MAHLE Appoints Automotive Veteran Dr. Michael Macht As New Supervisory Board Chairman

Dr. Michael Macht

MAHLE, a leading automotive supplier, has announced a significant leadership transition. At a Supervisory Board meeting on 25 September 2025, Dr. Michael Macht was elected as the new Chairman, a role he will officially begin on 1 January 2026. He will succeed Professor Dr.-Ing. Heinz K. Junker, who is retiring after nearly three decades with the company, first as CEO and more recently as Chairman.

The appointment of Macht, a seasoned veteran of the automotive industry, comes as part of a carefully planned succession process. Junker, who has served on the Supervisory Board for 10 years, has been preparing Macht for the role over the last few months. Macht is no stranger to MAHLE, having been a member of its Supervisory Board since 2020.

“It has been a great honour for me to serve MAHLE for almost three decades, first as CEO and then as Supervisory Board Chairman. Following the successful reorganisation, I see the group well-positioned for the future with its strategy MAHLE 2030+ and a clearly defined product portfolio. I would like to thank the entire workforce, the Management Board and my direct colleagues for the trust they have placed in me for many years and to wish the company a good future in challenging times. I would also like to thank my successor Dr. Michael Macht for his willingness to take over as Chairman and wish him a sure hand in the performance of this demanding task,” said the departing Chairman of the Supervisory Board Professor Dr.-Ing. Heinz K. Junker.

Arnd Franz, Chairman of the Group Management Board and CEO, MAHLE, said, “Prof. Heinz K. Junker, who is now leaving MAHLE, is a personality who has been closely connected with this company. On behalf of the MAHLE workforce and the Management Board, I would like to thank him for his extraordinary passion and the dedication with which he has shaped our company over three decades. With farsightedness and untiring commitment, he has made a key contribution to the success of MAHLE and most recently guided the company through its transformation with extreme care. I would like to thank him for his close cooperation and his confidence in our Management Board. Even in challenging times, we could always rely on his expertise and support. For his future, he has the sincere best wishes of the entire MAHLE team.”

Boris Schwürz, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, MAHLE, said, “On behalf of the employee representatives, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Prof. Heinz K. Junker for the many years of trustful cooperation. We wish him all the best for the future. We look forward to constructive cooperation with Dr. Michael Macht to position MAHLE for the future in these challenging times.”

This strategic plan, which focuses on electrification, thermal management and sustainable internal combustion engines, was largely shaped under Junker’s leadership. He also oversaw the company's largest acquisition to date, the purchase of the former Behr Group, which significantly bolstered Mahle’s thermal management business.

Macht brings a wealth of experience to his new position. A mechanical engineer by trade, he began his career at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG in 1991, rising through the ranks to become its CEO in 2009. From 2009 to 2014, he also served on the Board of Management of Volkswagen. His extensive background in the automotive sector makes him an ideal successor to guide Mahle through the ongoing industry transformation.

Dr. Michael Macht, said, “On behalf of the entire MAHLE Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Prof. Heinz K. Junker and to express my sincere appreciation for his work as Chairman. In his many years as Chairman, he has guided the Supervisory Board through demanding phases with considerable commitment and expertise and a calm hand, laying the foundations for the future-oriented development of the company. He has my best wishes for the future.”

Stellantis - TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies and Stellantis have announced the renewal and expansion of their strategic partnership in Europe to develop and supply engine oils and lubricants.

The agreement, which was renewed in 2021 for the Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall brands, has been extended to cover all 10 Stellantis brands. The portfolio now includes Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel, Vauxhall and Peugeot.

The partnership focuses on four areas: co-developing solutions for current and future engines, motorsport collaboration, after-sales support for the Stellantis dealership and service networks, and manufacturing lubricants. This includes the TotalEnergies Quartz EV3R 10W40, an engine oil made from 100 percent regenerated base oils co-branded with Stellantis SUSTAINera.

Following the expansion, the companies are launching a co-branded range of engine oils featuring two product lines: TotalEnergies Quartz MOPAR and TotalEnergies Quartz EV3R MOPAR SUSTAINera. Both lines have received official approval for Stellantis’ FPW harmonised specifications and are recommended across the manufacturer's brand service networks for vehicle maintenance and warranty compliance.

Pierre Duhot, Senior Vice-President Lubricants at TotalEnergies, said, “We are proud to renew our partnership with Stellantis, built on more than fifty years of shared trust and innovation. This new chapter extends our collaboration to all Stellantis brands and reinforces our common ambition to advance more sustainable and efficient mobility solutions.”

Francesco Abbruzzesi, Head of Parts & Services for Stellantis in Enlarged Europe, added, “This expanded partnership with TotalEnergies reflects our commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability across all Stellantis brands. By combining technical expertise and a forward-looking approach, we are delivering solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers, especially regarding quality”

Wiring Harness

Dhoot Transmission has filed its Updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus - 1 (UDRHP - 1) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for an initial public offering (IPO). The company, backed by Bain Capital, operates in the electrical and electronics component manufacturing sector.

The public offer comprises a fresh issue of equity shares with a face value of INR 2 each, aggregating up to INR 14 billion, alongside an offer for sale of up to 16,310,733 equity shares. Under the offer for sale, BC Asia Investments XV will divest up to 13,191,900 equity shares and Mangalam Capital will offer 31,18,833 equity shares.

Net proceeds from the fresh issue are scheduled for deployment across FY2027 and FY2028.

