Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M Ltd) has inaugurated the Mahindra India Design Studio (MIDS), a state-of-the-art creative facility that marks a significant leap ahead in the company’s automotive and industrial design capabilities. 
Located in the group’s automotive manufacturing site at Kandivali in Mumbai, MIDS marks the expansion of the existing design studio at the same location with the addition of new and modern equipment such as the Kolb clay milling machine with two five-axis milling centres on a single ‘bed’ that would enable prototyping of two projects – an exterior or interior of a vehicle, two exterior works or more – at the same time in an effort to contribute to time-to-market. 
Marking the doubling of the studio size and reaffirming M&M's commitment to design excellence as a cornerstone of the product development strategy, the MIDS has also acquired a new paint booth to support paint design and development activities regarding new designs. 
With ‘Heartcare’ design philosophy driving the group’s push into the SUV space, the MIDS will also work on other automotive areas such as commercial vehicles and tractors. 
Marking a significant upgrade of a facility that was originally set up in 2015 as a dedicated studio to support M&M's auto and farm business, the newer and bigger set up is already tapping the growing talent in the respective field in the country.  
To be headed by Ajay Saran Sharma, the MIDS will have a 100 strong team to drive design project management, concept design, digital designing, physical modelling, studio engineering, CMF design, design quality/Realisation and HMI/UI/UX. The finer elements would include exterior and interior designing, visualisation, clay modelling, prototyping and more. 
Capable of supporting working progress on two or three projects at the same time and not just regarding passenger vehicles but also regarding commercial vehicles and tractors, MIDS will serve as a collaborative bridge between India and Mahindra’s global design outpost – the Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE). 
Aiming to inspire innovation by blending digital tools with hands-on craftsmanship, MIDS will play a central role in shaping vehicles and experiences that are distinctly global, yet Indian. 
“It is a pleasure to have this new avatar of Mahindra India Design Studio commissioned. With state-of-the- art design spaces and machinery backed by world-class skills that hugely expands its capability and capacity, the footprint of the space stands doubled to take on and deliver the ever-expanding project portfolio across businesses. The end-to-end delivery on projects from the first concept sketch through to production stands further strengthened with the new working structure that along with the classic design verticals includes new functions such as HMI Design, Design Quality & Realisation,” explained Sharma. 
Pratap Bose, Chief Design and Creative Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, averred, “We are thrilled to inaugurate our future ready Mahindra India Design Studio bringing world class design technologies and tools to create stunning, design outcomes across our Auto and Farm businesses. The new studio will attract the best design talent from India and become a leading automotive design centre in India. The influence of MIDS on our products will be felt for many years to come.” 

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Powered by JK Tyre, the Indian Racing Festival 2026 got off to a thrilling start at the Kari Motor Speedway (KMS) in Coimbatore, recently, with the opening round of the F4 Indian Championship delivering three action-packed races and a closely contested battle for the top honours. 
Aris Kyriakou emerged as the standout performer of the weekend, combining two runner-up finishes with a Race 3 victory to finish Round 1 with a dominant display.
With the opening round producing seven different drivers on the podium across the three races, the championship has already underlined the depth of competition on the grid. The F4 Indian Championship will now remain at Kari Motor Speedway for Round 2, giving the drivers another opportunity to challenge for crucial championship points at the same venue before the six-round season moves on to its other racing destinations.
South African Luviwe Sambudla stole the spotlight as the opener didn't unfold the way the grid sheet suggested it might. Sambudla, lining up eighth for Goa Aces JA Racing, tore through traffic almost immediately and had himself in podium contention within the first four opening laps in the first battle.
A mid-race safety car briefly closed up the field and threatened to undo his hard work, but it barely slowed him down as he crossed the line first in 31 minutes and 05.808 seconds, edging Kyriakou by 2.245 seconds, with pole-sitter Aaron Mehta rounding out the podium in third.
Before any of that unfolded, though, it was Mehta who'd already made headlines. The fifteen-year-old Singaporean, racing for Kolkata Royal Tigers, put in a lap of 1:05.652 to become the youngest driver ever to take pole in this championship's history. He couldn't quite hold that pace deep into the race, dropping to third as his tyres wore thin, but for a debutant barely out of his mid-teens, a podium finish is nothing to sniff at.
 
Aryan Narola's pole-to-flag drive made him the second-youngest race winner in series history
 Starting from pole in Race 2, Goa Aces JA Racing’s Aryan Narola fended off constant pressure from Kyriakou across the full 26-lap distance on the second day of the championship, eventually taking the flag just 0.624 seconds clear. Aris Kyriakou and Swarnav Das completed the podium behind them. The result makes Narola the second-youngest winner in the championship's history, a milestone which will be talked about in the lead-up to Round Two.
 
