As the news of a seven-seater C-segment SUV being tested by Nissan in India gathers speed (besides the news that Renault will launch the new Duster as the Bigster in the next few months), the Renault Group and Nissan have announced new strategic projects. 
The most important of these is the restructuring of the Indian Renault Nissan Alliance entity with Renault Group buying out the 51 percent stake of Nissan, making Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL) its fully owned subsidiary. 
Despite this change, Nissan will maintain its presence in India with a strong focus on enhancing market coverage. RNAIPL will continue to support Nissan’s production of models, including the New Nissan Magnite in India. 
With Nissan choosing Renault Group to develop and produce a derivative of Twingo that it has designed, the restructuring of the Indian business that was until now a well-honed alliance effort with almost equal-equal investment by both the auto makers, the Renault Group and Nissan have entered into a new alliance agreement that would increase the flexibility of each of the two regarding their cross-shareholdings. This would be done by setting the lock-up undertaking at 10 percent instead of the current 15 percent. 
Nissan would be released from its commitment to invest in Ampere while continuing the agreed product projects.
 Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, commented on the significant development: “As a long-time partner of Nissan within the Alliance and as its main shareholder, Renault Group has a strong interest in seeing Nissan turnaround its performance as quickly as possible. Pragmatism and business-oriented mindset were at the core of our discussions to identify the most effective ways of supporting their recovery plan while developing value-creating business opportunities for Renault Group. This Framework Agreement, beneficial for both parties, is the proof of the agile and efficient mindset of the new Alliance. It also confirms the attractiveness of our products with Twingo as well as our ambition to grow our business on international markets. India is a key automotive market and Renault Group will put in place an efficient industrial footprint and ecosystem.”
 “Nissan is committed to preserving the value and benefits of our strategic partnership within the Alliance while implementing turnaround measures to enhance efficiencies. Our goal is to create a more agile and effective business model that allows us to respond quickly to changing market conditions and conserve cash for future investments. We remain committed to the Indian market, delivering vehicles tailored to local consumer needs while ensuring top-notch sales and service for our existing and future customers. India will remain a hub for our research and development, digital and other knowledge services. Our plans for new SUVs in the India market remain intact, and we will continue our vehicle exports to other markets under the “One Car, One World” business strategy for India," said Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO of Nissan. 
 

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organised the first edition of the Automotive HR Youth Workshop 2026 under the aegis of the SIAM Human Capital Group. The event was themed ‘Driving the Future: Youth, Skills & the Next Era of Indian Automotive Workforce’.

The day-long workshop brought together senior automotive executives, Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs), young professionals and academic representatives to discuss the training and talent requirements of India’s changing mobility ecosystem.

The schedule featured specialised modules covering contemporary industry changes, including a knowledge session titled ‘Future Skills & Best Practices’, a growth session on ‘How to Build Careers in Automotive’ and a leadership panel focused on ‘Redesigning Automotive Careers for the Next Generation’. The presentations highlighted the importance of industry-academia partnerships, digital workplace adaptation, and the implementation of inclusive, high-performance corporate structures.

The event drew senior human resource panel representatives and founders from across the Indian manufacturing and mobility landscape, including Saurav Kumar, Founder & CEO, Euler Motors; Devashish Handa, Executive Officer, Suzuki Motorcycle India; Yeshwinder Patial, CHRO, JSW MG Motor India; Rupam Singh, CHRO, JSW Motors; Anuradha Dhamodaran, Associate Vice-President – HR, TVS Motor Company; Dr. Sudhansu Pathak, Vice President – HR, JK Tyre & Industries and Nitin Khindria, CHRO, Omega Seiki Mobility.

The workshop also included interactive case presentations from emerging human resource managers representing major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as TVS Motor Company, VE Commercial Vehicles, Bajaj Auto and Ashok Leyland.

Dr. Natwar Kadel, Chairman of the SIAM Human Capital Group and Vertical Head of People Strategy, Hyundai Motor India, said, “The young workforce is already shaping the industry as it navigates rapid change. Their ability to take decisions and keep moving forward defines this transition, where learning, unlearning, and relearning matter more than ever. The automotive sector needs this mindset now, as we work to build the next generation of leaders."

Madhuri Mehta, Co-Chairman of the SIAM Human Capital Group and CHRO at Hero MotoCorp, remarked, “This is both the most exciting and the most challenging phase for the automotive industry, as the entire ecosystem undergoes a massive transformation. Auto plants today have evolved dramatically, and the focus must now shift towards preparing people for this new era of growth. Continuous reskilling and capability building will be critical to ensure the workforce evolves alongside the industry”.

Prabhu Nagaraj, Vice Chairperson of the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) and Operating Officer at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, noted, “A skilled and future-ready workforce is essential in today’s fast-changing landscape. The opportunity is clear, but it will only be realised if industry, academia, and policymakers come together to equip young talent with the right skills. That is how we make them truly employable for what lies ahead."

Mir Ranjan Negi, Former Indian hockey player, delivered a special address on ‘A Journey of Resilience and Leadership’, drawing structural parallels between sports training and corporate workforce management, “There is a strong similarity between a sportsperson and a corporate leader as both are driven by discipline, resilience, and the desire to bring pride to what they represent. When you stay fully committed to your goal, nothing can hold you back. There is no room for fear because those who lead from the front and stand strong in tough moments are the ones who truly rise.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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