Japanese tier 1 supplier Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., has announced it will change its corporate name and brand to Mobitera Inc., effective 1 April 2027. The rebranding follows a strategic partnership formed in December 2024 with the Apollo Group, aimed at strengthening software development and optimising the company's business portfolio.

The transition to Mobitera represents the company's focus on the evolution of the in-vehicle cockpit space. The new name combines ‘mobility’ with the Latin ‘iter’ (path) and the Japanese ‘terasu’ (to illuminate).

The organisation is pivoting to meet market demands by prioritising software capabilities alongside its hardware legacy. The company’s mission has been defined as creating a sustainable mobility society, supported by a vision titled ‘Joy in Motion.’

The new logo features a central ‘I’ intended to symbolise a focus on individuals. The corporate colour, ‘Mobitera Blue-Green,’ has been selected to represent the harmonisation of society and the environment.

Masashi Nagayasu, Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Automotive Systems, said, “Mobitera reflects our vision to power the future of mobility with our high-quality technologies that elevate and enrich the human experience. As we evolve our organisation to meet the needs of today’s rapidly changing market, we are committed to staying true to the core values that have long defined who we are.”

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American technology and automotive company Lucid Group has announced the appointment of Silvio Napoli as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the Board of Directors.

He previously served as the Chairman and CEO of Schindler Group and will now relocate from Switzerland to the United States to assume the role. Marc Winterhoff, who has been serving as the interim CEO, will transition to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) once Napoli takes office.

Napoli joins the EV manufacturer following a career focused on industrial technology and global manufacturing. During his tenure at Schindler Group, he managed international operations and oversaw the transition of industrial models toward technology-enabled and service-oriented frameworks. His appointment coincides with Lucid's efforts to scale production of the Lucid Gravity SUV and the Lucid Air sedan, while developing its forthcoming midsize vehicle platform.

The leadership transition is intended to support Lucid's objectives regarding manufacturing discipline, capital allocation and the pursuit of revenue streams from autonomous technology and software. The company is currently focused on achieving positive free cash flow and profitability as it expands its product portfolio and scales its operational infrastructure.

Turqi Alnowaiser, Chairman of the Lucid Board of Directors, said, "On behalf of the Board, we are pleased to welcome Silvio as Lucid's next CEO. Silvio is a proven global leader with deep experience leading complex, technology‑driven organisations through periods of rapid growth and operational scaling. He brings a strong track record of global manufacturing excellence, operational discipline, driving growth across global markets and leading state-of-the-art customer service. His expertise in capital allocation, operational efficiency and translating advanced technology into consistent high-quality performance over time will be critical as Lucid continues to scale and execute its strategy. I would also like to thank Marc for his leadership as Interim CEO during a pivotal period for the company. Under Marc's stewardship, Lucid expanded and sharpened its strategy, strengthened execution and operational discipline, and led the business through an exceptionally challenging environment while maintaining momentum. We are fortunate to have his continued leadership as COO."

Marc Winterhoff, stated, "The past year has been an important period of progress for Lucid, and I'm proud of the work the team has done to strengthen our operations and execution. We have laid out a clear vision and enhanced strategy, and I look forward to continuing that work alongside Silvio."

Silvio Napoli, adeed, "Lucid has established a strong foundation built on technology leadership and an expanding product portfolio, including Lucid Air, Lucid Gravity, and the upcoming midsize vehicles. Working with Marc and the executive team, my focus will be on consistent execution, financial discipline and helping translate Lucid's breakthrough innovations into long-term value."

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The Indian automotive industry concluded FY2025-26 with record-breaking results, with every vehicle category clocking its highest-ever annual sales, as per data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

For FY2026, a total of 28 million vehicles were sold across segments in the country, clocking a 10 percent YoY growth, as compared to 26 million vehicles a year ago. The robust performance was seen in passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers, all achieving peak volumes, marking a definitive recovery 7 years after the previous industry high.

The passenger vehicle segment recorded sales of 4.64 million units for the full year, representing a growth of 7.9 percent. This performance was bolstered by a strong second half, which saw a 16.7 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Growth was supported by GST rate reductions, personal income tax relief and lower financing costs resulting from repo rate cuts by the RBI.

Notably, electric passenger vehicle registrations rose by more than 80 percent. Exports in this segment reached 905,000 units, a 17.5 percent increase, with demand remaining steady in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Commercial vehicles also reached a milestone with 1.08 million units sold, growing by 12.6 percent. The rollout of GST 2.0 reforms and increased capital expenditure provided the impetus for fleet operators to purchase new vehicles. In Q4 alone, the segment grew by 18.9 percent to 325,000 units.

Two and Three-Wheeler Momentum

The two-wheeler segment surpassed its previous peak from FY 2018-19, clocking 20.17 million units in FY2026, marking a 10.7 percent annual growth, primarily led by urban demand. Exports for two-wheelers reached a record 5.18 million units.

On the other hand, three-wheelers posted a growth of 12.8 percent with 836,000 units sold, driven by increased economic activity and the expansion of electric autorickshaws. Exports in the three-wheeler segment grew by 50.1 percent, largely due to increased volumes to Sri Lanka and African nations.

