Union Minister for Heavy Industries, HD Kumaraswamy, visited the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar today. During his visit, the minister toured the state-of-the-art facility, which is a testament to India’s growing prowess in automotive innovation and safety standards. 

The minister was given an in-depth overview of ICAT’s advanced laboratories, testing tracks and cutting-edge technologies including crash tests, acoustic rooms for reverberation studies and fuel flow testing mechanisms.                          

During his visit, he laid the foundation stone of Electrical and Electrical Lab and Centre of Excellence for Advanced Automotive IT Services (AAITS) in the presence ICAT Director Saurabh Dalela and other senior officials. 

Speaking to the media after the visit, Kumaraswamy said, “It is my pleasure to be here on my first visit to ICAT, an institution that represents India's drive towards automotive excellence. ICAT’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its advanced laboratories and testing infrastructure, are a testament to India’s capabilities in automotive innovation.” 

The minister highlighted the crucial role ICAT plays in ensuring road safety through rigorous testing procedures. “Witnessing these facilities and tests today has given me a profound perspective on the rigorous efforts undertaken here to ensure the safety of every individual who travels on our roads. It showcases the complexity and commitment behind each test,” he added. 

Kumaraswamy commended the ICAT team for their invaluable contributions to the automotive sector, emphasizing their role in advancing sustainability, safety, and innovation. “ICAT is not just a testing and research facility; it embodies the shared vision of the ministry and the government to drive the future of mobility in India,” he said. 

The minister also noted ICAT’s significant contributions to government initiatives such as the FAME scheme, PM eDrive, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. He underlined the importance of ICAT’s involvement in promoting indigenous manufacturing and global competitiveness in the automotive sector. 

“ICAT stands as a symbol of India’s automotive aspirations, contributing significantly to our transition to electric mobility and sustainable transportation. The Ministry of Heavy Industries remains committed to supporting ICAT in every possible way to ensure its continued growth and success,” Kumaraswamy assured. 

The Indian automotive industry, which contributes over 7 percent to the nation’s GDP and employs millions, is expected to witness robust growth in the coming years. The minister emphasized that ICAT’s technical expertise, research and homologation services would play a pivotal role in ensuring that this growth is sustainable, safe, and competitive on a global scale. 

Concluding his visit, Kumaraswamy reaffirmed the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ commitment to fostering innovation, creating policy frameworks, and building infrastructure to position India as a global leader in automotive technology. 

“Together, we can make India a global leader in automotive technology and innovation, ensuring safer, better vehicles for Indian and global customers alike,” he said.

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American powertrain major BorgWarner has secured a supply agreement with Stellantis for its 50 mm variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbocharger. The turbocharger will be used in the automaker’s new Hurricane 4 Turbo four-cylinder gasoline engine.

The Hurricane 4 Turbo engine will feature in the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. BorgWarner will also supply its electric variable cam timing (eVCT) technology for the OEM’s Jeep Cherokee platforms and its EP6 four-cylinder engine.

BorgWarner’s VTG turbocharger technology combines its turbo with wastegate functionality to improve emissions efficiency and engine performance. It is claimed to be the only turbocharger to combine VTG and wastegate technologies.

• The wastegate enables faster catalyst heating during cold starts.
• The VTG provides a tighter boost and control of the engine.

The VTG technology also supports a high Miller cycle, which optimises performance across engine speeds, delivering lower boost at low speeds for improved fuel economy and increasing boost at higher speeds for greater power output.

The integration of BorgWarner’s eVCT into the Jeep Cherokee’s EP6 engine is the first use of an eVCT on a Stellantis engine. This application is expected to improve fuel economy and performance while reducing emissions. The eVCT technology functions independently of oil pressure, offering a wider phasing range than traditional systems.

Dr Volker Weng, Vice-President of BorgWarner Inc. and President and General Manager, Turbos and Thermal Technologies, said, “We are pleased to partner with Stellantis on these exciting project launches. Our long-standing relationship includes supplying the OEM with several turbos for previous vehicle models, and this specific project marks our shift into the next generation of turbos.”

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Tier 1 supplier Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has announced its financial results for Q2 FY2026 and H1 FY2026. The component supplier reported its highest-ever quarterly revenue, EBITDA and net profit in the Q2 FY2026. The company reported significant growth driven primarily by its electric vehicle (EV) traction motor and railway businesses in India.

Sona Comstar's revenue grew by 24 percent YoY, reaching INR 11.44 billion and net profit at INR 1.73 billion saw a 20 percent YoY growth. Revenue from Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV contributed 32 percent of the total revenue for the quarter.

For H1 FY2026, the revenue came at INR 19.94 billion, up 10 percent YoY, net profit at INR 2.97 billion, with 14.6 percent margin.

