Mahindra Unveils Future-Ready India Design Studio To Shape Next Generation Automobiles

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.” 

BluJ Aerospace Unveils Gen2 eVTOL Prototype Built On Vantis Platform Architecture

BluJ Vantis eVTOL

Hyderabad-headquartered BluJ Aerospace has introduced its Gen 2 prototype electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, marking the first commercial-grade assembly developed from its Vantis platform architecture.

The rollout follows four years of internal research and development at the company's 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.

The Gen 2 is a fully battery-powered vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft configured for freight and cargo logistics. It operates with a maximum take-off weight of 500 kilograms and carries an active payload capacity target exceeding 200 kilograms. Employing a lift-plus-cruise design, the model is currently undergoing flight tests to validate subsystem integration, payload distribution and mission metrics for commercial deployments.

The underlying Vantis architecture forms a unified engineering baseline for the airframe, electric propulsion systems, flight controls and autonomous navigation software. Subsystems validated on the initial platforms are transferred directly to future vehicle iterations to manage development costs and accelerate commercial timelines. The company holds a design patent on its eVTOL layout and has submitted utility patent filings for its carbon-fibre airframe and distributed powertrain configurations.

BluJ’s current commercial pipeline encompasses infrastructure transport, express cargo, energy networks, airport freight and defence logistics. The company has finalised a pilot project with a public sector undertaking (PSU) in the power sector and maintains technical partnerships with a defence PSU alongside domestic military supplier.

On the development of its hydrogen-electric powertrains, the firm has completed ground testing of its fuel-cell assembly, which incorporates an internally designed Type IV composite hydrogen storage tank. Long-range hydrogen-electric variants are scheduled for testing between 2027 and 2028. To support this propulsion rollout, BluJ is collaborating with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Cochin International Airport Limited to outline regional hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

Amar Sri Vatsavaya, Founder and CEO, BluJ Aerospace, said, “The next major shift in aviation is the move from single product programs to platform-based architectures. Just as the automotive industry builds multiple vehicles on a common platform, Advanced Air Mobility will need adaptable architectures that scale across missions, payloads, and customer use cases. That is the advantage VANTIS gives BluJ. Our platform-based approach lets us develop multiple AAM product classes efficiently and at scale."

Sateesh Andra, Managing Director, Endiya Partners, added, “India runs one of the largest logistics economies in the world, but it still moves on aircraft and infrastructure designed elsewhere. Aerial mobility is a rare category where Indian deep-tech can build globally relevant aerospace IP from the ground up, and that needs founders willing to bet years on getting the engineering right. BluJ Aerospace’s Gen 2 flight is proof that the hard work is paying off. From long-range cargo to the regional passenger mobility India needs next, they are building what comes after the runway.”

Naganand Doraswamy, Managing Partner, Ideaspring Capital, said, "Deep-tech categories that compound, from semiconductors to robotics and now aerospace, are won by teams that build platforms, not single products. India has had the engineering talent for decades, but very few teams have applied that platform discipline to aircraft. That is what BluJ has done with VANTIS, and Gen 2 is the first commercial output of an architecture we expect will shape how India shows up in global aerospace over the next decade.”

Pham Nhat Quan Anh Succeeds Le Thi Thu Thuy As Chairman Of VinFast Auto

Pham Nhat Quan Anh

Vietnamese automotive company VinFast Auto has appointed Pham Nhat Quan Anh as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 23 May 2026. He succeeds Le Thi Thu Thuy, who steps down from the board to focus on her role as Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup, VinFast’s majority shareholder.

The management transition comes as the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer expands its production and sales presence across international markets, including recent factory development and vehicle rollouts in Southeast Asia.

Prior to this appointment, Pham Nhat Quan Anh held the positions of Vice Chairman and Standing Deputy General Director at VinFast Trading and Production JSC.

Since joining the automotive firm in February 2019, his executive responsibilities have spanned vehicle development, manufacturing oversight and quality control, including tenures as Deputy General Director of Global Sales, Marketing & Aftersales and Director of the Planning, Program Coordination and Quality Inspection Division.

Pham Nhat Quan Anh, said, “I am honoured to assume the role of Chairman of the Board of VinFast. VinFast has built a strong foundation over the past several years, and we remain focused on executing the Company’s long-term strategic priorities, advancing innovation, and continuing to strengthen our global operations and customer experience. I look forward to working closely with the leadership team as VinFast enters its next stage of growth”.

Pham Nhat Quan Anh holds a Bachelor’s degree in business management from Singapore Management University. Between 2017 and 2019, he worked within the hospitality sector as Deputy General Director and Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Vinpearl Joint Stock Company, focusing on operational management and corporate strategic planning.

