Kinetic Engineering Ltd. (KEL), a key player in India’s automotive components industry, unveiled a major strategic initiative involving a convertible warrant issue worth INR 1.7 billion. The warrants, with an 18-month conversion period, include an initial investment of INR 550 million by March 2025 from the promoters. This represents 25 percent of the warrant subscription amount for future investments, pending approval from SEBI and shareholders. Additional commitments include INR 171 million from external investors with notable contributors such as Transaction Square LLP and Sai Geeta Penumetsa.

The phased investment plan allocates INR 600 million by March 2025, followed by INR 440 million by March 2026 and INR 730 million by March 2027. This capital infusion supports KEL’s goal of achieving a revenue target of INR 10 billion by 2029, a dramatic increase from its current revenue of INR 1.5 billion. The strategy also aims to raise the promoters’ stake in the company from 59 percent to 70 percent by 2027.

Since 2017, KEL’s promoters have steadily increased their stake from 49 percent to 59 percent with the current initiative boosting holdings by an additional 11 percent. Approximately 93.5 lakh new shares will be issued to promoters, bringing their total to 2.26 crore shares and increasing the company’s outstanding shares to 3.26 crore by July 2027. The investment is led by founder and chairman Arun Firodia, supported by family trusts—the Arun Firodia Trust and Jayashree Firodia Trust.

The infusion of capital and warrant issuance highlights the promoters’ confidence in KEL’s long-term strategy, enabling the company to enhance working capital, improve manufacturing capabilities, and accelerate innovation in high-growth areas such as electric vehicle (EV) components.

Driving Growth Through EV and Innovation
KEL’s aggressive growth strategy focuses on an expanded export business, a diversified portfolio and cost-reduction initiatives. The company is sharpening its focus on EVs through its subsidiary, Kinetic Watts & Volts, incorporated in September 2022. The subsidiary is developing advanced drivetrain solutions, gear systems, and other innovative products set to be unveiled soon.

To deepen its footprint in the EV sector, KEL is bolstering its developmental capabilities and exploring collaborations with OEMs. Its long-term strategy emphasises sustainable growth, enhanced domestic and international market presence, and maintaining leadership in the automotive components sector.

The promoters’ commitment to increased investment and stake expansion underscores their confidence in KEL’s future, positioning the company to capitalise on opportunities in the evolving mobility landscape. With a focus on innovation, value creation, and strategic execution, KEL is poised for transformational growth in a competitive market.

Commenting on the development, Firodia said, “Kinetic Engineering Limited has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing. It has successfully transformed into an auto components business and enjoys strong relationships with the world’s largest OEMs. Leveraging these long-standing partnerships, we expect to finalise significant business deals shortly. Additionally, we are heavily focused on the EV segment, with plans for our subsidiary, Kinetic Watts & Volts, nearing finalisation. These initiatives will drive an 8x to 10x revenue growth, and we are pleased to make this investment to meet the required capital expenditure, working capital, and growth initiatives. This infusion of capital from the promoters reinforces our growth blueprint, enabling us to take bold strides toward achieving our INR 1,000 crore revenue milestone. We are committed to using this investment to fuel innovation, improve operational efficiencies, and meet the evolving demands of the automotive and EV industries.”

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Automotive technology company Marelli will present a range of propulsion and thermal innovations at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, under the theme ‘Rooted in innovation, everywhere’.

The company is focusing on technologies designed to support the transition across internal combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains.

A primary exhibit will be the new e-Transmission Cooling Pump, engineered for e-axles and Dedicated Hybrid Transmissions (DHT). The modular system utilises brushless technology and integrated electronics to deliver on-demand oil cooling, reportedly achieving a 30-watt energy saving compared to industry benchmarks. The pump is available in 12-volt and 48-volt variants, offering compatibility with diverse vehicle architectures while reducing integration costs.

Marelli will also display its Flex Fuel system, which enables three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines to operate on biofuels and ethanol. The system incorporates automatic fuel detection and integrated rail heaters for cold starts. In the thermal management sector, the company is highlighting miniaturised components designed to improve energy utilisation and vehicle range. These include:

• High-Performance Chiller: A battery thermal management solution featuring an ultra-fine inner fin structure to improve heat exchange and support high charging rates.
• eAxle Oil Cooler: A compact heat exchanger with an optimised dimple structure to increase water flow speed and cooling efficiency.
• Full Aluminium Radiator: A low-temperature radiator for battery cooling in electric vehicles, constructed from mono-material aluminium to facilitate easier recycling.

The development of these technologies follows Marelli’s distributed innovation model, which pairs global coordination with local engineering and supply chains to accelerate time-to-market. The company’s solutions will be on display at the New China International Exhibition Center from 24 April to 3 May.

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Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has introduced a newly designed automotive air conditioning register that features a nearly invisible aperture, significantly enhancing the visual appeal of vehicle cabins. This innovative component made its debut on the Toyota bZ7, which launched in China during March 2026.

