FORVIA has announced a significant expansion of its Indian operations, marked by a new seating programme award that will result in the construction of a dedicated manufacturing plant for complete seat assembly. This new facility will represent the Group’s 10th manufacturing site in India and its first specifically for complete seat production. The move comes as the Indian automotive market demonstrates robust growth, with vehicle sales reaching a record 2.6 million units in the first half of 2026.

The upcoming plant, scheduled to begin production in 2027, will handle end-to-end manufacturing of complete seating systems, including structures, mechanisms, foam, covers and final assembly for both first- and second-row seats. The site will feature FORVIA’s proprietary Cover Carving Technology, a polyurethane-based innovation that optimises seat geometry to maximise rear cabin space and improve passenger comfort while enhancing surface finish quality.

India has emerged as a pivotal engineering hub for FORVIA, employing over 2,400 engineers and technical experts. The country’s teams are developing next-generation mobility technologies, including zonal controllers, smartphone-based vehicle access and radar-based rider assistance. FORVIA HELLA India has been established as a Global AI Center of Competence, focusing on artificial intelligence solutions for engineering and manufacturing applications.

The expansion is a core component of FORVIA’s IGNITE strategic plan, prioritising growth in high-potential regions. With the new facility, the Group will operate manufacturing sites across multiple locations, including Mehsana, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai and Manesar. The Group has secured several programme awards with leading OEMs since the start of 2026, spanning Seating, Electronics and Clean Mobility.

The Group’s growth strategy is supported by strong local partnerships, notably the joint venture between FORVIA Clean Mobility and Anand Group, combining global expertise with local market knowledge. FORVIA India has filed 61 patent applications and been granted 30 patents, underscoring India’s strategic importance in FORVIA’s ambition to strengthen its position as a leading mobility technology partner for original equipment manufacturers.

Martin Fischer, CEO, FORVIA, said, "India is becoming one of the world's most dynamic automotive markets and a strategic pillar of FORVIA's growth trajectory. Beyond this new Seating investment, we continue to expand our industrial footprint, strengthen localisation, invest in advanced technologies and develop world-class engineering and AI capabilities across the country."

Sébastien Limousin, Executive Vice President, FORVIA Seating Business Group, said, "This new plant reinforces our positioning in India, a market expected to represent around EUR 4 billion by 2030 for automotive seating. It reflects our commitment to expanding complete seat system capabilities in India, with locally developed and manufactured solutions, and bringing advanced seating technologies to high-growth markets.”

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German tier-1 supplier ZF has developed the High Revolution Drive, a 3-in-1 electric drive system capable of reaching rotational speeds of up to 30,000 rpm. Designed as a variant of the company's modular SELECT platform, the unit integrates an electric motor, power electronics and a two-stage spur gear transmission with a reduction ratio of approximately 18:1. The system delivers a peak power output of 200 kW and peak wheel torque of 3,500 Nm.

Compared to a conventional SELECT drive operating at 18,000 rpm, the High Revolution Drive reduces overall installation space and weight by nearly 25 percent, while reducing required magnet mass by 50 percent. The architecture is scalable across power outputs ranging from 150 kW to 200 kW for 400-volt and 800-volt vehicle platforms, achieving a system efficiency of nearly 93 per cent. ZF is engaging with vehicle manufacturers regarding deployment, with volume production targeted for 2030.

Thomas Meiser, Head of the E-Mobility Business Unit, ZF, said, "The High Revolution Drive draws on ZF s full systems expertise. Rather than optimising individual components in isolation, we systematically coordinate the electric motor, power electronics and transmission. Robustness and low noise and vibration levels were stringent development targets from the outset. To achieve this, we considered the electric motor, gearing, bearings and tooth geometry as an integrated system. For the configuration presented, 30,000 rpm is the economic and technical sweet spot. With SELECT, we do not have to start from scratch for every new drive variant. We use our modular system to tailor new concepts to different customer requirements."

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Tenneco Clean Air India has reported its financial results for the Q2 FY2027 and H1 FY2027, recording a 32.2 percent YoY increase in value-added revenue to INR 152.29 billion for Q2 FY2027. Revenue from operations rose 34.2 percent to INR 171.83 billion during the quarter.