Market Outlook and Challenges

While the industry remains optimistic for FY2026-27, several global uncertainties persist. Fluctuations in crude oil and commodity prices, disruptions in shipping routes, and exchange rate volatility linked to the West Asia conflict remain primary concerns for manufacturers.

Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM, said, “Though FY2025-26 started modestly, the Indian Auto industry has closed the year on a high note with every vehicle category viz. passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, three-wheelers and two-wheelers, together posting their highest ever sales in a Financial Year, after seven years. The strong contributors to this growth have been the positive sentiments created through GST 2.0 reforms and multiple Repo Rate cuts during the year. Looking ahead, domestic demand and macroeconomic fundamentals remain robust as we step into FY2026-27, which should aid steady growth for the industry. However, uncertainties arising from the West Asia conflict need to be closely monitored, as it may have impacts on production, commodity prices, fuel prices, freight rates and the overall economy.”

Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM, stated, “Each of the vehicle category, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, three wheelers and two wheelers posted their highest ever sales in the January to March Quarter with double digit growth compared to previous year’s quarter. In Q4 of 2025-26, passenger vehicles posted sales of 1.31 million units with a growth of 13.2 percent, commercial vehicles posted sales of 325,000 units with a growth of 18.9 percent, three-wheelers posted sales of 227,000 units with a growth of 26.7 percent and two-wheelers posted sales of 5.77 million units with a growth of 26.4 percent, compared to Q4 of 2024-25.”

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Japanese automotive major Nissan Motor Co has announced its long-term strategic direction, ‘Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life’.

The plan focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence into vehicle systems and the expansion of electrification technologies to address global market requirements. Central to this strategy is the development of AI-Defined Vehicles (AIDV), which combine autonomous driving capabilities with intuitive passenger support systems.

The company aims to deploy its AI Drive technology across 90 percent of its product range over the long-term. The new Nissan Elgrand, scheduled for a summer 2026 launch, will feature next-generation ProPILOT technology with end-to-end autonomous functionality expected by the end of FY2027.

Nissan’s electrification strategy will be supported by its e-POWER series hybrid technology alongside new plug-in hybrid and range-extender solutions developed through partnerships.

As part of a portfolio rationalisation, Nissan will reduce its global line-up from 56 to 45 models, reallocating resources to growth areas. The product strategy categorises vehicles into four roles: Heartbeat (emotional and innovative models), Core (scale-driven models), Growth (emerging market models) and Partner (collaborative models). Key upcoming products include the Juke EV for Europe, the body-on-frame Xterra for the US market and a revitalised INFINITI range starting with the 2027 QX65 SUV.

The industrial model will transition to the Nissan Product Family strategy, moving from individual model development to architecture-led platforms. Three product families will eventually account for over 80 per cent of global volume, intended to increase volume per model by 30 per cent and accelerate the rollout of new technologies.

Regionally, Nissan has set a target of one million annual sales in the US by 2030, supported by localised manufacturing and large vehicle leadership. In China, the company aims for one million unit sales by 2030, utilising the region as an export hub for markets in Latin America, ASEAN and the Middle East. The Japanese domestic market will serve as a testing ground for mobility services and autonomous technologies, with an annual sales target of 550,000 units by 2030.

Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO, Nissan, said, “This is the right moment to articulate Nissan’s long‑term vision as we look beyond the Re:Nissan plan and set a clear path for the future. Our vision defines where Nissan is headed, with customer experience as our guiding priority. By advancing mobility intelligence, we will deliver products and technologies that are safer, more intuitive and more accessible with outstanding value and a more rewarding overall experience. As we continue on our path to recovery, it is essential that Nissan demonstrates our relentless focus on serving the customer, seizing the opportunities provided by AI technologies, expanding electrification and driving innovation into our vehicles to deliver sustainable market growth.”

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McLaren Automotive has appointed Kemal Curic as Chief Design Officer, effective from April 2026. Curic joins the company's Executive Leadership Team and assumes responsibility for the design vision and creative direction of the brand's vehicle portfolio. He will oversee all design functions, including interiors, exteriors, colour, materials, and finish (CMF), and digital design.

Curic moves to the British supercar manufacturer from Ford Motor Company, where he most recently held the position of Global Design Director for Performance Vehicles. His career spans over two decades in the global automotive industry, with a focus on luxury and high-performance vehicle design. In his new role, he will collaborate with the engineering and product strategy departments to maintain the company’s focus on lightweight and high-performance vehicle standards.

The appointment comes as McLaren continues to evolve its product line-up, integrating traditional racing heritage with new design innovations. Curic's previous work has been noted for its ability to update established vehicle series while maintaining brand authenticity.

Kemal Curic, Chief Design Officer, McLaren Automotive, said, “McLaren is one of the most respected and aspirational brands in the world. I’m excited to be part of their journey to help shape the design vision of a company so deeply rooted in engineering excellence and racing heritage. I look forward to working with the talented teams at McLaren to create the next generation of breathtaking, purpose‑driven cars.”

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