TVS Motor Co Recognised For Shareholder Value Creation By WirtschaftsWoche And BCG

TVS Motor Co

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has achieved the first position globally in the 'Durable Consumer Goods' category of the annual 'Best Stocks in the World' ranking.

The study was published by German business weekly WirtschaftsWoche and was based on the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Value Creators analysis.

The evaluation analysed more than 2,000 listed companies across 35 industries worldwide. Over the 5-year period from 2021 to 2025, TVS Motor Company recorded an average annual total shareholder return of approximately 51 percent.

This placed the company ahead of category peers from Japan, China, the United States and India. According to the data, the performance was driven by revenue growth contributing 22 percentage points and market valuation contributing 18 percentage points, along with profit margin improvements and debt reduction.

Professor Sir Ralf Speth, Chief Mentor, TVS Motor Company, said, “This recognition by WirtschaftsWoche and BCG is the result of the consistent implementation of Chairman Sudarshan Venu’s clear strategic vision. His passion for the company, deep understanding of markets and customers, openness to new technology, and attentiveness to the workforce create a values-based environment in which creativity and performance can flourish. Equally exemplary is the strong commitment to social responsibility. With this mindset - the ‘TVS Way’ - and under outstanding corporate leadership, the TVS team wins numerous international awards year after year, including accolades for environmental stewardship and exceptional product quality. TVS is synonymous with quality and a strong commitment to the environment, rooted in the skill of its people and built on manufacturing excellence. In symbiosis with this commitment, the company continues to advance energy-efficient solutions and strengthen its leadership in electric mobility. Under TVS Motor Company’s ownership, Norton’s global resurgence is now clear. This storied and deeply revered brand is once again delivering a compelling combination of technology, design integrity and dynamism. I am confident TVS Motor Company is strongly positioned for the future - delivering sustainable growth, strengthening global competitiveness and creating long-term shareholder value - recognition goes to the whole TVS team for their hard work and commitment."

In FY2026, TVS Motor Co reported annual sales of 5.89 million units, representing a 24 percent increase YoY. International business grew 33 percent across more than 90 markets. Revenue increased 30 percent YoY to INR 472 billion, operating profit before tax rose 40 percent to INR 49.75 billion and the operating EBITDA margin reached 12.9 percent.

Eicher Motors Reports INR 55.15 Billion Net Profit For FY2026

Eicher - RE

Eicher Motors, one of the leading manufacturers of two-wheelers and commercial vehicles, has announced its financial results for Q4 FY2026 and FY2026.

During Q4 FY2026, Royal Enfield sold 313,811 motorcycles, up 12 percent YoY, while VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) reported sales of 33,976 units, as against 28,675 units a year ago.  The company reported INR 60.8 billion revenue, up 16 percent YoY, EBITDA of INR 15.14 billion, up 20 percent YoY and net profit of INR 15.20, up 12 percent YoY for Q4 FY2026.

For FY2026, Royal Enfield reported its highest-ever annual sales, surpassing 1.2 million units, up 22 percent YoY, which includes 1.10 million units in the domestic market, up 23 percent YoY.

The revenue came at INR 234 billion, up 24 percent YoY, EBITDA at INR 57.8 billion, up 23 percent YoY and profit after tax of INR 55.15 billion, up 17 percent YoY.

B. Govindarajan, Managing Director - Eicher Motors and CEO, Royal Enfield, said, “FY2026 has been an exceptional year for Eicher Motors and Royal Enfield, marked by strong growth, record volumes, and a continued focus on our global ambitions during our 125th anniversary. We achieved over one million motorcycle sales for the second consecutive year and recorded our best-ever festive season, with record volumes in both domestic and international markets. We also marked a major milestone in April ‘26 with our entry into the electric mobility space via the launch of the Flying Flea C6. International business remains a key priority as we steadily deepen our presence in markets like Brazil. This year, we also took the brand into new cultural spaces - ranging from gaming collaborations to marquee community rides - that strengthen our global identity. To power our next phase of growth, we have committed to significant investments, including the brownfield capacity expansion at Cheyyar with INR 9.58 billion and our strategic expansion plan at Tada in Andhra Pradesh, both aimed at building future-ready capacity to support our long-term projected growth.”

B Srinivas. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, VECV, said, “Crossing the milestone of 1,00,000 vehicles in a year is a significant achievement for VECV and reflects the trust our customers have placed in our products and solutions. This milestone also fulfills a key part of the original vision set at the inception of the Volvo–Eicher joint venture, underscoring the strength and long-term strategic direction of our partnership. During the year, VECV launched several innovative solutions in the rapidly evolving Indian CV Industry -including the Eicher Pro X Small Truck for city distribution, 12 m Eicher electric intercity coach, electric Tarmac Buses and the Volvo FM LNG Road Train specially designed for long haul logistics. As we move forward, we remain committed to driving the next phase of growth through innovation, sustainability, and deeper customer engagement.”