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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Autoverse Mobility announced a series of technical and service initiatives at Motor Mechanic Day 2026 to address transparency and parts authenticity in the Indian automotive aftermarket. The digital distributor is introducing traceability systems and certification programmes to support garage operations.

The company has launched a warranty programme for multi-brand garages underpinned by an advanced traceability system. This platform allows for the verification and tracking of genuine parts across the supply chain.

To improve consumer access to verified providers, Autoverse introduced a WhatsApp-based mechanic discovery feature. This tool connects vehicle owners with garages that utilise verified parts, aiming to standardise service reliability.

Autoverse Mobility, in partnership with Paracoat Products, unveiled Pynoseal, an underbody coating solution for vehicle durability.

Recognising the shift toward electrification, the company launched an EV Mechanic Certification Programme. This initiative focuses on – technical training, workshop digitalisation, industry collaboration with direct engagement with component brands such as Sumax Industries, Lumax Auto and Delux Bearings.

Rama Shankar Pandey, Co-Founder, Autoverse Mobility, said, “As vehicles become more advanced and electrified, the role of mechanics is becoming even more critical to the reliability and safety of mobility. The future of mobility will not just be defined by vehicles, but by the strength of the ecosystem that supports them. For too long, the aftermarket has operated with fragmentation, limited transparency, and unequal access to quality parts and capabilities. By empowering mechanics with the right tools, trust, and opportunities, we are enabling a more reliable, transparent, and scalable aftermarket for India through Autoverse Mobility. Our vision is to fundamentally redefine how India services its vehicles while significantly reducing the need for heavy CAPEX.”

Mihir Mohan, Founder and CEO, Autoverse Mobility, added, “Through our new initiatives, we aim to strengthen an ecosystem where garages can operate with confidence and customers can rely on every repair. As mobility evolves, especially with the shift to electric, enabling mechanics with the right capabilities and access will be critical to the future of the aftermarket. Motor Mechanic Day 2026 reflects our commitment to bringing the industry together while laying the foundation for a more trusted, transparent, and future-ready automotive aftermarket in India.”

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Bosch and Tata AutoComp Systems (TACO) have announced a 50:50 joint venture to develop electric vehicle components for the Indian market. The partnership, headquartered in Pune, is scheduled to begin operations by mid-2026, pending regulatory approvals.

The joint venture will specialise in the engineering, manufacturing and sales of eAxle systems and electric motors. This initiative is designed to localise global powertrain technologies for passenger cars and specific commercial vehicle segments in India.

Bosch has invested EUR 6 billion globally in e-mobility research and development. This agreement allows the company to transfer its technical expertise to the Indian automotive ecosystem, which is currently the third largest in the world. The collaboration aims to provide scalable technology solutions that meet increasing demand for domestic production and sustainable transport.

Guruprasad Mudlapur, President, Bosch Group in India and Managing Director of Bosch, said, ‘‘At Bosch, we strongly believe that Battery Electric technology is the definitive path to achieving low emissions in passenger cars and select commercial vehicle segments. Our joint venture with Tata AutoComp is designed to accelerate the adoption of these technologies by delivering efficient, state-of-the-art e-Mobility solutions to our customers.”

Sandeep Nelamangala, Joint MD, Bosch and President of Bosch Mobility India, said, “Mobility market worldwide is going through a transformation and India is no different. E-mobility is a strategic field for us and is evolving rapidly. Our customers are asking for cutting-edge global solutions to be made locally in India. This is exactly what the joint venture aims to do.”

Arvind Goel, Vice-Chairman, Tata AutoComp, added, “India’s mobility ecosystem is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by electrification, localisation and the need for scalable technology solutions. This joint venture between Tata AutoComp Systems and Bosch brings together complementary strengths in engineering, technology and manufacturing to accelerate the development of advanced e-mobility solutions for the Indian market.”

Karsten Muller, Executive Vice-President, Manufacturing and Quality, Electrified Motion, Robert Bosch, said, “India being world’s third largest automotive market, Bosch aims to leverage stronger opportunities for its business in India. This planned partnership with TACO further cements our presence in e-mobility, enabling us to deliver cutting edge global solutions locally in India including engineering and manufacturing expertise.”

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German tier 1 supplier ZF Friedrichshafen has improved its operating performance in fiscal year 2025, exceeding its initial guidance for profit and cash flow despite a volatile global market. The technology group reported sales of EUR 38.8 billion, representing an organic growth of 0.6 percent when excluding currency and M&A effects.