The company's net order book stands at INR 236 billion as of 30 September 2025, with 70 percent of the book attributed to EV programmes.

It noted a shift in its motor design due to the unavailability of heavy rare-earth magnets, moving to light rare-earth magnet motors for electric two-wheelers. It has also developed a rare-earth-free ferrite-assisted synchronous reluctance motor for three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles.

Vivek Vikram Singh, MD & Group CEO, Sona Comstar, said, “We achieved our highest-ever quarterly revenue, EBITDA and net profit in Q2 FY26. Our revenue grew by 24 percent YoY, primarily driven by the expansion of our electric vehicle traction motor and railway business in India. Due to the unavailability of heavy rare-earth magnets, we shifted to alternative motor designs and now manufacture light rare-earth magnet motors for electric two-wheelers. We have developed a rare-earth-free ferrite-assisted synchronous reluctance motor for three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles. It was also a successful quarter for business development as we won several significant new orders. We have been nominated for two additional programs – one in Asia and the other in Europe – to supply our motors and motor controllers for predictive active suspension systems. These nominations are important as they indicate that our innovative suspension system is gaining wider acceptance just months after its first commercial launch. We received our first order from our new driveline plant in Mexico to supply differential assemblies to an OEM in the USA, amid ongoing trade uncertainties. Lastly, we are partnering with Neura Robotics to jointly develop advanced components and technologies, with a focus on industrialising robots, cobots and humanoids in India and other markets.”

The company has secured new orders, including nominations in Asia and Europe to supply motors and motor controllers for predictive active suspension systems. It also received its first order from its new driveline plant in Mexico to supply differential assemblies to an OEM in the USA.

Sona Comstar is also partnering with Neura Robotics to jointly develop advanced components and technologies for industrialising robots, cobots and humanoids in India and other markets.

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German tier 1 supplier ZF’s Supervisory Board has announced changes to the leadership team, with Andreas Moser, the previous head of the Industrial Technology division, appointed to the Board of Management.

Effective 1 November 2025, he will be responsible for the Commercial Vehicle Solutions and Industrial Technology Divisions and the India Region. He has been with ZF for over three decades.

Sebastian Schmitt has been appointed head of the Electrified Powertrain Technology (E) division, which handles the company's conventional, hybrid and electric passenger-car drivetrain technologies. He currently leads the Electrified Powertrain Systems product line. CEO Mathias Miedreich retains Board of Management responsibility for the E division.

Dr. Rolf Breidenbach, Chairman, ZF Supervisory Board, said, “Following the changes to the Board of Management, it was important for the Supervisory Board to create clarity in the Group’s management. In Andreas Moser, we’ve found a Board member who has been with ZF for more than 30 years, many of them in management positions in ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions and Industrial Technology divisions. This means competence and continuity. We’ve thus succeeded in setting up ZF’s management committee within a very short time so that the Group’s current challenges can be mastered.”

Mathias Miedreich, noted, “With this new Management Board, we have a strong and highly competent leadership team that will successfully guide ZF into the future.”

To drive the company’s realignment, the Group Board of Management will be reduced from six to five members. ZF is also establishing a Transformation Committee, a body that links key business areas – sales, materials management, production and strategy –directly with the Board. This team will manage the group-wide performance programme.

Miedreich, emphasised, “Our entire focus in the coming years will be on strengthening ZF’s operations, further increasing profitability and consistently expanding our financial stability. The new Transformation Committee stands for speed, clarity and impact – with the clearly defined objective of supporting our customers through forward-looking technologies and reliable partnerships.”

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Pune-headquartered automotive supplier Varroc has appointed Avinash Chintawar as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Business I, effective 15 October 2025. He will report to Arjun Jain, Whole Time Director & CEO – Business I.

In his new role, Chintawar will oversee the Operations Vertical within Business I, with a focus on strengthening efficiencies and performance.

Prior to joining, Varroc, Chintawar served as Managing Director of Bosch Chassis Systems India and as Chairman of Bosch India Foundation. He previously held leadership positions within the Bosch Group, including Director of Operations at Robert Bosch Bamberg (Germany) and Managing Director at Bosch Electrical Drives India. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology.

Jain, said, “We are delighted to welcome Avinash to the Varroc leadership team. His extensive experience and deep understanding of achieving operational excellence align perfectly with our needs as we drive the next phase of our growth. I am confident that under his leadership our operation will scale new heights of efficiency and sustainability.”

Chintawar, said, “I am excited to join Varroc at a time when the industry is undergoing such dynamic change. I look forward to working closely with the team to enhance operational excellence and contribute to its vision of sustainable and future-ready growth.”

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