American tier 1 supplier BorgWarner has further strengthened its business with two new orders from a Chinese transmission manufacturer and an extension from a German OEM in China for its dual clutch modules used in dual clutch transmissions (DCT).

Isabelle McKenzie, Vice-President, BorgWarner, said, “Our success in securing new projects in the Chinese market underscores BorgWarner's commitment to delivering innovative solutions in the region. We are dedicated to helping our customers grow their business in China and succeed in international markets.”

The seven-year extension with a German OEM in China follows a decade of successful collaboration. Compared to conventional longitudinal wet DCTs, the clutch assembly produced in BorgWarner’s Tianjin facility provides superior performance by reducing rotational inertia and minimising friction losses and leakage. These not only reduces drag torque but enhances transmission efficiency and provides a smoother responsive driving experience.

The company’s new business for supplying DCT clutch to a Chinese transmission manufacturer, will see the product being used in Chinese OEM’s SUVs and sedans, which will be sold in China and export markets. The clutch module will be produced in BorgWarner’s Taicang facility, features multiple key advantages – a compact design, superior thermal robustness and outstanding cost-effectiveness. Mass production is scheduled to commence by the end of 2025.

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Dhoot Transmission, backed by Bain Capital, has announced a partnership and merger with Pune-based FourFront. Under the agreement, FourFront will merge with a subsidiary of Dhoot Transmission to create an integrated automotive electronics and electrical manufacturing platform.

FourFront is a Tier-1 supplier providing electro-mechanical and electronic solutions to passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturers. The merger is intended to address the increasing electronics content in vehicles and the requirements of the electric vehicle (EV) sector.

The combined entity will leverage complementary capabilities in manufacturing and engineering. FourFront’s portfolio includes:

• Power Electronics: Components for voltage conversion and management in EVs.
• Electromechanical Switches: Interface solutions for vehicle cabins and systems.
• EV Products: Specialised hardware for electric drivetrains.

The platform aims to provide end-to-end solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across internal combustion engine and electric vehicle programmes. Bain Capital will provide global automotive expertise to support the scale of the platform and the adoption of technologies such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Rahul Dhoot, Managing Director, Dhoot Transmission Group, said, “This partnership is closely aligned with our strategy of building a differentiated automotive platform with strong capabilities in electronics and electrical systems. FourFront has developed trusted relationships with OEM customers and built meaningful expertise in power electronics. As part of the Dhoot platform, FourFront and its team will be well positioned to continue delivering the same level of quality and service levels to customers while benefiting from our scale, manufacturing depth, and long-term investment approach.”

Saahil Bhatia, Partner, Bain Capital, said, “India continues to be an economy with a strong long-term growth trajectory, supported by favourable demographics, rising domestic consumption, and sustained investment in manufacturing and infrastructure. Against this backdrop, we see a compelling opportunity to support platforms like Dhoot, and now FourFront, as they scale capabilities, deepen OEM partnerships, and build high-quality automotive solutions aligned with evolving technologies such as ADAS and increasing electronics content across vehicle segments.”

Shrikant Neurgaonkar, Chairperson and Managing Director, FourFront, stated, “Over the last 15+ years, FourFront has built very a strong foundation and is recognised for innovative solutions, superior design capabilities, and responsiveness towards customer demands. The partnership with Dhoot Transmission and Bain Capital will put us in a strong position to further enhance our product offerings and continue to invest in manufacturing facilities, R&D and people for the next phase of growth. We’re very excited to partner with Dhoot Transmission to create an electronics platform focused on technical and operational excellence.”

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Marelli and its joint venture partner Motherson have inaugurated a manufacturing facility for automotive lighting in Sanand, Gujarat. This plant is the second facility for the Marelli Motherson Lighting India (MMLI) joint venture in the region and increases Marelli’s total footprint in India to 16 production sites and three R&D centres.

The facility focuses on exterior lighting systems for the passenger vehicle market. It introduces several technologies to India, including the production of single-piece lamps that span the full width of a vehicle. These components create light signatures up to two metres in length for the front and rear of cars.

The plant localises the production of headlamp modules with a height of 17 millimetres. These modules can be configured with adaptive driving beam (ADB), high-beam boost, or ambient lighting.

To manufacture these large lighting elements, the facility has been equipped with high-tonnage injection moulding machines. The building structure includes overhead cranes specifically designed for heavy tooling, a first for a lighting plant in India.

The Sanand site incorporates rooftop solar installations and plans to source further energy through open-access green power. As part of its corporate social responsibility, MMLI has planted 1,700 trees in the surrounding area to assist with carbon absorption.

