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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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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Belrise Industries (formerly Badva Engineering) has signed a License and Technical Assistance Agreement with Japan-based Yamato Co, to manufacture and supply filtration and air intake solutions in India.

The partnership grants Belrise access to technical expertise for the design, development, testing and production of air filters, oil filters and resin air intake manifolds targeted at automotive and industrial original equipment manufacturers.

The arrangement combines Yamato's filtration technologies and material know-how in converting intake manifolds from metal to resin with Belrise's manufacturing operations and OEM relationships. The initiative aims to support localisation and develop a domestic supply ecosystem for advanced automotive and industrial components in India.

Sumedh Badve, President of Strategy at Belrise Industries, said, "At Belrise, we are focused on expanding our engineering capabilities, embracing advanced technologies and delivering greater value to our customers. Our collaboration with Yamato reflects this approach, combining specialised technical know-how with our established manufacturing strengths to broaden our product portfolio and support the localisation of advanced solutions. This partnership will further strengthen our ability to serve automotive and industrial OEMs while advancing our commitment to world-class manufacturing, continuous innovation and sustainable growth."

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Gulf Oil Lubricants India, part of the Hinduja Group, has initiated celebrations marking 125 years of its global brand and announced plans to increase its manufacturing capacity by 70 percent.

The company has announced its ambition to increase production output to 240 million litres by March 2027. Furthermore, the Hinduja Group company is expanding its operations beyond lubricants into electric vehicle infrastructure, software, data-centre cooling and fluid engineering.

Operating across 100 countries, the Indian unit currently functions alongside 50 original equipment manufacturers and utilises an R&D facility located in Chennai. As part of its anniversary program, the company unveiled a campaign film featuring cricketer MS Dhoni and announced an initiative launched by cricketer Smriti Mandhana aimed at training 125,000 women for roles in the mobility sector, including driving and vehicle maintenance.

Sanjay Hinduja, Chairman, Gulf Oil International, said, "Gulf’s 125-year legacy is a story of evolution, built on the strength of its values and the trust it has earned across generations. Across the more than 100 countries we operate in, India has been one of our fastest growing and most consistent markets for over 15 years. It holds significant opportunity to accelerate growth, by strengthening our leadership in lubricants while building new avenues in value-added services, e-mobility and other allied areas on the strategic fit. We intend to lead this journey with superior and cleaner technologies, bold innovation and a workforce built for tomorrow. India’s growth story will be an important part of Gulf’s next phase."

Ravi Chawla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, said, "Our 125th anniversary is a testament to our commitment, bold decisions, relentless innovation and enduring partnerships. As we celebrate this milestone, we are also defining where we want to go next. While looking ahead to an evolving future, these partnerships will matter more than ever. ‘Born to be Behad’ reflects who we have always been, a brand that goes beyond the limits set for it. Going forward, our brand platform, ‘Kuch Behad Kar’, will carry that spirit into everything we do."

Aarthy Sridhar, Chief Marketing Officer, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, said, "Smriti has shown what happens when the field opens for women in cricket, the talent was always there; it just needed the space. Now it is time for mobility, where women continue to be under-represented. With Generation Behad, we want to create that space, helping women train for and step into roles from behind the wheel to under the bonnet."

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