Mahindra Racing has solidified its long-term future in electric motorsport by confirming its manufacturer commitment to the GEN4 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, starting in 2026/27. This announcement, made during the unveiling of its new M12Electro race car in India, extends a relationship that began in 2013 when Mahindra stood as both a founding team and the first OEM to join the all-electric series.

The team's current trajectory underscores the significance of this pledge. Following a dramatic 18-month transformation under CEO and Team Principal Frederic Bertrand, Mahindra Racing has evolved from a backmarker into a consistent front-runner. This resurgence was powered by the redesigned M11Electro, in which drivers Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara collectively secured five podium finishes in Season 11, catapulting the squad to a stellar fourth place in the world championship. The newly launched M12Electro is the intended vehicle to maintain this status as a top-five contender and a regular threat for podium positions in the forthcoming season.

The technical landscape for GEN4 promises to further electrify the sport. The next-generation cars will boast a peak race power of 450 kw, with a potent 600 kw available in ATTACK MODE to empower aggressive overtaking. Enhanced strategic possibilities will come from a race energy capacity of up to 55 kWh and a remarkable 700 kw of regenerative braking. In a continued commitment to sustainability, the GEN4 chassis will be produced from 100 percent recyclable materials and will feature two distinct aerodynamic configurations – high-downforce for qualifying and low-downforce for races – to optimise performance.

Mahindra's ambition is to leverage this new regulatory chapter to build on its renewed momentum, chase incremental gains and establish itself as a confirmed championship contender against elite manufacturers like Porsche and Jaguar. This competitive platform also serves a broader purpose, aligning with the Mahindra Group’s sustainability initiatives. The team, the first in Formula E to earn the FIA’s Three-Star Sustainability Accreditation, has embarked on its ‘Planet Positive’ programme. This initiative is dedicated to driving positive impact in communities and economies, accelerating climate solutions and using the intersection of sport and technology as a catalyst for a better future.

R Velusamy, Chairman, Mahindra Racing, said, "Mahindra Racing has always been a symbol of our commitment to the Race to Road journey – where cutting-edge innovation on the track directly shapes the clean, intelligent and high-performance mobility solutions we deliver to customers. Formula E is a powerful platform for innovating new technology, giving us the ability to experiment, learn and advance electric powertrain efficiency, sustainable materials and software intelligence. As we step into the GEN4 era, our ambition only grows stronger. Continuing this journey till 2030 is a testament to our belief in the sport, in electrification and in India’s role in leading global sustainable mobility. We are proud to champion this future, and GEN4 represents an exciting new chapter for Mahindra Racing and the Mahindra Group.”

Frederic Bertrand, Team Principal, Mahindra Racing, said, “I’m delighted to share this announcement that Mahindra Racing will remain in Formula E as a manufacturer for the GEN4 era. As a team, we have been on a fantastic journey over the past two seasons. What we have built and achieved as a group has been exceptional, and with this announcement, we now have the platform to keep growing and developing and achieve even greater success in the future. None of this would be possible without our colleagues across the Mahindra Group. They have bought into the project and the vision, and we will keep working hard to not only make India proud but also showcase exactly why it has the potential to be a major player on the world stage in the automotive and technology industries. Their enthusiasm to ‘Scream Electric’ is hugely inspiring to the whole team, and we will continue to represent them with pride in this next exciting chapter of our Formula E story in the coming years.”

Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E, said, “We’re thrilled to confirm Mahindra’s long-term commitment to the GEN4 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. As one of our founding teams, Mahindra has been with us since the very beginning, consistently championing electric racing and innovation. Their bold vision for sustainable mobility and continued investment in advanced EV technology perfectly align with Formula E’s mission. Mahindra’s enduring presence not only strengthens our position in a key market but also reinforces Formula E’s role as a global platform for driving positive change. We’re excited to see what they’ll achieve in this next chapter of performance and progress.”

Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA, said, “Following the GEN4 reveal and the really positive sentiment reported, we are pleased to announce Mahindra as the sixth manufacturer to commit to Formula E’s GEN4 era. This is testament to the relevance of the road map we are implementing in Formula E for OEMs. GEN4 underscores just how far the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has come since 2014 and we are looking forward to continuing this journey with Mahindra as one of the founding teams and partners.”

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Japanese automotive component supplier Toyoda Gosei Co has announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in the Bidkin Industrial Area in Maharashtra.

The plant will produce interior and exterior components, including bumpers and instrument panels, alongside safety systems such as airbags and steering wheels and functional components like plastic fuel filler pipes.

It will commence operations in the first half of 2029 to supply Japanese car manufacturers operating in the country, including Toyota Kirloskar Motor, which is constructing a vehicle plant in the same industrial zone.

The development represents Toyoda Gosei’s eighth location in India and will operate as a branch plant under its subsidiary, Toyoda Gosei South India.

The site covers approximately 78,400 square metres of land with a planned building area of 29,200 square metres. Toyoda Gosei plans an investment of approximately INR 5.758 billion (JPY 9.3 billion) for the project, with projected workforce numbers reaching around 570 employees by 2030.

The facility will incorporate equipment including electric injection moulding machines with automated mould-changing systems, a bumper painting booth, automated guided vehicles and rooftop solar panels.

