German technology company Continental has announced that around 3,000 research & development (R&D) jobs worldwide are set to be impacted by end-2026. The move is part of the company’s continued optimisation drive for its global R&D network locations, which also focusses on streamlining processes that enable accelerated adaptation to customer needs.

Philipp von Hirschheydt, member of the Continental Executive Board and head of the Automotive group sector, said, “Offering forward-looking technology is critical to our business. We will continue to invest substantially in research and development for new products and systems. At the same time, we are continuously improving our competitive strengths in the interest of our sustainable market success. As a result, we will ensure our R&D team is one of the most efficient in the world market and secure attractive jobs for the long term.”

One of the factors, which seems to have influenced the move is the automotive slowdown being witnessed in several markets including Germany.

Continental stated that in response to shifting customer demand and the need for greater operational efficiency, it is implementing a series of targeted measures across its business segments, subsidiaries and global locations. The idea is to optimise capacity, enhance the effectiveness of its R&D network and improve overall processes.

In Germany, the primary impact of these measures will be felt at the Babenhausen site, where approximately 12 percent of employees are expected to be affected, and in Frankfurt, where around 5 percent of positions are involved. Additional, albeit smaller-scale, efficiency adjustments are planned for locations in Ingolstadt, Regensburg and Schwalbach.

Furthermore, company's subsidiaries, Elektrobit and Continental Engineering Services, will also undergo restructuring. Elektrobit is set to reduce 480 jobs globally, with approximately 330 of those in Germany. Similarly, Continental Engineering Services will be affected by workforce adjustments impacting 420 positions worldwide, including around 330 in Germany. As part of a broader global location strategy, the company also plans to exit its Nuremberg site.

At present, Continental’s Automotive sector employs around 92,000 people, including 31,000 in R&D as of 31 December 2024.

The German company has shared that the reduction will be done through planned measures as socially responsible as possible. A significant part of the R&D workforce optimisation efforts will be by not positions that become vacant due to natural attrition.

Image for representational purpose only.

Automotive component supplier Sundram Fasteners has announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2025.

For Q4 FY2025, the revenue came at INR 13.53 billion, up from INR 12.78 billion in the same period last year. Domestic sales stood at INR 9 billion (INR 8.4 billion in Q4 FY2024), while exports were INR 4 billion (INR 3 billion in Q4 FY2024). Net profit came at INR 1.34 billion as compared to INR 1.32 billion.

For FY2025, total revenue was INR 52 billion, as against INR 49 billion, which includes domestic sales of INR 34 billion, as against INR 33 billion last year. Exports grew by 12.39 percent to INR 15 billion, as against INR 14 billion last year. The net profit came at INR 5 billion, as against INR 4 billion last year.

The consolidated revenue for FY2025 came at INR 59.83 billion, as against INR 57.2 billion last year, while net profit came at INR 5.4 billion, compared to INR 5.25 billion last year.

Arathi Krishna, Managing Director, Sundram Fasteners, said, “We achieved the highest-ever quarterly PAT at INR 1.34 billion by maintaining strong financial discipline, sustaining a positive cash balance and adopting best practices in quality management and automation. This growth is particularly encouraging as we have witnessed significant progress in our non-auto business, which has contributed to our overall robust performance. Our growth is supported by strong domestic and export order book. We remain committed to driving volume-led growth by leveraging emerging opportunities in the electric vehicle segment and continuing our focus on innovation which will enable us to outpace industry growth rates.”

During the year, Sundram Fasteners incurred a CAPEX of INR 3.7 billion towards capacity expansion and new projects across internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE), plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

Tier 1 supplier UNO Minda has got approval from its Board to set up a new greenfield plant for manufacturing of high-voltage electric powertrain for the passenger vehicle and commercial vehicles segment. These products include combined charging units, e-axles, inverters, and motors. The location still being determined is expected to see an investment of around INR 4.23 billion, which will be funded through a combination of debt and equity.

