Supporting a smart manufacturing shift across industry sectors by offering robot systems, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), mobility solutions (mobile platforms, mobile robots etc.) and technologies (arc welding, assembly, bonding and sealing, die casting, extrusion etc.), Kuka is confident of its new operating ecosystem iiQKA significantly simplifying robot use. Forming the base of an entire ecosystem that provides access to a powerful selection of components, programmes, apps, services and equipment that are easy to install, operate and use, iiQKA is designed and developed to facilitate newcomers to implement automation without specialised training. Also announcing the upgradation of its simulation software Kuka.Sim.4.0, Kuka is confident of automation benefitting in the medium-term against Covid-19 disruption. As per Peter Mohnen, CEO, Kuka AG, automation can be beneficial in the medium-term against the Covid-19 disruption for manufacturers rethinking their vulnerable, globally networked production and supply chains.

Big shift to flexible automation systems

Stating in his address to the shareholders in the 2020 annual report that the company implemented a cost-cutting drive and focused on a stable financial position, Mohnen averred that Kuka was one of the very few ‘full-range’ suppliers. Keeping a close eye on the developments taking place across the world markets that it is presently in, the company – with sales revenues of EUR 2.6 billion and an employee strength of 14,000 – is confident of its Kuka.Sim.4.0 software to help reach a new level of planning reliability, simplicity and cost efficiency. Stressing on the upgraded software facilitating easy offline programming of the robot and fast cycle time analysis, Kuka is anticipating a big shift to flexible automation solutions with quickly adaptable production cells instead of rigid systems. It is highlighting the prowess of Kuka.Sim.4.0 software in its ability to support the import of CAD data that aids configuration of safety spaces graphically in 3D and to simulate the stopping behaviour of robots.

Affected in 2020 as projects were postponed or abandoned completely, Kuka is of the view that the auto industry is facing a fundamental structural transformation that offers opportunities but poses enormous challenges at the same time. Confident that the Kuka.Sim.4.0 software will particularly aid components suppliers with its ability to facilitate the planning of robot applications across industry sectors, including auto, the company is looking at a growing use of new technologies such as AGVs and AI-based software solutions. Helped by China’s auto industry’s tremendous thrust on robot installation since 2016 in terms of growth, Kuka is banking on the upgraded software’s capability in significantly reducing the area required by a cell. Roland Ritter, Portfolio Manager, Kuka AG, mentioned that it also contains a new robot language called the ‘Kuka Robot Language’ (KRL), which provides two user views for programming the robot. One view is for the experts and the other is for beginners. Ensuring same data is being worked upon by the virtual controller and the real controller, the Kuka.Sim.4.0 supports the new KR Scara and KR Delta robots from its manufacturer. It also assures 100 percent data consistency.

Features, and more features

Aiding the creation of a customised component library using own CAD data along with Kuka.Sim.Modeling add-on, the Kuka.Sim.4.0 software is also supported by a new ‘Connectivity’ add-on that allows users to commission the cell virtually and create a digital twin for greater planning reliability and the best possible implementation. Interestingly, the customised component library could be as kinematic systems, sensors, material flow or physical behaviour. Using behavioural emulators such as WinMOD and SIMIT, the software, with the Arc Welding add-on, aids users to speed up their offline programming for welding applications. The approach positions or the optimum orientation of the robot for the welding process can be defined, for example. A big advantage of the new software, according to Ritter, is export possibilities. Integrators, he adds, will benefit from the ability to export the simulation as a 3D PDF, which can be simply opened with an Acrobat Reader.

Detailed information in 2D for mechanical commissioning can also be provided via the export feature. One of the highlights of this is product presentation using a virtual reality headset. Tablets and smartphones also deliver impressive simulation results on the go via the Mobile Viewer app, informs Ritter. Signing a major contract with Daimler to supply four-figure number of robots and linear units (KR Fortec and KR Quantec), and other Kuka technologies such as software and controllers, the company has maintained a positive outlook despite Covid-19. Working towards strengthening its position as a global player, Kuka is driving the goal of making automation available to everyone. Looking at conquering new areas and new markets, it is stressing on the potential for cobots – sensitive robots – in the auto industry.

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BMW Group India has surged to the top of the luxury car retail charts in the first half of CY2026, overtaking its closest rival in a significant milestone for the company. The company sold a total of 9,075 vehicles  between January and June 2026, a 17 percent YoY increase.

In an interaction with Motoring Trends, Hardeep Brar, President & CEO, BMW Group India, attributed this success to a potent combination of new product launches and shifting consumer preferences towards electric vehicles amid global fuel price volatility.

