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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Automotive tier 1 suppliers FORVIA and Anand Group have established a new joint venture to manufacture seat frames and complete seats for the Indian automotive market.

The new entity, named Faurecia Anand Seating India, will be controlled by FORVIA with a 50 percent plus one share stake, while Gabriel India, Anand Group’s flagship listed firm, will hold 50 percent less one share.

The partnership aims to combine FORVIA’s seating technologies and engineering portfolio with Anand Group’s operational network and customer relationships with domestic automotive manufacturers.

The JV aims for a 10 percent market share in India over the next five years as part of its regional expansion strategy. The collaboration expands on an existing relationship between the two companies that began in 1991 in the clean mobility segment.

The joint venture will utilise localised manufacturing footprints to support supply chain, industrial and talent capabilities for supply contracts across Indian vehicle manufacturers.

Jaisal Singh, Vice-Chairman, Anand Group, said, "This partnership is a natural extension of Gabriel India’s transformation into a broader mobility solutions enterprise. As vehicle systems become more integrated and technology-intensive, the ability to participate across a wider spectrum of the automotive value chain assumes strategic importance. The venture strengthens our portfolio with a globally proven capability, while reinforcing our commitment to building scalable, technology-led businesses that create enduring value."

Anjali Singh, Executive Chairperson, Anand Group and Gabriel India, said, "At Anand, we have always believed that long-term relevance is built through thoughtful partnerships, technological excellence, and a deep understanding of customer needs. This venture strengthens our longstanding partnership with FORVIA, building on complementary strengths and a shared commitment to innovation. By bringing together FORVIA’s global expertise and Gabriel India’s strong market presence, it creates a platform that is both strategically significant and future-ready."

Martin Fischer, CEO, FORVIA, said, "When we unveiled our IGNITE strategy earlier this year, we highlighted India as a key growth driver for FORVIA. Following the award of our first complete-seat program a few months ago, today’s agreement marks another important milestone in our development in the country. Building on our long-standing relationship with Anand Group, the joint venture will help accelerate FORVIA Seating’s growth in India."

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Hinduja Tech, the mobility-focused engineering and R&D technology subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, has announced the appointment of Faiz Ahmad as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November 2026.

The appointment follows the retirement of current Chief Executive Officer Kumar Prabhas, who concludes nine years in the role on 31 October 2026.

Ahmad has been part of the Hinduja Group ecosystem for nearly two decades and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Vehicle Engineering & Development. During his tenure with the company, he has overseen operational functions, capability building and vehicle development units. Prabhas and Ahmad will execute a transition process throughout October.

During his nine years leading Hinduja Tech, Prabhas managed the company's international expansion, service portfolio diversification and the acquisitions of engineering firms DSD and Tecosim.

Dheeraj G. Hinduja said, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Kumar Prabhas for his dedicated leadership and valuable contribution to Hinduja Tech over the past nine years. His vision, commitment, and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the company's growth journey and building a strong foundation for the future. We thank him for his invaluable service and wish him a joyful, healthy, and fulfilling retirement."

"Faiz has been an integral part of our journey and embodies the values, customer focus, and innovative spirit that define Hinduja Tech. His deep industry knowledge, strategic perspective, and proven leadership capabilities make him exceptionally well-positioned to lead the organization into its next phase of growth. We are confident that under his leadership, Hinduja Tech will continue to strengthen its market position, deepen customer relationships, and accelerate innovation across its global operations," added Hinduja.

Faiz Ahmad said, “I am honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading Hinduja Tech at this exciting stage of its growth journey. We have a strong foundation, talented teams, trusted customer relationships, and significant opportunities ahead. I look forward to working closely with our employees, customers, and partners to build on our successes, drive innovation, and deliver sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

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ALTEN India, a global engineering and technology consulting group, has appointed Prabhakar Atla as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 5 October 2026. He previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Cyient, succeeds Balaji Viswanathan as head of the company's Indian operations.

Atla brings three decades of industry experience to the role, having led global operations and business units across sectors including aerospace, communications, rail, energy and semiconductors. His previous assignments include roles in Europe, India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, as well as serving as President and Chief Financial Officer at Cyient prior to his appointment as Chief Operating Officer.

Pascal Amore, Group EVP, Head of APAC, ALTEN, said, "Prabhakar's depth of experience in engineering, IT and technology services, and his track record of leading large global organisations through transformation, make him the right leader for ALTEN next chapter in India. India is core to the ambitions of our 2030 strategic plan, and I am confident Prabhakar will strengthen our organisation, develop new capabilities and accelerate our growth across the country."

Prabhakar Atla said, "I am honoured to join ALTEN and lead its talented teams in India. ALTEN India has grown into a strategic capability hub for the Group, with deep engineering expertise and trusted client relationships. My ambition is clear: enable and empower India as the engine of ALTEN Group's transformation, powered by deep sector expertise, AI-led engineering and faster innovation for our clients."

The company currently employs more than 8,500 personnel across 13 centres in eight Indian cities. The unit provides engineering, digital transformation, semiconductor and artificial intelligence solutions to clients in the automotive, aerospace, defence, telecommunications, consumer technology, manufacturing, and life sciences sectors.

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AIC Pinnacle Entrepreneurship Forum and the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) have signed a memorandum of understanding to support startups in the automotive, electric vehicle and connected mobility sectors.

The agreement was executed at EKA's vehicle manufacturing facility in Chakan by Dr Avinash Thakur, CEO, AIC Pinnacle and Dr Manish Jaiswal, Director, NATRAX.

The collaboration combines AIC Pinnacle’s business incubation and mentoring programs with the testing and certification infrastructure at NATRAX. The partnership aims to assist startups in progressing from prototypes to validated commercial products. Immediate initiatives include organising a startup hackathon and granting select cohort members access to the NATRAX testing tracks near Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh.

The signing event included representatives from EKA Mobility, AIC Pinnacle and NATRAX, such as EKA Mobility Chief Product Officer Zoeb Altafhussain Karampurwala, Chief Engineers Kaustubh Vasant Joshi and Pankaj Shivrudrappa Munoli, and R&D Team Lead Swapnil Anil Tambe, alongside AIC Pinnacle Senior Manager Shadab Hussain and NATRAX Group Lead Tulika Mazumdar.

"The partnership with NATRAX opens an important bridge between startups and the automotive testing and validation ecosystem. Our objective is to help promising innovations move beyond the incubation stage and gain access to the technical, industry and testing support required to develop market-ready solutions," said Dr. Thakur.

Dr Manish Jaiswal said the partnership would create opportunities for startups and innovators to access relevant testing, validation and ecosystem capabilities. "Such partnerships can contribute to accelerating the development and adoption of emerging mobility technologies," he said.

Dr Sudhir Mehta, Founder and Chairman, Pinnacle Industries and Group Companies, said, "Electric mobility will remain a key focus area for AIC Pinnacle in the coming period. This MoU strengthens that vision by giving startups direct access to the industry, strategic partners, academic institutions and government agencies they need to scale."

The initiative will establish networks between early-stage companies, industrial firms, academic institutions, and government agencies across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. AIC Pinnacle operates as a non-profit incubator supported by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission, while NATRAX operates testing and certification facilities in Central India.

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