The Group stated it prioritised financial resilience through disciplined deleveraging and operational efficiency. Adjusted EBIT increased to EUR 1.7 billion, with the margin rising to 4.5 percent from 3.5 percent in 2024. Free cash flow reached EUR 1.4 billion, significantly exceeding the guided target of EUR 500 million.

Financial liabilities were reduced by approximately EUR 250 million, bringing net debt to EUR 10.2 billion. The company reported a net loss of EUR 2.1 billion, primarily due to a one-time EUR 1.6 billion charge from the early termination of non-profitable electric mobility projects.

ZF is undergoing a strategic refocusing to strengthen its long-term competitiveness.

• ADAS Sale: The Group agreed to sell its passenger car Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) business unit to Harman Inc. for an enterprise value of EUR 1.5 billion. The transaction is expected to close in late 2026.
• Electrified Powertrain Technology: Division E is being restructured independently to improve competitiveness. While some unprofitable projects were terminated, the division secured major awards, including electrified transmission contracts for the BMW Group.
• Workforce Adjustments: The global workforce declined by 5 percent to 153,153 employees. In Germany, personnel capacity is being lowered through voluntary measures such as attrition and severance packages.

Despite market challenges, ZF stated it continued to focus as a major investor in research and development. The company invested EUR 3.3 billion in R&D (8.6 percent of sales) and EUR 1.8 billion in capital expenditures.

In February 2026, ZF successfully placed a EUR 1 billion bond with a six-year maturity, which was six times oversubscribed. The Group anticipates sales of more than EUR 38 billion and an adjusted EBIT margin between 4 percent and 5 percent, assuming stable market conditions.

Mathias Miedreich, CEO, ZF, said, “Operationally, we surpassed our 2025 targets. The fact that our efficiency program is gaining traction encourages us to stay the course. Performance and profitability take precedence over sales and size. But we also know: continuing our upward path will require full focus and maximum effort across the Group. The numbers reflect our past, while our business momentum points to our future. We will steadily rebuild the level of profitability our owners – and we ourselves – expect.”

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The 11th annual ASIABRAKE conference and exhibition recently concluded in Gurugram, Delhi NCR. The three-day event brought together over 350 delegates, 25 speakers and 60 exhibitors from the global automotive and braking sectors to discuss safety, sustainability and the transition to electric mobility.

The event was inaugurated by Tarun Agrawal, Sr. Executive Officer & Head of Engineering at Maruti Suzuki India and Vivek Trivedi, Senior Executive Vice-President, R&D at Maruti Suzuki India.

Technical and research insights were provided by Professor Francesco Massi of the University of Rome - La Sapienza and Professor Georg Ostermeyer from the Technical University of Braunschweig.

Key topics addressed during the sessions included Electrification – the impact of EV and hybrid powertrains on braking system requirements. Testing Standards – advancements in brake testing procedures and systems. Materials Science – emerging trends in friction materials and sustainable component manufacturing.

Leading organisations in attendance included Toyota Motor Corporation, Tata Motors, Brakes India, Brembo Brake India and ITT Friction Technologies. The accompanying exhibition served as a commercial platform for technology providers and component manufacturers to display new materials and braking solutions.

Kuldip Singh Rathee, Chairman & Managing Director, ASK Automotive, said, “The automotive industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by electrification, sustainability, and digital innovation. India is steadily emerging as a key global hub for automotive growth, supported by strong policy frameworks and manufacturing capabilities. As vehicles evolve, braking systems will continue to play a critical role in ensuring safety, reliability, and performance, and it is imperative for the industry to continuously innovate and collaborate to meet these expectations. This year, we have yet again witnessed meaningful discussions, valuable insights, and strong collaboration across the global automotive community. ASIABRAKE continues to serve as an important platform for knowledge exchange, fostering partnerships, and driving collective progress for the industry. We look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.”

Aman Rathee, General Chair, ASIABRAKE 2026, commented, “ASIABRAKE has grown into a truly global platform that brings together the entire ecosystem, from OEMs and suppliers to academia and technology experts. It is not just a technical conference, but a space where ideas translate into partnerships and opportunities. The strong international participation this year reflects the increasing relevance of this forum in shaping the future of mobility.”

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