Quarterly earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) grew 20.7 percent to INR 26.16 million, delivering an EBITDA margin of 17.2 percent on value-added revenue. Profit after tax increased 15 percent YoY to INR 17.34 billion.

For the first half of FY27, value-added revenue reached INR 290.44 billion, up 25.3 percent, while total revenue from operations reached INR 326.31 billion. The company announced plans to establish a new Clean Air manufacturing facility in western India with a capital expenditure of approximately INR 450 million to support its total order book, which stands at around INR 1,650 billion.

Arvind Chandra, Whole-Time Director and CEO, Tenneco India, said, "Our strong momentum continued through Q2 and H1 FY’27, driven by overall market growth, market share gains and disciplined execution across the business. During the period, we continued to deepen customer relationships and expand our technology footprint. In ART, we secured multiple platform wins across domestic and international OEMs, entered a new passenger vehicle whitespace, expanded engagement with leading OEMs, and advanced our portfolio through successful commercialization and localization initiatives. In CA and PT, we strengthened our order pipeline through key wins across commercial vehicle, CNG, and spark plug applications."

"Our growing competitive strength is reflected in continued order book providing revenue visibility exceeding 100% of our FY’30 target revenues, underpinning a healthy double-digit CAGR trajectory. To support future growth, we continue to invest in capacity expansion, localization, and innovation, including a new West India Clean Air manufacturing facility. Supported by a robust order book, increasing domestic and export penetration, technology-led customer wins, and strategic investments, we remain well positioned to sustain above-market growth and drive superior shareholder returns over the long term," added Chandra.

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SMK Helmets is marking its international expansion at EICMA 2026, supported by distribution operations across more than 70 countries alongside dedicated regional headquarters in Europe and the United States.

The company highlighted its European division, SMK Europe, established in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in May 2026 under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Matteo Schieppati, alongside its North American arm, Bikerz US, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

At the event, SMK unveiled two racing helmets, the Stratos and the Allterra Carbon, alongside Konnect, its first in-house Bluetooth communication system and Cygnus, its first flip-back helmet model.

Matteo Schieppati, CEO, SMK Helmets Europe, said, "The establishment of SMK HELMETS EUROPE is a significant move to strengthen our global presence. This strategic expansion is designed to provide dedicated commercial and logistical support to dealers and distributors across Europe, while establishing a permanent footprint in the region to optimise product and communication strategies. The new European division will serve as a hub for accelerating regional growth, ensuring streamlined supply chain operations, and delivering enhanced customer service to the company's growing network of partners. Europe is a highly demanding market with a deep appreciation for premium quality and uncompromised safety standards. This footprint allows us to align our product innovation and marketing strategies directly with the expectations of European consumers. With this expansion, SMK reinforces its commitment to global excellence, bringing its innovative helmet technology and manufacturing expertise closer to one of the world's most dynamic motorcycling communities."

Shilpa Arora, Global Head of Sales, SMK Helmets, said, "SMK is gaining market share in every market in which it operates, and riders are starting to link our name with safety, excellence and distinctive design. That doesn't happen alone. Our distributors, dealers, riders and teams are one SMK family, and with our own presence in Europe and the US, we are closer to that family than ever. What we're showing at EICMA is just the beginning."

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BorgWarner has secured multiple business awards for eMotor in China covering range-extended vehicle, battery-electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle platforms. Production for the awarded programs is scheduled to begin between 2027 and 2028.

The projects include an agreement with a joint venture of a global original equipment manufacturer to supply high-voltage hairpin P1 eMotor stator and rotor assemblies delivering 115kW peak power for a range-extended vehicle platform. The company will also provide high-voltage hairpin main drive eMotor stator and rotor assemblies for a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer's SUV platforms operating on a 715V architecture, delivering 300kW peak power and 495Nm peak torque. Additionally, BorgWarner will supply stator and rotor assemblies utilising its S-winding technology for a 130kW P2 eMotor integrated into hybrid propulsion systems for global markets.

Isabelle McKenzie, Vice-President of BorgWarner Inc and President and General Manager of PowerDrive Systems, said, "We are pleased to establish and expand our eMotor business with customers across China. The breadth of these programs demonstrates our ability to address diverse application requirements through strong product performance, cost optimisation and localised manufacturing. With our established engineering and production footprint in China, we are well positioned to support customers as they develop their next generation of electrified vehicles."

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