Namma Yatri and EnAble India have joined hands with True Assistive Technology to enhance Purple Rides by introducing the TurnPlus swivel seat feature, which makes it easier for individuals with mobility challenges to enter and exit vehicles. The aim of this partnership is to make urban travel more inclusive.

TurnPlus is an award-winning, simple-to-install seat mechanism that was introduced in 2017 and makes getting in and out of automobiles easier for persons with impairments or medical issues. It has undergone extensive testing and certification, guaranteeing comfort and safety. By March 2025, 300 cars will have TurnPlus seats installed in Bengaluru as part of a test effort to launch this function. With ambitions to shortly extend to additional locations, the business hopes to add 1,000 accessible vehicles over the course of the next six months.

In order to make travel safe, comfortable and accessible for those with mobility impairments, visual impairments and deaf people, Namma Yatri established Purple Rides in October 2023 in partnership with EnAble India, a knowledge partner. Sensitised drivers who have received training to help passengers with impairments are offered by Purple Rides. Additionally, with features like ride preferences and driver assistance, the Purple Rides app is intended to be user-friendly for those with a variety of requirements.

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has unveiled its ‘Smart Integrated Automotive Mobility Lab (SIAM Lab)’ at the Smart Mobility India Expo 2026. Held at Bharat Mandapam from 23–25 March 2026, the pavilion serves as a collaborative platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technology providers and research institutions.

The SIAM Lab, located in Hall-1, is organised into three functional areas designed to demonstrate the evolution of the Indian automotive sector:

• Sustainable Mobility: Focusing on decarbonisation and green transport.
• Research & Testing: Showcasing validation frameworks and safety standards.
• Technology: Highlighting software-defined vehicles and connectivity.

The exhibit features 14 electrified vehicles from manufacturers including Tata Motors, Kia India, JSW MG Motor India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, BMW India and Hyundai Motor India. Two-wheeler and last-mile segments are represented by TVS Motor Company, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Ather Energy, Hero MotoCorp, Montra Electric and EKA Mobility.

The initiative involves partnerships with technical and data entities such as ARAI, Qualcomm, HERE Technologies, Google, ITS India Forum and Onnyx. These collaborations aim to integrate hardware with digital infrastructure, reflecting the industry's shift towards smart mobility solutions. The exhibition aligns with national objectives for advanced and sustainable transportation.

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “The SIAM Lab reflects the collective strength of India’s automotive ecosystem in advancing smart and sustainable mobility. Our participation at the Smart Mobility India Expo provides a platform to showcase innovation, foster collaboration, and highlight the industry’s readiness for future mobility solutions.”

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Recreatives Industries, the manufacturer behind the legendary MAX 6×6 Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicles, is broadening its sales network by welcoming two new authorised dealers. The company has added Cart Guys Inc., based in Gastonia, North Carolina, alongside Globalsoft Equipment in Rochester, New York, which operates as Global MAX ATV. With Cart Guys Inc. coming on board as the second new dealer added in 2026, the United States dealer network now encompasses nine locations.

This expansion marks a strategic step in rebuilding what was once a robust North American dealer network that historically included over 200 active sites. Management views this legacy as proof of the platform’s long-term scalability as efforts continue to reestablish and grow the company’s retail presence. The focus remains on cultivating a high-quality, geographically diverse network capable of supporting rising demand across recreational, hunting and commercial sectors.

Commercial adoption of MAX ATVs is already evident, with vehicles being utilised by aqua management firms and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, alongside a loyal customer base in hunting and recreation. Upcoming models, including the MAX 4 and Buffalo, are expected to further extend the brand’s footprint into utility, industrial and commercial markets. Production of the MAX 2 is currently active and additional models are scheduled to launch in the summer of 2026, with the dealer network being aligned to support both current sales and these new introductions.

Recent operational developments include a truckload delivery of vehicle bodies to sustain ongoing MAX 2 production following the completion of the initial manufacturing run. Concurrently, the company is converting the existing MAX 4 and Buffalo moulds into its 3D CAD system, preparing for the initial production of next-generation vehicle bodies. This overall momentum reflects Recreatives Industries’ broader strategy to strengthen market presence, enhance customer access and build a scalable distribution network positioned for future growth.

