Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra and DBS Bank India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce a sustainability-linked dealer financing program. The initiative provides preferential interest rates on vehicle inventory loans to authorised dealers that meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance criteria.

The framework operates in conjunction with Mahindra’s Green Dealership Program to evaluate dealership locations against specific metrics. These operational parameters include the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption levels, deployment of renewable energy sources, implementation of rainwater harvesting systems and waste management practices. The assessment also factors in the installation of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and the volume of electric sport utility vehicles (eSUVs) sold by the business.

Under the financing structure, dealerships purchase passenger and commercial vehicles from the manufacturer using credit lines from DBS Bank India. Financial incentives and interest rate adjustments are calibrated based on the dealer's audited ESG scores and sustainability targets.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The launch of our sustainability-linked dealer financing programme with DBS Bank India comes as India stands at a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. As a company with a long-standing commitment to sustainability we very much see it as our responsibility to support India’s sustainability ambitions. The launch of this financing program will enable us to step up the breadth of our decarbonisation efforts, bring our dealerships into the fold and drive a reduction in Scope 3 emissions.”

Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director and Country Head – Global Transaction Services, Corporate Banking – Financial Institutions and SMEs, DBS Bank India, added, “DBS is proud to partner with Mahindra & Mahindra to turn green ambitions into reality. Our new financing program goes beyond the balance sheet, providing the practical tools needed to decarbonise their dealer network at scale. We have leveraged our cross-border expertise to customise this innovative solution that supports our client’s growth, while driving the transition to a net-zero future.”

Terence Yew Tiek Yong, Managing Director and Group Head of Corporate Sales & Solutioning, Global Transaction Services, DBS Bank, said, “DBS is proud to have partnered Mahindra & Mahindra in driving prominence of ESG among its dealers. DBS is supporting Mahindra & Mahindra by incentivising their dealer network to promote EV adoption in the community and enable higher ESG standards of operations and investment. We are inspired by the active collaboration across Mahindra & Mahindra’s organisational functions, from Production to Sustainability, from Channels to Finance, to take the wheel in climate adaptation.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

European automotive Group Stellantis recently hosted 300 suppliers in Paris to discuss its faSTLAne 2030 strategy. The convention included supplier partners, regional leadership and global purchasing executives, focusing on collaboration and execution for the European market.

The event outlined the company’s vision for growth and product renewal. Leaders stressed that achieving these goals requires accountability across the value chain.

Emanuele Cappellano, COO for Enlarged Europe & European Brands and Head of Stellantis Pro One, said, "Europe is entering a pivotal period as we execute our long-term strategy and bring an exciting wave of products and technologies to market. Success depends on our ability to execute together. Our suppliers are essential partners in that journey, helping us deliver the quality, innovation, and competitiveness our customers expect. By working as one team, we can strengthen our performance and position Stellantis for long-term success in Europe."

A recurring theme was the necessity of collaboration and communication between Stellantis and its supply base to support product launches and operations.

Monica Genovese, Chief Purchasing Officer, Stellantis, said, "Creating value starts with strong partnerships. Our suppliers are critical contributors to every vehicle, every launch, and every customer experience. We are committed to being a Customer of Choice by strengthening engagement, listening to feedback, and working together to solve challenges. The path to achieving our objectives is built on trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to execution."

Quality was identified as a core component of the business strategy, with leaders noting that suppliers influence the customer experience from production to long-term reliability.

Stephane Dubs, Senior Vice-President, Purchasing, Enlarged Europe, Stellantis, said, "Quality is a shared commitment across our entire ecosystem; it is not the responsibility of only one team or one organisation. Every decision we make impacts the customer experience. Together with our suppliers, we must continue to raise the bar on cost competitiveness, quality, responsiveness and execution to strengthen customer loyalty and ensure the success of our brands."

The convention offered suppliers direct access to the company’s purchasing teams to align on future priorities.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Cars24, one of the leading vehicle buying and selling marketplaces, has removed its traditional levels, grades and job titles, replacing them with a structure called ‘Flatland’. Under this model, all employees share the title of ‘Builder’, shifting the focus from organisational rank to the problems they own and the outcomes they produce.

The company stated that this change is a response to the impact of AI on organisational structure. By removing hierarchy, Cars24 aims to improve decision-making and coordination.

Vikram Chopra, Builder at Cars24, said, “Hierarchy was one of humanity's greatest inventions. It helped organisations scale when information was scarce. AI fundamentally changes that equation. Today, intelligence and context are increasingly available to everyone. The role of an organisation is no longer to move decisions up and down layers. It's to help exceptional people solve exceptional problems together. Flatland is our attempt to build an organisation for that reality.”

Under Flatland, leadership is defined by execution and customer impact rather than position. Policies regarding benefits and assets are no longer linked to rank but to role requirements and universal benefits.

The company reports that it has tested this model over the past 18 months, resulting in a 50 percent YoY increase in revenue per employee in the second half of FY2026 and a contribution of nearly 300 basis points to EBITDA. Cars24 currently operates in India, the UAE and Australia, and reports reaching global profitability this year.

“We don't believe removing titles automatically creates a great culture. Culture comes from behaviour. Flatland simply removes the shortcuts that let people mistake position for contribution. We want the person closest to the problem to feel empowered to solve it regardless of where they joined or how long they've been here,” concluded Chopra.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Germany-headquartered world’s largest chemical producer BASF has completed the transaction with Carlyle involving its coatings business, which now operates as Surventis.

The deal, which reached an enterprise value of EUR 7.7 billion, concluded on 30 June 2026 following regulatory approval with BASF receiving pre-tax cash proceeds of approximately EUR 5.8 billion.

Under the terms of the agreement, BASF retains a 40 percent equity stake in Surventis, which includes the automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and surface treatment operations. This transaction, combined with the divestiture of the decorative paints business in 2025, values the former Coatings division at EUR 8.7 billion.

Dr. Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, said, “This successful closing marks a key milestone in the execution of our Winning Ways strategy aimed at unlocking the value of our standalone businesses. By holding a 40 percent equity stake, we will continue to participate in the future value creation of the coatings business while sharpening BASF’s strategic focus.”

Anup Kothari, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE, added, “We are convinced that the new ownership structure provides an excellent foundation for future profitable growth of Surventis. We wish the former BASF Coatings employees every success as they move forward into their future as an independent company.”

BASF has accounted for the coatings business as discontinued operations since September 2025. From July 2026, the 40 percent stake in Surventis will be treated as a financial investment accounted for using the equity method.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pune-headquartered global product engineering and digital services company Tata Technologies and automotive component supplier Tenneco have signed an agreement to expand their partnership, committing to technical development and digital innovation.

The collaboration, which began in 2021, is based at Tata Technologies’ Global Engineering Center in Pune. It focuses on product development and operations through the use of engineering, digital technologies, and AI.

The agreement was signed by Jon Bagrosky, Chief Administrative Officer of Tenneco, and Warren Harris, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Technologies.

As part of the understanding, Tenneco plans to invest over USD 100 million in this engagement over the next five years.

Jon Bagrosky, said, “This next phase builds on the strong foundation we’ve established with Tata Technologies and reflects the continued importance of India as a strategic growth region for Tenneco. By expanding this partnership, we are strengthening the capabilities, scale and agility needed to support our customers, respond to evolving market needs and deliver long-term value across our global business.”

Warren Harris, said, “Tenneco has been a valued strategic partner, and this expanded engagement reflects the strength of our shared commitment. As Tenneco accelerates its mobility transformation journey, we are proud to bring together deep domain expertise, digital capabilities, and business transformation experience to support Tenneco’s global growth agenda.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!