The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) launched the project on development of ‘Motor Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (Bharat VECTO) for Real Drive Fuel Consumption/CO2 Emissions’, a landmark project in India’s homologation process, at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. ARAI is showcasing its technology and services at stall no H11-04, Bharat Mandapam; stall no H2-02, Yashobhoomi and stall no H1-A14, India Expo Centre & Mart from 17 to 22 January 2025.

Minister of Road, Transport and Highway Shri Nitin Gadkari; Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI; P K Banerjee, Chief Executive Director, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Dr Sukrut S. Thipse, Senior Deputy Director – ARAI and Bharat VECTO Project Leader graced the event.

In accordance with Europe, the United States, Japan, China and other countries, the developed Bharat VECTO will be used to compute the realistic fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs) (GVW > 3.5 tonnes) on a driving cycle basis. The BS-VII regulation will include it. Various mission profiles will be created under the Bharat VECTO project to address all HDV classifications, driving styles, road topography etc. Before being finalised for usage, the created tool will be tested on a few vehicle classifications. Along with project partners, ARAI will make every effort to create Bharat VECTO. It will be made available in Bharat Stage-VII and will serve cars powered by internal combustion engines, electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cell EVs and flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) in a phased way.

At Bharat Mandapam, a concept demo of the Over-Head Automated Charging Device (OH-ACD), one of ARAI's projects in collaboration with IIT-Madras, is on exhibit. Fast charging is possible with the 600-kW charging power, 1000V voltage and 600A current, which is made to satisfy the needs of the changing transportation environment. In addition to OH-ACD, the company is showcasing its in-house ADAS Validation Platform, a Light Commercial Vehicle with a 117 HP engine and an E-Axle for European customers and a Training Kit for the Battery Management System.

Stall number H2-02, Yashobhoomi, lists ARAI's specialised service portfolio for certification and support in developmental validation for components, systems and sub-systems. Along with engine models and lightweight components from the ARAI Fatigue Material Centre of Excellence, ARAI is also exhibiting the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) Bike and Battery Management System Kit, which was constructed by ARAI engineers.

Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, said, “It is a great pleasure to host Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari and have his presence for the launch of Bharat VECTO project. Ministry of Road Transport and Highway has played a significant role in enabling ARAI guide the auto industry towards one direction. Hence, ‘Motor Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool for Real Drive Fuel Consumption/CO2 Emissions’ will be instrumental in accelerating the momentum for industry-wide adoption of green mobility. ARAI, while being a major stakeholder in homologation and developmental testing and standardisation has also been fundamental in innovating technologies for sustainable mobility like Over-Head Automated Charging Device, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain, which are at display at Bharat Mobility Global Expo. We are thrilled to showcase these technologies and drive conversations for greener tomorrow.”

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Maruti Suzuki India has announced that its staff contributed 2,600 hours to the eParivartan initiative during FY2025–26.

The programme involved 1,100 employees who participated in 30 activities focused on health, community care, and education.

In the health sector, employees took part in four blood donation sessions at company sites. Staff also used kits to build wheelchairs for donation to care centres and provided food, medicines, and toiletries to residents of shelter homes. Companionship programmes were established to connect volunteers with elderly and underprivileged individuals.

Education efforts included hosting students from underprivileged backgrounds at the Manesar manufacturing plant to observe production processes. Volunteers also provided support to students with visual impairments by distributing Braille kits and held art sessions for children with disabilities. A 'Wish Tree' project resulted in the provision of stationery and bags to 300 students. Additionally, employees painted 1,400 square feet of wall space at schools in Manesar and Gurugram to update learning environments.

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “At Maruti Suzuki, we believe progress is meaningful only when it is shared with the communities around us. We are happy to share that in FY 2025–26, over 1,100 Maruti Suzuki employees volunteered more than 2,600 hours, supporting more than 8,700 people in education, healthcare, or companionship. We don’t know how much difference we have made to the lives of these people, but we do know that the Maruti Suzuki volunteers have found it an immensely fulfilling, soul-warming, and life-changing experience.”

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JSW Motors, the new energy passenger vehicle division of the JSW Group, hosted its first Supplier Partner Conference & Tech Show at its manufacturing facility in Bidkin, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.

Organised in collaboration with the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the event brought together over 100 auto-component business houses. The conference serves as a strategic precursor to JSW Motors' upcoming entry into the Indian passenger vehicle market, focusing on building a localised, resilient and ‘glocal’ supply chain for its new energy vehicle (NEV) programs.

The conference highlighted JSW Motors' commitment to domestic value creation as it prepares for its first vehicle rollout later this year.

The Bidkin facility in the Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) is positioned as the primary production hub for JSW’s independent EV and hybrid lineup, separate from its joint venture with MG Motor.

The Tech Show showcased innovations in automotive design and next-generation manufacturing, encouraging technical licensing agreements (TLAs) between local suppliers and global technology partners.

