking a major expansion of its aftersales network.

This milestone brings the company’s total service touchpoints to 800 across 391 cities, supporting a customer base that now exceeds 1.5 million vehicle owners.

The new facility, operated by West Coast Kia, is one of the brand's largest in the country, spanning 76,069 square feet. It is equipped with 57 service bays and 100 parking bays, with the capacity to service up to 40,000 vehicles annually. The workshop is staffed by 90 trained professionals and includes a ‘Shine Zone’ dedicated to premium exterior treatments like ceramic coating.

As part of Kia’s transition toward electrification and responsible growth, the Ahmedabad facility includes a 90 kW DC fast charger capable of supporting two vehicles simultaneously. The workshop features 145 kW solar power generation, rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems. It is part of 124 ‘green workshops’ Kia has established nationwide, which collectively generate 8.90 MW of solar energy.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director & CEO, Kia India, said, “The inauguration of our 500th Service Workshop is a proud milestone that reflects our deep commitment to customer-centricity. This achievement is not just about scale, but about ensuring that every Kia customer experiences convenience, transparency, and trust throughout their ownership journey. As we continue to expand our network, our focus remains on delivering a future-ready, sustainable, and digitally enabled aftersales ecosystem.”

The workshop supports Kia’s ‘contactless’ service model, which utilises RFID tracking and digital health reports accessible via the My Kia App. Beyond technical services, West Coast Kia has launched a green drive in collaboration with local authorities to plant 10,000 trees across Ahmedabad to support community sustainability.

Baljeet Singh Bagga, Dealer Principal, West Coast Kia, added, “Achieving the 500 workshops milestone is a matter of immense pride for us. Our association with Kia India since its inception has been strong and progressive. This new workshop represents another meaningful step in bringing the Kia brand closer to our customers, while elevating service accessibility and experience in the region.”

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