As electrified and autonomous driving technologies advance, car interiors are evolving from mere transportation spaces into comfortable, lounge-like environments. This shift has increased the demand for instrument panels with sleek, uncluttered appearances. In response, Toyoda Gosei employed flow analysis simulation to develop an airflow direction control mechanism that optimises air movement. This innovation allows the vertical airflow adjustment fins, which previously created bulky openings, to be concealed entirely.

The result is a seamless instrument panel where the register integrates effortlessly without compromising air conditioning performance. Beyond improved aesthetics, the system replaces conventional manual controls with an electronic interface operated via the screen, adding a modern, sophisticated touch.

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Schaeffler, the motion technology company, has been awarded the German Innovation Award in the ‘Large Companies’ category for its Industrial Metaverse. This digital ecosystem integrates artificial intelligence (AI), simulation models, and software to connect physical manufacturing floors with virtual environments. The platform is designed to facilitate a transition towards autonomous production, specifically supporting the deployment of humanoid robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The Industrial Metaverse functions by combining three-dimensional digital maps of production sites with simulations of physical processes. By evaluating sensor signals through physical AI, the system identifies patterns and determines actions for autonomous resources. This allows robots to practice motion sequences and enables the optimisation of assembly processes in a virtual space before physical implementation. Currently, the technology is operational at ten Schaeffler locations, with a target to expand to 50 percent of its global plants by 2030.

The award is presented annually by WirtschaftsWoche in partnership with Accenture, the BMW Foundation, and O2 Telefónica, under the patronage of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. It recognises innovations that contribute to the competitiveness of German and European industry. Schaeffler’s application of the metaverse is intended to automate complex processes that were previously considered uneconomical.

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO, Schaeffler, said, “We are very pleased to have received the German Innovation Award in the ‘Large Companies’ category. With the Industrial Metaverse, we are not only creating a digital twin of our plants but also a learning ecosystem in manufacturing that will help secure our long-term competitiveness. By using AI in industrial applications and deploying humanoid robots in manufacturing, we are laying the foundation for the factory of the future.”

Dr. Jochen Schroder, COO, Schaeffler, said, “For us, the Industrial Metaverse is far more than just a means to optimize processes. It is the key enabler for the scaling up of humanoid robots, as cyber-physical systems can already be trained by physical AI in the virtual space quickly and efficiently. By using the Industrial Metaverse, we are paving the way for flexible, high-level automation and greater efficiency in our worldwide volume production.”

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Tier 1 automotive supplier Marelli has appointed Frederick ‘Fritz’ Henderson as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He succeeds David Slump, who remains on the board of directors until the company concludes its Chapter 11 restructuring. Following Henderson’s interim tenure, the company’s lenders intend to appoint Laurent Favre as the permanent Chief Executive Officer.

The company has also announced the appointment of Roberto Fioroni as Chief Financial Officer and Helen Redfern as Chief Human Resources Officer, with both scheduled to join on 1 May 2026.

Fioroni and Redfern move to Marelli from Dowlais Plc, where they served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief People Officer respectively. Fioroni replaces Alanna Abrahamson in the finance role.

Henderson’s career includes tenures as the Chief Executive of General Motors and Suncoke Energy, as well as the non-executive Chairmanship of Adient. His appointment is intended to provide stability as Marelli completes the final months of its financial reorganisation. The new leadership team will focus on the company's strategic roadmap and its transition into a growth phase following the legal proceedings.

Dinesh Paliwal, Executive Chairman of the Board, said, “These appointments are designed to transition Marelli’s leadership team as we seek to complete our restructuring. Fritz’s operating experience and automotive expertise will be invaluable to Marelli as we work through the final months of this process. The Board thanks David Slump for his contributions to the company’s operational and commercial restructuring and for guiding the business through a critical period under Chapter 11, ensuring continuity and stability across our global operations. We are grateful for his leadership, discipline and commitment to Marelli and its stakeholders.”

Frederick Henderson, stated, “Marelli is distinguished by its exceptional technology, long-standing customer relationships and tremendous global talent. As Marelli’s Interim CEO, my focus is on ensuring stability and continuity while translating the company’s strengths and potential into sustainable performance and long-term value. In the near term, my priorities are to finalise our strategic roadmap and support a successful emergence from Chapter 11. I am also pleased to welcome Roberto Fioroni as CFO and Helen Redfern as CHRO. Their experience and capabilities will further strengthen Marelli and support the company through this important transition and into its next phase of growth.”

David Slump, commented, “As Marelli finalises its strategic roadmap and prepares for its next phase of growth, now is a natural time to transition leadership. I’m proud of our team’s achievements over the past four years, particularly the steps taken in innovation and technology, and I am optimistic that Marelli will continue to build on its legacy following emergence from chapter 11. I want to thank Alanna for her leadership and contributions and wish her the best in future endeavours.”

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