A good 15m long, the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF 2542 has two-axles at the rear and one at the front. Its name suggests it to be German. It is therefore perhaps that a European influence is evident from the smooth surfaces and well-defined lines of the G-Python’s exterior design. The standards of fit and finish are good. A sense of sleek and muscular build apparent from the vehicle’s exterior design, the G-Python, according to Kukreja, draws inspiration from the python’s prowess and size. He drew attention to the fine curves and added, “Look carefully at the headlamps; they will remind you of the eyes of a python. They shine like diamonds”. Reflecting luxury, style and an ability to stand out, the sleek and sweeping headlamps of the G-Python coach body work make an interesting part of the facia. The facia in turn has a large windshield with a black theme patch at its bottom. The pasted windows and tall sides of the G-Python nicely complement the facia design, highlighting a good sense of proportion in the process. Like a fully grown python – a reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) can reach over 6.25m in length and is termed as the longest snake in the world – the G-Python luxury coach design does appear long and attractive on the Mercedes-Benz multi-axle chassis. 
 

Finer detailing
Powering the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF 2542 is a 388 hp, six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM 470 Euro VI 10.7-litre diesel engine situated transversely at the rear. It is so located that it feeds power to one of the two rear axles. Its access is governed by an engine lid at the rear. When viewed from a three-fourth angle, the rear accommodates the engine compartment access lid nicely in a large black patch. Replicating the colour theme of the facia (there is a similar albeit smaller black patch under the windshield), the large rear patch of black cleverly hides the enormity of the coach structure. It is no doubt tall and fairly enormous when viewed against a car or a van! On either side of the black patch are sleek and stylish LED tail lamps. “True to our penchant for aerodynamic styling and discreet elegance, the G-Python coach design is based on a modular concept,” said Kukreja. “As much as the exterior, there’s much attention that has gone in the designing and building of the interior too,” he added. Containing diffused lighting, a warm shade of blue and white, the interior exudes a touch of luxury and elegance, much the same way the exterior does. 
 

Employing CR tubes and fire retardant FRP material in its construction, the interior of the G-Python coach design offers good space between each seat row. The seats of the reclining variety are designed and positioned to offer maximum comfort and leg room for passengers. This makes for a relaxing atmosphere. Cabin isolation is brought up to speed with much use of insulation material. “There’s been a good deal of innovation that has gone into the noise isolation of the cabin,” averred Kukreja. With maximum luggage compartment space, easy to operate functions and a long list of optional features like heating, AC, LED screens, mobile-laptop charger, metallic paint, infotainment system, pantry and chemical toilet etc., the G-Python, when it comes to features, offers almost all the bells and whistles. “From the very inception of the design, we made sure that we could accommodate each and every feature that a coach operator could ask for,” Kukreja remarked. “The colour combination and graphics is optional.” 
 

Stating that the attention to European standards has ensured superior built quality, Kukreja said, “From the safety point of view, we have made every effort to exceed the regulatory requirements.” The G-Python coach design employs a laminated glass windshield. The pasted windows on the sides are of the toughened variety. The emergency door has been situated at the rear. Conforming to the bus code, the G-Python seeks proximity to a European integral coach design. It is capable of seating 53 passengers. Available in ‘semi-sleeper’ guise as well, there are no plans to introduce a ‘sleeper’ version as of now. “We may offer a ‘sleeper’ version in the future,” said Kukreja.  
 

An eye for quality 
Built with close attention to quality at Guru Ram Dass Body Builders’ Sonipat facility in Haryana, the G-Python coach body design flaunts a super strong reinforced structure that is crash resistant. It is backed by a pan-India after sales support. Offering ease of maintenance and service through easy accessibility to key aggregates and parts, the luxury coach body design is subject to regular updating, according to Kukreja. “This is in line with our philosophy to keep improving a design and incorporate new developments in bus/coach body design and development,” he added. Explaining that his company’s modern plant at Sonipat has state-of-the-art paint booth, shearing and press brake machines, an R&D centre, shower booth and an FRP moulding facility among others, Kukreja said, “The build quality of the G-Python is in line with the company’s quality management system and regulatory requirements.”  

Stressing on a robust quality control mechanism in place at GRD’s Sonipat plant to ensure thorough inspection of every material that is procured and every weld joint that is carried out on the structure, Kukreja expressed, “Trained professionals use calibrated measuring instruments and various other machines as part of the quality management system.” “There’s a ‘Red Table Area’ in the Sonipat plant where the selected and reject material are segregated,” he added. Explaining that the G-Python will complement the existing G-Dolfino bus body design, Kukreja averred, “They are more or less parallel offerings.” “The G-Dolfino was launched in 2019 and the G-Python was launched in June 2021,” he said. Asked if the G-Python coach body design would fit a 12m long front-engine bus chassis like the BharatBenz 1624, and Kukreja was quick to answer, “Modifications in the floor structure should make it possible.” Whether it would be done at once? Kukreja is not in favour it seems. “We will take a call on whether we want to offer the G-Python luxury coach body design on any other chassis than a rear engine multi-axle one,” he announced. “For the 12m long front-engine BharatBenz 1624, we have yet another fine design in the form of the G-Dolfino,” he concluded. The G-Dolfino, it should not take long to understand, is inspired by a Dolphin!
 