Ranjan Nayak, CEO, JSW Motors, said, “At JSW Motors, we believe that building world-class mobility solutions requires a strong and future-ready supplier ecosystem. The first ever Supplier Conference & Tech Show reflects our commitment to collaborative growth, technology excellence and supply chain resilience. JSW Motors is months away from its first launch. The conference we're holding today is a signal of how seriously we take localisation and how seriously we take the partners we're building with.”

Vikrampati Singhania, President, ACMA, said, “This initiative marks an important step towards building a future-ready and resilient mobility ecosystem in India. As the industry transitions towards new energy vehicles, the role of suppliers becomes increasingly strategic, requiring early alignment on product roadmap, technology direction and scale to enable timely investments and capability development. We are encouraged by JSW Motors’ strong commitment to collaboration and localisation, which will be critical in strengthening the domestic value chain and enhancing the global competitiveness of India’s auto component industry.”

The event aligns with JSW Motors' broader strategy to disrupt the Indian NEV segment with a mix of high-tech SUVs and premium models.

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Michael R Bloomberg has announced a new USD 350 million investment towards Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, including the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure, aimed at saving one million lives over the next five years through improved road safety policies and cycling infrastructure.

The announcement, made at CityLab 2026 in Madrid, brings the total funding for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) to USD 865 million since 2007. The initiative focuses on high-impact interventions to combat the more than one million annual road traffic deaths reported by the World Health Organization.

The new funding will scale proven interventions across 13 countries and over 30 cities, with a specific focus on high-risk regions in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

• Cycling Infrastructure (BICI): A global competition will select 25 cities for technical training, with 10 finalists receiving USD 400,000 each to implement safe cycling networks. The goal is to reach 15 million people with improved bike lanes.
• Policy & Enforcement: Continued support for national and city-level policies targeting speeding (a factor in 50 percent of fatalities) and new research into distracted driving.
• Vehicle Safety: Expanding safety standard improvements to more car models across emerging markets.
• Urban Transit: Promoting government investment in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), cited as the safest urban transport method.

In India, the initiative will specifically target Delhi, Karnataka State and Maharashtra State (with an emphasis on Mumbai and Pune). To accelerate progress, the program uses a ‘mentor city’ model where regional leaders like Bogota, Ho Chi Minh City and Addis Ababa provide peer-to-peer support to neighbouring municipalities.

Michael R. Bloomberg, said, “Road crashes don’t receive enough attention, even though they take a staggering toll on human life and health – and so many of the injuries and deaths are preventable. At Bloomberg Philanthropies, we’ve long recognized the urgency to improve road safety and the important role that improved cycling infrastructure can play. This major new investment will expand and accelerate the lifesaving progress we’ve made bringing proven interventions to streets around the world.”

The initiative which begin in 2007 has established a strong track record of measurable outcomes including nearly 900,000 lives saved through the passage of 190 policies.

Over 2,400 dangerous intersections redesigned and 200 miles of bike lanes built. Nearly 80,000 traffic police trained across 22 countries and anticipated reduction of 97,000 tons of CO2 emissions by 2040 through increased cycling.

The program will also produce the world’s first comprehensive guide for safe cycling infrastructure, establishing new international design standards to supplement the Global Street Design Guide.

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Caterham has developed a new Miami Special Edition, a track-only model set to debut during the upcoming race weekend in Miami. The lightweight, performance-focused vehicle will be presented to motorsport fans for the first time on 1st May on Race Street within the West Campus of the Miami International Autodrome.

The exterior of this limited-edition Seven features a bespoke Aqua custom paint finish, complemented by a distinctive decal pack in Vibrant Pink and White. The design is completed with the iconic Miami script and a silhouette of the circuit displayed on the rear of the car. Inside, the custom theme continues with the Miami script embroidered on the headrests, while a numbered plaque is mounted on the dashboard. Reflecting its hand-built origin, a second plaque in the engine bay carries the names and signatures of the two builders who assembled the car at Caterham’s UK factory.

Powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine producing 210 bhp at 7,600 rpm, the Miami Special Edition achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 375 bhp per tonne. Coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 136 mph (approximately 220 kmph). The Miami race weekend, known for its high energy, world-class entertainment and diverse audience of celebrities and industry leaders, provides a fitting backdrop. Caterham’s participation underscores its US market expansion, highlighted by the recent appointment of Miami’s Walt Grace Vintage as a dealer and a new partnership with Precision Drive Club, an invitation-only private driving and hospitality community based at the autodrome.

After the race weekend, enthusiasts will have the chance to own a piece of history, as 10 of the 12 examples produced will be available for purchase through Caterham’s U.S. dealer network. Pricing is available upon application.

Trevor Steel, Senior Vice President – Operations, Caterham Cars, said, “Miami has become a global hub for elite motorsport and luxury automotive culture, so to have this moment to unveil the Miami Special Edition is truly unique. This car represents the very best of lightweight British engineering, and seeing the car launched and on display at the race weekend will be a significant moment for our brand.”

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