“A couple of factors played very well for us. So firstly, we launched 11 new models and second thing, because of the West Asia crisis, an increase in fuel prices, a lot of narrative got shifted towards EVs; a lot of people are preferring to buy EVs versus diesel now,” said Brar.

The company’s aggressive product offensive has been central to its performance. With 11 models already launched in the H1 against the planned 25 product offensive for the year, BMW is capitalising on both traditional and emerging powertrains. Brar expressed strong confidence for the remainder of the year, noting an even more exciting pipeline ahead.

“So that gives us more confidence and EV story is only getting stronger with every passing day. I think we have reached an inflection point; people are really loving the EVs that we are introducing,” he remarked.

BMW’s EV penetration stands at an impressive 26 percent within the luxury segment, significantly ahead of the luxury average of around 14 percent and the broader industry’s 6 percent.

Brar highlighted that removing ‘BMW from the luxury equation drops the segment’s EV share to 8-9 percent, underscoring the brand’s leadership in electrification.’

Responding to the key factors driving EV adoption in the luxury space include near price parity between petrol and electric variants, ranges exceeding 500 km (with next-generation models targeting 800 km), and innovative customer assurances.

“EV customers have a lot of anxiety in terms of residual resale value. So, we have a program where we give an assured buyback to the customer that after three years you will get 60 percent of the value. And that is really playing and that is giving them confidence,” Brar explained.

MINI’s Remarkable Revival

On the other hand, the MINI brand has also delivered exceptional results. After selling approximately 730 units last year, BMW India launched the locally produced Countryman C last month at INR 4.75 million, passing on cost benefits to customers. The response was overwhelming, with 150 units sold in the first month alone.

“We are growing at almost 70 percent for MINI in H1 CY2026 and we want to double the volumes of 730 units last year and are looking at 1,500 units for MINI in CY2026,” Brar stated.

Localisation, Dealer Dynamics and Manufacturing Focus

On localisation, the company maintains an average of 50 percent, slightly higher for internal combustion engine (ICE) models than EVs, with ongoing efforts to deepen content in battery technology as more local players emerge.

Addressing dealer profitability concerns around EVs, which typically require less aftersales maintenance, Brar noted strong upfront margins due to high demand. “Dealer doesn’t lose any money on selling the new car. Whereas petrol and diesel have an oversupply and thus they are able to make far more money on the electric vehicle.”

He confirmed that discounting remains absent on EVs, with waiting periods stretching to three months owing to robust demand.

India’s rising importance in BMW’s global portfolio was a recurring theme. “India is one of the fastest-growing markets for BMW across the globe. This year, India is at No. 1 in terms of growth globally,” Brar said.

The company has moved into the global top 20 markets, prompting increased focus from headquarters.

Going forward, BMW Group India plans to produce 20,000 cars this year, up from 18,000 units last year, with ongoing investments in production lines and AI for efficiency. A significant INR 4 billion investment is earmarked for the retail network across CY2025–2027.

The second half of 2026, will see BMW Group India introduce 14 additional launches, including electric vehicles, sedans and SUVs, maintaining strong momentum.

Sharing his views on the sedan segment, Brar said that it continues to hold a robust 35 percent share of BMW’s sales, far above the industry’s 9-10 percent, reflecting enduring customer preference for the brand’s driving dynamics.

When asked about key challenges and opportunities, Brar outlined a balanced view.  “In terms of headwinds, forex is an issue because it is deteriorating. And with every one rupee deterioration, it impacts our bottom line by 1 percent.” He also flagged the risk of sudden shifts away from diesel potentially creating inventory challenges.

On the flip side, “The accelerating EV transition, rapidly growing demand from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and continuous improvement in brand and customer experience becoming better with every passing day. So that I see as another very, very strong tailwind for us,” concluded Brar.

Despite broader manufacturing sector concerns around labour shortages, BMW reports no significant issues, thanks to proactive AI and automation initiatives.

Data source: Vahan

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German luxury brand BMW Group India has reported its highest-ever sales for the first half (H1) of 2026, delivering 9,075 vehicles between January and June, a 17 percent YoY increase.

In Q2 CY2026, the company delivered 4,507 cars, representing 17 percent growth compared to the same period in 2025.

The group maintained a strong position in the luxury electric vehicle (EV) segment, delivering 2,359 EVs during the first half, marking a 78 percent increase, with these EVs now accounting for 26 percent of its total sales.

The company also saw significant demand for long-wheelbase models, which recorded a 24 percent increase and made up 52 percent of total sales. Sports Activity Vehicles (SAVs) contributed 65 percent to total volumes, growing by 35 percent.