Established in 2008, MMLI is a 50:50 joint venture that employs over 4,500 people. It operates eight plants across Pune, Sanand, Bawal, and Noida, supported by a design centre and a PCB production facility.

Frank Huber, President, Marelli’s Lighting business, said, “Our new facility in Sanand is a key milestone in bringing advanced lighting technologies to our customers in India. Together with our partner Motherson, we are uniting global innovation with strong local manufacturing capabilities to deliver cutting-edge solutions for the Indian market. Our joint venture continues to be a great success — built on Marelli’s global technology leadership, Motherson’s great infrastructure, execution excellence and deep customer relationships on the subcontinent, and the significant autonomy both partners have entrusted to the MMLI team since its establishment in 2008.”

Laksh Vaaman Sehgal, Vice-Chairman, Motherson, stated, “The inauguration of our cutting-edge automotive lighting plant underscores Motherson’s unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer-centricity. This strategic investment strengthens our ability to deliver advanced, future-ready lighting solutions while meeting the evolving needs of our customers. We deeply appreciate the trust and support of our customers, which has been instrumental in achieving this significant milestone.”

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Garrett Motion has announced its first serial award for a centrifugal compressor from Chinese automotive company Cling, which involves the integration of Garrett’s oil-free, foil bearing-based technology into next-generation HVAC systems for electric buses and trucks.

Production is scheduled to commence in 2027. The technology was validated through joint testing between the two companies throughout 2025.

The Garrett centrifugal compressor utilises a high-speed motor exceeding 160,000 RPM. Compared to traditional scroll compressors, the system is 50 percent smaller, 30 percent lighter and reduces noise levels by a claimed 10 dB.

Key technical features include:

• Voltage Support: Compatible with 400V–800V heat pump systems.
• Maintenance: Oil-free design offering up to 45,000 hours of maintenance-free operation.
• Refrigerants: Supports low-pressure and low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants.
• Thermal Performance: Designed to enhance cooling capacity and energy performance to extend vehicle range.

The partnership aims to establish new standards for thermal management in the commercial vehicle segment. The compressor architecture is designed for automotive-grade production and is scalable for both EV deployment and industrial applications.

Olivier Rabiller, President and CEO, Garrett Motion, said, “This collaboration brings Garrett’s cutting-edge centrifugal cooling compressor technology to electric commercial vehicle applications for the first time. By combining our high-speed, oil-free compressor architecture with Cling’s leadership in commercial vehicle HVAC systems, we are setting new benchmarks for efficiency and thermal performance – driving innovation for electric buses and trucks in China and beyond.”

Junfeng Guo, General Manager, Cling, added, “Our collaboration with Garrett reflects Cling’s vision to become a leading provider of integrated HVAC and thermal management solutions for commercial vehicles. This partnership will help us push the boundaries of comfort, efficiency, and environmental responsibility across China and global markets.”

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Tata AutoComp Systems, through its British subsidiary Artifex Interior Systems, has completed the acquisition of 100 percent of the share capital of IAC Group (Slovakia). The entity has been renamed Artifex Systems Slovakia s.r.o.

The acquisition establishes a presence for Tata AutoComp in the European Union, specifically as a supplier to Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. The move is part of a strategy to unify Artifex operations in the UK, Sweden and Slovakia under a single identity.

Coinciding with the acquisition, Artifex has opened the Sweden Engineering Centre in Gothenburg. The facility is intended to support innovation and collaboration with regional partners and customers.

Artifex now operates with an annual revenue of USD 1.3 billion and a workforce of 4,100 employees across Europe. Its portfolio includes instrument panels, consoles, door trims and headliners.

Arvind Goel, Vice-Chairman of Tata AutoComp Systems, said, "The integration of Artifex Systems Slovakia s.r.o (formerly IAC Slovakia) has been successfully completed, marking a significant step in building the Artifex brand and advancing our global growth strategy. With this integration, we are now better positioned to deliver long-term value, operational excellence, and world-class quality to global OEMs."

Manoj Kolhatkar, MD & CEO, Tata AutoComp Systems, added, “In the light of this development, I would like to inform you that our European businesses demonstrate strong operational and cultural alignment. This integration will enable quicker decision-making, improved execution, and enhanced value delivery for our OEM clients in the region.”

Alan Fennelly, CEO, Artifex Interior Systems, stated, "We are proud to formally welcome Artifex Systems Slovakia (formerly IAC Slovakia) into the Artifex and Tata AutoComp family. Their skilled workforce, strong customer focus combined with great technical expertise will be key in accelerating our growth as we support the next generation of vehicle platforms."

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