Production processes will integrate Internet of Things technology, digital transformation systems, collaborative robots, and mechanical mechanisms derived from Karakuri design principles.

The expansion comes as product demand in India shifts from compact cars toward sport utility vehicles. Toyoda Gosei intends to utilise the new facility to expand its local development and manufacturing network across the region.

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Pune-headquartered automotive company Kinetic Engineering has announced an investment of approximately INR 570 million to support its capital expenditure requirements and expand its electric two-wheeler segment.

The company shared that it intends to deploy INR 170 million toward CAPEX, while INR 400 million will be directed toward electric vehicle manufacturing and distribution. The capital injection is being executed through the final tranche conversion of 4,451,000 warrants issued to promoters in March 2025.

The investment follows an increase in the company's dealer network and product distribution footprint. Kinetic Engineering has signed letters of intent with over 150 dealers across India, with 60 dealerships operational featuring sales, service and spare parts operations. Promoter shareholding in Kinetic Engineering has increased from 50 percent to 69.27 percent over the past four years.

In its electric two-wheeler business, the company is focusing on its Kinetic DX and DX+ scooter models, which incorporate 3.1 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery packs that deliver a range of up to 132 kilometres under Indian Driving Cycle test conditions.

Ajinkya Firodia, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Kinetic Engineering, said, "Kinetic Engineering is entering an exciting phase of growth, with strong momentum across both our automotive components and electric mobility businesses. Our auto-components business is seeing a healthy pipeline of new orders, which will support growth and help us work towards our target of improving EBITDA margins to around 12%. At the same time, the response to our Kinetic DX electric scooter has been encouraging, giving us confidence to expand our presence across markets. With continued investments in capacity, technology and our retail network, we are focused on scaling both businesses and building Kinetic into a leading and enduring player in India’s electric mobility segment."

The company aims to secure a position among the top ten electric vehicle brands in India as industry projections indicate electric two-wheeler market volumes could expand from 1.8 million units to 7 million units by FY2030.

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Fluid transmission solutions provider Imperial Auto has opened its new Global Technology Centre in Backnang, Germany, expanding its engineering footprint within the European automotive sector.

Situated in the Stuttgart metropolitan area, the facility will function as a hub for technology development, engineering and customer collaboration. The centre is designed to support OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers across passenger cars, commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery, off-highway equipment and mobility applications by integrating European client requirements with Imperial Auto's global manufacturing infrastructure.

Vikram Wagh, Managing Director and CEO, Imperial Auto, said, “Europe is an important market for Imperial Auto, and establishing a dedicated technology centre in Germany is a significant step in our global growth journey. The centre will strengthen our ability to work closely with customers, understand their evolving technology and product requirements, and translate these insights into innovative solutions. Being closer to our customers will enable faster technical responses, more effective collaboration and stronger product development. The Backnang centre will also facilitate the exchange of engineering knowledge, technologies and best practices across our global network, helping us accelerate innovation and deliver reliable, future-ready solutions to customers across markets.”

The Backnang facility will house teams dedicated to product development and technical support, aiming to accelerate decision-making cycles and facilitate joint engineering initiatives between regional clients and the company's central development units.

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Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown brand CEER has revealed its first flagship vehicles, the EXOBOT e-sedan and SUV, during a ceremony led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The EVs were showcased at the CEER Manufacturing Complex located in King Abdullah Economic City, marking the initial step in a planned portfolio of 7 vehicle models scheduled for release by 2030.

The EXOBOT models are built on a tri-motor all-wheel-drive electric powertrain architecture. In its highest specification, the powertrain produces 1,111 horsepower and 1,500 Nm of torque.

The e-sedan accelerates from standstill to 100 kmph in a claimed 2.1 seconds with a top speed of 250 kmph, while the SUV reaches 100 kmph in 2.4 seconds with a maximum speed of 210 kmph.

Thermal management systems, termed Halo Cooling, is designed to lower cabin temperatures from 65deg C to 32deg C within 10 minutes. The EV incorporate steer-by-wire technology, reducing steering input angles from 400 degrees to 160 degrees, alongside rear-wheel steering capabilities.

In terms of dimension, the EXOBOT sedan measures 5.26 metres in length, 2.1 metres in width and 1.43 metres in height. The SUV measures 5.02 metres in length, 2.1 metres in width and 1.69 metres in height.

On the outside, it features include a 2.4-metre windshield angled at a 15-degree inclination, three-metre-long Shahin Wing doors that open in a 60cm arc and light signatures comprising 32 individual light elements.

Inside, the cabin contains a 48-inch curved digital display operating at 8K resolution, a 10.4-inch central control screen and an eight-inch rear display screen.

Commercial roll-out will begin with the EXOBOT First Edition, offered in sedan and SUV configurations powered by an 850-horsepower tri-motor setup producing 1,000 Nm of torque.

The EXOBOT utilises a 112 kWh battery pack and an 800-volt electrical architecture, the First Edition delivers an estimated range of up to 670 kilometres for the sedan and 560 kilometres for the SUV, with 10 to 80 percent charging achieved in under 30 minutes.

CEER is targeting a local content ratio of 45 percent for its vehicle supply chain by 2034.

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