UNO Minda Auto Innovations, a subsidiary of the company, will execute the project, which subsequently will be converted into a joint venture company with Suzhou Inovance Automotive (Inovance Automotive).

The JV eventually will see Uno Minda hold 70 percent equity stake. The CAPEX will be phased over the next three years, with Phase 1 expected to be commissioned by Q2 FY2027.

Ravi Mehra, Managing Director, UNO Minda Group, said; “This investment underscores Uno Minda's commitment to driving the future of electric mobility in India. By establishing this state-of-the-art facility, we will be well-positioned to meet the growing demand for high-voltage EV powertrain solutions. Our partnership with Inovance Automotive brings together our respective strengths and will enable us to deliver cutting-edge technology to our customers.”

German tier 1 supplier ZF will introduce the next generation of its range extender technology for electric vehicles (EVs), with volume production beginning in 2026.

A range extender combines a combustion-powered generator with an electric motor, producing energy for the vehicle battery once its charge drops.

Dr Otmar Scharrer, Senior Vice President R&D, Electrified Powertrain Technology at ZF, said, "Although the all-electric range of passenger cars is around 500 km on average, range anxiety still influences a wide range of buyers when choosing their next vehicle. These (range extenders) represent a real alternative to larger – and thus more expensive – batteries or plug-in hybrids."

The German supplier has gained experience with range extenders, including supplying systems for the iconic London taxi. Now, it is advancing the technology with two new systems: the electric Range Extender (eRE) and electric Range Extender plus (eRE+).

Both designs are highly integrated and flexible across performance levels, 400V or 800V architectures and semiconductor types. The eRE combines an electric motor, integrated inverter, dedicated software and a planetary gearset. The eRE+ adds an intelligent clutch and differential, enabling it to serve as a generator or a secondary drive. Output is scalable: 70–110 kW for the eRE and 70–150 kW for the eRE+.

Dr Scharrer, added, "The new interest and the increased demand for range extenders shows that the potential of this technology is far from exhausted – in particular for model platforms that are already designed for battery-electric drivelines. Behind our solutions is a system and platform concept. This means that we are optimally equipped to respond to all customer and market requirements with shorter development cycles."

Compared to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), range extenders offer lower additional costs, faster development, simpler platform integration and easier supply chain management — especially attractive for newer automakers with little combustion engine expertise.

China is currently leading with ‘Range Extended Electric Vehicles’ (REEVs) covering over 700 kilometres, thanks to such technology.

"This is where we find it convenient that there is a wide range of BEV platforms that can be supplemented by range extenders," said Scharrer.

The company is also seeing growing interest in the U.S. and European market.

"The market for all-electric vehicles has not developed as much as predicted a few years ago," Scharrer observed. "For this intermediate phase, range extenders can be the ideal solution."

Uno Minda, a tier 1 automotive supplier to OEMs, has introduced projector headlights for seven-seater MPVs in the Indian aftermarket.

The new headlights are designed to improve visibility and meet safety needs during night driving and adverse weather. They feature a hard-coated lens to prevent yellowing and damage and include Japanese optics with an integrated projector for better beam focus.

Anand Kumar, Head of Product & Strategy – Aftermarket, Uno Minda, said, “At Uno Minda, we believe that style and safety should go hand in hand. Our newly launched headlights for 7-seater cars are designed to enhance both visibility and aesthetics, ensuring a superior driving experience. The bright and advanced headlights, featuring Japanese optics technology with an integrated projector, deliver a superior beam pattern for enhanced visibility and a well-illuminated driving experience. Engineered for safety, they ensure optimal performance during nighttime and adverse weather conditions. These headlights come with a 100 percent coated lens that provides a shatterproof surface, preventing discoloration and maintaining long-term clarity. The rust-free silicon-coated reflectors ensure extended durability while sustaining optimal light output.”

The headlights are priced at INR 5,200, come with a one-year warranty, and is available across online and e-commerce platforms in India.