Andrew Lapp, CEO, Recreatives Industries said, “Expanding our dealer network is a core priority as we continue building momentum behind the MAX brand. Adding Cart Guys in North Carolina, along with Globalsoft Equipment in New York, strengthens our regional coverage and positions us to better serve customers across key markets.”

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Vedanta Aluminium has deployed its first cohort of 30 women crane pilots at the Bharat Aluminium Company  (BALCO) unit in Korba, Chhattisgarh. The group includes 20 Pot Tending Machine (PTM) pilots and 10 beam-raising operators, marking a shift toward women-led operations as the facility enters the ‘million tonne club’.

The pilots operate in a smelting environment, executing tasks for stable metal production. These responsibilities include: anode changing & covering, tapping of molten aluminium and beam raising activities across all potlines.

The deployment followed a training programme involving classroom instruction, simulator sessions and on-the-job exposure. Currently, beam-raising activities at the plant are led by women designated as Beam Raising In-Charge in each room.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to automate core manufacturing roles and make them gender-agnostic. Vedanta Aluminium has previously implemented:

• Jharsuguda: India’s first fully women-operated potline.
• Lanjigarh: An all-women team managing the digital command centre at the alumina refinery.
• Logistics: An all-women locomotive crew for in-plant rail operations.

BALCO also integrates transgender professionals into functions such as forklift operations and security, supported by policies including financial assistance and paid leave for gender reaffirmation.

Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Automation and advanced technologies are reshaping how modern aluminium operations function across all our units. This transformation is creating space for a new generation of highly skilled professionals to lead critical, technology-enabled roles. At Vedanta Aluminium, we are proud to see women stepping confidently into these specialised positions across our operations. This milestone at BALCO reflects our commitment to building a future-ready workforce while fostering greater participation of women in core manufacturing.”

Naaz Fatima, a PTM pilot, commented, “Working as a PTM pilot is both challenging and deeply rewarding. What I value most is that the company trusts us with these critical operations and invests in our growth. It feels empowering to know that our work directly contributes to BALCO’s progress and that we are shaping a new future for women in industrial roles.”

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KKR, Allfleet India and PMI Electro Mobility Solutions have announced definitive agreements for a strategic partnership. KKR-managed funds will commit up to USD 310 million to scale Allfleet’s electric bus platform and enhance PMI Electro’s manufacturing capabilities.

As part of the transaction, KKR will acquire a majority stake in Allfleet and a minority stake in PMI Electro. This represents the eighth investment globally under KKR’s Global Climate Transition strategy and its first in India.

Established in 2022, Allfleet serves as the e-bus platform for PMI Electro, focusing on the ownership and operation of public transport fleets. The company is currently deploying over 5,000 electric buses under long-term service agreements with various state transport authorities across India.

The partnership will see an integrated model covering manufacturing led by PMI Electro, ownership and operations by managed by Allfleet and lifecycle support by technical maintenance and infrastructure management.

KKR’s investment is drawn from its Global Climate Transition strategy, which has committed over USD 44 billion to sustainability initiatives since 2010. The firm’s global portfolio in this sector includes transport electrification specialist Zenobe in the UK and solar developer Avantus in the US.

The capital will be used to expand Allfleet’s presence in Indian cities and support the national transition toward decarbonised urban mobility.

Neil Arora, Partner and Head, of KKR’s Climate Transition strategy for Asia-Pacific, said, “Transport electrification is a critical pillar of the energy transition, and India – with its scale, urbanisation trends and decarbonisation ambitions – represents one of the most significant opportunities for the sector globally. The differentiated combination of Allfleet’s proven, scalable platform and PMI’s manufacturing and service expertise stands out as a full-service solution in this market. We look forward to supporting Allfleet’s next phase of growth by working together with PMI and leveraging KKR’s global operational expertise and experience investing across climate transition.”

Aanchal Jain, CEO, PMI Electro and Director, Allfleet, said, “This investment by KKR marks a defining milestone in our journey and is a powerful endorsement of the integrated electric mobility platform we have built at Allfleet. PMI Electro’s vision is to create a scalable, reliable, and future-ready ecosystem that can transform public transport in India. As our cities grow and mobility needs evolve, clean, efficient, and accessible public transport will play a central role in shaping a more sustainable future.”

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