On the other hand, MINI recorded 504 deliveries, a 70 percent increase, while BMW Motorrad delivered 2,327 motorcycles during the same period.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “BMW Group India has delivered its highest-ever sales performance in the first half of 2026. We have delivered 9,075 cars, but beyond this impressive number, what we are really focused on is to continue our steady double-digit growth in an otherwise challenging environment. The +17 percent growth is a clear reflection of the deep trust our customers place in our brands. Our decisive hold on electric mobility has solidified BMW Group India as the number one choice in luxury EV segment. With a phenomenal 78 percent growth, every fourth car we sell today is an EV. Furthermore, our customer-centric product strategy continues to pay off, driven by a substantial surge in demand for our executive long wheelbase models and dynamic sports activity vehicles. Building on the thrill of our new launches, we have planned 14 more exciting products across all three brands before year end. We will drive this performance to the next level with a luxury experience that is unparalleled in the segment and matches evolving customer desires. With the commitment of our dedicated team and dealer partners, we are confident of driving the momentum and rewriting success stories for the rest of the year.”

In H1 CY2026, BMW Group India has already launched 11 products and plans 14 additional launches by the end of the year. The company’s retail network currently stands at 100 touchpoints across 40 cities, with plans to open 19 more outlets in 18 cities throughout 2026.

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Vimag Labs has secured its fifth patent in India, marking a significant milestone for the company’s intellectual property holdings. The newly granted patent, titled ‘A Robust Rotating Transformer Excited Synchronous Motor and Its Control’, protects the fundamental design of the firm’s proprietary Virtual Magnet Synchronous Motor (VMSM) platform. This latest development strengthens a portfolio that now includes 5 granted patents, 10 pending applications and 15 filed trademarks across multiple technological domains.

The patented VMSM technology departs from conventional permanent magnet synchronous motors by eliminating fixed rare-earth magnets from the rotor. Instead, it employs power electronics and advanced control algorithms to generate and regulate its magnetic field in real time. This brushless, slip-ring-free design delivers performance comparable to, or better than, traditional magnet-based solutions while removing the dependency on physical magnetic materials.

With active pilot projects already underway alongside established two-wheeler and passenger car manufacturers, Vimag Labs is positioning itself for broader commercial adoption. Expansion strategies target light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial trucks and high-power industrial systems ranging from 200 kilowatts to 600 kilowatts, with additional research directed towards robotics, defence applications and cooling systems. The patented architecture provides original equipment manufacturers with reduced motor costs and insulation from supply chain vulnerabilities associated with rare-earth magnets, predominantly sourced from China.

Recent financial backing includes a USD 5 million Series A round led by Accel, with participation from Chakra Growth Fund and Thinkuvate. A manufacturing memorandum of understanding has also been signed with Jendamark Private Limited to facilitate production scaling. For India, the homegrown motor technology aligns directly with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, promoting indigenous development of critical electric propulsion systems.

Manish Seth, Co-Founder and CEO, Vimag Labs, said, “This patent is the outcome of over 87,600 engineering hours. It strengthens every dimension of our commercial roadmap- OEM partnerships, licensing, manufacturing scale-up and future growth. Our long-term vision is to build scalable, software-driven, magnet-free motor systems for global electrification. This innovation strengthens India’s deep-tech base across electric mobility, power electronics, robotics, defence and clean-energy systems.”

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Primus Partners, a management consultancy organisation, has announced the launch of a Global Capability Hub in Gurugram, transitioning from its previous advisory role to provide end-to-end Build & Operate services. The platform assists companies with strategy, location selection, operations and talent acquisition.

As the first milestone for this platform, Primus Partners has established a technology-focused GCC for German automotive supplier Linde-Wiemann. The centre, based in Gurugram, will support global operations across ERP, technology, finance and supply chain functions, with plans to expand into engineering and design.

The company states that Gurugram is increasingly attracting multinational enterprises for Global Capability Centre (GCC) investments, supported by the Haryana Global Capability Centres Policy 2026.

The region is emerging as a competitor to traditional hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune due to its access to talent, infrastructure and proximity to the National Capital Region.

Nilaya Varma, Global CEO, Primus Partners, said, "India's GCC story is entering an exciting new phase. While traditional destinations will continue to grow, the next wave of investments will increasingly be driven by locations that combine exceptional talent, strong industry ecosystems, world-class infrastructure and progressive policy support. Haryana, and Gurugram in particular, has all the ingredients to become one of India's leading GCC destinations. Over the years, we have partnered with multinational enterprises on their GCC strategy and advisory requirements. Today, we are taking the next step by helping them build, operate and scale these centres from India. Our engagement with Linde-Wiemann is an important milestone in that journey and reflects the growing confidence global enterprises have in Haryana as a strategic destination for future-ready Global Capability Centres."

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