Union Minister Applauds ICAT's Advanced Testing and Research Facilities

Union Minister Applauds ICAT's Advanced Testing and Research Facilities

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.

BorgWarner Secures Major VCT Programme Awards In Europe And China

BorgWarner Secures Major VCT Programme Awards In Europe And China

BorgWarner has broadened its variable cam timing portfolio through two newly secured contracts in Europe and China, reinforcing its position in the hybrid and internal combustion engine sectors. One agreement extends production and raises output volumes for a premium European automaker’s V6 platform, while the other represents a competitive replacement for a Chinese original equipment manufacturer’s 1.5-litre turbocharged gasoline unit.

The technical foundation for both awards is the centre-bolt Cam Torque Actuated system, which departs from conventional oil-pressure-based designs. By streamlining internal lubrication channels, the architecture achieves quicker cam phase adjustment, more dependable locking mechanism engagement and lower lubricant consumption, all of which contribute to measurable gains in thermal efficiency across both electrified and conventional powertrains.

Production for the European V6 family, which serves premium and sports vehicle segments with power ratings spanning 260 to 375 kilowatts, is already active. The enhanced supply agreement, including the enlarged volume commitment and an extended production horizon, will become effective in January 2027, covering both hybrid and gasoline-only iterations of the engine.

The Chinese programme, slated to enter production in September 2026, involves a high-volume 1.5-liter turbocharged engine line that underpins numerous sport-utility and sedan models destined for the domestic market. This victory over the prior supplier was attributed to the system’s fuel-saving characteristics, combined with localised manufacturing operations and a more competitive overall cost structure.

Henk Vanthournout, Vice President of BorgWarner Inc. and President and General Manager, Drivetrain and Morse Systems, said, “These awards underline the long-term competitiveness of our VCT portfolio across both hybrid and combustion powertrains. They reflect the quality, reliability and cost competitiveness our customers continue to value in our VCT and timing drive solutions.”

Bosch Q1FY27 Net Profit Drops, Revenue Is Up

Bosch Q1FY27 Net Profit Drops, Revenue Is Up

Bosch Ltd has reported 36.8 percent net profit decline to INR 7.049 billion in Q1FY27. It has attributed the performance to high base effect as it has come despite a revenue growth on the back of strong uptake from the automotive and power solutions category.

In its regulatory filing, Bosch has reported, the consolidated net profit in the corresponding quarter of the last fiscal was INR 11.153 billion. In Q1FY26, the company had recorded a total gain of Rs 5.56 billion on the sale of its video solutions, access and intrusion and communication systems business.

Its consolidated revenue from operations in Q1FY27 stood at INR 58.419 billion as against INR 47.886 billion in the same period last fiscal. Total expenses in the Q1FY27 period were higher at INR 51.258 billion as compared to INR 42.388 billion in the corresponding period in the last financial year.

Stating that the business performance of the company in the first quarter was driven by sustained demand across segments like passenger cars and commercial vehicles along with the increased sales in key product categories, Guruprasad Mudlapur, President, Bosch Group in India, and Managing Director, Bosch Limited, mentioned that the automotive sector in India is undergoing a structural shift towards safer, cleaner and personalised vehicles. Bosch, he added, is well-positioned to support this change by delivering high-value, future-ready solutions.
The product sales kitty of the company in Q1FY27 for the automotive segment saw an uptake of about 25.7 percent year-on-year. The power solutions business grew by 29 percent, also on the back of demand from the auto sector.

Image for representative purpose only. 

IndiaRF Acquires Majority Stake In Ashok Iron Works’ Casting And Machining Business

Ashok Iron Works

India Resurgence Fund (IndiaRF), an investment platform promoted by Piramal Finance and Bain Capital, has acquired a majority stake in Fine Edge Engineering, which houses the iron casting and machining business of Ashok Iron Works and its related entities.

Founded in 1974, the Belagavi, Karnataka-based Ashok Iron Works Group manufactures machined iron castings. The company operates four foundries with an annual capacity of 144,000 metric tonnes and seven machine shops capable of producing 600,000 parts per year.

The company manufactures engine blocks, engine heads and transmission housings weighing between 20 kilograms and 5,000 kilograms, with capabilities to machine engine blocks from single-cylinder to 18-cylinder configurations. Its products supply industrial engine, agricultural equipment and automotive manufacturing sectors.

Shantanu Nalavadi, Managing Director, IndiaRF, said, “IndiaRF is excited about the Company’s growth potential and sees significant opportunities to further strengthen its capabilities and scale the business. We will support the business through investments in capacity expansion, R&D, new product development and operational excellence, while building on its long-standing customer relationships. The Company is also well positioned to benefit from growing demand for high-horsepower engine applications, particularly as the global data centre build-out accelerates.”

Jayant Humbarwadi, Joint Managing Director, Ashok Iron Works Group, said, “Over the past four decades, we have built a strong position in the iron casting and machining industry, supported by long-standing customer relationships, strong R&D capabilities and a focus on meeting our customers' evolving requirements. We are a single- or dual-source supplier to most of our customers and are pleased to partner with IndiaRF, whose experience in transforming businesses will support the Company's next phase of growth.”

The transaction provides capital for capacity expansion and research and development activities, while positioning the manufacturing unit to meet supply demands across industrial and high-horsepower engine markets.

Uno Minda Net Profit Rises To INR 2.96 Billion In Q1 FY2027

Uno Minda

Automotive tier 1 supplier Uno Minda has announced its financial results for Q1 FY2027, achieving INR 55.57 billion in consolidated revenue, up 26 percent YoY. Last year, the company attained normalised revenue of INR 44.20 billion (i.e. excluding prior period income of INR 690 million) in Q1FY2026.

The EBITDA came at INR 5.72 billion, net profit of INR 2.96 billion, up 24 percent YoY.

This company witnessed growth across its core product offerings, including switches, lighting, alloy wheels, seating, as well as its new-age EV systems and alternate fuel divisions.

Ravi Mehra, Managing Director, Uno Minda, said, “Q1 FY27 reinforces Uno Minda’s strategic trajectory as we continue to outperform the broader automotive market. The ongoing shift toward vehicle premiumisation, connected mobility, and electrification is fundamentally elevating per-vehicle content across segments. By aligning our R&D roadmap with these structural industry shifts and accelerating execution across our new-age platforms, we are not just participating in market growth—we are driving the technological evolution of the vehicle cabin. Backed by disciplined capital deployment and expanding capacity, we are exceptionally well-positioned to lead the next phase of mobility innovation”

Sunil Bohra, CFO, Uno Minda, added, “Q1 FY27 marks a historic milestone for Uno Minda, as we delivered our highest-ever quarterly revenues with 26% YoY growth and a 24% increase in PAT. While we navigated a challenging commodity pricing environment during the quarter, underlying demand across the automotive sector remains strong. Our resilient performance reflects the strength of our technology leadership, product diversification, and focus on operational efficiencies. Driven by multiple growth initiatives, strategic investments, and increasing momentum in our new-age businesses, we remain confident of delivering sustainable, profitable growth while creating long-term value for our shareholders and other stakeholders.”