Race 3 belonged to Aris Kyriakou
Starting from pole for the third race running, Kyriakou didn't have things all his own way. He crossed the line first, but not before fending off relentless pressure from Mahlori Mabunda, who spent much of the race glued to his gearbox. Third went to Mehta, while Sambudla, the weekend's Race 1 winner, could only manage fourth this time round.
Mabunda displayed the pace to challenge for the win, but spent lap after lap fighting the effects of dirty air, the turbulent, disrupted airflow that trails a car ahead and robs the chasing driver of downforce through the corners.
Further back, the race delivered its share of chaos too. With the laps winding down, the leaders began lapping the rest of the field, sweeping up everyone from fourth to fourteenth during the final 90 seconds. Amid that scramble, Ntiyiso Mabunda came to a halt on track on the last lap, forcing race control to throw a yellow flag. The timing worked out well for Mehta, who'd been running fourth behind Kyriakou and the two South Africans, but Mabunda's misfortune opened the door, and he grabbed third as a result.
Round 1 threw up seven different names on the rostrum across its three races, but it's Kyriakou's name that stands tallest heading into the next stop. With the series set to return to the very same venue for its second round, all eyes will be on whether he can carry this form forward, or whether the chasing pack finally finds a way past.
 

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Thirty emerging technology fields will drive global economic growth over the next 15 years, with their total market value projected to expand from EUR 2.5 trillion to more than EUR 20 trillion by 2040 says a report by global consulting firm Roland Berger.

The research titled ‘The 2040 Technology Gameplan ’ finds that these sectors will account for 37 percent of global industrial value creation by 2040, up from 9 percent today.

The study identifies 14 core technology areas as critical for industrial growth, representing a market potential of EUR 16 trillion. Semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) systems and data centres are projected to constitute more than half of this total. Additional sectors highlighted include energy storage, quantum technologies and humanoid robotics.

Furthermore, the report points out that Europe could capture approximately 20 percent of the global market across these 14 primary technology sectors by 2040, equivalent to EUR 3 trillion in value creation. However, European industry has lost market share to the United States and China due to scaling constraints, capital limitations and institutional complexity.

To address these challenges, the analysis outlines three approaches tailored to specific technology fields: pursuing global leadership in areas such as quantum technology, medical technology, microgrids and carbon capture; leveraging domestic demand in sectors like autonomous defence, humanoid robotics and charging infrastructure; and attracting foreign technology providers to establish local operations for large language models and next-generation semiconductors.

Felix Mogge, Partner, Roland Berger, said, "Europe faces a clear mandate for action. Policymakers and industry leaders must work together to create the right conditions for investment and scaling. Otherwise, the value creation generated by the next wave of technology trends will take place elsewhere."

The study indicates that existing European regulatory frameworks, including the AI Act, the EU Battery Regulation, and the European Chips Act, have not fully achieved their targets. The findings call for EU-wide policies to support commercial scaling, capital availability, and industrial strategy across member states.

Stefan Riederle, Partner, Roland Berger, said, "Europe has the technologies and the talent to compete for global leadership in a number of fields. The challenge now is to choose the right strategy for each technology area and secure Europe’s long-term competitiveness."

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Hero Motors has fixed the price band for its initial public offering at INR 79 to INR 84 per equity share of face value INR 10 each. The offer will open for subscription on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, and close on Friday, 18 September 2026. Bidders can apply for a minimum lot of 178 equity shares and in multiples of 178 equity shares thereafter.

The company’s INR 10 billion public issue comprises a fresh issue of equity shares raising up to INR 6 billion alongside an offer-for-sale of up to INR 4 billion by promoters O P Munjal Holdings and Hero Cycles. Out of the fresh issue proceeds, the company will allocate INR 1.9 billion toward the repayment or prepayment of outstanding borrowings and INR 2 billion for capital expenditure to purchase equipment for capacity expansion at its Gautam Buddha Nagar facility in Uttar Pradesh. The remaining capital will fund inorganic growth acquisitions, strategic initiatives, and general corporate activities.

Hero Motors operates as an automotive technology company designing, developing, and manufacturing powertrain solutions for original equipment manufacturers across the United States, Europe, India and the ASEAN region. The company provides integrated system-level and component-level powertrain products, electric motors, integrated drive units, gear sets and continuously variable transmissions for electric and non-electric applications. Its client portfolio includes two-wheelers, performance cars, e-bikes, off-road vehicles, electric and hybrid automobiles, heavy-duty commercial transport, and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

The company supplies global original equipment manufacturers and component firms including BMW AG, Ducati Motor Holding, Enviolo International, Formula Motorsport, Hummingbird EV and HWA AG.

The IPO is structured through the book-building process, allocating up to 50 percent of the net offer to qualified institutional buyers, a minimum of 15 percent to non-institutional bidders and a minimum of 35 percent to retail individual bidders.

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Zuno General Insurance has launched Fuel Guard, an industry-first car insurance add-on. As per the new-age digital insurer, the product offers extra protection amid India’s growing adoption of approved blended fuels.

Fuel Guard covers specified engine and fuel-system components against accidental and unforeseen damage caused directly by manufacturer-approved blended fuel. It is available for private cars registered on or after 1 April 2023, provided the manufacturer has approved the fuel used.

Vehicles must follow the prescribed maintenance schedule and have no unauthorised engine or fuel-system modifications. The cover can be added to applicable private car package, standalone own damage and bundled policies, including three-year long-term policies. Zuno said the launch reinforces its customer-focused motor protection strategy, following offerings such as Zuno SmartDrive.

Shanai Ghosh, MD & CEO, Zuno General Insurance, said, "At its core, Fuel Guard is built around a simple idea: as the mobility ecosystem evolves, insurance protection needs to evolve with it. At Zuno, we continuously look at how changes in mobility are shaping customer expectations and ownership experiences. Fuel Guard reflects our effort to translate those insights into simple, practical solutions that make protection more relevant in everyday life."

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