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Ireland-headquartered intelligent power management company Eaton has entered into a definitive agreement to separate its Mobility Group business and combine it with Dana Incorporated in a Reverse Morris Trust transaction.

The deal values the combined company at over USD 10 billion in enterprise value and values Eaton’s Mobility Group at approximately USD 5.1 billion. The transaction is scheduled to close in Q1 of CY2027, subject to approval by Dana shareholders and regulatory clearances.

Under the terms of the agreement, Eaton will receive a tax-free cash distribution of approximately USD 1.1 billion, which will be funded by newly issued debt from the mobility entity. Eaton shareholders will receive shares in the combined business, resulting in a post-transaction ownership structure where Eaton shareholders hold at least 50.1 percent of the outstanding shares and Dana shareholders own approximately 49.9 percent.

The transaction allows Eaton to alter its corporate focus toward its electrical and aerospace divisions, which align with market trends in electrification, data centres, infrastructure modernisation and aerospace defence.

The combined entity will merge Dana’s portfolio of axles, driveshafts, thermal management and sealing products with Eaton’s commercial vehicle transmissions, clutches and engine emissions technologies. The merged entity will target internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicle platforms across commercial and light vehicle manufacturing sectors.

The combined entity will retain the name Dana Incorporated and continue its public listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DAN. The business is projected to generate approximately USD 11 billion in pro forma revenue and USD 1.7 billion in pro forma estimated 2026 adjusted EBITDA. The integration plan targets USD 250 million in annual run-rate cost synergies to be fully achieved within 24 months of closing.

Furthermore, Byron Foster will become the Chief Executive Officer of the combined company and Timothy Kraus will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer. R. Bruce McDonald will serve as Executive Chairman, while Erin Rowse is named as the incoming Chief Human Resources Officer. Dana’s board of directors will expand from eight members to include three additional directors appointed by Eaton.

Paulo Ruiz, Chief Executive Officer, Eaton, said, "We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which delivers significant value to Eaton and its shareholders and represents a major milestone in Eaton’s 2030 growth strategy to lead, invest and execute for growth. Eaton shareholders will benefit from the meaningful upside created by the combined company, and the transaction will provide substantial cash value for Eaton to deploy to our highest-growth and highest-margin opportunities. Looking ahead, our portfolio will be closely aligned with the powerful megatrends driving generational growth in our Electrical and Aerospace businesses, and we look forward to continuing our momentum to drive meaningful value for our customers and shareholders."

R. Bruce McDonald, Dana Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are excited to bring together Eaton’s Mobility Group with Dana. The addition of Mobility Group’s leading positions in commercial vehicle transmissions, clutches and power management technologies, combined with Dana’s strengths in axles, driveshafts, electrification, thermal management and sealing products, will create a truly differentiated global platform. Together, we will be better positioned to serve our customers, invest in innovation and drive long-term value creation for shareholders of the combined company.”

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Bajaj Auto Foundation, the CSR arm of Bajaj Auto Limited, has announced a significant INR 4 billion commitment over the next decade to support women engineers through the Rupa Rahul Bajaj Scholarship for Women in Engineering (RRBSWE). The initiative is aimed at increasing female participation in core technical fields.

The scholarship, recognised as India’s largest such programme for women in core engineering, targets meritorious students pursuing disciplines like Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Industrial Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Robotics. Scholars at 40 leading institutes, including IITs, NITs, IIITs and reputed state and private universities, can receive up to INR 800,000 in financial aid throughout their engineering education.

Beyond monetary support, the programme focuses on holistic leadership development. It offers structured mentorship, industry immersion and professional networking opportunities to cultivate future women leaders in engineering and manufacturing sectors. The launch event at Bajaj Auto Ltd.’s Pune headquarters also celebrated the first cohort of 506 scholars, with chief guest Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Rajiv Bajaj in attendance.

The foundation highlighted that this effort tackles the persistent underrepresentation of women as advanced manufacturing and deep technology grow critical for India’s economy. Unveiling its overarching proposition, ‘Where there’s a skill, there’s a way’, the foundation reaffirmed its dedication to skilling and education for the nation’s future workforce.

Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto Limited, said, “Women possess inherent skills of patience, empathy and diligence, which are very strong attributes to excel in core engineering jobs. We identified this long back and made women engineers a significant part of our workforce. In fact, from virtually no women in our operations till around a decade back, today they account for nearly 20 percent of our workforce. This has brought a meaningful difference to our way of working and contributed to Bajaj Auto’s global scale, thereby making us the World’s Favourite Indian. This programme would extend our learning with the larger manufacturing industry.

“The Rupa Rahul Bajaj Scholarship for Women in Engineering holds a special place in my heart, as it carries the name of my beloved mother, Rupa Rahul Bajaj. Her dedication to education and her belief that women can drive change in their communities inspire this programme. The Rupa Rahul Bajaj Scholarship is an investment in talent, ambition and the belief that opportunity can unlock extraordinary potential. We are deeply committed to ensuring that women play a far greater role in shaping the future of engineering and manufacturing.”

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Limited, said, “The future of science, engineering and manufacturing must be built on inclusion and equal opportunity. Encouraging more women to pursue core engineering disciplines is not just a social imperative but an economic one. Initiatives like the Rupa Rahul Bajaj Scholarship can help create a stronger and more diverse innovation ecosystem for India.”

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Autodesk has overhauled its India digital storefront into a complete self-service procurement hub targeting startups, freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses. The redesign lowers barriers to professional design software and reflects a broader digital-first sales strategy for how local customers buy and manage licenses.

Internet usage in India has reached 958 million active users, fundamentally changing professional technology purchasing. The updated platform introduces flexible consumption models for the country’s growing digital economy. Emerging firms and first-time users driving the Viksit Bharat initiative are primary beneficiaries.

Launched in 2017, the online store is now a critical customer acquisition channel. Startups, freelancers and smaller enterprises account for over half of first-time buyers. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities contribute more than one-fifth of online customers, making smaller hubs engines of digital adoption.

The platform adds monthly subscriptions starting at INR 1,062 for AutoCAD Web, plus Autodesk Flex token packs at INR 29,300 for 100 tokens, valid one year and shareable. Users can generate quotes, complete multi-product checkouts, renew subscriptions and manage GST compliance without callbacks.

Autodesk has expanded payment options to include UPI alongside debit cards, credit cards and net banking, making professional software procurement seamless for India’s creator community.

Kamolika Gupta Peres, Vice President, Autodesk India and SAARC, said, “India has nearly a billion active internet users – and for this generation, digital is not a channel. It is the expectation. Today, the Autodesk creator community that includes designers, animators, manufacturers want to explore, evaluate and purchase professional technology instantly, just as they would any other product or service online.

“Over the past year, we analysed the online buying behaviour and preferences of our customers and Autodesk’s creator community across India. The insights and feedback have shaped the evolution of the Autodesk Store into a more intuitive, inclusive, seamless and locally relevant experience, designed around the needs of modern Indian businesses and professionals. As Autodesk’s reach expands across Bharat, we are making it easier to access professional design technology, regardless of where they are located.”

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Chinese automotive major BYD (Build Your Dreams), one of the leading manufacturers of new energy vehicles (NEVs) across product categories, has outlined an ambitious target to become the No.1 automaker in the next five years.

The statement was made by Wang Chuanfu, CEO, BYD, who told investors in China, according to a Reuters report.

In 2025, BYD surpassed American automotive major Ford Motor Co in terms of sales, with 4.6 millions sold globally, thanks to robust domestic demand, as well as its aggressive expansion in global markets such as Europe and Asia.

The company now aims to surpass Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation, which continues to be the No.1 automaker (in terms of volumes), consistently selling over 10 million vehicles.

In 2025, Toyota Motor Corporation sold 11.32 million vehicles, Volkswagen Group sold 8.98 million units, Hyundai Motor Group sold 7.27 million units, GM (including SAIC-GM-Wuling) sold 6.18 million units, Stellantis sold 5.6 million units, while Ford had sales crossing 4 million units.

BYD Showcases DM-i Electric-First Hybrid Technology In India

For the unversed, the Shenzen-headquartered automaker had stopped producing Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles in 2022 and solely focused on electrification and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV).

Since then, the company has consistently expanded its customer base and tech upgrades.

In fact, BYD has recently started expanding its flash-charging station across Germany, which are capable of delivering up to 1,500 kW of charging speed. This allows its EVs (using Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging 2.0 tech) to be charged from 10 percent to 70 percent in under 5-minutes and upto 97 percent in 9-minutes. The company is targeting to build 6,000 such flash-charging stations outside China by the end of 2026, with Europe expected to get half of it.

As per industry reports, BYD has already set up over 6,000 flash-charging stations across 300 cities in China till last month.

Interestingly, the company sold 383,453 EVs last month, taking its cumulative sales to 16.5 million EVs to date.

To further make smart inroads in the European market, BYD has also started conversations with automakers for acquiring their under utilised production facilities.

Also read: BYD Overtakes Tesla And BMW To Become UK’s Best-Selling EV Brand

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