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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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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