The company aims to utilise INR 4.93 billion for the repayment or prepayment of borrowings, and INR 2.72 billion for debt clearance within its subsidiaries, which include Dhoot Auto Components, Dhoot Electricals Systems, Dhoot Automotive Systems and Dhoot Transmission UK.

Furthermore, INR 1.50 billion is allocated to build manufacturing plants in Jhajjar, Haryana and Shoolagiri, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, with the remaining capital intended for acquisitions and corporate purposes.

Established in 1999, the firm is promoted by Rahul Radhavallabh Dhoot and BC Asia Investments XV, the latter having acquired a 49 percent stake in April 2025. Dhoot Transmission manufactures wiring harnesses, electronics sensors, switches and connectors for automotive and industrial clients.

In FY2025, the company held a 44.64 percent share of the Indian two-wheeler and three-wheeler wiring harness market by value, and over 70 percent of the electric variant market in the same category. Its customer base includes Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor Company, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India and Royal Enfield, serving 477 clients in the nine months ending 31 December 2025.

As of December 2025, the company’s infrastructure consisted of 22 manufacturing facilities, three design centres and seven warehouses, with four additional plants under construction in India.

Financial records show revenue from operations increased from INR 21.25 billion in FY2023 to INR 34.44 billion in FY2025. During the same period, profit after tax rose from INR 1.63 billion to INR 3.53 billion, and EBITDA grew from INR 2.98 billion to INR 5.90 billion. Wiring harnesses generated INR 26.87 billion, representing 78 percent of total revenue in FY2025. Domestic sales in India accounted for approximately 90 percent of total revenue, whilst electric vehicle segments increased their revenue contribution from 8.05 percent in FY2023 to 25.2 percent in FY2025.

Minda Corp Reports INR 3.58 Billion Net Profit In FY2026

Spark Minda

Minda Corporation, the flagship company of Spark Minda, has announced its financial results for Q4 FY2026 and FY2026.

The company reported its highest-ever consolidated revenue of INR 61.85 billion, up 22.3 percent YoY, EBITDA of INR 7.21 billion and a profit after tax of INR 3.58 billion, with a margin of 5.8 percent.

For Q4 FY2026, the revenue was the highest-ever for a quarter at INR 17.04 billion, up 29 percent YoY, EBITDA of INR 2.03 billion and a net profit of INR 1.24 billion, with a margin of 7.3 percent.

The company attributed the robust growth to a strong product portfolio, an expanding customer base and a focus on product premiumisation.

In FY2026, Minda Corporation strengthened its position as a leading automotive supplier with two strategic global partnerships: Toyodenso Co, Japan, for the manufacturing and sale of advanced automotive switches, and a JV with Turntide Technologies, UK, for next-generation powertrain solutions for the electric vehicle industry.

The idea is to localise globally proven technologies for its customers in India, while offering premium solutions to meet domestic requirements.

Ashok Minda, Chairman and Group CEO, Spark Minda, said, “FY2026 was a year of consistent execution and steady progress for Minda Corporation. Despite a dynamic market environment, we delivered stable growth supported by demand across key vehicle segments, particularly in the 2W and CV categories. Policy measures such as GST rationalisation and the ‘Make in India’ initiative supported cost efficiency and improved affordability. We continued to invest in R&D and technology partnerships to strengthen our product offerings. Our focus remains on operational efficiency, customer relationships and disciplined financial management, as we work towards sustaining growth and creating long-term value for all stakeholders”.

Bosch Secures Major Electric Motor Contract From Mercedes-Benz

Bosch - e-powertrain

German technology company Bosch has received a major contract from Mercedes-Benz to supply electric motors into the 2030s for the premium carmaker’s next generation of electric powertrains.

The announcement follows a strong operational period in 2025 during which Bosch secured more than 70 e-mobility customer projects globally. The supplier currently provides electric vehicle technology and solutions to more than 50 automotive manufacturers worldwide.

The e-motors are built on a scalable platform architecture, allowing the length of the motor to be adjusted depending on the required power output. This flexibility permits integration into various vehicle models and axle variants.

Bosch claims its motors achieve up to 98 percent efficiency due to updated winding technology. The units utilise an innovative rotor oil cooling system to optimise heat dissipation. The compact design combines high efficiency and optimised cooling to reduce overall weight, installation space, and system costs.

The German tier 1 supplier targets the production of more than 7 million components for electric vehicles in 2026, with an existing manufacturing rate of approximately seven electric motors per minute globally.

For the Indian market Bosch has formed a joint venture with TataAutoComp Systems to develop, commercialise and manufacture e-axles specifically for the domestic market.

In China, Bosch serves more than 30 customers, working with almost all domestic car manufacturers alongside international brands operating in the region.

The company's portfolio spans from silicon carbide chips to complete powertrain setups, including ‘X-in-1’ solutions that bundle the electric motor, power electronics, transmission and energy management into a single system.

Markus Heyn, Member of the Bosch Board of Management and Chairman of Bosch Mobility, said, “The new order reaffirms our long-standing partnership with Mercedes-Benz and shows that we can successfully contribute our expertise to technologically demanding projects as well. We win over customers with our core competence of being able to develop and manufacture complex technology in large quantities with significant economies of scale worldwide. We deliver electric-driving solutions to all markets around the world.”

Marco Zehe, President of Bosch’s Electrified Motion division, added, “We already work with almost all Chinese car manufacturers, as well as with numerous international automakers operating in China.”